FOG LIGHTS - The REAL Deal!

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Hopefully ECS will catch this post and maybe put together a couple of package deals, a Xmas Special, or offer us Orgers a

discount code (lol).


FOG LIGHTS - The REAL Deal Mod! As I see it.

Well, I just went out to see how mine operate, and OMG the switch won't turn counter-clockwise to the Fog setting . So, I don't know what lights are on with the Fogs . Gonna' have to get out the manual and see if it's me or the switch!

Also noticed, that there is not a way to just turn on the parking lights ! Funny story... When I was young we had a park "we" went to at night to park and watch the submarine races . By law, you had to leave your parking lights on. The cops wouldn't bother you if they were on! (Ah, the good ol' days!)

Going to research the Euro switch and see how it operates the different lights, because I do want to be able to use the Fogs for the purpose they were intended , if I can't do it with the switch they use on this side of the pond.

Update 1 - Operator error , pull out the switch in the on position to turn on the Fogs! Just and indicator light to the left of off. Apparently, the Fogs are just for show on the Bug.

BTW, all my GM vehicles have completely separate switch for the fogs, and just the parking lights can be turned on with the headlight switch (the way Fogs should be set up).

Update 2 - Here's the Real Deal

Yes, the Euroswitch, operates the Fogs separately and allows you to also have the parking lights on. To just this mod, this is all you need from ECS ($39.95)
[fits all years and models]:
Home Page > ES#8602 European Headlight Switch (Euroswitch) - 1C0941531AKOS

If you want to add the rear fog, you need this ($75.30):
[these may be model/year specific so check the page for yours]

Red Light Update:

Here's the correct explaination, graciously submitted by FreqWiz :

"In Germany when your Driving 130MPH a Bright red light on the car in front of you helps you see it in the fog. Most German cars the Rear Fog is one bright red light on the left side .

Also German parking lights only light the the left side of the car, if you park on an unlit road you you have to leave the parking lights on all night.

I was stationed in Germany for 4 years that is how I know this."

And here is a GREAT visual reason as to "Why?", also graciously submitted by dmbluebug :



And here is the latest German news from our revered NewBeetleMechanic (NBM) regarding Fogs. Don't think any of us will be doing this mod anytime soon! lol

"That still is the practice.

But with OBD3 the newest VW's will have a automatic flash when another VW is close to it. Like at highway speeds the red light will flash. With this new tech you wont have to leave your lights on anymore. They will flash until you pass another stationary VW product also.

We already have the tech tested, some current models shut the engine off, turns the hazzard lights on, calls for help and on and on."

Volkswagen New Beetle 2.0 > Lighting > Fogs > ES#1351 Rear Fog Light - 1C0945711A
and this ($10.46):
Volkswagen New Beetle 2.0 > Lighting > Fogs > ES#1251 European Rear Fog Light Kit - 1J0998001

Since the North American factory version, is just for looks (and it is) the lights are not designed as actual Fogs, and I'm sure lack the necessary candlepower (brightness), and the Euro are probably yellow (yellow works better). ECS states they offer a European (where they are the real deal) Spec version upgrade of the Fogs but I can't seem to find them on their site. They probably won't see this post, so I'll drop them a note. ECS does offer a yellow protective, correct color film (very thick 17 mil) for your existing here ($14.20):
[also year specific, check the page for yours]:
Volkswagen New Beetle 2.0 > Lighting > Fogs > ES#1873289 Foglight Protective Film - Yellow - VW107-Y

ECS Update: The advertisement of the availability of a Euro Spec Version Upgrade of the fogs for the NB is incorrect. They do not have such an item or items.

Stay tuned...

I'm planning on doing it all!

[DZLBUG]

Hello and welcome to 10 years ago.

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Originally Posted by DZLBUG

Hello and welcome to 10 years ago.

Yep, from a mfr. standpoint it's all about the money today, sad...

[DZLBUG]

No...I mean people have been doing this mod for 10+ years. You're not breaking any ground here.

Here's a thread from 5 years ago...this mod is older than that but posts older than 2005 aren't accessible:
EuroSwitch Install - How-To

[jason m]

Originally Posted by DZLBUG

No...I mean people have been doing this mod for 10+ years. You're not breaking any ground here.

Here's a thread from 5 years ago...this mod is older than that but posts older than 2005 aren't accessible:
EuroSwitch Install - How-To

Harsh, he is new and probably could not find thread or did not realize the search function existed.

[DZLBUG]

Originally Posted by jason m

Harsh, he is new and probably could not find thread or did not realize the search function existed.

Since when is the truth, harsh? I didn't insult him or anything. There are multitudes of threads on this, and the search function is pretty hard to miss. Not to mention this new-fangled thing called Google.

[jason m]

Originally Posted by DZLBUG

Hello and welcome to 10 years ago.

Seems kind of insulting to me.

[DZLBUG]

Its called sarcasm. I have a dry sense of humor, and I don't feel the need to be sugary sweet and walk on eggshells with everyone. So what you see is what you get, if you think I'm an ass, go right ahead. No harm was meant.

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Originally Posted by jason m

Seems kind of insulting to me.

Jason,

Thanks for the defense, but I'm a big boy and can take care of myself, at least usually. And DZLBUG is right in that I am new here. He's right, there is a tremendous amount of redundancy here on the Org.

I know all about the search features. I currently have six vehicles, but no children at home, and a boat, with a second on its' way, have been on the web since it's infancy, and have been a member of many, many forums.

I'm highly educated, have an IQ pushing 180, have built and owned several multi-million dollar corporations over the course of my life, have raised three successful children with nine grandchildren among them. I've owned cars and boats most people can only dream of. Rubbed shoulders with the super wealthy. How many people ever had the opportunity or occasion to "bar hop" in a helicopter, regularly. before they were 30. I've had an awful lot of experience with an awful lot of things. People who know me, tend to listen when I speak, but then DZLBUG doesn't know me!

Sometimes, when I ask questions, I already know at least one answer, but also know that there is usually more than one right answer to most questions, and I like to hear what others have to say and get their input. Much as I know, I learn everyday.

The threads on this forum contain much, correct, and valuable information, however, they are also full of bad information and half information.

There are those that ask questions that simple logic should answer, others that ask questions that are very difficult and complex. Sometimes in response, the bad is something that is simply passed on because the writer believed that what they had been told at one time was correct. Sometimes I'm equally guilty of this, because it came from a trusted source.

I wrote this whole "colloquium" in response to a question that was presented to me in another thread. I could have simply instructed the gentleman to use the search features or go Google it. Having, or being able to obtain the correct knowledge to answer his questions, and also having both the time, and venue, to do it, it seemed as if it would be rather rude and insulting of me to respond that way. Isn't this what these forums are about anyway?

What it accomplished was three fold:

1. His question was answered correctly, and all in one place and if interested he was given a source for all requirements of a part or all of the mod.
2. The information now became available, not just to him, but the whole community, correct, and all in one place, and without reading through all the threads, and archived threads, quite possibly brought all current, especially mods five+ years old.
3. I had a selfish purpose also, to give ECS Tuning the opportunity to both review the use of their products, offer comments, and more directly to offer not just myself, but all of the Orgers, some type of pricing concession or discount (I know how to negotiate one on one with anyone for my own purposes, and don't need this venue for that).

Just think, when all the previous threads are archived, this one will remain. Complete and forthright.

When I make mistakes, and I do, please tell me I'm wrong, but also offer up the correct answer and it's source. Even though I am usually comfortable with the correctness of my knowledge, I generally do not pass it on with out a little research as that is such an easy thing to do today, given the advent of the www.

And to think, all this started with another Orger's question "Why are daytime running lights unsafe?" Beats the hell out of me...

[boogety boogety]

Try this...

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Originally Posted by DZLBUG

No...I mean people have been doing this mod for 10+ years. You're not breaking any ground here.

Here's a thread from 5 years ago...this mod is older than that but posts older than 2005 aren't accessible:
EuroSwitch Install - How-To

I didn't read the post, by the title there is no reason for me to, I didn't write a how-to, although in two weeks I have seen at least three posts looking for that information in part or in full, which if you buy the parts from ECS is provided anyway!

And I'm truly sorry if I have offended you in some way.

[jason m]

Well said, my comment to DZLBUG is due in part to his direct manner in addressing others. I have been reading thru and taking part in may discussions and he is very knowledgeable but very harsh in the way he responds. It was more for his benefit than yours in this instance

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Originally Posted by boogety boogety

Try this...

Yes, I've seen the commercial. Funny, very funny!

[Palmettoguy]

Originally Posted by MyOtherRidesAVette

And to think, all this started with another Orger's question "Why are daytime running lights unsafe?" Beats the hell out of me...

GOOGLE IT....
daytime running lights unsafe

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Originally Posted by DZLBUG

Its called sarcasm. I have a dry sense of humor, and I don't feel the need to be sugary sweet and walk on eggshells with everyone. So what you see is what you get, if you think I'm an ass, go right ahead. No harm was meant.

It is what it is!

But do feel free to me anytime! I still loves yaz!

Happy Holidays, Buddy!

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Originally Posted by Palmettoguy

GOOGLE IT....
daytime running lights unsafe

Hey Moe,


I really do appreciate this input, I have read it through thoroughly, and have these comments:

• "Their glare annoys and distracts other drivers" - HOGWASH - What ought to be eligle is these high intensity. white, and esp blue headlites that serve no real purpose at normal driving speeds. I could see them maybe on the Autobahn at speeds of 150 or 180 or more mph where you would have a tendancy to over-run standard headlights, but... Give me a break! Oh, and the smoked taillight lenses or the covers, that are illegal by the laws of most states but not enforced.
• "They reduce fuel economy" - Granted, love to see the minute results of a billion dollar government study on that. But such a study would emplyee a couple ppl and aide in O'bama's struggle to reduce nemplyment.
• "They harm the environment" - Only if Global Warming is reality. The jury is still out on that one.
• "They reduce vehicle visibility at night" - depends which way the axe swings. The counter to "It is not uncommon to see many cars at night with no tail lights because DRL systems only light the headlights" is the EQUAL number of idiots who drive after the sun goes down and don't turn their lights on. The other positive function that DRLs perform is to increase visibilty of vehicles in the daytime rain, when so many people don't have the good sense to turn on their lights.
• "They actually cause more accidents" - One study! Every time someone spends a gazillion dollars doing such a stupid study, someone else spends a gazillion dollars doin another study which disproves the first. But all these studies do help keep a lot of people employeed and our taxes up.

This really didn't resolve the issue, only explains why SOME people consider them unsafe. Weighing what I feel are the pros and cons, I'll opt to use them.

What it did do, was to confirm what I had stated in my original post, that they are required by law throughout Canada, and that the manufacturers have to build only one vehicle to satisfy several markets. But then I guess your okay with paying more for a car because of the additional cost. If your red, you understand that a corporation DOES nothing for free, any cost is built into the price and passed to the consumer. Like Corporate taxes, raise them, corporations don't really care. It will be simply passed on in the form of increased prices and, yep, again you and I ultimately pay those increased taxes too. Only with markups in the middle. If anyone every has the opportunity to take a course in Logic, it invaluable to clear up you way of thinking about things.

Want to debate Photo Enforced Red Light Intersections? OR the constitutionality of seat belt laws for adults?

[kellyyysayss]

LOL. That link about DRL's being unsafe gave me a good chuckle. Glare? It's a headlight. SRSLY. Fuel economy? Gee, I guess you never want to know what I did with some refrigerant a few months ago! People forgetting to turn their lights on? Well, that's their own problem. Not the DRL's.

Anyway, I like how the OP collectively put it all in one thread. I'd love to put in a euroswitch, but I've had my foglights out for a few months anyway.

Is there anything tricky about it?

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Originally Posted by kellyyysayss

LOL. That link about DRL's being unsafe gave me a good chuckle. Glare? It's a headlight. SRSLY. Fuel economy? Gee, I guess you never want to know what I did with some refrigerant a few months ago! People forgetting to turn their lights on? Well, that's their own problem. Not the DRL's.

Anyway, I like how the OP collectively put it all in one thread. I'd love to put in a euroswitch, but I've had my foglights out for a few months anyway.

Is there anything tricky about it?

Thanks for the support, Kelly! Did you catch my response to that? And no, the switch is absolutely plug and play, turn and pull out one switch and push and turn in the other. No screws, no bezels to remove, no clips to unsanp, no wiring required for the fronts, it works without the installation of the rear fog, which I am hoping someone can explain the purpose of to me. lol Engineered at the factory that way to reduce costs, All the vehicles are wired the same way and the "receiver" (for lack of a better term) for the switch receives and works with either. Smart, very smart! And so untypical of industry today.

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Originally Posted by SECURITY

Hey!

ALL in fun, Sir!

[Palmettoguy]

Originally Posted by MyOtherRidesAVette

...it works without the installation of the rear fog, which I am hoping someone can explain the purpose of to me.

It's to improve your visibility to other drivers