Ever wondered, what is the difference between headlights and fog lights? or What is a fog light is used for? We are here to answer all your questions related to headlights and fog lights. We would not want you to use the wrong types of lights on your truck, so let’s start with the basics.
What is a Headlight?
The headlight is the most basic and common light of a vehicle. It is a lamp located at the front of the vehicle for the purpose of illuminating the road ahead. On the basis of bulbs, there are 4 types of headlights – halogen, HIDs, LEDs, and laser headlights.
On the basis of the headlight housing, there are two types of headlights – reflectors and projectors. Headlights also come in high beam and low beam modes.
The low beams are used during normal nighttime driving and the high beams are used for driving in low-lit areas.
Are headlights similar to daytime running lights?
Daytime running lights( DRLs) are situated at the front of the car. These are often referred to as standard headlights. There is a difference between regular headlights and daytime running lights.
The daytime running lights come on automatically as soon as the car engine is started. This feature is not there for all vehicles.
These lights are generally dimer in comparison to a headlight as their purpose is not illuminating the road ahead rather they increase the visibility of your car to other drivers.
The usefulness of DRLs is still debated. Most times a daytime running lights serve the purpose of style, giving a stylish edge to your vehicle.
What is a Fog light?
Fog lights are situated at the front of a truck just below the headlight assembly. Sometimes there are rear fog lights located at the back of your truck along with brake lights.
As the name suggests fog lights are made for visibility in thick fog. Along with that, they are also perfect for other conditions where visibility is low like heavy rains or dust storms.
In these conditions, a headlight is not of much help because it can reflect on fog, dust particles, or snow. This causes glaring and confuses the eyes of drivers becoming a reason for accidents.
Are driving lights similar to fog lights?
Driving lights are brighter than fog lights with narrow straight beams. These lights are situated at the front of trucks and SUVs and are generally used while offroading.
Driving lights are white lights as white lights provide maximum illumination and are more powerful than yellow or red lights.
These lights can be switched on along with high beam headlights while traversing dark and deserted country roads. It can be dangerous to use these lights around people as the drivers can be blinded by driving lights. This can lead to accidents.
How to Turn on Fog Lights?
Fog lights come with a dedicated switch separate from that of headlights. The switch of fog light generally has a semi-circle symbol with three wavy lines.
It is generally located on the headlight stalk. You simply have to press the switch or rotate the headlight stalk depending on your car’s model to turn on the fog lights.
Are fog lights and headlights the same?
Fog lights and headlights can be mistaken to be the same when lighted up. They are not similar and also situated in different locations at the front of a car. It is not possible to confuse them.
Fog lights are angled downwards to illuminate the road immediately in front of you.
Headlights are long-range projection lights that light up the road and the cars in front of you. In situations of heavy if a headlight is used instead of a fog light the light will reflect and glare at your eyes. Thus making driving impossible.
Can you use fog lights for headlights?
Fog lights are designed to provide better visibility during low visibility conditions like for or heavy rainfall. They can be used along with headlights but noting the place of headlights. Both types serve different purposes.
Fog lights have a short-range and are angled downwards so they cannot take the place of headlights. Fog lights are categorized under auxiliary lighting so it depends o you if you want a fog light or not
. Not all cars come with factory-installed fog lights. That is not the case for headlights, headlights are the most important lighting of a car and without a headlight a vehicle is incomplete.
Can fog lights replace headlights?
Both fog lights and headlights serve different purposes and they cannot completely replace each other. There can be emergency situations when your headlights might break down or malfunction. In times like this, you can obviously use your fog light in place of your malfunctioning headlight.
Legally you cannot replace your headlights with fog lights so it is suggested you get your headlights fixed in case they break down. It’s better not to rely on fog lights while driving around.
Is it legal to use Fog lights even when there is no fog?
You can use fog lights in low visibility settings other than food like during heavy rainfalls or during dust storms. The use of fog lights mostly depends on which state you are in. Some states do not allow the use of fog lights or other auxiliary lights when driving around other cars unless the weather is foggy.
A few states also have laws that prohibit the use of fog lights when you are within 500 meters of an oncoming vehicle. As there are chances that you might blind other drivers.
Also, there are some states that control the color of your fog lights. Like your fog lights must be either white or amber or in between both colors in certain states. So always check your state laws regarding fog lights to avoid breaking the law.
What are the best headlights for and F150?
Morimoto makes the best aftermarket headlight for the ford F150. its is LED based with daytime running lights and sequential turn signals. Our full review of the Best Ford F150 headlights breaks down this option and many more.
Conclusion
Finally, we can conclude in the case of headlights vs fog lights that headlights and fog lights are completely different and serve different purposes. They can replace each other in any situation.
Most cars do not come with fog lights, so if you find it necessary you can also look for aftermarket options for Fog lights.
Also if you are not satisfied with your fog lights or headlights you can always upgrade them as per your needs. There are various options available in the market like LED lights and HIDs for headlights which you can try for better lighting.
