Hatchman Posted May 13, 2013 Report Share Posted May 13, 2013 (edited) I ordered 2 sets of the 28(not 20)-SMD's, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008KP7MIA/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Used 1 in the puddle lights and the other in the cargo area, also MUCH brighter, whiter and easy. Now for the license plate. The "one up", complete with bold and underline. Edited May 13, 2013 by Hatchman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armoredsaint Posted May 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2013 i forgot to say i upgraded the LED in the left and right side cargo lights too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wab Posted May 14, 2013 Report Share Posted May 14, 2013 That reminds me! Are the 5 led license plate bulbs bright enough? I had tried some of those auto supply 1 led and they didn't work out at all.Not nearly bright enough and would stay on (very dimly) for an hour+/- after locking the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armoredsaint Posted May 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2013 That reminds me! Are the 5 led license plate bulbs bright enough? I had tried some of those auto supply 1 led and they didn't work out at all.Not nearly bright enough and would stay on (very dimly) for an hour+/- after locking the car. the 5 LED is just bright enough for me, it looks good. the 20 led is way too much for your plates, draws too much attention. wab 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScubaDadMiami Posted May 14, 2013 Report Share Posted May 14, 2013 (edited) the 5 LED is just bright enough for me, it looks good. the 20 led is way too much for your plates, draws too much attention.After the change, did you notice an effect, positive or negative, on using the rearview camera at night, etc.? Edited May 14, 2013 by ScubaDadMiami Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armoredsaint Posted May 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2013 After the change, did you notice an effect, positive or negative, on using the rearview camera at night, etc.? no difference, the license plate lights fire downward so no affect on the visibility. ScubaDadMiami 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xanotos Posted June 1, 2013 Report Share Posted June 1, 2013 (edited) So changing any of these bulbs won't cause the 'bulb out' message to appear?Changed the brake lights on 2012 Focus with LED's and a message would come up every time!Plus, after turning off car, the bulbs would stay half bright and faintly flicker for 30 minutes. Edited June 1, 2013 by xanotos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScubaDadMiami Posted June 1, 2013 Report Share Posted June 1, 2013 I finally needed to place an Amazon order for something big enough that I could throw the following in:Tire Pressure Gauge for the glove box holder: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002SQYTG/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1LEDs for the puddle lights: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008KP7MIA/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1LEDs for the license plate: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0064O0NB2/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i02?ie=UTF8&psc=1Coin holder for the console shelf: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001XPC7C/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1Down the line, I may opt for the cigarette lighter plug battery jump. If anybody gets a good one, please post the link. I haven't installed anything yet. The order just shipped. I just hope I can get the guts up to start pulling things apart to make these nice little upgrades. Keep 'em coming! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArizonaEnergi Posted June 1, 2013 Report Share Posted June 1, 2013 I did the cargo area lights using the 28 LEDs recommended above. Here's a picture of the old and new, and both new. I would say the light output is about the same, but the white LED much more vibrant and pleasant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wab Posted June 2, 2013 Report Share Posted June 2, 2013 So changing any of these bulbs won't cause the 'bulb out' message to appear?Changed the brake lights on 2012 Focus with LED's and a message would come up every time!Plus, after turning off car, the bulbs would stay half bright and faintly flicker for 30 minutes. No problems no bulb out ALL 3 upgrades easy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armoredsaint Posted June 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2013 No problems no bulb out ALL 3 upgrades easy! So changing any of these bulbs won't cause the 'bulb out' message to appear?Changed the brake lights on 2012 Focus with LED's and a message would come up every time!Plus, after turning off car, the bulbs would stay half bright and faintly flicker for 30 minutes. i can't remember exactly, but i read somewhere the bulb out indicator is for the turn signals if you replace it with LEDs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xanotos Posted July 8, 2013 Report Share Posted July 8, 2013 i just ordered these yellow 20-SMD LEDs and maybe try to swap out the turn signals on the mirror too, Armoredsaint, Did you get the yellow side marker LED's installed? How did it go? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARA Posted July 9, 2013 Report Share Posted July 9, 2013 I have completed the following LED upgrades..... License Plate Cargo Area Puddle Tomorrow I will tackle the glove box. LED's for the back-up lights are on order. The results are well worth the time and effort......looks great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchman Posted July 9, 2013 Report Share Posted July 9, 2013 Replaced the license, cargo, and puddle. No after glow or bulb out indications, just cool, vibrant light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armoredsaint Posted July 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2013 Armoredsaint, Did you get the yellow side marker LED's installed? How did it go? thank for the reminder, i got them but it was defective and wrong color - i sent them back to amazon, but at that time they didn't have replacements - got busy at work and forgot about it :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RetiredJohn Posted July 9, 2013 Report Share Posted July 9, 2013 I have completed the following LED upgrades.....License PlateCargo AreaPuddleTomorrow I will tackle the glove box.LED's for the back-up lights are on order.The results are well worth the time and effort......looks great. I have completed the following LED upgrades.....License PlateCargo AreaPuddleTomorrow I will tackle the glove box.LED's for the back-up lights are on order.The results are well worth the time and effort......looks great.Is the benefit just better/cooler lights or does it save battery (energy) usage too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armoredsaint Posted July 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2013 Is the benefit just better/cooler lights or does it save battery (energy) usage too? always to look cooler ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtorres Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 So I thought this was a cool upgrade and ordered the led bulbs for the puddle lights, rear cargo area and rear plate. After replacing the rear plate and cargo area lights I went to do the puddle lights and had a Homer Simpson moment when I realized there are no puddle lights on the SE model! I guess that option only comes on the SEL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtorres Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 (edited) One other warning. When I removed the factory rear plate bulb (a 5 watt bulb) I noticed that it was burning the plastic around the bulb holder. Because LED bulbs tend to run cooler replacing the rear license plate bulb made be a good upgrade for safety reasons. Here's a picture of the rear plate bulb holder and both sides looked like this. PlateBulb.bmp Edited July 17, 2013 by dtorres ScubaDadMiami 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScubaDadMiami Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 Thanks for letting us know. I bought the bulbs. I just haven't gotten around to changing them out. I will become more motivated, thanks to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armoredsaint Posted July 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 wow that is troubling to see it burn the plastic holder around it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xanotos Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 Anyone had a chance to replace the top brake lights? I bought the bulbs, but couldn't. From reading the OM, seems I need a 'suitable tool'. Wonder how the tool looks like??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armoredsaint Posted July 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 Anyone had a chance to replace the top brake lights? I bought the bulbs, but couldn't. From reading the OM, seems I need a 'suitable tool'.Wonder how the tool looks like??? Use this and report back your results ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slampro Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 Is the benefit just better/cooler lights or does it save battery (energy) usage too? LEDs give off less heat and draw less current. So, I am guessing they might make a slight difference in energy usage.The main reason to do it is because they look better(IMO). From the post above, it seems the rear license plate may be a safety upgrade as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArizonaEnergi Posted July 22, 2013 Report Share Posted July 22, 2013 (edited) I just looked at my two license plate light bulb sockets through their lens and both showed brown heat discoloration around the rim, similar to the photo above. When I touched the lens they were very hot even though the lights had turned off minutes earlier. This is definitely a location that would benefit from LEDs. UPDATE: Ordered some LEDs for the license plate lights today Tuesday. Pictures and report after they arrive. Edited July 23, 2013 by ArizonaEnergi slampro 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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