Has anyone got any opinions on use of fog/driving lights? - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

XRchic · 03-10-2004, 23:00

Hi all. I am just curious as to who out there uses or does not use their fog lights on their XRs! There is quite a discussion going on on another forum, and it would be interesting to see the opinions of people who actually own cars with them! Do any of you use them when you shouldn't? Is the distinction between driving light and fog lights clear and do you think the dealers are aware of the issue. And why do only (generally) sports models of cars, ie XRs, have fog lights and the XT or Fairmont does not (although you can option them as driving lights I think). Is it that only sports models are susceptible to fog!!!! And are they perceived as being something sporty, rather than practical, hence people use them inappropriately???

Any thoughts?

100% · 03-11-2004, 01:29

I use mine quite often. i leave the switch on, so whenever parkers are on, so are foggies. Makes you more visible to others, especially with a car color that blends with the road, not so bad if you have Acid Rush! Some will say I look like a w#nker, some wont! Who cares, as long as I'm happy. Everyone else can do what they want. It's like stripes or no stripes? There'll always be people on both sides of the fence.

BTW, I'm a stripes person!

XRchic · 03-11-2004, 01:37

Yeah, interesting! I do the same as you. But on another site, I was told by a cop that using the fog lights when it is not foggy is mega illegal, and that it blinds other drivers, especially when reflecting off the wet road, and that the cops are going after people who use them inappropriately!

I thought they were too busy setting up speed cameras to bother with stuff like that, but it has made me think twice...

EBXR · 03-11-2004, 01:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by XRchic

Yeah, interesting! I do the same as you. But on another site, I was told by a cop that using the fog lights when it is not foggy is mega illegal, and that it blinds other drivers, especially when reflecting off the wet road, and that the cops are going after people who use them inappropriately!

They are also going after people who use mobiles whilst they drive... But yes, it is illegal. There was some problem with the BA fairmont ghia, with the driving lights coming on with the head lights and drivers not being able to turn them off. And that was deemed illegal.

If someone is driving towards me and their driving lights blind me so I can't see, I generally just use my high beam... I find some people angle the lights upwards which light up the road better, but blind oncoming drivers in the process.

I'm all for them when used appropriately though....

Jamie XR6 · 03-11-2004, 01:53

I don't bother using mine unless I'm in rain, fog or in an area where it's dark and I'd consider using high beam. I call them wanker lights but that is only a phrase I use in jest.

In fact, I had owned the car for about 3 months before I even switched them on for the first time.

I hate the way these driving lights produce glare when they are heading towards me so I try not to do the same to other drivers.

I was exactly the same with my Subaru as well.

GT-P 0006 · 03-11-2004, 02:08

I have read about the use of fog lights in the RACV mag. They say that using front fog lights is legal no matter what the light or weather conditions but they also say that it is poor practice to use them unless the conditions require them as the extra glare can be a problem for on-coming traffic. The use of rear fog lights in any conditions other than fog is illegal. (I don't think that XR's have rear fog lights, that is the tail lights become brighter at about the same strength as stop lights.) Personnaly I like to see the fog lights on with XR's and GT's during the day as it makes them look meaner.

Big Mick · 03-11-2004, 02:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by 100%

I use mine quite often. i leave the switch on, so whenever parkers are on, so are foggies. Makes you more visible to others, especially with a car color that blends with the road, not so bad if you have Acid Rush! Some will say I look like a w#nker, some wont! Who cares, as long as I'm happy. Everyone else can do what they want. It's like stripes or no stripes? There'll always be people on both sides of the fence.

BTW, I'm a stripes person!

I agree 100% with 100%

BTW Jack Black is correct regarding the use of front fog lights in Victoria. They are legal provided they don't "dazzle" other drivers, that is, they need to be aimed correctly exactly as per the low beams.

Oh and Jack Black welcome to Ford Forums!!

XRchic · 03-11-2004, 05:27

Yes, I have heard that about the rear fog lights, such as on the Hyundai, yes? They have been having problems with rear fog light use in Europe apparently....

I agree also, they do look mean when they are on! However I am not out to dazzle any other drivers, and apparently they reflect quite badly off wet roads when angled down....

I must say though, I do a fair bit of night driving and country driving, and other people with their fog or driving lights on have never bothered me - it never occurred to me it would bother anyone, but now I realise it does bother people, I might be more careful about how I use them....

VOOK · 03-11-2004, 17:31

Sad to admit it on a Ford Forum by my Hyundai has the real lights and all it does it light up another red panel on the back next to the brakes I only put them on in the fog (duh

) which is never or in really pissing down rain or to piss people off behind me and flash them at them

XRchic · 03-11-2004, 17:37

Neat trick! I would like to be able to flash tailgaters from behind!