REAR FOG LIGHT INQUIRY

[John Betsch - "SADIE"]

I am trying to gather information about rear fog lights.

My car is a Germany delivered car.  When I purchased it, it came with the rear fog light.  I am interested to determine if this is a “Germany or TUV required” option, a common selected option, an option primarily only in Europe, and also maybe the popularity of its existence on member’s cars. 

I have seen past postings noting this might be option 462.  As this isn’t noted on my data card, I assume it could have been a dealer installed option.  Interestingly I have also been told this is an "Autobahn Light” which I am not sure if this is simply a nickname for the light.  I also assume there might be many manufacturer options?

 Any input would be appreciated

jb

[WRe]

Hi,
my 280SL (1/71) came with option code 462 ("Nebelschlussleuchte" in German). Some years ago I organized a contemporary rear fog light (Hella) and installed it because there was a hole in the rear bumber, wiring and a switch installed.
See https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=34957.msg255797#msg255797 .
Afaik there was original installed a Hella rear fog light, part no. A0008207256. See eg. here https://www.hofmei.de/e/product/2NE-003-030-151?q=A0008207256&id=50521529 .

The rear fog light is mandatory in Germany on modern cars built after 1991.
The rear fog light is a red additional light that is attached to the rear part of the car. It should always be switched on (yellow indicator light) when particularly dense fog reduces visibility to less than 50 meters.
It used to not be allowed to be used within towns, but not anymore.
I've never heard the term "Autobahn Light".

...WRe

[Pawel66]

Sadie, my car, German order, Germany delivery, left factory March 17, 1970, ordered in 1969 - has option code 462 on the datacard, She had the switch and holes in the bumper in the proper places.

Perhaps they are called "Autobahn lights" because, actually, they are used rather rarely because of the fog as such, and much more often during a regular daylight driving on freeway during the rain (in some countries in Europe it is compulsory).

I did a brief search on regulatory topics, but to find German regulations from the 60ies would require more time. I think this light became compulsory in the EU in 1990 (so was e.g. in Poland, outside EU at that time). But it is not confirmed. Compulsory regulation about the rear fog light in 1979 in Germany feels a bit early...

[MikeSimon]

My car is an original German spec car also, November 1970 built. It has option code 462 for the rear fog light. The car also has the flat lens halogen front lights with integrated fog lights. I know for a fact that these lights were not a legal requirement in 1970/71. We all installed fog lights, front and rear, on our cars, because they looked "cool" and were a sensible addition.

[John Betsch - "SADIE"]

Continuing with this thread-

Interesting that the replies received which indicate their fog light IS noted on their data card are both 280's  Should this imply that for 280's it was a possible factory option?  Mine is  '65 230 and it is NOT noted on my data card which could mean either it wasn't offered as a factory option, or that mine was simply an after-delivery added (either by dealer or owner) option

and

From the replies it also seems to indicate that there might not be as many out there as I would have anticipated, which is surprising.    Is it possible that the fog light was only for "Germany" cars?

JB

[dpreston Virginia]

My 69 280SE 111 came with a rear fog light.

[DavidAPease]

John and Pawel,

Do you both have cars named Sadie?

           -David

[rwmastel]

What was the original delivery country for the W111?

[John Betsch - "SADIE"]

I didn't pick that up!
My "Sadie" was named by my wife as she says she is the other woman in my life, and it stuck

JB

[BobH]

Continuing with this thread-

Interesting that the replies received which indicate their fog light IS noted on their data card are both 280's  Should this imply that for 280's it was a possible factory option?  Mine is  '65 230 and it is NOT noted on my data card which could mean either it wasn't offered as a factory option, or that mine was simply an after-delivery added (either by dealer or owner) option

and

From the replies it also seems to indicate that there might not be as many out there as I would have anticipated, which is surprising.    Is it possible that the fog light was only for "Germany" cars?

JB

There's a note in the tech manual, as Mike says, option 462 was available in 68, not specifically for German cars, started to become a European requirement

https://www.sl113.org/wiki/Electrical/Foglights

[Pawel66]

John and Pawel,

Do you both have cars named Sadie?

           -David

Can seriously consider.

I thought it was your nick.

[Pawel66]

There's a note in the tech manual, as Mike says, option 462 was available in 68, not specifically for German cars, started to become a European requirement

https://www.sl113.org/wiki/Electrical/Foglights

Looks like it was also available in 1969 when my car was ordered, if it is on the datacard...

[BobH]

I should have said from 68

[Pawel66]

I see, thank you.

[zoegrlh]

I also have a 280, with birth date 2/70, German specs and with data card option  462.  Rear light and switch intact. I lived in Germany during mid 80s, seems to me I asked that question back then to a German friend and he said that the TUV required them. I think the nickname Autobahn light was because they were used a lot on the German. I had a 107 body 280SL 1984, that had the rear light and I was using it all the time during the winter driving the autobahn.