[Keweenawbee]

Ah ha! We do have a blank button space, and I saw it filled in on Carvlogger’s recent 2 part X3 YouTube video. Rear fog lights I think, as the symbol is facing the opposite direction as the fog light button just above. What’s the scoop on these, is it just a button to manually activate the backup lights?

[strike4A]

Originally Posted by Keweenawbee

Ah ha! We do have a blank button space, and I saw it filled in on Carvlogger’s recent 2 part X3 YouTube video. Rear fog lights I think, as the symbol is facing the opposite direction as the fog light button just above. What’s the scoop on these, is it just a button to manually activate the backup lights?

Yes, top button is for front fog lights, bottom one is for rear fog lights.

[Keweenawbee]

Uh, yeah? But are they just the backup lights?

[FCBayernFTW]

Originally Posted by Keweenawbee

Uh, yeah? But are they just the backup lights?

No and yes, rear fogs are just brighter lights in the assembly. They're required by law in Germany.

[mge92]

Originally Posted by Keweenawbee

Ah ha! We do have a blank button space, and I saw it filled in on Carvlogger’s recent 2 part X3 YouTube video. Rear fog lights I think, as the symbol is facing the opposite direction as the fog light button just above. What’s the scoop on these, is it just a button to manually activate the backup lights?

Should be a simple swap with a Euro spec controller since the hardware should already be there assuming BMW hasn't changed anything with regards to including the lights on the G01 since F25 had the lights but no controller.

[Slalom]

The rear fog lamps are actually the lamps that are used in "brake force display".

In the E9x world people would fashion their own switch in the light control unit or order the unit from a supplier in the EU. You need to be careful with that to make sure that you are getting the correct unit as some cars in the EU come with different headlamps.

I had the headlamp switch unit swapped for the EU one when I was driving my M3 in Europe.

I plan to do the same for the X3 once some helpful chap posts about having done it.

Where I live, fog is not as much of an issue as it is in Germany and Switzerland, but it is still a good safety measure, like having a safety vest, first aid kit and warning triangle. All should be mandatory here but at least in Canada the autoclub (CAA) is a little more than a travel agency and does nothing about advocating on behalf of motorists and safety. The APA does its best in that arena.

[Keweenawbee]

I love this world forum, doesn’t matter what time of the day you ask a question! Thanks guys and gals!

[Zeroblade]

Originally Posted by mge92

Should be a simple swap with a Euro spec controller since the hardware should already be there assuming BMW hasn't changed anything with regards to including the lights on the G01 since F25 had the lights but no controller.

If its anything like past BMWs - often you just need to shave off a piece on the blank spacer to allow it to be pressed in. So unless you want the button to light up/have a symbol (some people just put a sticker) can save some money. The Euro spec controllers tend to cost a bit of a money. The other problem is usually coding to enable it.

[voyagergab]

Along the same subject .... why does BMW insist on installing red turn signals in North America, while everywhere else in the world they are amber?
That really annoys me

[Zeroblade]

Originally Posted by voyagergab

Along the same subject .... why does BMW insist on installing red turn signals in North America, while everywhere else in the world they are amber?
That really annoys me

Cause Merica likes red cause it makes you go faster (something along those lines)

[voyagergab]

Originally Posted by Zeroblade

Cause Merica likes red cause it makes you go faster (something along those lines)

Seems like a lot of extra parts and work with reduced safety imho

[Slalom]

I am sure that ECS Tuning will soon be importing the switch. They have it for the second generation at $149. The European switch for the G01 is part number 61316995033 and costs $C255 available from Germany in two weeks.

I am not sure about coding once it is in. I know that it was unnecessary to make any coding changes on some earlier models. I will wait until someone else has tried (to see if coding is necessary) and then if no coding is required, I will order it.

[Ranger8]

Its strange. I have had Mercedes's that did have front and rear foglights. From a safety point it almost makes more sense to have one in the back than in the front.

[JSY]

IIRC rear fog lights are not permitted in the US since they think we would mistake them for brake lights.

[Slalom]

A few European manufacturers did offer them on North American models, but they seem to be disappearing. I wish that we had them, but unfortunately they are not well understood here and can give rise to unnecessary braking by following vehicles. They are helpful in heavy snow, rain and fog.

[ZHPsedan]

I don't know if they turn on automatically in AUDIs when you turn the front fog lights on or what, but I was behind an A5 or something the other morning in the dark with no fog in the area and the rear fog lights were excessive.

[Slalom]

Originally Posted by ZHPsedan

I don't know if they turn on automatically in AUDIs when you turn the front fog lights on or what, but I was behind an A5 or something the other morning in the dark with no fog in the area and the rear fog lights were excessive.

I agree that they can be excessive. I rarely see them on in North America. But when I lived in Europe they were on only when needed. I really appreciated the extra distance that I could detect a vehicle in front of me.

In Canada, we have had daytime running lights for about 30 years and because so many of them are high up, they create a light wall in front of the vehicle. Years ago when we could turn on fog lamps in the fog they actually helped. Now they are just decoration and a minor assistance at low speed like driving in parking lots.

[Keweenawbee]

So in Europe at least, they are primarily for conspicuity during inclement weather, not to aid the driver’s visibility?

[Slalom]

Originally Posted by Keweenawbee

So in Europe at least, they are primarily for conspicuity during inclement weather, not to aid the driver’s visibility?

That's it. In short "Don't hit me lights"

[Zeroblade]

The US has terrible driving habits, understanding and regulations. Fog lights are meant for low visibility (like... in a fog) mainly for other people to know where YOU are. The different light spectrum doesn't add the driver at all when it comes to seeing better/more. Using high beams actually makes things worse in like heavy rain/snow/fog since the light will just reflect off.

Unfortunately, many install stupid bright aftermarket lights in them that make them less effective. There are more people that don't even know they're on. Almost every Audi I see has their rear ones on all the time. I like the Audi leaves them but I guess BMW knows people are stupid and for safety of others they remove them.

[ZHPsedan]

Originally Posted by Slalom

In Canada, we have had daytime running lights for about 30 years and because so many of them are high up, they create a light wall in front of the vehicle. Years ago when we could turn on fog lamps in the fog they actually helped. Now they are just decoration and a minor assistance at low speed like driving in parking lots.

I'm all for DRLs and wish all headlights we auto on. I see so many dumb asses driving around at night with nothing but their DRLs on.

[Slalom]

Originally Posted by ZHPsedan

I'm all for DRLs and wish all headlights we auto on. I see so many dumb asses driving around at night with nothing but their DRLs on.

Up here the Department of Transport has ordered automakers to solve the "phantom car" problem of people driving at night with DRL's but no tail lights.