HOW TO: Licence Plate LEDs...

[CateraMV6]

Here is a very simple and cheap upgrade that looks cool and elegant when in use.

LEDs like these are used on many new high end vehicles such as Cadillac and Mercedes Benz. The typical 5W licence plate bulb is replaced by a small Festoon Bulb which features few LEDs which use less then 1W while producing a very bright light.

I ordered these bulbs from ebay seller (hk_plus).
The kit he sells has 2 LED bulbs that fit the following bulb sizes (6411 6418 6413)


Total cost of the kit including shipping was $3.80


Install was a breeze. Simply remove the 2 screws that hold each of the licence plate lights (there are two of them) then remove the wires, remove old bulb, install new bulb, replug wires... check polarity (if bulb lights up with the parking lights on you are good, if not then flip the wires around)
Reinstall and enjoy!

Here are a few picture...
Let me know what you think.

Lights OFF

OEM

W/ LEDs.

[Cadi Cat]

very cool! I really like the led look. I will be adding this little upgrade also. I have them installed for my reverse lights.

[CateraMV6]

Here we go... I snapped a few shots of the lights under AUTO Mode w/o flash.

Pictures look exactly as what I see in person...

[Black Hole]

Originally Posted by Cadi Cat

very cool! I really like the led look. I will be adding this little upgrade also. I have them installed for my reverse lights.

Have any part numbers available?

I'm desperately looking for a brighter reverse light.....tint + dark driveway + dark garage = scarry when backing into my driveway and garage.

Thanks.

And yes, I do have a flood light right above the garage door, but it takes 30+ seconds to reach full brightness and then I'm sort of blinded in my side mirrors by the time I get to the edge of the garage and the one light bulb on the garage door opener doesn't help in the back corner of the garage. My previous cars...Jeeps, Mustangs, etc.. always had bright backup lights even with tinted windows.

[CateraMV6]

Oh you bring an interesting point... if the reverse lights are the same I will be sure to order another set and swap those out as well...

[Cadi Cat]

Look up "1156 white smd led" on ebay. But make sure you go with the SMD ones. They have the brightest led diodes over the typical leds. I can't remember how many leds i went with on mine so I would suggest mesuring the dimensions of your oem bulb so that it'll fit in the lens. Some of these have so many leds on them that they end up being so tall that they won't fit.

[R-Caddy]

You and I need to open a shop and call it "Catera Customs & Repair"

[Matera97]

Throw in a 50% forum member discount and I'm in...lol

[JRomano]

for a brighter reverse bulb, try a "1295" its 37.5w compared to the 1156's 21w, main problem with ordering them is they are hard to find, i bought a 10-pack of them years ago from mcmaster-carr

[JRomano]

oh and dont leave em ON for too long or they will start to melt the taillight housings after 5 mins or so, not usually a problem because reverse is mostly for backing out of a short driveway or parking space

[Catera V]

Please order me some next time you turn in an order. fred

[CateraMV6]

Originally Posted by Catera V

Please order me some next time you turn in an order. fred

Will do!