How to Use LED Automotive Bulbs

You've probably heard the buzz surrounding LED automotive bulbs. This familiar technology is transforming common lighting consumer products everywhere and cropping up wherever lighting matters; especially in the automobile. Whether you're a family car owner or a custom car enthusiast, perhaps you're considering converting your car to LED lighting. What does it involve?

What is LED?

Light Emitting Diodes are little computer circuits that resemble miniature light bulbs the size of a ball point clicker.

A diode is an electrical bridge between two semiconducting surfaces arranged like a magnet, with a positive and a negative pole. Electric current simply runs over this surface like rolling a lot of golf balls towards a lot of golf ball holes; when an atom falls into the hole, it emits a small bit of energy as a photon, or light particle. Playing with the semiconductor gap sizes and materials yields small electric arcs of many different colors (except pure white, which is why white LED's seem to have a bluish tint).

Covering this diode with a clear bubble of plastic protects it and amplifies its light. LED's then are considered “solid state” circuits, which explains why they can withstand shock and vibration, and also why they light up instantaneously – both distinct advantages over conventional incandescents.

By grouping many of these diodes together, and placing them into reflective housings covered by lenses, they can appear as bright as the familiar incandescent bulb.

What do automotive LED replacements look like?

LED's come in every shape and size for a complete automobile lighting solution. A typical indicator light, for example, may place eighteen LED diodes in various (and strictly regulated) angles, in a reflective housing covered by a lens. Tail lights might contain ten or so diodes arranged together in a circle or linear fashion. Unlit, they remain transparent.

Why put them in a car?

Some advantages of LED over traditional lighting are:

Durable performance under physical shock and vibration
Long lasting: 10,000 hours (10 years or more) vs 500 of traditional bulbs
Less alternator/battery drain, lower power draw, and increased energy efficiency
Faster, near-instantaneous illumination and increased reaction time for other drivers
Colors range from conservative to wild, and have a unique LED signature
Ease of installation – same as traditional bulbs
Look futuristic and cool

What automotive lights can be converted to LED?

How to Use LED Automotive Bulbs Basically, if it lights it can be converted to an LED, regardless of the make or model of your car (though older models may need expert assistance for fitting). Both interior and exterior car lights are easily converted. Headlights, taillights, running lights, map lights, courtesy lights, trunk lights, license plate lights – the possibilities are endless.

People have added an extra 3rd brake light for increased visibility and safety; you can change other interior lights to a rainbow of cool colors to suit your taste. Dome lights, instrument panel lights, dash lights, door panel lights, mood lights, and even creative use of tubes, projectors and strips almost create a new art form of interior light sculpting.

What kind of automotive LED lights are available?

They come available to suit all standard auto light fittings. Be it a wedge, festoon, or bayonet socket, and in standard 12v and often offered in ranges, for example from DC1.5v to 15.8v. Dealers sometimes provide conversion charts for your make and model car, and are usually covered by several-year warranties.

How do I install them?

Use the same method as indicated in your car's owner's manual for regular lights. First disconnect the battery (negative post), remove the bulb housing in headlamps and taillights; remove the bulb and replace the LED light the same way. Interior lights require a screwdriver to remove the lens plate. Check the base of your existing bulbs for their ID; many LED companies provide make and model information for LED conversions right on their websites. You can also take your car to any mechanic or customizer for assistance, or watch simple car repair videos online.

Where can I buy LED lights for my car?

Most automotive retail outlets offer LED light kits, conversions, and custom kits for most makes of car. Custom dealers and light resellers abound on the internet. As this new lighting becomes more popular and commonplace, more information becomes available regarding individual owner experiences with various brands and configurations. A little research can go a long way to meet your personal requirements.

Shortfalls and Warnings

Before jumping onto the LED train keep in mind the following cautions:

LED burns cool, and at a lower brightness than incandescent. While properly-designed LED's burn brightly and distinctively, many products abound which do lack in the brightness department. As with most things, you get what you pay for.
Color varies as well; however in indicators, braking, running and hazard lights, government regulations define strict limits. Take care that your LED's fall within highway code.
Some instrument panels will read LED's as burned out bulbs. This can result in a bulb warning light, or a fast-blinking turn signal, which is how some cars warn of burned out bulbs. Low-carry thermal flashers just don't read them. LED's require heavy duty thermal flashers, electronic flashers, or flashers labeled “LED-compatible”. Also, installation of load-resistors across the signal bulbs can simulate the voltage loads of traditional bulbs.
Note: dash dimmers do work with LED's installed. Go ahead and install them.
As a final caution, do your research about brands, brightnesses and other customer results before taking packaging claims at face value.

Can LED's be put on motorcycles?

Absolutely. Custom motorcycle enthusiasts have made it an art form. Accent lighting should be waterproof, easily installed into existing wiring, and covered under warranty.

What other ways can automotive LED lighting be used?
Under body lights
Tailgate lights
3rd brakelights
Ground effects lighting
Clearance lights for large vehicles
Running board lights

Converting a car to LED is no more difficult than replacing those inevitable burned out incandescent bulbs; yet adds so much value to the appearance and experience of car ownership you'll wonder why you waited so long to do it. From improvements in appearance and performance, to making a bold, individual statement, LED's offer every motorcycle, car, truck and RV owner a chance to drive to a brighter view.

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