Modern cars have many lights. Although it used to be common for vehicles to be equipped with only headlights and tail lights, today's cars have a variety of lights. All of these are used for different purposes and provide important safety functions. However, for ordinary drivers, it is difficult to know exactly the function of each lamp.
In this article, we will learn about two kinds of lights that drivers often confuse - fog lights and daytime running lights (DRL).
Fog lamp
Fog lights are designed to help you drive in bad weather, including thick fog. Drivers usually use their regular headlights on rainy days. However, high beam or high beam lamps are actually more difficult to see in fog.
This is due to the angle of the light and the brightness of the headlights. Your headlights tend to reflect any moisture in the air. In thick fog, this makes it almost impossible to see the road ahead.
On the other hand, fog lamps can pass through fog without causing glare. Today's vehicles have two sets of fog lights. One at the front of the vehicle and the other at the rear of the vehicle. When the conditions are too foggy for ordinary headlights, these lights are used as headlights and tail lights.
The only case where fog lamps are needed or recommended is when there is too much fog or moisture in the air to use conventional headlights. In sunny conditions, fog lights can blind other drivers and distract them.
Daytime running lights
The daytime running lamp (DRL) is a modern invention. These lights are not found in every car, but they are becoming more and more popular. In particular, luxury cars are usually equipped with daytime running lights.
Unlike fog lamps, DRL is not intended to replace headlamps. Although they are usually located at the front and rear of the car, they are too dark to fully illuminate the road ahead. If you want to turn on the daytime running lights at night, you are likely to see only a few feet ahead.
As the name suggests, daytime running lights are used during the day. DRL is not to help you see obstacles on the road, but to help other drivers find you. They make your vehicle easier to see without having to keep the headlights on.
Since they are not used to illuminate roads, many vehicles use LED lights as daytime running lights. The LED is bright and durable, which can provide you with a fashionable and modern appearance matching with luxury vehicles.
Although the fog lamp is a necessary safety function, the DRL is optional. They can improve safety and prevent accidents, but many drivers either do not or do not use daytime running lights.
If you want DRL but your vehicle doesn't have it, you can buy and install it yourself. This simple upgrade can not only improve safety, but also enhance the shape of your vehicle.
