asherwood

I'm contemplating going ahead and ordering LED bulbs for my car.

Does the S5 use a thermal flasher, and if it does can I just swap this for an electronic flasher to drive the LED bulbs? I had heard that due to the low current draw that the thermal flasher's won't work.

Also would the LED bulbs screw up the body CPU? I mean will I get a burnt out bulb indication on the dash?


Thanks

NZConvertible

LED indicators look a bit silly. Flashing incandescent bulbs just look much nicer. LED brake lights are a good idea because of their faster lighting time, but they're the only bulbs worth changing. This is just a safety thing; LED's don't look any better.

S5's don't have a brake light warning, so there's no prob swapping. Just be aware that many people have reported reduced brightness with same aftermarket LED bulbs. Be careful what you buy.

hugues

If you use LED's for the brakes, then you'll get the 'brake warning light' on s4 every time you brake.

This could be a problem since you don't know anymore if the lights are out or not. Not a big deal but something to ponder about.

you have 4 1157 and 1 1156, you'll get the warning light even if you replace 2 out of 5. I know because I tried.

and I agree with NZ about using LED's on brakes only.

Hugues -

86GXL

Your turn signals will flash faster. (they did in my car)
If you buy all the proper thingy's (i forget what they are called) to make the car think there is still a bulb in then you wont have any warning lights coming on.
Also... For all you guys that say only doing the brakes is worth it... not true.... i'll be doing the turn signals... side markers... dash lights... Dome light... door lights... EVERYTHING... and trust me its well worth it.... even the idiot lights...

asherwood

When you say 'silly' what do mean exactly? With the proper LED bulb they should just look brighter...

NZConvertible

But why bother doing all that? What's the point? It sounds like you've spent a bunch of money for very little gain.

It's purely a personal thing. Because LED's reach full brightness much faster than incandescent bulbs, they look quite different to normal indicators when flashing on and off. I don't like it, and certainly wouldn't spend any money on it. Also the flash rate is increased as 86GXL said, making them look even sillier.
I've seen the performance of some aftermarket replacement LED bulbs. They were dimmer, not brighter. The ones that work properly are very expensive; and IMO a waste of money.

Personally the only one I'd change is the high-stop light, which is one of my many half-finished projects. I lost interest when I discovered how troublesome it is to keep the brake bulb warning system operational.

86GXL

Because I want to have every extra bit of power for the stereo and other such things. Plus i HATE when i hit the brakes and the lights dim.