Fog rear lights: types, brands, how to turn on, relays, replacement and expert advice

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

Bad weather is not a reason to refuse to use a car, rather, on rainy days, car owners move in this way. When using conventional lighting devices, movement is limited in speed. This problem is solved by using rear fog lights.

A distinctive feature of this device from conventional lighting is a horizontal wide beam of light emitted by a lamp with a diffuser and a reflector. Its advantage over simple analogues in headlights in foggy or non-flying weather is indisputable. Ordinary beams are reflected from raindrops and fog with light that prevents the driver following behind from driving. Fog rear lights illuminate the area "under the fog", solving this problem. Let's analyze this issue in more detail.

Device

Since the fog does not tend to lay down tightly on the surface of the track, the rear fog lamps allow you to direct a horizontal beam of light onto the road, thereby increasing visibility through the fog at times.

The intensity of light used for this type of taillight is typically up to 300 times that of conventional optics. In addition, the fog lamp must emit a red color to avoid collisions in bad weather. Just like the front fog lights, the rear ones cast a long red rectangle of light from under the fog, which increases the distance from which a car can be detected by several times. These lighting devices have increased efficiency in the daytime.

Not all cars are equipped with such headlights from the conveyor, but, according to GOST, their presence is mandatory. Without this element, it is impossible to pass MOT, however, to engage in independent dismantling of previously installed lighting fixtures is an illegal procedure.

Rear fog lights are built into the body. To install them, use the bracket as a link to the clipboard.

The optical system includes: a reflector (parabola type), 4 lamps, a light diffuser, 3 screens and a thread located in the focus field of a paraboloid reflector.

The bulbs used are only halogen or xenon type. Each kit comes with a relay and a fuse.

Views

Fresnel lens:

• without reflector;
• diffuser - lensFresnel.

2. Reflex:

• reflector is used;
• smooth diffuser forms a beam of the desired shape.

3. Combined (most common type):

• reflector;
• a Fresnel lens is used instead of a smooth diffuser.

Stamps

Prices for fog lights depend on the power and class of goods. In the line of each manufacturer there are luxury or more budget products. The most popular brands of fog lamps: Starline, Bosch, Phillips, Osram, Neolux, Lucaselectrical, Valeo and others.

How to enable

If the equipment is provided by the manufacturer, just press the rear fog lamp button located on the car control panel.

Self-installation is possible only with sufficient experience or knowledge in car electrics. The rear fog lamps must be switched on together with other outdoor lighting equipment.

Relay

This part is designed to start and stop the rear fog lights. It connects to the power supply circuit of the lighting equipment. In the event that the headlight is out of order, it may not be necessary to completely replace the part. It is necessary to make sure that the relay is in good condition and, if there is a breakdown, replace only this part.

Replacement

Replacement of the rear fog lamp is required in the following cases:

• Damage during an accident.
• Moisture getting into the headlight as a result of a crack and fogging.
• Integrity is broken due to sudden temperature changes in winter.
• Electrical breakdown.
• An outdated technique.
• The presence of other defects that reduce the efficiency of the device.

If the rear fog lights do not light up, and no obvious reason has been identified, this is also a reason to dismantle the optics and repair or replace it. This will take no more than two hours.

Installation of the rear "foglights" (according to GOST) is carried out no higher than 1 m above the road level and not lower than 0.25 m.

In order to replace lighting equipment, the following tools are needed:

1. Switch with switch (steering column).
2. Tool set.
3. Relay.
4. Waterproof terminals (x2).

Step by step instructions for changing the taillights:

1. When dismantling the fog lights, you need to remove the bumper by unscrewing a couple of self-tapping screws and bolts by 10.
2. The headlight mount is being dismantled.
3. Electrical connectors being removed.
4. Squeezing the fixing parts.
5. The frames are being removed and the old lighting fixtures are being removed.
6. Electrical connector is adjusted to install new equipment.
7. Cleaning fasteners, preparing them for installing new headlights.
8. Direct installation.
9. Checking the correct installation of equipment.

Tips

1. The use of fog lights increasesvisibility in bad weather up to 30%.
2. It is worth limiting the power of the taillights to avoid discomfort for road users who are driving behind.
3. If it is decided to install a single lamp, it must be mounted in the center of the rear of the car, slightly higher than the main row of headlights.
4. When choosing lighting equipment, you should pay attention to the material from which the headlights are made: it must be durable and resistant to temperature changes in order to avoid cracks on the glass.
5. Installing such a device is not an easy operation, therefore it is recommended, if possible, to contact a professional so that the “foglights” function correctly, do not cause increased attention from the traffic police inspectors and last as long as possible.
6. When self-installing, be sure to set up a joint inclusion with other elements of outdoor lighting. This rule is provided for in the SDA.
7. It is strictly not recommended to use "fog" in clear weather to avoid difficult traffic for other drivers.

Fog lights are not an easy piece of equipment, but a must-have, as it helps save the lives of car passengers and other road users in bad weather.