LED install in backup light is easy but a PIA

[artsci]

I spent about 90 minutes installing a Superbright LED (45HP-LED 16mm Wedge Base 3157 in 6000K white) in the backup light. This is not difficult work but getting access to the back of the light where the LED mounts is a PIA. Previous posts on this mod said that ten screws had to be removed to move out of place the black aero plastic piece the attaches to the bumper and the frame of the car and also encases the backup light. In my experience, it was more like 16-18 (lost count) screws, including two each in the rear wheel wells and three that attach the piece to the frame. Some screws have hex heads, others require a Torx bit to remove. Another PIA.

I started out using a socket wrench, but realized pretty soon that a screwdriver-type socket mount would make the work go much faster. Once this piece is loose, it's easy to jockey it around to get access the back of the light housing. But if any of the mounting screws are not removed, it's much more difficult to jockey it around.

One twist removes the bulb socket from the back of the housing and the LED wedge bulb just snaps into place where the wedge incandescent bulb was mounted. As previous posts have mentioned, the LED is much brighter than the stock bulb and provides much better illumination. It did not wash out the view through the rear camera, in fact made it much better.

My Volt now has LEDs all around and HIDs on the headlamps -- no incandescent bulbs anywhere.

[mike1]

My experience was quite similar to yours, maybe things went a bit quicker since I did have a socket driver instead of a wrench. The difference is indeed significant as the stock backup lamp on the Volt is rather pathetic. Personally I found the HIDs more difficult to install than the backup light, maybe it's just my large hands and sausage fingers though

I didn't remove any screws in the wheel wells though, just on the rear bumper. I didn't get that plastic shroud removed completely, just enough to wedge my hand in between the two pieces of plastic that cover the lamp.

Did you do your front turn signals too?

[artsci]

I'm not good with wedging my hand, so I removed all of the screws. Yes, I have replaced the front turn signals. Talk about hand wedging After that experience I didn't want to do anything like it again.

I had an easy time with the HIDs probably because I prepared everything in advance and didn't attempt to stuff the ballast into the headlight housing.

My experience was quite similar to yours, maybe things went a bit quicker since I did have a socket driver instead of a wrench. The difference is indeed significant as the stock backup lamp on the Volt is rather pathetic. Personally I found the HIDs more difficult to install than the backup light, maybe it's just my large hands and sausage fingers though

I didn't remove any screws in the wheel wells though, just on the rear bumper. I didn't get that plastic shroud removed completely, just enough to wedge my hand in between the two pieces of plastic that cover the lamp.

Did you do your front turn signals too?

[langosta39]

Do you guys have an estimate as to how much the LED/HID upgrades have cost in total and what the approximate power savings are, if any?

I'm looking forward to these upgrades for both better vision and better aesthetics.

[Adarondax]

While my Volt was in for the software update I had the dealer install the LED backup light. Labor was $20. Sounds like it was worth it.

[artsci]

Not including the turn signals, I spent $155 with SuperBright LEDS, but that included a few extra bulbs. So I'd guess about $140. The turn signals were another $60, so the total was about $200. Savings in power will be negligible, but that's not why I made the changes.

Do you guys have an estimate as to how much the LED/HID upgrades have cost in total and what the approximate power savings are, if any?

I'm looking forward to these upgrades for both better vision and better aesthetics.

[DonC]

Savings in power will be negligible, but that's not why I made the changes.

Given that energy savings are out, why did you make the change? Was it the same reason for all the bulbs? My understanding is that automakers using LEDs are using them for design purposes but obviously you have a different reason.

[Frankman]

It seems that replacing the white backup bulb with a much brighter LED bulb is a great functional improvement. It would be great to see more in the rear view camera when backing up a night. It would also be nice to illuminate more area behind the car at night when the car is unlocked via the fob. I think for these reasons the $25 back up replacement LED bulb is a very worthwhile replacement. If my local dealer would install it for $20 like someone mentioned, that would be great. But I didn't think that dealers would install non GM parts.

[artsci]

For better visibility and less drain on the 12 volt battery when the ignition is off. I've done this with all of my cars for about 5 years.

Given that energy savings are out, why did you make the change? Was it the same reason for all the bulbs? My understanding is that automakers using LEDs are using them for design purposes but obviously you have a different reason.

[AZ-Volt]

Agreed. Better visibility from the reverse. For the parking/turns more of an aesthetic "coolness" thing.
Reverse LED upgrade is without a doubt a PITA project that is well worth the effort.