LED daytime running lights
04-09-2002, 03:11 PM
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2002 C230 C7,C5
LED brake lights
I know this has been brought up before, but has anyone replaced their brake light bulbs with LEDs? I'm thinking about it, and from a safety standpoint, it might make sense.
My reasoning is that LEDs illuminate much quicker than regular incandescent bulbs. Although it may not seem like that much time, I'm guessing that at high speeds, it might make somewhat of a difference. I might calculate this out later...
With Brake Assist (which I recently experienced) and good brakes, other drivers behind you might not be able to stop as quickly as an MB driver.
Just a wild theory...
My reasoning is that LEDs illuminate much quicker than regular incandescent bulbs. Although it may not seem like that much time, I'm guessing that at high speeds, it might make somewhat of a difference. I might calculate this out later...
With Brake Assist (which I recently experienced) and good brakes, other drivers behind you might not be able to stop as quickly as an MB driver.
Just a wild theory...
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04-09-2002, 04:23 PM
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2002 C320
sorry no LED... HIDs...
HIDs for daytime running lights... does car need to be reprogrammed by the dealer, cuz i thought it would be neceesary for a reprogramming for low beams..
HIDs for daytime running lights... does car need to be reprogrammed by the dealer, cuz i thought it would be neceesary for a reprogramming for low beams..
04-09-2002, 04:26 PM
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C230 Sports Coupe
Yes it does, visit my FAQ to learn more.. the link is in my sig
04-09-2002, 04:27 PM
#10
Re: LED brake lights
Originally posted by jack230
I know this has been brought up before, but has anyone replaced their brake light bulbs with LEDs? I'm thinking about it, and from a safety standpoint, it might make sense.
Just a wild theory...
I know this has been brought up before, but has anyone replaced their brake light bulbs with LEDs? I'm thinking about it, and from a safety standpoint, it might make sense.
Just a wild theory...
04-09-2002, 08:31 PM
#11
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Re: LED brake lights
Originally posted by jack230
I know this has been brought up before, but has anyone replaced their brake light bulbs with LEDs? I'm thinking about it, and from a safety standpoint, it might make sense.
My reasoning is that LEDs illuminate much quicker than regular incandescent bulbs. Although it may not seem like that much time, I'm guessing that at high speeds, it might make somewhat of a difference. I might calculate this out later...
With Brake Assist (which I recently experienced) and good brakes, other drivers behind you might not be able to stop as quickly as an MB driver.
Just a wild theory...
I know this has been brought up before, but has anyone replaced their brake light bulbs with LEDs? I'm thinking about it, and from a safety standpoint, it might make sense.
My reasoning is that LEDs illuminate much quicker than regular incandescent bulbs. Although it may not seem like that much time, I'm guessing that at high speeds, it might make somewhat of a difference. I might calculate this out later...
With Brake Assist (which I recently experienced) and good brakes, other drivers behind you might not be able to stop as quickly as an MB driver.
Just a wild theory...
04-09-2002, 08:44 PM
#12
Re: Re: LED brake lights
Originally posted by vadim
It makes perfect sense... But isn't the 3-rd stop light already LED?
It makes perfect sense... But isn't the 3-rd stop light already LED?
04-09-2002, 09:00 PM
#13
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Re: Re: Re: LED brake lights
Originally posted by Lynn
Nope, they're incandescent. Page 350 of the Sportcoupe operators manual
Nope, they're incandescent. Page 350 of the Sportcoupe operators manual
RE: manual - this is the worst manual I have ever had for a car... Written in robotic language, poorly arranged, infested with cross-references (This is not a clickable web page, after all!)
04-10-2002, 12:51 AM
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2002 C230 C7,C5
This whole theory was bothering me, so I did the calculations. LEDs light up 200 ms faster than incandescent bulbs. Assuming you are hauling a** at 80 mph, that translates into a 23 ft of additional braking distance available for the car behind me. I didn't take into account the fact that me in the MB would actually be slowing down because of braking, so the actual number is probably around 20 ft. (It's been a while since I had calculus in college, and I'm not too keen on relearning that stuff.)
Now, our beloved MBs have at least a 20 ft braking distance advantage at 80 mph over many, many cars on the road. That 20 ft may actually make the difference between wreck and no wreck or bad wreck and not-so-bad wreck.
LEDs it is!
Now, our beloved MBs have at least a 20 ft braking distance advantage at 80 mph over many, many cars on the road. That 20 ft may actually make the difference between wreck and no wreck or bad wreck and not-so-bad wreck.
LEDs it is!
04-10-2002, 01:02 AM
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Originally posted by jack230
This whole theory was bothering me, so I did the calculations. LEDs light up 200 ms faster than incandescent bulbs. Assuming you are hauling a** at 80 mph, that translates into a 23 ft of additional braking distance available for the car behind me. I didn't take into account the fact that me in the MB would actually be slowing down because of braking, so the actual number is probably around 20 ft. (It's been a while since I had calculus in college, and I'm not too keen on relearning that stuff.)
Now, our beloved MBs have at least a 20 ft braking distance advantage at 80 mph over many, many cars on the road. That 20 ft may actually make the difference between wreck and no wreck or bad wreck and not-so-bad wreck.
LEDs it is!
This whole theory was bothering me, so I did the calculations. LEDs light up 200 ms faster than incandescent bulbs. Assuming you are hauling a** at 80 mph, that translates into a 23 ft of additional braking distance available for the car behind me. I didn't take into account the fact that me in the MB would actually be slowing down because of braking, so the actual number is probably around 20 ft. (It's been a while since I had calculus in college, and I'm not too keen on relearning that stuff.)
Now, our beloved MBs have at least a 20 ft braking distance advantage at 80 mph over many, many cars on the road. That 20 ft may actually make the difference between wreck and no wreck or bad wreck and not-so-bad wreck.
LEDs it is!
04-10-2002, 10:30 AM
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2002 C230 C7,C5
I just did a web search for LED light up times. The range of difference that I got was from 170 ms to 300 ms faster than incandescent bulbs. I don't find those numbers unbelievable. LEDs instantly reach full brightness, while incandescents gradually (relatively speaking) increase to full brightness after current is applied.
As soon as I find a good source for them, I'll move to LEDs. I'm wondering, however, if I'll have a problem similar to the HID issue--i.e., with LEDs drawing less current than the incandescent bulbs, will the car's computer think the brake lights are burned out? Thoughts anyone?
As soon as I find a good source for them, I'll move to LEDs. I'm wondering, however, if I'll have a problem similar to the HID issue--i.e., with LEDs drawing less current than the incandescent bulbs, will the car's computer think the brake lights are burned out? Thoughts anyone?
04-10-2002, 11:08 AM
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2001 C320
LEDs
This guy has too much time on his hands. You buy a cheap Mercedes, then add all the extras at an incredibly high price..what you have is still a cheap Mecedes with high price doo-dads on it. Many years ago guys used to put Cadillac hub caps on a Buick and think they had a Caddy. What you should have done is buy at least a 240/320 with the LED stoplamps standard or step right over to the S series.
04-10-2002, 12:06 PM
#18
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Re: LEDs
Originally posted by mongoman
This guy has too much time on his hands. You buy a cheap Mercedes, then add all the extras at an incredibly high price..what you have is still a cheap Mecedes with high price doo-dads on it. Many years ago guys used to put Cadillac hub caps on a Buick and think they had a Caddy. What you should have done is buy at least a 240/320 with the LED stoplamps standard or step right over to the S series.
This guy has too much time on his hands. You buy a cheap Mercedes, then add all the extras at an incredibly high price..what you have is still a cheap Mecedes with high price doo-dads on it. Many years ago guys used to put Cadillac hub caps on a Buick and think they had a Caddy. What you should have done is buy at least a 240/320 with the LED stoplamps standard or step right over to the S series.
I don't think that ANYONE has said that by changing their brake lights to LEDs, they will think that their car is now, suddenly an S class! I think your comparison to the Buick/Caddy story is off base.
04-10-2002, 12:32 PM
#19
Originally posted by jack230
This whole theory was bothering me, so I did the calculations. LEDs light up 200 ms faster than incandescent bulbs. Assuming you are hauling a** at 80 mph, that translates into a 23 ft of additional braking distance available for the car behind me. I didn't take into account the fact that me in the MB would actually be slowing down because of braking, so the actual number is probably around 20 ft. (It's been a while since I had calculus in college, and I'm not too keen on relearning that stuff.)
Now, our beloved MBs have at least a 20 ft braking distance advantage at 80 mph over many, many cars on the road. That 20 ft may actually make the difference between wreck and no wreck or bad wreck and not-so-bad wreck.
LEDs it is!
This whole theory was bothering me, so I did the calculations. LEDs light up 200 ms faster than incandescent bulbs. Assuming you are hauling a** at 80 mph, that translates into a 23 ft of additional braking distance available for the car behind me. I didn't take into account the fact that me in the MB would actually be slowing down because of braking, so the actual number is probably around 20 ft. (It's been a while since I had calculus in college, and I'm not too keen on relearning that stuff.)
Now, our beloved MBs have at least a 20 ft braking distance advantage at 80 mph over many, many cars on the road. That 20 ft may actually make the difference between wreck and no wreck or bad wreck and not-so-bad wreck.
LEDs it is!
Yes, the faster display allows the driver behind to have more notice that you're braking, but his/her reaction time (at about .45 secs.) is going to be far longer than the .20 sec advantage the LED offers, assuming the driver is paying close attention to begin with. All you've done is pass the message quicker... your car is still stopping at it's normal rate of deceleration.
I think the primary reasons for LEDs is long-term durability (supposedly) and styling/packaging (thin strips of LEDs offer more styling flexibility than rectangular CHMSLs).
Last edited by MB-BOB; 04-10-2002 at 12:38 PM.
04-10-2002, 01:28 PM
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Re: LED brake lights
Originally posted by jack230
I know this has been brought up before, but has anyone replaced their brake light bulbs with LEDs? I'm thinking about it, and from a safety standpoint, it might make sense.
My reasoning is that LEDs illuminate much quicker than regular incandescent bulbs. Although it may not seem like that much time, I'm guessing that at high speeds, it might make somewhat of a difference. I might calculate this out later...
With Brake Assist (which I recently experienced) and good brakes, other drivers behind you might not be able to stop as quickly as an MB driver.
Just a wild theory...
I know this has been brought up before, but has anyone replaced their brake light bulbs with LEDs? I'm thinking about it, and from a safety standpoint, it might make sense.
My reasoning is that LEDs illuminate much quicker than regular incandescent bulbs. Although it may not seem like that much time, I'm guessing that at high speeds, it might make somewhat of a difference. I might calculate this out later...
With Brake Assist (which I recently experienced) and good brakes, other drivers behind you might not be able to stop as quickly as an MB driver.
Just a wild theory...
Plus...changing to LED brake lights will make the regular brake lights look funny because the light won't be uniform, so you'll have a bright spot in the middle and the rest of the lens will be kind of dark.
04-10-2002, 02:12 PM
#21
Re: Re: LED brake lights
Originally posted by KJ-TypeR
The back of the car already has a strip of LED brake lights...
The back of the car already has a strip of LED brake lights...
Would a sedan owner please check the operator's manual to see if the third brake lamp is LED?
04-10-2002, 02:16 PM
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Originally posted by MB-BOB
Um, back on topic. Let's not confuse brake light notification speed with braking ability. Your C-Class will still stop from 60mph in about 120-130 ft, (depending on which rag you read) regardless of which brake lamps you run.
Yes, the faster display allows the driver behind to have more notice that you're braking, but his/her reaction time (at about .45 secs.) is going to be far longer than the .20 sec advantage the LED offers, assuming the driver is paying close attention to begin with. All you've done is pass the message quicker... your car is still stopping at it's normal rate of deceleration.
I think the primary reasons for LEDs is long-term durability (supposedly) and styling/packaging (thin strips of LEDs offer more styling flexibility than rectangular CHMSLs).
Um, back on topic. Let's not confuse brake light notification speed with braking ability. Your C-Class will still stop from 60mph in about 120-130 ft, (depending on which rag you read) regardless of which brake lamps you run.
Yes, the faster display allows the driver behind to have more notice that you're braking, but his/her reaction time (at about .45 secs.) is going to be far longer than the .20 sec advantage the LED offers, assuming the driver is paying close attention to begin with. All you've done is pass the message quicker... your car is still stopping at it's normal rate of deceleration.
I think the primary reasons for LEDs is long-term durability (supposedly) and styling/packaging (thin strips of LEDs offer more styling flexibility than rectangular CHMSLs).
For example:
Hypothetical 1: MB (with stock bulbs) is at point X going 60 mph. Ford Taurus (with a braking distance of 160 ft) going 60 mph 80 ft behind MB. MB slams on brakes. 0.45 (reaction time) + 0.20 (incandescent disadvantage) seconds later, Taurus slams on brakes. MB stops at ~125 ft from point X. Taurus is at ~137 ft from point X. WRECK!
Hypothetical 2: MB (with LEDs) is at point X going 60 mph. Ford Taurus going 60 mph 80 ft behind MB. MB slams on brakes. 0.45 (reaction time) seconds later, Taurus slams on brakes. MB stops at ~125 ft from point X. Taurus is at ~120 ft from point X. No wreck!
All I was saying was that the LEDs might help mitigate the advantage that our cars have over other cars with regards to braking ability.
04-10-2002, 02:23 PM
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2002 C230 C7,C5
Re: Re: LED brake lights
Originally posted by KJ-TypeR
The back of the car already has a strip of LED brake lights...
Plus...changing to LED brake lights will make the regular brake lights look funny because the light won't be uniform, so you'll have a bright spot in the middle and the rest of the lens will be kind of dark.
The back of the car already has a strip of LED brake lights...
Plus...changing to LED brake lights will make the regular brake lights look funny because the light won't be uniform, so you'll have a bright spot in the middle and the rest of the lens will be kind of dark.
http://netdisty.net/ds/aut1157/
They have LEDs emanating outwards along the edges of the bulb assembly, which would presumably allow for a nearly omnidirectional light output. Besides, there are reflectors contained within the taillight assembly.
04-10-2002, 04:48 PM
#24
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Re: LEDs
Originally posted by mongoman
This guy has too much time on his hands. You buy a cheap Mercedes, then add all the extras at an incredibly high price..what you have is still a cheap Mecedes with high price doo-dads on it. Many years ago guys used to put Cadillac hub caps on a Buick and think they had a Caddy. What you should have done is buy at least a 240/320 with the LED stoplamps standard or step right over to the S series.
This guy has too much time on his hands. You buy a cheap Mercedes, then add all the extras at an incredibly high price..what you have is still a cheap Mecedes with high price doo-dads on it. Many years ago guys used to put Cadillac hub caps on a Buick and think they had a Caddy. What you should have done is buy at least a 240/320 with the LED stoplamps standard or step right over to the S series.
04-10-2002, 05:13 PM
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2002 C230 C7,C5
Re: Re: LEDs
Originally posted by vadim
What has this to do with safety issues such as LED's quicker operation vs. regular bulbs? It makes sense no matter what car you have - would equally benefit a Yugo for that matter.
What has this to do with safety issues such as LED's quicker operation vs. regular bulbs? It makes sense no matter what car you have - would equally benefit a Yugo for that matter.
