Question on 2012 E350 rear fog light
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From: Los Angeles, CA
1996 S500
Question on 2012 E350 rear fog light
I just noticed after the rear fog light is turned on, only the left hand side if lighted up. My friend has a 2011 E350 and it is behaving the same. I wonder why it does not light up both side. Any idea? 
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2024 GLS450
A proper rear fog light setup only has the light in the driver's side (whether left hand or right hand drive) lamp to point out to following cars where the corner of the car is. Presuming that you are only supposed to pass on the left in left hand drive cars, and pass on the right in right hand drive cars.
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Los Angeles, CA
1996 S500
Thank you so much for the answer. I have the car for a couple years and just noticed that. I was almost to bring the car to the dealer to check it out. You guys just save me from an embarrassment. 
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W212 FL
I have not noticed the way these work in any car either . Thanks for your informative replies
An extra note if you don't mind , please don't leave your rear fog lamps on in drenched rainy weather conditions ,fog lamps only for foggy situations
An extra note if you don't mind , please don't leave your rear fog lamps on in drenched rainy weather conditions ,fog lamps only for foggy situations
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
This was an extremely common complaint with Audi prior to 2002 (when they caved in and put a bulb on either side on cars destined for the US) and one reason why rear fogs are uncommon in the US but mandated throughout Europe.
Like others have said, the purpose is to identify the driver's side of the car and to differentiate it from the brake lights(you'll find the right fog only enabled in the UK) during periods of heavy fog only.
Leaving rear fogs on when not needed (IIRC, the European requirement was visibility below 50 meters - the same distance as between the black and white poles on the side of European major roads) is very distracting to drivers behind you.
Leaving front fogs on when not needed reduces your ability to see at night.
Like others have said, the purpose is to identify the driver's side of the car and to differentiate it from the brake lights(you'll find the right fog only enabled in the UK) during periods of heavy fog only.
Leaving rear fogs on when not needed (IIRC, the European requirement was visibility below 50 meters - the same distance as between the black and white poles on the side of European major roads) is very distracting to drivers behind you.
Leaving front fogs on when not needed reduces your ability to see at night.
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From: Germantown, MD/Rehoboth Beach, DE
2024 GLS450
We don't get a lot of fog here in the DC metro area - but we do get mist and a lot of spray. I do use my rear fog if I am out on the highway going with traffic and I can't see the lights well on the car in front of me - anything to punch through the mist.
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From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
I didn't even realize the car had these. Is that what the little square button is on the left of the headlamp dial? Is the rear fog lamp in the same array as the driver side rear brake light?
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I don't agree with your comment about the light in rain. You may not have experienced some serious thunder storm rain that happen down south but I have. Sometimes you can barely see 30 ft in front of you. I always use my fog light during conditions like this. I don't want to be run over by some 18-wheeler that just did not see me.
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Well,
I don't agree with your comment about the light in rain. You may not have experienced some serious thunder storm rain that happen down south but I have. Sometimes you can barely see 30 ft in front of you. I always use my fog light during conditions like this. I don't want to be run over by some 18-wheeler that just did not see me.
I don't agree with your comment about the light in rain. You may not have experienced some serious thunder storm rain that happen down south but I have. Sometimes you can barely see 30 ft in front of you. I always use my fog light during conditions like this. I don't want to be run over by some 18-wheeler that just did not see me.
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From: Florida
2018 E300 Luxury - P3 and more
Well,
I don't agree with your comment about the light in rain. You may not have experienced some serious thunder storm rain that happen down south but I have. Sometimes you can barely see 30 ft in front of you. I always use my fog light during conditions like this. I don't want to be run over by some 18-wheeler that just did not see me.
I don't agree with your comment about the light in rain. You may not have experienced some serious thunder storm rain that happen down south but I have. Sometimes you can barely see 30 ft in front of you. I always use my fog light during conditions like this. I don't want to be run over by some 18-wheeler that just did not see me.
I'm sure rainfall rates for most of the world aren't anywhere near the 5-6"/hr rates we often see in Florida, but we do. IIRC, the record rainfall rate for Florida is 18"/hr (1.5" in 5 minutes).
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From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
Does the rear fog come on automatically if you had it engaged the last time the headlamps were on? Or is it completely manual where you have to turn it on each time irregardless of the previous state?
EDIT: Answered my own question. It is manual - you have to turn it on each time. I was on the road before sunrise this morning and turned the rear fog on. Afterwards, one of my neighbors pulled up next to me to inform me that something was wrong with my driver's side brake light. They thought it was broken it was so bright. Glad it worked and got their attention.
EDIT: Answered my own question. It is manual - you have to turn it on each time. I was on the road before sunrise this morning and turned the rear fog on. Afterwards, one of my neighbors pulled up next to me to inform me that something was wrong with my driver's side brake light. They thought it was broken it was so bright. Glad it worked and got their attention.
Last edited by thefisch; Jun 16, 2014 at 03:16 PM.
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
A few nights ago I was behind a Bentley convertible with the rear fogs on. Clear sky, not a cloud in sight.
When he pulled into the left turn lane to turn I was stopped next to him at the light. I rolled my window down and very nicely asked him to turn his rear fogs off as they were blinding drivers behind him.
If you think stereotypical Bentley driver from the movies you'll see a late 60's guy, blue blazer, rug on his head, much younger woman with blond coiffed hair, both looking very bored then you've seen this driver.
He looked over with disdain and said "Ahh think ahh'll leave it on" to which I suggested that if he owned another vehicle then he should follow behind his for a few minutes and HE will take a crowbar and break the lights out..." I hope he heard my final "a**hole" as the light turned and he motored off.
When he pulled into the left turn lane to turn I was stopped next to him at the light. I rolled my window down and very nicely asked him to turn his rear fogs off as they were blinding drivers behind him.
If you think stereotypical Bentley driver from the movies you'll see a late 60's guy, blue blazer, rug on his head, much younger woman with blond coiffed hair, both looking very bored then you've seen this driver.
He looked over with disdain and said "Ahh think ahh'll leave it on" to which I suggested that if he owned another vehicle then he should follow behind his for a few minutes and HE will take a crowbar and break the lights out..." I hope he heard my final "a**hole" as the light turned and he motored off.
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
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2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
You caught him off guard. He probably thought you were going to ask for some grey poupon.
Last edited by thefisch; Jun 24, 2014 at 02:58 PM. Reason: I can't spell 'caught'.
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
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No, it was off, thank God.
When you turn it on (I learned yesterday), it lights up an indicator on the dashboard, and also turns on the headlights. You'd have to be really stupid to not notice, or really selfish to not care.
I am frustrated with myself, because a few months ago I was in such thick fog that the auto high-beam shut down, and I really could have used the rear tail fog.
When you turn it on (I learned yesterday), it lights up an indicator on the dashboard, and also turns on the headlights. You'd have to be really stupid to not notice, or really selfish to not care.
I am frustrated with myself, because a few months ago I was in such thick fog that the auto high-beam shut down, and I really could have used the rear tail fog.
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