EX35 fog light indicator always on

[mec]

Just got an 2012 EX35 (Canada). It drives nicely but it seems the fog light indicator is always on when driving (as soon as D or R is selected). It is only off, when the low beam lights are on. The switch for the fog light is turned to off, but the normal light switch is usually at "Auto".
Is this normal since the fog lights are also used as daytime running lights? Just wondering since I haven't seen this in another car so far that there is an indicator for the daytime running lights.

 

[Julian Antorelli]

Just got an 2012 EX35 (Canada). It drives nicely but it seems the fog light indicator is always on when driving (as soon as D or R is selected). It is only off, when the low beam lights are on. The switch for the fog light is turned to off, but the normal light switch is usually at "Auto".
Is this normal since the fog lights are also used as daytime running lights? Just wondering since I haven't seen this in another car so far that there is an indicator for the daytime running lights.

What you're describing is completely normal for your 2012 Infiniti EX35. The fog light indicator on the dashboard is designed to be on whenever the fog lights themselves are active, regardless of whether they are being used as daytime running lights (DRLs) or manually turned on.

Here's why this is happening:

- The DRL System: In the 2012 EX35 (and many other Infiniti and Nissan vehicles from that generation), the fog lights serve a dual purpose. They are both fog lights and DRLs. When the vehicle is running and the gear selector is in "Drive" or "Reverse," the system automatically powers on the fog lights to serve as DRLs.

- The Indicator's Logic: The car's computer simply has one rule for the fog light indicator: if power is being sent to the fog lights, the light on the dashboard should be illuminated. It doesn't differentiate between the "auto" function and the manual switch.

It's a common point of confusion for owners because most other vehicles do not have an indicator for their DRLs. The fact that your fog light indicator goes off when your low-beam headlights are on is also normal. The system is designed to turn off the DRLs (fog lights) when the main headlights are activated. So, to summarize: yes, this is normal. Your vehicle's electrical system and lighting are functioning as designed.

 

[mec]

Thanks Julian! That's comforting to know all is normal