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Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: mk7gti on 10 August 2013, 18:46

Title: LED Lights - The down side...
Post by: mk7gti on 10 August 2013, 18:46
My friend was telling me today having LED tail light is a big downer when a bulb fails. Apparently the whole lighting unit needs replaced as he found out last week (he drives a 3 series). Is the same issue applicable on a Golf?

PS he paid £275 for a new unit :cry:
Title: Re: LED Lights - The down side...
Post by: Chief1337 on 10 August 2013, 19:51
Also - would they be covered by warranty? I guess not? Wear and tear?

They must have an expected number of 'running hours' before failure?
Title: Re: LED Lights - The down side...
Post by: mk7gti on 10 August 2013, 20:22
I was just speaking to a friend who works in BMW and he was saying its a nightmare for customers. So much so that apparently the newer 3 series don't have LED rear lights. Id hope they will be covered by warranty.
Title: Re: LED Lights - The down side...
Post by: CraigW on 10 August 2013, 20:27
If they failed within the first three years I would certainly be expecting it to be covered under warranty
Title: Re: LED Lights - The down side...
Post by: Gryzor on 10 August 2013, 20:58
If they failed within the first three years I would certainly be expecting it to be covered under warranty

Same here.  LEDs are solid state and have a life expectancy in excess of 50,000 hours.  Any other electrical component that failed within the first 3 years would be covered under warranty, so I'd strongly argue my case if it came to it!
Title: Re: LED Lights - The down side...
Post by: Snoopy on 10 August 2013, 21:45
I expect like every audi vw and seat ive seen so far the unit will need replacement.
Maybe you should post this on a bmw forum it maybe teach them to use the handbrake rather than sit with their foot on the brake pedal when in traffic or at lights.

Title: Re: LED Lights - The down side...
Post by: matchboy on 10 August 2013, 21:46
I expect like every audi vw and seat ive seen so far the unit will need replacement.
Maybe you should post this on a bmw forum it maybe teach them to use the handbrake rather than sit with their foot on the brake pedal when in traffic or at lights.

You're such a cheerful soul Snoopy!  :grin:
Title: Re: LED Lights - The down side...
Post by: monkeyhanger on 10 August 2013, 22:38
I expect like every audi vw and seat ive seen so far the unit will need replacement.
Maybe you should post this on a bmw forum it maybe teach them to use the handbrake rather than sit with their foot on the brake pedal when in traffic or at lights.
BMW don't have any warranty issues with the indicator LEDs, the owners would never know that they aren't working seeing as they never use them.

As Gryzor says - 30000-50000 hours life is typical for an LED bulb. If you average just 30mph, you're talking 900k miles life - think the engine and body will last that long?
Title: Re: LED Lights - The down side...
Post by: JoeGTI on 11 August 2013, 11:53
I expect like every audi vw and seat ive seen so far the unit will need replacement.
Maybe you should post this on a bmw forum it maybe teach them to use the handbrake rather than sit with their foot on the brake pedal when in traffic or at lights.

The brake lights stay lit in the mk7 at the traffic lights even if you take your foot off the brake. Auto hold.
Title: Re: LED Lights - The down side...
Post by: p3asa on 11 August 2013, 12:01
^^^ Really?  Surely there is no need for that. The main reason brake lights come on is to warn users behind that you are slowing or stopped but once stopped there is no need.

You sure you haven't got a faulty sensor?  :shocked:
Title: Re: LED Lights - The down side...
Post by: JoeGTI on 11 August 2013, 12:07
^^^ Really?  Surely there is no need for that. The main reason brake lights come on is to warn users behind that you are slowing or stopped but once stopped there is no need.

You sure you haven't got a faulty sensor?  :shocked:

Yes, that's the way they work. If you have auto hold enabled.
Title: Re: LED Lights - The down side...
Post by: Gryzor on 11 August 2013, 12:08
Yeah that does sound a bit unnecessary, and damn annoying for drivers sat behind. Bugs the hell out of me when people in front of me do it (usually BMW owners, haha!!!)
Title: Re: LED Lights - The down side...
Post by: Jimble on 11 August 2013, 12:13
If you have a DSG you'd have your foot on the break at lights anyway, it doesn't bother me tbh.
Title: Re: LED Lights - The down side...
Post by: Hawaii-Five-O on 11 August 2013, 12:20
If you have a DSG you'd have your foot on the break at lights anyway, it doesn't bother me tbh.

Me neither - apart from the current E Class which has an insane amount of rear LED's. Need shades at night :cool:
Title: Re: LED Lights - The down side...
Post by: CraigW on 11 August 2013, 12:23
Don't see the issue with the brake lights being on to be honest. That's what happens when hill hold is on and I'd prefer to have it on than off
Title: Re: LED Lights - The down side...
Post by: matchboy on 11 August 2013, 12:38
Who cares what the person behind thinks?! That's like saying I don't want to have a car with xenons as it might upset the person coming towards me  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: LED Lights - The down side...
Post by: CraigW on 11 August 2013, 12:39
Who cares what the person behind thinks?! That's like saying I don't want to have a car with xenons as it might upset the person coming towards me  :rolleyes:

+1 exactly
Title: Re: LED Lights - The down side...
Post by: Gryzor on 11 August 2013, 15:07
Who cares what the person behind thinks?! That's like saying I don't want to have a car with xenons as it might upset the person coming towards me  :rolleyes:

Xenons angled properly are hardly the same as sitting at lights staring at bright brake lights unnecessarily.
Title: Re: LED Lights - The down side...
Post by: matchboy on 11 August 2013, 15:36
Who cares what the person behind thinks?! That's like saying I don't want to have a car with xenons as it might upset the person coming towards me  :rolleyes:

Xenons angled properly are hardly the same as sitting at lights staring at bright brake lights unnecessarily.

Don't sit behind me then as I always sit at the lights in gear with my brake lights on!!  :laugh:
Title: Re: LED Lights - The down side...
Post by: mcmaddy on 11 August 2013, 16:38
the lights on my tiguan don't stay on when your using auto hold so can't see why its changed for the new golf. totally pointless if you ask me, lights on not auto hold  :grin:
Title: Re: LED Lights - The down side...
Post by: Andy B on 11 August 2013, 17:26
maybe teach them to use the handbrake rather than sit with their foot on the brake pedal when in traffic or at lights.

I don't think that's very good advice. If you keep your foot on the brake at lights, the lit-up rear lights give more of a chance for the distracted and clueless to spot stationary traffic ahead. If they plough on regardless, you're less likely to have them shove you into the car in front, or into the junction.

I wouldn't compromise my safety just to ensure that an LED light that oughtn't to fail doesn't fail.

Title: Re: LED Lights - The down side...
Post by: p3asa on 12 August 2013, 22:05
It makes no sense. The brake lights never came on when you engaged the manual hand-brake so why just because it is electronic?


Title: Re: LED Lights - The down side...
Post by: mcmaddy on 12 August 2013, 22:08
are we 100% certain the lights come on when stopped at say traffic lights. they don't on the tiguan.
Title: Re: LED Lights - The down side...
Post by: JoeGTI on 12 August 2013, 22:19
are we 100% certain the lights come on when stopped at say traffic lights. they don't on the tiguan.

Yes. Well they definitely do on mine. I can only assume its normal!