LED Question

You meant halogen bulbs, not HIDs. I still haven't found a closer match than 501 W5W Xenon Extreme White Side light bulb for any LEDs than I've tried. Philips Blue Vision and Osram Cool Blue halogen bulbs are tinted lighter blue but still too yellow when lit. 5100K LEDs from superbrightleds are too white and all 5500K and 6000K LEDs are too blue next to the LED headlights. Can't win either way.

 

Yeah, they're more noticeable than the clear OE bulbs but are still less of an eyesore than the ugly stack of circuit boards and yellow panels on LEDs. OE bulbs are best appearance-wise but I can't stand the yellow color.

LEDs obviously draw less power than halogens. Blue-tinted bulbs are weaker too so that's another drawback.

 

If you're looking for LED bubs for the parking lights that match the color temperature of the factory halogen headlights- don't think you'll be able to find anything close enough not to notice a big difference.

If you're considering replacing the OEM halogen headlights with 5-6k HID's, then you have a better chance of finding matching LED's for the parking lights.

 

The OP has LED headlights. What makes the 2010-11 headlights more tricky to color-match is they have a very slight blue-tinted housing whereas the parking light housing is untinted. For 2012, blue-tinted housings (including parking lights) are found only on the Plug-in Prius and it's a deeper blue than the 2010-11 headlights, which are more of a light/baby blue. The parking lights are already LED on the 2012 Five.

But, yes, I agree it's easier to color-match if you get HIDs for halogen headlights on the lower trims, as you can simply get, say, 6000K HIDs and the corresponding 6000K LEDs for parking lights.

 

5100K "natural white" WLED-WHP5. They'll look too white next to LED headlights, but it's less distracting than the yellow stock bulbs or too blue 5500K/6000K LEDs. They're also lower profile than other LEDs, making them less of an eyesore as they don't stick out as much. Excellent brightness.

 

my suggestion is to go to a local shop and try a bunch til you find a match.. even leds made by the same manufacturer may be a little different. I went to a buddys shop and it took 3 different sets before I found one that matched my hids perfectly..

 

I am also finding LED bulbs to replace the parking lights and backup lights. The only difference is that I don't care about the color match but want the brightest light (most light output) for the safety. I think safety is more important to me than the appearance. Did anyone on the same boat as me and find the replacements?

 

The aforementioned SBL LEDs have good output and are brighter than iJDMToy LEDs.

 

Thank you, 32kcolors!
1) Do I need any modification to replace the 194 LED Bulb - 5 SMD LED Wide Angle Wedge Base
or it is just plug-and-play?
2) Is this the same bulb to replace the back-up bulb?
3) How many quantity to replace all the parking and backup bulbs?

Thanks for your information!

 

Plug and play.

No, back-up bulbs are W21W. Parking, front side marker and license plate bulbs are W5W/194.

Two for parking lights. I do not recommend replacing back-up bulbs with LEDs as only one LED isn't going to give you enough light output. If you want all LED tallights, replace the stock taillights with full LED taillights. If you just want to eliminate the fried egg effect (amber color given off in turn signal reflectors), simply replace the stock turn signal bulbs with silver-coated bulbs like the Philips WY21W Silver Vision.

 

Thanks a lot!

 

I just replaced by back up lights with LEDs. I used a '7w' cree Q5 bulb. I don't think they are really 7w.
In addition Q5 is a binning, not a model number of a cree led.
Nonetheless, they are brighter than the factory bulbs.
All you need is a t20 socket compatible bulb.
The R5 bin is brighter than Q5, though it has a higher color temperature.

As for the parking lights, there are many options. I used a 5 led 5050 t10 bulb, and it was brighter than the factory bulb. They are also really inexpensive, if you buy from china or hk.

 

Philips WY21W Silver Vision. It's silver-coated so it's clear when installed but still blinks amber. Good for eliminating the fried egg look. Get two pairs so you can replace the rear turn signals as well. Don't bother with LEDs as they won't provide enough light output with only one LED. Upgrading to afternarket full LED corner lamps and taillights are the only way to go if you want LED for turn signal and back-up lights.

 

Has anyone tried the Sylvania/Osram 194/168/2825 LED bulbs? I'm curious on durability and color output.

Buy Sylvania 168/194/2825 LED 168/194/2825LED at Advance Auto Parts

 

All 6000K LEDs will look too blue next to factory LED headlights if color matching is what you're after. They'll be fine if you get 6000K HIDs to replace the halogen headlights in the lower trims.