LED Retrofit installation instructions and legal information

Retrofit interior lighting

Hella has the customised solution to match the increasingly high demands on vehicle lighting, so that vehicle interior lighting can also be adapted to personal requirements. If you are looking for better illumination and want to instantly upgrade the vehicle interior then look no further than Hella retrofit LEDs.

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.

Areas of aplication

If you are looking for better illumination and want to instantly upgrade the vehicle interior then Hella retrofit LEDs are the right choice.

Replacing existing filament bulbs with Hella LED retrofit lamps not only leads to improved optical illumination. Compared to standard filament bulbs, retrofit LEDs have additional advantages such as a longer lifetime, faster response time and a more intense, high-contrast light.

The LED retrofit lamps can be used in various areas of vehicle lighting, including roof control units, interior and reading lamps, glove compartment lighting, footwell lighting or make-up mirror lighting. Better lighting, especially in the luggage compartment and glove compartment, can often be a great advantage. This can make it much easier to find a warning triangle in the boot, for example, which is an important safety aspect in the event of a breakdown.
However, if a filament bulb is simply replaced by another with a higher wattage, the risk of thermal overloading of the lamp and the surrounding components increases.

This is because standard filament bulbs convert most of the energy supplied into heat. LED lamps convert more or less all the electrical energy supplied to them into light energy.

This significantly reduces the risk of thermal overloading of the surrounding components.

Replacing the existing filament bulbs with Hella LED retrofit lamps not only offers improved optical illumination in the vehicle, but also a longer lifetime.

The advantages of Hella LED retrofit lamps are:

Ruggedness: LED lamps do not have a filament and are therefore more resistant to vibrations. This is a distinct advantage in vehicles.
Less heat produced: LEDs generate less heat than filament bulbs. This reduces the thermal load on surrounding components in the vehicle.
Longer lifetime (switching stability): LEDs can be switched on and off more frequently without reducing their lifetime. This is easy on the wallet.
Energy efficiency: A standard filament bulb produces light by heating the filament. This means that most of the electrical energy is converted into heat and not light. The LED behaves differently here, converting almost all of the energy provided into light.
Intense high-contrast light: The LED retrofits produce a bright light similar to daylight that effectively illuminates the interior.

Installation instructions

In most cases, the bulb can be replaced without extensive dismantling. The majority of the lamps in the interior are easily accessible and can be replaced according to the "plug-and-play" principle.

The retrofit light sources are designed so that they can be inserted into existing filament bulb holders. The replacement is along the same lines as a standard filament bulb. The real challenge is accessing the lamp holder. It is often not immediately obvious how the elegantly designed lamp is mounted in the vehicle. It may be helpful to refer to the operating instructions for the respective vehicle in this case. They usually describe the points to observe when replacing a light source.

Example of light source replacement on the Audi TT roof control unit

Retrofit interior lighting

Adapter rings

Always switch off the ignition first. Then remove the interior/reading lamp from the holders, with a plastic wedge for example, and disconnect the electrical plug connection. Proceed as carefully as possible to avoid damaging components.

To make it easier to install and remove the light sources, once you have removed the lighting unit place it on a workbench or table. Remove the filament bulb you want to replace by turning it gently to the left and taking it out of the holder. Then insert the new Hella LED retrofit lamp into the holder and turn it gently to the right to secure the light source correctly in the holder.

Reconnect the lighting unit to the vehicle's electrical connection and carry out a function test. If everything is working properly, the complete light unit can be reinserted.

Replacing an interior halogen bulb with a new LED Retrofit using the example of an Audi TT

In this video we show you an example of the professional replacement of an old halogen interior light source with a new LED Retrofit interior using the example of an Audi TT.

Make sure that the filament bulb has cooled down completely before replacing it. Do not touch the glass of the filament bulb with bare hands if you want to reuse the bulb. We recommend wearing fabric gloves or disposable gloves when fitting and removing the light source. Make sure that the driver will not be dazzled by the light intensity of the new bulbs selected for the interior. Please also observe the removal and installation instructions by the relevant vehicle manufacturer.

Retrofit interior lighting - technical page image 2

In some cases, it is difficult to replace the light source due to the installation situation. For example, a piece of heat-shrink tubing can be used as a makeshift tool when replacing glass base lamps, so the light source can be removed without any problems.

Please do not use any tools such as screwdrivers or pliers, as they could damage the light source or holder.

Replacing an interior halogen bulb with a new LED Retrofit Sofitte using the example of a Renault

In this video we show you an example of the professional replacement of an old halogen interior light source with a new LED Retrofit Sofitte using the example of a Renault.

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