I was under the impression that the front fogs had to be on before the rear fogs could turn on. But on my MINI I can flip the switch down and get the rear lights on, even when my front fogs are off. I can also flip the switch up and get the fronts without the backs being on.

Was my MA wrong when she was going over the fog light operation or is my MINI special?

 

I don't know, but I hope you find out so you won't be like the clueless Volvo owner I was following the other day with both sets burning brightly on a nice clear sunny afternoon!

 

No worries there, I only turn them on in foggy conditions. Well, almost only. When someone wants to tailgate me they get the rear fogs .

 

Your Owner's Manual should describe exactly how they operate. I can't speak for the R57, but in an R52 the front and rear fogs are not tied to each other. Either can be turned on independently when low beams are on, and the front fogs can also be turned on with parking lights.

 

They operate independently of each other. I use the set I need to depending on the condition of the weather.

 

I agree that they are not tied together... just as long as the "parking" lights are on they should work

 

Hmm, thanks guys. I wonder why my MA thought different.

 

Maybe she confused the parking lights with the fog lights, i.e., we know at least the parking lights have to be on for the fogs to work, but it seemed that she thought the front fogs had to be on for the rear fogs to work.

Maybe?

 

Maybe? I'm heading to the dealer tomorrow to have my wheel arch replaced (came mal-formed from the factory.) Maybe I'll walk over to the sales side while I am waiting just to see what she says. That way she doesn't make anyone else think they have a super MINI. Else, I might just be lazy and eat up their bagels.

 

I'm guessing this is common. I asked my service dept about the torque number for the R111 wheels, and I was told it was 80, but the manual states 103.3. ohh well. Maybe it's becuase we have the new 09s and there are slight differences that we as owners only pick up on.

 

I think it's good that they work independently of each other

 

Figured it out completely. With just parking lights on (first click on the stalk) you need to have the front fogs on to have the rear fogs. With the headlights on (second click on the stalk) you can have the front or rear fogs on independently. And of course, with no lights on nor with high beams, no fogs work.