Advice on DRL/Signal replacement

[J Dixon]

Straightforward question. I've read the copious amount of threads about replacing the bulbs with LEDs and I'm not exactly motivated by the results. My left one gave out today and I'm inclined to just use a Sylvania Long Life pair for replacement. I don't particularly like the amber DRL, but it doesn't really bother me either. Until someone convinces me there is a viable LED replacement, truly white, I'm not inclined to pursue that route further. Polarity won't matter with a standard bulb, so if the pins are wrong, so what. Looks like a high percentage of LED replacements require swapping pins, etc., for not much improvement.

Is this a mistake, or what?

 

[Suburbazine]

Gotta see if your state actually allows white turn signals then.

 

[Alfer]

I'm pretty sure he is replacing with Amber even though he said he isn't a big fan.

I'd love to fine LED but I want it to be a simple plug and play option, no wire cutting, or having to add gadgets to make them work.

 

[J Dixon]

Gotta see if your state actually allows white turn signals then.
[/QUOTE]

I'm pretty sure he is replacing with Amber even though he said he isn't a big fan.

I'd love to fine LED but I want it to be a simple plug and play option, no wire cutting, or having to add gadgets to make them work.

Good points. I'm in NC and the front turn signal "color" can be white or amber, the rear cannot be white. The statute is vague about whether the color refers to the bulb or lens. As a retired LEO here, that means it falls to common sense for a definitive answer. In my opinion, as long as the color produced from the FRONT turn signal is either white or amber, the turn signal is legal. Now we also have an annual inspection and I believe the NC DMV Commission has some say on requirements for replacement bulbs/lens but I've never known anyone to fail an inspection for having a white front turn signal.
Also, being my car is 100% operational, and I actually take the time to use my turn signal as required by law, I doubt I'd ever be stopped for a white FRONT turn signal (and the side marker lens is amber anyway).

My idea is to get both white and amber replacement bulbs and try the white first. If I don't like the look I'll revert back to amber. I am a believer that DRLs do indeed reduce collisions, so if numerous replacements are needed, so be it.

 

[dbbalch]

I replaced mine with the 1156 version of these SiriusLED amber bulbs several months ago and they've worked flawlessly. Brighter than regular incandescents but not obscene. No hyper-flashing, no failures, no external load resistors or other such gadgets.

I say 1156 version because I chose to replace my sockets. You don't have to. The 1157s will fit into OEM sockets:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0105LW4CK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

[carguy75]

I replace my burned out amber turn signal/DRL bulbs a year ago with the proper 2357LL bulbs made by Philips, no issues so far.

 

[J Dixon]

Okay, I decided to go with standard Sylvania 2357 LL white bulbs. I have to admit, changing them was far easier to do than I thought it would be based on some other posts (try replacing DRL bulbs on an F-body Z28 if you want a challenge). Yes, it's a cover, two air boxes, two support rods, to remove but it didn't take 30 minutes start to finish. The white bulbs have a bit of "yellow" as expected from incandescent types, but it is much better than the amber in my opinion. Used some grease on the base and the sockets appeared normal with no charring.

Until (or maybe if) someone comes up with a correct LED replacement, these will do just fine.

 

[carguy75]

Okay, I decided to go with standard Sylvania 2257 LL white bulbs. I have to admit, changing them was far easier to do than I thought it would be based on some other posts (try replacing DRL bulbs on an F-body Z28 if you want a challenge). Yes, it's a cover, two air boxes, two support rods, to remove but it didn't take 30 minutes start to finish. The white bulbs have a bit of "yellow" as expected from incandescent types, but it is much better than the amber in my opinion. Used some grease on the base and the sockets appeared normal with no charring.View attachment 20184

Until (or maybe if) someone comes up with a correct LED replacement, these will do just fine.

Did you use 2257LL or 2357LL bulbs?

 

[J Dixon]

Did you use 2257LL or 2357LL bulbs?

2357LL. I fat-fingered it originally. Changed in post now, thanks.