Fog lights are very crucial features that every car owner should have, especially during the rainy season. They help drivers see through foggy or poor weather conditions. Therefore, replacing or adding fog lights to a car that does not have can enhance visibility and safety. Most owner’s kits come with step by step guide from the manufacturers on how to install fog lights.
Further, you should understand that each car model has a unique way of fixing the fog lights. Some vehicles have their fog lights on the front bumper. Some car owners may want to install fog lights on the grill or the rack above the front of the car.
Experts recommend picking the fog lights that are suitable for your vehicle. When you are driving in bad weather at night, yellow lights are ideal, since they offer visibility. White or blue lights sometimes cause a close glaring especially after hitting snow or fog which tires the driver’s eyes easily.
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How to install Fog lights: A Complete Guide
Before embarking on the mounting of your preference fog lights, there are a few things you will need to consider. Firstly, you should consult with the local authority, to ensure that your new fog lights comply with the restrictions set by the department of transportation.
Secondly, pick the bulb style that is most helpful from the available three main types.
- LED bulbs. These bulbs emit bright lights, use less energy and have a long life. However, LED bulbs are more expensive compared to halogens.
- HID bulbs. These bulbs use xenon gas, which makes them produce super quality bright light. Most drivers prefer them for their brightness which is very close to daytime.
- Halogen bulbs. These are the oldest types, widely used due to their affordability compared to other fog light bulbs. People who have a taste of classics prefers using halogen bulbs.
Thirdly, it is essential to choose the fog light style from available three mounting categories. Go for the flair that fits your vehicle best.
- Bumper mount. These mounts are round or rectangular which fits precisely in intended holes. It is in this style that most fog lights come from the factory.
- Grill mount. Grill mount lights are mounted directly behind the grill or above it. They are large and round commonly installed by SUVs and trucks. Rackmount. This mounting style has rectangular or round lights. They are installed on to the front brush guard.
Wiring Your Fog Lights
Irrespective of the kind of fog light you wish to install or wherever you will fit them, you need to connect through the car’s electrical arrangement. You should study the wiring illustration that comes with the package from the factory to know which wire connects best to the car’s electrical system.
An ordinary fog light usually has a white-power cable, black-coloured ground wire, a red split fog light wire, and a green switch wire. Additionally, there is the fog light switch, a fuse, and a relay. To understand the uses of various cables, you should study the fog light guidebook carefully.
Next, find a hole through which wire will pass in the automobile’s firewall. Some cars have the hole, and if your automotive does not have, drill it through a firewall. And mount rubber grommet about the light wire to assist in keeping the elements safe.
If you have the necessary skills for installing fog lights, it can be of considerable significance to avoid any safety concerns in case of a mistake while connecting. Before you start connecting wires, you need to open the cover and disconnect negative battery terminals. It is vital because it will prevent short-circuiting if a metallic tool gets in touch with a metal car part.
Install a dedicated light switch if your car has none. Locate a place for installing an on-off switch in the dashboard or steering column. Using a bolt for adjusting through metal, check for a ground where fix a ground wire. Further, find a positive linkage and plug the connector from the light switch to the fuse.
Connect the on and off switch to the fog light wiring and double-check your connection against the fog light installing drawing. If you are assertive that all the placement is in perfect state, secure the installation using restraint ties.
Where your fog light kit has with green coloured wire, you will need to connect with ignition fuse. The green-coloured wire can only initiate the fog lights when the vehicle’s ignition is turned on.
Installing the Fog Lights
Depending with where you wish to install the fog light, check the owner’s guide on how you should open your car’s bumper. The manual should have a clear guide on how you should replace the fog light that has an aftermarket abnormality.
Using a rotary tool, create a hole on the bumper where you will fix the fog bulb if there is no precut one. Ensure a hole is a little bigger than a fog light without worrying about the gaps. Fog light owners sell bezels made of plastic that hide the gaps in the fog light connection.
You may mount your fog light on the car grill guard, and some fog bulb kits come with places for screwing straight through bumper grilles.
Finally, after everything is done, connect the ground extensions to the black-ground cables of the fog light. Next, connect the opposite side of the ground wires to the unpainted car from the metal section. Connect further; the power wires end to the other power wires that come via the pass-through grilles.
Final Verdict
The above guide can help you install or replace the old fog lights even if you are a beginner. However, in case you feel less confident, reach the service of an expert. A good car mechanic has enough skills to replace or fix your new fog lights correctly without an error.
Installing or replacing your car’s fog lights takes patience and some necessary electrical know-how. If you check the fog light diagram that illustrates the wiring system, you can connect the fog lights yourself. Fog lights can help enhance road safety even during bad visibility circumstances.
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