Wondering when to use fog lights? You’re not alone. Many drivers find it confusing.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to check your fog lights, keep your windscreen clear, pack the right winter essentials, and use fog lights safely – everything you need to stay visible and safe on the road this winter.
Check your fog lights
During autumn and winter, always check your fog lights before driving.
If your car has automatic lights, remember that fog lights might not turn on by themselves. You may need to switch them on manually. The same goes for daytime running lights – many cars won’t activate the rear lights automatically.
Prepare your windscreen
Good visibility starts with your windscreen. Make sure your wiper blades are in good condition so you can keep your windscreen clear and demisted.
Need new blades? Visit your local Halfords or enter your vehicle registration online to find the right replacements. Premium Halfords Motoring Club members can also get in-store fitting on wiper blades, bulbs, or batteries at no extra cost.
Check out our article on bulbs, batteries and wiper blades for some general maintenance tips and what to look out for.
Tip: Rain-X Anti-Fog can help reduce interior condensation and prevent fogging.
If visibility is poor, reduce your speed or pull over safely until conditions improve.
Using Rain-X Anti-Fog can also reduce the likelihood of interior condensation, fogging and steaming from impeding your vision out of your windscreen.
Alternatively, if you’re struggling to see clearly in front of you, reduce your speed or consider pulling over in a safe place until the fog has cleared in front of you.
Pack the essentials
As well as containing essentials like a tow rope, foot pump and booster cables, you’ll also have a weatherproof torch (including batteries) and a hazard warning triangle to ensure you’re visible to other drivers.
Breakdowns in foggy conditions can be risky. Prepare with the AA Breakdown & Emergency Kit, which includes essentials like:
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Tow rope
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Foot pump
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Booster cables
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Weatherproof torch with batteries
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Hazard warning triangle
When to use fog lights?
The Highway Code is clear: use fog lights only when visibility is seriously reduced (100 metres or less). Switch them off when visibility improves to avoid dazzling other drivers.
Remember: Using fog lights unnecessarily, even in light drizzle, is prohibited under the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989. Improper use could lead to fines or, in the event of an accident, problems with insurance claims.
Modern cars often display a dashboard warning when fog lights are needed, so keep an eye out for it.
Winter Motoring Essentials
Halfords offers great-value products and services for winter, including:
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Fitted tyres
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Wiper blades
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Batteries
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Bulbs
Check out our reduced prices across a wide range of products to save money and stay safe on the road.
Halfords Motoring Club
One of the best ways to keep on motoring for less and prepare for foggy days is to join the Halfords Motoring Club. You’ll get access to a range of amazing benefits and discounts that are designed to keep you moving, keep you safe and keep you saving.
It’s free to join and you’ll receive money off your MOT, a free car health check and a welcome voucher that can be spent on any Halfords product or service.
Or choose our Premium membership for a small monthly fee of £5.49 (£65.88 total) or £54 annually to unlock exclusive member pricing on all motoring products and services online and across our stores, garages and Halfords Mobile Experts, as well as a variety of other benefits that will help you to keep moving for less.
With so much to enjoy, this is too good an opportunity to miss!
For more advice and tips on how to prepare your car for the darker and colder months, read our article on Bulbs, batteries and wiper blades: Autumn and winter maintenance tips. And head over to Halfords.com for all of your money-saving motoring needs.
