Netaddict

I'm thinking of installing fog lights to increase night visibility. My question is, if you have the headlights switch on, will fog lights increase visibility?

Netaddict

Well?

gfishe

Do you do a lot of driving in dense fog? Then you'll want to buy REAL fog lamps and make sure they're properly aligned. Here's a link to a much better-written article than I could write:

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/t...fog_lamps.html

I agree with the author's statement:

And because they're mounted so low, fog lamps are prone to damage from rocks and other debris.

Back in the day, when the 5.75" and 7" universal lamps were in common use, you could transform your car's lighting by replacing the DOT-required sealed-beam lamps with (then-illegal) European lamps. Lots of light, sharp cutoffs and no glare for oncoming drivers. Now we have all sorts of high-tech bulbs and projector systems and the standard lighting still sucks. Have you priced replacement parts for these systems lately?

I'm still using the 7" Cibie Z-Beams I purchased in 1973 for my Triumph Spitfire on my Miata. I'll cry on the day one of them gets broken.

"It's all about the lens, stupid!"

Netaddict

I was thinking about installing them for extra visibility in normal weather. Thank you for pointing out the fact that they get broken via pebbles ans stones. In this country it is common for a pebble to be thrown at your car from the tyres of the car in front of you.

gfishe

If you're trying to improve your vision in clear weather, you may really be looking for driving lamps. Drop David Stern an email and see what he advises. Then post back here and let us all know...

I don't know if the factory lighting in our Mazda 3's can be improved with better bulbs. Perhaps someone with more experience can chime in.

bztony

The factory fog lights on my 3 are not that great. In several previously owned vehicles I mounted good fogs ( usually by Hella) and wired them so they were on with both low and high beams. I thought the best installs were when the light illuminated the area between the car and the area where the headlight beams hit. I usually had to make brackets to fit the installs. I used to drive alot of rural roads and the fogs lit the area to the side of the car...helped light the deer eyes better...could see them sooner before I hit them.

1funride

If your looking for extra visibility, perhaps you should consider a aftermarket HID kit.

Tea Bagger

and then you can consider how much more attention you will get from the cops

1funride

Funny....I don't have any problems with five o with the factory HID's installed on mine.

Tea Bagger

well yea, not factory ones. you told him to go get aftermarket HID's. go back and read your own post you dumb ***

08GTHatch

The factory foglights on my 08 are virtually useless, all show, no go IMO

Netaddict

Tea Bagger, you mentioned an "aftermarket HID kit" to be installed in the main headlights or fogs?

I thought of fitting my main headlights with Zenon/Xenon lamps, the only thing that's stopping me is the fact that they annoy the drivers comming in the opposit direction and also annoy the police. They sould either install propper street lights or allow people to use Zenon's!

Here comes another ignorant question:
Are Zenon and Xenon bulbs the same?

Thank you all for your input.

Netaddict

08GTHatch, Thanks for the confirmation

1funride

Your right I did. However if you purchase the correct tempature color and they are aligned correctly it shouldn't be an issue whether blinding people or attracting the police.

One could easily argue that even with factory HID lights that are not aligned correctly could
A. Blind others
B. Attract unwanted attention from the police.

1funride

Xenon.

I see you roll in a 08GT HB...Instead of aftermarket you might look into factory HID's instead..Downside they'll cost more for the parts to convert over. Check with your local dealership to see how much.