A fog light is a specially designed car headlight that improves visibility in fog, rain, snow, and inclement weather . Fog lights reduce light scatter and reflection in the air, helping drivers see the road and other vehicles better.
1. Types of fog lights and their functions
| Type Fog Lamp | Colour | Location | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front fog lights | Yellow or white | Low at the front of the car | Illuminate the road directly ahead of the vehicle and reduce fog reflection. |
| Rear Fog Lights | Bright red | Back of the car | Ensure that the vehicle is clearly visible to oncoming traffic. |
📌 Front fog lights help you see better , while rear fog lights help you be seen.
2. Features of fog lights
✅ Low placement (front) → Front fog lights are placed lower on the bumper so that the light shines below the fog .
✅ Wide, flat beam → This helps to illuminate the road directly in front of the car without upward reflection .
✅ Rear fog lights are bright red → Extra bright to remain visible to drivers behind you.
✅ Yellow or white light → Yellow reduces glare, white provides clearer vision.
✅ Not always standard on cars → Mainly present on modern cars and mandatory in foggy areas .
3. When do you use fog lights?
🔹 Front fog lights should only be used in dense fog, snow or heavy rain .
🔹 Rear fog lights are mandatory when visibility is less than 50 meters (in many countries).
🔹 Do not use in bright weather → Fog lights are bright and can blind other drivers.
4. Why yellow or white fog lights?
| Colour | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow | Less glare, less scattering in fog | Less bright than white |
| White | Better visibility on the road, brighter | More reflection in fog |
📌 Yellow is better for heavy fog, white is more popular with modern LED fog lights.
5. Difference between fog lights and headlights
| Feature | Fog lights | Headlights |
|---|---|---|
| Placement | Low on the bumper | Higher on the car |
| Beam direction | Broad and flat, shines downwards | Straight ahead, long distance |
| Use in fog | Prevents glare from fog reflection | Can reflect fog and blind |
| Colour | Yellow or white | Mostly white |
💡 Tip: Do not use high beam in fog , as this will reflect in the fog and reduce visibility.
6. Fog lamp technologies
🔹 Halogen fog lamps → Affordable, warm light, shorter lifespan.
🔹 Xenon fog lights (HID) → Brighter than halogen, longer life.
🔹 LED fog lights → Energy-efficient, sharp and modern.
🔹 Laser fog lights → Advanced, used in luxury cars.
💡 In short:
Fog lights improve visibility in bad weather. Front fog lights illuminate the road without fog reflection , while rear fog lights ensure you remain clearly visible to others. Fog lights should only be used in fog, heavy rain, or snow , as they are otherwise blinding and unnecessary.