Fog Light Symbols: What To Look For

in Auto FAQs and News
Car in fog

Source: Pixabay

When there is questionable weather, it can impede your driving. Though other conditions can make you slip and slide, thick fog can impair your visibility and make it difficult to see things in front of you. Still, some things require us to drive, even in unfavorable conditions. 

With heavy mist or fog, you can use your fog lights but, where can you find them and when should you use them? Below, we’ll take a look at fog light symbols and help you get to the bottom of how to use them so that, when the moment strikes, you can use them. 

Fog Light Symbols: Where To Find Them 

When you have medium to heavy fog and it’s hard to see in what’s front of you, you should think about using your fog lights. The fog light symbols look like a headlight with three lines and a wave passing through them, and they will light up in your dashboard when you have them on. You can turn on your fog lights where you find your windshield wipers and more. 

To verify that you’ve turned your fog lights on correctly, you’ll see a bright orange light come on with the same symbol on your dashboard. You might not notice a huge difference in the beginning but, your fog lights will help you see and be seen better as you drive along the highway. 

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Turning On Your Fog Lights 

To turn on your fog lights, you can do two things. First of all, if you have the time and are in your car, you can check your manual. Usually in the glove compartment, simply take it out and see what it has to say before you take off driving. 

If you can’t locate your driver’s manual, you can just turn on your headlights and go from there. Switch them on and look for your toggle to turn your fog lights on. 

They will normally be where the windshield wipers are or a separate button that you can locate on your dashboard. They will have the same symbol, so keep your eyes peeled and when you find it, either push it or pull the lever toward or away from you. 

When To Use Fog Light Symbols

We mentioned that you should switch your fog lights on where you’re experiencing severe weather conditions but, what does that actually mean? Think about your fog lights as a way to cut through thick things like heavy clouds and mist. So, if it ever rains or is foggy, you should switch your fog lights on. 

Not only do your lights help you by making things in front of you easier to see but, it also helps other people see you coming. Because mist and fog are thick, you could have a hard time seeing through them. 

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When Not to Use Fog Light Symbols

Fog lights are not there for everyday situations. As a matter of fact, it could be dangerous for other drivers. Fog lights are much more intense than your regular headlights and could harm other drives that are in front of you or headed in the opposite direction. 

On top of that, if you use your fog lights incorrectly, you could be at risk for a fine. Law enforcement officers and highway patrol can pull you over if you misuse your fog lights, which is why you should understand how to use them. 

Tips For Driving in Fog Safely and Effectively

If fog is rare in your area, you’re likely not going to have any that’s too severe and your lights will work just fine. In cases where fog is really thick and it’s impossible to see through, you may want to wait and start driving when it clears up. If you have fog that’s too thick to see through, wait it out until you can see. 

If you can see with your fog lights, you can take off and drive, though you might want to use a little extra precaution in the process. If you’re caught in the fog in your area, try out our top driving tips. 

1. Check your mirrors

The first thing you should do is see how well you can see all around you. That includes looking at all of your side mirrors and your back and front mirrors too. 

2. Keep your distance 

If you’re used to getting close to cars and quickly changing lanes, save it for a sunny day. Because visibility is an issue when there’s fog, you should keep a safe distance and stay back more than you normally would just in case. 

3. Use your wipers 

Another issue with fog that gets in the way of your visibility is the presence of precipitation on your windshield. To get rid of that, you should turn on your wipers when you need to and wipe them away. 

4. Use your lights correctly 

Don’t use your fog lights unless you can’t see. The common rule of thumb is if you can see about 100 meters in front of you. If you can visibly see fog in the air, and it’s difficult to see other vehicles, switch them on. 

5. Know when to stop 

In some cases, fog is too thick to see through, which is a big problem. While fog lights may help you see in front of you, they won’t help you see traffic coming from side to side, making it dangerous to cross four-way stops and intersections. Know when to stop and never drive if you feel unsure that you can see. 

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Fog Lights: Know How to Use Them 

Fog lights are there when you need them. Though they are not required, using them when they’re not needed can result in a fine. Know where they are, how to use them, and when to use them in case you run into a foggy day. Keep yourself safe and know when you should pull over and wait it out instead of trying to make it through your daily commute.

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