Fog lights functional?

[motorhomer]

I'll soon be ordering a new cR-V and am curious as to fog light function.
1. Do they only work when headlights are on low beam or can you turn them on with high beams?
2. I know their list price is $325 but what did dealer charge you for install?
3. Do you feel they were worth the money (surely $400+)?
4. If operational with low beam headlights, do the fog lights aim low enough so they can be left on? In fact, CAN they be adjusted/aimed?

[davos]

figure more in line of $600 installed
I did not do it, instead bought a set from HandA for $210 and I am going to install it myself (didn't get around to do it just yet)
another approach would be Honda e-store for $467.50 installed or use it as leverage with a dealer

[stickerguynyc]

where did you get it for $210? i want to buy some too. I really want some aftermarker fog light to put HID on it but i want original switch.


let me know where you bought them
later

[davos]

Right on the top of the screen there is logo for sponsor "H and A accessories"
They are selling genuine Honda parts at huge discounts.
Installation might be a bit tricky - check out this links:
YouTube - Episode #57 - Honda CR-V Fog Light Installation (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9jaC8Q0tsw)
http://www.crvownersclub.com/forums/t2304/

and link to HandA
Honda CR-V Accessories - Exterior Accessories - Genuine Factory Honda Accessories, made by Honda for your Honda. (http://www.handa-accessories.com/crvext07.html)
I will let you know once I will have it in - I will try to keep documentation of the process so other people will be able to use it

[t_simmonds]

I'll soon be ordering a new cR-V and am curious as to fog light function.
1. Do they only work when headlights are on low beam or can you turn them on with high beams?
2. I know their list price is $325 but what did dealer charge you for install?
3. Do you feel they were worth the money (surely $400+)?
4. If operational with low beam headlights, do the fog lights aim low enough so they can be left on? In fact, CAN they be adjusted/aimed?

I bought them for my 07 CR-V EX AWD for $210 from H and A Accessories.
They work only when the headlights are on low beam. I had my local mechanic install them for $150.00. They are definitely worth the money. You can easily adjust with a knob for up/down adjustment.

The only problem I had was that the instructions that came from H and A were WRONG for connecting the fog lights to the wiring harness. I found the correct instructions on the College Hills Honda web page. (they also have video instructions showing how to install - this was very helpful)

[pepollock]

Look at <hondaautomotiveparts.com>, click on "accessories" and CR-V, and scroll down to the fog lights. Their price is just $217. You can view the installation instructions for all the accessories there, too. I decided not to install the fog lights after reading the instructions. Too involved. Plus the lights only work with the low beam headlights on which kinda defeats the purpose of fog lights. The lights do look better than the cheesy plastic vents that are standard, 'tho.

[tsmithvt]

Plus the lights only work with the low beam headlights on which kinda defeats the purpose of fog lights.

I'm old and tired. Does someone else want to do the "Fog Lights 101" lecture today? Please.:rolleyes:

[lizzurd]

instructions. Too involved. Plus the lights only work with the low beam headlights on which kinda defeats the purpose of fog lights.

Maybe you can re-educate me..I had always been taught that fog lights perform at their best when you head lights are on low beam.

[Greenzter]

Plus the lights only work with the low beam headlights on which kinda defeats the purpose of fog lights. The lights do look better than the cheesy plastic vents that are standard,
Oh yes. Vanity lights. 'They look good'. No clue what fog lights are for. :eek:

[tsmithvt]

Plus the lights only work with the low beam headlights on which kinda defeats the purpose of fog lights.

I may have found a better way. Please see the following:Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply (http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/lights/fog_lamps/fog_lamps.html)

and: Fog Light Rant (http://home.mindspring.com/~ed_white/id10.html)

A search of the forum will uncover other commentary from members and more reference material.:)

[aslguy]

I'm so sick of people driving around with their fog lights on in fair weather, blinding other drivers. They're called FOG lights, not "these will make me look cool" lights.

[davos]

I bought them for my 07 CR-V EX AWD for $210 from H and A Accessories.
They work only when the headlights are on low beam. I had my local mechanic install them for $150.00. They are definitely worth the money. You can easily adjust with a knob for up/down adjustment.

The only problem I had was that the instructions that came from H and A were WRONG for connecting the fog lights to the wiring harness. I found the correct instructions on the College Hills Honda web page. (they also have video instructions showing how to install - this was very helpful)

What was wrong with wiring diagram?
I have not put mine just yet but when I was looking at it it looked like original Honda diagram

[t_simmonds]

What was wrong with wiring diagram?
I have not put mine just yet but when I was looking at it it looked like original Honda diagram

It was an original Honda diagram - it had arrows pointing to the wrong spaces on the connector. The correct spaces were highlighted (grayed out), but the arrows pointed to spaces that were already occupied by other wires (good thing or who knows what would have happened with the wires in the wrong place)
This is where I got the current instructions: 1997-2008 Honda CRV Accessories : Genuine Honda Accessories at Discount Prices (http://www.collegehillshonda.com/crvaccessories.htm)

This ia a link for the PDF of the correct instructions - note the date of April 2007 in the upper right corner. The instructions from H and A were from an earlier date. http://www.collegehillshonda.com/instructions/gen3_crv/08v31-swa-100.pdf

I let H and A know about the problem, so hopefully they have updated their instructions.

[davos]

Thanks a lot:)

[pepollock]

Thanks, tsmith. Good info, good rant! To work effectively as fog lights (also helpful in rain and snow) they should be mounted low, be yellowish, and be able to be on by themselves. Low to minimize backscatter, yellow penetrates the fog better than blue, and be on alone to minimize backscatter from the regular headlights. Most of the ones I see, including the OE foglights, are fairly low but use halogen bulbs (not yellow) and are wired into the low beam circuit. So as actual fog lights they aren't good. As a fashion statement they get a point, I guess. Now if folks would turn them off when it isn't foggy and keep them aimed correctly, we could all see better at night.

[tsmithvt]

Thanks, tsmith. Good info, good rant! To work effectively as fog lights (also helpful in rain and snow) they should be mounted low, be yellowish, and be able to be on by themselves. Low to minimize backscatter, yellow penetrates the fog better than blue, and be on alone to minimize backscatter from the regular headlights. Most of the ones I see, including the OE foglights, are fairly low but use halogen bulbs (not yellow) and are wired into the low beam circuit. So as actual fog lights they aren't good. As a fashion statement they get a point, I guess. Now if folks would turn them off when it isn't foggy and keep them aimed correctly, we could all see better at night.

Fog lights are more than a fashion statement when they are used properly. They can be very useful/helpful in foul weather. The reason why OEM fog lights are white/clear is because of the deeper understanding of reflectivity (the actual wave length of light vs the size of water droplets in fog) that today's designers and engineers have. Today's OEM fog lights actually perform better than the traditional fog lights of the past. The following is a good reference (the physics of fog lights): Fog lights (http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/phy99/phy99xx4.htm) (Read the entire article.)

I couldn't agree with you more about the inappropriate use of fog lights.:)