Rear bulbs and led upgrades

[mjennings23]

Quick question that I can't seem to get a definitive answer to: regarding rear bulbs, are both the brake/tail bulbs P21/5w or is it only one on each side, with the other one being P21w?

I believe the indicator and fog/reverse are all P21w too, yes?

Different sites seem to suggest different things, so just wanting to clarify.

Also for changing to LED, I assume disabling voltage checks with Carly will prevent any bulb warning lights or rapid indicator flashing that LEDs can cause?

 

[thanatu55]

It depends on whether you are facelift or pre- facelift.
Here are the facelift specs:



I would post the pre-facelift specs but I can't remember where I got this from.

 

[mjennings23]

Pre facelift, sorry!

Seems both my tail lights also work as brake lights as the donut lights are turned on in Carly, so I assume that means they should both be P21/5 bulbs, and then the indicators and fog/reverse standard P21.

Next question, is it worth getting coloured LEDs or is white fine, the lights themselves have the appropriate coloured plastic over all the lights, and the current filament bulbs are clear, just wondered if red would be more visible? Or more intense a colour.

 

[Scooba_Steve]

They are P21W bulbs but the car runs them at 6V for tail, so that won't work. Any LED you put in should match the colour of the lens.

For the pre-facelift there isn't much point in changing unless you have clear indicators and/or clear fog lenses.

 

[mjennings23]

Had a look the the handbook and the tail lights are designated as 21/4 watt bulbs.

Had a look in the car and they're all straight P21w bulbs. :headbang:

It was more a consideration for the future, when the bulbs fail I was going to stick LEDs in instead of filament bulbs.

 

[Scooba_Steve]

Understandable, as they are much better, but I can't guaranteed they will work properly, I.e. They might not be dim enough. If you're local to London happy to try mine out see how they behave.

 

[mjennings23]

Afraid not, up north!

I have found some 21/5 watt ones from Horizon though, in theory they should work as intended? May see if I can pick some up more locally though, or try before buying.