Where have all the fog lights gone?

[Pitts Pilot]

I saw a brand new S class the other day, and it looked a mighty fine sight with its DRLs a blaze. Problem was that when I looked closer the DRLs are where the fog lights used to be.

Am I missing something here? Or have fog lights been given the ‘heave-ho’ to make way for mandatory DRLs?

If so, it begs the question: Is fog no longer a meteorological concern in the UK?

Thanks

 

[renault12ts]

I suspect that since most car owners have never used fog lights in conditions where they are needed...they'd rather have a legal alternative to use instead of foglights when conditions do not allow them.

 

[grumpyoldgit]

It's amazing how many boy (and girl) racers drive with headlights and fog lights on when it's not even misty. Really p****s me off. I wonder if they know what the law and highway code actually states about their use?

I've noticed the same thing on quite a few new models Robert.

 

[developer]

It's amazing how many boy (and girl) racers drive with headlights and fog lights on when it's not even misty. Really p****s me off.

Especially rears, in rain but no fog .

 

[MOCAŠ]

Modern cars have the fog lamps built into the headlamp unit, often as part of an adaptive lighting system. Even my W168 had them all in one unit, back in 1999.

 

[whitenemesis]

I think the S class fogs are within the main light units

 

[C240Sport97]

new gen Bi Xenons have a fog function (on when your rear fogs are switched on), eliminating the need for front fog lights ..

 

[renault12ts]

Modern cars have the fog lamps built into the headlamp unit, often as part of an adaptive lighting system. Even my W168 had them all in one unit, back in 1999.

My Volvo 760 had them in 1988.

 

[Pitts Pilot]

new gen Bi Xenons have a fog function (on when your rear fogs are switched on), eliminating the need for front fog lights ..

Ah, that's interesting.

I've got Bi-Xenons on the SL. I'll have to check them out.

Thank you

 

[Troon]

If so, it begs the question: Is fog no longer a meteorological concern in the UK?

Hands up who has used front fog lights for their intended purpose - lighting the kerb at very short range because the fog is too thick for the normal dipped beam - in the last two decades?

They are unnecessary. If you can drive over about 15mph, you don't need front fogs on.

 

[removed]

Modern cars have the fog lamps built into the headlamp unit, often as part of an adaptive lighting system. Even my W168 had them all in one unit, back in 1999.

Yep, my W168 both have them built into main lights as well. I used the space traditionally intended for fog lights to put in round DRLs on the UK car - doesn't look out of place at all IMO.

 

[BTB 500]

Yup part of the main cluster on the Vito too. Never used them in the 5 years I've had it, only switched on the rear fogs once or twice at most.

 

[Ted]

Mercedes have had them built into the headlamps for years.
As far back as the w114 that I can remember.

 

[BTB 500]

Mercedes have had them built into the headlamps for years.
As far back as the w114 that I can remember.

Only some models though - e.g. the SL up to and including the R230 had separate front fogs.

 

[Rory]

Hands up who has used front fog lights for their intended purpose - lighting the kerb at very short range because the fog is too thick for the normal dipped beam - in the last two decades?

I haven't had a car for 20 years where the fog lamps would do that - they worked well as driving lamps on my Ford Sierra.
Even on my W203 there's no way you could drive in complete darkness using just the foglamps.

They are unnecessary. If you can drive over about 15mph, you don't need front fogs on.

I can tell you that when pulling out of our village on to the main road in thick fog, front fogs on approaching cars are visible momentarily before headlamps. But it literally is a split second.

 

[Ted]

Only some models though - e.g. the SL up to and including the R230 had separate front fogs.



Except the pagoda

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Even my W168 had them all in one unit, back in 1999.

My Volvo 760 had them in 1988.

My 1963 Morris Minor had a giant fan on the roof to dissipate the fog.