LED lights are becoming increasingly popular in cars, and this is largely due to the fact that they offer better performance compared to conventional bulbs, as well as consuming less energy and enjoying a longer lifespan.
Installing LED lights in your car is a great way to enjoy an instant upgrade, and is a relatively fast, simple process – read on to discover all you need to know.
What Are LED Lights?
LEDs (light emitting diodes) are semiconductor devices that emit light when electricity passes through them.
They have become very popular over recent years because of their low power consumption, long life span, and ability to be dimmed.
LEDs are used for many different applications, including lighting, indicators, displays, and more.
The most common type of LED used in cars is known as a white’ LED, which emits white light. This can be combined with other colors to create various shades of light, such as red or blue.
The benefits of using LED lights (see also ‘Are LED Lights Dimmable?‘) include:
Less Power Consumption
One of the main benefits of LED lights is that they tend to use much less power than their traditional counterparts.
For example, a typical halogen bulb uses around 15 watts, whereas a modern LED bulb will only draw between 3-5 watts.
This means that you can run your vehicle’s electrical system for longer without having to worry about running out of battery charge.
Longer Lifespan
Another benefit of LED lights is that they last significantly longer than conventional bulbs, and this means that they are more cost-effective in the long run, though they can be a little pricier to purchase initially.
This is good news for your car, and also for your wallet.
Better Performance
Another advantage of LED lights is that you get far superior performance from them compared to conventional bulbs.
Halogen bulbs produce a lot of heat, meaning that they require fans to cool down properly.
This makes them inefficient, and also reduces the lifespan of the bulb itself. LED lights, on the other hand, tend to perform better even in adverse circumstances.
Easier Installation
The final major benefit of LED lights is the ease at which they can be installed.
Most people find it easier to install LED lights than conventional bulbs, simply because there is no need to remove the headlamp assembly. You just pop the new bulb into place and then replace the old one.
As we have mentioned above, there are two types of LED bulbs available today:
Single Color Bulbs
These are designed to provide a single color of light, usually white. These bulbs are ideal if you want to add some extra style to your car, but don’t want to go too crazy.
RGB/Wattage Bulbs
These bulbs allow you to choose any combination of three primary colors – red, green, and blue. The amount of wattage provided by each color depends upon how bright you want your light to be.
Installing LED Lights In Your Vehicle
To begin installing LED lights in your vehicle, you first need to make sure that the wiring harness is disconnected.
This means removing all of the connectors from the back of the headlamps and disconnecting the wires from the connectors.
Once this has been done, you should then take the headlamp assembly off of the vehicle.
Next, you need to remove the rubber seal from the base of the lamp. This is usually located near the bottom of the headlamp and is held in place by a small metal clip.
Simply pull the clip away from the lamp, and then lift the lamp up slightly so that you can access the rubber seal.
Now, you need to unscrew the retaining nut that holds the bulb in place. If you are replacing an existing bulb, you may not need to do this step.
However, if you are replacing a bulb with a different type of bulb, you will need to unscrew the nut to ensure that the bulb fits correctly.
Once the bulb has been removed, you need to carefully examine the inside of the lamp housing.
There should be a clear plastic cover over the bulb socket, and this needs to be removed before you can insert the new bulb.
Now, you need to push the bulb into the socket until it clicks into place. Then, screw the retaining nut back onto the lamp, and tighten it securely.
Finally, reattach the rubber seal to the base of the lamp, and you are ready to drive!
What To Consider Before Installing LED Bulbs In Headlights
As you can see, the process of installing LED bulbs in your car is pretty simple – but there are a few considerations that you should bear in mind, and these include:
Make Sure The Vehicle Is Parked Properly
As with completing any work on the vehicle, make sure that you have parked your car in a safe, level space, and that the area in which you are working is safe and free from trip hazards or other risks.
Use The Right Sized Bulb
It is also important that you take care to use the right sized bulb for your vehicle – the headlights in your car will have very specific requirements, so make sure that your chosen bulbs fit these.
You can find out more about the size of bulbs required by checking your owner’s manual or speaking to a mechanic.
Ask For Help If Needed!
Finally, if you are unsure about anything at all, ask someone who knows what they are doing to help you out.
It might seem like a lot of effort to install LED bulbs in your car, but it really isn’t as difficult as it seems.
With a little bit of patience and practice, you should soon be able to complete the task yourself.
Final Thoughts
LED bulbs offer many benefits when compared to traditional incandescent bulbs, including lower energy consumption, longer life spans, and improved safety features.
They are also much easier to install than their predecessors, and this makes them ideal for those looking to improve the look of their vehicles without having to spend too much time or money.