Are LED Lights Legal ?

jonny boy · 08-11-2005, 21:21

With all the combined knowledge out there, someone will know the answer to this one. The law says that the bulb illumination has to be lit by incandecent fillament. e.g - bulb. So why then are some aftermarket lights using diodes and even some manufacturers are as well. (V.W one of them).
Did the law change, i'm getting on a bit you see.

ChrisRs · 08-11-2005, 21:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonny boy

With all the combined knowledge out there, someone will know the answer to this one. The law says that the bulb illumination has to be lit by incandecent fillament. e.g - bulb. So why then are some aftermarket lights using diodes and even some manufacturers are as well. (V.W one of them).
Did the law change, i'm getting on a bit you see.

Are you thinking of replacing some bulbs ie side lights? Cos if you are WARNING if you have xenons its damn near impossible to change the main beam and side light bulbs. Apparantly the bumper has to come off and the whole headlamp unit dismantled !! Its a job for the dealer me thinks

jonny boy · 08-11-2005, 21:38

Oh no, No way. Just thinking of the 'fried egg' syndrome in the indicator lights - front and rear. Just from the Legal stance.

Are the indicator bulbs difficult to replace ? REMEMBER THE MEGANE FRONT ONES !!!

WW_VRS · 08-11-2005, 21:52

Indicator bulbs are pretty easy to do on the xenon-equipped Fabia vRS - I did those myself, a little tight but fine.

The high beam + side lights I let the dealer sort out. You can do it though.

**mannyo** · 08-11-2005, 21:54

I read somewhere that LED lights are illegal for use in the UK, but there is a but. Because they have EU type approval, they are legal through the backdoor.

lfc958 · 08-11-2005, 22:31

So - you can buy a car with them on already, but you cant change your current bulbs to l.e.d's ??

Shifty · 08-11-2005, 22:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by mannyo

they are legal through the backdoor.

Here we go again....trust you Manny

flyingscot · 08-11-2005, 22:56

Yep as Manny said it's a legal grey area. Lots of vehicels have them as standard esp. commercial vehicles so it'a not to be worried about!

Kentish · 08-11-2005, 23:00

I understood the main stumbling block regarding LED's was the angle of visble light, as a bulb throws out a ball of light but a LED projects almost a beam like effect.
I assumed that now that they had sorted the reflectors required to allow a 180 degree viewable angle that they were legal.

Johnnyc · 08-11-2005, 23:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonny boy

REMEMBER THE MEGANE FRONT ONES !!!

I remember the megane front lamps alright. You had to send a double jointed monkey up under the wheel arch to change them

Johnnyc · 08-11-2005, 23:22

Led bulbs in the rear of my Octy are no good as the bulb is angled out away from the car and it's a clear lens. Even the side angled leds aren't enough to help the lack of rear facing light. Going to put them in the front though because the front lens is standard so it diffuses the light better.

TBH I was more interested in using leds for my brake lights as they are proven to improve response times of vehicles behind but it's a strange setup and not do-able.

yashicamat · 08-11-2005, 23:22

I have white LED sidlights at the front and I got a Cheshire Police Traffic Cop to verify that they were suitable and legal - he said that they were both white enough and bright enough to be considered legal sidelights . . . I still put standard 501's back in for the MOT though!
Other than the MOT, it's not really an issue as long as it's bright enough (from all angles) and clear whether it's brake lights or tail lights. Be warned that indicator relay circuits get thrown by LED replacement bulbs, you need to wire in a resistor to work in parallel with the LED's to prevent the relay tripping into the high frequency cycle (like when you blow a bulb). Also, LED tailights tripped out the 3rd brake light in my Passat . . . knowing VAG it'll be the same in the Skoda's. Once again, a load resistor is required.
Only sidelight bulbs at the front and wing indicators are changeable without affecting the circuitry (with the exception of reversing lights).
Hope this has helped.

andy2407 · 08-11-2005, 23:33

Followed someone the other day with LED's around his exhaust pipe. WTF is that all about?
Something like this.....
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CAR-EXHAUST-TI...QQcmdZViewItem

yashicamat · 08-11-2005, 23:37

Let me hazard a guess . . . Saxo 1.1 with VTR bodykit, lexus lights, led washerjets . . . am I getting warm?

Johnnyc · 08-11-2005, 23:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy2407

Followed someone the other day with LED's around his exhaist pipe. WTF is that all about?
Something like this.....
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CAR-EXHAUST-TI...QQcmdZViewItem

Sad as ****

andy2407 · 08-11-2005, 23:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by yashicamat

Let me hazard a guess . . . Saxo 1.1 with VTR bodykit, lexus lights, led washerjets . . . am I getting warm?

Close but not quite.
A small car, and quite a few ch@ved ones about....
Keep guessing.
Oh and it has some celtic/tribal graphics on too

Shifty · 08-11-2005, 23:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy2407

Close but not quite.
A small car, and quite a few ch@ved ones about....
Keep guessing.
Oh and it has some celtic/tribal graphics on too

Shoot him in the face next time you see him Andy

jonny boy · 09-11-2005, 00:07

I guess the BLUE led's around the tailpipe give him 'that air of invincibility' when he goes CROOZIN' with the Posse. Mate.

Wardy · 09-11-2005, 01:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonny boy

Oh no, No way. Just thinking of the 'fried egg' syndrome in the indicator lights - front and rear.

Why not just replace them with some Silverstars or equivalent, silver indicator bulbs that flash orange?

And why is this in the 'First Time Visitors' section

Steve

ChrisRs · 09-11-2005, 08:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnnyc

I remember the megane front lamps alright. You had to send a double jointed monkey up under the wheel arch to change them

Thats easy peasy compared to a Fabia with Xenons !!

08-11-2005, 21:21	#1
jonny boy Briskodian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Cumbria Posts: 2,037 Members Car: Fabia vRS/ Xenons/ Cruise/ Heated seats/ Side airbags/ 3rd headrest. Thanks: 4 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Are LED Lights Legal ? With all the combined knowledge out there, someone will know the answer to this one. The law says that the bulb illumination has to be lit by incandecent fillament. e.g - bulb. So why then are some aftermarket lights using diodes and even some manufacturers are as well. (V.W one of them). Did the law change, i'm getting on a bit you see.

08-11-2005, 21:38	#3
jonny boy Briskodian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Cumbria Posts: 2,037 Members Car: Fabia vRS/ Xenons/ Cruise/ Heated seats/ Side airbags/ 3rd headrest. Thanks: 4 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Oh no, No way. Just thinking of the 'fried egg' syndrome in the indicator lights - front and rear. Just from the Legal stance. Are the indicator bulbs difficult to replace ? REMEMBER THE MEGANE FRONT ONES !!! Last edited by jonny boy; 08-11-2005 at 21:41.

08-11-2005, 21:52	#4
WW_VRS Escorted Estate Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Oxfordshire/Berkshire Posts: 9,961 Members Car: Ford Escort 1.6LX + Fab Estate Thanks: 48 Thanked 92 Times in 82 Posts	Indicator bulbs are pretty easy to do on the xenon-equipped Fabia vRS - I did those myself, a little tight but fine. The high beam + side lights I let the dealer sort out. You can do it though. __________________ WW --->> Project Journal (pic links in first post there) Lummox'/Ross thread on Unit18 Automotive progress on my car: here

08-11-2005, 21:54	#5
mannyo BRISKODA Staff Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Stevenage Herts. Posts: 11,630 Members Car: Octavia 2.0 TDi Elegance Thanks: 60 Thanked 393 Times in 362 Posts	I read somewhere that LED lights are illegal for use in the UK, but there is a but. Because they have EU type approval, they are legal through the backdoor. __________________ Manny 2005 Octavia 2.0TDi Elegance combi my skoda website http://www.octaviars.co.uk Join the briskoda.net folding team click Here for more info

08-11-2005, 22:31	#6
lfc958 500 Power Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Kent Posts: 4,089 Members Car: Fiat 500 Thanks: 16 Thanked 27 Times in 27 Posts	So - you can buy a car with them on already, but you cant change your current bulbs to l.e.d's ?? __________________ Steve Man-Bag ? Girlie Car ? - You Decide ( I have - it's neither )

08-11-2005, 22:56	#8
flyingscot Briskodian Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Jammed up on her majesties highways Posts: 2,251 Members Car: Skoda Fabia TDi Hatchback Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Yep as Manny said it's a legal grey area. Lots of vehicels have them as standard esp. commercial vehicles so it'a not to be worried about! __________________ Colin To come second is to be the first of the losers!

08-11-2005, 23:00	#9
Kentish Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 5,252 Members Car: I'm not, I'm sat at a desk. Thanks: 0 Thanked 12 Times in 7 Posts	I understood the main stumbling block regarding LED's was the angle of visble light, as a bulb throws out a ball of light but a LED projects almost a beam like effect. I assumed that now that they had sorted the reflectors required to allow a 180 degree viewable angle that they were legal. __________________ Andy Owner of a sense of humour.

08-11-2005, 23:22	#11
Johnnyc Briskodian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 3,193 Members Car: MkV Golf 1.9 TDI Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Led bulbs in the rear of my Octy are no good as the bulb is angled out away from the car and it's a clear lens. Even the side angled leds aren't enough to help the lack of rear facing light. Going to put them in the front though because the front lens is standard so it diffuses the light better. TBH I was more interested in using leds for my brake lights as they are proven to improve response times of vehicles behind but it's a strange setup and not do-able. __________________ Johnny "Americans have different ways of saying things. They say "elevator", we say "lift" ... they say "President", we say "stupid psychopathic git."

08-11-2005, 23:22	#12
yashicamat Briskodian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Macclesfield, Cheshire Posts: 2,678 Members Car: Nissan Primera GT Thanks: 37 Thanked 34 Times in 31 Posts	I have white LED sidlights at the front and I got a Cheshire Police Traffic Cop to verify that they were suitable and legal - he said that they were both white enough and bright enough to be considered legal sidelights . . . I still put standard 501's back in for the MOT though! Other than the MOT, it's not really an issue as long as it's bright enough (from all angles) and clear whether it's brake lights or tail lights. Be warned that indicator relay circuits get thrown by LED replacement bulbs, you need to wire in a resistor to work in parallel with the LED's to prevent the relay tripping into the high frequency cycle (like when you blow a bulb). Also, LED tailights tripped out the 3rd brake light in my Passat . . . knowing VAG it'll be the same in the Skoda's. Once again, a load resistor is required. Only sidelight bulbs at the front and wing indicators are changeable without affecting the circuitry (with the exception of reversing lights). Hope this has helped. __________________ Rob Nissan Primera GT in Silver '56 Octy 2 2.0TDi Elegance . . . also gone but not forgotten 2002 Fabia 1.9TDi . . . . gone but not forgotten http://uk.youtube.com/yashicamatonline

08-11-2005, 23:33	#13
andy2407 Briskodian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Upper Ramsbottom Posts: 5,688 Members Car: Yellow Fabia vRS Thanks: 62 Thanked 238 Times in 192 Posts	Followed someone the other day with LED's around his exhaust pipe. WTF is that all about? Something like this..... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CAR-EXHAUST-TI...QQcmdZViewItem __________________ The future's bright The future's mellow Now with a little zest of Washbrook added (andy is a cnut) Last edited by andy2407; 08-11-2005 at 23:42.

08-11-2005, 23:37	#14
yashicamat Briskodian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Macclesfield, Cheshire Posts: 2,678 Members Car: Nissan Primera GT Thanks: 37 Thanked 34 Times in 31 Posts	Let me hazard a guess . . . Saxo 1.1 with VTR bodykit, lexus lights, led washerjets . . . am I getting warm? __________________ Rob Nissan Primera GT in Silver '56 Octy 2 2.0TDi Elegance . . . also gone but not forgotten 2002 Fabia 1.9TDi . . . . gone but not forgotten http://uk.youtube.com/yashicamatonline

09-11-2005, 00:07	#18
jonny boy Briskodian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Cumbria Posts: 2,037 Members Car: Fabia vRS/ Xenons/ Cruise/ Heated seats/ Side airbags/ 3rd headrest. Thanks: 4 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I guess the BLUE led's around the tailpipe give him 'that air of invincibility' when he goes CROOZIN' with the Posse. Mate.

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