Fog light - Head light Dilemna???

[VBB]

I have an '06 Fusion SE that does not have the fog lights. Wondering if I should install fog lights, or upgrade the headlights instead. I need more light when the pavement is wet. (drive alot of dark rural roads)

 

Fog lights look like they have a clear lense - do they help in fog, or are they more like driving lights?

 

Anyone's opinion or experiences will be appreciated.

Edited March 30, 2010 by VBB

[akirby]

I have an '06 Fusion SE that does not have the fog lights. Wondering if I should install fog lights, or upgrade the headlights instead. I need more light when the pavement is wet. (drive alot of dark rural roads)

 

Fog lights look like they have a clear lense - do they help in fog, or are they more like driving lights?

 

Anyone's opinion or experiences will be appreciated.

 

Re-aim (raise) the headlights. They are aimed too low from the factory. You can try Silverstars - they work better than the OEM lamps and don't require a complicated install or extra parts like HID kits.

[VBB]

I thought maybe they were aimed too low. They seem to cut off pretty abruptly. I'll search the forum for how to adjust 'em. There must be a screw on top to raise/lower them. Thanks much.

[bbf2530]

I have an '06 Fusion SE that does not have the fog lights. Wondering if I should install fog lights, or upgrade the headlights instead. I need more light when the pavement is wet. (drive alot of dark rural roads)

 

Fog lights look like they have a clear lense - do they help in fog, or are they more like driving lights?

 

Anyone's opinion or experiences will be appreciated.

 

Hi VBB. :D Just to add some information to the good advice akirby offered:

 

The fog lights on our cars are fog lights, not driving lights. The reflectors of fog lights are designed to project a low and wide band of illumination parallel to the road and into the fog, below the eye level of the driver. In this way, the light is not reflected back into the drivers eye by the water vapor (fog) in the air.

 

Driving lights (and their reflectors) are designed to project a more concentrated beam of light further down the road, and are usually mounted higher on the front of the car. Generally at the same level as the headlights themselves.

 

Essentially, fog lights are designed for lower speed driving in foggy conditions (when it would be dangerous to drive fast) and driving lights are designed for higher speed driving requirements.

 

Another point concerning fog lights. Generally, a fog light bulb in the yellower color ranges works better in the fog (visibility wise). However, since most people nowadays do not use them properly anyway, clear bulbs are generally used. That is because so many people just use them as front end jewelry on their cars and improperly drive with them on all the time anyway. But, it is a free country, so...

 

The adjustment screw for the headlights is on top of the housings (as described in the Owners Manual). For the foglights, it is on the back of the fog light housing. I have read that it is a T15 (torx) size.

 

Hope this information helps.

 

Good luck. :beerchug:

Edited March 31, 2010 by bbf2530

[xmech2k]

If you want help when it's wet, that's what my foglights do very well on my 2010. (AFTER I adjusted them properly...) I'd go with the foglights and check the adjustment on your headlights. Maybe see about Silverstar upgrade, too, if you've got enough after the fogs.

[NRMoore2]

I just replaced all of my lights with Silverstars and couldn't be more happy. They are a huge improvement. The adjustment screw for the headlights are on the top the of headlights towards the outside edge of each light. Use a philips screw driver to adjust them.

[VBB]

Thanks everyone! I'm gonna adjust the headlights first, then if the wet roads are too dark to see the lines, I'll put in the fog lights, and then go with Silverstars if needed. I hesitate to use them because I have on another vehicle and they had to be replaced every couple months (live on a washboard dirt road that is 1.5 miles to the pavement and they don't last that long with the vibration).

[xmech2k]

Wow! I take back the Silverstar suggestion! I was thinking of getting them myself, but went to Amazon,com to find some (No luck on a few auto parts sites) and almost all the reviews complained about how fast they burned out. Some as fast as 3 months! Didn't see anyone who said they lasted more than 8 months. For how much work it is to replace them on a Fusion, and for the higher price, I'll pass. Just add the fog lights. If they're anything like the 2010 ones, you'll be happy with them for the rain.

[akirby]

Wow! I take back the Silverstar suggestion! I was thinking of getting them myself, but went to Amazon,com to find some (No luck on a few auto parts sites) and almost all the reviews complained about how fast they burned out. Some as fast as 3 months! Didn't see anyone who said they lasted more than 8 months. For how much work it is to replace them on a Fusion, and for the higher price, I'll pass. Just add the fog lights. If they're anything like the 2010 ones, you'll be happy with them for the rain.

 

I used them in the past with no problems. I wonder how many people are installing them with bare fingers and leaving oily residue? That will kill any halogen bulb quickly.

[acdii]

How do you turn on just the fog lights? They don't help much in fog if the main lights are one. :blink:

[akirby]

How do you turn on just the fog lights? They don't help much in fog if the main lights are one. :blink:

 

Parking lights.

[VBB]

I know from my experience, I never touched the glass with my bare fingers. I still have memories of dad screaming at me 25 years ago just replacing standard bulbs. Mine would alternate, one would go out and after I replace that, a month or two later the other one went out. (honda accord) Not only expensive, but frustrating as you never know when it's going to fail and buying packs of two and having to remember were you left the extra one when that side goes out.

[xmech2k]

I didn't even think about that being the case! (Oily residue from fingers) So you guys have had good experiences with the Silverstars?

[akirby]

I didn't even think about that being the case! (Oily residue from fingers) So you guys have had good experiences with the Silverstars?

 

I did but that was several years ago. I just installed a set on my Edge - check back with me in a few months.

[Sithil]

Adjustment wise the headlights are generally too low from the factory and can be raised with a basic phillips head screwdriver. If I remember its a white plastic screw that is semi recessed on the headlamp assembly.