[jogosub]

I have used them (but not on Subarus). Most European imports have a an extra socket in the back tail light assembly. All you have to do (in this country) is connect power to it in conjunction with your front fog lights. I would check the legality of such light as it may be regulated by different states (in some it's plain illegal). The wattage is usually the same as your brake light/bulb.
Some people add it (a small "fog" light with red lens) under the rear bumper and connect wiring to the front fog lights (I have also done so previously). If you don't have front fog light you could add a switch on your dash board.

 

[jogosub]

In Italy and Germany; however, not on a Subaru. Single red lamp with a widely defused light mounted under the rear bumper (centered and pointed downwards aimed at about 10 feet in back of the car). These are required in Italy, and I believe were optional in Germany at the time. Powered by the same switch that activated the fog lights on my Fiat 128, Opel Rekord, Peugeot 403, and a couple of other cars that I drove there.

I had those "extra" rear fog light sockets on my Audi, Mercedes, BMW, Saabs and Volvos - in this country (in late 60s, 70s and 80s).
I always added a bulb and connected it to the fog lights switch. Not sure, if they still have the same set up on current models (those makes).

 

[jogosub]

That might be illegal although I see big rig truckers do this when climbing grades.
To me emergency flashers means you are stopped on the shoulder.
Impaired drivers also tend to gravitate towards flashing lights like gnats do to a bare light bulb.
That's why you seldom see CHP using their emergency lights while stopped on the shoulder.

You could possibly send a suggestion to FL Higway Patrol - they "love" to have everything flashing on when stopped on shoulders....LOL .. I agree with you (Chips in CA) but here in the "deep South" it's a totally different country!

 

[jogosub]

I installed/wired red fog light same as OEM Subarus have it in EU; i.e. in the left backup light. It's now "red" and used as rear fog light. See my installation instructions elsewhere on this forum. The bulb is bright (921 LED 14 red) and works great - you'll get noticed!! I also "increased" brightness (921 white LED 19) of the right backup bulb to more than double of the existing OEM. Bulbs are from VLeds.com.
See pics below!
Budaru installed an outside red rear fog light that he mounted under the rear bumper, that is yet another alternative solution.

 

[jogosub]

BTW - by replacing left rear backup light with rear fog light you don't really lose any illumination for backup camera. Those backup lights serve more less just as warning for others, when you backing up in parking lots, etc. When I back up in those scenarios I put on my rear red fog light as well and that gives more warning than just using conventional backup lights.

 

[jogosub]

Not sure but I believe the Euro model and maybe even the JDM have lights in that space. This looks promising.

2013 Euromodels (Outbacks) have it in the rear left backup light...I know that for sure!

 

[jogosub]

Budaru: In my opinion the flat LED panel bulb will not be strong enough. And the real strong/bright LED bulb is too tall/long to fit in that reflector cluster.
In order to achieve the same brightness as "brake" bulb, you would have to put at least white LED 19 (from VLeds) there because, typically, rear fog lights are the same strength/brightness as "brake" bulb/lights; i.e. appx 21W ! Flat panel LED would indeed just "glow".... basically the same LED bulbs that you and I have in the backup lights....

 

[jogosub]

Kudos for the Jogo-man for doing it right. I can see a need myself during elk season when I drive up through winding mountain hwys.
I’ll need to read up on the latest regs, but last I read was they’re still illegal in USA/Japan. So the factory positions give you stealth mode. But if you’re going to use the L-Rear reflector position, IIRC (newish) euro TUV places it above bumper and off center to the left. Using other than red lights = cop magnet.<O</O
Effective but why isn’t it available here, same reason headlight levelers aren’t either – people don’t even know how to use roundabouts.

Here it is for Calif. Your State may have a different law(s)...

V C Section 24602 Fog Taillamps

As far as I know, some States don't even regulate rear fog lights... like FL, if I am not mistaken!

 

[jogosub]

OMG they even specify that the switch has to lighted amber. Oops mine is red, keeping with the red lighting of the dash. Oh well

WOW - I must have it Calif. legal then - my switch for rear fog on my dash board is amber/yellow - and I did not really follow Calif. law - I thought, when my front fogs are yellow then my rear fog light switch must be yellow even though the fogs are red ... go figure!

 

[jogosub]

Hoppyjr: Not really - after you roll down your window, followed by "your drivers license and registration, please" the fog switch is in plain view from the outside ...LOL... but, as Budaru said, chances to get cited for that "violation" are slim or none.....

 

[jogosub]

You don't get it ... I am just teasing/kidding - therefore the "LOL" in my post... you need to relax, my friend! I just took a nap....this forum needs some humor here and there....life is short!

 

[jogosub]

Euchre - when I drive drive with rear fog lights on I don't usually continuously apply brakes or have brake lights on at the same time (unless of course I am braking...)
So, actually they quite differentiate, from parking lights, while the car is slowly moving in the fog... at least that is my perception. Others may disagree....

 

[jogosub]

I see your point now - you may be right although that "fog" light is more off the side, more closer to the center... but I can see that some folks may be thinking your way...or perhaps most of the folks on these shores? LOL... Anyway, I am happy with my rear fog lights location and installation...basically, copying EU OEM location on 2013 OBs there...

 

[jogosub]

Move to Pa. or drive thru and get stop, you can't block you're reverse lights, theirs no uniformity. This isn't the UK,or Aussie, etc. this is the USA.

I am sorry but similar cases have been in various Courts and it's not "illegal" as long as you have it in accordance with the state, where your car is registered; e.g. if you have dark tinted windows that are allowed in your State (like say AZ) and you get stopped for it in a State that has different window tinting laws (like CA), technically you CANNOT be cited; if you are, the case will be dismissed in the Court. The Courts had previously considered such cases and ruled that, as a burden on "interstate" commerce. Those cases are dismissed and thrown out. Similar with rear fog lights. If it's legal in FL and your car has FL license plates, technically, you cannot get cited (like say in PA). If you do and can get a ticket you can go to Court, it will be dismissed. I have been through that several times in several Courts.
Yes, this is USA and the Courts rule here (not law enforcement officers, who sometimes interpret their State laws incorrectly)!
Likewise, Canadian drivers cannot be cited for having rear fog lights (or using them, if they are connected with front fog lights) because in Canada, these rear fog lights are mandatory!
Hoppyjr is right!

 

[jogosub]

Another "bizarre" example. I have mentioned this before, but here again.
On my recent visit to Calif. I got a citation for not wearing a seat belt while I was sitting in the rear seat in a Calif. registered car, driven by my son. In the State of FL there is no such law and passengers do not have to wear seat belts sitting in the back seats. I took the case to Calif. Court and the judge sided with me and the case was dismissed. As a passenger I had no way of knowing what seat belt laws are applicable in Calif. Likewise, law enforcement officer is not familiar with similar laws in different States. A "warning" citation would have been more appropriate - and the Court sided with me.

 

[jogosub]

If you would re-read post 62 again, I said they have a (STATE INSPECTION) in Pa. which would make it ILLEGAL you would not get a inspection sticker on your windshield, theres other states also I'm sure.

Sorry - I've just read # 64... my bad!

 

[jogosub]

Rear fog lights (as discussed in this thread, and installed in your car) are not mandatory in Canada and I don't know of any mainstream brand sold here that has them as standard equipment.

Learned something new - I though I've read a post from someone that they were mandatory but I think I have mixed that up with front driving lights - those are mandatory, right? Getting old...LOL
Sorry, my mistake then...
I think what I should have said that many cars imported into Canada come with pre-wired rear fog lights...is that the case Plain OM?

 

[jogosub]

To be clear, I never said they were mandatory...only that they are not illegal. Someone else is the expert around here

We are all "experts" here... relax! Enjoy life!
What I meant is that driving lights are mandatory in Canada! Had those mixed up...

 

[jogosub]

...what...? I need lights to drive? Oh no :gasp: Now I have to start using them....:2: lolol.

I was kidding folks...tongue in cheek...I do however think that rear fogs being mandatory would be a great idea. Just another great safety feature we would adopt from the European auto makers...like so many others that we have jacked from their models and put on ours.

DRLs - I keep leaving the "key" word out - daytime driving lights that is...sorry about that...LOL

 

[jogosub]

Daytime running lights.

Of course, here in the US of A, we can't seem to figure out that parking lights aren't for driving, and parking brakes aren't only for emergencies.

And to add to that: fog lights are for driving in the fog..., turn signals are for turning..., yellow and red traffic signal lights in intersections have some peculiar purpose...., left lanes on freeways are for passing or driving faster "with the flow" ....etc,etc.... LOL

You've got that right!