Swap to LEDs

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 31, 2025 | 10:49 AM
  #1  
Rdadeo's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 21
Default Swap to LEDs

Hi there Gang.

I am thinking i might do a swap of the headlights to LED. Has anyone done this? how did the dayliught running lights work out? i had an issue on a previous car where the daytime running lights caused the highbeams to stay on. all was fine if i just turned the headlights on, but it still caused issues. i know the Vue runs a day/night sensor but im curious if it causes issues.

Any thoughts or advice?
 
Old Jul 31, 2025 | 11:43 AM
  #2  
derf's Avatar
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,315
From: Slightly off center
Default

What will you be using for the projectors and cutoff masks to keep from blinding oncoming traffic? Assuming you are coming from halogens .. ?
 
Old Jul 31, 2025 | 12:39 PM
  #3  
Rdadeo's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 21
Default

Originally Posted by derf
What will you be using for the projectors and cutoff masks to keep from blinding oncoming traffic? Assuming you are coming from halogens .. ?
In the past I have used a few options. On my Silverado, I used an aftermarket housing specifically for LEDs. On a couple other cars I used adjustable beams. I have had really good luck with them most of the time. The cutoff is not clearly defined on the test wall, (like you would get with a mask) but the height was pretty close. I kept the bulb brightness down a bit and called that good. One one car, an old Accent, I was not happy with the pattern and went back to halogens. I've found it depends a lot on the car.
 
Old Jul 31, 2025 | 02:48 PM
  #4  
derf's Avatar
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,315
From: Slightly off center
Default

Cool
Someone who knows the right way to do this without blinding us old farts.

You passed the step -1 clueless test.
That's my contribution to the effort. I just use the bulbs that fit the connectors it came with from the factory.

Who around here does lightning upgrades?
@DropDead ?
@ (Astra folk?).
@oldmarine ?

Please chime in, folks.
 
Old Jul 31, 2025 | 04:02 PM
  #5  
oldmarine's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 300
From: Newport News, VA
Default

I've replaced complete headlight assemblies, but not upgrades. I've just replaced halogens with a new assembly.
 
Old Jul 31, 2025 | 10:41 PM
  #6  
02 LW300's Avatar
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 3,229
From: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Default

I have found that LED bulbs run full brightness on half voltage. My Fords at work run the high beams on half voltage as daytime running lights. So LED bulbs blind oncoming traffic during the day. I have disabled the DRL in the trucks that I have installed LED bulbs in at work.

Actually in 16 days it will all be someone else’s problem.
 
Old Aug 1, 2025 | 08:53 AM
  #7  
derf's Avatar
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,315
From: Slightly off center
Default

Man are they going to miss you.....

(Jimmy crack corn n I don't care...)
 
Old Aug 1, 2025 | 10:15 AM
  #8  
Rdadeo's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 21
Default

Originally Posted by 02 LW300
I have found that LED bulbs run full brightness on half voltage. My Fords at work run the high beams on half voltage as daytime running lights. So LED bulbs blind oncoming traffic during the day. I have disabled the DRL in the trucks that I have installed LED bulbs in at work.

Actually in 16 days it will all be someone else’s problem.
This is what i found with a couple of my other cars as well. usually there is a fuse you can pull to disable the DRL, but i am not a fan of that solution. I dont even know if there is one in the vue. the logical solution is to put an adjustable in the low beam spot and leave halogens in the high beam spot, but that is sorta odd from a usage standpoint, Im not sure it would be worth the effort at that point.
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ZSwagger88
Saturn Vue
1
Mar 9, 2025 04:54 PM
Chris962
Saturn Vue
12
Jan 3, 2024 05:07 PM
2005SaturnRelay2
Saturn Relay
1
Dec 7, 2022 09:19 PM
Sherrifisher76
Saturn L Series Sedans & Wagons
4
Dec 10, 2021 08:13 AM
gcthrasher
Saturn S Series Sedan
2
Mar 5, 2012 05:18 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:52 AM.