[calvino]

so today one of my friends point out that my car does not turn off the foglights went I turn on my highbeams and that's illegal in some if not all states. I'm happy that my car does not turn them off but what if I get a ticket? is BMW fault!!!
another thing that I find out is why does the headlamp lens cleaning sys is not standard in all BMW with HID :mad:there is a ECE regulation that required all car that have HID to have them, why BMW charge extra for it ( cold PK)

[kbuys]

My fogs turn off when I turn my high beams on.

[geoff2010]

mine too.

[dgoss]

How about the machine gun button on my shifter? Is that ok for a US delivered car? Remember that I live in Los Angeles so maybe that's why it was automatically optioned.

[Jimbola]

My Fogs stay on when high beams on as well.

J

Originally Posted by calvino

so today one of my friends point out that my car does not turn off the foglights went I turn on my highbeams and that's illegal in some if not all states. I'm happy that my car does not turn them off but what if I get a ticket? is BMW fault!!!
another thing that I find out is why does the headlamp lens cleaning sys is not standard in all BMW with HID :mad:there is a ECE regulation that required all car that have HID to have them, why BMW charge extra for it ( cold PK)

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by Jimbola

My Fogs stay on when high beams on as well.

J

Mine too, on the E92. They used to go off though on my dad's E46.....

[F30Toad]

Originally Posted by calvino

another thing that I find out is why does the headlamp lens cleaning sys is not standard in all BMW with HID :mad:there is a ECE regulation that required all car that have HID to have them, why BMW charge extra for it ( cold PK)

I specifically ordered my car without the headlight cleaners but with the other parts of the CW pkg. I did not want the cleaners spraying the front all year long when I only need the headlights cleaned a handful of times per year. Just a waste of fluid imo.

[Jimbola]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

Mine too, on the E92. They used to go off though on my dad's E46.....

I think there is a law that the fogs cannot be on when high beams are on. Someone please confirm. All my other bimmers (E36, E39) turns off fog when high beams on.

[ALPINE6SPD]

Originally Posted by Jimbola

I think there is a law that the fogs cannot be on when high beams are on. Someone please confirm. All my other bimmers (E36, E39) turns off fog when high beams on.

I have my fogs on all the time with my high beams.

[RiXst3r]

why would it be law? you only use your high beams when no one is around anyway...

I always thought that it was because of current draw of the lighting... the electrical system couldnt handle it... but now with the adaptive xenons, its not more bulbs that turn on for the high beams, its just the lens shutter moving up... no additional power draw.

Thats my theory....

[Russellnyc]

Fog lights can't be on without parking lights
Fog lights can't be on with high beams
Fog lights can be on with low beams
Fog lights can be on with parking lights
Fog lights should only be used in fog
Fog lights are positioned low to allow you to see the road in heavy fog or snow without causing haze and reflection in front of the car. In the heaviest snow and fog, it is easiest to drive with just foglights and parking lights on, and headlights off. You'll know what I mean when you try it, although I believe this may be illegal. From the NY DMV website:

http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/dmanual...r10-manual.htm
DRIVING IN RAIN, FOG, OR SNOW
...
Rain, fog, or snow makes it harder to see out through your vehicle's windshield, and difficult for other drivers to see you. New York State law requires you to turn on your vehicle's headlights whenever the weather conditions would ordinarily require the use of windshield wipers to clear rain, snow, sleet, and other precipitation. "Daytime running lights" do not qualify as headlights. If your windshield wipers cause streaks or smears, the blades must be replaced.

High headlight beams reflect off rain, fog and falling snow. This makes it even harder for you to see where you are going. For better visibility during these weather conditions, keep your vehicle's headlights on low beam. Reduce your speed. Signal your turns further ahead of time than usual to give other drivers and roadway users increased warning. Brake early when slowing behind another vehicle or coming to an intersection stop.

Some vehicles have front fog lights, or front and rear fog lights, for use when heavy fog or similar hazardous weather conditions seriously restrict the driver's visibility. In New York State, all fog lights must be properly installed and of a type approved by the Commissioner of DMV. Front fog lights may be amber or white in color. Rear fog lights must be red and may be larger than the vehicle's regular taillights - they are intended to give advanced warning of your vehicle's presence to the drivers behind you. When visibility improves, you should switch off your vehicle's rear fog lights to reduce the glare that might affect other drivers.

[ENINTY]

The reason some cars have fog lights on with high beams and some that don't is because of the type of headlight the car has. HID cars keep the fogs on with the highbeams and halogen equipped cars headlights don't. The reason is a federal law (U.S. vehicle code) only allows that two (2) lamps (bulbs) per side can be lit at one time. All four-lamp Halogen BMWs have two bulbs lit per side (four total) in high beam. The HID cars can have the fog lights on in highbeam because HID headlights use the same bulb for both low and highbeam. There is a shutter in the HID lamp that refocuses the bulb for highbeam, so legally, an HID car only has two bulbs lit per side when the fog lights are on and it is in high beam mode.

[ksfrogman]

What "authorities" will actually notice your high beams and fog lights together? We usually dim them with oncoming traffic or upon closely approaching traffic in the same direction. Don't worry. I'd be happy!

[SkipSauls]

(Where's the soapbox smiley on this site, or is it just assumed to be the norm?)

I'm in the group of folks who do not like it when others use their fog lights all the time. These lights aren't designed for use in normal conditions, and they're not providing anything more than a misguided sense of security because the driver thinks that they can see more of the road. What is it about the things on the side of the road, and that which is about to go under the car, that is so interesting? Unless you're going 5 MPH and hunting for something you've lost on the ground, keep your eyes up and pay attention to what is ahead and behind you. At highway speeds you're not going to be able to react to the things that you can see "better" because of the foglights, and they're likely to serve as a distraction.

Besides being inconsiderate (and making you look like an ass), using fog lights in unwarranted conditions is illegal in many states. Check your DMV and you may find that you must dim fog lights just as you must dim high beams. For example, the law in Colorado is as follows:

"If you are driving with your high beam lights on or your low beam lights with fog lights on, you must dim them before coming within 500 feet of any oncoming vehicle so the oncoming driver is not blinded by the glare."

"When following another vehicle, you must use your low beam lights, with your fog lights off, if you are within 200 feet of the vehicle ahead of you."

If you can't see well enough without the fog lights, you should

a) have your headlights checked for proper adjustment
b) have your eyesight checked
c) learn to keep your eyes up and pay attention to what's important

Flame on if you feel the need, but if you insist on using your fog lights all the time then you're probably breaking the law. At least try to be considerate and dim them when you're within 500 feet from their front and 200 feet from their rear.

[stressdoc]

I always drive with fogs on in addition to headlights, and am pleased that they stay on with xenon brights (whereas they turned off in my E46 w/halogens -- as per DOT regs). The reason is that they help illuminate animals like deer that are off the side of the road. The spread is low and spread out wide for coverage beyond standard low beams.

[Jimbola]

Every post someone needs to preech about what not to do. Don't tell me not to use my fogs. I use them when I choose to. I don't use them most of the time but when I decide to turn them on I will turn them on.

J

[HereAgain]

Originally Posted by SkipSauls

(Where's the soapbox smiley on this site, or is it just assumed to be the norm?)

I'm in the group of folks who do not like it when others use their fog lights all the time. These lights aren't designed for use in normal conditions, and they're not providing anything more than a misguided sense of security because the driver thinks that they can see more of the road. What is it about the things on the side of the road, and that which is about to go under the car, that is so interesting? Unless you're going 5 MPH and hunting for something you've lost on the ground, keep your eyes up and pay attention to what is ahead and behind you. At highway speeds you're not going to be able to react to the things that you can see "better" because of the foglights, and they're likely to serve as a distraction.

Besides being inconsiderate (and making you look like an ass), using fog lights in unwarranted conditions is illegal in many states. Check your DMV and you may find that you must dim fog lights just as you must dim high beams. For example, the law in Colorado is as follows:

"If you are driving with your high beam lights on or your low beam lights with fog lights on, you must dim them before coming within 500 feet of any oncoming vehicle so the oncoming driver is not blinded by the glare."

"When following another vehicle, you must use your low beam lights, with your fog lights off, if you are within 200 feet of the vehicle ahead of you."

If you can't see well enough without the fog lights, you should

a) have your headlights checked for proper adjustment
b) have your eyesight checked
c) learn to keep your eyes up and pay attention to what's important

Flame on if you feel the need, but if you insist on using your fog lights all the time then you're probably breaking the law. At least try to be considerate and dim them when you're within 500 feet from their front and 200 feet from their rear.

Very well said. I agree completely.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by Jimbola

I think there is a law that the fogs cannot be on when high beams are on. Someone please confirm. All my other bimmers (E36, E39) turns off fog when high beams on.

I am not aware of this--in Indiana you must have bright off within 500 yards of oncoming traffic or within 200 yards of traffic in front of you. Not sure about specific regs for the fogs--which point at the ground anyway, so don't see why that would matter.....

[dmboone25]

Oops--what I said was right above my post--I always thought it was yards, not feet, but now that I think about it, feet makes more sense.

[darkcloud]

I am rarely blinded or annoyed by anyones fog lights being on in the wrong conditions. Although occasionally by some stupid over sized wannabe hillbillies F-250 or equivilant. The more annoying of the fog light dilema is someone who runs around with their rear fogs on. I agree that is stupid. But the whining about front fogs is not needed, unless you have xenon fogs and they are aimed upwards. You then would deserve a swift kick to the right testicle(or ovary lol).

[HereAgain]

Originally Posted by darkcloud

I am rarely blinded or annoyed by anyones fog lights being on in the wrong conditions. Although occasionally by some stupid over sized wannabe hillbillies F-250 or equivilant. The more annoying of the fog light dilema is someone who runs around with their rear fogs on. I agree that is stupid. But the whining about front fogs is not needed, unless you have xenon fogs and they are aimed upwards. You then would deserve a swift kick to the right testicle(or ovary lol).

Say what? I've never heard of rear fog lights.

[darkcloud]

Originally Posted by HereAgain

Say what? I've never heard of rear fog lights.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ight=rear+fogs

There ya go.