Driving your vehicle in low visibility can be dangerous, especially on a foggy road. Knowing how and when to turn on fog lights is fundamental for road safety in the UK, land of the grey skies.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the correct use of car lights and how to activate them on various models, helping you drive with confidence no matter the weather.
Understanding fog lights and their importance
Fog lights are specially designed to improve visibility during severe weather conditions such as thick fog, heavy rain, or snow. Unlike standard headlights, these lights are positioned lower on the vehicle and emit a wide, flat beam that better illuminates the road directly ahead. Most new cars have them at the front and the rear.
According to the Highway Code, these lights must only be used when visibility drops below 100 metres due to heavy fog. They MUST be switched off as soon as things clear up as they can otherwise dazzle other drivers. In contrast, Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) are always on whilst the engine is running, but they are not not powerful enough for such poor climatic conditions.
The front fog lamps are usually found lower down on the front bumper below the regular headlamps whereas the rear ones are almost always integrated with or next to the tail lights. Unfortunately, they are not automatic lights and will need to be switched on/off manually.
Main headlights vs fog lamps
Make sure you don’t confuse fog lamps with standard headlights as using them incorrectly can be dangerous and land you with a fine from the police. Here are the main differences you need to know:
Uses:
- Dipped headlights: standard night driving, low visibility at dawn/dusk, driving in tunnels, and heavy rain or snow.
- High beam headlights: rural/unlit roads at night with no oncoming traffic.
- Fog lamps: only when visibility drops below 100 metres when driving in fog.
Symbols:
- Front fog lights: green icon, lamp pointing left with wavy lines.
- Rear fog lights: red or orange fog lamp symbol pointing to the right, featuring wavy lines.
- Main beam headlights (dipped): green icon, beams angled down.
- High beams: blue headlight symbol, straight beams.
How to turn on car fog lights: general instructions
To turn on your car fog lights, first ensure the ignition or engine is on. Activate your dipped headlights, as it usually won’t work without them. Locate the lighting control switch – this is usually a control dial, pull switch, stalk, or button near the headlight controls or on the dashboard.
Press or turn the switch to activate the rear fog light, which all modern UK cars must have. If your car is equipped with front fog lights, use the same control to switch them on. A symbol will light up on your dashboard when they’re on. The exact process may vary for different models. See popular examples below.
How to turn on fog lights
In a Peugeot 2008
First, you need to switch on the ignition or start the engine. Then you need to activate the dipped headlights using the lighting control stalk (usually on the left side of the steering wheel). On most models, on the end of the stalk, you’ll see an inner rotary ring or collar. Pull the ring outward one click to turn on the front fog lamps (if fitted). Rotate it once more to activate the rear lights. Check your user manual for a lighting and instrument panel overview.
In a Peugeot 3008
Make sure the engine and low beams are switched on. Similar to the 2008, you should see a ring on the lighting control stalk. Turn the ring once to switch on the front fog lamps and once more to turn on the rear ones. Turn it in the opposite direction to switch the lights off.
In a Citroen DS3
As the brand is owned by the same group as Peugeot, the process is basically the same. Once the ignition and main headlights are switched, you can rotate the control stalk ring to turn on the fog lights (once for the front, once more for the rear). Rotate inwards to switch them off again.
In a VW Polo
In the newer VW Polo models (Mk5, Mk6), you activate the auto lights using the headlight dial near the steering wheel. With the engine switched on, turn the dial to the dipped headlights. Next, pull the dial outward:
1 click out: activates the front fog lights (if fitted).
2 clicks out: activates the rear fog lamps.
In a Tesla Model 3
To turn on fog lights in a Tesla Model 3, tap the car icon on the touchscreen to open the menu, then select the ‘Lights’ tab. Toggle the front or rear fog lights under ‘Exterior Lights’. They can only be activated with the dipped headlights on. Tap again to switch them off when visibility improves.
FAQ
What if my fog lights don’t turn on?
Check if your dipped headlights are on first. If the fog lights still don’t work, a blown fuse may be the issue. Inspect the fuse box or consult your manual. Other causes include a bad battery, worn alternator, bad wiring, or blown light bulbs.
If you need repairs, visit your local repair shop. For affordable replacement parts, you can rely on AUTODOC. Create an account today or sign in.
Do fog lights work automatically?
Fog lights must usually be switched on manually, even if your car has automatic headlights which work using an ambient brightness sensor. They generally won’t activate on their own in foggy conditions.
Will fog lamps drain my battery?
These lights use minimal power, but leaving them on unnecessarily can drain the battery over time, especially in cars with a smart alternator, which adjusts charging based on demand.
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