11 Astra J Fog Lights Turns Off Full Beam

[AndrewJG]

It's a bit of a stupid design. But generally not all that significant.
But today it was verging on dangerous.
In my Astra J, I cannot have my full beams on with either the front, or even just rear fog lights at the same time.
If i have my high beams on, then turn on front or rear fog lights, the full beams go off. And if I have my fog lights on, I can't turn on my full beams until I turn off the fog lights.
This morning it was a total monsoon of a torrential downpour, in the dark. So full beams were suitable for front visibility. But a vehicle approaching from behind would have a difficult time seeing me with all the spray. So I really wanted my rear fog light on. But I couldn't! Very annoying!

I need to know?

Is there any way of modifying something to allow me to have my full beams AND fog lights at the same time?

Thanks.

[AndrewJG]

Occasions when I would like both would be very rare of course.
The situation I was in was an A road at night. Absolutely pissin down. The worst rain I've ever been in to be honest. That turbo speed you get with your wipers when you click the stalk all the way up - That was only just cutting it!
So no problem with front visibility for me. High beams are on when nothing coming other way.
But the spray was so bad I couldn't see cars in the mirrors when they passed me. So I can only assume others would see me the same. Or not see me as the case would be. Hence I would like the rear fog light on.
Just to clarify. If it were actually foggy. I don't use the high beams.
And I wouldn't have any need for the front fog lights with high beams. Just the rear would be nice to work alongside.
It's maybe some kind of overload issue with the car? Maybe having so many lights on uses too much power? I don't know.

[AndrewJG]

Vauxhall have suggested I write a letter to headquarters with my request.
I'll take that as a "No" from them.
I think it is a major job anyway. Not worth it.
Probably involve a custom made, or at least modified circuit board.
Or rewiring to bypass whatever it is that prevents both.
I'll just strap a bike light to the back of the head rest.
(Joking)

[AndrewJG]

smileymikey said:

If you have a motorcycle between you and the numpty with his fogs on in heavy rain. Guess what happens when you don't register the bikers brake lights have come on as quickly as you normally would. The idiot with the fog lights will of course be nowhere to be seen, while your explain to a couple of burly traffic cops why you have just driven over someone.

Obviously common sense and good judgement play a part in using fog lights when it's not actually fog.
Personally I only have my rear fog lights on in the rain when nobody is being me. When / if someone does catch up with me. I turn them off. Because at that point my presence is made known. No point in impairing their vision.

[AndrewJG]

AW10 said:

Am I the only one who struggles to understand how using main beams in heavy rain actually helps your visibility? I would have thought there's so much glare from the rain reflecting light back at you that you will actually see less of what you're approaching. Things might appear brighter but your real range is reduced. That's what dipped beams and front fogs are for - to prevent that glare that just blinds you.

Rain, no matter how heavy. Is refractive. Not reflective. So it won't glare back at you like fog would. The only thing that can affect your visibility is the speed of your windscreen wipers.