Is this a feature or a defect with German cars?

[Azxster]

Does anyone notice that one light is always on for German cars??

i.e. This was a Mercedes Benz B200

[jeeva86]

I never noticed this. Sounds like his bulb might be gone.

[Pusch]

Thats just a rear foglight.

They come standard on vehicles sold in Europe, but they have their own ON switch.

The only reason you see them in NA, is because for some reason, some people just want to scream "look at me!"

[Whitedart]

Thats just a rear foglight.

They come standard on vehicles sold in Europe, but they have their own ON switch.

The only reason you see them in NA, is because for some reason, some people just want to scream "look at me!"

On the vehicles I have seen with these rear fog lamps, it is usually operated with the switch for the front fog lamps (that are usually on when there is no fog).

[V A N Q U I S H]

That blue light? I also saw it on the TSX.

[onecoolloser]

That blue light? I also saw it on the TSX.

No. The left taillight has a portion near the bottom that lights up brighter than the rest - its the rear foglight.

It comes standard in all Benz's, maybe other brands too.

[seftonm]

It's a defect with the driver. Rear fogs should only be on when they are needed. It's an easy retrofit into Mk4 Jettas and Golfs, I did it and it has been useful a few times with extreme fog or rain.

[ar_ken]

Rear foglight. IIRC it comes standard with MOST European makes except VW..

[Azxster]

Ohhh I see... but it sure is annoying and distractive. The light is so bright its like being high beamed from the rear end.

[dassub]

It's not supposed to be that much brighter than the rest of the rear lights. I suspect they didn't turn on their headlights, and left just the daytime runners on. My Audi has it like this too.. it was made like this so drivers don't mistake them as break lights. When I was changing a break light bulb back there before, I even noticed that the socket doesn't exist on the right side, as it is intended to not be there at all.

[seftonm]

It's not supposed to be that much brighter than the rest of the rear lights.

Most of the lights I've seen are much brighter than the regular taillights. My taillights use a 10W bulb, my rear fog is 21W.

[Paolo]

It's a defect with the driver. Rear fogs should only be on when they are needed. It's an easy retrofit into Mk4 Jettas and Golfs, I did it and it has been useful a few times with extreme fog or rain.

ford focus are also capable of rear fog lights
many people here have retrofitted them on.

[MkmBandit]

Ohhh I see... but it sure is annoying and distractive. The light is so bright its like being high beamed from the rear end.

When the weathers clear, maybe.. in snowstorms you'll wish all cars had that feature, I know I do.. I have it on my 98 Volvo.

[leung_jai]

when winter comes i'll have my Original Nissan LED tail lights installed...52 LEDs in total, 26 each side !!!! WAHAHAHAHAHA !! Talk about brightness !!!!

[warpdrive]

It's not supposed to be that much brighter than the rest of the rear lights. .

It's just the picture, but the rear foglight is always a lot brighter than the normal taillights. I was following a Volvo with the rear foglight on, and it was very annoyingly bright.

FWIW: I hate idiots who turn on the rear foglight when driving in normal weather.