LED Lights For Cars Exterior

LED lights for cars are becoming really popular these days. That’s because they have lots of advantages over regular old light bulbs. LEDs use less energy, last longer, and come in fun colors like red, blue, purple and more. This means you can make your car look really cool and unique! Whether you want other drivers to see you better at night or decorate your ride, LEDs can do it. They work as turn signals, brakes lights and fog lights to improve safety.

But they also just look nice under the car, on mirrors and along the sides. In this article, I’ll explain the different types of outside LED lights for your car. I’ll talk about what each one does. I’ll also tell you the good things about LEDs compared to regular bulbs. Finally, I’ll give you some things to think about when picking out LED lights so you choose the best ones for your car.

Table of Contents

Benefits Of LED Car Lights

LED lights offer several advantages over conventional incandescent and halogen bulbs that make them an attractive option for those looking to upgrade their vehicle’s exterior lighting.

Longevity: One of the biggest benefits of LEDs is their lifespan. A single LED light can last over 50,000 hours, which is 10-30 times longer than a standard automotive bulb. This greatly reduces the frequency and cost of replacement over the long-term ownership of your vehicle.
Efficiency: LEDs are 90% more energy efficient than incandescent lights and 30% more efficient than halogen bulbs. They use significantly less power, reducing your vehicle’s electrical load and saving money on fuel consumption over time.
Durability: The solid construction of LED lights makes them highly resistant to vibration, impacts, and thermal cycling. This gives them an advantage in withstanding the rigors of automotive operation on a daily basis for years.
Design Flexibility: Not only do LEDs come in white for visibility, but they enable lights to be produced in virtually any color of the visible spectrum. This allows for customizable accent lighting and new styling opportunities beyond basic function.
Cool Operation: Unlike bulbs, LEDs do not employ a filament. They generate very little heat and remain cooler to the touch during use, preventing heat damage to other vehicle components even after prolonged operation.
Improved Visibility: High-powered LED lights provide up to 3 times the light output of halogen bulbs using the same or less power. Their intense, focused beams improve the range and clarity of illumination both for the operator and to enhance the vehicle’s visibility to other road users.

Types of Car Exterior LED Lights

We now know the benefits of using LEDs. Let us look at some choices to improve specific lights outside your car.

1. Headlights:

Changing regular headlights to LED ones can greatly boost what you see. This uses less power than other bulbs like halogen or xenon. Look for DOT/ECE approved direct replacements.

2. Fog Lights:

LED fog lights provide much brighter lighting. They illuminate a larger area thanks to special lenses. This helps in fog or rain without being too bright for other drivers. The beam is designed for poor visibility.

3. Brake Lights:

They make your brakes way more noticeable at night. Standard bulbs cannot compare to how obvious red LEDs are. Other cars can see you slowing down from much further back. This is because LEDs help other drivers spot your vehicle better when it’s darker outside.

4. Turn Signals:

LED turn lights look very neat and clean when flashing. They flash in a sharp, clear way. These signals use less electricity than regular flashing bulbs. The power usage is much smaller. Best of all, LED turn lights continue working well for a very long time before needing to be changed. This is much longer than normal turn signal lights.

5. Reverse/Backup Lights:

LED lights for going in reverse are extremely bright white. They provide way more light than standard bulbs. This allows you to see much better when backing up. It could be in a dark parking lot or driving down your driveway at night. The strong white glow makes it simpler to reverse safely. It illuminates the area around your car very well.

6. License Plate Lights:

LED lights for license plates keep your numbers and letters easy to see all the time. They shine very clean, solid white light on your plate. This lighting works for day and night conditions. The bright white glow from LED lamps ensures your license plate can always be read clearly. Whether it is day or night, others will have no trouble reading your license plate.

7. Side Mirror Lights:

You can install small LED lights on your side mirrors. They help light up the areas next to your vehicle. These lights also make your turn signals on the mirrors easier to notice at night. When the small mirror lights flash, they increase visibility of your turns after dark. As a bonus, mirror LED lights contribute to illuminating the sides of your car at nighttime as well.

8. Underglow Kits:

Kits exist to put LED light strips under your vehicle. These long strips can change colors. They add an accent look without blocking other car lights or features. The lights go underneath, so you can customize your car’s appearance. Plus, the underglow LEDs do not get in the way of anything important in or on your car.

Factors To Consider When Purchasing Car Exteriors LED Lights

With the many options to choose from, it’s important to consider key attributes of replacements lights suited to your vehicle and needs:

Bulb Type – Be mindful of specific bulb size, base type and polarity needed versus a universal “plug-and-play” design. Consult owner’s manual.
Lumens – Brightness levels vary. Consider minimum lumen output required for effective visibility and match to application.
Beam Angle – Choose focused, flood or combination beam spreads appropriately for each light location.
Weather Resistant – Go for IP67/68 waterproof rating for lights used in exterior,wet environments like fogs.
Voltage Rating – Automotive systems are 12 or 24V. Make sure new bulbs align to vehicle electrical specifications.
Trim and Mounting – Low/high profile, spikes or clips for easy installation in stock housings. Wire length suitability.
Temperature Range – Lights sealed to withstand wide operating temperatures from extreme heat to cold.
Warranty – Reputable manufacturers stand behind quality and service with replacement guarantees if issues arise.
Cost Vs. Value – Weigh initial investment against proven energy,maintenance and visibility benefits over standard bulbs.

By carefully considering fit and suitability for your vehicle, quality LED lights can provide years of excellent performance and eye-catching appeal to complement any machine. With proper selection, upgrading your exterior lighting reaps many benefits both seen and unseen behind the scenes.

Formatting Exterior Lights: With Best Tips

One final, yet important aspect to consider is how to neatly install and position new lights for a seamless, professional look that does not leave loose wires or hardware exposed or unattended to. A few tips:

Route Wires Discreetly – Use existing channels/grommets and conceal wire runs underneath trim, vehicle body seams or inside brackets wherever possible.
Secure Connectors – Ensure all plugs and connections feature locking clips are firmly tightened to prevent loosening due to weather or road impacts over time.
Seal Mounting Areas – Apply clear silicone sealant around light housing perimeters to protect against water, dirt/debris intrusion where lights penetrate exterior trim pieces or bodypanels.
Organize Wire Looms – Tie-wrap groups of wires together neatly with proper slack every 6-8 inches for servicability yet a bundled, uncluttered appearance.
Label Wire Functions – Mark positive/negative leads/circuits clearly to avoid confusion down the road or when adding/swapping out bulbs later.
Consider Aiming Adjustability – Quality housings feature lockable, adjustable aiming screws or pivots to optimally point light beams where needed post-installation.

Taking some extra care with clean mounting and routing during installation lays the proper foundation for solid, reliable long-term operation as well as an OEM-grade finished look. Well-thought out execution makes any new lighting mod last while retaining a quality feel.

Final Thoughts

LED lights have really changed car lighting. They last much longer than normal bulbs and don’t use much electricity. You can get them in many different colors and shapes. They shine very bright too. All this makes them better than normal lights. Because of this, LED lights make cars safer with brighter turn signals and brake lights. You can also make your car look nicer with fun colored lights.

When you choose the right LED lights for your specific car, you’ll pick ones that help you see better while also looking good. And since LED lights last such a long time without needing fixes, they end up saving money in the long run compared to normal bulbs every time you use your lights.