well finally got the rear fog panel and the euro parcel shelf installed this weekend. the fog panel was pretty easy to install but it was a lot harder to install the shelf than i had anticipated. anyway, took it to the dealership yesterday to have the fog activated (cost 50.00). when i picked up the car, it was after hour so i didn't get a chance to talk to the service guy. i notice that both sides light up for the fog. i read somewhere that only the driver's side suppose to light. for those with rear fog, what the verdict?

 

Both sides, you will also notice this on Saabs.

X2

 

If only 1 side lit up, you'd look like a pair of motorbikes in heavy fog. And you'd probably get a fix-it ticket for the non-operational bulb being "out".

 

that's weird because all mercedes here and i think cars in europe only have the driver's side fog light on...the reason is that so it does not look like brake light is lit. i guess we americans are not use to rear fog light here :???:

 

Watch it! I ain't no American!

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Which may be why the redisign of the bumper for the 2005's moves the rear fog lights from the tail lamp cluster to the center of the rear bumper...

 

If two bulbs bothers you - remove one from its socket!
:smile:

 

I remember some of the older European cars only has one rear fog light on one side. I'm glade that isn't the case for the MINI, as 2 lights look more balanced. :smile:

 

CAUTION: RANT ON

It is how most of us Amur'cans don't know how to use fog lights that bugs me.
They are not supposed to be lit at all times, just because they look cool. They are for better forward visibility in heavy fog conditions, usually nighttime. They are a much lower and more diffuse pattern of light. They are also good for lighting up the sides of the road. But because they are so low, this is only really useful when going at a low rate of speed. You know, reaction times and all that. Rear fogs are useful ONLY when driving in a heavy fog. They allow a car approaching you from the rear to be able to see you earlier. I have been seeing many newer cars driving with them on whenever their lights are on. So it just looks like a grayhair riding the brake pedal. Seen it on Hyundais, seen it on Jags. My Alfa and my Audi both had them. Barely ever used them. Again, too many people think lights are to make them look cool.
:smile: Sorry, obviously one of my pet peeves
RANT OFF
Enjoy yours,
John L

 

&gt;&gt;They are not supposed to be lit at all times, just because they look cool. They are for better forward visibility in heavy fog conditions, usually nighttime. They are a much lower and more diffuse pattern of light. They are also good for lighting up the sides of the road. But because they are so low, this is only really useful when going at a low rate of speed.

I know that too many people use their foglights purely for the coolness quotient. My nighttime vision ain't what it used to be. I use my fogs when it's not foggy out, purely because they help me see the road better. Oncoming headlights cause too much glare for my aging eyes to handle, and the fogs help fill in the light the glare takes away from me. It's hell gettin' old...lol

 

I am afraid I don't get this whole obsession with the rear foglight. I had them (it, I mean: Only driver's side) and I used it once in 5 years. We get fog here in LA, but not so often I guess...

How often do you folks actually NEED it?

It just seems like a whole lot of trouble and expense to go throughfor what you get. But that's just me...

:smile:

 

Wouldn't it have a safety benefit to use rear fogs on a MINI, even when it's not foggy, for the purpose of increasing its visibility to other cars?

 

Well that depends on where you live, if you live in LA or someplace else where you rearely get inclement weather then you don't need the rear fogs, or for that matter the front ones either...

I find that I use my front fog lamps here in the N VA area more on unlit roads for pothole spotting at night. However, when the roads are wet I sometimes have problems picking out road markings at night, I find that the front fog lights work well in this situation.

As for the rear fog lights. I have used them at night in snow/sleet/heavy rain and foggy conditions as well as when I have somebody following me at night. I have been told that the rear fog lighs DRAMATICALLY increase the visibility of my BRG/BRG MINI at night.

 

Just for your Info. I bit the bullit to get my rear fogs installed today and the local dealer says there has been an upgrade to the existing kit. Its not a recall item but a bulletin. I checked w/ MINIUSA and supposedly its true. They weren't specific as to what was upgraded in the kit, tho.