Technical Daytime running lights LED

[AndrewHarvey]

Hi has anyone replaced the twin filament daytime running lights/ indicator lamp with an LED for a brighter daytime lamp?
Thanks in advance

 

[LegionsX]

Hello,

Yes i have replaced my sidelight/DRL bulbs with LEDs

i got the Osram 1557CW-02B LED Premium Retrofit from Amazon,

they work Great, i also have Osram Night Breaker Laser Next Gen H4s in the headlights, the combo is a distinctive improvement!

 

[varesecrazy]

Excellent pictures

 

[g8rpi]

Hello,

Yes i have replaced my sidelight/DRL bulbs with LEDs

i got the Osram 1557CW-02B LED Premium Retrofit from Amazon,

they work Great, i also have Osram Night Breaker Laser Next Gen H4s in the headlights, the combo is a distinctive improvement!

The LED ones are not legal for road use. Quote from Osram website:

"These products are not ECE-approved and must not be used on public roads in any exterior application. Use on public roads will invalidate both the operating license and insurance coverage."

https://www.osram.com/ecat/LEDrivin...g/com/en/GPS01_2636495/PP_EUROPE_Europe_eCat/

Robert G8RPI.

 

[gar074]

Why would you want brighter daytime running lights??!!??

 

[2668GRIFFIN]

Legal or not it will still pass an MOT and the police don't care
As I have said before loads of times and I have led instead of filament bulbs for ages with no issues for passing an mot
You keep preaching the law but no-one is there to enforce it
Also the led bulbs are brighter and safer which is a plus point in my book
LUIGI

 

[varesecrazy]

Legal or not it will still pass an MOT and the police don't care
As I have said before loads of times and I have led instead of filament bulbs for ages with no issues for passing an mot
You keep preaching the law but no-one is there to enforce it
Also the led bulbs are brighter and safer which is a plus point in my book
LUIGI

DRL.. probably ok

But the ultra white-bright number plate lights that

1 : Are a WHITE LIGHT AT REAR -MOT fail

2 : so white they make the rear plate unreadable.. also a fail

But in these times when brand new SUV headlights
( virtually all vehicle brands..)
are worse for beam pattern 'cut.off'
than LHD vehicles..

Then the point is lost

Be fantastic if they all failed 1st MOT in 2022.. and cost £1k to fix with new lamp units..

 

[Jerseywurzel]

Legal or not it will still pass an MOT and the police don't care
As I have said before loads of times and I have led instead of filament bulbs for ages with no issues for passing an mot
You keep preaching the law but no-one is there to enforce it
Also the led bulbs are brighter and safer which is a plus point in my book
LUIGI

The police may not enforce it but you can bet the insurance company will use it to invalidate any claim ...

 

[2668GRIFFIN]

doubt it
They are not going to check the bulbs if you prang your car
When I got rear ended they never checked my bulbs they were only interested in the body work damage

 

[2668GRIFFIN]

DRL.. probably ok

But the ultra white-bright number plate lights that

1 : Are a WHITE LIGHT AT REAR -MOT fail

2 : so white they make the rear plate unreadable.. also a fail

But in these times when brand new SUV headlights
( virtually all vehicle brands..)
are worse for beam pattern 'cut.off'
than LHD vehicles..

Then the point is lost

Be fantastic if they all failed 1st MOT in 2022.. and cost £1k to fix with new lamp units..

Mine past ...……..Sorry! and I asked the guy doing it

 

[murphyv310]

The police may not enforce it but you can bet the insurance company will use it to invalidate any claim ...

In my case no.
I had an accident in the Cross last August and I've led stop/tail lights and number plate lamps. All were tested and passed by the insurance tester as fine.

 

[LegionsX]

Thanks for all the comments,

I am aware that the DRLs are not strictly legal,

I like them for good quality (ie not ebay specials that may stop working after a short time) the DRLs are on all the time the car is running and if inspected they look about as legal as it gets.

i have however switched the reversing light for a cheap, bright LED replacement.

I reverse park everywhere (like everyone does)

and where i live has poor lighting.

 

[murphyv310]

Why would you want brighter daytime running lights??!!??

Simply to improve safety. The lux output of the LED DRL lamps I used in my late lounge was not that much more of the filament ones but the yellow nature of the light was not conducive to being so easily noticed. The ones I chose were whither without being noticeably blue. They were much easier seen which is the whole point of DRLs. In fact the non cross versions of the Panda have the dullest DRLs I see on the road.

I agree that technically it's illegal to fit non E compliant bulbs. The thing is though I know of no one using aftermarket LED conversions or bulbs that have issues with MOT, Traffic Cops or insurance. What i have heard though is insurance rejecting claims for DIY serviced cars and those not using OEM parts like brake pads and discs, shockers and suspension parts.

Be mindful that there are many other areas in life when we fit different parts to other equipment than the manufacturer specifies, sometimes parts that are higher rated or have a different specification, is this wrong? It's all about being sensible, don't for LED H4 equivalent from many far east sellers for example as they have the wrong cut off don't fit LED bulbs that are too bright or too blue then you are asking for trouble.

 

[chris3234]

I agree that technically it's illegal to fit non E compliant bulbs. The thing is though I know of no one using aftermarket LED conversions or bulbs that have issues with MOT, Traffic Cops or insurance. What i have heard though is insurance rejecting claims for DIY serviced cars and those not using OEM parts like brake pads and discs, shockers and suspension parts.

Be mindful that there are many other areas in life when we fit different parts to other equipment than the manufacturer specifies, sometimes parts that are higher rated or have a different specification, is this wrong? It's all about being sensible, don't for LED H4 equivalent from many far east sellers for example as they have the wrong cut off don't fit LED bulbs that are too bright or too blue then you are asking for trouble.[/QUOTE]

I've never heard of any issues with fit serviced or none OEM parts
Assuming it's all been done correctly anyway

 

[SB1500]

I chuckle to myself when I see lowered old Passats and A4's with the flickering bright white lights dying out on the license place (which also has been printed with a snazzy unusual font)... "for looks", i don't know about that... lol

I think the lights the manufacturer fit are the best looking and best working option. I like that the Panda's DRLs are more yellow and warm looking. Suits the cars character IMO

 

[g8rpi]

Mine past ...……..Sorry! and I asked the guy doing it

Mind telling us the name of the inspector and nuber of the MOT station so they can be reported? If you told him you had illegal lights fitted he should have given you an advisory about it.

Regarding your insurance company don't be too sure, they will look at all sorts of things depending on the nature of the accident. The bigger the claim the closer they will look. If another party claims they were dazzeled or distracted by your DRLs then they will certainly look. Just because you have not been caught doe not mean you have not committed an offence.
What YOU do is up to you, THe only time I mention legality of modifications is when the person(s) promoting them do not openly say they are illegal.


If people are told they can make an informed decision on the matter and break the law if they want.


Robert G8RPI.

 

[g8rpi]

<SNIP>


i have however switched the reversing light for a cheap, bright LED replacement.

I reverse park everywhere (like everyone does)

and where i live has poor lighting.

Using LEDs in reversing lights IS legal. They are the one exterior light that does not have to be E marked.

Robert G8RPI.

 

[g8rpi]

<SNIP>

What i have heard though is insurance rejecting claims for DIY serviced cars and those not using OEM parts like brake pads and discs, shockers and suspension parts.

<SNIP>

Do you have any references for this? Are you talking about accident claims or warranty claims?
There is NO requirement to fit OEM parts for roadworthiness. (Since 1999 replacement pads must be approved to ECE R90).
The only time I can see when a claim would be rejected for DIY work was if it was negligent. Even doing it wrong, in good faith, should not be grounds for rejecting an accident claim.

Robert G8RPI.

 

[murphyv310]

Do you have any references for this? Are you talking about accident claims or warranty claims?
There is NO requirement to fit OEM parts for roadworthiness. (Since 1999 replacement pads must be approved to ECE R90).
The only time I can see when a claim would be rejected for DIY work was if it was negligent. Even doing it wrong, in good faith, should not be grounds for rejecting an accident claim.

Robert G8RPI.

Yes I know of one instance personally. I would need to get permission from the person involved before discussing the full details including name etc. The car though suffered brake failure on its way to get an MOT and suffered an accident, the claim was refused as the car was repaired by unqualified personnel, this was after the car was examined, he even had to pay for the examination. It was the owner that was working on the brakes.

I've heard of another (I have many motor trade contacts) although it was a good few years ago around 7 or 8.

 

[murphyv310]

Mind telling us the name of the inspector and nuber of the MOT station so they can be reported? If you told him you had illegal lights fitted he should have given you an advisory about it.

Robert G8RPI.

To be fair. This is only word of mouth and I very much doubt you'd be able to report anyone. As an ex moderator on another car forum and vintage radio forum no one would take note of this, so it's really quite pointless.

I know you have mentioned the legality of non compliant LEDs on occasions previously which is the right thing to do but at the end of the day it's the owners prerogative to do what they please. Perhaps it's best then that this type of discussion should be closed.
In life we all do things wrong knowingly or unknowingly.
We should not cast the first stone unless we are perfect.