Date:         Tue, 26 Nov 2002 12:10:39 -0800
Reply-To:     spielmobil@EARTHLINK.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Joachim Preiss <spielmobil@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      on fog and driving lights

All factory lights  below the bumper are fog lights, for one simple reason:
fog typically 'floats' approx. 1-2' above the ground. Below that the air is
clear. Low mounted lights shine underneath the fog and are able to illuminate
the road ahead. Lights mounted high illuminate the fog and you look at a white
wall. And because of that, low beams should be off when the fog lights are on,
otherwise they create the white wall effect. It's only been once or twice that
I encountered fog dense enuff that I wished I had fog lights, so I don't
understand why car manufacturers put them on in the first place, unless people
are actually asking for them. And that might explain why they are typically
connected to the low beams, although that doesn't make any sense at all.
Analogy to glasses: some people get them to see better, others to look better.
I always say if someone behind me has their fog lights on I know it's not a
cop and he won't pull me over.

I understand why people are confused by the term driving lights. But at least
the inner SA lights are surly too bright for regular low beams or daylight
running lights. It appears to me that driving lights occupy a legal loophole.
As I stated in an earlier post I only use the inner SA lights as aux lights
when I find the stock brights not sufficient. Don't get them if you typically
only drive around town or during the day, unless you get them for the looks.



Joachim

'85 Westfalia 1.9 WBX 'Spielmobil'
Acton, MA