it's been so long i have forgotten? - Diesel Forum

william_04_X · 02-16-2006, 08:06 PM

do the driving lights in the lower part of the bumper only work when it's dark out? the indicator next to the switch comes on in the daytime, but the lights do not.

caryt · 02-16-2006, 08:23 PM

No, they only come on when the low beams are on [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]. There is a mod to rewire the switch so they will come on with the high's also which is a must do IMO. I will try to find ya the link.

Cary

caryt · 02-16-2006, 08:31 PM

Here ya go web page

Cary

scubudo · 02-16-2006, 11:26 PM

Mine will come on with the switch in the running light position...day or night...just need to remember to turn them off.

Munkey · 02-17-2006, 09:19 AM

my 02 F250 came on when the truck was running like daytime running lights. From the factory, don't understand why on the X's they didn't do it that way. They now with this link. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img]

rozett · 02-17-2006, 09:44 AM

Just remember that in some states, it is illegal to have your driving/fog lights on while your high beams are on. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]

pjaffray · 02-17-2006, 01:35 PM

Why is it that alot of people seem to want the fog lights on when it is not foggy?

Here is what I understand about fog and fog lights. Fog is a bunch of water droplets (round spheres) suspended in the air. When you shine a light at all these spheres and the light source is close to your eye level the light is reflected directly back at you creating glare. What fog lights attempt to do is move the source of the light as far below your eye level as practical so that from your viewing perspective the spheres of water are lit from below and the light does not reflect directly back into your eye thus reducing glare. This allows you to see further down the road into the fog than with the regular headlights. In fact it is better in dense fog with just the parking lights and fog lights without the low beams (and Ford's switch allows you to do this, at least in my Excursion).

If it is not foggy out at night and you are running with the fog lights on there is a different hazard. There is no denying that the fog lights will throw more light on the road directly in front of your vehicle however this light does not reach very far (they are not designed to). What your eye "sees" is brighter light fairly close so your iris closes up a little bit to deal with this. You have now reduced your night vision and your ability to see dimly lit or distant objects in the dark.

An easy way to improve your night vision is to use only your headlights and to turn down the dimmer for the dash lighting as much as possible. When you are exposed to a bright light, it can take as much as 30 to 45 minutes to fully regain your best night vision.

If you really want to see better while driving at night, get a light bar and install a set of quality aftermarket lights in either a Driving Beam or Pencil Beam pattern. Cibie Super Oscars or Hella 4000's are both good examples.

I am not an expert, this stuff is just from my own research and experience. I welcome and look forward to other opinions.

caryt · 02-17-2006, 03:07 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Why is it that alot of people seem to want the fog lights on when it is not foggy?

[/ QUOTE ]

Well for me its simple..they are not fog lights [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] fog lights are colored yellow so you can see beter in ...fog. I use them cause ..when adjusted properly helps ME see better, I'm over 50 [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Cary

pjaffray · 02-17-2006, 03:42 PM

All Ford documentation I have seen refers to them as Fog Lights.

Fog lights do not need to be yellow, in fact an argument can be made that by using a filter to produce just yellow light you are reducing the total light output and in the end have a less effective light.

Two links of supporting information:

Ask a Scientist

and

Car Talk

Maybe if you clarified "adjusted properly" I might better understand?
pdj

bpcheramie · 02-17-2006, 03:55 PM

Some may use them just because it is cool look. Some may use them due to the fact that they want to see what they are running over.

If you look at most headlights they due not point at the ground in front of the car and you are not able to see what has come in front of the car untill you hit it. I lived off some back roads in Mississippi and running the fog light helped me to see what was in front of the car after my headlight beam had passed the area. Small animals like to run out of the woods and in front of my car. So yes the fog light do a job other than just for fog.

Brent

Munkey · 02-17-2006, 05:20 PM

I just want mine on as DRL like my pu had and not have to have all the parking lights on. I'm not driving a christmas tree. I do use them all the time and then my crappy regular lights light up the road as my wifes explorer does. No dark spots [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]

caryt · 02-17-2006, 07:04 PM

[ QUOTE ]
All Ford documentation I have seen refers to them as Fog Lights. <font color="blue"> Good for them but it doesen't make them fog lights, the light pattern is not correct. </font>

Fog lights do not need to be yellow, in fact an argument can be made that by using a filter to produce just yellow light you are reducing the total light output and in the end have a less effective light.

Two links of supporting information:

Ask a Scientist

and

Car Talk

Maybe if you clarified "adjusted properly" I might better understand? <font color="blue">As you link above stated...adjust fog lights to get light low 18"' ect... </font>
pdj

[/ QUOTE ]

Check out this site and its link on why yellow fog lights work better. I have used both and at least for me I can see much better with yellow fogs than white ones.

Cary

pjaffray · 02-17-2006, 10:14 PM

Thanks for that link, I did learn something. While he does make a case for yellow fog lights, they can still be fog lights without being yellow and I am sure there could be improvement over the stock Ford item.

I would also direct you to another page on the same site here that restates my point about using fog lamps in clear conditions giving you a false sense of better lighting. Here is a quote from that link:

It's insidious, because high levels of foreground light give the illusion, the subjective impression, of comfort and security and "good lighting".

I would encourage you to read that page.

Thanks for pointing me to that site, pardon the pun, it was enlightening.
pdj

caryt · 02-18-2006, 11:09 AM

Makes sense...I always upgrade the stock blubs so maybe having brighter headlights change the equation [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]. I just see much better especialy to the sides, helps to see the deer [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] before they jump!

Cary

william_04_X · 02-20-2006, 08:12 PM

to answer my own question. without the key in the ignition the driving lights do not come on when the headlight switch is pulled out, even though the indicator illuminates. when the key is turned to run the lights come on. this question came up when i was going over my vehicle after some repairs were made. i was checking the lights with the ignition off, pulled out the headlight switch, indicator lights up, driving lights didn't come on. it appered that the lights didn't work. they actually work fine. this proves they are driving lights as the key must be in "run" to operate them. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]