I am going to get a set of 35w HID's for my fog lights, to get rid of that nasty halogen glow

However, no idea how much of a job this might be to do - can anyone tell me how I do this?

Cheers,

Andy

Why? I can think of no time when you actually need to have dipped headlights and fog lights on together, or when you benefit from using fog lights and actually need more range than the halogens offer.

Mainly because when I have the fogs on, which I do when its foggy, I want them all to match in terms of colour.

Anyone know how to change these? Or anyone done it?

Why? I can think of no time when you actually need to have dipped headlights and fog lights on together, or when you benefit from using fog lights and actually need more range than the halogens offer.

+1

Mainly because when I have the fogs on, which I do when its foggy, I want them all to match in terms of colour.

Anyone know how to change these? Or anyone done it?

So it's purely cosmetic then?

If it's foggy enough to actually need your front fog lights on then xenon's will be too bright and just a hindrance.

There is no doubt a guide on the web on how to fit xenon's into a fog light ...... right next to the guides for fitting led washer nozzles and neon lights

Mainly because when I have the fogs on, which I do when its foggy, I want them all to match in terms of colour.

Anyone know how to change these? Or anyone done it?

Actually if it's foggy, you want your fogs to be as yellow as possible as the whiter light produced by a HID reflects back far more than that from a standard halogen light or better still yellow light.

If it's really foggy then you'd probably want side lights and yellow fog lights if you have a HID main beam. If you have a HID main beam and it isn't reflecting back off the fog, then IMHO it isn't foggy enough to warrant having the fog lights on.

Edited 11 February, 201016 yr by cheezemonkhai

LOL ok despite the fact not everyone would do this, I wish to, so if anyone has any advice on how to change them, rather than if they would, it would be appreciated

I wanted a slightly whiter/blue light from the fogs so fitted some Philips bulbs. Only took 10mins to do.

It is easy to change the fogs then? Might just put a whiter xenon in there if that will do the same as I am after

Not on a MK II as you have to get a H8/H11 (I think) bulb which isn't exactly common.

You're also asking to get pulled, plus the fact that the kit will die quickly as fogs are switched on and off regularly so will never warm up and die quickly. (Start up is what wears them)

Based on that the only reason to have HID fogs is to drive with them on all day and the only answer to that is a baseball bat.

Based on that the only reason to have HID fogs is to drive with them on all day and the only answer to that is a baseball bat.

Based on what you are saying there, you are making assumptions about how I would use them

I do a lot of driving down long, dark roads, where I don't see anyone else for mile upon mile - anything I can do to light up more of the road, works in my books!

I would also steer clear of your HIDs idea. I also do a lot of early morning driving on Boreens (irish for little roads) and as you say, all available light is welcome. There is a small panel just to the inside of your foglight it looks to be part of the main grill. If you grab a hold of this and twist it while pulling it, it should come out. You will then see 2 x TX15 or TX20 screws holding in the fog, undo them and take the fog out, you will then see the loom clipped on to bulb holder and I think you can take it from there. To upgrade the light output but still stay legal........I got 55W H11 Ring Xenon max and it has made a huge difference. The H11 is very slightly different to the H8 so one of the three metal wings (retainer clips) on the bulb needs a couple of millimetres shaved of it, you will see which one when you compare the two bulbs. The H11s cost me £19 from performancebulbs on ebay.

I hope this helps, but I do genuinely think HIDs would be too much.

I too would endorse this H11 approach...if you have to change them

There are 2 reason why I say this:

1. HID's are illegal without self levelling and washers..not something you can fit on a fog light

2. Fog lights are effective in a particular light wavelength..Yellow bulbs are the best!

The light from HID bulbs is not condusive to good light penetration

I suspect that you may be one of these chappies that drives around in all conditions with your fog lights illegally lit.

IMO..Leave them alone or upgrade to H11 if you must.

Dont drive illegally..Its not smart!!

I would also steer clear of your HIDs idea. I also do a lot of early morning driving on Boreens (irish for little roads) and as you say, all available light is welcome. There is a small panel just to the inside of your foglight it looks to be part of the main grill. If you grab a hold of this and twist it while pulling it, it should come out. You will then see 2 x TX15 or TX20 screws holding in the fog, undo them and take the fog out, you will then see the loom clipped on to bulb holder and I think you can take it from there. To upgrade the light output but still stay legal........I got 55W H11 Ring Xenon max and it has made a huge difference. The H11 is very slightly different to the H8 so one of the three metal wings (retainer clips) on the bulb needs a couple of millimetres shaved of it, you will see which one when you compare the two bulbs. The H11s cost me £19 from performancebulbs on ebay.

I hope this helps, but I do genuinely think HIDs would be too much.

Ah that is great and all I needed to know! Thank you

As for other comments, hehe... Gotta love the way peeps make assumptions!

No, I do not drive around in all conditions with my fog lights lit, however, there are parts of the Derbyshire dales where I drive very regularly, and as I said above, all light at that point is good!

If there is a better option, which is seems there is, then I will go down this route!

Based on what you are saying there, you are making assumptions about how I would use them

I do a lot of driving down long, dark roads, where I don't see anyone else for mile upon mile - anything I can do to light up more of the road, works in my books!

So based on that statement, my assumption was therefore correct no?

For your information driving with fogs on will increase your visibility at a very near distance, but because of the increased intensity of the light close up your eyes are less sensitive to the dull light in the distance.

Net effect is you reduce your effective range of vision.

You then end up seeing less, except at the very short range, where it's probably too late to do anything to avoid a pot hole etc at this point.

Edited 11 February, 201016 yr by cheezemonkhai

OK to those that don't agree, entirely your prerogative - I have already go the info I wanted so thanks to all for your input

right next to the guides for fitting led washer nozzles and neon lights

For one brief moment I though this thread was going to elevate to a whole new level - until I realised that you can't see the washer nozzles so it would be a waste of time! Neon is good though!

There is a small panel just to the inside of your foglight it looks to be part of the main grill. If you grab a hold of this and twist it while pulling it, it should come out. You will then see 2 x TX15 or TX20 screws holding in the fog, undo them and take the fog out, you will then see the loom clipped on to bulb holder and I think you can take it from there. To upgrade the light output but still stay legal........I got 55W H11 Ring Xenon max and it has made a huge difference. The H11 is very slightly different to the H8 so one of the three metal wings (retainer clips) on the bulb needs a couple of millimetres shaved of it, you will see which one when you compare the two bulbs. The H11s cost me £19 from performancebulbs on ebay.

I was always afraid to loosen the fogs as it may throw off alignment, was kinda hoping to access without removing....is it possible?

Btw Just so I have it right......Are the screws you mentioned above for removing the front cover of the fog lamp to access the bulb OR are they to remove the whole lamp assembly?

If removing the whole unit, is there locators for it to go back in on?

Edited 13 February, 201016 yr by GAFF

WOW, the guy only asked how to change his fogs

I was always afraid to loosen the fogs as it may throw off alignment, was kinda hoping to access without removing....is it possible?

Btw Just so I have it right......Are the screws you mentioned above for removing the front cover of the fog lamp to access the bulb OR are they to remove the whole lamp assembly?

If removing the whole unit, is there locators for it to go back in on?

yes and yes. The lamp itself cannot go in, in any other position then what its supposed to be in.

Sorry lads, my mistake. I've only just realised the OP's car is a Vrs and obviously mine isn't so I could be talkin' complete s**te.

Edited 13 February, 201016 yr by k.young

First question, is it a pre facelift VRS or a facelifted one.

Pre facelift has H1 bulbs and facelifted ones have HB8 bulbs (as the non VRS had them already).

They can be changed to HID, but you will need a Can adapter if you dont want to have any faultcodes.

(a couple of members in germany/switzerland did the change. Knowing it is illegal ).

The foglights of a prefacelifted VRS can be accessed from above, but you will need long and thin arms and a lot of patience.

They can also be accessed from the middle lower grill. But this is a pain to remove without breaking the clips (dont do it with the current temperatures. If the bumper is warm, it will come off better without breaking the clips/holders).

If you want to see how to remove, just go to the milotec (www dot milotec dot com) webpage and look for their lower grills. They have their mounting instructions available as PDFs and it will describe how to take out the lower grill.

If you remove the lower grill, it is much easier (but still not easy) to change the bulbs. You dont have to remove the whole foglight and therefor wont alter their adjustment.

EDIT. Just read your signature, it is a PD so prefacelift

Edited 13 February, 201016 yr by magic62

Thanks for the additional input guys

Gonna just get some Ring 55w rather than go down the HID route.

And BigW, I know - I gave up responding to moral police

First question, is it a pre facelift VRS or a facelifted one.

Pre facelift has H1 bulbs and facelifted ones have HB8 bulbs (as the non VRS had them already).

They can be changed to HID, but you will need a Can adapter if you dont want to have any faultcodes.

(a couple of members in germany/switzerland did the change. Knowing it is illegal ).

The foglights of a prefacelifted VRS can be accessed from above, but you will need long and thin arms and a lot of patience.

They can also be accessed from the middle lower grill. But this is a pain to remove without breaking the clips (dont do it with the current temperatures. If the bumper is warm, it will come off better without breaking the clips/holders).

If you want to see how to remove, just go to the milotec (www dot milotec dot com) webpage and look for their lower grills. They have their mounting instructions available as PDFs and it will describe how to take out the lower grill.

If you remove the lower grill, it is much easier (but still not easy) to change the bulbs. You dont have to remove the whole foglight and therefor wont alter their adjustment.

EDIT. Just read your signature, it is a PD so prefacelift

Milotec.com is a different site, you'll need to go .de

Accessing from above, I assume you take out headlamps first, or does it give any benefit?

Regarding the grills, is it possible to access it using the one directly beside the foglamp? I had mine out before and couldn't for the life of me figure out how to access it. Is the opening of the lamp on top or back?

Thanks for the additional input guys

Gonna just get some Ring 55w rather than go down the HID route.

If you go at it before me will you get some pics if possible, and maybe a write up on how to do it....for future reference

Or these Andy

it says "Fully E marked and road legal"

H8 bulbs

Or these Andy

it says "Fully E marked and road legal"

H8 bulbs

Ah now they look good! I think I shall give them a go

Thanks for that.

And Gaff, if I get the time next weekend I will certainly have a go