Fog lights
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 384
Likes: 89
From: SW Desert USA
2014 Jag F-Type vert, 2004 Volvo V70R
Fog lights
2026 E4 50 all-terrain. The dealer tells me that only one of the rear fog lights illuminates because of regulatory reasons. That in Europe, both light up but in the US only one. Is this the truth. I have owned Jaguars in the past, we’re both rear fog lights illuminated, and I thought it contributed to safety. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Super Member
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 549
Likes: 239
From: New York, NY
2026 E53 wagon
2026 E4 50 all-terrain. The dealer tells me that only one of the rear fog lights illuminates because of regulatory reasons. That in Europe, both light up but in the US only one. Is this the truth. I have owned Jaguars in the past, we’re both rear fog lights illuminated, and I thought it contributed to safety. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 384
Likes: 89
From: SW Desert USA
2014 Jag F-Type vert, 2004 Volvo V70R
Member
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 143
Likes: 24
350 E
Had Volvos many years ago and the fog light was only one in the rear. Had Lexus autos recently for a number of years and no rear fog lights. Yes, we only have one fog light in the rear on our Mercedes.
On another note, US Transportation has approved last year the full use of the digital lights especially at night for additional warnings, but we are waiting for guidelines to be published. Not surprise it may be another year or so until regulations published. The auto makers can activate our hardware.
On another note, US Transportation has approved last year the full use of the digital lights especially at night for additional warnings, but we are waiting for guidelines to be published. Not surprise it may be another year or so until regulations published. The auto makers can activate our hardware.
Super Member
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 549
Likes: 239
From: New York, NY
2026 E53 wagon
Had Volvos many years ago and the fog light was only one in the rear. Had Lexus autos recently for a number of years and no rear fog lights. Yes, we only have one fog light in the rear on our Mercedes.
On another note, US Transportation has approved last year the full use of the digital lights especially at night for additional warnings, but we are waiting for guidelines to be published. Not surprise it may be another year or so until regulations published. The auto makers can activate our hardware.
On another note, US Transportation has approved last year the full use of the digital lights especially at night for additional warnings, but we are waiting for guidelines to be published. Not surprise it may be another year or so until regulations published. The auto makers can activate our hardware.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 384
Likes: 89
From: SW Desert USA
2014 Jag F-Type vert, 2004 Volvo V70R
Of course they can activate full functionality of the headlights. The question is will they. Since full functionality contributes to safety. I hope there is much pressure and maybe a good class action lawsuit that forces people like MBUSA to activate what we have already paid for.
Super Member
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 549
Likes: 239
From: New York, NY
2026 E53 wagon
Of course they can activate full functionality of the headlights. The question is will they. Since full functionality contributes to safety. I hope there is much pressure and maybe a good class action lawsuit that forces people like MBUSA to activate what we have already paid for.
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Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 96
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E450 Wagon, GLC300, E550
Since the 1990s, my US purchased cars from Saab, Volvo, BMW, and Mercedes all had a single rear foglight. My wife got a ticket in her Mercedes because the police officer insisted that she had a broken brake light, even though my wife showed her that stepping on the brake illuminated the actual brake lights. She had to go to the dealer and obtain written confirmation that the brake lights were OK in order to get the court to drop the ticket..
I once had an irate man follow and then confront me in a parking lot because he thought I kept hitting my brakes and that one light was out. Odd thing was that he was behind me for several red lights so would have observed 1) that the fog light never went out so not the result of me repeatedly hitting the brakes and 2) that at each red light my brake lights illuminated and stayed on until the light turned green. Also, I needed to use my brakes when pulling into the parking lot with him on my butt and stopping in a parking space. I tried to explain the concept of a rear fog light to the man, but that just made him more angry. I had to laugh and realized that at least the fog light made him notice me and not rear-end my car.
I once had an irate man follow and then confront me in a parking lot because he thought I kept hitting my brakes and that one light was out. Odd thing was that he was behind me for several red lights so would have observed 1) that the fog light never went out so not the result of me repeatedly hitting the brakes and 2) that at each red light my brake lights illuminated and stayed on until the light turned green. Also, I needed to use my brakes when pulling into the parking lot with him on my butt and stopping in a parking space. I tried to explain the concept of a rear fog light to the man, but that just made him more angry. I had to laugh and realized that at least the fog light made him notice me and not rear-end my car.
Last edited by CaprichioArabe; Mar 10, 2026 at 09:53 PM.
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Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 421
Likes: 242
From: Austin, TX / Munich, DE
E 53 Wagon
From the German guy here. All cars in Europe are required to have at least one rear fog light, positioned on the driver's side, or a single one centered. If there are two, they must be a certain distance from either brake lamp to avoid confusion. Use (and misuse) is strictly enforced.
The US has no statutory requirement mandating them. The OEs that have included it, several mentioned above, have generally included one on the driver side, like Mercedes. Other brands, including newer Volvos and many Audis (SUVs, mainly), have 2, because it is unregulated and American consumers prefer symmetry. But, it also helps to prevent service calls (like the OP's experience) as well as encounters with law enforcement who are as clueless as the typical American driver about what they are and how to use them properly.
Audi is removing them on newer models for the US market, and that's a good thing. I see so many Audis driving with them on (even in daylight) and they are obnoxious.
The US has no statutory requirement mandating them. The OEs that have included it, several mentioned above, have generally included one on the driver side, like Mercedes. Other brands, including newer Volvos and many Audis (SUVs, mainly), have 2, because it is unregulated and American consumers prefer symmetry. But, it also helps to prevent service calls (like the OP's experience) as well as encounters with law enforcement who are as clueless as the typical American driver about what they are and how to use them properly.
Audi is removing them on newer models for the US market, and that's a good thing. I see so many Audis driving with them on (even in daylight) and they are obnoxious.
Last edited by wdimagineer; Mar 10, 2026 at 10:10 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 746
Likes: 178
From: NorCal
2015 ML350+2025 E350
2026 E4 50 all-terrain. The dealer tells me that only one of the rear fog lights illuminates because of regulatory reasons. That in Europe, both light up but in the US only one. Is this the truth. I have owned Jaguars in the past, we’re both rear fog lights illuminated, and I thought it contributed to safety. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Saw somewhere that W214 headlights are flatted (slightly lower and wider beam) automatically when rear fog light is activated. And I believe the rear stays on when parking.
