Rudy

It isn't about how far they project -- foglights are designed to project more to the side and less straight ahead. That's why they work in fog. If you're looking at where they light the road, you're not looking far enough ahead to be safe.

Whether you believe it or not, fog lights do cause additional, unnecessary glare to oncoming cars when they are passing close to you, not far away. Sure, SUV's make things worse due to their height but fog lights on cars cause glare too.

I'm sure you'll agree that Germany takes driving and safety very seriously. You need to do more than fog a mirror (no pun intended) to get a license there (in contrast to the requirements here in the US). They have strict enforcement of strict laws designed to keep motorists safe. If fog lights aren't a nuisance to other motorists, why would it be illegal to use them over there when it isn't foggy?

realtyman

OK. I'll turn them off from now on!

One way to be sure that my Fog Lights are off is to leave my High Beams ON.

(sorry - too many beers tonight - getting a little testy - time to log off).

GP550iSport

I drive with them on sometimes. It lights up the sides of the road better and fills the gap between the low beams and the bumper.

E604U2NV

I always drive with my fog lights on. Honestly, i dont think they do anything special when there is fog, its purely for looks. And they do make the car look a lot better to on coming traffic.

saurabh

i personally never found 'Fog Lights' to be ever so effective in FOG. but hey who is to say that its sooo 'eighties' to have them on all the time....everyone has their own preferences

bobr2001

Actually, fog lights are also LEGAL in Germany. Fog lights were originally installed to help the driver see better in the fog, heavy rain and even snowfall.

In addition, European cars are all equiped with rear foglights (which are not LEGAL in the USA - now I know why) which, in Germany, can only be used in periods of heavy fog when drivers cannot see more that 50 meters (160 yards) ahead. Then if your rear fog light is on, you are only allowed to travel at speeds of 50 KM (30 MPH) or less.

545RV

In my opinion, if you're trying to be cool and you're over 21 years of age, you'll look cooler with them off... Unless, that is, it's foggy outside!! [QUOTE]

Rudy:

Nicely put

























































'

heezy545i

Foglights from oncoming drivers, e60s included do not have any effect on my vision. If one wants to drive with them on, then I have no problem with that. I am more concerned with misaligned xenons myself.

About the fogs being illegal, who really cares. Speeding is illegal last time I checked, but that doesn't seem to bother anyone.

I rarely use my fogs, but on one occasion I was driving on a dark one lane highway with construction barriers on each side. The road being quite narrow coupled with my unfamiliarity made me a bit uneasy. After turning on my fogs, my vision and confidence increased immensely.

If one uses the fogs for "looks," then I'm a bit confused. The xenons have a comparitively whiter light than the fogs do. If one turns on the fogs, the path of light turns yellow, which takes away from the looks.

If your really after looks and rarely have fog in your area, then switch out the fogs for a whiter bulb, possibly even xenons. That be sure to upset our fellow german friend.

skidster

Me too. [/quote]
i am with the ice-dude on this one BIG time... i know i've p'd a couple of people off with my opinions hereabouts as of late BUT

just one more opinion if you do not mind:

BONEHEADS use fog lights when it is not foggy
BONEHEADS do not realise that it is in fact *very* irritating to oncoming drivers

northernmonkey

interesting thread.

in the uk I would say I could count on one hand the number of times in the last 10 yrs i've been driving and atually felt that visibility was so badly reduced I had a need to use fog lights.

In the UK you can (and rightly so!!!!!!) be prosecuted for the use of front fogs in clear conditions...I have a friend who is a traffic cop and his statement was "If the lens/lamp is a fog light, (for seriously reduced visibility, less than 100m) and the vehicle is displaying them in clear conditions then an offence is commited".

I also know a few people who have been "pulled" and fined by the police for this offence and IMO that is justified....though most of them got away with a telling off.

So get your foglights switched off you eeeeeejits who drive round with them on in clear conditions ! and be proud of your angel eyes and Xenons