Automotive technology is constantly advancing. Whether it’s industry-defining advances in electric motors or smaller technologies like lighting and AI, there’s always something new to get your hands on.
Taillights have been at the forefront of car style for a long time—who can forget the trend where we’d see Altezza lights on everything from its origin Lexus to a Renault Clio.
LED taillights are a new trend, but are they any good? Keep reading as we take a look at the pros and cons.
Benefits of LED Tail Lights
LED stands for Light Emitting Diode. It’s not a particularly new technology, but it’s only in recent years that they have become commonly used in tail lights. They are better than standard tail lights in a few ways.
They Are More Efficient
Traditional tail light bulbs are called incandescent bulbs. They’re the same ones you see everywhere, from houses to torches. They come in varying levels of brightness depending on how much power is delivered to them.
LED bulbs can deliver the same brightness level as incandescent bulbs but with a far lower power requirement.
They Last Longer
One of the biggest downfalls of an incandescent bulb is its lifespan. You can expect a traditional bulb to last around a year with everyday use. They are cheap, so it’s not exactly a huge cost, but it’s an inconvenience.
Compare that to an LED taillight. LED bulbs can last as much as ten times that of a traditional bulb. While they are a little more expensive, there’s a huge possibility that your tail lights will outlast your car.
They Look Better
Of all the different types of tail lights, LED taillights are probably the most aesthetically pleasing. There is room for variety, and the glow is more admirable than that of a traditional bulb.
Check out Spyder auto tail lights for great examples of the versatility of LED taillights.
Disadvantages of LED Tail Lights
As with everything in life, we need to weigh the good with the bad. There are a few things to be aware of when you’re considering LED taillights.
Cost
While LED lights are more expensive than others, they are no longer exclusive to high-end cars. This is a good sign that the technology is becoming more affordable, but it’s worth being aware that they are more expensive than traditional tail lights.
Heat
You may not think that LED bulbs themselves get particularly hot, and you’d be right. But if their environment isn’t optimal, an overheating LED can drastically shorten its life.
Color Shift Over Time
A traditional bulb may ultimately fail; one issue you won’t come across is a color change. With LEDs, one way they can fail is with a color shift. One bulb slightly off-color compared to the surrounding bulbs can be an irritating thing to put up with.
Ride or Diode
With more and more manufacturers switching and committing to LED tail lights, you can take it as a sign that they’re a good option if they aren’t on your car already. Upgrade the look of your car today with LED tail lights!
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