Is there a way of running the driving lights/fog lights without having the headlights on?

 

Yes, you can run fogs independant from your other lights. What you will have to do is just wire them up as usual, but instead of splicing the wires with the head light turn on lead - just another 12v souce.

because I already had a remote turn on lead for my amp (and that is always on when my car is on), I used that wire. This way whenever my head unit is powered up, I am able to use the fogs - and the relay that was supplied controls wether or not I want them on.

I have PIAA solitares (the small ones) and it was an easy install. Another option would be to just wire the turn on lead to the battery, but you may need a second relay switch then to avoid current drain when the car is not running.

Hope this helps

 

Be aware that in many states it is illegal to do so. Colorado requires that fog lights must be run with low-beam headlights and driving lights can only be run with high-beam headlights.

 

Yeah, I live in VA and it is a ticket waiting to happen! Thanks for the heads up, but I see a lot of SUV configured like that.

 

rl4u2004,
where in VA are you located? Are you talking about auxiliary offroad lights or stock lights in the front bumper?

 

I know how to do this with aftermarket lamps but how do I do it with OE fog lamps (the ones that are recessed in the facia

 

I am in the Norfolk Area, I was talking about the stock lights in the bumper. I have an 04 4Runner and the clear fog lights and signals are one piece I believe.

 

my old saab 9000 CSE would let you turn the fogs on independent of the headlights....

 

Not sure of the "legalities" of running fog lights all the time, "check your local laws and regulations", but on my 98 4runner, I moved the relay lead from the headlights to the power side of the dash light dimmer. Now the fogs come on with the running lights(parking lights).

I am in NJ, and have run two vehicles this way so far and gone through inspection w/o a problem (yet, we are New Jersey here....)

 

Does anyone know the logic behind using fogs by themselves is illegal in some states? I dont see how they would be any different than daytime running lights. I have my fogs wired so I can turn them on independanty as long as the ignition is turned on. That prevents them from being accidently left switched on.

 

Has to do with blinding oncoming drivers for no good reason. Not everyone is savvy enough to buy good brand-name lights that have a nice tight beam, and not everyone is smart enough to adjust them properly. In fact, the vast majority of aux lights including factory ones are misadjusted - you've probably noticed this yourself... So they pass laws. The right law would be to enforce proper adjustment, not when they can actually be turned on...