GLC Class (X253) Produced 2016-2022

Rear Fog Light

Old Jul 11, 2016 | 03:34 PM
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GenesisG70 '20 GLC300 DakotaBrwn/Silk '16
Rear Fog Light

I have a U.S. spec GLC. I noticed the "Fog Light" button just to the left of the exterior lights dial. At first I thought it was a dead button, but found out that pressing it will activate some LED's on the driver's side taillight. I've not seen this type of feature on my vehicles or frankly, in use on any vehicle while driving.
Is this appropriate to use in the states? Again, it lights up only the drivers said rear taillight a bit more. I have yet to check if it's the same lights that one using with the turn signal, but it's back there anyway. Seams like it would clearly help with visibility, though I found it a bit odd that it only does the one side.
Thoughts?
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Old Jul 11, 2016 | 07:13 PM
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This light is there in order to comply with EU regulation. Very common in Europe and around the world.

Not common in the US as there is no mandate requiring it. Have never seen this feature on a North American built automobile.

This high intensity light is meant to be illuminated during periods of inclement weather such as fog, smoke or heavy precipitation thereby preventing a rear end collision by a following vehicle.

It should not be used during normal visibility conditions as its brightness can dazzle following drivers.

Some US drivers misuse the light, I think, because they don't know what its real purpose is and its deleterious effect on following drivers when visibility is good.

Last edited by larrypmyers; Jul 11, 2016 at 09:52 PM.
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Old Jul 11, 2016 | 07:24 PM
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Years ago the rear fog light feature included a high intensity light in both tail lights. My wife had an 84 Volvo with this system. Am guessing it's now but one light so as to preclude drivers steering into the rear of a stopped vehicle with its rear fog lights illuminated. Perhaps our EU or Aussie friends can clarify.
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Old Jul 11, 2016 | 08:27 PM
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Originally Posted by larrypmyers
This light is there in order to comply with EU regulation. Very common in Europe and around the world.

Not common in the US as there is no mandate requiring it. Have never seen this feature on a North American built automobile.

This high intensity light is meant to be illuminated during periods of inclement weather such as fog, smoke or heavy precipitation thereby preventing a rear end collision by a following vehicle.

It should not be used during normal visibility conditions as its brightness can dazzle following drivers.

Some US drivers misuse the light, I think, because they don't know what its real purpose it and its deleterious effect on following drivers when visibility is good.
I figured as much, but honestly, it didn't look that bright. It's not like a white light shining, but I suspect it could distract some. It's not like a front end fog light. I'll try to check next time my wife and I drive at night to see exactly what light goes on, but my gut is telling me it's the same as the turn signal, but it goes solid, not flashes. I may be wrong but will check. Thanks for the background too.

I'm still surprised to see this on a US spec MB.
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Old Jul 11, 2016 | 08:50 PM
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I use the rear fog light when it is very dark or with low visibility situations. It is about as bright as flashing the brake lights.

Many of my previous benz all had this feature. Heck, even my 98 ML320 has it.
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Old Jul 11, 2016 | 09:04 PM
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Originally Posted by B2FiNiTY
I use the rear fog light when it is very dark or with low visibility situations. It is about as bright as flashing the brake lights.

Many of my previous benz all had this feature. Heck, even my 98 ML320 has it.
Well, last one I owned was an '85 300D and it wasn't on that year.... yeah, it's been awhile.
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Old Jul 11, 2016 | 09:38 PM
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Originally Posted by RedwinGV
I figured as much, but honestly, it didn't look that bright. It's not like a white light shining, but I suspect it could distract some. It's not like a front end fog light. I'll try to check next time my wife and I drive at night to see exactly what light goes on, but my gut is telling me it's the same as the turn signal, but it goes solid, not flashes. I may be wrong but will check. Thanks for the background too.

I'm still surprised to see this on a US spec MB.
Our discussion has aroused my curiosity about my rear mounted fog lamp. Up to this point I knew it was there but paid no attention to it.

So I went to the garage to get educated.

The light is mounted on the same plane as the backup lights at the very inboard of the tail light assembly. It consists of three leds' and to say they are very bright is an understatement. The further away from the vehicle you are the brighter they become. I was about 20 feet away and they were blinding. Trust me if this light is turned on when visibility is normal the guy behind you is going to be very pissed off. Much brighter, very much brighter than any other light on the rear of the vehicle. (see post 8)

When illuminated it is, of course, a very bright red. A closer look reveals the leds' are mounted at the very top of the assembly focused downward. The beam is turned from vertical to horizontal by a series of reflectors, much like the Corvette C7 taillights. An innovative design.

Last edited by larrypmyers; Jul 11, 2016 at 09:54 PM.
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Old Jul 11, 2016 | 09:51 PM
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Correction: The seven led turn signal and the three led rear fog lamp are very similar in brightness. However, the fog lamp has a different focus that gets your attention. The turn signal lamp does not dazzle as the fog lamp does.
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Old Jul 11, 2016 | 10:17 PM
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Fog lights in the front don't do much but reflect the light back at you (assuming you are using them in actual fog). In the rear, it makes you more visible to vehicles behind you for what that's worth.
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Old Jul 12, 2016 | 06:39 AM
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Here in Oz, rear fog lights are common, yes part of EU safety. Virtually all imported cars into Oz have them, even from Asia / Japan. Older models have two, most now just one. Agree very bright, some idiots here drive without even knowing they have turned them on, extremely annoying if following at dusk and night, quite blinding. It's illegal to use them unless conditions warrant, like severely reduced visibility, fog naturally or torrential rain, etc.
Can be useful if car behind has forgotten to turn on their lights at night or tail gate your rear end - they soon get the message, well most do, some who we jokingly categorise as Darwin Award types who will never get the hint !!!
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Old Jul 12, 2016 | 07:02 AM
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Here is another thread in this forum re fog lights.
https://mbworld.org/forums/glc-class...og-lights.html
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Old Jul 12, 2016 | 09:17 AM
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There have been instances of road rage here as a result of some dingbat driving with the light on in good visibility.
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Old Jul 12, 2016 | 10:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Teckno
Here is another thread in this forum re fog lights.
https://mbworld.org/forums/glc-class...og-lights.html
Whoops, I searched, but it didn't come up.
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Old Jul 13, 2016 | 02:02 PM
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In ZA the rear fogs are standard.
Most cars have them both sides. I think the Merc has one side to save costs.
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Old Jul 13, 2016 | 02:18 PM
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Originally Posted by tron786
In ZA the rear fogs are standard.
Most cars have them both sides. I think the Merc has one side to save costs.
Seems like this is the case. Funny thing... AFTER I started this thread, I checked my Audi, and sure enough there they were. Two rear lights go on when activated. Here I thought it was a dead switch since I didn't have fogs up front.
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Old Jul 14, 2016 | 06:43 AM
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Originally Posted by B2FiNiTY
I use the rear fog light when it is very dark or with low visibility situations. It is about as bright as flashing the brake lights.

Many of my previous benz all had this feature. Heck, even my 98 ML320 has it.

Using the fog light when it "..is very dark" is not what it is designed for and is insensitive to following motorists, dangerous, illegal (in Europe anyway) and downright STUPID.
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Old Jul 14, 2016 | 06:48 AM
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Originally Posted by RedwinGV
Here I thought it was a dead switch since I didn't have fogs up front.

If you have ILED headlights up front then you do effectively have fog lights .
When the rear fog light switch is activated, in conditions such as fog, falling snow, the shape of the headlight beam is altered to reduce reflection/glare.
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Old Jul 14, 2016 | 10:41 PM
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Originally Posted by decorily
If you have ILED headlights up front then you do effectively have fog lights .
When the rear fog light switch is activated, in conditions such as fog, falling snow, the shape of the headlight beam is altered to reduce reflection/glare.
Well, I guess I don't have ILED headlights (?) They move some... leveling, but no change if fog light button is depressed.
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Old Jul 15, 2016 | 06:31 AM
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Originally Posted by RedwinGV
Well, I guess I don't have ILED headlights (?) They move some... leveling, but no change if fog light button is depressed.

Have a look at your headlights.... if you see intelligent LED written inside the glass on the light housing then you will know.
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Old Aug 17, 2021 | 01:48 AM
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WAIT!! There's two lights?
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