Why are car fog lights all white now?
3 Answers
Car fog lights are all white due to aesthetic reasons and low actual power consumption. Introduction to car fog lights: Fog lights generally refer to car fog lights, which are installed at the front and rear of the vehicle. They are used for road illumination and safety warnings during rainy or foggy weather, improving visibility for both the driver and other road users. How to use car fog lights: Typically, the fog light switch is located on the light control lever, with separate controls for front and rear fog lights. Some vehicles have buttons to activate front and rear fog lights, while others have a rotary switch on the light control lever. Turning the button marked with the fog light symbol to the ON position activates the front fog lights, and further rotating it downward to the rear fog light position simultaneously activates both front and rear fog lights.
As a seasoned mechanic with decades of experience, I've noticed that fog lights have transitioned from yellow to white, primarily due to technological advancements and market demand. In the past, yellow fog lights were more popular because yellow light has a longer wavelength, which effectively penetrates fog layers and reduces glare from reflected light. However, white LED lights have now become the trend, as they are brighter, more energy-efficient, and manufacturers can compensate for the reduced penetration with higher brightness. For example, modern LED fog lights are several times brighter, ensuring clear visibility in rainy or foggy conditions while saving energy. Additionally, regulations like the EU's ECE R19 permit the use of white light as long as it meets standard brightness requirements, leading to widespread adoption by manufacturers. Design-wise, white fog lights integrate seamlessly with daytime running lights, offering a more streamlined and aesthetically pleasing appearance. That said, I must point out that yellow light still holds a slight advantage in extremely dense fog, which is why some high-end vehicles feature automatic dimming systems for enhanced safety. Car owners should keep their fog lights clean during maintenance to prevent dust from affecting illumination. Overall, white fog lights, thanks to technological progress, make driving more convenient and eco-friendly.
As an automotive technology enthusiast, I find the trend of fog lights turning completely white particularly fascinating, which is driven by the LED revolution! Traditional yellow fog lights relied on halogen bulbs, offering better light penetration through fog but with lower efficiency. Nowadays, LED chips are highly efficient and compact, with white light significantly boosting brightness to compensate for traditional shortcomings, while the color temperature of around 5500K mimics daylight, providing visual comfort and reducing eye strain. Manufacturers also prefer white light due to lower costs and simpler production, integrating them into headlight assemblies to reduce part variety. Regulations like the U.S. DOT standards have relaxed color restrictions, as long as the light pattern is anti-glare. In practical use, white LED fog lights serve well as auxiliary lighting in daily scenarios, such as providing more comprehensive illumination during rainy nights with poor visibility. Having test-driven several new models, I noticed white light appears more natural in normal weather, unlike the harshness of yellow light. Technological advancements have transformed fog lights from mere safety tools into stylish elements.
