Why aren't LED interior light standard yet?

"K-Roll-PorscheTamer" (k-roll390)
07/10/2017 at 23:04 • Filed to: Interiors

Along with the stripes, I replaced the incandescent map lights with LEDs and the difference is outstanding!!

DISCUSSION (34)

Wagon Guy drives a Boostang > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/10/2017 at 23:07

I haven’t done this yet, but it’s on my list. I’m still looking for LED front turn signals that I like...

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/10/2017 at 23:12

white LED lights are harsh and clinical. The soft incandescent lights are warmer and more comfortable.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/10/2017 at 23:14

I’m kinda surprised the Mustang doesn’t have LED domes because literally every every newer Ford I’ve personally been in has LEDs.

2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/10/2017 at 23:18

You really don’t use interior lights often, so I don’t see the need for leds when you’d barley use them

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
07/10/2017 at 23:20

Hmmm that’s actually a really good point. Fascinating outlook on the matter.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
07/10/2017 at 23:20

Maybe the 2018s will start using LEDs, who knows.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/10/2017 at 23:23

For the same reason some cars still come with drum brakes: Because traditional car manufacturers are a bunch of tightwads who would rather continue using stuff that “already works” and would rather upsell simple changes in order to actually make their luxury lines look better.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Wagon Guy drives a Boostang
07/10/2017 at 23:25

I do believe your options are rather limited in that area, but if I were to do that as well, I fancy the diode dynamics variant

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > 2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered
07/10/2017 at 23:25

Good point.

Wagon Guy drives a Boostang > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/10/2017 at 23:31

I like their effect, but they don’t include a resistor in the kit, so you get “fast flash” of the signals to the dash. I talked to them in June and they’re working on a full LED replacement housing with built in sequential signals for release soon. They had them on a car they brought to Texas for the LMR cruise in. To be offered with either clear or tinted lenses... I’m waiting for now.

wafflesnfalafel > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/10/2017 at 23:36

you have to use up all your incandescent bulbs before you can have LEDs

NojustNo > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/11/2017 at 00:08

I found led map lights to be too bright / harsh and went back to stock.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > wafflesnfalafel
07/11/2017 at 00:16

Bit late for that now isn’t it :p

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > NojustNo
07/11/2017 at 00:17

I’ve got the incandescents in the glove box just in case I ever wanna switch back.

Jayhawk Jake > NojustNo
07/11/2017 at 00:27

Same. Had them in my Sonic and liked it, put some in my Mustang and ended up stock again

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
07/11/2017 at 00:50

My 2015 Focus ST has nothing but LEDs inside. In fact, the only real incandescent lights are outside (where I’d rather have LEDs). In fact, the exterior lights are on my list of things I want to change.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/11/2017 at 01:39

Accountants. They’re some number of extra cents per each light emitting point; the fact they’re there adds nothing to the price unless it’s a higher end trim (where they are basically standard now). Add all that up over millions of cars and it becomes real money.

Tiny changes have big financial impacts when you’re producing hundreds of thousands to millions of something.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
07/11/2017 at 01:47

Although, my car is an ST3. I believe one or both of the lower trims have incandescent bulbs.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/11/2017 at 02:40

that and probably cost, I know you can get warmer LED’s.. but they’re probably still more expensive than incandescent’s.

OPPOsaurus WRX > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/11/2017 at 07:58

My 2012 Focus has LED in terior lights.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > OPPOsaurus WRX
07/11/2017 at 09:14

Was it a Titanium model? I seem to recall the 2014 Titanium I test drove years ago had bright interior lights but my base model ST had incandescent bulbs.

OPPOsaurus WRX > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/11/2017 at 09:24

its an SEL

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/11/2017 at 09:50

I like my soft glow porno lighting thank you very much.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
07/11/2017 at 10:11

How are you gonna see everything in hi-def blue ray 4k laser light fanciness if you don’t use LEDs? This isn’t the 70s anymore!

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
07/11/2017 at 10:11

How are you gonna see everything in hi-def blue ray 4k laser light fanciness if you don’t use LEDs? This isn’t the 70s anymore!

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/11/2017 at 10:12

I’ll just have to look with my special eyes

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > 2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered
07/11/2017 at 10:25

On my Accord all the lights turn on when I hit unlock. I enjoy coming back to a very well lit car after hitting the button. But that’s just me.

Takuro Spirit > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/11/2017 at 11:07

My RAM has LED dome/map lights

My bird IS the word > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/11/2017 at 11:38

Ironically, LED’s look really good in my 70s car.

2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/11/2017 at 11:41

They do that on most cars, but yellow bulbs do just fine to me ya know?

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > My bird IS the word
07/11/2017 at 12:41

Show me.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
07/11/2017 at 12:52

I can’t risk swapping for LEDs, because Thomas Kinkade might want to paint my car.

My bird IS the word > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/11/2017 at 13:11

My car is all ripped apart right now, can’t hook the battery up. Remind me when I get it back together, I will try to take some pics of it. I have the gauge lights all LEDs and the dome/floor lights as incandescent. with the front lit gauges it looks awesome.

Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/11/2017 at 13:48

LEDs cost a fair bit to implement correctly. Due to the small size, their light output is more focused. Car interiors are small places so the light needs to be diffused, so most OEM LED setups use lenses (or lots of LEDs) to do that.