Does anyone know when the rear fog lights on the wagon comes on? Theoretically it should come up with the front fog lights, but mine is not working. I just happened to read the owner's manual when I was replacing a bulb to realize there is a fog light back there. I don't ever remember seeing it work. The bulb is working, I swapped it out with another socket. Thanks.

What year, make, model? On my '87 you pull out the light switch to turn on the front fogs, and pull it out a second time to turn on the rear (which were installed but not connected in '87). On the older E an orange indicator in the center of the switch would come on to show the rear fog was lit - they turn on seperately from the front. Is there an owners manual for yours car available? some of the MB controls are a little esoteric in operation, and a manual helps. Regards

My '88 TE has no wiring going to the rear fog light position. Apparently not installed for US use. However, my '92s have the rear fog lamp...curious.

You can operate your rear fog light exactly like JCE said. If your car is a 124 and the fog light was mentioned in your manual then it is quite likely that you have it.

My old 1981 300SD had the second detent on the light switch for the rear fog, but it did not have the light. The 1983 280SEL has the rear fog light, but it is a European edition and the rear fog light is required by law in Germany. My 1991 300D has the rear fog. Perhaps Mercedes eventually got lazy and just decided to include the light on every car, including those intended for the US.

I have a 1991 300TE 4matic with the rear fog light. The yellow pilot light in the switch indicates when the rear fog is on. My 1980 300D has the same switch but with a solid plastic insert in the middle of the switch. It doesn't have a rear fog. I'm not sure wihich MBs have the rear fog and which do not, but I'm fairly sure the pilot light works if you have the fog light.

The next porion of this thread is usually about why some European marques use one rear fog and others use both sides. I recall the Germans use only one and the Swedes use both, and I have a Volvo 760 Turbo wagon that has two rear fogs.

Mine is a 91 4Matic too, but the light switch has an insert in the middle and does not light up. (Mid-year change?) I did find out how to turn it on, by pulling it to its second extended position. 10 years and that light has never been used. Thanks for everyone's help.

Strange about how I'm reading about fog lights now.

I was in Singapore over the weekend and happened to chance upon my brother's (and subsequenly mine too) fog lights switch. I wondered how come the orange dot on the light switch suddenly lighted up!

(For yonks I thought it funny that the light switch would come with some orange plastic dot stuck on it).

Anyway, the fog light worked well - and we think this is the first time it has ever been used.

Now - our question - why does only 1 side i.e. the right side, light up?

ymsin,
that is the convention in Germany - to place the foglamp on the side you overtake on. In your case (Singapore's case), since people drive on the left side of the road, the foglamp is on the right.

another reason why the foglamp is only on one side is so that it will not be confused with a brake light.

Interesting thread. I drive with the front fogs and rear fog on as my daytime driving lights. That happened because I was experimenting with my '94 E320 Wagon and noticed that evertime I shut them off I almost got slammed by another car, so I leave them on. I wish the wiring was reverse - the rear fog comes on before the fronts - too many high speed tailgaters in Connecticut. I carry my two little kids and dog in the car all the time. Changing the wiring would be handy because the front fogs are too bright for routine night time use.

DTF, same observation on my end. I just moved to Connecticut. Realizing the danger of the wagon taillights seem inadequate for others to see me. (Especially when I have small children in the third seat) I went looking for the rear foglight that I have never used. I liked the Volvo set up better with the two rear foglights, but yes, people think you're driving with your foot on the brake. Nevertheless, at least I have a rear foglight. Not a day goes by that these little touches make me satisfied that I own a Mercedes.