Ok this probably going to be old news and get towed but I just learned that NA E9x cars have rear fog lights it's just that we lack the switch to turn them on.

If you order and install the European switch (part no 61 31 6 932 796) you can use the rear fog's. The rear fog's use the same bulbs as the adaptive brake lights. I read it's a simple install (10 - 15 minutes) and I have ordered the part (around $65 with shipping).

Yes, I think this has been discussed before. I have this switch and have used it more to discourage tailgaters than as a fog-safety device. ;-)

Yes, I think this has been discussed before. I have this switch and have used it more to discourage tailgaters than as a fog-safety device. ;-)

Yeah, I had done a search on rear fog lights but it just goes on forever and I still didn't see it discussed. I just wanted to let other noob's like myself know about it.

How long did it take you and was it hard removing the trim panel?

It's about a 10 minute install. I put my switch in a few months ago though and have yet to use it.

Not to be dumb, but can you elaborate on this one? It's in the car, but a switch needs to be installed to activate it?

Ok this probably going to be old news and get towed but I just learned that NA E9x cars have rear fog lights it's just that we lack the switch to turn them on.

If you order and install the European switch (part no 61 31 6 932 796) you can use the rear fog's. The rear fog's use the same bulbs as the adaptive brake lights. I read it's a simple install (10 - 15 minutes) and I have ordered the part (around $65 with shipping).

Cool, did not know that. Wonder if it is avail on the 328xi. Probably not going to screw around with it though because its a lease. I really like the rear fog lights on my A4. Looks sharp

Yes, I think this has been discussed before. I have this switch and have used it more to discourage tailgaters than as a fog-safety device. ;-)

+1 on the tailgaters!!! Some of them think its your brakes, and give you more room!

Silly question, but are rear fog lights even legal in most states or provinces? I have no clue, but it sure would suck to get pulled over and ticketed for that after you spent money/effort to do the mod.

Silly question, but are rear fog lights even legal in most states or provinces? I have no clue, but it sure would suck to get pulled over and ticketed for that after you spent money/effort to do the mod.

I don't know if they are or aren't but I assume they are legal because MB puts them on US spec cars. My '02 C230 had the rear fog light.

Silly question, but are rear fog lights even legal in most states or provinces? I have no clue, but it sure would suck to get pulled over and ticketed for that after you spent money/effort to do the mod.

Yes they are as I had them on my Audi. They are also offered on Volvo's.

Not to be dumb, but can you elaborate on this one? It's in the car, but a switch needs to be installed to activate it?


It's a replacement of the dashboard switch unit. A simple unplug and plug in job. Requires removing the drivers vent trim piece above the switch unit and removing the switch unit.

Don't know if posting links to other boards is allowed but here is what I found: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26545

You know you dont have to buy a whole new switch right? You can just use the OEM switch and put something in place of the missing piece. Theres a few DIY's about it on e90post. Why pay $50-60 when you can do it for free?

Silly question, but are rear fog lights even legal in most states or provinces? I have no clue, but it sure would suck to get pulled over and ticketed for that after you spent money/effort to do the mod.


My A4 has the right rear foglight so I assume it is legal in Canada. However, I think having it on one side like Audi does just looks silly. Looks like an electrical malfunction of some sort. If it were on both sides, it would be great. Although, I have been told by a driver behind me travelling in heavy fog that it is really quite effective. He pulled into a gas station behind me and wouldn't head out again unless I was ahead of him.

Ok good they are legal, but for goodness sake dont use them unless there is fog. I was behind this guy in an e46 at a signal and he had modded rear lights and his blinker blinded me, I couldnt look ahead, I had to put my hand in front of me. I was sincerely hoping a cop would pull him over and ticket him, I hope you dont incur such emotions.

NICE!! Appreciate the pics and link.

Silly question, but are rear fog lights even legal in most states or provinces? I have no clue, but it sure would suck to get pulled over and ticketed for that after you spent money/effort to do the mod.

I had a 2004 Volvo S40 and it had the rear fog light option. I think the left brake light was brighter at all times if on. When at work as a member of the Evil Empire, I could use the one brake light on as probable cause to pull your azz over. Only if it was 3:00 a.m leaving a dowtown bar.:nono

Ok good they are legal, but for goodness sake dont use them unless there is fog. I was behind this guy in an e46 at a signal and he had modded rear lights and his blinker blinded me, I couldnt look ahead, I had to put my hand in front of me. I was sincerely hoping a cop would pull him over and ticket him, I hope you dont incur such emotions.

+1. I totally agree and promise to do so.

You know you dont have to buy a whole new switch right? You can just use the OEM switch and put something in place of the missing piece. Theres a few DIY's about it on e90post. Why pay $50-60 when you can do it for free?

Your point is brought up in the thread I posted. I like having the look of the factory switch and plus I am all thumbs when it comes to fabricating parts.

My A4 has the right rear foglight so I assume it is legal in Canada. However, I think having it on one side like Audi does just looks silly. Looks like an electrical malfunction of some sort. If it were on both sides, it would be great. Although, I have been told by a driver behind me travelling in heavy fog that it is really quite effective. He pulled into a gas station behind me and wouldn't head out again unless I was ahead of him.

They do one rear light so it doesn't look like the breaks are on. Until I had an A4 I just assumed it was a short in cars I saw them with, lol. I always wondered why so many Audi's and Porsche's had shorted rear lights.

But it makes perfect sense why it's one...it's not "for looks" its for a purpose. In fog you don't want bright lights all the time.

Your point is brought up in the thread I posted. I like having the look of the factory switch and plus I am all thumbs when it comes to fabricating parts.

Fair enough.

They do one rear light so it doesn't look like the breaks are on. Until I had an A4 I just assumed it was a short in cars I saw them with, lol. I always wondered why so many Audi's and Porsche's had shorted rear lights.

I always thought the same until I bought my '02 C230 and then I was like....."Oh, now I get it".

I still don't understand why so many drive with the rear fog on during the daytime. It's possible that they don't know it's on though I guess. Most people never see the rear end of their car while driving so they'd never know.

They do one rear light so it doesn't look like the breaks are on. Until I had an A4 I just assumed it was a short in cars I saw them with, lol. I always wondered why so many Audi's and Porsche's had shorted rear lights.

But it makes perfect sense why it's one...it's not "for looks" its for a purpose. In fog you don't want bright lights all the time.
Yup and it is always the left side for countries that drive on the right side of the road so that way you can judge the edge of the car. I'd assume it is the other side in England and places where they drive the "wrong", err "other" way. ;)

I always thought the same until I bought my '02 C230 and then I was like....."Oh, now I get it".

I still don't understand why so many drive with the rear fog on during the daytime. It's possible that they don't know it's on though I guess. Most people never see the rear end of their car while driving so they'd never know.
yeah and they wonder why the guy behind them is blinking his high beam :rolleyes, he's telling them they are blinding him :help.

Any "daytime running light" has been proved to increase visibility.

Any "daytime running light" has been proved to increase visibility.
Not sure if this is intended to be a joke/jab, but nevertheless, DRLs don't improve visibility, they just make you more visible/noticeable to others in their rear view or side mirrors esp. in inclement weather. Some may hate them or argue their usefulness, but like reflectors, they are there for a reason.

No it was to the comment about why they might be on during the day.

My A4 has the right rear foglight so I assume it is legal in Canada. However, I think having it on one side like Audi does just looks silly. Looks like an electrical malfunction of some sort. If it were on both sides, it would be great. Although, I have been told by a driver behind me travelling in heavy fog that it is really quite effective. He pulled into a gas station behind me and wouldn't head out again unless I was ahead of him.

Yea, that is very bizzare on the older audi models. One side only. My B7 has two, one for each tail light, so they finally sorted it out!

Yea, that is very bizzare on the older audi models. One side only. My B7 has two, one for each tail light, so they finally sorted it out!
Not sure why the added the second, but European spec cars have had one rear foglight for as far back as I remember.

Not sure why the added the second, but European spec cars have had one rear foglight for as far back as I remember.

IMO because it looks more balanced, and does not compromise the functionality.

IMO because it looks more balanced, and does not compromise the functionality.

That would annoy me and be more confusing to following drivers b/c it would look like your brake lights are always on.

The Oldsmobile Aurora had something similar, although I don't think they are rear fog lights. On the rear bumper below the taillights there are two separate oval red lights that glow brightly like brake lights. Quite annoying and ugly IMO.

Installed switch yesterday and it was a snap to do, only took me about 18 minutes to complete. Probably could have done it quicker but I was being careful when removing the trim pieces, turns out they are not that hard to remove.

Read the entire directions via the link I posted earlier as the only possibility for a glitch is uncoupling the wiring plug from the switch, you need to press down on the ridged piece of the plug while trying to move the clip that holds the plug and switch together. the connector is an engineering marvel.

There is a picture of what I am talking about on this page (about half way down): http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26545&page=15

For those who are mechanically inclined and don't want to buy the switch: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51749

no programming required? I am surprised if so, they had to reprogram my car when they added the front foglights with switch (323 doesn't come with foglights from factory).

no programming required? I am surprised if so, they had to reprogram my car when they added the front foglights with switch (323 doesn't come with foglights from factory).
No programming required!!!

No programming required!!!

Yep, it's a plug and go. Only down side is that when in use the adpative brake lights don't work but that makes sense since they use the same bulbs.

Not sure why the added the second, but European spec cars have had one rear foglight for as far back as I remember.

I think, but may be wrong (ask my wife), that Germany is the only country that requires the single rear fog. Older Volvos that I have owned had dual rear fogs.

I think, but may be wrong (ask my wife), that Germany is the only country that requires the single rear fog. Older Volvos that I have owned had dual rear fogs.
Could be, I really only pay attention to German cars, maybe some Italians, the rest are just appliances on wheels to me. :D