LED Interior lights upgrade - do it

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,539
I’m with you Catman. Have only used good quality (night breaker) bulbs.
Having said that - I’d like to see theMOT guy that will bother to check - it’s a right pain to change the bulbs (even just replacing an original with like for like), as anyone who has tried will attest!!

My (upgraded) HID's never failed the MOT due to beam pattern or alignment, but we removed them (from the Alfas) when it became an MOT fail, obviously. Never felt the need to upgrade HIDs on any car that had them factory fit (both my Masers and the Jaaaaaag).

Although the Jaaaaaag has a warning light for everything, you only know that a main beam is out when you can't bloody see!

C
 

spkennyuk

Member
Messages
5,930
Sidelights, in the headlights, tail lights, numberplate lights

I thought LED lights unless standard factory fitted were an MOT failure / not road legal. They all seem to have a disclaimer on the websites.

Only decent options for standard bulbs is either osram nightbreaker laser at 150% or Philips racing GT200 at 200% brightness against a standard bulb. They are the claimed figures. Reality is a lot lower on testing but still much highet than standard.
 

TimR

Member
Messages
2,654
Have to say; having bought 4 pairs of so-called CanBus error free bulbs, 6 of them throw the dash warning...
Not recommending these myself.....
 

Sablewolf

Member
Messages
103
Have to say; having bought 4 pairs of so-called CanBus error free bulbs, 6 of them throw the dash warning...
Not recommending these myself.....
I haven’t that issue - I did when I tried some that didn’t include the CANBUS claim.
I can only say that the ones I listed & provided links to all work without displaying the dash warning in my 2003 4200cc. Hope that helps.
 

FIFTY

Member
Messages
3,100
Couple of things to take note from the previous discussion

Increased performance halogens such as Osram Nightbreakers burn out quicker than standard bulbs. This happens because the filament is essentially driven harder vs a standard lamp/bulb

This is more my opinion... LED indicators are not fit for purpose. I wear polarised sunglasses while driving during sunny conditions to cut glare and reduce fatigue. I find that the polarising tint reduces the glare from yellow LED indicator lamps to the point that I can only see a tiny white dot switching on/off which makes it very easy to accidentally pull out of people on busy roundabouts etc.
 

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,539
Increased performance halogens such as Osram Nightbreakers burn out quicker than standard bulbs. This happens because the filament is essentially driven harder vs a standard lamp/bulb

This makes sense and matches my experience.

This is more my opinion... LED indicators are not fit for purpose. I wear polarised sunglasses while driving during sunny conditions to cut glare and reduce fatigue. I find that the polarising tint reduces the glare from yellow LED indicator lamps to the point that I can only see a tiny white dot switching on/off which makes it very easy to accidentally pull out of people on busy roundabouts etc.

Have to say, this doesn't. I have polarised glasses as well and never noticed. Lots of people keep beeping me though ;)

C
 

FIFTY

Member
Messages
3,100
@CatmanV2 one is fact and the other is opinion

Could be to do with the amount of tint plus polarisation on the lens

I find KIA/Hyundai and Peaugeot indicators to be the worst offenders and they are factory units
 

mjheathcote

Centenary Club
Messages
9,033
I replaced the interior lights of my Pinin with LED's, certainly a worthwhile improvement however one of them is starting to flicker after a year, so you get what you pay for.
Decided to upgrade the driving lights so bought some quality osram LED sidelight bulbs, much better, however decided to remain legal on the H4's especially being reflector headlights. Bought some Philips + whatever, slight improvement not massive.
Shame about the legal aspect as both Osram and Philips make quality and beam accurate LED replacements now, but the cheap **** available has ruined it.
 

TimR

Member
Messages
2,654
Are sidelights driving lights..? Aren't they really parking lights - hence the name...?

Brighter might be safer. But it isnt a given. Reflector lenses are used because it enhances the lower lumen output from halogen bulbs. A huge hike in lumen output using an LED, further placed in a reflector lens, serves to blind other people. And this is why we have rules presumably. ( about blinding people - not the telling yourself lies to justify the expense. You guys probably have wives for that !) The law isnt withput it's shortcomings, IMO. I believe you can probably fit LEDs into projector type units and improve visibility without adversely affecting other road users. Win, win. ( except the law hasnt caught up yet , apparently )
Alot of biker friends of mine like to modify their rides. Its more common than the car scene from my experience. Get hit on a motorcycle and it hurts; possibly for the rest of your life if you're unlucky. These people often repeat the same contradictions. They put tiny blinkers on that they think look cool. Or they use integrated light/blinker units. And then they fit smoked lenses...You cant see sh1t if you come up on them from behind as they sit stationary in the middle of the road with blinkers saying "right turn Clyde". Worse still possibly as from the front view, the blinker is obliterated by their stupidly bright LED in the reflector bowl lens...
These same people risk blinding oncoming traffic; cos they think its safer....? :oops:
It's what you tell yourself. Because the sales guy has planted that seed in your head when he vaccinated you...!

Having a reverse light that is distinctly brighter works for me. I sold myself on a brighter rear fog light too. Here I ran into CanBus issues. So stop/tail lights are a no-go as well then...
Probably saved me from being that guy tbh !

I do like the interior lights- they work. And the whiter the better. But that's because my car colour combo suits it IMO.
I will try the LED sidelights but as I have the Xenon-look units already, Im not not bothered if these throw a code or not. It will serve as confirmation for me, that the seller is pushing duffs on the marketplace to unsuspecting punters. Unsuspecting in as much as the claim to be CanBus error free is not a reality...

Its an interesting argument. Bikers go through this every year. Safety features are legally shackled to our obligations as road users, then u-turns, then new ones.Its worse than a Boris Johnson govt....! Hi-Vis, helmets, gloves...Lights. In europe they want full set of replacement bulbs carried at all times. Breathelysers onboard, then they relent. Oh joy !
At the end of the day- when every vehicle adopts the same approach to being seen, we become desensitised. Its just white noise. Ubiquitous...hidden in plain sight !
 
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