Jonathan Hagger

I just bought a 2013 TL and I'm in love!

I decided today that I'd like to change all external headlights to LED and wanted to hear some advice and recommendations.
I'd prefer plug and play and not needing resistors/dealing with hyper flashing.

csmeance

They are expensive, but the Switchback LED's for the turn signals are nice. You'll probably need resistors unless it's built in

dregsfan

Why change the headlights? The HIDs on our TLs are excellent. I think they're better overall than the LEDs in the TLX. I found the TLX LEDs to output a somewhat whiter light, and a little more to the sides, but for distance the HIDs are superior, IMO.

losiglow

iTrader: (1)

I agree with dregs on the headlights. I rode in an MDX with the LED lights and noticed no difference over my TL. I installed some Phillips White Vision 5000K bulbs in place of the stock 4500K's and it perked the lighting up a good amount. From what I understand, 4800K is about the temp with the absolute highest lumen output. And the stock bulbs were getting old so the new ones helped. Those, along with the Morimoto foglights, put out so much light that I occasionally get people flashing their brights at me because they think I have my high beams on.

Bottom line is, $/lumen is going to be pretty lousy going to LED headlights. Now for other things like turn signals and brake lights, go for it. But I'd pass on the headlights.

echodigital

https://acurazine.com/forums/fourth-...-953482/page2/

I got Putco LEDs on DRL and Fog Lights. In DRL mode, it's quite bright too. I think the complains were the older style LEDs (DRL are not as bright as the halogens). IMHO, Don't cheap out on LEDs. It appears that everyone has Morimoto fogs that only work on the newer 4G TLs.

ripit

For my 2012 TL, I left my high beams as normal, but I changed out my front turn signals and rear turn signals for LEDs. For the fronts, I bought Synetiusa brand 3157 White/Amber and wired the resistors myself. For the rears, I bought SiriusLED 7440 with built-in resistors; rears are just plug and play. Both are from Amazon. So far, held up through car washes, rain, and no hyperblinking.

TheMuffinMan

iTrader: (1)

Tons of other guides out there but I'd absolutely recommend the Morimoto LED foglight direct replacements.

https://www.theretrofitsource.com/ac...to-xb-led.html

Was really pleased with their performance and output.

csmeance

Kelvin Color does have impact on light output (lumens) but a certain color will not have the most light output!

Colors are created with special salt or tint on the bulb. Cheap bulbs no matter the color will have tint that reduces light output. 4300K is factory color for most cars. Germans and most of the industry are moving over to 5K or even 5500 Kelvin since folks want whiter lights.

The best bulbs as far as color (white) and brightness are the Osram CBI! I have them in my 3G TL and 2G MDX and love them.
The best bulbs as far as brightness is the Osram Night Breaker's that are around 4200K (slightly yellower than stock) but provide EXCELLENT light output (More than the CBI's). The benefit of these over the CBI is that there is more contrast reducing fatigue/eye strain for long drives with the headlights on.

Powerbulbs have either set for around $100.