rrubino

Anyone know if it's possible to have both the fog lights and headlights on at the same time? When I pull the light switch out to the first notch, the fog lights come on and the headlights shut off (I've got xenons if it makes a difference). It's not a big deal, but my other car lights them both up and I notice I can see stuff on the road a lot better.

Thanks,

Rob

bmms8

go to the last setting for the headlamps, and pull it out twice

OB_330CiC

Actually..if you pull it out one click it turns on the front fog lights...pull it out further and it turns on rear fog lights... according to manual

Callaway

In all my Merc's the headlight turns to low beam when the fogs come on,you can't have on both.

The reason is that in fog the headlights bounce the light of the water vapour in the air and make it hard to see,so that's why MB reduce the light of the headlights and let the fog lights do most of the work.

Barney

The interesting thing is that you can't put the fog lamps on (rear or front) while the lights are in the manual position, the switch won't pull out. You have to go to one of the positions further to the right. I wonder why they have it that way?

saintvir

Might it have something to do with laws and regulations regarding the use of fog lamps? Or, does it make sense to turn only the fog lamps on and not the headlights? I believe that the fog lamps are only allowed to be on (in most cities) when driving conditions are foggy. And, if driving conditions are indeed foggy, then you would also need your headlights for maximum visibility.

My older car is a Toyota Avalon '98. There are two separate controls for the headlight and the fog lamps. The fog lamps will not come on unless the headlights are switched on first. Seems to make sense, doesn't it?

ElDiabloJoe

Does just one or both rear fogs come on? Only my driver's side rear comes on right now. And they just make the tail lights brighter, right?, no bright light like the front ones?

EDJ

etenn

Joe...The left rear tail light is brighter when the rear "fog" is activated. This is a European thing and has never made a lot of sense to me.
It is to tell which side of the car is on the left side I guess.

BTW Is this board loading much slower for anyone else? I have a pretty fast DSL connection and this site is getting slower and slower. Don't notice it on any other site. Slowing down or is it something with me.

Ed

ValueplusClass

Yes its slower

ElDiabloJoe

So that is all the rear fog is? Just one taillamp gets brighter? Seems both would be better, so people can see you from further away as they approach you in the fog. But then, see, that would make sense, so MB wouldn't understand it.

Thanks for the intel.

EDJ

etenn

The object of the brighter (fog) left tail light is something like this.
(makes little sense to me so I probably have it wrong)

In Fog:
If parked on side of road other drivers can see which side is road side to pass???

If over taking you know which side to pass?? (If you can see both lights..wouldn't you know which side was left? If not how would you know it was brighter?)

What about the UK? Is the left light brighter or is it the right?
Maybe someone from Europe or UK can clue us in as I am sure I have the wrong info.

Ed

ElDiabloJoe

If we, as MB owners &/or afficionados don't know that only the left taillight brightens due to fog, what on earth makes me think that any other driver that might be passing me by on the side of the road in a heavy fog is going to see that light and know what it is.

Yeah, I'd buy that for a dollar.

EDJ

Callaway

Guys,you will find that the reason that only one tail light is brighter is that it distinushes it from the cars brake lights.

If both tail lights were bright it makes it hard to distinguish whether the car is applying it's brake lights or has it's rear fog lights on especially in low visability,hense the reason for just one.

You see EDJ,give the Mercedes boys some credit,it makes perfect sense-as usual.

etenn

Hmmm.....whatever. Me and Joe ain't buying.

If we turn on our rear "fog" light we will probably get pulled over and get a ticket for having a burned out brake light. The highway patrol probably won't buy the fog light explanation either.:p

Callaway

If the car is a U.S spec version and it is U.S compliant which they all are when delivered, then the cop will look like a right pratt when he is proved to be wrong!!

No ticket- just a red faced patrol cop!!

etenn

Exactly what is a "right pratt"??

Callaway

A dic* head!!

bmms8

wait a minute, the left tail light is brighter thsn the right, wow, that is a very good idea, also,you can tell the cop to look at the multi function display, itll say no malfunctions, and of course, if he likes cars, you can sit there for 3-4 hours and tell him what your car has in it

Callaway

Now your talking,and while your at it he might be able to get rid of some of those unpaid speeding fines as well.