What is the small light below the car headlight called?
4 Answers
The small light below the car headlight is called the fog light. Here is an introduction to fog lights: 1. Turning on fog lights: After turning on the parking lights, you can then turn on the fog lights. The front fog lights can be turned on individually, while the rear fog lights can only be turned on together with the front fog lights and cannot be activated separately. There are two main styles of fog light switches: button-type and rotary-type. Different car manufacturers have their preferred methods for turning on fog lights. 2. Function of fog lights: In conditions of poor visibility such as foggy or rainy weather, fog lights help other vehicles see your car. Therefore, fog light sources need to have strong penetration. Most vehicles use halogen fog lights, while more advanced models may feature LED fog lights. Fog lights must be installed below the bumper, at the position closest to the ground on the car body, to ensure their effectiveness. If installed too high, the light cannot penetrate the rain or fog to illuminate the road (as fog is generally thinner below 1 meter in height), which could easily lead to dangerous situations.
I remember when I drove the old Santana, I specifically asked the mechanic what the lamp under the headlight was called. The mechanic said it was the front fog lamp, and its low position was deliberate—in heavy fog, high-mounted lights would cause glare, while yellow light close to the ground could penetrate the fog. Now, my SUV's fog lamps have been upgraded to LED white light strips, which can also serve as daytime running lights. Last month, when driving on a mountain road in thick fog, turning on the fog lamps significantly improved visibility. However, it's important not to use them unnecessarily in urban areas when there's no fog, as these lights are even more dazzling than the headlights. When modifying fog lamps, choose ones that comply with national standards. Last time, I saw someone install ice-blue ones and get pulled over by traffic police.
A veteran truck driver with over a decade of experience told me it's called fog lights. Back when I did long-haul trips, I heavily relied on them. In thick fog, even with low beams on, everything would just look like a white blur. Only by turning on the fog lights could I clearly see the road edge markings. Nowadays, fog lights on new cars are integrated into the bumper position, and some even come with cornering light functionality. I've made it a habit to wipe the fog light covers with a cloth before setting off—mud and water can really diminish their effectiveness. When driving in rain or fog with fog lights on, remember to use lower gears and never rush for speed. There was news recently about a rear-end collision caused by a car not using fog lights—proof that safety features should be used when needed.
Car enthusiasts who are into modifications often refer to the area below the headlights as the fog light position. On my own Civic, I removed the factory fog lights and replaced them with a DRL module featuring sequential turn signals. In fact, many aftermarket lights are designed to fit into the fog light mounting points, like my yellow fog light covers which were chosen to match the JDM style. When modifying, it's crucial to ensure the power doesn't exceed the vehicle's circuit capacity – just last week, a friend's car blew a fuse due to a short circuit in the fog lights. Although LED technology has significantly improved fog light brightness these days, traditional halogen bulbs still offer better penetration in adverse conditions.
