Fog Light Adjustment

[ColinT]

It's getting to that time of year again for me when I need to use the fog lights. That is in the fog, unlike others.

I have always thought these Ford fog lights to be totally useless. I've had to peer over the bonnet to see the effect when driving.

Today I set the car up as per the manual for setting fog lights.

I.e. 5m from the rear of the garage, full tank, no other load, level ground.

The light pattern should be the centre of the fog light globe less 150mm. At a distance of 5m on the wall. Adjustment is by a 6mm alan key from under the fog light.

Mine were set at a distance of 150mm less at 2m. So they were pointing at the ground. One of the adjusters was at its maximum travel pointing the light down.

Now they are set right I can't wait to give them a try on the way to work tonight. In the fog.

[Guest newl]

This is not really aimed 100% at you dude but more for informational purposes to the masses than anything else.

<minirant>

Why people continue (despite the incorrect labeling in the manual) to call the driving lights, fog lights is beyond me. If they were truely fog lights, they wouldn't be white as we all know that fog tends to reflect white light.

Evidence to back up this statement:

4wd Megastores - Pay attention to the ADR as well as the part description

And an excerpt from Wikipedia:

The respective purposes of front fog lamps and driving lamps are often confused, due in part to persistent misapprehension by the public at large that fog lamps are necessarily selective yellow, while any auxiliary lamp that makes white light is a driving lamp. Automakers and aftermarket parts and accessories suppliers frequently refer interchangeably to "fog lamps" and "driving lamps" (or "fog/driving lamps"). In most countries, weather conditions necessitating their use are very rare, and there is no legal requirement for them, so their primary purpose is frequently cosmetic. Studies have shown more people inappropriately use their fog lamps in dry weather than use them properly in poor weather in North America.

</minirant>

[Iconic Bionic]

I think they also have a useful effect in low and poor light conditions, where it would be prudent to drive with them on.

[Guest newl]

Agreed. I am not totally discounting their usability, just the choice of wording (and light coloring) used.

If the fog is heavy enough to require them, one isn't going to be tearing around the country side. In the end, as per the original post, the goal is to illuminate as much of the road as possible.

As an after thought to my post, most fog lamps are rectangular (see Wikipedia link, explains why) whereas driving lights are normally not.

[ColinT]

If they were meant to be true driving lights then according to Australian Design Rules they would only be able to come on when your headlights are on high beam.

SO that makes them fog lights then.

The wiki extract also says "They may be either white or selective yellow."

[Macktheknife]

If they were meant to be true driving lights then according to Australian Vehicle Standards they would only be able to come on when your headlights are on high beam.

SO that makes them fog lights then.

←

I agree.

The lenses are such that the light output is heavily diffuased. Another standard feature of true (Short distance) fog lights that are meant to only illuminate the road/lane edges.

There are no lights, yellow blue or pink that will penetrate heavy fog, evidenced by the large number of multi pile-ups in Europe etc.

[Dagabond]

[Macktheknife]

Seems like the man from the swamp reckons something is going round and round.

[turbotom]

All I'll say is that the auxillary lights (fog/driving) on the XR's are pretty useless.

They are just cosmetic, in my opinion.

Try driving with them on at night time ...without headlights....

the parking lights provide more illumination!

Thought about replacing them with 100w spotties..., but the stock high beam penetration is good enough.

[SAMSXR6T]

just a head up, got pulled over by our friendly nsw police on friday night for having my fog lights on, he gave me a little piece of paper with an amount to be paid... not happy..