LED headlight bulb

sevenhills

With the energy crisis and austerity MK2, is it possible and worthwhile to change headlight bulbs to LED?
I have done the same with my side lights, so instead of a 5w bulb, it's a 1w LED. Although I changed because the LED is brighter.
So changing the 55w headlights to LED will save a lot of electricity and allow better MPG.

user1977

Does electricity consumption actually make any significant difference to mpg?

cymruchris

Changing your headlamp bulbs for LED isn't going to make any signifiant difference to your MPG - and there's no electricity really to be saved, as it's produced by the alternator rather than you taking it from the National Grid. I certainly wouldn't use LED headlamp bulbs unless my car was spec'd with them from factory. Tail lamps, side lamps, indicators maybe, but only as and when they needed changing. I'd stick to OE with headlamp bulbs (or uprated as I use currently) - as my aim is to see at night, and not save 3p of fuel per drive. 

sevenhills

user1977 said:

Does electricity consumption actually make any significant difference to mpg?

That is my question. You cannot get electricity for free, but what is the cost?
A quick Google shows cars can use 15% more fuel in the winter.
How much would the electricity cost in a domestic home?

user1977

sevenhills said:

user1977 said:

Does electricity consumption actually make any significant difference to mpg?

You cannot get electricity for free, but what is the cost?

It's "free" to the extent that you're generating it by using excess energy from the engine which was already running anyway.

My (also perfunctory) Googling suggests any difference is going to be minimal. How much energy is going to be used in the replacement of the light bulbs?

diystarter7

sevenhills said:

user1977 said:

Does electricity consumption actually make any significant difference to mpg?

That is my question. You cannot get electricity for free, but what is the cost?
A quick Google shows cars can use 15% more fuel in the winter.
How much would the electricity cost in a domestic home?

Indeed a lot more fuel is used in winter and that is a fact.
I have headlights galore on my car and when I turn the car on in the dark, they do a funny dance in order to align themselves I think, more wasted power.

I try avoid driving in the dark and fog. I also avoid turning on the heater, the heated seats, the rear screen etc
I always try to put my windscreen wipers on the intermittent, slowest setting if safe and appropriate for the aforementioned. I've even deactivated the folding mirrors and the lights inside the car. I'm always ensure unlike most that my car is safe to drive ie clear of snow/mist/rain etc but using my skills use the min amount necessary of wipers/heat etc

The car is equipped with tyre pressure monitor and reader and I ensure they are always at optium levels for fuel efficiency and safety purposes. 

The radio, I do turn that on but a low volume as it uses less power.

I've also get one of those covers on the front of the grill to warm the car up more quickly and save fuel.

Some people may laugh, take the mick, but it makes a difference not just to ones pocket but the environment.

Thanks

sevenhills

user1977 said:

It's "free" to the extent that you're generating it by using excess energy from the engine which was already running anyway.

So garages that use compressed air and a compressor could get "free" electricity from it, because it's running anyway?
Nothing is free. Why is it stated that MPG goes down so much in the winter?

ontheroad1970

diystarter7 - I'm intrigued.  I've noticed you offering your assistance to many on these boards,  It is most gracious of you.  Can you tell us what your experience is of tyres, electrics and the other things that you offer your help is?  Are you an electrical engineer?  Or a garage technician?  What is your experience that you re generously offering people?  

killerferret666

Also to add dependant on vehicle it could fail the MOT.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/special-notice-01-21-headlamp-conversions/mot-special-notice-01-21-headlamp-conversions

cymruchris

I might also add there’s the safety aspect - led headlamp bulbs tend not to be produced by the mass market manufacturers (unless the car was specd with LED’s from the outset). I wouldn’t trust having a ‘no name LED’ lighting my way on a dark night. 

And as mentioned above- anyone not using their wipers properly when it rains, or your heated rear window when it’s steamed up -  these are safety items. When you’re driving you don’t scrimp on safety items. There are other road users to consider other than yourself. If the rear window is steamed up / you clear it. (Of course it it’s not you don’t turn it on in the first place)

The heater (without air con) takes the heat from the already running engine. So having your heater on nearly off is really a false economy. 

There are better ways to ensure you use less fuel - like checking your tyre pressures regularly. 

diystarter7

sevenhills said:

user1977 said:

It's "free" to the extent that you're generating it by using excess energy from the engine which was already running anyway.

So garages that use compressed air and a compressor could get "free" electricity from it, because it's running anyway?
Nothing is free. Why is it stated that MPG goes down so much in the winter?

Have you missed the word  not ie "why is it" not?