Hi, was looking at the 500x in showroom and was amazed to find it does not have led drl lights,on a such a new model like this,come on fiat,all its got is a P21/5 regular bulb,so was looking to see if it can be changed to a brighter led one,any one done it yet ,or thought about it,should be quite easy according to manual its just a little hatch under wheel arch to get to change bulbs,as the ones on the 500x are not too great,which is a shame ,wish they had added proper led drl ones,for the new car.
Technical Anyone on here changed the DRL lights for LED ones yet
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Technical Anyone on here changed the DRL lights for LED ones yet
Don't know about fitting LED DRLs. There may be a complication for the following reasons.
1) DRLs *MUST* dim when sidelights/main lights are turned on
2) The front side/DRLs are in fact a single filament 21W bulb
3) 1 and 2 means that the light unit is multiplexed / pulse width modulated
4) 3 means that the bulb failure detection system will be different to that of a more traditional setup
Fiat could easily have done LEDs all round but I guess they are milking the retro look of the 500 family.
Personally I prefer non LED.
Don't you just love seeing the Mercedes, Audi, other strip LEDs when one or more have them have failed .......
1) DRLs *MUST* dim when sidelights/main lights are turned on
2) The front side/DRLs are in fact a single filament 21W bulb
3) 1 and 2 means that the light unit is multiplexed / pulse width modulated
4) 3 means that the bulb failure detection system will be different to that of a more traditional setup
Fiat could easily have done LEDs all round but I guess they are milking the retro look of the 500 family.
Personally I prefer non LED.
Don't you just love seeing the Mercedes, Audi, other strip LEDs when one or more have them have failed .......
twobigdogs
Member
As the drl's switch off on the side when indicating I don't think Led's would last that long. I had Led bulbs on my Punto and was always replacing them,did look good though!
I've not noticed this behaviour on the 500X. I'll try to remember to look/test this next time out... famous last words
A properly designed LED circuit should not be affected by repeated switching on and off. In fact lack of thermal shock gives than a significant life advantage over filament lamps when used in flashing applications. The LEDs you used must not have proper current limiting circuitry.
Going back to the original post, changing the bulbs to LEDs has a legal implications. All bulbs used in exterior lights on a road vehicle must be approved and E marked. An LED replacement can't meet the approval requirements so won't be E marked. Most LED replacement bulbs use multiple LEDs so do not match the light source size and location of he filament lamp. This affects the light pattern and can cause glare and dazzle other road users. You may also invalidate your insurance if you don't tell your insurer of the modification.
Robert G8RPI.
thanks for all replies never realised it was so complicated,just changing a bulb Lol
Manufacturers spend millions of pounds getting their vehicles homologated to country legal requirements, and as g8rpi mentions this goes right down to the simple light source usage in a light unit, reflector and lens assembly.
In the wake of the VW saga then it won't be long before the fitting of any non OEM part designed an homologated accordingly will be illegal. It will be the fitment of performance parts (filters, exhausts, boost changes, etc) that clearly affect emissions and fuel economy that will trigger governments to make it illegal. There will then be knock on issues. e.g. tyres. Running a 255 tyre will take a little more energy than a 185. More energy = more emissions => ban that mod as well unless it is a homologated optional wheel and tyre size when the car was purchased.
I can see the rules getting so complicated about what you can and can't do that government authorities will just decide the only solution is to apply a blanket ban to all vehicle modifications / deviations from that which was originally homologated and sold to the customer.
Driverless cars will be the ultimate tipping point with regards to vehicle modifications for obvious reasons
In the wake of the VW saga then it won't be long before the fitting of any non OEM part designed an homologated accordingly will be illegal. It will be the fitment of performance parts (filters, exhausts, boost changes, etc) that clearly affect emissions and fuel economy that will trigger governments to make it illegal. There will then be knock on issues. e.g. tyres. Running a 255 tyre will take a little more energy than a 185. More energy = more emissions => ban that mod as well unless it is a homologated optional wheel and tyre size when the car was purchased.
I can see the rules getting so complicated about what you can and can't do that government authorities will just decide the only solution is to apply a blanket ban to all vehicle modifications / deviations from that which was originally homologated and sold to the customer.
Driverless cars will be the ultimate tipping point with regards to vehicle modifications for obvious reasons
Hi my current car was in for an mot today,and I had led sidelights fitted before it had mot,and It passed ok, was just wondering if the MOT inspects the sidelights,and whether it mattered if they were LED or not,thanks.
Hi,
The MOT will just ensure the sidelights work. The tester is not allowed to disassemble anything so can't check if they are E marked. All exterior lamps must be E marked. Having an MOT does not make it OK. The time you will get caught is a police stop, VOSA roadside check or following an accident. Low risk of being caught (unless they are obviously the wrong colour) but with the possibility of a void insurance (and your insurer coming after you for any third party payout they had to make) it's a big consequence. Some insurers will use any excuse not to pay out.
Robert G8RPI.
The MOT will just ensure the sidelights work. The tester is not allowed to disassemble anything so can't check if they are E marked. All exterior lamps must be E marked. Having an MOT does not make it OK. The time you will get caught is a police stop, VOSA roadside check or following an accident. Low risk of being caught (unless they are obviously the wrong colour) but with the possibility of a void insurance (and your insurer coming after you for any third party payout they had to make) it's a big consequence. Some insurers will use any excuse not to pay out.
Robert G8RPI.
Regarding insurance and insurer's "get out clauses" I can categorically tell you that "go faster stripes", "race harness", "door number roundels", "emergency cut-off switches" and *ANYTHING* that changes your car from the norm is a 100% get-out clause for them.
I used to do loads of track days and sprinting. I had to declare the ignition switch ON-OFF decal, belt/harness mount points, "tow" legends, etc. etc. These were/are for everybody actually safety and non performance additions. As far as insurance companies are concerned these also potentially lead to an increased insurance risk that your car will be stolen, joy ridden, etc and is thus a higher liability cost to them.
When I was doing and declaring these mods I was never ever hit with an increase in premium. They want to know, will make a determination and from that point you are legally covered.
Ignore this advice at your own financial and criminal record peril!
I used to do loads of track days and sprinting. I had to declare the ignition switch ON-OFF decal, belt/harness mount points, "tow" legends, etc. etc. These were/are for everybody actually safety and non performance additions. As far as insurance companies are concerned these also potentially lead to an increased insurance risk that your car will be stolen, joy ridden, etc and is thus a higher liability cost to them.
When I was doing and declaring these mods I was never ever hit with an increase in premium. They want to know, will make a determination and from that point you are legally covered.
Ignore this advice at your own financial and criminal record peril!
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They are a bright white led ,but don't dazzle,ive had them on car for almost 3 years,never been stopped,the original sidelights were so yellow next to the bi zenon headlights,thats why I changed them,going to change the drl lights on 500x when I get it,as they are not noticeable enough,and I thought the point of drl lights was a safety point,in that other cars see you coming and don't pull out in front of you,hopefully,thought that's what there for,but I see your point about insurance any excuse LOL.
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Unless you are obviously outside of the "norm" then I doubt you will ever be stopped. However get involved in a motoring and insurance situation then the whole game plan will possibly change. You will have no control from the accident onwards.
I hate as much as everyone does this "jobs worth" insurance industry but there is some validity in what they do and you have to play the game with them.
Game is simple....just tell them! In most cases you'll not be disadvantaged, can drive your pride and joy with full insurance confidence/approval.
One letter / phone call is all it takes for car enthusiasts not to be caught with their underwear down
I hate as much as everyone does this "jobs worth" insurance industry but there is some validity in what they do and you have to play the game with them.
Game is simple....just tell them! In most cases you'll not be disadvantaged, can drive your pride and joy with full insurance confidence/approval.
One letter / phone call is all it takes for car enthusiasts not to be caught with their underwear down
I've had a Range Rover with a 30ft pneumatically operated telescopic radio mast through the middle of the roof (and a "few" other antennas). Told the insurance and apart from noting that they would not replace the mast, they were happy. No premium increase. Be straight with the insurer and there is not an issue. Of course if the modification is not legal all bets are off.
Robert G8RPI.
I've not noticed this behaviour on the 500X. I'll try to remember to look/test this next time out... famous last words
Well tonight was the first time I've driven the 500X in the dark on full lights.
Observation 1: When the indicators operate the appropriate front side light turns off!
Observation 2: The interior lighting is cool. You have soft lighting in each of the door pockets and around the mug holders. I've not spent time looking for more.
Could be a fun "500X Treasure Hunt" looking for features not documented in the Owner's Manual or Sale Literature........
Yep the lighting is very cool, interior described as ambient in the sales literature, you have to experience it to see what they mean!
Very nice and classy., even lights on the bottom of the doors.
After driving a 500 for the last 7 years the lighting on the X is a whole different experience, lighs are first class, I really like the way the front fog lights turn on when you corner.
I have noticed that having the reversing camera some now it must get light in order to display an image of your surroundings. I need to learn to stop turning around and trust it, I am sure there is only one reserving light though.
Very nice and classy., even lights on the bottom of the doors.
After driving a 500 for the last 7 years the lighting on the X is a whole different experience, lighs are first class, I really like the way the front fog lights turn on when you corner.
I have noticed that having the reversing camera some now it must get light in order to display an image of your surroundings. I need to learn to stop turning around and trust it, I am sure there is only one reserving light though.
Well i have just replaced my DRL's as i didnt like the yellow light against the white of the xenons. looks a lot better. have bought bulbs for fog lights too but not fitted yet.
yes ive informed insurance and no there wasnt an increase. they seemed totally disinterested but its peace of mind.
Does anyone who has the keyless entry notice if the handbrake symbol stays on for a few seconds after you have locked it. not sure if its a fault or not.
yes ive informed insurance and no there wasnt an increase. they seemed totally disinterested but its peace of mind.
Does anyone who has the keyless entry notice if the handbrake symbol stays on for a few seconds after you have locked it. not sure if its a fault or not.
I don't think this an error. Just an advisory that the automatic parking brake has been applied.
It is possible to park and override the automatic handbrake. I would then suspect / expect the handbrake enunciator to not illuminate. If this were the case I think I would prefer a "Bing - Bong" audible warning and dash text "Warning-Handbrake Not Set" ...or other similar warning.
Hi,do the DRL LED lights you fitted, go off when the sidelights are turned on did you notice,thanks.
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