Fog / Driving lights - Legal Limits

[Hammered]

ok, I've been looking at a set of Hella 4000 pencil beams. These will be mounted on the front bumper. I'll be looking at some other light options also.

My question is what is legal / illegal, as far as wattage for street use? Is there a watt area I should stick to if I plan to have at least one set for street use (snow fog rain etc...)

Also, I am wondering at what point you need to have the light covers on (on public roads). Perhaps this varies state to state.

 

[XJ01-08]

I think 55 watts is the legal limit, I have hella 500 driving lights on the front bumper and some cheap wal mart fogs under the bumper in the stock location both at 55 watts im not sure about cover laws but i carry around the covers for the 500s just in case

 

[91Woody]

I wouldn't run anything higher than 55W personally for a street use light, too many people flashing,legalities, etc. I have 55W with Hyper White bulbs aimed pretty low for the fact that they are supposed to be driving lights, but people would always flash their high beams at me. These have become my fog lights. It doesn't help when your Jeep is lifted either.

 

[5-90]

Despite what the well-intended people have told you, let me say this:

Since laws vary from state to state, check your local vehicle codes! You should be able to find them after a brief search on the site for your state government, or your state DMV/BMV.

Since that will be the final arbiter of any dispute, you'll need to know. You can usually also buy a printed copy at a local DMV/BMV office for a few dollars - and it's usually money well spent. I buy a new copy about once every time I renew my license.

Your vehicle code should outline brightness limits, location limits, whether you need to cover the lamps or not, and anything else you need to know to avoid a ticket. You can also figure out how to get away with exceeding the limits, with a little careful reading (I've been running E-code bowls and 90/130W bulbs for several years without any trouble from John Law - mainly due to a little careful reading.)

 

[WB9YZU]

Aux lighting laws vary widely by State.

Some say you can only have 4 lamps lit at a time, some state you must be able to see and object 350 ft ahead of you, some state the maximum limit of how far above the ground you are allowed to mount aux lighting before they are considered "Off-Road Lighting", and some go as far as to specify a wattage for fog lights...

I would recomend that you check your State's laws, and any State you frequently drive through or visit, and install your lamps to the most stringent standards.

As a general rule though...

Driving lights should be wired to shut off when the low beams are activated.
Off-Road lights can not be used when operating on the road.

<soapbox>
The proliferation of factory "fog" or "adverse weather" lights that come on most vehicles now days are the most annoying and infuriating pieces of equipment I have ever encountered. Mainly because the operator will not shut them off when they are approaching you, and they are most always out of alignment.

Because of that, I would only use them when it is appropriate.,</soapbox>

Ron

 

[5-90]

<soapbox>
The proliferation of factory "fog" or "adverse weather" lights that come on most vehicles now days are the most annoying and infuriating pieces of equipment I have ever encountered. Mainly because the operator will not shut them off when they are approaching you, and they are most always out of alignment.

Because of that, I would only use them when it is appropriate.,</soapbox>

Ron

Yeah. As if DRLs (Daytime Running Lights) aren't buggardly enough to begin with. If you can't see a vehicle coming your way in broad daylight, you shouldn't be driving (or even walking about unescorted.)

Blind people have escorts, but we still have reversing alarms (that almost immediately give me a thumping headache.) How far need we go in the quest for "safety?"

We're heading toward something I've been saying for years - build a car any idiot can drive, and every idiot will have one. Living in CA for the last 17 years, I can say one thing - allowing idiots on the road is a Very Bad Thing (tm). Safety should lie between the ears, and technology should never replace skill. That's why I like my twenty-year-old truck. "New" ain't always "improved", you know.

:smsoap: :soapbox: :twak: :lecture:

 

[IllianaXJ]

As said, legalities vary from state to state, and even city to city. You can get away with more in my county because it is rural vs. up in Indianapolis. I have a set of Hella 500s on my XJ, but I never use them unless I am alone on the road, very similar to high beam usage.

I always use my factory fogs on my Expedition when I have the headlights on, but that's just me. I've never been flashed by oncoming traffic, and I am anal about making sure my headlights are aimed properly (on all of my vehicles).

I absolutely HATE DRLs. My wife's Grand Prix has them, and I wired up a switch to defeat them while I am driving. Our work truck has them also (07 Colorado) but Chevy was thoughtful enough to allow you to turn the DRLs off via the headlight switch. I wish the Grand Prix was that easy.

 

[XJ01-08]

I love DRLs mainly because the idiots that dont turn on there lights until its like completly dark and there seems to be alot of idiot drivers in my county lol

 

[5-90]

I love DRLs mainly because the idiots that dont turn on there lights until its like completly dark and there seems to be alot of idiot drivers in my county lol

There are a good number of ID-TEN-Ts out here in CA as well - I was just running a couple of errands, and saw about a half-dozen cars driving with no headlamps in a three-mile stretch.

And DRL's make up for that? Hardly - DRLs only light up the headlamps, and only at half brightness. They don't light up the taillamps, so you don't get that benefit.

If you're too stupid to figure out that it's dark out, you're too stupid to drive. Full Stop.

Ref: my previous post, third paragraph. Both comments apply, but neither is being enforced. We're not improving the breed, here...