Best Fog Light Color: Why Yellow?

Introduction

We all know that fog lights are lights specially designed for auxiliary lighting in adverse weather conditions or low visibility. However, when it comes to choosing the color of fog lights, many people find themselves torn between white and yellow. In this article, we will explore the three types of yellow fog lights and their advantages for illuminating in adverse weather conditions. We will also compare the pros and cons of yellow and white fog lights, as well as provide tips for selecting the best fog lights. By reading this article, you will gain a better understanding of yellow fog lights and be able to  make an informed decision on the fog light that best suits your needs. Let's delve into the world of yellow fog lights together.

What Are Yellow Fog Lights？

Yellow fog lights generally have a color temperature specification of around 3000K. The selective yellow or amber light can effectively penetrate rainy or foggy weather and reduce the glare caused by fog reflecting the headlights to the driver. Therefore, it is very suitable for cars to turn on assisted driving in bad weather conditions and low visibility. Currently, there are three primary types available.

• Yellow Halogen Fog Lights: Halogen fog lights are traditional fog lights that use halogen bulbs to produce a yellowish beam. They are less efficient than LED lights but can still be effective in improving visibility in foggy conditions.

• Yellow HID Fog Lights: HIDs produce warm yellow light by adding a special coating to the glass housing that filters out most of the blue and white light produced by the arc. Yellow HID fog lights last longer than halogen lights, but are more expensive to purchase and install than halogen fog lights.
• Yellow LED Fog Lights: As bulbs with high brightness, long life and light distance, LED fog lights produce yellow light by using a phosphor coating on the LED chip. Thus LED bulbs can change the color depth of LED yellow light by controlling the amount of yellow pigment applied to the chip.

The above three types of yellow fog lights have their own advantages and disadvantages, but in general, I recommend yellow LED fog lights, which have a wide range of color options and are cost-effective.

(Also, if you want to know more about the relevant specifications and correct usage of fog lights, please read this article - WHAT ARE THE FOG LIGHTS AND WHEN TO USE THEM?)

Yellow VS. White Fog Lights

Now that we have a basic understanding of yellow fog lights, let's discuss the question that you may be most interested in: which is superior, white fog lights or yellow fog lights? Below, we provide an analysis of the pros and cons of each option for your consideration.

In general, white fog lights offer the benefit of enhanced visibility and a more aesthetically pleasing appearance for your car. Yellow fog lights are particularly advantageous in challenging weather conditions, providing strong penetration without causing glare. Therefore, the choice between the two options depends on various factors.

If you rarely drive in heavy fog, rain, or snow, white fog lights may be more suitable for your needs. However, if you frequently encounter poor weather conditions with low visibility and heavy fog, yellow fog lights would be a better choice. Besides, to provide you with a better understanding of the advantages of yellow fog lights in severe weather, let's explore their specific benefits below.

ADVANTAGES OF USING YELLOW FOG LIGHTS IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS

When the weather takes a turn for the worse, yellow fog lights rise above other colors due to their exceptional advantages:

• High Visibility

Yellow fog lights with a lower color temperature around 3000K minimize the refractive index of light, enhancing visibility on the ground. They perform exceptionally well in severe weather like smog, snow, and heavy fog.

(If you want to learn more about the color temperature of bulbs, please read-CAR LIGHT BULB COLOR TEMPERATURE-- COMFORT AND SAFETY)

• Reduced Glare

Yellow fog lights have a longer wavelength. Different colors of lights have different wavelengths, with red having the longest wavelength. In the white to yellow spectral range, yellow is the closest to red. Compared with the white series of legal fog lights, the wavelength of yellow series fog lights is longer, which can better reduce the light that bounces back to you from shining the light on the ground in bad weather conditions.

• Improved Focus

The human eye reacts and feels differently to different colors of light. The general color temperature of the lower light can promote human brain relaxation and the human eye is more tolerant of yellow light. Yellow fog light as a warm color light, low color temperature allows our eyes and brain to be quickly and easily processed, and can continue to focus on the road ahead for a long time. Therefore, in addition to reducing human eye fatigue, yellow fog lights also help to improve visibility and the driver's reaction time in severe weather conditions.

• Easy Differentiation

Generally speaking, according to the brightness requirements and the usage characteristics of headlights, the color of car headlights is usually bright white, except for the original halogen lamps which produce yellow light. This can be distinguished from the color of yellow fog lights. During the use of yellow fog lights, you can signal to other drivers that you are on the low beam, so that other drivers can quickly pick up your intentions without confusing the low beam with the fog lights.

In general, the wavelength of yellow fog lights is longer than that of white fog lights, and the human eye is more receptive to yellow lights, which can maintain high visibility in bad weather conditions. Therefore, yellow fog lamps can still maintain the first preferred position after white fog lamps have been popular for so many years.

Well, after understanding the benefits of yellow fog lights, you might be interested in knowing how to select a high-quality yellow fog light or a white fog light. To assist you in making the best choice, we have compiled a list of factors to consider and provided references to product introductions.

HOW TO SELECT THE BEST FOG LIGHTS?

To ensure you make an informed decision, it is important to consider the following factors when selecting fog lights:

• Color Temperature: For optimal visibility in foggy or hazy conditions, we recommend choosing yellow fog lights with a color temperature of approximately 3000K. Alternatively, white fog lights with a color temperature ranging from 6000K to 6500K can also be effective.
• Brightness: Make sure the fog lights are bright enough to increase visibility on the ground without dazzling other drivers on the road. Therefore, you need to check the lumen output of the light before purchasing fog lights.
• Beam pattern: Consider the beam pattern of the fog light. A wider, more diffuse beam will help illuminate a larger area, while a narrower, more focused beam will help you see farther down the road. Fog lights generally require a wide, low-beam pattern that slopes down in order to improve visibility on the ground without reflecting light back into the driver's eyes.
• Durability: Look for a fog light that is durable and can withstand harsh weather conditions. It should also be easy to install and maintain.
• Brand reputation: Try to choose a brand with a good reputation and good customer reviews. This can help you to get a high quality product.

By considering these factors, you can choose the best fog lights that will improve your visibility and keep you safe on the road.

In addition, we also provide you with a product introduction of the AUXITO M4 and I9 series LED fog light bulbs for your reference.

Top Yellow Fog Lights Recommendations from AUXITO

M4 Series LED Fog Lights

Feature:

• Extremely thin chip pitch of 0.08, 360° illumination effect, flawless beam pattern, absence of black spots or shadows.
• Simple installation, compact design, ideal fit for lampshade, non-polarized socket, effortless plug and play.

I9 Series LED Fog Lights

Feature:

• The product features a 1:1 halogen beam design and an ultra-thin chip copper plate measuring 0.079, which guarantees an ideal beam pattern and 360° illumination.
• The advanced LED technology reduces power usage by 40% to 80% and provides improved protection for automotive circuits.
• The aviation aluminum body is equipped with a distinctive hollow heat sink design, ensuring efficient heat dissipation.

CONCLUSION

Anyway, compared to fog lights of different colors, yellow fog lights offer improved visibility in adverse weather conditions and minimize glare, making them highly beneficial for drivers. Nevertheless, it is essential to acknowledge that even with yellow fog lights, driving in foggy conditions may still pose risks. Therefore, it is crucial to utilize suitable lighting that matches the specific driving conditions you encounter.

FAQ

Q: How to turn fog lights yellow?

A: There are two general methods, one is to replace the yellow bulb that most people choose. Another option is to add a yellow light cover without replacing the bulb, but this will fade over time. But if you replace the yellow LED fog light bulb, you can flexibly adjust the field of use, and coupled with the long life, the long-term benefits of replacing the yellow LED fog light bulb is also a good choice.Q: As for yellow fog light, what is the difference between amber and selective yellow?

A: Amber and selective yellow are both shades of yellow commonly used in automotive lighting, but they have different characteristics. Amber is a warm yellow color that has a slight orange tint. It is often used in turn signals, parking lights, and some fog lights. Selective yellow, on the other hand, is a deeper, richer shade of yellow that has less orange in it. It is sometimes called "French yellow" because it was originally used on French headlights. In a word, both of them can be used in fog lights and can be collectively referred to as yellow fog lights.Q: Are yellow fog lights legal?

A: Yellow fog lights are legal in many areas of the United States, but some state laws vary and regulations may change depending on local conditions. Therefore, before installing fog lights, you should consult your local traffic department for the color choice.Q: Are yellow fog lights necessary?

A: NO. The law in the Americas does not explicitly state that only yellow can be used as a fog light color. I believe that by reading the above, you should know the benefits of yellow fog lights. It can only be said that compared with white fog lights, yellow fog lights are more suitable for driving in bad weather conditions. White fog lights also have their own unique advantages, which can improve the overall aesthetics of the car and are brighter than yellow fog lights. Of course, the choice of yellow or white fog lights mainly depends on your personal preferences and needs.