Replacement bulb

Replacement bulbs for every application

As a driver, you cannot avoid it; unfortunately, your standard lighting eventually fails or wears out so much that it simply needs to be renewed. This is where replacement bulbs come into play. However, replacement bulbs are also incredibly popular among drivers looking for variants with a higher light output, a longer lifespan, or a more modern appearance.

That is precisely why our range does not only consist of standard replacement bulbs, but also high-quality alternatives that allow you to get more out of your vehicle's lighting. In doing so, you roughly have the choice between two technologies, namely halogen and LED.

Halogen or LED

Halogen light bulbs have been the standard in vehicle lighting for years. The major advantage is that they are almost always interchangeable one-on-one with the original bulb. You simply remove the old bulb, insert the new one, and you can hit the road straight away. On top of that, halogen light bulbs are often a bit cheaper to purchase and, in virtually all cases, legally permitted for use on public roads.

In contrast, LED replacement bulbs offer a higher light output, a longer lifespan, and lower energy consumption. On the flip side, some (modern) vehicles require additional parts, such as a CAN-bus interface or adapter. Furthermore, not all LED replacement bulbs are automatically approved for use on public roads.

As a result, there is no single choice that is perfect for everyone. It mostly depends on what you find important when using your vehicle.

Higher light output

For many drivers who frequently travel in the dark, extra visibility is the primary reason to purchase new replacement bulbs. Especially as original lighting gets older, the light output gradually decreases without you noticing it immediately.

A standard halogen bulb often produces around 1,500 lumens. Modern LED replacement bulbs, on the other hand, can achieve light outputs of 4,000 to even 5,000 lumens. You will truly notice this difference when driving in the dark. Road signs, lane markings, and other objects become visible much sooner, allowing you as a driver to react much better to any situation.

Longer lifespan

The main difference between LED light bulbs and halogen light bulbs lies in their lifespan, which plays a major role when choosing the right type of replacement bulb.

Standard halogen light bulbs typically last between 500 and 1,500 operating hours. Premium halogen light bulbs can sometimes reach around 3,000 operating hours, but still lag far behind LED.

LED replacement bulbs regularly achieve lifespans of up to 30,000 operating hours. This means they can theoretically last ten to fifty times longer than a comparable halogen bulb.

So, besides the fact that you need to replace your bulbs less often with LED or worry about them failing unexpectedly, they are also a better investment from a financial perspective in the long run.

Color temperature and appearance

It is not just the amount of light that differs between bulbs. The color of the light also heavily influences how you experience the lighting.

Halogen light bulbs usually produce a warmer light color between 3,000 and 4,000 Kelvin. This creates the familiar light pattern that many people recognize as traditional vehicle lighting.

LED light bulbs generally sit between 5,000 and 6,000 Kelvin. This feels like a crisp white light that perfectly matches the look of more modern vehicles. Users have indicated that they can see much more sharply with this color temperature compared to their standard headlight lighting.

Within white lighting, various shades exist. For instance, you will come across warm white, halogen white, and xenon white. Each shade gives the vehicle a slightly different appearance and comes with its own advantages regarding visibility.

Legal regulations and MOT

When you decide to replace your lighting, regulations are an important point of attention. Especially when switching from halogen to LED, it is wise to check beforehand what is legally permitted.

Virtually all halogen replacement bulbs are permitted for use on public roads without any issues. We try to provide as much information about this as possible on the product page itself. When a replacement bulb carries an E-mark, it is legal for public roads and will easily pass your MOT inspection.

With LED replacement bulbs, things are slightly different. Not every LED bulb possesses the required approvals for use in all vehicles and applications. Again, you can find out whether a product has an E-mark or not in its specifications.

Therefore, we always advise you to carefully review the product specifications. If you are unsure whether a bulb is suitable for your vehicle or application, we are of course happy to assist you.

Lower energy consumption

An advantage of LED that is sometimes underestimated is its lower energy consumption. If you only replace one or two bulbs, the difference will be limited, but for vehicles with a lot of lighting, this can add up considerably.

Consider, for example, trucks, motorhomes, commercial vans, or large work vehicles equipped with lots of additional lighting. By replacing dozens of halogen light bulbs with LED variants, the load on the electrical system is significantly reduced.

The benefits you get from this include a battery that stays charged longer when stationary and an alternator that is less heavily loaded while driving.

Heat generation

Another major difference between LED and halogen is heat generation. While halogen replacement bulbs can quickly become very hot, LED bulbs stay relatively cool.

Where halogen light bulbs often fall short is that a large portion of the energy is converted into heat instead of light. From an efficiency standpoint, this is unfavorable, but in some situations, it actually offers benefits.

For instance, many drivers in snowy regions appreciate the fact that halogen light bulbs get warm. The heat generated by halogen melts snow and ice off the lamp faster, allowing the lighting to be used optimally again much sooner.

Nonetheless, when it comes to lighting, visibility is obviously what matters most. In that regard, LED is the absolute winner because it manages to convert most of the energy directly into light instead of heat.

CAN-bus errors and solutions

Switching from halogen to LED can sometimes cause malfunctions in modern vehicles. Because LED consumes significantly less power than halogen, the vehicle may mistakenly detect that a bulb is defective. This can result in error messages on the dashboard, indicators flashing faster, or warning lights appearing.

Fortunately, this problem is usually easy to resolve with a CAN-bus interface or resistor. This ensures that the vehicle recognizes the LED lighting correctly and continues to function normally.

Which bulb base do I need?

The most important factor when choosing the right replacement bulb is the type of bulb base. Replacement bulbs are available in many different fitments. Exactly which fitment you need depends entirely on the vehicle and the application.

Within our range, you will find bulbs with H1, H2, H3, H4, H7, H8, H9, H11, H16, HB3, HB4, and HB5 bulb bases, among others. These are popular replacement bulbs for headlights, fog lights or work lights. In addition, we also stock many smaller fitments such as W5W, W3W, T4W, R5W, R10W, P21W, PY21W, and PY21/5W, which are widely used for tail lights, indicators, interior lights, and number plate lights.

Wondering which type of bulb base you need? You can find more information about each type of fitment on its specific page.

Different colors and applications

In addition to differences in technology and fitment, replacement bulbs are also available in various colors.

White lighting is primarily used for driving lights at the front of the vehicle, such as headlights, high beams, driving lights, and number plate lights.

Amber light bulbs are mainly applied in indicators, side marker lights, and outline marker lamps. Red bulbs, on the other hand, are meant for applications at the rear of the vehicle, such as tail lights and brake lights.

Additionally, blue, green, and yellow bulbs are also available. These are chiefly used for styling purposes or specific applications where a distinct light color is desired.

Suitable for 12V to 36V vehicles

Not every vehicle operates on the same voltage. That is why you will find replacement bulbs in various voltage variants in our assortment.

Within our range, you will find bulbs for 12V, 18V, 24V, 30V, and 36V systems. In addition, multi-voltage bulbs are available that are suitable for multiple voltages simultaneously, for example from 12V up to 36V.

As a result, you will find replacement bulbs for virtually every type of vehicle with us. From motorcycles, passenger cars, and ATVs to trucks, agricultural vehicles, and heavy equipment.

Well-known brands for reliable lighting

The quality of a replacement bulb has a major impact on the performance, lifespan, and reliability of the lighting. Therefore, we exclusively work with brands that have proven themselves within vehicle lighting. Within our range, you will find brands including:

• PIAA
• Ledson
• Strands
• Angry Moose

Alongside these brands, you can also find our own brand; Lights & Styling.