LED replacement bulbs, easy or difficult to source, install?

LordSutch

Just wondering how easy (or difficult) it would be to replace all the bulbs on a 2009 Renault Scenic? I rang Halfords and they can't help as their LED bulb range is limited, yet LED replacements are advertised all over the internet?

How easy is it to upgrade to LEDs all round?
Headlights, side lights, indicators, fogs, brake lights etc...

Pros & Cons.

Anjobe

Have you seen this link - http://thegarage.jalopnik.com/should-you-swap-your-headlight-bulbs-for-leds-1728026383?

Also, looking at the Osram web site it looks like they do LED replacements for sidelights, indicators, rear lights, brake lights etc, but not for head lights. These are just straight plug in replacements for the corresponding incandescent bulbs.

bazz26

Aftermarket LED dipped/high beam headlights fitted to lenses that were never designed for them are really poor. The light is poor as is the direction of the beam.

colm_mcm

Is there a need for canbus LEDs? I would assume so

jimbis

Replacing bulbs with led's is handy but as others have said I wouldn't bother with headlights.
Go for Osram night breakers instead.

colm_mcm

I dunno, aren't scenic headlight bulbs hard to change? Nightbreakers (or any bright bulb) don't last that long.

honda boi

Parking lights ,interior lights are all easy and look good ,reverse lights and brake lights can look good but you need the right led bulb for it to look right.
Don't bother with headlights

Tiercel Dave

And don't forget the polarity, the bulb will only work if it has been plugged in the right way, so if it doesn't 'light up' first time try fitting it the opposite way round.....

colm_mcm

The ones I got last worked in either direction. Must be the electronics in them.

LordSutch

Thanks all, great advice and I will enjoy re-kitting my Scenic with LEDs for the Autumn/Winter.
I hear what you say about the headlights too ...

Cheers.

yannakis

OP, your car seems to have projectors for low beam and reflectors for high beam according to this quick google search.

Issues mentioned about poor light and direction are applicable only on reflectors. Reflectors will also produce glare for oncoming traffic. I've got low beam LEDs on my 2010 Prius (on the original projectors) - the light is excellent and the cut-off is exactly the same as with the halogens:

LordSutch

General question re 501 LEDs.

What about the heat generated from the adjoining headlight bulb? Might the heat from the dipped beam/full beam destroy the little LED, which in many cases is within the same headlight enclosure!

Are LEDs designed to be cooked?

Tropheus

You also need to consider the NCT. Anything other than a halogen bulb in a halogen headlight housing will be an fail. They also look for auto levelling and headlamp washers with non-halogen headlights. This would mean you having to switch out the bulbs prior to an NCT.

colm_mcm

I think they make a specific distinction for HID lights and don't take any other types into account.

Might be wrong on that but that's how I remember it.


Edit:

corks finest

jimbis wrote: »

Replacing bulbs with led's is handy but as others have said I wouldn't bother with headlights.
Go for Osram night breakers instead.

Good advice,had osram n breaker's on my last car,fab