Using fog lights properly - a 'treasure' for driving in the rain

For many drivers, having to move in the rain or fog is like "a last resort". Drivers can be confused when visibility is greatly limited, especially in heavy rain, the headlights only create a large bright shadow in front of the car, making it impossible to see, even at close range.

With the fog lights equipped on the car, most of them give a yellow light, but for many people, the light intensity is not enough for them to observe when it rains heavily. To make it easier to observe, many cars have added fog lights, especially trucks and passenger cars. In many countries around the world, the control of the use of fog lights is quite strict, to avoid dazzling oncoming vehicles and traffic police on duty on the road.

What are fog lights?

Fog lights are different from headlights or taillights of the car in that they are placed lower, at the bottom and two outer corners of the front or rear bumper. In this position, when turning on the lights in case of moving in rain or fog, the driver can see the road surface right from the driving position, or observe and follow the road markings easily.

Many cars are equipped with front and rear fog lights, which can operate independently. In addition, the fog light system also operates independently of the headlights, used in rainy, foggy weather... when headlights are difficult to provide good visibility.

How to know if fog lights are on

The fog light symbol is usually a symbol of a light with 3 parallel rays of light, accompanied by a vertical line above these 3 parallel rays of light. The fog light symbol will appear on the driver's display when it is turned on. Usually, the same switch on the headlight willThere is a circle with an arrow, the driver rotates the arrow circle pointing to the fog light symbol to turn on this light.

For vehicles with a separate light switch on the left side, below the air-conditioning vent, the driver can turn on the fog lights by turning the knob to the fog light position. The best way is to carefully read the owner's manual, under "Lights" so that you can be sure of how to operate the car's lighting system. If you are unsure, choose a safe location on the road, stop the car, turn on the lights and get out to walk around the car to check that the lights are on.

When to use fog lights

As the name suggests, fog lights are only used when there is fog or rain that reduces visibility. Or if you need to increase visibility when driving at night, on mountain passes... you can use them. The standard fog lights equipped above will help you easily observe the space right in front of the car, easily recognize the road markings on both sides, and quickly recognize the brake lights and rear fog lights of the car moving in front.

In fact, many trucks, buses and ambulances have installed LED fog lights and LED bars across the front of the vehicle without regard to how it affects oncoming traffic.

For first-time drivers, or those who rarely travel on the highway at night, improperly installed fog lights of oncoming vehicles can cause a lot of trouble. It can cause glare, distraction, or temporary blindness when the headlights of oncoming vehicles are too bright.