I just ordered red LED replacement bulbs for a burned-out brake light in our Odyssey. Good reviews on Amazon.
Does anyone have experience with LED replacements for brake or other lights in a vehicle?
What about headlights?
Recommended brand?

I've avoided led taillights because of flash-rate and "bulb-out" warning light problems, and I've avoided led headlights because I haven't found any that really are an improvement (and don't blind oncoming drivers).

I did put some amazing led bulbs in to replace the backup lights a couple weeks ago and Holy Crap! They are like having headlights on the rear of the car. Hopefully now I can see all of the OPKs running loose in the parking lot at night.

Don't go with LED in stock halogen headlights. LED is not meant to be in that type of housing so the light will scatter and you will blind oncoming drivers. I have ordered my stuff from both place below and never had any issues.

https://headlightrevolution.com
www.vleds.com

I replaced all of the non-LED bulbs on my car with stuff from an online shop that carries products specific to my car. I also replaced the dome/map/visor lights with LEDs and they are very bright.

I did replace both the low and high beams with LED's from halogen. The light output is insanely better. Ensure your headlight housings are built for LED's. As bonfire above said, some types of projector housings don't do well with LEDs.

I also changed out the reverse lights to high output LEDs and the difference is startling. I can see so much more looking at my rearview camera now.

I also changed the front parking/turn signal lights to LED switchbacks and they work fine.

Just ensure you get proper canbus resistored lights and you should be fine. Also don't overload the circuits, especially internally. I blew a couple fuses attempting to replace my dome light with a 48-LED panel. It just won't handle it without rewiring the whole thing.

The bulbs you get on Amazon are hit/miss. I've had to return a few items as they either didn't work or were cheap chinese made junk that didn't perform well.

If you go LED in the headlights don't buy the cheap 30 dollar bulbs. Also ensure you have enough room behind the lights for the fan/heatsinks.

Forgot to mention that depending on what light you are replacing like blinkers will need a resistor.
Headlight Revolution sells them with the light and they have some great videos on how to install them.

I haven't. the last time I had to change a bulb, I checked prices at the auto parts store. Two pack of regular incandescent tail light bulbs was about $5. One led equivalent was $12. Opted for the two pack of incandescent and havent used the second one yet. This was 4 years ago.

quote:

This was 4 years ago.

4 years ago the LED pricing and technology was not what I would consider competitive, nowadays they're pretty close and to me, worth the difference.
I still don't think the headlights are quite there yet for most applications, but for most everything else, pick a compatible product and you should never have to mess with them again.

Watch your dome lights too. Some of mine that I replaced show a very dim light when not turned on. It seems there's voltage going to it and just barely lights it when not in use.

I had a 3rd brake light out recently. I decided to go LED. (I bought all Sylvania products off Amazon.) Figured I might as well do the two side ones too. Then I saw backup LED bulbs... hmm.. I'll get those too! (mind you my vehicle has about $650 worth of backup/work lights on it already ) Then I realize my one brake light out is three bulbs, not one.

So I buy them and it hits me... "Did I really just spend $79 to replace bulbs that worked, when two $3 bulbs from the auto parts store would have solved my problem? And that is why I'll always be poor.

quote:

And that is why I'll always be poor

You and me both, brother.
I'm just lucky my wife doesn't think the same way.

Not all LED bulbs for tail lights will need a resistor. None were needed when I converted my truck.

I assumed it was just signal lights that would need them. But all y'all fancy modern robot talking computer cars, who knows.

quote:

Originally posted by cas:
I assumed it was just signal lights that would need them. But all y'all fancy modern robot talking computer cars, who knows.

Some have built in resistors now to prevent hyperflash. It may be a brand specific thing. Hell, for all I know, it's my truck.

quote:

Originally posted by flesheatingvirus:
Not all LED bulbs for tail lights will need a resistor. None were needed when I converted my truck.

Most of the new LEDs have the resister built into the light. BUT, LEDs have a very very slight delay compared to halogen bulbs.

quote:

Originally posted by Some Shot:
I've avoided led taillights because of flash-rate and "bulb-out" warning light problems, and I've avoided led headlights because I haven't found any that really are an improvement (and don't blind oncoming drivers).

I did put some amazing led bulbs in to replace the backup lights a couple weeks ago and Holy Crap! They are like having headlights on the rear of the car. Hopefully now I can see all of the OPKs running loose in the parking lot at night.

What back up bulbs did you go with??
Been wanting to swap mine to hopefully get a better camera image at night.

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:

quote:

Originally posted by Some Shot:
I've avoided led taillights because of flash-rate and "bulb-out" warning light problems, and I've avoided led headlights because I haven't found any that really are an improvement (and don't blind oncoming drivers).

I did put some amazing led bulbs in to replace the backup lights a couple weeks ago and Holy Crap! They are like having headlights on the rear of the car. Hopefully now I can see all of the OPKs running loose in the parking lot at night.

What back up bulbs did you go with??
Been wanting to swap mine to hopefully get a better camera image at night.

Luyed leds

I replaced the brake lamps, license plate bulbs, and reverse lights with LEDs. Turn signals would've required resistors, which I didn't want to bother with.

The reverse lights are bright as F, the license plate lights up really nice, and the brighter L/R brake lights now light up at the same time as the integrated LED 3rd brake light on the spoiler. They were incan bulbs before, so they lit up fractions slower.

Headlights are factory bi-level xenon, so didn't need to mess with that.

Got my stuff from superbrightleds.com. There's a 15% discount right now. Their website makes it easy to find the right bulbs for your application.

quote:

Originally posted by jimmy123x:
LEDs have a very very slight delay compared to halogen bulbs.

Think you have that reversed. Halogens have filaments that need to heat up. To me, the delay is noticeable. LEDs appear instantaneous.

quote:

Originally posted by flesheatingvirus:

quote:

Originally posted by jimmy123x:
LEDs have a very very slight delay compared to halogen bulbs.

Think you have that reversed. Halogens have filaments that need to heat up. To me, the delay is noticeable. LEDs appear instantaneous.

Agreed. This is part of the safety theory behind the move to these for brake lights in particular, theory being even a fraction of a second gives some extra feet of cushion when warning drivers behind. Of course when they are on their phone it doesn't really matter....

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:

quote:

Originally posted by Some Shot:
I've avoided led taillights because of flash-rate and "bulb-out" warning light problems, and I've avoided led headlights because I haven't found any that really are an improvement (and don't blind oncoming drivers).

I did put some amazing led bulbs in to replace the backup lights a couple weeks ago and Holy Crap! They are like having headlights on the rear of the car. Hopefully now I can see all of the OPKs running loose in the parking lot at night.

What back up bulbs did you go with??
Been wanting to swap mine to hopefully get a better camera image at night.

I need multiple back up lights. I would love some super bright ones, I have to step on the breaks to get the added light from the brakes when backing in for two different vehicles.