[absolutt]

As LED bulbs have progressed in both power delivery and temperature control, some now are supposed to draw enough power to avoid tripping the bulb-out warning. Anyone know of a good set of LED bulbs that deliver brightness close to original halogens? I don't mind a slight reduction, but any more than 20% less and it wouldn't be worth doing. And I want to avoid doing in-line resistors unless they're included with good insulation casing and convenient installation. Those DIY metal resistors tend to get piping hot and it's a real hazard.

The A3 kind of sucks with fog lights, in that you really can't access the bulbs without removing the damned bumper, so if I do this I want to do it only once.

 

[differentway]

What year of A3 do you have? ....

I have the facelift and it was easy to change the fogs

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[tylaughter]

I literally just threw some H11 LED fogs in my car this morning. No bulb out warning or errors. I’ll take some pictures later this evening to show light output.

Also, install was the easiest swap I have done on any platform. Black trip pieces can easily be popped out to access fog housings. 2 screws hold them in place. Remove. Replace bulb. Reverse the process. Very simple.


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[absolutt]

Thanks for the feedback. My avatar details show my vehicle: A3 2007 8P, which is pre-facelift. The fog light insert in the bumper isn't the same... can't pinch & pull it.

What LED lighting did you guys use? I'm leaning towards the Philips 12834UNIX2 or Precision LED Premium fog lights.

 

[absolutt]

Well, I had a talk with a distributor for Philips Automotive Lighting products. I'm bailing out on the LED fogs.

The reason why? NO ADVANTAGE. There are very powerful halogen lights available now that work in OEM sockets, and have a cool LED appearance. True, they draw a little more power, but H7/H11 LED bulbs aren't going to be as bright. Plus... with built-in resistors or add-on resistors to fool the bulb-out detector technology, you're still drawing lots of power... and for what? Doesn't make sense. I'm glad I found out now rather than shelling out $100+. High powered LEDs really only make sense when the automotive maker incorporates them by design, so the electrical circuitry handles them correctly to reap the power efficiency advantage.

Otherwise, use for turn signals, brakes, and interior lighting can make sense if quality LED bulbs are sourced.

 

[differentway]

I personally used PIAA plasma ion yellow, H11's .... There much yellow .... I personally like the look of yellow fog lights but no yellow when there turned off.

PIAA seems to be a very reliable brand for lights. There used for racing etc.

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[Hawkman312]

Thanks for the feedback. My avatar details show my vehicle: A3 2007 8P, which is pre-facelift. The fog light insert in the bumper isn't the same... can't pinch & pull it.

What LED lighting did you guys use? I'm leaning towards the Philips 12834UNIX2 or Precision LED Premium fog lights.

I have a 2006 A3 and you absolutely can pinch and pull the fog light cover. I'm not sure if the S-line bumper is different (I have the base) but I doubt it would be. You really do have to yank on the suckers, but once you get the technique down it's remarkably easy. I've even quickly pulled one in a parking lot before to hide my keys out of sight while I went for a swim at the beach.

 

[absolutt]

I have a 2006 A3 and you absolutely can pinch and pull the fog light cover. I'm not sure if the S-line bumper is different (I have the base) but I doubt it would be. You really do have to yank on the suckers, but once you get the technique down it's remarkably easy. I've even quickly pulled one in a parking lot before to hide my keys out of sight while I went for a swim at the beach.

Yeah, I have the S-Line. All I'd read about them, the fog light surround/mount doesn't allow pinch-pull. I'd be afraid to break plastic tabs if I did. I'll take off the covering underneath and see if I can spy how it's connected, because if it's possible to release them that would certainly be the way to go.

An easier way to stash keys is to use a magnetic case. I've got one inside a hidden channel inside the trunk that has my house keys and have had to rely upon that a couple of times!

 

[korben007]

I personally used PIAA plasma ion yellow, H11's .... There much yellow .... I personally like the look of yellow fog lights but no yellow when there turned off.

PIAA seems to be a very reliable brand for lights. There used for racing etc.

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Same here. Great color and bulb!

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[jrode]

I went with LED in the fogs to use them as DRLs. There is a setting to turn them on as DRLs using VAGCOM.

The LED bulbs I got arn't super bright, but they work great as DRLs.