[Kannan]

More and more cars these days are switching to turn signals with LEDs like the infamous Audi cars.

I love them a lot, but one thing which affects my mild OCD is, why the rear ones in most of the cars are bulbs than being LEDs while the ones in the front are LEDs?

The best examples are Kia Seltos, TATA Harrier, Suzuki Vitara Brezza, upcoming MG ZS EV 2022 etc.

Previously the turn signals used to rely on the bulb's resistance for blinking, but in the last few decades, since the turn signals have to follow certain timings, now most of those are driven by electronics so I don't think resistance is the main reason.
I can think of the cost as one factor, but I don't think it's going to increase the cost of the vehicle by ₹1000s.

As of now, this OCD is satisfied by "affordable" ones like MG Hector & XUV 700.

Note to mods: I tried to search for this topic and couldn't find one.

[saikarthik]

It's mostly the cost and lesser complication of things in design. If the designers (styling team - who makes sketches) insist on the use of LEDs or a styling that is only achievable by using LEDs is another case. But most of the time they use bulbs due to simplicity, cost and serviceability (replacement on repairs). Another reason to go to LEDs is to reduce power consumption and to have well, better life or to give an additional wow feature like the sequential blinkers, without the above reasons, bulbs are the go to choice for many OEMs.

[Kannan]

I hope at the least for EVs they decide to go with LEDs than bulbs with maybe fog lights as an exception at both in front and rear.

There are many people who, for some odd reason, change the bulbs of turn signals from orange to white or some other colour and this trend is increasing a lot.
Especially in Hyundai and Maruti, where the signals are located in the inner side and sometimes it becomes difficult to know if they are position lights or turn signals.

[aravind.anand]

I actually wanted to change the orange light bulbs to LEDs in my Fiesta. But then I was wondering if they would blink too fast, as the LEDs would draw much less current, and hence the inherent vehicle system would think the bulbs have gone kaput. So I did not get to that point.

[Kannan]

Originally Posted by aravind.anand

I actually wanted to change the orange light bulbs to LEDs in my Fiesta. But then I was wondering if they would blink too fast, as the LEDs would draw much less current, and hence the inherent vehicle system would think the bulbs have gone kaput. So I did not get to that point.

You can find load resistance in a few online stores, but again you might need to experiment based on your car's model.
Also, I believe the LEDs will not fail, but the only problem I can foresee is, will the LED be compatible with the reflector?

[sagarpadaki]

Honestly, changing the turn signal bulb to LED's to save load/ reduce power consumption is an illusion. The turn signals are not used frequently and when used are on for at max 10-15 seconds at a stretch. This is barely any additional load.

The sole reason why LED's are used are for aesthetics.

[hellraiser_yank]

Originally Posted by aravind.anand

I actually wanted to change the orange light bulbs to LEDs in my Fiesta. But then I was wondering if they would blink too fast, as the LEDs would draw much less current, and hence the inherent vehicle system would think the bulbs have gone kaput. So I did not get to that point.

You can find CANBUS LED turn bulbs, as long as your car has an electronic flasher it should work and not affect the frequency of flashing.

Just look for CANBUS amber LED in the exact size.

Cheers.

[hellraiser_yank]

Originally Posted by sagarpadaki

Honestly, changing the turn signal bulb to LED's to save load/ reduce power consumption is an illusion. The turn signals are not used frequently and when used are on for at max 10-15 seconds at a stretch. This is barely any additional load.

The sole reason why LED's are used are for aesthetics.

I partly agree that the real purpose is aesthetics and the lack of a fade in out effect found in halogens.

However, as an example in Honda cars like my City 2010, brio 2012 and city 2021, even minor loads especially when I'm de-accelerating can affect the tone of the horn. The cause in my opinion are the tiny batteries in the petrol variants.
Reducing the load in my brio helped quite a lot, considering I run an amplifier for the sound system too. All LED lighting besides the turn signals at the moment.

[sagarpadaki]

Originally Posted by hellraiser_yank

I partly agree that the real purpose is aesthetics and the lack of a fade in out effect found in halogens.

However, as an example in Honda cars like my City 2010, brio 2012 and city 2021, even minor loads especially when I'm de-accelerating can affect the tone of the horn. The cause in my opinion are the tiny batteries in the petrol variants.
Reducing the load in my brio helped quite a lot, considering I run an amplifier for the sound system too. All LED lighting besides the turn signals at the moment.

Once engine is running, all the electrical demands are catered by the alternator. If you are drawing more power than the rated alternator capacity then you will have to reduce the power consumption of other devices. If the tone of the horn is affected with no additional loads, then there is something wrong with the charging system

[hellraiser_yank]

Originally Posted by sagarpadaki

Once engine is running, all the electrical demands are catered by the alternator. If you are drawing more power than the rated alternator capacity then you will have to reduce the power consumption of other devices. If the tone of the horn is affected with no additional loads, then there is something wrong with the charging system

Welcome to the world of cheap Hondas

On a serious note it can be observed in all petrol Honda cars city and below. Probably a measure to reduce alternator parasitic load to increase FE.

[sagarpadaki]

Originally Posted by hellraiser_yank

Welcome to the world of cheap Hondas

On a serious note it can be observed in all petrol Honda cars city and below. Probably a measure to reduce alternator parasitic load to increase FE.

LOL. Was not aware that Honda has resorted to this level of cost cutting to increase FE!

[hellraiser_yank]

Originally Posted by sagarpadaki

LOL. Was not aware that Honda has resorted to this level of cost cutting to increase FE!

Will be writing a review of my 2021 vx cvt Honda city soon. You'll be thoroughly surprised my friend.

There is cost cutting in ways that I have never seen in my life.

Stay tuned.

[mav3r1ckblu3]

I've changed all OEM halogens in my Duster turbo to LEDs barring the high beam, turn signals and rear taillights. I had tried changing the front turn signal to LED but reverted to OEM halogens as the timing seemed to have halved and the blinking and tic-tok sound was faster and felt irritating to me

[greenhorn]

Fast blinking indicators are a feature added deliberately. My indica has led indicators added all around. Being an older design it has a dedicated flasher relay module as opposed to a BCM that most newer cars use. The BCM has a controller chip, and that chip reads a current sense resistor in series with the bulbs and causes the chip to hyper flash the bulbs if it goes below a certain load. The chip has a pin which can be tied to ground/Vcc to set/disable this feature. I just bought an LED version of this flasher (it's a fairly generic controller) and my LED indicators flash just fine now without any power wasting resistors

https://youtu.be/92I9LAF9K-k