What is the difference between fog lights and low beams?
2 Answers
The differences between fog lights and low beams mainly lie in brightness, light color, light penetration, and beam angle. Low beams have relatively low power, their beam angle is below the horizontal line, and the bulb's power is not very high. Fog lights have strong penetration and can cut through dense fog in heavy fog conditions, allowing drivers to clearly see the road ahead. The purpose of low beams is to illuminate a certain distance in front of the vehicle. Their power is relatively low, and the beam angle is below the horizontal line. Using low beams while driving has minimal impact or interference on other vehicles. However, in heavy fog, low beams with weak penetration are ineffective, making it difficult for drivers to see clearly. In such cases, fog lights are needed to compensate for the low beams' inability to penetrate heavy rain or dense fog. Fog lights have strong penetration and can cut through dense fog in heavy fog conditions, allowing drivers to clearly see the road ahead. Therefore, they are typically used in heavy fog. Their power is much higher than that of low beams, and their beam angle, brightness, and penetration are also significantly better. They are highly effective in heavy fog, but because their penetration is too strong, they can be glaring. Using fog lights in normal weather conditions can cause significant interference to drivers of vehicles ahead or behind, increasing the risk of accidents.
Having worked with cars for many years, I've noticed many beginners confuse fog lights with low beams. Low beams are standard nighttime lighting, projecting a moderately straight beam 20-30 meters ahead at an appropriate height to avoid glare – I rely on them for regular driving. Fog lights are designed for harsh weather, positioned lower to cast a wide, flat beam illuminating within 5 meters, preventing reflective glare. In fog or snow, using low beams scatters light into a blinding white haze, whereas fog lights outline the road edges for safety. Once on a foggy mountain road, switching to fog lights helped me avoid a rear-end collision. Remember not to misuse fog lights – using them unnecessarily in clear daytime conditions wastes power and may incur fines. Additionally, fog lights often use yellow light for better penetration, while low beams use more energy-efficient white light. Developing the habit of selecting lights based on weather conditions reduces accident risks.
