Fog Lights: Everything You Need to Know

What Do Fog Lights Do?

Inclement weather such as fog, heavy rain and snow, and even dust storms can create hazardous driving conditions on the road, affecting traction and your ability to see what is in front of you. Low visibility is the culprit in over 38,000 vehicle crashes every year, according to the Federal Highway Administration. When driving in adverse conditions that limit your sight lines, it is essential that not only are your lights in good, working condition, but that you, the driver, know how and when to engage your vehicle’s different lighting systems. 

This is where fog lights come in.

What Are Fog Lights?

Fog lights are a special set of lights, or auxiliary lights, intended for use during low-visibility conditions and are located in the front, and sometimes rear, of your vehicle. It is important to note that fog lights are separate from your headlights and do not live in the same place on your vehicle. Front fog lights are generally positioned in the lower portion of your front bumper, about 12 to 30 inches from the ground. Rear fog lights are less standardized than front fog lights, and may be nested within the rear brake lights or located closer to the lower portion of your rear bumper.

Do All Cars Have Fog Lights?

No! In America, fog lights are not federally or state-mandated. This means your vehicle may or may not be equipped with fog lights. If you discover your car does not have fog lights, there’s no need to worry! Installation of a fog light system should be a relatively simple procedure for your trusted mechanic.

How Do I Turn On My Fog Lights?

The good news is that if your vehicle is equipped with fog lights, there is a special symbol or symbols you can look for that will tell you where you can engage your fog lights. The bad news? That symbol may be located in different places, depending on the make, model, and year of your car.

Let’s talk about what symbol you need to look out for first.

The symbol for your fog lights will be the same regardless of the vehicle you are driving. Your front fog lights will be indicated by this symbol:

Your rear fog lights will be indicated by this symbol:

You’ll see that these symbols are very similar to each other! Remember that for front fog lights, the squiggly line sits to the left. To engage your rear fog lights, look for the symbol with the squiggly line on the right. It is much more common for vehicles in the United States to be equipped with front fog lights as opposed to front and rear fog lights. In either case, be certain to inspect your vehicle before setting off in low-visibility conditions.

How Do I Switch On My Fog Lights?

The short answer is that it depends on your vehicle. Because fog lights are not standardized, the control apparatus may look different in each car. This being said, there are four main areas you should expect to find your fog light controls:

• Side panel
• Lever
• Center console
• Screen

Side Panel

In some vehicles, the controls for the fog lights will be located on the driver’s side panel, as such:

Lever

In some vehicles, the controls for the fog lights will be located on a right or left steering column lever, as such:

Center Console

In some vehicles, the controls for the fog lights will be located in the center console, as such:

Screen

In some electric vehicles likes Teslas, the controls for the fog lights will be located in the main tablet or screen area, as such:

How Do Fog Lights Work?

It depends if the fog lights are on the front or the rear of the vehicle.

Front Fog Lights

Front fog lights work by illuminating the immediate area around the front of the car so the driver may see road features such as lane markings, debris, or other vehicles in low-visibility conditions. Front fog lights are pointed downward and will illuminate about 10 to 25 feet in front of your vehicle. For your front fog lights to be the most effective, you must be driving at a speed which is appropriate for the conditions on the road. This most likely means you will be driving under the speed limit.

Rear Fog Lights

Rear fog lights work by illuminating the rear of the car so a following driver may be able to spot your vehicle in low-visibility conditions. Rear fog lights will be visible about 300 feet from the rear of your vehicle. For your rear fog lights to be the most effective, you must be driving at a speed which is appropriate for the conditions on the road. This most likely means you will be driving under the speed limit.

When to Use Fog Lights?

The laws and regulations surrounding the use of fog lights may differ from state to state. This being said, the majority of states require the following behaviors as they relate to the use of fog lights:

• Fog lights may only be used in conjunction with low-beam lights (regular lights), not high-beam lights.
• Fog lights may not be used on their own. 
• A vehicle may have no more than 2 front fog lights.
• Front fog lights must be situated between 12-30 inches from the ground and angled downwards.
• Front fog lights must be white, amber, or yellow in color.
• Some states, like Colorado, require that you disengage your front fog lights when you are within 200 feet of another vehicle’s rear.

Fog Lights: The Final Word

Both front and rear fog lights are fantastic safety features that can help you operate your vehicle in low-visibility, dangerous conditions. As a driver, you need to know if your vehicle has fog lights, how to turn them on, and when to engage and disengage them. For more in-depth information about fog lights and behind-the-wheel insights, sign up for driving lessons or driver’s ed with Coastline Academy!