What Are Fog Lights? And Other Frequently Asked Questions

Fog lights are a type of vehicle light designed to illuminate the road in low-visibility conditions such as rain, snow, thick fog, or dust. These lights have a sharp, low cutoff to prevent the light from reflecting against water droplets and causing a glare. Fog lights emit a wide yet short-range beam, so use them in conjunction with headlights in low-lighting situations. Fog lights are located below the headlight unit on the bumper.

On your dashboard, the fog light symbol appears as a lamp emitting three slanted lines with a wavy vertical line passing through them. Turning on these lights can vary by vehicle make and model. However, not every vehicle is equipped with fog lights, so it is important to refer to the owner's manual to know if you have them and how to turn them on. Some vehicles have rear fog lights, which are red tinted, though these are less common in the US.

Fog lights have a wide and flat beam pattern that is aimed low to the ground. They are designed specifically to cut through fog and other low-visibility driving conditions. Low beams, on the other hand, are standard headlights used for driving at night. They illuminate the road ahead without blinding oncoming traffic. High beams, also known as brights, emit an upward beam that illuminates a larger area ahead of the vehicle. They should only be used where there are no streetlights or when you need to see far in the distance. However, because of their intensity and beam angle, high beams should be switched off when facing oncoming traffic, when approaching other vehicles, and in well-lit urban areas to avoid blinding other drivers.

Daytime running lights (DRL) are located at the front of your vehicle near the headlight assembly and are activated with your vehicle’s ignition. Their purpose is not to improve the visibility of the road but to help other drivers see your car. While not required in the US, daytime running lamps appear on a rising number of vehicles. Fog lights, however, are used to see through fog and low visibility conditions without causing glare. These lights are manually turned on by the driver. DRLs are not a replacement for fog lights, and fog lights are not a replacement for DRLs.

The specific placement of aftermarket fog lights will differ based on the type, make, and model of the vehicle.

• Cars and SUVs: Aftermarket fog lights for cars and SUVs are typically mounted to the front bumper around 10-24 inches above the ground level and underneath the headlight assembly. Some car models have a removable front bumper insert that can be detached and replaced with a compatible fog light kit. Look at your owner’s manual and see which option is best for your vehicle.
• Trucks: Truck fog lights can be mounted to the front bumper, front valance, or grille guard. You will want to make sure your fog light kit is compatible with your valance or grille guard before purchasing. 
• Off-Road Vehicles: Aftermarket fog light kits are very popular for off-road vehicles, such as Jeeps and Broncos. Your vehicle model will often require a vehicle-specific set of fog lights. They can be mounted to the front grille guard or front bumper.

No, you cannot use fog lights as headlights. Since their beams are aimed downward and typically have a shorter range than headlights, they will not provide the necessary illumination for low-light conditions. Many state statutes require you to use fog lights in addition to low beams while driving.

Yes, front and rear fog lights are legal in the United States. However, different states have different regulations for what conditions they can be used in, their mounting height, their color, and when you must use them in conjunction with other headlights. For more information on the specific laws in your state, consult your local statutes.

No, not all cars have fog lights. Typically these lights are added onto the vehicle package as you go up in trim level. Certain off-road vehicles, such as Jeeps and Broncos, have their own supplementary mounting equipment for adding fog lights to the vehicle exterior.

Yes, you can drive with fog lights on. Be sure to check with local regulations to see the specific conditions that warrant using these lights. You should use your fog lights in addition to low-beam headlights while driving.

White and yellow fog lights each offer their own benefits. Yellow light reduces glare and is gentler on the eyes because it reflects less off water particles. It is also easier for the human eye to focus on yellow light than a bright white light. On the other hand, some drivers argue that white light appears brighter and adds more clarity to the road. Whichever color you choose, LEDs are able to provide the right color based on your preference. LED fog lights are available in white, yellow, and amber.

Upgrading your halogen bulbs to LED fog lights is a beneficial move for several reasons. LEDs have a longer lifespan compared to traditional halogen bulbs, and this means fewer replacements and less maintenance costs over time. Some LED bulbs have a lifetime of up to 50,000 hours, so they can last the full lifetime of your car.  Additionally, LEDs are highly efficient; they use a lower wattage while providing an equal or higher lumen output than halogen bulbs. Compared to halogen bulbs, LEDs provide more options for how bright and the specific color of fog lights you want.