How do I know which fog light bulb I need?

Check your owner's manual for the exact bulb number. Common fog light bulbs include H11, H8, H16, 880, 881, 9006, and 5202. You can also pull the old bulb out and read the number printed on the base. Or use our vehicle finder to look it up by year, make, and model.

Can I replace just one fog light or should I do both?

You can replace just one, but it's a good idea to do both at the same time. Fog light bulbs dim as they age, so the new one will be noticeably brighter than the old one. It's a minor cost difference and saves you from doing the job again in a few months when the other one dies.

Can I upgrade my fog lights to LED?

Yes, LED fog light bulbs are a popular upgrade. They're brighter, last longer, and draw less power. Just make sure you get the right bulb size for your vehicle. Some LED fog lights run hotter than expected and need bulbs with built-in fans or heat sinks. Also check your local laws since some states have restrictions on fog light color and brightness.

Do fog lights have separate fuses?

Yes. Fog lights usually have their own fuse in the fuse box under the hood or under the dashboard. If both fog lights go out at the same time, check the fuse before buying new bulbs. A blown fuse is free to diagnose and costs about a dollar to fix.

Why do my fog lights keep burning out?

Frequent burnouts usually point to a bad ground connection, a loose socket, or moisture getting into the housing. Water inside the fog light housing is especially common since they sit low and take a beating from road spray. Check the housing seal and socket contacts before installing a new bulb.

How to Replace a Fog Light Bulb (Step by Step)

Fog light burned out? This is a 15 to 30 minute job on most vehicles. You just need the right bulb and maybe a screwdriver. Here's how to do it.

What You'll Need

New fog light bulb (matched to your exact year, make, and model)
Phillips head screwdriver (if your vehicle has an access panel)
8mm or 10mm socket (for vehicles where the fog light housing unbolts)
Flathead screwdriver or trim removal tool (for push-pin clips)
Clean cloth or gloves (to avoid touching halogen glass)
15 to 30 minutes of your time

Step by Step Instructions

Figure Out How to Access the Fog Light

Fog lights sit low in the front bumper, so access varies a lot by vehicle. Some cars have a small access panel behind the bumper fascia that pops off. Others require you to reach up from underneath. A few make you pull back the wheel well liner. Check your owner's manual or crouch down and look behind the bumper to see what you're dealing with.

Get to the Fog Light Bulb

If your vehicle has under-bumper access, you may be able to reach straight up behind the fog light. For wheel well access, turn the steering wheel to the opposite side to create more room. Remove any push-pin clips holding the liner back. If there's an access panel, pop it off with a flathead screwdriver or trim tool. On a few vehicles, the fog light housing unbolts with two small bolts (usually 8mm or 10mm).

Disconnect the Wiring Harness

You'll see an electrical connector plugged into the back of the fog light bulb. Press the release tab and pull the connector straight back. Don't yank on the wires themselves. If the connector is stuck, wiggle it gently while pressing the tab. Corrosion can make these tight, especially on older vehicles.

Remove the Old Bulb

Most fog light bulbs twist out with a quarter turn counterclockwise. Some use a wire retaining clip instead. Push the clip to one side and swing it away from the bulb, then pull the bulb straight out. Note which way the bulb tabs are oriented so you can line up the new one correctly.

Install the New Bulb

Line up the tabs and insert the new bulb into the housing. Twist clockwise to lock it in place. If your vehicle uses a wire clip, swing it back over the bulb base and snap it into position. Important: if you're installing a halogen bulb, don't touch the glass with bare fingers. Use a clean cloth or gloves. Fingerprint oils create hot spots that burn the bulb out early.

Reconnect and Test

Plug the wiring harness back into the bulb until it clicks. Turn on the fog lights to make sure the new bulb works. Check both sides while you're at it. If the new bulb doesn't light up, double check that the connector is fully seated. Once it's working, reinstall any clips, panels, or liner pieces you removed.

Tips and Common Gotchas

Check for moisture first. Fog lights sit right behind the bumper and take constant road spray. If you see water inside the housing, dry it out and check the seal before installing a new bulb. Moisture will kill the replacement just as fast.
Match the bulb number exactly. Fog light bulbs come in dozens of sizes. H11, H8, and H16 all look similar but have slightly different bases. The wrong one either won't fit or won't seat properly. Check the number on the old bulb or look it up for your vehicle.
LED upgrades are popular but check the fit. LED fog light bulbs are larger than halogens because of the heat sink on the back. Make sure there's enough room behind the fog light housing for the new bulb to fit without pressing against anything.
If both fog lights are out, check the fuse first. Two dead fog lights at the same time almost always means a blown fuse, not two burned out bulbs. The fog light fuse is in the under-hood fuse box on most vehicles. Check it before buying new bulbs.

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