LED Retrofit installation instructions and legal information

HELLA LED Retrofit light sources can be used to retrofit LED technology in place of halogen vehicle lighting.

The following technical information and practical tips have been compiled by HELLA in order to provide professional support to vehicle workshops in their work. The information provided on this website is intended for use by suitably qualified personnel only.

LED Retrofit

Even in the age of state-of-the-art LED lamps, many vehicles still have halogen lamps, also known as incandescent bulbs.
HELLA LED Retrofit light sources can be used to retrofit LED technology in place of halogen vehicle lighting. These LED retrofits offer exceptional brightness – and with increased illumination, more light shines on the road. In addition, a longer lifetime compared with halogen bulbs makes LED retrofits a great option for any driver.
Stylish optics with a cool white light cone give customers a daylight effect at night and make the driving experience more comfortable and enjoyable.

Design and function

LED Retrofit – structure and function — 1. Light fixture with integrated overheating protection 2. Built-in fan for active ventilation 3. Aluminum heat sink designed for large radiation surface

These Retrofit light sources have a built-in electric fan motor and a high-quality anodized aluminum heat sink that provides a large radiation surface. This enables effective heat dissipation, reducing the risk of overheating and ensuring optimal brightness at all times during operation. In addition, an integrated constant current driver prevents overheating by dimming the LED when temperatures increase. The Retrofit lamps are designed for 12V and 24V applications.

Installation instructions

These Retrofit light sources are designed for insertion into the lamp retainer.

Ease of installation depends on the vehicle model or lamp and the clearances these provide. The vehicle's operating instructions may contain helpful information.

The following procedure provides general instructions.

Park the vehicle on a safe and firm surface.
Apply the handbrake. Switch off the lights and ignition.
Remove the key from the ignition.
Allow the bulbs you are replacing to cool down.
Remove the lamp cover and place it somewhere safe. Remove the bulb.
Install the Retrofit light sources in accordance with the installation instructions supplied with the product.
Install the lamp cover.
Check the functionality of the bulb. Adjust the lamp if necessary.

Many drivers change their own bulbs.
However, if you are not familiar with the processes and procedures, we recommend that you take your car to a garage to have the Retrofit light sources installed.

Adapter rings

There are many types of halogen lamps and bulb retainers. A special adapter may be required for mounting the LED Retrofit light source. For these cases, HELLA's accessories include a set with 12 different adapter rings to enable secure installation of the LED light source in the lamp retainer.

Vehicles with bulb failure detection

Many modern vehicles are equipped with bulb failure detection.

If a bulb is defective, the on-board electronics detect the missing load and show the driver a warning on the instrument cluster. Vehicles with bulb failure detection require an LED CANBUS adapter to prevent erroneous error messages after conversion to LED Retrofit light sources.

The LED adapter prevents an error message from appearing on the dashboard.

Vehicles with pulse width modulated (PWM) lamp power supply

Some vehicle manufacturers control the power supply to the bulbs via a pulse width modulated signal (PWM). This means that the voltage is regulated by a higher-level control unit based on demand rather than being continuously applied.

This can cause the LED Retrofit light sources to flicker when driving. In this case, an additional LED LIGHT REPAIR CANBUS adapter must be installed to eliminate the annoying flickering.

When doing so, please observe the maintenance and installation instructions issued by the respective system and vehicle manufacturer. Where necessary, use the installation or removal tools specified by the vehicle manufacturer.

Legal information

Observe the legal requirements and regulations before buying and installing an LED Retrofit light source for your vehicle. This product is approved for off-road use only. Use on public roads can lead to loss of the operating permit and insurance coverage.

Please observe the applicable country-specific legislation for vehicle lighting. It is your responsibility to comply with local legal requirements.

HELLA accepts no liability for damage caused by improper handling or incorrect installation of the product!

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