How to Turn On Fog Lights: Controls, Symbols, and Safe Use

Most cars let you turn on fog lights by first switching on your low-beam or parking lights, then using a dedicated control—such as pulling the headlight switch out, pressing a fog-light button, or toggling the turn-signal stalk—until a green (front) or amber (rear) fog icon illuminates on the dashboard. The exact method varies by make and model, and some vehicles don’t have fog lights at all.

Finding the Fog Light Control

Automakers place fog light controls in a few common spots. Knowing where to look will help you activate them quickly when visibility drops.

• Headlight rotary switch: On many European and Asian cars, turn the headlight knob to parking or low-beam, then pull the knob out one click for front fogs and a second click for rear fogs.
• Dashboard button: A dedicated button marked with the fog-light symbol (often low and to the left of the steering wheel) toggles front and sometimes rear fogs.
• Turn-signal/headlight stalk: Some vehicles add a collar switch on the stalk or require a push/pull action to enable fogs.
• Infotainment/lighting menu: Newer models may offer a software toggle under Lights/Exterior Lighting settings; the physical button may still be present.

If you can’t locate the control, check the owner’s manual or the “Lights” section of your vehicle’s onboard help. Not all trims include fog lights, so confirm your car is equipped.

Step-by-Step: Turn On Front Fog Lights

Use these steps in most vehicles to activate the front fog lights safely and correctly.

1. Power the vehicle: Switch the ignition to ON or start the engine so lighting controls are active.
2. Select the right base lights: Turn on parking lights or low-beam headlights (most cars require one of these before fogs will work).
3. Activate the fogs:
   – Pull the headlight knob out one click, or
   – Press the fog-light button, or
   – Use the stalk’s fog control (collar or push/pull), depending on your car.
4. Confirm on the dash: Look for a green fog-light indicator showing they’re on.
5. Drive appropriately: Keep speeds down in fog, and avoid switching to high beams, which reflect off moisture and reduce visibility.
6. Turn them off when clear: Switch off fogs once visibility improves to avoid glare for other road users.

If the fogs don’t come on, make sure low-beams or parking lights are selected, high-beams are off, and the vehicle actually has fog lights installed.

Rear Fog Light (If Equipped)

Rear fog lights are common in Europe and some newer global models. They are brighter than standard tail lamps and help drivers behind you see your vehicle in dense fog.

1. Turn on parking or low-beam lights.
2. Press the rear fog button or pull the headlight switch to the second detent (after front fogs).
3. Check for an amber dashboard indicator showing the rear fog is active.
4. Use only in severely reduced visibility (fog, heavy spray, or snow); switch off once conditions improve to prevent dazzling drivers behind.

Rear fogs are intended for extreme visibility loss. In light mist or normal rain, they can be distracting and may be illegal to use continuously.

Symbols to Recognize

Dashboard and switch icons help you confirm which fog lights are operating.

• Front fogs: Green lamp icon with lines and a wavy vertical stroke; often points left.
• Rear fogs: Amber/orange lamp icon with lines and a straight vertical stroke; often points right.
• AUTO headlight setting: Fog lights can usually be added while headlights are on AUTO, provided the system has activated parking or low-beam lights.

Color and direction help you distinguish front (green, left) from rear (amber, right) fog indicators at a glance.

When to Use Fog Lights

Fog lights are designed for low-speed, low-visibility conditions. Using them appropriately improves safety and reduces glare.

• Use in dense fog, heavy snow, or significant spray where low-beams alone don’t define the road edges well.
• Avoid with high beams, which reflect off moisture and reduce your vision.
• Turn them off in clear conditions or light rain; unnecessary use can dazzle other drivers and may be illegal.
• Rear fogs: Reserve strictly for very poor visibility and switch off when a driver is close behind.

Local laws vary, but most regions restrict fog light use to poor visibility; improper use can lead to citations and unsafe glare.

Troubleshooting: Fog Lights Won’t Turn On

If your fog lights aren’t working, these checks can quickly narrow down the cause.

• Confirm equipment: Look for fog light housings in the bumper and verify a fog switch exists; some trims have blanks.
• Lighting preconditions: Ensure parking or low-beams are on and high-beams are off; many cars disable fogs with high-beams.
• Ignition state: Some vehicles require the engine running or ignition ON.
• Bulbs/LED modules: Burned-out bulbs or failed LED units will prevent activation.
• Fuses/relays: Check the fuse box label for fog-light circuits and replace blown fuses with the correct rating.
• Software settings: In cars with lighting menus, verify fogs aren’t disabled; some models tie fogs to drive modes or automatic high-beam settings.
• Wiring/corrosion: Road salt and moisture can corrode connectors near the bumper; inspect if accessible.

If these steps don’t resolve the issue, consult the owner’s manual or a qualified technician, as diagnostics may require scanning the body control module.

Expert Tips for Better Visibility

Beyond simply switching them on, a few habits make fog lights more effective.

• Keep lenses clean: Wipe the lower bumper area; fog lights sit where grime accumulates.
• Ensure proper aim: Misaligned fog lights reduce effectiveness and increase glare.
• Use lane-edge cues: In fog, follow the right edge line rather than the centerline to avoid veering.
• Slow down: Fog lights help you see close to the car; adjust speed to match limited sight distance.

Small adjustments in maintenance and driving technique can significantly improve visibility in fog.

Safety and Legal Notes

Fog lights are auxiliary: they complement, not replace, your main headlights. Many jurisdictions require low-beam headlights when using front fogs and restrict rear fogs to severe visibility loss. Always check your vehicle manual and local regulations.

Summary

To turn on fog lights, power the vehicle, select parking or low-beam headlights, then use the fog control (pull-out headlight switch, dedicated button, or stalk). Watch for the green (front) or amber (rear) dash icon and switch them off when visibility improves. Use fog lights only in poor visibility to reduce glare and stay within local laws.

What is the symbol for fog lights?

The symbol for the front fog lights, as stated above, is an oval-shaped lamp with three diagonal lines intersected with a wavy vertical line to the left of it. The symbol for the rear fog lights is an oval-shaped lamp with three horizontal lines bisected by a wavy vertical line on its right.

When to turn on fog lights?

When should I use my fog lights? Fog lights should only be used in the fog, when visibility drops below 100 metres (328 feet) which is roughly the length of a football pitch, this is stated by the Highway Code (rule 226).

What lights are you supposed to turn on in fog?

Fog Resources
Slow down and allow extra time to reach your destination. Make your vehicle visible to others both ahead of you and behind you by using your low-beam headlights since this means your taillights will also be on. Use fog lights if you have them.

How to set fog lights?

We’ll be marking 4 in below the measurement from our vehicle. So in this case we’ll measure out the 28. In. Make sure we’re centered with the vehicle. And place our tape.