flintRX04

Hello all, been visiting the forum for quite sometime now but just got a round to registering. Ok, as like many of you I really like the way the new IS/GS/ES models new bright license plate lights. So I've tried the ebay "white LED" stuff and honestly they have low output and don't do a very good job. Do yourself a favor and save your money.

I recently got my RX serviced and got a chance to drive a new ES350 as a loaner. The curious guy that I am I had to find out what find of bulbs it uses for its license plate lights. So I popped open the back cover in the trunk and saw a light bulb that looked like a cone. They are not the standard T10 fitting matter of fact it is a complete unit meaning you can not just unscrew the bulb. There were 2 of them one left and one right. I recently read on an Acura forum (by the way its funny but most of them based on their comments wish they had gotten a Lexus instead) that they use a CCFL (cold cathode florescent lamps) to brighten their license plate lights. These kits are ran off of 12V and mostly used on computer mods. Anybody familiar with these lights or have installed them in their ride?

mandyfig

This is interesting, we could have a solution for our dimly lit rears....

lok888

What about T10 LED or hype white for 168, 194 or 2825?

Petrie2001

i bought these and they work awesome!

http://www.ledlight.com/SearchResult...KeyWords=15468

beware: they ship fast and product is good, but customer service for returns or exchanges sucks.

mandyfig

Sorry, I know nothing about LED's. Are they are straight replacement? Unplug and plug in? Thanks.

benzo555

iTrader: (11)

I got some PIAA 168 wedge bulbs HID white LEDs. They have been awesome. I put them on my 04 GS and I love them. Havent had time to mod the RX yet.. but will in the future.

Left PIAA LEDs, Right hyper white bulbs.

flintRX04

Thanks for the responses guys. Benzo555, I ending up taking out the ebay LEDs and replaced them with the PIAA 168 that I am now using. The set up is better but its still not to the whiteness and brightness of the new Lexus bulbs. Petrie2001, was wondering if you can post some pics of your LED set up.. In the mean time I'll look more into the CCFL set up.

mandyfig

Is the PIAA 168 a straight plug and play replacement?

flintRX04

Yes the PIAA 168 is just a standard T10 aka wedge bulb that is blue coated. Its just a matter of plugging it in.

http://www.amazon.com/PIAA-Wedge-Xtreme-Super-White/dp/B000696BBM

tfischer

Tell me, why is it that you want to light up your plate?

If someone is trying to write down my plate number, for the most part I think that just means trouble for me.

lok888

To avoid a ticket for broken license plate lights? In my state, rear license plate must be visiable = no smoked rear license plate cover. I actually pulled over years ago with a dirty clear plate cover on. It was just a warning. And dimmed lights won't pass the annual state inspection.

mandyfig

Can you get these from the local retailers, Autozone, PepBoys, NAPA?

flintRX04

PIAA does not distribute through the retailers you mentioned, and I would be very careful with some of the PIAA ebay stuff cause it can be some fake Made in China crap. I would suggest getting them through a reputable local brick and mortar tuner shop or online. Good luck!

mandyfig

Thanks for the info! I will definitely change mine.

Lexmex

Agreed.

I went to a big auto show that we held last week at Hermanos Rodriguez Raceway. I was asked to be an observer at some of the events for a few hours. One of them was the car show, where of course people get graded on their cars. The judges aren't stupid and they knocked off points on many vehicles for having fakes/clones of items when the participants had listed the devices/pieces as K&N, MOMO, SPARCO, PIAA.

Here, there is rampant cloning of items and products and a good reason I try whenever possible to get genuine, even imported parts for my cousin's VW Golf, http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2224711

I personally have no longer have interest in shows with my RX300, reason being last time I took one to a show, nobody knew what a Lexus was.