[TGTBTU]

Driving back from Tampa, FL to Orlando, FL and came across some patchy fog. Perfect opportunity to use my automatic laser lights. What I discovered was astonishing - the laser lights made visibility worse. I had to turn it off.

The fog lights would've helped…

[mitch57]

Originally Posted by TGTBTU

Driving back from Tampa, FL to Orlando, FL and came across some patchy fog. Perfect opportunity to use my automatic laser lights. What I discovered was astonishing - the laser lights made visibility worse. I had to turn it off.

The fog lights would've helped…

Just another example of one of BMW's epic fails.

[nZtiZia]

Originally Posted by TGTBTU

Driving back from Tampa, FL to Orlando, FL and came across some patchy fog. Perfect opportunity to use my automatic laser lights. What I discovered was astonishing - the laser lights made visibility worse. I had to turn it off.

The fog lights would've helped…

why was it astonishing? fog is the IMperfect opportunity to use laser lights since they support high beam mode, and you don't turn on high beams in fog! further, the lasers don't turn on as soon as the high beams are turned on; certain criteria have to be met.

sure, fog lights would've helped, but so is knowing what the proper use-case is for the laser lights.

https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1592918

Originally Posted by mitch57

Just another example of one of BMW's epic fails.

hmmm I don't think so. it's user error/lack of understanding

[TGTBTU]

"further, the lasers don't turn on as soon as the high beams are turned on; certain criteria have to be met."

Then, shouldn't fog be a criteria?

[nZtiZia]

Originally Posted by TGTBTU

"further, the lasers don't turn on as soon as the high beams are turned on; certain criteria have to be met."

Then, shouldn't fog be a criteria?

why would you want lasers that are active only during high beam use to turn on during fog?! you're making a bad situation worse.

the bottom line is you shouldn't turn on high beams in fog. that's basic driving 101. the lasers that support the high beams are of no utility in fog. that's not what they are designed for.

not trying to offend, but it appears you don't understand how the laser lights work, what situations they're of benefit, etc. that link I posted should help if you read it or Google.

[TGTBTU]

I mis-understood the laser lights capabilities and should've done more research before spending extra money on that option. My SA led me to believe otherwise.

That said, I am still eagerly waiting more information on retro-fitting fog lights.

[neverstopfly]

Originally Posted by Flying Ace

Auricom, the book of truth on all X5 knowledge.

can't agree more!

[mobilejo]

Having no foglights isn't odd looking (I actually tinted mine so they wouldn't look as bright/white), but having the aperture for foglights and then putting a little grille in there definitely does look off IMO. Maybe it would have looked better if it was blanked off with gloss black solid plastic.

Its obviously worse if you are used to seeing the same model with foglights there - when you see one with them missing in favour of grille, well... it looks like something is missing. Its not a big deal though - most people would probably never notice.

[Stoshu]

Not saying fog lights don’t have utility but 40+ years of driving I have never intentionally used them. I’m sure there were a couple of case in that time which I could have/should have switched them on but they aren’t even on my radar. That said, I lived most of my life in the flat Midwest and although we get fog, it’s not that common.

[hufington]

I use them 75% of the time when driving at night on my F15 and used in all my previous BMWs as they helped to illuminate the sides and also the first 20 feet in front of the car during heavy rain.

BWW Xenons and LEDs were never very good at illuminating the peripherals, which is a necessity if you drive in heavily wooded areas and on the hills with many nocturnal animals and with occasional fog patches. They help to see you better without blinding oncoming traffic like the high beams do.

Also, BMW has to have a better LED system algorithm (like I have it on my MB S Class) that do not over illuminate the street signs and create excessive glare, which is like shooting yourself with your own gun.

[kkratochvil]

Originally Posted by hufington

I use them 75% of the time when driving at night on my F15 and used in all my previous BMWs as they helped to illuminate the sides and also the first 20 feet in front of the car during heavy rain.

BWW Xenons and LEDs were never very good at illuminating the peripherals, which is a necessity if you drive in heavily wooded areas and on the hills with many nocturnal animals and with occasional fog patches. They help to see you better without blinding oncoming traffic like the high beams do.

Also, BMW has to have a better LED system algorithm (like I have it on my MB S Class) that do not over illuminate the street signs and create excessive glare, which is like shooting yourself with your own gun.

+1

I'd posted this over in the thread surrounding the Laser Lights: https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...5&postcount=86.

The short version of which is: "One thing I had always noted with the F15 and notice as well with the G06 is that with just the low beams, when on an interstate or busy 2-lane where there is too much traffic for the high beams to ever come on, I feel a bit like they're so focused that I don't have much of the ditch/median illuminated to see animals. So, in that case, my solution is to almost always drive with the fog lights on. They do almost nothing to illuminate the road directly ahead in normal conditions, but because they're fairly unfocused light, they do a lot to illuminate the ditch/median."

[hufington]

Originally Posted by kkratochvil

+1

I'd posted this over in the thread surrounding the Laser Lights: https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...5&postcount=86.

The short version of which is: "One thing I had always noted with the F15 and notice as well with the G06 is that with just the low beams, when on an interstate or busy 2-lane where there is too much traffic for the high beams to ever come on, I feel a bit like they're so focused that I don't have much of the ditch/median illuminated to see animals. So, in that case, my solution is to almost always drive with the fog lights on. They do almost nothing to illuminate the road directly ahead in normal conditions, but because they're fairly unfocused light, they do a lot to illuminate the ditch/median."

I intentionally did not get the laser lights in my 2022 m50i because of all the bull**** US legislation regarding the laser and LED lights - that they need to be decoded to meet the archaic regulations! I will not spend any money until they come from factory as they were intended and engineered. I already have Baja S1 lases lights which I will transfer to my '22 and find a solution for rear fogs as well (auxiliary not OEM lights).

The best lights on any BMW I drove were the headlights of my M3 (E36).

[-Vanguard-]

I think it looks better without fog lights. Close to the real M look if you get the M sport package.

[BMPHIL]

Originally Posted by -Vanguard-

I think it looks better without fog lights. Close to the real M look if you get the M sport package.

+1

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by hufington

The best lights on any BMW I drove were the headlights of my M3 (E36).

Were those Xenon? I miss the Xenon lights of my E46. So blue, so spectacularly new and different from halogens.

[hufington]

Originally Posted by M3macster

Were those Xenon? I miss the Xenon lights of my E46. So blue, so spectacularly new and different from halogens.

They were halogen and they illuminated the road perfectly.

[tyler2386]

Originally Posted by jps3b

Wonderful explanation. Thank you so much for taking the time to write this. I guess living in SoCal I won't really need them anyway.

Quick question: is this coffee or tartufo?

[Flying Ace]

Again I think fog lights is a misnomer. It makes visibility worse in fog. The light reflects off the fog, and it inhibits the driver. It made aid other cars to see your car however. On the older BMWs, and likely to 2019s, they're part of the turn lights.

On my old E70, I used to fog lights mostly in pitch black areas where I need to illuminate a wider patch (road shoulders, sidewalks), mostly to look for animals

[goobies818]

I only find fog lights useful when it rains. It helps provide illumination to down to the pavement so i can better see the lines in the road.

Otherwise...I've found the fog lights provide little benefit...even in foggy conditions.

[omasou]

The newer adaptive headlight almost make the fogs obsolete. If BMW USA started enabling the anti-dazzle then they are definitely obsolete.

Thought, I would miss them on my M2C. I don't. Just like I don't miss the sunroof.

I miss fogs as much as I miss the headlight washers on non-LED vehicles /s

My only complaint is BMW could have done a better job w/the trim instead of filling the gap w/the mesh look.

IMHO the recent US anti-dazzle approval will signify the end for fogs going forward.

Is there a limited number of circumstance where fogs are useful. Yes, just like there are for HDC. Most people rarely have a need for either.

[ConservativeConsumer]

I used front fogs quite a bit on my previous car - 2017 Q7. They were narrow but wide-coverage lights. Have to admit that most of the the usage was on late evening trips to Arrowhead for spotting deer on road's sides when dark and wet, - especially helpful in Minnesota's October-November season. Used both - rear and back fog lights a few times in very bad fog situations. Was pulled over once by State Trooper for "too bright rear lights" and was let go after proving that they were part of standard Q7 package.

My 40i does not have fogs, but it does quite OK without them.

[JMD]

Originally Posted by Auricom

Not entirely correct - F85 X5M / F86 X6M throwing "fog" your way.

Not to mention these,...E24 M6,...E28 M5,...E34 M5,...E39 M5,...E36 M3, and E46 M3!

And how could I have forgotten the M1