Has anyone else found the same problem I seem to have? I have quite a few roundabouts to negotiate on the way home from work in the dark each night, most are 'straight over' so I'm not indicating left or right as I join, but as I turn the wheel left joining the roundabout, the left hand fog lights up as its supposed to with the cornering fog lights, and despite the fact I'm not indicating, a lot of people waiting to join the roundabout from that first exit to my left seem to take that light as an indication I'm going that way, so they start to pull out, meaning as I turn to the right to follow the roundabout round and it goes out, either they have to slam on the brakes or I do (or both of us do).

As I'm then turning right, the left fog has gone out and the right one has come on, only for the left one to come on a moment later again as I now start indicating left that I'm actually taking the next exit (ie. 2nd exit straight on).

It must look like a mobile disco from outside and no wonder people get confused, I've been travelling this route for 15 years in similar traffic and this hasn't started happening until this car, so I'm sure its related to this. They might not be indicators, but I guess to a lot of people the one light coming on in a direction you are heading at the time does give the impression you're going that way!

I've tried turning them off with the option in the Maxidot but all that does it stop the Xenon headlights from turning, it doesn't stop the cornering foglights coming on. With the quality of the Xenon headlights, the cornering fogs aren't really needed, does anyone know if they can be turned off by the dealer with the computer gizmo plugged in?

The only other solution is to straight line the roundabout keeping the speed over 25mph so they don't come on, but thats neither safe nor practical/possible on most occasions!

I suspect that what you describe is actually inside your own perceptions........

Just drive and enjoy, and "worry" less about what you "think" others are thinking. :yes:

G

CRUNCH.......Funny . I didn't "think" that would happen!

Edited 15 December, 201015 yr by bilun777

I don't have cornering fogs, so no experience. What you describe makes some sense. It's all about the way we analyze the traffic situation. In a roundabout, things are busy and you need to try to find an entry point based on the behaviour of the vehicles already milling around. There is no time to sit and count "blinks", so when a cornering fog comes on, it probably registers as the first blink and an indication of where you intend to go.

After an incident some years ago, where a car indicated a turn, but then changed his mind and continued straight - and took off my front bumper - I have been very conscious of watching the vehicle behaviour rather than the indicators. The prime example in United Blud´ff was the little lady with blue hair in a pink Cadilac, driving in the passing lane with the left indicator on and suddenly turning right.

TBH as youre on the roundabout you already have right of way regardless of whether you indicate or not, & it is up to the person coming onto the roundabout to be cautious.

It would not at all surprise me if people are mistaking the lit fog as an indication of direction, given the overall standard of driving instruction is based on criteria over 40 Years old.

I can see this as a positive thing as it seems to make people more wary of cutting out into the roundabout, and its probably not youre perception that this happens - I found with DRL's ON that people dont try to jump out onto main roads on me, & on roundabouts look twice before pulling out. ( i had a loan without them & noticed significantly the change in behaviour of other road users).

Would suggest that if youre not comfortable with them on & it appears you have them on your main lights, then go back to the dealer & ask them to switch them off via VAGCOM.

'Cornering lamps' - the answer to a question nobody ever asked.

I find them rather annoying because, if nothing else, they take your attention away from other tell-tales for just long enough to compromise 'flow'.

Many a time I've seen a new Mercedes with one fog light on thinking the quality control at Mercedes is not up to the job anymore. And then I found out what they do! Now you will notice many a Golf, some top spec Fiats and the Mercs all sporting these cornering fogs. You will also find that they do not come instantly on or go out like when you switch your lights on. They gently phase in and out for the very reason you mention above: to not confuse idiot drivers that they are indicators. Anyone that thinks a single white light that is NOT flashing (or amber) is an indicator should not be on the road driving. I find that they do light up the road just where I want it when I want it. They are pretty usefull I have to say.

And if you think these are too much look what Mercedes has now come up with! Spotlights that move and track pedestrians and keep the light on THEM!

http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2010/12/mercedes-benz-adds-pedestrian-spotlight.html

So be thankful we ONLY have cornering fogs!

I think I am with Johann on this - round our dark rural lanes they are helpful, it has to be said.

I do worry about all this technology from a reliability point of view. Driving home last night my tyre pressure monitor light popped up and a ms to check tyres. I was near a tyre place so pulled in - we checked pressures and all seemed OK, within small margins. Since I now have nitrogen filled tyres, there's the downside that, to keep it that way, I can't pump moist air in, even if I need to make an adjustment. I pressed the reset and trust it was just 'one of tose things'.

Sometimes I long for a return to the simplicity of my older Landys and other cars - less to go wrong. But, then again, I do love the gadgets too...

Someone's gonna have to put me straight here.

As you'll have gathered, I'm not entirely familiar with the very latest innovations to appear on well specced cars. My current Jazz, by comparison, seems a bit old fashioned. It doesn't actually have front fog lights, but a little Hyundai I bought this year had them - and you turned them both on and off with a switch. (That's beginning to sound a bit elementary from what I read here).

My SE, presumably, will be much the same, but I'm intrigued by the conversations being had here involving fog lights that seem to have a mind of their own

Are you saying that the cornering ones don't operate as a pair and can come on one at a time, depending on whether you turn left or right....?????

Can anyone be bothered to let me know, out of interest, how the cornering foglights work.

Is this why I've seen newish cars with only one foglight on?......I've just presumed it was because one of the bulbs had blown - but now I'm beginning to see that might not be the case.

I look forward to having light shed on the matter.

Finally, I know it's a touchy subject, but regarding fog lights being used when it's not foggy, I suppose you either agree or you don't and how much anyone takes notice of the fact that it's not legal to use them when visibility is good is up to them (no different to using a mobile phone or sticking to speed limits or any thing else really).....but I have noticed that their use varies a lot depending on the part of the country I drive in. Here in my part of Devon you don't see them switched on in perfect visibility anything like as much as when I visit the Essex/London borders or, indeed, London's suburbs generally - where it seemed to be a requirement that they be on whenever / wherever possible (actually, I'm overstating the case, but you know what I mean). I'll leave it to the individual to work out where my sympathies (or otherwise) lie on the matter.

Can anyone be bothered to let me know, out of interest, how the cornering foglights work.

Yes, Stan they only come on one at a time. This is standard on the Elegance but an option on the SE and below. They come on when you put the relevant indicator on (ie indicate to go left and the left one comes on) at speeds below 24mph (I think). They BOTH come on when you select reverse or when you pull the light switch out once to, well, switch them on as per normal - when there is fog (or as you state, you live in the London suburbs).

Someone's gonna have to put me straight here.

Are you saying that the cornering ones don't operate as a pair and can come on one at a time, depending on whether you turn left or right....?????

Can anyone be bothered to let me know, out of interest, how the cornering foglights work.

Is this why I've seen newish cars with only one foglight on?......I've just presumed it was because one of the bulbs had blown - but now I'm beginning to see that might not be the case.

I look forward to having light shed on the matter.

Ay you turn the wheel to the left or right, at lowish speeds (under 20mph I think), the relevant light comes on and lights up that side pointing around the corner.

They also both come on when you engage reverse, and at the same time point in the direction you have come from on the relevant side.

Oh and I forgot - they also come on when you just steer in the relevant direction! So if you turn left below 24mph only the left fog will come on too.

Look at this video and you will see it all in action including both coming on when you select reverse:

Yes, Stan they only come on one at a time. This is standard on the Elegance but an option on the SE and below. They come on when you put the relevant indicator on (ie indicate to go left and the left one comes on) at speeds below 24mph (I think). They BOTH come on when you select reverse or when you pull the light switch out once to, well, switch them on as per normal - when there is fog (or as you state, you live in the London suburbs).

Well, Johann, I think I must have been sniffing too much antifreeze.......they come on, one at a time when you indicate left or right - and they (the front fog lights) come on when you select reverse...????? You're gonna have to explain.....

Well, Johann, I think I must have been sniffing too much antifreeze.......they come on, one at a time when you indicate left or right - and they (the front fog lights) come on when you select reverse...????? You're gonna have to explain.....

It really only starts to make sense once you start driving. If you are about to turn left for example there is 10 to 1 a kerb there or something. Normal lights shine much further forward. When the fog comes on it illuminates the kerb perfectly.

Also remember all of this only works when the main lights are on. They don't go on and off if the main lights are off.

As to reverse. The reasoning is the same as above. You are moving slowly and you don't just look behind you! You also have to keep an eye on where the nose is going as you reverse. And again the fogs light up the near ground perfectly or the walls/cars around you as you do so.

Here is another video where you can see them in action:

Well, Johann, I think I must have been sniffing too much antifreeze.......they come on, one at a time when you indicate left or right - and they (the front fog lights) come on when you select reverse...????? You're gonna have to explain.....

This might, or might not make it clearer. The manual says:

Fog lights with the function “Cornerâ€*

The fog lights with the function “Corner†improve the illumination of

areas close to the vehicle when turning, parking etc.

The fog lights with the function “Corner†are regulated according to the steering angle

or after switching on the turn signal light8) in the following circumstances:

• the vehicle is stationary and the engine is running or it moves with a speed of

maximum 40 km/h;

• the daylight driving lights are not switched on;

• the low beam is switched on or the light switch is in the position Auto and the

intensity of the ambient light causes the low beam to be switched on;

• the fog lights are not switched on;

• no reverse gear is engaged.

Note

If you engage the reverse gear during the active function “Cornerâ€, both fog lights

illuminate.

Stewart

...to not confuse idiot drivers that they are indicators. Anyone that thinks a single white light that is NOT flashing (or amber) is an indicator should not be on the road driving.

That's not the point though, I don't suppose anyone thinks they are actually indicators but they are a distraction as they turn on and off - distracting enough to cause a moment of confusion.

That's not the point though, I don't suppose anyone thinks they are actually indicators but they are a distraction as they turn on and off - distracting enough to cause a moment of confusion.

Perhaps. But look at the videos I posed above and you will see they phase in and out very slowly. A flashing indicator they can never be confused for in my book.

There should be an option to turn off the cornering lights function. I think they are pointless in a well lit urban environment. I agree that they may be useful in a dark rural environment. A number of concerned colleagues have told me that I need to replace a light when they see me driving into carpark at work .

2 points.

1/ Get used to it because it is going to get much more common as more and more manufacturers fit them.

2/ Simon, you're driving too slowly, keep it above 40kph!

Edited 15 December, 201015 yr by Llanigraham

And is all this supposed to happen only when it's foggy...thus at least maintaining some sort of connection with the phrase "fog lights"?....or does it, with the approval of the Regulations, happen when it's clear, but dark?

Thanks for the advice - much appreciated - I've learned something today. Does still sound quite advanced to me , but explains all those lights winking at me.

or does it, with the approval of the Regulations, happen when it's clear, but dark?

Someone had asked this before regarding legislation and fog lights. BUT since they are only on one at a time they are apparently not deemed to then be fog lights! Go figure. So they are not fouling any laws. Nor would they be since all cars need EU type approval for all its functions before it can be sold within all the EU borders (and that includes us).

Someone had asked this before regarding legislation and fog lights. BUT since they are only on one at a time they are apparently not deemed to then be fog lights! Go figure. So they are not fouling any laws. Nor would they be since all cars need EU type approval for all its functions before it can be sold within all the EU borders (and that includes us).

..........." they are apparently not deemed to then be fog lights! " Ah, right. So do we all still call them 'foglights' as per the Skoda brochure, or do we call them something else...? Prizes will be awarded for the best description :wonder:

Next thing you'll be telling me you can press a button or some sort of switch inside the car......and the door mirrors'll fold themselves flat!.........

Prizes will be awarded for the best description

I think you will find they might just be called "cornering lights". But I suspect they will still be fog lights when you reverse! Oops. Just to confuse things.

I think you will find they might just be called "cornering lights". But I suspect they will still be fog lights when you reverse! Oops. Just to confuse things.

Nope. "Cornering front fog lights"........straight from the horses mouth, verbatim, as per the brochure.....and you know that never lies!.

Nope. "Cornering front fog lights"........straight from the horses mouth, verbatim, as per the brochure.....and you know that never lies!.

Yes, just like the brochure will try to sell you the lovely "boot hover" as an accessory. Apparently it is a self levitating boot floor that does not touch any part of the car.