Regarding plate bulbs

[Grahambeveridge225]

Guys hi. Is it possible to put led bulbs in my 2009 tourer instead of ordinary bulbs? as mine last only a few months.

[Stickyfinger]

Yes....

[myglaren]

It is but note that some are very poor.
I have seen a few that cast a very strong blue/white light over the bumper or boot but don't actually illuminate the number plate.
A girl with a new Fiesta that visits a neighbour has these and they must be illegal.

[paulmac1978]

Good standard W5w bulbs should last a long time, Bosch long life bulbs are good and bright and last.

Changing number plate bulbs can, over time, make the contacts open up a bit in the holder so the bulbs is a bit loose causing it to blow quicker. Just push the together a bit to solve.

I’m not to keen on retro fitting led bulbs as there either not bright enough or too bright! Some are blueish. Many don’t even last that long.

[Peter.N.]

I always use 'Ring' bulbs, very cheap and very good. Cheapest on Ebay.

Peter

[GiveMeABreak]

I have LEDs on my number plate lights - they provide a much crisper and cleaner light. It also gave me the opportunity to clean the lense covers and bulb holders out as they were quite grotty.

I used the following as they are a 'wedge' type W5W fitting and can also be used for the door, pavement, footwell and other interior lights, so if you wanted to change the lighting inside the car as well as optionally the colour, these will do, Available in White and a range of other colours (for interior).

Here's a link to a search - plenty to choose from and quite cheap compared to standard bulbs:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from ... D&_sacat=0

[white exec]

Go for Warm White (around 3000K) if you want to stay close to the original tungsten bulb appearance.

[osx]

I have LEDs on my number plate lights - they provide a much crisper and cleaner light. It also gave me the opportunity to clean the lense covers and bulb holders out as they were quite grotty.

I used the following as they are a 'wedge' type W5W fitting and can also be used for the door, pavement, footwell and other interior lights, so if you wanted to change the lighting inside the car as well as optionally the colour, these will do, Available in White and a range of other colours (for interior).

LED-Bulb.png

Here's a link to a search - plenty to choose from and quite cheap compared to standard bulbs:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from ... D&_sacat=0

How did you manage to replace the rear footwell lights? Replaced all other w5w bulbs but haven't figured out how to remove these ones?

[GiveMeABreak]

The underseat driver & passenger seat lighting? The bulb holders are clipped up with a very tight cable tie. Putting the front seats forward and inclining the seat backs also makes more room.

It's a matter of getting a bright LED torch and getting your head under or use a mirror to unclip the cover and put the LED in.

[osx]

Did you cut the cable tie?

[GiveMeABreak]

Yes, then used one of my own to gently keep the cables tidy - but didn't put it up as tight as they had.

[van ordinaire]

Never understood the wish for brighter No: plate lamps, prefer as dim as I think I can get away with (i.e. 3w - n/a in all fittings) but suppose that's just chanelling my inner anarchist

If the bulbs aren't lasting very long (don't think I've ever had to replace one twice) the fact that LED's are claimed to last 50,000 hours is it? isn't a quick fix.

[van ordinaire]

Go for Warm White (around 3000K) if you want to stay close to the original tungsten bulb appearance.

Thought the whole idea was to get away from the original "lit by candles" look

[GiveMeABreak]

Whoever thought 'warm candlelight yellow' was good for anything other than candles ought to of been hung, drawn and quartered before suggesting they be put in modern cars - the reversing lights are one good example - hopeless. That was one of the first upgrades I did - so I can at least see where I'm reversing at night (no street lights).

[myglaren]

Might just try the reversing light thing Marc. Could do with a bit more sometimes. Occasionally stick the rear fog lights on to give a bit of a lift in very dark places.
But LED number plate lights - not so good in many instances. Some I've seen are blinding and probably illegal and others, while they are bright, somehow fail to illuminate the number plate.

I do have LED sidelights. Crap and blue but last longer than incandescents, pass the MOT and I would never use them anyway, only dipped headlights.