Post by: RegY on August 17, 2008, 03:53:27
i have to see something about the foglight switches - which one turns on first, or are there two seperate switches for front and back?
thank you
Sašo
Post by: Shambles on August 17, 2008, 11:35:38
My foglight switch "rolls" forwards or backwards depending on whether I want the front or rear lights on. The light operate independently of each other. If the front foglights are on I "roll" forwards again to cancel them
I can take a pic later if you want but I'm not sure how much use it will be for you
Post by: eye30 on August 17, 2008, 11:44:06
Quote from: "Shambles"
Hi RegY.
My foglight switch "rolls" forwards or backwards depending on whether I want the front or rear lights on. The light operate independently of each other. If the front foglights are on I "roll" forwards again to cancel them
Also, you need to have your headlight on for them to work.
Post by: Shambles on August 17, 2008, 11:46:05
Quote from: "eye30"
Also, you need to have your headlight on for them to work.Not so. My sidelights allow me to put my fogs on
Post by: tk421 on August 17, 2008, 11:56:35
(it's the rolling switch closest to the left/right arrows on the stalk)
(http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn205/SpeedBirdOne/Mi%20i30/IMG_9653.jpg)
hope it helps.
Tim.
Post by: RegY on August 17, 2008, 12:09:54
Quote from: "Shambles"
Hi RegY.
My foglight switch "rolls" forwards or backwards depending on whether I want the front or rear lights on. The light operate independently of each other. If the front foglights are on I "roll" forwards again to cancel them
I can take a pic later if you want but I'm not sure how much use it will be for you
so the switches are two independent?
i want to know, cuz in my getz i can switch on one or the other, because i have switches on the dash just below hazzard lights - totally independent
i am asking because i use only rear fog lights in heavy rain too on the highway and don't want the front fog lights to be on while the back are on.
is that a possibility in i30?
thanks for the answers.
Post by: Shambles on August 17, 2008, 14:02:19
Roll forwards again = front fogs off
Roll backwards, same but on rear fogs
(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y297/ShamblesX/i30/100_0647.jpg)
Post by: Dazzler on August 17, 2008, 14:12:13
Post by: Shambles on August 17, 2008, 15:11:20
Quote from: "dazzling_darryl"
.. in the unlikely event it isn't raining... :lol: :mrgreen:
You trying to say something about our weather?
Post by: RegY on August 17, 2008, 18:33:28
so it is like you only "touch" the switch for fogs to come on/off and you can turn the rear on/off than too, right?
it's like if you want both to come on forward, release, backward, release. if i understand right?
sorry, i know i'm annoying, but the waiting is killing me and i come up with stupid questions lol
Post by: Shambles on August 17, 2008, 19:28:16
Quote from: "RegY"
it's like if you want both to come on forward, release, backward, release. if i understand right?Correct!
It's a spring loaded switch so it's exactly as you have described it ;)
Post by: Hemmi on August 17, 2008, 19:44:14
Post by: Lakes on August 17, 2008, 20:23:16
Post by: Shambles on August 17, 2008, 20:36:37
When driving in fog, those low beams will simply reflect back at the driver, rendering them useless and dangerous. I find that having the fogs on, coupled with sidelights, helps me keep a better eye on the road. I admit, it's not that often I need them on, but when I've used them I found the road (and cat's eyes) a lot easier to see.
And I'd also like to know what's in the cluster if there's no rear fog light
Post by: eye30 on August 17, 2008, 20:55:56
Quote from: "Shambles"
Quote from: "eye30"Also, you need to have your headlight on for them to work.Not so. My sidelights allow me to put my fogs on
I'll check mine tomorrow.
I understand in UK they should only be used with headlights either dipped or full beam.
In local papers sometime ago the Police stopped a "boy racer" for having Fog lights on with side lights only and fined him.
Post by: Shambles on August 17, 2008, 21:07:11
Also, agree that they should only be used with low beams, but as I said earlier it's better having them on with sidelights only. Try it. Get yourself on the M6 north, over the Ribble Valley at 06:00 through the daily fog
Post by: Dazzler on August 17, 2008, 22:35:19
Quote from: "Lakes"
Just wondering, well i've driven a lot of miles or Kilometers (around 1974 Australia went from miles to K's but i don't know why), anyway in all those miles i have not had to do that much driving in fog's, the country boys used to tell me how good fog lights were, i got some years ago but when i had to drive through heavy fog i still could not see any better with the fog lights on than with my lights on low beam. so do they help you to see through fogs or are they just to make it easier for other cars or trucks to see you? and is that why you need them in GB for safety?
Hi Lakes, it is my understanding they are coloured yellow to make them more visible to oncoming traffic, although the i30 ones aren't as yellow as some. From my experience, and we get a fair bit of fog in some parts of Tassie (not Devonport thankfully) they also seem to be designed to illuminate only the road directly in front of the car so as not to reflect back off the fog into your face (so to speak)...That's my take anyway...
Post by: davet on August 18, 2008, 00:39:54
Post by: TheBunyip on August 18, 2008, 01:19:01
I have long had a problem with people who do not seem to ever think about why Fog Lights are called FOG Lights.... :( Roll on the day when annual vehicle testing is introduced in Queensland and hopefully includes the focusing of the Lights.
There is some good guidance from the UK on how these lights should be used here. http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_069859
Having used Fog Lights to Drive in FOG in the UK and through Bush Fire smoke in Australia I am happy to pay for them even though I will only use them a few days a year. I would not ban them because unlike the author of the Drive Blog post above I know that properly set up Fog Lights do help when driving in Poor Visibility conditions even with modern car lighting. Perhaps if he had driven in real Fog or heavy Snow when visibility can fall to a few metres he would think differently too.
Post by: EymaTeapot on August 18, 2008, 02:15:38
Just wondering, well i've driven a lot of miles or Kilometers (around 1974 Australia went from miles to K's but i don't know why), anyway in all those miles i have not had to do that much driving in fog's, the country boys used to tell me how good fog lights were, i got some years ago but when i had to drive through heavy fog i still could not see any better with the fog lights on than with my lights on low beam. so do they help you to see through fogs or are they just to make it easier for other cars or trucks to see you? and is that why you need them in GB for safety
I am with Lakes on this one.
I live in Canberra and we do get heavy fogs here through our winters. I have found fog lights to be as good as useless in heavy fog. I have the slx model standard with fog lights but I sure wouldnt pay to have them fitted otherwise.
Post by: Lakes on August 18, 2008, 04:29:40
i like the look of the i30 with fog lights, just i don't like cars useing them in the bush coming toward me as it makes me think they are useing driving lights and have failed to turn them off till they go past, like diping lights to low beam i think they should go off when low beam is used. but i might be wrong just how i feel.
there is a place in the mountains between Lithgow and Bathurst and the speed limit there is 110KPH the road goes down into a valley then climbs out of it, it's very dangerous if there is heavy fog down in that valley, i've gone into that fast a few times one minute you have clear vision the next no vision. happens even in daylight sometimes. what we really need is a fog extinguisher!!
so we need someone to invent that.Also thought i'd say, people i know that have lived in the aussie Bush all there life, tell me the best way to avoid hitting a Kangaroo at night is to turn your lights off so the roo can see and get out of your way, just makes me wonder if i could see, has anyone tried this? i've hit enough kangaroo's and don't want to hit any more! Pigs are even worse.
Post by: tk421 on August 18, 2008, 05:59:58
Quote from: "Lakes"
Also thought i'd say, people i know that have lived in the aussie Bush all there life, tell me the best way to avoid hitting a Kangaroo at night is to turn your lights off so the roo can see and get out of your way, just makes me wonder if i could see, has anyone tried this? i've hit enough kangaroo's and don't want to hit any more! Pigs are even worse.Sounds like a solid plan... i prefer to just drive with my eyes closed - it's a bit more random and tends to 'fake out' the 'roos. Also have to be extra careful not to hit the kangaroo that delivers the mail. I did that once.
Post by: TheBunyip on August 18, 2008, 06:08:45
Sorry to hear that your Fog Lights have not helped much in Canberra's Winter Fog.
A thought occurs. Is it possible that the Fog Lights have not been set up correctly in the factory? In the UK I have met problems with New Cars sold with lighting that has failed the Government tests. (I have met Mazda3s sold with the Low beam set way too low and needing to be raised considerably to pass the teat.)
If you have reason to be concerned you might find this helpful http://www.piaa.com/Lamps/LightAimingGuide.html should you wist to take a few measurements to check that they are not in need of adjustment.
Even more detail here for those with the urge to read up on lighting. http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/aim/aim.html Those of us who drive Right Hand Drive cars will need to make a few adjustments to this North American Article. Fortunately the author is well versed in the differences between USA and European systems.
Post by: eye30 on August 18, 2008, 10:34:08
Quote from: "davet"
Is it true that UK i30 has indicator stalk on the left rather than the right of the steering wheel? Normally would expect it to be on the right in a RHD vehicle (though is often on the left in Europenan cars imported here). Oz i30 stalk is on right (Looks like European and Korean factories are doing it differently...)
Yes the indicators/lights on the i30 in the UK are on the left wipper control on the right,(RHD car).
I queried this at the dealers as on my previous Hy Accent the indcator and lights where on the right.
I was told that all new cars sold in Europe have to conform with the indictors/lights on the left.
Post by: Hemmi on August 18, 2008, 19:46:16
Post by: Shambles on August 18, 2008, 20:08:36
Quote from: "Hemmi"
So...is anyone from down under going to tell us whats inside they're rear fog light?
:lol:
Post by: Dazzler on August 18, 2008, 23:27:53
Post by: Hemmi on August 19, 2008, 00:05:28
Post by: Dazzler on August 19, 2008, 10:42:48
Post by: tk421 on August 19, 2008, 15:45:57
Quote from: "Hemmi"
So...is anyone from down under going to tell us whats inside they're rear fog light?
:?
Use of fog lights when there is no fog or weather phenomena reducing visibility is illegal in WA (and rightly so). A friend of mine was fined for using them in clear conditions. Having said that, i still see about 1 in 10 people using them in clear conditions during my drive to work each morning (obviously a gold mine that state governments haven't tapped into yet). I've only used mine once in the 6 months that i've owned the car.
Tim
Post by: Shambles on August 19, 2008, 20:23:21
If so, does this then mean you are allowed to drive into fog but not have fog behind you
Sounds a bit... Mick Dundee, if you ask me
Post by: Dazzler on August 19, 2008, 23:14:05
You guessed it Shambles, no rear fogs and only a one way switch for the front fogs (as you would expect in the circumstances) I hadn't heard of rear fog lights until you guys started mentioning them and I've had around 30 different vehicles including several Company ones...
There's probably a lesson in this for us Aussies have park lights on when foggy (+ front Fogs) so no one runs up your A...s
Tim,
Don't think that fog light rule applies in Tassie? Our fogs aren't very yellow so most would probably assume the're driving lights (very poor ones..)
Post by: TheBunyip on August 20, 2008, 02:07:48
If I remember correctly Rear Fog lights were first seen in the UK in the 1960s. I recall fitting a pair to a Morris Minor in about 1969 after I had a near miss with an idiot driving without lights in fog. That scared s#!% out of me and convinced me I should do the responsible thing. They were meant to reduce rearending during FOG. They helped some but could cause confusion with Brake Lights. So these days the theory seems to be that one rear fog light is best to avoid confusion with brake lights. One rear fog light is compulsory in Europe as a whole so far as I know while front fog lights are still optional. Few, if any, manufacturers seem to fit two rear fog lights to all models now. I cannot say I have looked to check in years.
The big problem remains getting people to turn them on when visibility falls to 150 feet/50 metres and turning them off when no longer required. Last January I drove through a blizzard on the A66 between Penrith and Scotch Corner. The use of fog Lights helped us to try to keep a safe distance from other vehicles when visibility was down to little more than a yard/metre or so.
Post by: Lakes on August 20, 2008, 03:51:28
in this state we activate our 4 hazard lights daytime or night time if we find ourself in pea soup fog. we have sign's posted in area's were this can happen so people know what's going on if everyone is driving with there hazard lights all flashing. also we have a law that you can only have white light on if you are traveling in that direction, so have to be careful fitting any type of rear light. but you see some with white driving lights on the rear to use for reversing, specially in country area's, but they should not have a switch they should only come on when you use reverse. out in the country at night it can be black!!! so need good reverse lighting.
Post by: LuciferDarklord on August 20, 2008, 15:59:58
Post by: Dazzler on August 20, 2008, 23:03:42
Post by: LuciferDarklord on August 23, 2008, 13:07:54
Post by: RegY on August 24, 2008, 03:18:47
Post by: donc on August 25, 2008, 01:23:22
I’m a licensed mechanic, member of the Institute of Automotive Mechanical Engineers, and a NSW RTA vehicle inspector (Roads & Traffic Authority). I was also on the committee tasked with evaluating emergency vehicle lighting systems during bushfire smoke back in the early ‘90’s (it was our conclusions that led to fire vehicles having one red and one blue light) - No longer work in the profession but can offer a few ‘historic’ thoughts on this –
Fog lights are designed to improve the visibility of your vehicle to other traffic during periods of restricted visibility (fog, smoke etc.); ie to make it easier for other people to see you coming. They are not designed to help you see any better during fog although under some circumstances this can be a side-benefit. Fog lights must be designed/fitted so as to only illuminate the lower ground immediately in front of the vehicle. This is to reduce the Tindall Effect (reflection) experienced when using lights angled at a higher level (headlights) during fog.
The use of DRL’s (daytime running lights) is permitted and encouraged however fog lights do not qualify as DRL’s.The use of fog lights during periods of unrestricted visibility (no fog or smoke etc.) is illegal in NSW. The only currently approved DRL’s are parkers (side lights) and low-beam headlights.
The reason you can only turn-on your fog lights with the parkers (side) lights or headlights on is so your rear lights are activated whenever the fog lights are on. It is illegal to have fog lights wired independently of the vehicle lighting system (you cannot have fog lights able to be turned-on while all other lights are off) for the simple reason the back of your vehicle would not be illuminated.
Rear fog lights are not approved for use in NSW (at least they weren’t a few years ago; I’m not sure if this has changed) for reason that drivers can easily mistake them for brake lights. Nonetheless the Hyundai Excel was one vehicle sold pre-fitted with a single rear fog light – I understand this (and a few other vehicle models) were allowed an exemption for the rear light.
Post by: TheBunyip on August 25, 2008, 07:01:41
Donc makes some interesting points. What surprises me is that so far I cannot find any information on experiments to find the best way to provide effective Rear Fog Lighting that will not be confused with Brake lights. I am not convinced that one rear fog light is confusion free. As the use of High Level Rear Brake lights has cut accidents I wonder if something like two rear fog lights mounted centrally, one high and one low, would be needed to avoid confusion. On the other hand it could easily turn the rear of our cars into ugly Christmas Trees.
Lighting might just be about to get even more interesting... or confusing... or frustrating.
The Scandinavian countries were ,I think, (put me right if wrong
) the first to insist on Daylight Running Lighting on all the time. It has proved a significant life saver and has been verified by more research across Europe. So much so that we are likely to see it becoming compulsory for new cars in Europe in the not too distant future.Osram have even developed a special bulb/lamp/globe for the market. Their web sites show some interesting demonstration of the value of DLR's. You can see what they have to say here. http://www.osram.co.uk/osram_com/Consumer/Automotive_Lighting/See_and_be_seen/LIGHTDAY/index.html
Not everyone in the UK is happy about the development. As a self preservation measure UK Motor Bike riders have long used daytime Dipped Beams to try to indicate their presence to other motorists who "Just do not see motor bikes" and so collide with them with tragic results. A sad fact recorded consistently in Police Accident reports. Many UK Bike Riders are afraid that the use of DLRs on all cars will just blur motor bikes into the background and loose any safety advantage they have had up to now.
Perhaps with a desire to reduce power usage/CO2 emission on all vehicles we might see more use of LED lighting rather than the current Incandescent tungsten model.
Post by: donc on August 25, 2008, 10:23:40
Quote
The Scandinavian countries were ,I think, (put me right if wrong ) the first to insist on Daylight Running Lighting on all the time. It has proved a significant life saver and has been verified by more research across Europe. So much so that we are likely to see it becoming compulsory for new cars in Europe in the not too distant future.Hi Bunyip,
I don't doubt that Scandinavians were probably the first to do this - their topography and climate is well suited to DRL's. Here in Aus the NSW Blue Mountains is littered with signs saying "turn your lights on in daytime for safety" for similar reasons (mountainous, fog-prone, and an area nearly the size of some small countries).
The other side of the coin is analysis suggesting our wildlife (mostly kangaroos and wombat's), who are most active pre-dusk, can be attracted to and/or frozen in the middle of the road by DRL's - The jury is still out however there is some evidence to suggest correlation and an increase in accidents - Also the 'mirage' effect of dazzle from fog and low-beam lights on dead-straight dry country roads is the reason our road-trains and other large road users tend not to have their lights on in daytime. It can be quite distracting to oncoming traffic.
Definitely a tough question this one... and leads me to another question... anyone know of a good Roo-Bar for the i30 ?