How To Install Led Lights In Car Interior | 2 Easy Methods – Flawless Car Guide

How to install led lights in car interior

The advent of LED lights in the automotive industry has revolutionized the way the interiors of vehicles are illuminated. 

With their:

  • Energy-Efficient
  • Vibrant
  • Customizable nature

Car enthusiasts are rapidly choosing LED lights to enhance their driving experience.

Whether you want to create a relaxing and soothing atmosphere or add a vibrant pop of color, this article will guide you through the step-by-step process of how to install LED lights in car interior

Here’s everything you need to know about installing LED lights in your car’s interior, from gathering the right tools and materials to selecting the right LEDs.

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How to install led lights in car interior

What are LEDs?

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are semiconductor devices that emit visible light when an electric current passes through them. Compared to incandescent bulbs or fluorescent lights, LEDs convert more electrical energy into light. 

Electricity consumption and carbon emissions are reduced when this efficiency is achieved, as well as power grid strain is lessened.

Many devices use them, including: 

  • Televisions
  • Mobile Phones
  • Headlights
  • Traffic Lights
  • Exit Signs
  • Reading Lamps

The long lifespan of LEDs makes them economically more efficient over the long term than other types of lighting. 

A LED bulb typically lasts for around 25,000 hours or even longer before requiring replacement, while an incandescent bulb typically lasts for about 1,200 hours

Due to the absence of fragile filaments like in incandescent bulbs, LED lights are also highly durable.

Best Car Interior LED lights
$12.14

The Sound Active Function LED Strip with USB cable is a high-powered LED strip that provides bright and vibrant illumination. It has 48 LEDs and 12 LED lights, creating a stunning light display. It is made of durable ABS material and is easy to install with the USB cable. It is perfect for enhancing the atmosphere in various spaces.

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How to install led lights in car interior

Benefits of Interior Car Lighting With LEDs: 

When it comes to seeing the interior of your car at night, it is the hardest place on the planet. The car interior can now be illuminated at night using car interior LED lights. LED lights are: 

  • More energy-efficient
  • Stylish

Fit more easily into the design of a car’s environment. It’s time to up your game.

Efficiency:

A LED light consumes significantly less power than a conventional light while producing brighter illumination. 

It is LED lights’ technology that makes them so efficient. In contrast to incandescent bulbs that use a filament to produce light, LEDs use a semiconductor material to produce light. 

It is extremely efficient because it does not produce excess heat when it converts electrical energy into light. 

In addition to saving up to 80% more energy, LED lights emit a similar or even greater brightness than incandescent bulbs.

Longevity:

Through the use of LED lights, humans are making the world greener every day. There has been an increase in the use of LED lights for many years now. The longevity of these lights is one of the main reasons. 

A major debate in the technology world is about the lifespan of LED lights. However, It is estimated that LEDs have an average life of 50,000 to 100,000 hours before it burns out.

Brightness:

LED lights are revolutionizing the way your car’s interior is illuminated. With LED lights, visibility within a vehicle can be significantly improved compared to traditional incandescent bulbs.

LED lights provide bright illumination that eliminates dark spots and shadows inside your car. 

In addition, brighter lighting enhances the driving experience inside the cabin, adding to the overall enjoyment of long drives.

How to install led lights in car interior

Customization Options:

With LED lights, you can customize your lights to meet your specific needs. Whatever atmosphere you are trying to create, car interior LED light installation can assist you.

A variety of colors are available for customization. Car interior LED lights come in various hues such as: 

  • Red
  • Blue
  • Green
  • Yellow
  • Even multicolor options 

Colors can be chosen according to your mood or personality. 

For Instance, you can create a serene environment by using blue or purple LED lights while driving at night. 

Conversely, if you want your car’s interior to stand out and make a statement, opt for bright and bold colors such as red or green.

Quick Response Time:

Install LED lights in the car interior to immediately illumination it as soon as they are turned on. These LEDs reach full brightness almost instantly. It contributes to improved safety during nighttime driving due to the quick response time.

Affordability:

LED lights have become more affordable thanks to increasing popularity in places such as homes and cars. 

Aside from being more cost-effective, LED lights also last much longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. 

In other words, you will never have to worry about replacing bulbs or having them burn out unexpectedly again.

How to install led lights in car interior

How to Install LED Lights In Car Interior:

LED lights aren’t standard on all cars. This has made LED lights for car interiors a popular trend in recent years. Although it may seem daunting at first, installation isn’t as difficult as you may think. 

Depending on the size of the car’s interior, this process can be completed in about an hour if you know what you’re doing.

Alternatively, if the car interior led lights have a USB plug, you can simply install them, plug in the USB port and enjoy a new captivating look for your car interior. 

There are two methods for installing LED lights in your car’s interior if your led lights do not have a USB port. Neither method is unsafe or difficult, so you can choose whichever is most convenient for you.

Prior to car interior LED light installation, determine where they should be installed. The most common place to install the car interior led lights is under the dashboard and under the seats. It is still up to you to make the final decision. After finalizing the place gather the following things:

  • Your goal is to install several led lights. 4 is usually enough, but if you prefer more, you can always buy them.
  • For installing led lights in the interior of your car, you will need a light kit. There may be a need to purchase a separate fuse adapter. 
  • You can use double-sided tape (if your led light doesn’t come with an adhesive) and black electrical tape to attach your LED light
  • An electronic multimeter
  • 5-10ft of red and black 16-18 gauge automotive wiring

The next step will be to install the car interior led lights once you have all the items.

Car Interior LED light Installation | 2 Easy Methods:

How to install led lights in car interior

Method-1) Using The Fuse Box:

Using the fuse box is the first method for installing led lights in the car interior. Your owner’s manual will tell you where the fuse box is located within the car’s interior.

Most fuse boxes are located under the dash or near the pedals near the steering wheel. Occasionally, it can be found in the glove compartment or on the passenger side.

Step-1) Choose When To ON The Lights: 

Under-dash lights can be turned on at different times according to the settings. Parking lights and headlights can be turned on or your car can be started to turn them on. Both situations have similar wiring.

Setting To ON LED Lights With Headlights:

This setting may make it difficult to find the fuse. To control the interior lights, you must find a fuse. Depending on the fuse, it might be labeled with information about lights, interior lamps, gauges, dash, etc.
Find something that resembles this.

Setting To ON LED Lights When The Car In ON: 

Compared to the previous setting, this one is more straightforward. You have a number of options to choose from. It can be plugged into the same fuse as the radio, which will turn the LEDs on when the radio is on. 

The LEDs will automatically turn on when the key is turned on if you put it in the same fuse as the ignition.

Connect the wire to the fuse of your choice after choosing the desired option. Multimeters can be used to find the hot side of fuses. 

Make sure the black probe is attached to the grounding part, and the red probe is attached to the fuse. Voltage can be detected on either side of the fuse with a red probe.

You will join whichever side does not have voltage.

Note: The key must be in the on position during this procedure. You can add an extra layer of fire protection by finding the fuse box’s backside. You can also look for the wire that comes out of the side of the box. Using a connector, connect both wires.

Step-2) Search a Grounding Point Under The Dash:

The importance of grounding cannot be overstated. Grounding is a metal part that separates the interior and the engine bay. A variety of bolts will be used to attach different parts to it.

The wire should be slid under one of the bolts in order to form a ground. As before, tighten the bolt securely.

You can find a grounding point under the dash.

Step-3) Add The Inline Fuse:

A fuse that is mounted on an incline can enhance your safety. A second fuse should be connected to the red wire connected to the fuse. 

Make sure the fuse is connected to the fusebox closest to it. A break in the connection is automatically triggered in the event of an emergency.

Step-4) Connect Wires To Car Interior LED Lights and Examine:

Wire the fusebox and the led strips with the wire that was connected as a ground. Make sure the led lights are tested before making the final adjustment. Check that the features are working properly and use them accordingly. 

Step-5) Troubleshoot:

Make sure that all the connections are tight if the lights are not working.

By wiring from the battery, you may be able to determine whether only one light is working by checking the strip connection.

How to install led lights in car interior

Method-2) Using The Cigarette Lighter:

Using the cigarette lighter, you can install led lights in your car interior without much difficulty. Most people use this method because it is straightforward and easy to use. 

You will need to locate a 12-volt power outlet within the interior of the vehicle. Make sure that you expose as many of the black and red power wires as possible using a wire cutter. Crimp the connectors to ensure they are secure and connect the wires to the connectors. 

Plug the cigarette charger adapter into the 12-volt outlet after connecting the butt connectors to the adapter.

The interior led lights of the car should be examined and checked to ensure they are working properly.

How to install led lights in car interior

Organize The Interior:

As soon as the led lights begin working correctly, begin organizing the interior of your car, regardless of the method you used to install them.

Route your wires so that they’re not visible, such as under the dash or between the center console. Make sure the led strips are mounted under the location that you have chosen.

If the strips don’t come with adhesive, you can use tape to place them. The strips will not fall if this is done. 

The final interior look can be seen by looking at the lights at the end. Enjoy the vibe that lights add to your car interior by setting the color according to your mood. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

What Should I Do If My LEDs Don’t Glow?

Previously, we discussed inspecting the connections and tightening the loose ones if the lights are not working. The keys should also be turned on. The car circuits and cigarette lighter won’t be able to conduct current otherwise.

How Should I Deal With Different Colored Strips?

Make sure you don’t connect the wrong wires with the wrong ones in such a situation. Verify that the red is connected to the red, the blue to the blue, and so on.

Doesn’t Every Color Glow in a Few Strips?

You can check if the wiring is correct by making the white LED glow. The only way to know if all LEDs are working is if they are all glowing. 

The LEDs must be checked separately if it does not glow. There may be a problem with the soldering or a faulty color that does not glow.

If The Car Voltages Are Beyond The 12V Will It Burn The LED or Wiring?

A modern LED comes equipped with a resistor to protect it from voltages of up to 15 volts. Voltage regulators or resistors can also be used to be on the safe side. 

LEDs can also be dimmed using a controller, which sends fewer volts to the LEDs, thus reducing the brightness of the LEDs. 

Are Installing LED lights In Your Car’s Interior Illegal?

As each state or country has its own laws and regulations, there is no definitive answer to this question. Generally, LED lights are not illegal to use inside a vehicle. 

Due to their brighter and more visible nature, led car interior lights are a popular choice among drivers.

At The End:

As a conclusion, installing LED lights in your car may be a good idea if you are looking to revamp its interior. Their vibrant colors create a new atmosphere in the car and are easy to find and install. 

Advanced DIYers should be able to tackle this project easily, so there is no excuse not to.

Check with your local law enforcement agency before making the final purchase. The use of led lights in car interiors is prohibited in many states and countries. Installing led lights in a car interior requires remembering the important points. 

If you plan to use the fuse box method to install led lights in the interior of your car, make sure you follow all safety precautions. 

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