VicSD

Is there an LED out there that will replace the reverse bulb that will not flash or give and error code. The stock reverse light bulb is not bright enough where it is very difficult to see behind you when its dark? Any solutions out there?

vivaitalia

I put these in mine * CAN-bus (critical, otherwise you will probably get computer/display error) and 1,550 lumens each

I would've put these (for the extra 50 lumens ... hahaha)

THESE are the brightest highest lumens I've seen around and they are BRIGHT ... almost blinding if anyone is behind you in reverse ... LOL

Silver0066

I live in CA. What is CAN-bus? Will these work on a 2014 GL450 V8? The Amazon site states:

• NOTE: resistor / decoder may be needed for European vehicles to prevent flickering or dashboard error code.

Will a resistor/decoder be needed?

vivaitalia

Wikipedia: A Controller Area Network (CAN bus) is a robust vehicle bus standard designed to allow microcontrollers and devices to communicate with each other in applications without a host computer. It is a message-based protocol, designed originally for multiplex electrical wiring within automobiles to save on copper, but is also used in many other contexts.

Layman's terms: digital data is sent on the same wires as power and it is sensitive to fluctuations in current and the onboard computer system sometimes read them as errors.

I did not use any resistors or decoders ... research indicates that those are more critical when you have ONE lamp bulb used for two purposes, the most common being Brake Lamps that are also used as signal lamps ... since my 2013 GL450 (as is probably the case for all models) has separate/independent brake lamps (halogens) from rear signal lamps (digital LEDs ... go figure that one ... idiot engineers) ... there shouldn't be a need for a resistor ...

almost all auto makers and models have separate reverse lamps on their own ... my 2013 GL450 were halogens and were weak and dim, hence I switched them for LEDs ...

I don't rely on Amazon's database to correctly and accurately match parts with compatible makes and models ... I rely a bit more on the technical details ... for the reverse lamps my 2013 GL450 uses bulbs with W16W fittings

VicSD

The Problem is that for a 2015 GL350 the bulb type is different than 2013. 2015 is a mini bayonet type H21W like shown in the pic.

vivaitalia

OMG ... these engineers (why every single light is NOT LED is beyond me ... come one MB, these cars are not Hyundai) ...

so my 2013 GL450 uses bayonet H21W for the Rear Fog Lamps and I used these LEDs (they are nominally brighter than the stock halogens) ... these didn't have lumen ratings WTH ... so I bought sorta blindly ... I probably would not waste the time / energy / effort if I had to do it again ....

If I had to do them again, I might try these ... again, no lumens rating ... WTH

VicSD

Did you get an error code or hyper flash with the one you bought? If not I would love to give them a try.

vivaitalia

none of the ones I've bought had errors or hyper flash ... my rear (unlike the front) signal lights are already LEDs, I replaced my Brake Lamps, Reverse Lamps, and Rear Fog Lamps for LEDs

drwolf

there was someone who made a thread about the LED reverse lights (it could be in the W166 section, i dont remember) someone replaced from the incandescent to the LED without a error code but it didnt produce significant results while backing up, even with the 360 camera, search my posts