Nissan LEAF Light Bulb Mods: LEDs Anyone?

[DaveEV]

Fog lights were never designed to be used in conjunction with headlights as that completely defeats the principle of them. They are NOT driving lights.

That's funny, because on just about every production car I've seen - you can only run the fog lights when the head-lights are on for some crazy reason.

[TomT]

I like the look of cool white led license plate lamps. Anyone have a cross reference from the Leaf for those?

[Skywagon]

What is also funny, which is the case on my '07 Mazda MX-5, is that most manufacturers refer to them as "driving lights" as they are not aimed to be truly fog lights. The next time you drive at night turn them on and see where they add light; they fill below where the headlights aim. By running them you are not blinding oncoming traffic. I live in a state with a high rate of red light runners so I would rather be seen than ran infront of.

[GroundLoop]

Fog lights were never designed to be used in conjunction with headlights as that completely defeats the principle of them. They are NOT driving lights.

That's funny, because on just about every production car I've seen - you can only run the fog lights when the head-lights are on for some crazy reason.

Yup. Which makes them useless in the.. well, fog.

[garygid]

Fog lights are "yellow" to help see better through a fog, right?

[GroundLoop]

Fog lights are "yellow" to help see better through a fog, right?

Nope. They're plan 'ol white.

They're *lower* to better see through fog, so you don't get the backscatter from your own lights reducing your vision.

Only, when the main beams are on as well, they're useless for that purpose.

So, mostly they're a fashion statement. All image and flash, no function. Like the solar panel.

[garygid]

So, if the LEAF fog lights are "white" (not yellow), then it would be illegal in CA to have the fog lights ON when driving against "nearby" oncoming traffic, right?

[JasonT]

I have already changed all of the incandescents in my LEAF to LED. I purchased (or had them previously) from V-LEDs and I am happy with the quality.

This is probably a silly question, but was swapping all lights out enough to change the power usage display (say, with foglights on, brakes pressed, and... ??)

[Glenn]

Only, when the main beams are on as well, they're useless for that purpose.

You're absolutely right, gl, but that doesn't stop the the powers that be in CA from writing, in their Vehicle Code:

Foglamps

24403. (a) A motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than two foglamps that may be used with, but may not be used in substitution of, headlamps. emphasis added!

(b) On a motor vehicle other than a motorcycle, the foglamps authorized under this section shall be mounted on the front at a height of not less than 12 inches nor more than 30 inches and aimed so that when the vehicle is not loaded none of the high-intensity portion of the light to the left of the center of the vehicle projects higher than a level of four inches below the level of the center of the lamp from which it comes, for a distance of 25 feet in front of the vehicle.

Go figure

[BruinLEAFer]

So, if the LEAF fog lights are "white" (not yellow), then it would be illegal in CA to have the fog lights ON when driving against "nearby" oncoming traffic, right?

I guess some fact checking is needed. From the CA DMV website:

V C Section 24403 Foglamps

Foglamps

24403.   (a) A motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than two foglamps that may be used with, but may not be used in substitution of, headlamps.

This is why factory-installed foglamps cannot be turned on unless the headlamps are also on.

V C Section 24409 Use of Multiple Beams

Use of Multiple Beams

24409.  Whenever a motor vehicle is being operated during darkness, the driver shall use a distribution of light, or composite beam, directed high enough and of sufficient intensity to reveal persons and vehicles at a safe distance in advance of the vehicle, subject to the following requirements and limitations:

(a) Whenever the driver of a vehicle approaches an oncoming vehicle within 500 feet, he shall use a distribution of light or composite beam so aimed that the glaring rays are not projected into the eyes of the oncoming driver.

The lowermost distribution of light specified in this article shall be deemed to avoid glare at all times regardless of road contour.

(b) Whenever the driver of a vehicle follows another vehicle within 300 feet to the rear, he shall use the lowermost distribution of light specified in this article.

Does this clear things up?