Fog lights in modern cars are almost standard equipment. Most manufacturers install fog lights on their models in many basic trim levels. But not all OEM fog lights meet the requirements of motorists.
Engineering research and advances in technology have enabled manufacturers to design efficient lighting fixtures that meet modern safety requirements. There is a large assortment of fog lights on sale, and sometimes it is not easy to figure out which one is better for a combination of different parameters. In our material, we will tell you what types of fog lights exist and which ones are more effective.
What are fog lights and how to use them
As the name suggests, the fog lamp is an optional lighting fixture that improves visibility on the road in fog, snowstorm and rain.
The effectiveness of fog lights is due to three components: a specific installation location, direction of light flow, headlamp spectrum. The installation location of the fog lamps is specified in GOST 8769-75.
For proper operation, the light stream must be in a horizontal direction and illuminate the area directly in front of the road with a horizontal scattering angle of 60%. The recommended headlamp spectrum is yellow due to less light scattering, but white light is allowed. It is on the contrast of the illuminated road and fog that the principle of operation of fog lights is based. Another useful property is to improve the visibility of the car for other road users in adverse weather conditions.
The correct use of fog lights is to only turn them on for their intended purpose and only under appropriate conditions. Do not turn them on in clear weather - this will not give any advantages and will only dazzle oncoming drivers.
Types of fog lights
Fog lights, despite the general principle of operation, differ mainly in the source of radiation. There are also some design differences and materials used in their manufacture.
Halogen fog lights
Halogen fog lights (H3) PF-116H (white-yellow, 12V 55A) - price 1100 rubles.
The classic and most common type of headlights. This is the most affordable option for purchasing, although there are advanced and rather expensive headlights from well-known manufacturers. As standard fog lights, they are installed mainly on budget car models and some middle class models. Due to the simplicity of the design and the low price of the halogen lamp, they are very popular among motorists.
Xenon fog lights
The price of xenon is from 6500 to 15000+ rubles.
Such headlights are installed mainly on expensive car brands and have a number of advantages over halogen ones - mainly durability, increased light output, and efficient energy consumption. Xenon headlights are used with lens only.
LED fog lights
In the photo there are LED fog lights MTF Light with a lens UNIVERSAL (FL10W), price 7000-8000 rubles
The most modern and promising type of fog lights. LED technologies are actively developing, and LED optics are becoming more affordable, durable and economical. LEDs, despite their high price, have a number of advantages: efficiency, luminous flux brightness, durability.
Choice of fog lights
To buy, you should consider the products of well-known optical manufacturers with quality certificates.
Leading manufacturers that have earned the trust of motorists:
- Hella, OSRAM, Bosch - Germany;
- Valeo - France;
- Magneti Marelli - Italy;
- Wesem - Poland;
- Morimoto - USA;
- DLAA, Zax, Infolight, Cyclon, ALED, Optima Light - China;
- Sirius - Taiwan;
- PIAA - Japan.
What is important to consider when choosing fog lights:
- Headlight screen (glass). The choice of the material of the protective screen is due to the peculiarity of the operation of the headlights, since they are located in the lower part of the car. In cheap products, the transparent screen is made of polycarbonate plastic, which has low performance. Plastic is susceptible to haze and is not very durable. In addition, it begins to lose its original characteristics at a temperature of +130 C. Preference should be given to a screen made of high-strength thick glass. One of the best options may be fog lights with a glass lens.
- Headlamp housing. The fog lamp housing must be sealed, because there is a high risk of water getting inside while driving. If the housing is made of plastic, then it must be heat resistant. The best choice is magnesium alloys. They are lightweight and have good thermal conductivity.
- Adjustability. For correct operation of the fog lights, they need to be periodically adjusted. The design of the headlights should be able to adjust the lighting accuracy for maximum efficiency.
- Design and aerodynamics. For a passenger car, both points are important. The headlights must fit into the overall look of the vehicle. Luridly protruding rectangular headlights on a rounded design are not the best choice. The streamlined aerodynamic design will reduce air resistance and reduce driving noise.
- Headlight power. The included fog lights create an additional load on the generator and the vehicle's power system, which negatively affects its resource. The recommended maximum power for the fog lights is 55-60 watts.
Which fog lights shine the best?
Halogen headlights, due to the peculiarity of the lamps, have limitations in their capabilities:
- They are limited in their color temperature.
- They emit a lot of heat.
- The filament of halogen light sources is prone to breakage due to vibration.
To increase the brightness of the glow, it is necessary to use high-power lamps, which increases the load on the generator and increases the heating of the case. There are modified halogen lamps with increased luminous efficiency and a different emission spectrum, but this solves only part of the problems listed. Halogen fog lights are a balanced option in terms of price / cost of ownership.
Xenon fog lights have excellent light output, and the lamp does not have a filament. The lifespan and overall efficiency of xenon lamps is higher than that of halogen lamps. Due to the peculiarity of the distribution of the light flux, xenon fog lights are used only with a lens that directs the flux. You can also select lamps with a specific color temperature. Xenon fog lights, in contrast to halogen ones, are more efficient and, if set up correctly, will give better visibility in bad weather.
LED fog lights provide the best balance between lighting efficiency, energy efficiency and durability. As with xenon headlights, LED modules can produce different color temperatures.
LED headlights have the highest efficiency for today, give a sharp and clear light border. The design feature eliminates dazzle of oncoming drivers. LED fog lights are the best choice for the car enthusiast in terms of efficiency.
TOP 5 fog lights
Modern LED fog lights have a wide horizontal dispersion angle. The design of the headlights increases the illumination area, allowing the driver to see the widest possible strip of the roadway. High-strength glasses are installed on the headlights. The beautiful appearance of the headlights will fit into the design of most cars.
Zax Bi-Fog SP 001
In the photo, standard bi-xenon lenses PTF Zax Bi-Fog SP 001 Toyota (Avensis, Auris, Camry, Corolla, Highlander, Rav4), Lexus IS, RX, price 12000-14000 rubles.
These bi-xenon fog lamps are very compact. Duralumin sealed casing and special tempered glass provide mechanical resistance and heat dissipation. The generated luminous flux guarantees visibility in the most adverse conditions.
Hella Micro DE 1NL
Price 6000 rubles
Lensed halogen headlights from a leading manufacturer. They have high strength and heat resistance. A feature of the model is the light distribution excellent for halogen headlights thanks to proprietary DE technology. The body is made of magnesium alloy and is equipped with a reflector with increased wear resistance.
Wesem CDC2
Native LED fog lamp Wesem CDC2 for UAZ Patriot - Price 5800 rubles.
LED headlights from a Polish manufacturer. The headlight housing is made of heat-resistant plastic. The light source is three powerful OSRAM LEDs cooled by an aluminum radiator. The headlights are easy to install and fit many models.
PIAA 50XT
Price RUB 9000
Premium high performance halogen fog lights. Equipped with 55W lamps, which are comparable in efficiency to 85W lamps. The headlights form a sharp spot of light, illuminating the road at a distance of two tens of meters. Among the halogen headlights, they are among the best in their class.
Conclusion
The correct selection and use of fog lights can significantly improve driving safety. Leading manufacturers are doing a lot of research and their products can be trusted and used in your vehicle. In difficult climatic conditions, a properly selected fog lamp improves visibility on the road, reduces eye strain and fatigue.
|| list |
- What are fog lights and how to use them
- Types of fog lights
- Halogen fog lights
- Xenon fog lights
- LED fog lights
- Choice of fog lights
- Which fog lights shine the best?
- TOP 5 fog lights
