How to Turn On Fog Lights (and What the Fog Light Symbol Means)

Short answer: To turn on fog lights, switch on your low-beam headlights first, then press the fog light button or turn the collar on the light stalk to the fog symbol. A dashboard indicator usually confirms they are on. Controls differ by car, so check the owner’s manual for yours.

Key takeaways

• Most cars need the low beams on before the fog lights will switch on.
• The control is a dash button, a collar on the light stalk, or a ring on the headlight switch.
• The fog light symbol is a lamp icon with a wavy line cutting through its beams.
• If the fog lights will not turn on, check the headlights, fuse, relay, bulbs and the switch, in that order.

How do you turn on fog lights?

You turn on fog lights in three steps on most cars: headlights on, find the fog control, then confirm the dashboard indicator.

1. Turn on the low beams. Many vehicles only allow the fog lamps to work once the dipped headlights are on.
2. Find the fog light control. Look for the fog symbol on a dash button, on a collar around the light stalk, or on a ring around the headlight switch.
3. Press or rotate it. A button usually clicks once for on and once for off. A collar or ring is usually turned to the fog position and released.
4. Check the indicator. A fog light symbol lights up on the instrument cluster when the lamps are on.

Some cars have separate front and rear fog light controls. If your car has both, one press or one turn position may switch on the front lamps, and a second may add the rear lamp.

What does the fog light symbol look like?

The fog light symbol is a lamp shape with straight beam lines and a wavy line crossing through them. The wavy line stands for fog.

There are usually two versions:

• Front fog lights: the beam lines point down and to the side, like a headlamp, with the wavy line through them.
• Rear fog light: the beam lines point in the opposite direction, because the lamp faces backward.

Designs vary between manufacturers and markets, so the owner’s manual shows the exact icons for your car.

Where is the fog light switch on different cars?

The fog light switch is usually on the dashboard, on the headlight stalk, or on the headlight switch. The right place depends on the make and model.

Control type	Where it sits	How it works
Dash button	Beside the headlight switch or on the center console	Press to switch on, press again to switch off
Stalk collar	Around the light stalk on the steering column	Rotate to the fog symbol, release to return to the center position
Headlight switch ring	Around the main headlight dial	Pull or turn the outer ring to the fog position
Two-step control	Collar or button with two positions	First step for front lamps, second step adds the rear lamp

When should you use fog lights?

Use fog lights only when visibility is reduced, such as in fog, heavy rain, snow or dust. Switch them off as soon as visibility improves.

• Use them in low visibility: dense fog, heavy snowfall or blowing dust.
• Do not use them in clear conditions: fog lamps can dazzle other drivers, especially the rear lamp.
• Follow local rules: laws on fog lamp use differ by country and by state, so check your local driving regulations.

Fog lights supplement the low beams. They do not replace them.

Why will my fog lights not turn on?

Fog lights usually will not turn on because the headlights are off, a fuse or relay has failed, or a bulb is dead. Work through the checks in order.

1. Headlights: confirm the low beams are on.
2. Dashboard indicator: if it lights but the lamps stay dark, suspect the bulbs or wiring.
3. Fuse and relay: check the fog light fuse and relay in the fuse box.
4. Bulbs: replace a burned-out bulb with the correct socket type.
5. Switch: if nothing happens at all, the switch may be faulty.

After a bulb upgrade, check the bulb type and the car’s electronics. An LED bulb that does not match the socket, or that triggers a bulb-out warning, can look like a switch fault. High beam vs low beam explains how headlight circuits relate when you are tracing a fault.

What should distributors stock?

Distributors should stock the common fog bulb sockets and a Canbus option, because most fog light returns come from fit and warning-light problems rather than the switch.

• Sockets: H8, H11, 9005 and 9006 cover many fog lamp positions. Check the 9005 vs 9006 and H11 fit with H8 and H9 guides.
• Canbus versions: offer a Canbus-ready option for cars that show a bulb-out warning.
• Colors: include white and yellow, and confirm local rules on lamp color.
• Customer questions: prepare a short note on turning fog lights on, since buyers often ask after installing new bulbs.

How TUHO supplies this category

TUHO is an LED automotive lighting manufacturer in Dongguan, China, and its LED fog lights range covers bulbs and 3-inch projector fog lights.

• H8 / H11 Canbus LED Fog Light Bulbs, CSP Chip, Multicolor: listed as Canbus-ready with a CSP chip.
• 9005 / H11 / H9 LED Fog Light Bulbs, 5W, 500LM, 6000K Yellow: listed at 500LM and 5W.
• G11 3-Inch Bi-LED Fog Lights: listed for H8 / H11 / H4.

Product pages list custom logo, color box and outer carton support, and delivery usually arranged within 1-10 working days, depending on quantity. TUHO’s quality control process includes waterproof testing and burn-in. Required documents are confirmed per model and per order.

Sourcing fog light bulbs for your range? TUHO supports OEM/ODM projects, custom logo and packaging, and mixed-SKU orders. See the OEM/ODM page or request a quote.

FAQ

How do you turn on fog lights in a car?

You turn on fog lights by switching on the low beams, then pressing the fog light button or turning the stalk collar to the fog symbol. A dashboard indicator confirms they are on.

Do fog lights work without headlights?

On most cars, fog lights do not work without the headlights because the low beams must be on first. Some cars allow front fog lights with parking lights only, so check the owner’s manual.

What does the fog light button look like?

The fog light button shows a lamp icon with a wavy line through its beams. It sits on the dashboard or center console, and the rear fog symbol faces the opposite direction.

How do you turn off fog lights?

You turn off fog lights by pressing the fog button again or rotating the collar back to the off position. They also switch off when the headlights are turned off on many cars.

Bottom line: Turn on the low beams, use the fog light button or collar, and check the dashboard indicator. Use fog lights only in poor visibility, and trace faults from the headlights to the fuse, bulbs and switch.

Editorial note: Written in November 2026 from general vehicle-control practice. Control layouts and symbols differ by make, model and market, so the vehicle owner’s manual is the authority. No external legal source is cited, so check local rules on fog lamp use. TUHO product details are as listed on the product pages.