Randy B

Con someone enlighten me as to why these cars came with a single rear fog light instead of two. The car appears to be capable of both sides, yest only one supplied. Thanks for solving the mystery!

linh

So it won't confuse other driver that your's car brake is ON !!!

Vic55

Linh is correct and the same goes for my 2001 E55- but the rear fog light uses a different bulb but it still is part of the rear tail-light assembly so it does look like the brake light is on. I like to use it when a tailgater comes up close but since its only on one side the effect is not as great. The Audi rear foglight that I have seen are more inside of the brake lights (left) and are seperated from the taillight assembly- (it was either on an A6 or A8).

JamE55

Same here with 02 E55 one rear fog light.

Randy B

Ok Gents, however no one has answered the question as to why? Jaguars, Volvos, Land Rovers, Audi's all have two. So why not the Benz. The Fog lamp is in the trunk housing, not the side brake housings.

young

i didn't realize other cars had 2 rear fog lights (the little red light). are you positive about that? the only other car that i know about is SAAB which has one light (but two housings). my understanding is that there should be only one light and as others have stated, it is a safety issue - so that its not confused w/ brake lights.

Randy B

yeah, definitely two on those vehicles. Take a look next time on the road. Land Rover has them in the bumper, along with Jaguar. Volvo, and Audi are integrated.

Haasman

It is my understanding that the reason there is only one is as above, to keep drivers behind you from thinking it is a brake light. After driving the Autobahn in bad weather, coming up on another can be very scary. I found it comforting to see the one bright rear fog light. I knew immediately what it was.

About ten years ago there were several VERY severe chain reaction accidents outside of Stuttgart which were caused by too fast driving in bad weather. Mercedes investigated the accidents and found that sudden braking, unnecessarily was the cause.

Jeff

Randy B

Thanks very much, makes things clear.

vadim

It's set up the same way on many brands (my Volvo S70 also has 1). I believe it's done so that in thick fog drivers behind you could see your left corner, at the same time knowing that you're not braking. Why left only? Because overtaking is only allowed on the left. In fact, in Europe this law is strictly enforced and followed by all drivers. Also, nobody hogs the left lane. Wish it were the same way in the US.

Bora20

European cars only have 1 rear foglight, on the drivers side (left).

United Kingdom cars have 2, this is so that they are legal to drive in other countries. They also have headlamps covers that they must put on to be able to drive in LHD countries.

brookspw

Nope. I also have a Volvo -- ONE rear fog lamp . . . for the same reason.