Rear Fog Light Clarification

[Nd4SpdSe]

I'm trying to figure out which light(s) are used as rear fog lights.I was told, and I've seen rear fog lights as only 1 rear light.

But I've also watch the Top Gear spoof video with the Mx-3, where just the outter lights are the brake lights.


For those overseas, we don't have rear fogs, and this is how our brake lights are arranged, all 4 lights light up, along with the required-by-law 3rd brake light.


So my guess that that maybe both inner lights are the rear fog lights, maybe only in Europe. But I was hoping if anyone can clear up on how the rear foglights are arranged.

[mr1in6billion]

3rd brakes are mandatory up north? I thought it was just a fashion statement.

[Nd4SpdSe]

Yep, same with daytime running lights.

[Grants]

3rd brakes are mandatory up north?

In Australia too.

[mx almere]

3rd brake lights became mandatory for new cars only not very long ago in europe. The rear fog light sits on the left side near the middle of the car. On the right sight there is one spot empty.

[Yoda]

There was a big discussion about the rear fog on the Yahoogroups mailing list about 7 or 8 years ago. Basically the european MX-3 only have brake lights in the in the outboard positions only the inboard sides are used for the rear fog light. I designed a simple circuit to convert the LH inboard brake light to work as both a brake and rear fog light. Info for this modification is in the yahoogroup archives still.

On the 323 I was going to pick up a rear valance with the rear fog lamp holder and socket but just decided to ask one of my vendors for a "sample" LED light on a 1156 base which switchs from Ultra white to Ultra red by reversing the polarity and just modified the wiring to the reverse light after seeing the rear fog on a Mazda 3.

[Macen]

Yes, I have said it before, and I say it again; we only have one rear fog light over here.

[Nd4SpdSe]

Yes, I have said it before, and I say it again; we only have one rear fog light over here.

I'm sorry I'm not familiar with the rear fog light laws. I find it odd how you technically have 1 unused light. As well, you never know if other countries have other fog light arrangements...

[Aston Wards]

Hmmm, will have to check this to be sure, but yeah, it's just the one foglight, on the right side here, but i'd guess on the left in LHD countries

[projectmx]

does the rear tail lamps with the fog light look the same with or without the fog light? and what does the rear light look like with the fog light turned on? and lastly what exactly is the purpose of the rear fog light? to help those coming behind to see you?

[Macen]

I will post pictures later.

It will be easier to see your car when it's foggy because the foglight is brighter than the normal position lights.

[Nd4SpdSe]

Exactly. I though about implementing them after I was driving in the rain, it was on the highway so all the cars were kicking up alot of mist, and this newer Volvo looked like it had one tail light brighter than the other (the drivers side), and although he was farther up, i could see his light better than cars closer than me, so I could definitely see it's benefit in low-visibility situations (fog, rain, etc), I was thinking of making both inner lights "fog lights" that work as brake lights when the "fog lights" aren't in use, and the outters just brake lights. All I was going to do is tap into the brake-light circuit of those 2 specific lights. Should be easy enough.

[jschrauwen]

Since my experience in Germany in 79, and other places in Europe, I've always noted the practicality of the rear fog light configurations that for the most part have been standard factory set-ups for well over 20 years. I believe it was even mandatory in Germany at the time when i was first there and those cars not fitted with the rear fogs would have to purchase after market kits. They usually consisted of one or 2 extra bright red lights on a rod that would attach to the rear bumper always on the driver's side of the car (whether it was RHD or LHD). These rear fog lights were integrated into the cars switching mechanism for the front fog lights of course. There brightness was supposed to be that of at least the same as an illuminated rear brake light or better. Always loved the way the europeans approached things like this. Very purpose built and very effective. We in NA always seem to be hold-outs when it comes to matters like this..... a shame.

[Macen]

Sorry for the bad quality night pics, but I hadn't time to play with my camera. It was raining also, so...

Normal lights:


Normal lights + fog light:


Brake lights:


Brake lights + fog light:


Reverse lights: