fog/driving lights legality and recommendations

[TADO]

hi all
my new bumper has 2 10cm hole to mount lights into - i'm presuming that they'll need to be fog lights at this height? can anyone confirm this?
here's a pic of the same bumper with lights mounted if that helps:
http://www.hondatwincam.co.jp/e/catalog/beat/image_small/front_aero01s.jpg

im thinking of buying these ones from the US as the 510 size (the only 10cm fog PIAA do) isnt available as standard in the UK:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PIAA-510-SMR-Series-Xtreme-White-Fog-Light-Kit_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2em63Q2el1177Q QhashZitem290294103033QQitemZ290294103033QQptZMoto rsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
will they be fine in terms of legality/MOT etc? theres several 10cm driving lights available but i'm guessing i cant use these at this height?
sorry for the questions, just not very clued up on this!
many thanks in advance!
mike

[beardo]

As part of the MOT the front fogs aren't checked. So as long as they aren't wired to either the side dipped or main beam you should be fine.

[Mylee]

Mike, there are actually a lot of rules about mounting extra lights to the front or rear of a car. One being the height and that both lights are mounted symetrically about the cars centre line.
Looking at your bumper on your blog ( and it looks very very nice BTW) you will have no hassle at all with plod or at MOT time.
How you make the lights work is also an issue. Fog lights have to have a separate switch - with some form of indication to show the driver they are on and must only work when the car's side lights are on as a minimum - in exactly the same wat as a rear fog light. However driving lights can be wired to work with your main beam or a separate switch.
Both options are very easy to wire via a relay and I would think detailed instructions will be included with the lights.

[beardo]

On the Beat the wiring for fog lamps is already there. Near each front indicator you should find a spare plug in the loom. This is for the fogs. Once wired up you only need the fog switch as the relay is already there also. This is how I wired my fogs up. Easy peasy.

[TADO]

cheers guys!
ahh - i suspected that was what the spare plug was for. i guess u can then just wire this to my existing rear fog switch (orange light on switch and only turns on if the lights are on?).
just to confirm - at bumper height, it'll have to be fog rather than driving lights?
ta very much for the help and patience! :D

[Mylee]

just to confirm - at bumper height, it'll have to be fog rather than driving lights?


Don't think so Mike, the type of light is your choice, it's how they operate that's important.
Good info Beardo on the wiring, didn't know about that!

[TADO]

o-rly?? :D that might open up a few more possibilities...

[TADO]

just another quickie - those who have the factory fitted lights in the bumper, when do they come on? do they act as a fog light or do they come on with the the main/dipped beams?
sorry for the confusion, just trying to make sure i know exactly which i need before i order them from the US :D

[old'uns]

i'm sure my front fogs can be switched on without the lights on? wrong i know but i haven't touched it

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1989/Uksi_19891796_en_9.htm

now found front page:
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1989/Uksi_19891796_en_1.htm

i'd have thought most logical is:

as fogs- front & rear on one switch or maybe 2 position switch rear/rear & front

as driving -to come on with main beam

[Mylee]

i'm sure my front fogs can be switched on without the lights on? wrong i know but i haven't touched it

Maybe because the Beat is JDM and not made for the European market??


i'd have thought most logical is:

as fogs- front & rear on one switch or maybe 2 position switch rear/rear & front

Unless you want to drive around with just the fronts on in a chav Corsa stylee :D


as driving -to come on with main beam
The best and most useful option

[Steve_M]

just another quickie - those who have the factory fitted lights in the bumper, when do they come on? do they act as a fog light or do they come on with the the main/dipped beams?
sorry for the confusion, just trying to make sure i know exactly which i need before i order them from the US :D


Beat extra lamps are foglamp type lamps. separate switch.

If I remember rightly, if you switch them on with no lights on, the switch also turns the side lights (front/rear) on as well.

Best to wire extra lamps as driving lights. My Elise has lamps in front grill which are driving lights, and improve visibility lots.

http://gallery.seloc.org/albums/userpics/12662/_XSP0255.JPG

[TADO]

thanks for the input guys - think i'll be going with the driving light version, and wire em up to the main beams.
much appreciated! :D
(nice pic steve!)

[beardo]

Only problem I can forsee is whether the police will be convinced that they are driving lights and not fogs.

[Mylee]

Only problem I can forsee is whether the police will be convinced that they are driving lights and not fogs.


Dead easy as they will only work with high beam. Can't see a problem myself.

[beardo]

Dead easy as they will only work with high beam. Can't see a problem myself. my mistake. For some reason i thought they came on with the dipped beam.

[TADO]

i has bought lights. thank you all very much for your help! :D
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290288226750&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fmotors.shop.ebay.com%3A80%2F__%3F_ from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dm38%26_nkw%3D290288226750%2 6_nd1%3D%26_fvi%3D1#ht_500wt_1600