Fog Light Consensus?

"MIATAAAA" (miataaaa) 10/09/2013 at 16:00 • Filed to: None

0

29

Facts:

I used to use my fog lights all the time because... why NOT more light?!

But I recently found that there are Oppo members who are completely opposed to this practice. (see what I did there?)

Give me these facts:

1) What do fog lights ACTUALLY do? I haven't really noticed that they make a significant difference. A little wider angle of view at night near the car, but that's it. They really don't make driving in actual fog any better. I always thought they're just there to say "Hey! I paid more money than you did for these little lights!"

2) Why should I use (or NOT use) them all the time? It's not like driving around with high beams on and blinding people, right?? RIGHT!? I hope not - otherwise I'm THAT guy.

Tell me.

AbigGRNboot > MIATAAAA 10/09/2013 at 16:04

2

They are for when it's foggy.

After sunup and driving in the fog your regular lights will only illuminate the fog in the air. Your fogs are supposed to shine under the cloud and illuminate the ground.

If you turn your brights on when it's foggy the blinding effect gets very bad, better illustrating this effect.

Also, for asshats to look cool.

I don't use mine all the time because they are usually stupid expensive to replace.

Victorious Secret > MIATAAAA 10/09/2013 at 16:05

3

I have them on at night. It is non-directional light that is not aimed to cause interference with traffic, why not? Lights up the ground a lot better and provides limited distance throw which is handy on B/C/D/Roads to Mordor. HAving said that white fog lights are kinda useless for me.

Yellow light works better in poor visibility conditions like fog, rain and snow. White light will bounce right back and cause a lot of glare. Yellow light is much better on your eyes.

dinobot666 > MIATAAAA 10/09/2013 at 16:09

0

The light being cast directly in front of your car from your fog lights can dilate your pupils, which can make it more difficult to see at night. Use them for how they were intended, for inclement weather such as fog or if there is snow on the ground.

I find that putting a higher contrast bulb in, like a PIAA yellow bulb helps a lot when it is foggy or if there is snow on the ground.

ddavidn > Victorious Secret 10/09/2013 at 16:09

0

Note: yellow is probably illegal where you live, and don't have super bright yellow lights aimed at other drivers' eyes like every teenager around where I live...

ddavidn > MIATAAAA 10/09/2013 at 16:10

0

I like the way they look, especially if they are yellow. But only if they are aimed properly, and low enough to do something useful. I took the fog lights out of my M3, though, because they kept breaking and they also didn't do much since the light was white.

efme > MIATAAAA 10/09/2013 at 16:12

0

my fogs are almost driving beam pattern. i will take pictures.

MIATAAAA > MIATAAAA 10/09/2013 at 16:14

0

Here's a CarTalk article I came across looking for an answer:

http://www.cartalk.com/content/do-fog…

Victorious Secret > ddavidn 10/09/2013 at 16:14

0

Yellow is legal here.

What is the temp....2300k I believe. It still legal under the traffic code.

ddavidn > Victorious Secret 10/09/2013 at 16:16

0

What do "French Fogs" normally come in at? 2300K doesn't sound too yellow.

Victorious Secret > ddavidn 10/09/2013 at 16:20

1

Hmm, I'll have to go grab a picture while they are on to show.

Edit: This is what they are like at half power on mine right now

ddavidn > Victorious Secret 10/09/2013 at 16:21

0

I kind of want to start a thread with fog light pictures now... but I don't have any to start. Apparently my fog lights were illegal, since they aren't a foot off the ground...... http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.as…

Victorious Secret > ddavidn 10/09/2013 at 16:25

0

Hmm, that is an interesting law.

Right now my yellows are actually sitting in my high beams, checked to ensure it wasn't illegal and it isn't.

I have the yellow fogs sitting in the garage, but installed them requires removing the bumper and I just never got around to it. For what it is so far, they work well as DRLs and driving down dodgy roads I think the choice to have them in the high beams paid off a little, but I'll be switching back to normal once I have time to switch the fogs to yellow and the high beams to white.

Milky > MIATAAAA 10/09/2013 at 16:25

0

All night, err'ynight. (p.s. they're on in this photo)

WhyRovers > MIATAAAA 10/09/2013 at 16:29

0

I find them pretty useful in fog. I drive SUVs though, so is it because my headlights sit higher off the ground, that I notice more of a difference when I turns on the fogs when I am in actually fog? Or snow, as someone else mentioned.

Volvosaurus-Rex > MIATAAAA 10/09/2013 at 16:40

1

For regular driving without fog, foglights are the opposite of helpful. They brightly illuminate thr ground right in front of your car, causing your eyes to adjust to that brightness and weakening your natural ability to adjust to the lower-light illumination provided by your headlights. It's similar to the principle of using a red-tinted flashlight at night.

MIATAAAA > Volvosaurus-Rex 10/09/2013 at 16:45

0

At first, I didn't believe this.

But now I think I do!

But then, the Matrix blinds me with the speedo, so it's a wash in that car.

Volvosaurus-Rex > MIATAAAA 10/09/2013 at 16:50

0

It's not a fairy in Peter Pan, you don't need to believe it for it to exist.

Soloburrito > MIATAAAA 10/09/2013 at 17:12

0

Used to be a 24/7 foglights on guy until I was shamed into turning them off on my Mustang GT by the commentariat here.

Now I only turn them on during inclement weather or on dark roads.

Oppo: Shaming People Into Being Less of an Asshat

Long Live the Longdoor > MIATAAAA 10/09/2013 at 18:43

0

Is that your red NC Miata?

MIATAAAA > Long Live the Longdoor 10/09/2013 at 19:53

0

No. This is just a random one off the web.

Mine's a 2012, so it doesn't have that shiny black retainer on the front grille.

Long Live the Longdoor > MIATAAAA 10/09/2013 at 21:35

0

Hmm, cool.

How are you liking it? What's the fuel econ been like? I'm seriously considering buying one in a couple years.

MIATAAAA > Long Live the Longdoor 10/10/2013 at 09:38

0

I LOVE IT. I have a 2001 Z3 3.0 that's also a blast, but the Miata is even more fun (though slower). I don't think I could've picked a better car.

I average about 27 mpg.

You will not be disappointed.

Long Live the Longdoor > MIATAAAA 10/10/2013 at 12:56

0

Sweet! I've always loved the Z3's! What was it like maintenance wise?

Did you get the soft top or the PRHT? Have you done any winter driving with it?

As much as I obsess about all cars, I keep on coming back to the Miata. For some reason it just does it for me (though I still need to drive one), I'm not sure why I like it so, it induces the fizz.

MIATAAAA > Long Live the Longdoor 10/10/2013 at 13:04

0

Z3 maintenance - typical BMW. Nothing crazy. Bunch of service assholes. It's been pretty reliable (except everything little breaks - door close sensors, lock cylinders, radio display, speakers, everything in the world). Runs like a dream though.

PRHT. Very light winter driving. Get some winter tires and you'll be fine.

I really wanted to get a BRZ, so I test drove it. I liked it. Next door was a Mazda dealership, so I tootled over just to TRY a Miata, since I had never driven one.

I fell in love INSTANTLY. I found it to be way more fun than the BRZ. But a lot of that is subjective.

Note about the PRHT - if you like to take it to the track alot, get the soft top. Can't get a regular roll bar underneath the damn top. It's an issue for a lot of events (but not all).

Long Live the Longdoor > MIATAAAA 10/10/2013 at 18:59

0

I'm definitely going to test drive a bunch of things, but I have a feeling I'll end up with a Miata (aside from my love for it, I really don't need anything more than a 2 seater). Actually, perhaps you can answer a question I've been pondering for a while, but I didn't think I'd be able to answer unless I tried it on a test drive; will the trunk fit a 5 gallon water jug? I keep thinking about the things I do with my car on a regular basis and that is one of them (pickup water, not that it couldn't go in the passenger seat).

I might try a track day some time with the Miata, but I'll mostly be using it for daily driving. I'm leaning towards the PRHT assuming I can find one for a good price. Ideally, in a few years I'd like to hunt down a 2013 GS model (known as the club model in the US). This is, of course, assuming that the "ND" Miata doesn't woo me into buying a new one.

MIATAAAA > Long Live the Longdoor 10/10/2013 at 19:06

0

Hmmm... Like those Gatorade dispenser jugs?

Probably not upright. Probably on it's side.

Also, even though I just bought the car this year and I love it, I am nervous about the "ND". If all goes well, it'll be fantastic. And I will want it.

I might sell my NC to you. :)

Long Live the Longdoor > MIATAAAA 10/10/2013 at 20:40

0

Lol deal, is your Miata red like your profile picture?

MIATAAAA > Long Live the Longdoor 10/10/2013 at 20:50

0

Yup!

Long Live the Longdoor > MIATAAAA 10/10/2013 at 21:16

0

Solid! The best of the colours for a sports car (I'm a red car person)!

And yes, like the big gatorade jugs, but sealed, so no worries about laying it on its side, I was just worried about it clearing the trunk hole.