Fog lights for your car

Sensible option in case of poor view: the fog lamp

The set of headlights on a car front continues to extend, every separate lamp displaying a particular function. In the past only dipped beam and high beam were available: nowadays bend lighting and daytime running light are very common. The fog lamp has been one of the standard accessories for decennia. Its correct installation is very important, bacause only then it is effective.

Why would you need a fog lamp?

Front fog lamps are essentially different from rear fog lamps. They are auxiliary headlights, not solely intended for improving the frontal view in case of fog. Under these exceptional weather circumstances, "being seen" is very important as well. Normal dipped and main beam have the following problem: the photons, shining directly into the fog wall, are randomly refracted and reflected by small water drops in the air, causing the driver to only see a blinding, bright white cloud in front of the car. Safe driving is no longer possible. Fog lights make use of the circumstance that directly above the ground the layer is less thick. They shine under the fog, enabling some view on the road. Fog lights have a better long-range effect. Oncoming traffic notices a car with fog lights much sooner than a car with fog lights switched off.

Correct installation of fog lamps

For no other type of headlights is the correct installation as important as for frontal fog lights. In order for them to function properly, they must be installed right above the road. For a considerable period of time a hanging position under the front bumper was the usual installation point for this auxiliary lighting. As bumpers nowadays are flat and made of plastic, this is no longer that simple. In short: universal fog lamps, as they used to be standard in the past, are nowadays rarely made. They would require cutting open the plastic bumper and nobody really wants this. Fog lights are on every car type's list of available accessories at an additional price, and bumpers are therefore standard adapted to their installation. Apertures are supplied ex works, often covered by a lid or a grid for aesthetical reasons. The advantage of this construction is virtually nothing can go wrong when installing frontal fog lamps. The brackets on the bumpers and power connections are already present. Only a switch must be installed on a free space on the dashboard for successful assembly of the fog lamp.

Purchase of fog lamps

When purchasing fog lamps it is essential that they are original parts. Their precise fit is very important, ensuring that they fit in the bumpers and can adequately be connected to the cable harness. Cheap no-name products pose a problem in this respect: cheap fog lamps often just don't fit. Many car owners desperately start sawing and filing, only diminishing the value of the car rather than enhancing it. Therefore: installation of fog lamps in the bumpers requires original parts from branded suppliers. All else is a great risk and can turn out to be damaging to the car.

While you're at it...

While upgrading the lighting installation of your car anyway, it is an excellent occasion for performing other useful measures such as:

• installing daytime running lamps
• installing bend lighting
• equipping all signalling lights with LED lamps

These measures bring even an older car totally up-to-date with regard to lighting. It is however very important for all additional lighting to be regulatory. If this is not the case, you will be denied a certificate at the next MOT inspection. Then, the only options are refitting or restoring the original condition. With original parts from branded manufacturers you avoid this risk. In our shop you will find all parts you need.