Last Saturday, it was raining cats and Chihuahuas here in Los Angeles. And I was glad to have the XC 60 while driving through it all, surprisingly thanks to the more lower-tech of its long list of safety features. In addition to the quick-acting rear defogger and side-view mirror heaters, the XC 60 also has something European cars are more likely to have than American cars are -- a rear fog light. In addition to the expected fronts, the latter (seen here in the lower left corner of the XC60's rear bumper) provides a little more peace of mind when you're driving in low-visibility conditions.
Here in L.A., some drivers don't bother using their headlights (even though it's a law here) while driving in the rain. Then again, hardly anyone in L.A. ever uses their turn signals, either. These fools seem to think that headlights are only for nighttime use, not realizing that they allow other drivers to better see them coming during low visibility weather, such as when sheets of rain reduce said visibility to less than thirty yards or so. And that's the purpose of the rear fog light too, as it is much brighter than the standard running lights to give those following you more advance notice that there is indeed another car in front of them.
John DiPietro, Automotive Editor @ 8,658 miles
vt8919 says:
04:42 PM, 12/14/09
That's a smart idea.
smrtypants44 says:
05:06 PM, 12/14/09
Also worth noting that Rear Fog Lights only illuminate on the drivers side, hence the lens on the opposite side of the bumper for RHD markets.
allthingshonda says:
06:37 PM, 12/14/09
I always thought this was a great idea. This should be mandatory on all cars. I will admit that unfortunately that would mean that there would be quite a few cars with this bright red light turned on clear, full moon, starry nights. You would have to make it idiot proof like turning it off every time the ignition was turned off. It amazes me how many people drive with NO lights on in rain or fog and sometimes the dark but will turn on the fog lights on a clear night. What the....is wrong with these people. I will admit that DRLs can make it easy to forget to turn the lights on, I did this once. I rented a Chevy Impala and the low beam headlights are also the DRLs so if the lights are not in auto it is easy to forget to turn the headlights because your visibilty does not change. GM covered this because when the sensors detect low light and the switch is in the off position the a chime sounds and the message center displayed "Headlamps Suggested". A great reminder to the driver to turn on the lights or place the switch in the auto setting to allow the computer to control the lights.
allthingshonda says:
06:53 PM, 12/14/09
Also (thought of something else soon as I pressed Post) Volvos have had this since for as long as I can remember. When I was a kid lots of parents drove Volvo 740s and the lights were always on on those cars they went on and off with the ignition. Not just DRLs but all of the lights. I don't know if you could turn them off or maybe it was easier to leave them on all the time since it didn't affect interior displays. Those were great cars. They were slow even with the turbo but I don't think you could break them if you tried. Build quality was top rate, controls easy to use (compared to other european cars) and it felt like a tank. They were also cheaper to buy and maintain compared to BMW and Merecedes. A few of my friends got them as used hand me downs from their parents as first cars and drove them through college with few problems. Come to think of it the late eighties and early nineties were probably the best years for BMW and Mercedes too.
wasaabi92 says:
07:52 PM, 12/14/09
@smartypants:
Not true, my Saab 900 has dual rear fogs, as does my friends 850 Turbo. Either the driver side illuminates (Mercedes', modern Volvos and Saabs), or both do (modern BMWs, Jaguars, Land Rovers, Audis).
I like the idea behind rear fogs, and I use them when they're necessary, but I HATE when drivers who have no idea as to what they are drive with them on. It's noon, clear skies, and it's 75 ... and the dolt in front of me is mildy burining my retinas with searing rear fogs ... ARGH!!
clarkma5 says:
08:06 PM, 12/14/09
Rear fog lights are great WHEN USED APPROPRIATELY. 98% of the time I see a rear fog light on, it's because some moron has decided that it would be best to have as many lights on his car as possible...including front and rear fog lights...despite there being NO FOG or any visibility issues whatsoever. And some of those rear fog lights are almost blindingly bright when viewed on a clear, dark night...
cruiserhead1 says:
08:20 PM, 12/14/09
I agree, the improper use of the rear fog light is a big annoyance to drivers behind. In socal, I have only needed to use it in Big Bear and over the Grapevine a couple times.
I could see some use during heavy spots of downpour but overall, the abuse of it is really annoying.
benson2175 says:
08:37 PM, 12/14/09
Aren't you only supposed to use the rear fogs on freeways, preferably autobahns at 100mph +.
jrcarch says:
08:59 PM, 12/14/09
Mr. John,
Could you please humor me and check again at night if the rear fog light is actually down in the bumper or if it is up in the bottom section the main light cluster. That bumper area seams like a better place for a regulatory unlit reflector and frankly, a stupid location for a fog light. I would think it would be up higher but please correct me if I am wrong.
Thanks in advance!
jrcarch says:
09:01 PM, 12/14/09
One of the reasons I ask is because it looks more like camera flash and not emitted light.
johnnyturbo says:
09:30 PM, 12/14/09
@jrcarch,
Yes, that is the fog light in the lower left corner of the bumper. I put on all the lights for this shot (notice the taillights), shut the camera's flash off and took the shot in the shade to show the illumination of that fog light. When I viewed the car from dead astern I confirmed that the fog light is only on the driver's side. The other side has a matching, but non-illuminated lens ostensibly for right-hand-drive applications.
iggy373 says:
10:40 PM, 12/14/09
The passenger side is not a dummy light. There is actually a bulb on both sides. Both will illuminate under emergency braking in addition to the regular brake lights, while the driver's side illuminates also as the aforementioned rear fog light.
bimmerjay says:
01:02 AM, 12/15/09
@allthingshonda,
Rear fog lights have been mandatory equipment on cars in Europe for many many years. All Euro makes have them, but sometimes (i.e. BMW) they are deprogrammed for the U.S. market.
@iggy373,
"Both will illuminate under emergency braking in addition to the regular brake lights, while the driver's side illuminates also as the aforementioned rear fog light."
A lot of European cars are adopting this. Under panic braking (basically ABS or Brake Assist activation) BMWs also activate the halogen rear fog lights (they use 2). Mercedes does this too. Volkswagens briefly activate the 4-way flashers under panic braking.
audisport says:
08:16 AM, 12/15/09
I use them on the A4 when it's raining or snowing heavily. When I notice them on, they are usually on an Audi, and when on in bad weather, they help. I'm not really sure why the US DOT hasn't made them a requirement on our side of the pond. There are enough bad drivers, so the more lighting, the better. Also, how about more side turn signals. Helpful and I'm sure they've prevented more than a few accidents from people not looking while switching lanes.
audisport says:
08:22 AM, 12/15/09
@smartpants... My 2004 A4 had a driver's side only, my 2006 has both sides, and I've noticed that the B8 A4's also have dual..
ptcdawg says:
11:27 AM, 12/15/09
IF our Cops actually wrote violations for improper use of lights, etc...things would be better. Problem is that the radar/laser gun won't pick that up while they are hidden from view of the traffic in the bushes.
jaredm says:
05:13 PM, 12/15/09
My 1990 Volvo 240DL had this same feature. Its cool to know Volvo kept this unique feature after all these years.
lucien4 says:
08:43 AM, 12/16/09
To clarify in most European countries you are only allowed to turn on rear foglights with less than 150 feet visibility (front little bit more). In most countries rear foglights are required to have (but front fog lights are typically not).