Is there any back fog lights on the X5?

[Thunder22]

Rear fog lights are illegal in almost every state in the US.

[X5rolls]

How do you know that?

If they are illegal then they are not ticketing all those BMWs, MBs, Volvo's, Jag's, that have and use them. I had a MBML430 and it came standard with a single rear fog light (red) and I used it sometimes when it was very foggy.

Interesting petition -

http://www.petitiononline.com/BMWfogs/petition.html

[Penguin]

> If they are illegal then they are not ticketing all those BMWs, MBs, Volvo's, Jag's, that have and use them.

That's right... and I haven't hard of anyone getting a ticket for failure to use their turn signal for years. The police now seem to be almost exclusively focused on speeding and stop lights nowadays, e.g., I've had a Z4 without a front license plate for five years now and the police have never bothered me, even though my state requires a front plate.

[Coffeeman]

Originally Posted by gresch

Rear fog lights are illegal in almost every state in the US.

If true, how can M-B, Volvo, and MINI (which is owned by BMW) sell cars with rear fog lights in these States?

[Thunder22]

Some further investigation:

WHITE rear fog lamps are illegal, and I believe them to be still illegal, red, as mentioned below is not, which is probably what's causing the confusion.


In Europe and other countries adhering to ECE Regulation 48, vehicles must be equipped with one or two bright red "rear fog lamps" (or "fog taillamps"), which serve as high-intensity rear position lamps to be energised by the driver in conditions of poor visibility to enhance vehicle conspicuity from the rear. The allowable range of intensity for a rear fog lamp is 150 to 300 candelas, which is within the range of a U.S. brake lamp. For this reason, many European vehicles imported to the United States have their rear fog lamps wired as brake lamps, since their European-specification brake lamps may not be sufficiently intense to comply with U.S. regulations, and in North America rear fog lamps are not required equipment. However, they are permitted, and are found almost exclusively on European-brand vehicles in North America — Audi, Jaguar, Mercedes, MINI, Range Rover, Saab and Volvo provide functional rear fog lights on their North American models. The final generation Oldsmobile Aurora also had dual rear fog lights installed in the rear bumper as standard equipment.

Most jurisdictions permit rear fog lamps to be installed either singly or in pairs. If a single rear fog is fitted, most jurisdictions require it to be located at or to the driver's side of the vehicle's centreline — whichever side is the prevailing driver's side in the country in which the vehicle is registered. This is to maximise the sight line of following drivers to the rear fog lamp. If two rear fog lamps are fitted, they must be symmetrical with respect to the vehicle's centreline. Proponents of twin rear fog lamps say two lamps provide vehicle distance information not available from a single lamp. Proponents of the single rear fog lamp say dual rear fog lamps closely mimic the appearance of illuminated brake lamps (which are mandatorily installed in pairs), reducing the conspicuity of the brake lamps' message when the rear fogs are activated. To provide some safeguard against rear fog lamps' masking of brake lamps, ECE R48 requires a separation of at least 10 cm between the closest illuminated edges of any brake lamp and any rear fog lamp.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automotive_lighting

[brian5]

Gresch is probably right on the color in the US. I saw a new MB R350 today with red rear fog light.
[edited]
In South Africa, I drove behind a Subaru with a red fog light -- that thing was BRIGHT! It was very functional when we drove through some heavy fog -- I could hardly see the two tail lights at all but I could easily see that red spotlight...

[rh71]

You guys are talking about fog lamps that would remain on during drive correct? If so, it's obvious why white would be illegal as someone (most) would confuse it with your intention to back-up which could make people react with some highly dangerous decisions. If it is already common, then that is equally dangerous as you don't know when someone really is backing up.

[bmwman3241]

I have back fog lights on my 2009 X5. I didn't know this until I got a car wash and was driving home pushing random buttons and the car behind me high beamed me. I was looking at her face and kept pushing it watching her face get brighter red then light.

The top left button is for the front fog's and the top left button is fro rear fogs. The pics of the rear fogs were taken in a hurry with my iPhone, and a car came during the last picture. If you want better pics let me know.




Before:


After:

[nynd]

Then your rear camera must be crystal clear at night... is it?

[bmwman3241]

Interesting.
Haven't tried my camera with the back fogs on. I'll try it later and let you guys know.