How do I know which LED bulb fits my car?
Every vehicle uses a specific bulb socket type β common ones include H4, H7, H11, 9005 and 9006. Check your car's owner's manual, look at the existing bulb for a size code, or use our vehicle compatibility finder on the product page. Using the wrong size can affect beam pattern and safety.
Are LED bulbs a direct replacement for halogen bulbs?
In most cases, yes β LED bulbs are designed as plug-and-play replacements for standard halogen bulbs. However, some newer vehicles (especially European models made after 2005) may require a CANbus adapter to prevent dashboard warning lights or flickering, as the car's system detects the lower power draw of LEDs.
Will LED bulbs work on both projector and reflector headlights?
LED bulbs work with both housing types, but performance varies. Projector housings tend to produce sharper, more focused beams with LEDs. Reflector housings can sometimes cause glare or scatter if the LED chip isn't correctly aligned to mimic the original halogen filament position β always check the product specifications for housing compatibility.
How much brighter are LED bulbs compared to halogen?
LED bulbs typically produce 2β3x more usable light than standard halogen bulbs. However, lumens alone don't tell the full story β beam pattern, chip placement, and colour temperature all affect real-world road visibility. Look for bulbs with precise emitter geometry for the best results.
What colour temperature should I choose for my car's LED bulbs?
6000K (cool white) is the most popular choice β it produces a crisp, bright white light similar to daylight. Values below 5000K appear slightly yellow, while anything above 6500K starts to look blue and can reduce visibility. For fog lights, 3000Kβ4000K amber/yellow tones cut through rain and mist more effectively.
Will LED bulbs blind oncoming drivers?
Only if they're poorly made or incorrectly installed. A well-designed LED bulb with proper chip alignment produces a clean cutoff line that directs light onto the road β not into oncoming traffic.
What is a CANbus error and how do I fix it?
A CANbus error occurs when your car's onboard computer detects the low power consumption of an LED bulb and interprets it as a blown bulb β triggering a dashboard warning light or causing the bulb to flicker. This is fixed with a CANbus decoder (resistor adapter), which balances the electrical load. Many of our LED bulbs are sold with CANbus compatibility built in.
Can LED bulbs be used for indicators/turn signals?
Yes, but fast-flashing (hyper-flashing) can occur if your car uses a relay-based indicator circuit designed for higher-resistance halogen bulbs. This is resolved by fitting a load resistor or a LED-compatible flasher relay. Many of our indicator LED bulbs include this fix or are labelled CANbus-ready.