Fog Lights not on with light switch in park mode?

I can turn mine off but when they are turned on they only operate when low beams are on! Hal

 

Fog lights only operate when the headlights are on and on low beam.

 

this is a simple one

the park setting on your lights is to turn your parking lights on only
this should mean you are parked, not driving

parking lights are specific lights that are meant to show other drivers that you are in fact parked and not moving - although few people seem to know that anymore

your front marker lights should be on in park mode

the NC law probly applies to cars driving on public roads, so the requirement would likely not apply if you are parked -- and few people would have teh ipers on when parked

WHY, oh why, would you ever be driving with your lights in "park"? The setting in fact is called "park"!

Why would you rewire a system that makes sense, if used correctly? And meets all Federal laws?

 

It is illegal in the U.S. to drive with only fog lights. Because of this the fog lights only come on when the headlamps are turned on.

Tom

 

Thing about the lights on/wipers on laws is that no one ever enforces them. After all, who wants to get out of the car in the rain?

This is not the case. As you're aware there are no national operating standards, just manufacturer standards. In NJ, operation of just the fog lamps is legal as long as they are visible from 500' in normal conditions.

I had a 90 Pontiac Grand Prix which had yellow fog lights that could be operated independent of the headlights. They are the only useful fog lights I've ever had on a car, due to the aiming, color, and ability to turn off the main lights. The ones on the Prius just make things worse, like the people who turn on the high beams in fog..

 

So it is only illegal to manufacture or sell a vehicle that has fog lights that are independent of low beams, not illegal to operate such a vehicle in federal law. (it is subject to local law)

Similar to HID conversion kits being illegal to manufacture or sell in the US, but only illegal to operate if they violate local law.

 

if you turned your lights on, you would have tail lights

 

In many states it is illegal to drive with your parking lights on so just turn your headlights on when it rains. Heaven forbid you are ever in an accident where this is a factor - I know that I would never get past the guilt if anyone was hurt.

 

If someone could be so kind as to explain the difference between white fog lights, white parking lights, and white driving lights. I know they were implemented at different times for different conditions, but now that we've got all of them they seem to me to all be basically the same.

Using white fog lights as driving lights sounds like a good thing. OK, maybe the fog lights are mounted low, but say I moved them up higher. Would they still only be fog lights?

 

Fog Lights aim at the ground, under fog (add to low beams)

Driving lights aim to infinity to find obstructions while you can still stop (add to high beams)

Parking lights tend to be amber in front, red in back of car and not focused into the plane of travel. (since you are not supposed to be traveling)


Comparison of beam patterns

 

Correct. State law regulates traffic law and equipment, but state law is generally based on national standards. I should have said that it is illegal in states following the national standard, which is most of them. There are exceptions.

Tom

 

another use for parking lights? sure, but not a correct one.
1) you aren't parked, therefore "parking lights" would not be appropriate
2) and just turning on your lights does what you want it to do, without the danger of anyone thinking you are parked, plus your headlights are now on full and make you more visable to other traffic, so there isn't a reason to not do it the right way.

 

There is plenty of grey in the world. However, it doesn't make sense to use somehing for something it was not designed for and then get cranky when it doesn't do what it isn't supposed to do. Especially when its intended use/purpose is actually included in its name! That is insane!

 

also know that by using the lights incorrectly, you are creating a road hazard for others
when you put your parking lights on, that isn't meant to help you, it is meant to help the other drivers on the roadway identify your car as parked, and not moving - even though there is an occupant. You now create confusion if you drive with the parking lights on. And, at least in CA you can be cited for driving with your parking lights on, although I doubt many people are
V C Section 24800 Lighted Parking Lamps
I would guess most states have similar laws