S3 BRAKE BULB W16W LED UPGRADE

s3facelift09

s3facelift09

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I'm in a process of a LED upgrade of the entire car, both interior and exterior. I can't find a decent canbus led bulb to replace the Toshiba's W16W 12V 18W brake bulb. The problem is that I don't want to get an error, and I don't want to install resistors, I want to find a LED bulb with preinstalled resistors in itself. Does anyone know where to buy such a bulb?
 
​You could try contact user T8ups. Just send him a pm and he will advise you on this. :) x
T8ups is site sponsor, link to his site below. :)

EM Tuning
 
I recently bought some LED bulbs to replace my normals in the rear lights, Canbus was fine, no errors. BUT they were actually dimmer than the normal lights!? and as i just tinted my rears , this was not what i needed.

They were £9 a pair from ebay and were promised 'double the light output'

So if you do get some be careful.
 
I know that the LED bulbs are a little weaker, but this also depends on how many LED's is there on a single bulb, but then again where's more LED's on a single bulb, the bulb has to be bigger, and that causes the problem of fitting it into a narrow hole of the light predicted for a normal bulb. But the one thing I like about them is that they're faster in turning off. Like when you release the brake they turn off instantly like the 3rd stop light wich is also LED, and the normal bulbs turn off after the 3rd brake light, that's annoying. Plus, they have a really long life. You have a '05. A3 with a canbus system for errors? Can you give me a link to the ebay seller on PM if it's not allowed here? Thanks.
 
Last edited:
2X Car 1156 382 BA15S P21W White 44 SMD LED Canbus Tail Brake Signal Light Bulb | eBay

This was the bulb, the colour of the lights were a bit lighter (eg the yellow was slightly less yellow, if that makes sense)
But i bought 3 sets o replace all and these fit.

They are only slightly dimmer but if your ok with that, then these will be ok.

JJ.

EDIT, just noticed its fifty odd quid!!! he must be out of stock atm as ebay sellers do this to keep the advert up, maybe message him up?
 
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I already bought these, for my position lights, but I don't have such brake bulbs. My brake bulbs are wedge W16W. I found something but I don't know will it give an error. I can buy them they're not expensive but I don't want to wait 3 weeks and then disappointment. And I seriously doubt they'll work without an error. Here's what I've found for the W16W
New 2PCS T15 194 168 W5W 5050 15SMD+ 1.5W COB Led Canbus 15 Leds Free Hot EP98 | eBay
 
A little update on the subject.. the brake bulbs work fine, no errors on board computer..
IMG 3489
IMG 3491
IMG 3494
 
JJ.Foulds said:
2X Car 1156 382 BA15S P21W White 44 SMD LED Canbus Tail Brake Signal Light Bulb | eBay

This was the bulb, the colour of the lights were a bit lighter (eg the yellow was slightly less yellow, if that makes sense)
But i bought 3 sets o replace all and these fit.

They are only slightly dimmer but if your ok with that, then these will be ok.

JJ.

EDIT, just noticed its fifty odd quid!!! he must be out of stock atm as ebay sellers do this to keep the advert up, maybe message him up?
Click to expand...

I've recently ordered the same bulbs but direct from China as half the price: 2 PCS Car 1156 BA15S P21W 3528 SMD 44 LED Bulbs Light Lamp CANBUS Anti Sans WST | eBay.

Not received yet but I'm hoping it will make the reversing light brighter as it's very poor and hardly noticeable through privacy glass. I'm also hoping it wont trigger a canbus error, even though reversing is normally brief so shouldn't be a huge nuisance issue. Anyway, at least it wont be as annoying as the bluetooth bong!!!:mad:
 
Hey s3facelift09, interesting thread. I love LEDs. Ive done the entire inside and numberplate but have often thought of the actual tail lights. If your car is a 2009 facelift like your name suggests then its probably identical to mine in most areas. Do you have any pics at night of the new bulbs in action? Thanks.
 
s3facelift09 said:
The reverse light is not canbus, and I've put a non canbus bulb on it's place. The 44 SMD is a bit weak, I've put a 68 SMD LED non canbus, it's much brighter, and I had no errors on the board.
This is the bulb I installed as the reverse light.
1156 BA15S 68 SMD Pure White Fog Signal Turn Tail LED Car Light Bulb Lamp | eBay
Click to expand...

Many thanks for the advice and information regarding LED reverse bulb upgrade.

I've just ordered the brighter 68 LED bulb as you suggested and hope it will finally make objects at the rear of the car visible when reversing.

I'd also be very interested to see pictures of the LED bulbs at night and would welcome recommendations for suitable LED brake light upgrades (are these canbus?), remembering of course that I will soon have two spare 44 SMD bulbs arriving soon?

Thanks again.
 
I suppose it's a 3 door S3. Because a 3 dr and a 5dr S3 have different tail lights. I'll go with a presumption that it's a 3 dr like mine. I've changed every single bulb except the tail fog light, that is BAY15s, it has strange offset pins, it's very rare in LED edition and therefore expensive, so I didn't bother with it, if in the future something comes up cheap, I'll purchase. Concernig the strength of the LED bulbs, the indicator LED bulbs (in orange) are perfect, you can't tell a difference from the OEM, stop bulbs also, the right reverse light with 69 SMD LED's is stronger then the OEM 21watt bulb, only the position light bulb in 44 SMD LED that replaces the OEM 10w bulb is kind of light red color, it's not brilliant strong red. But it's nothing to be worried about, I mean how many cars is out there that have OEM 5w position bulb, and this is stronger then 5w for sure. I will post some pictures tomorrow of the position lights at night time and day time. But all in all, they're great, and it's a cheap mod that worths a lot. I would never go back to the standard bulbs. I mean they'll never burn out on you, or adleist it's a very small chance for it to happen.

I've also installed them in the interior. On the front upper part at the rearview mirror I installed 2 36 5050 SMD LED panels (noncanbus), in the back I installed 2 canbus 16 SMD LED 36mm bulbs. And soon the seats, the doors, the trunk, and the foot area will be iluminated with 48 SMD LED panels.

I have a good cheap seller, so if you need something for the tail lights, I will send you a PM with everything needed.
 
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s3facelift09 said:
I suppose it's a 3 door S3. Because a 3 dr and a 5dr S3 have different tail lights. I'll go with a presumption that it's a 3 dr like mine. I've changed every single bulb except the tail fog light, that is BAY15s, it has strange offset pins, it's very rare in LED edition and therefore expensive, so I didn't bother with it, if in the future something comes up cheap, I'll purchase. Concernig the strength of the LED bulbs, the indicator LED bulbs (in orange) are perfect, you can't tell a difference from the OEM, stop bulbs also, the right reverse light with 69 SMD LED's is stronger then the OEM 21watt bulb, only the position light bulb in 44 SMD LED that replaces the OEM 10w bulb is kind of light red color, it's not brilliant strong red. But it's nothing to be worried about, I mean how many cars is out there that have OEM 5w position bulb, and this is stronger then 5w for sure. I will post some pictures tomorrow of the position lights at night time and day time. But all in all, they're great, and it's a cheap mod that worths a lot. I would never go back to the standard bulbs. I mean they'll never burn out on you, or adleist it's a very small chance for it to happen.

I've also installed them in the interior. On the front upper part at the rearview mirror I installed 2 36 5050 SMD LED panels (noncanbus), in the back I installed 2 canbus 16 SMD LED 36mm bulbs. And soon the seats, the doors, the trunk, and the foot area will be iluminated with 48 SMD LED panels.

I have a good cheap seller, so if you need something for the tail lights, I will send you a PM with everything needed.
Click to expand...

Mine is 2011 3-door S3 so I assume will be identical bulbs to yours?

I look forward with interest to seeing pictures and I'm bound to follow with same upgrades so thanks again!!:thumbsup:
 
Tonka Toy said:
Many thanks for the advice and information regarding LED reverse bulb upgrade.

I've just ordered the brighter 68 LED bulb as you suggested and hope it will finally make objects at the rear of the car visible when reversing.

I'd also be very interested to see pictures of the LED bulbs at night and would welcome recommendations for suitable LED brake light upgrades (are these canbus?), remembering of course that I will soon have two spare 44 SMD bulbs arriving soon?

Thanks again.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry but you will still see nothing. :meeting: But it's stronger then the standard bulb or the 44 SMD LED you previously ordered.
I don't know what car do you have, but if it's a 3 door S3/A3 facelift, the 2 44-SMD canbus LED's that you ordered, are good for tail position lights, I have 2 44 SMD canbus LED's like you ordered on my position tail lights. I didn't find a LED bulb with more SMD's that is also canbus, these are the biggest ones, and they're ok.

You need 2 amber canbus LED's for the indicators:
1156 BA15S 21 SMD 5050 Amber / Yellow CANBUS OBC No Error Car LED Light Bulb | eBay

And 2 of these for the stop lights:
2PCS T15 194 168 W5W 5050 15SMD+ 1.5W COB Led Canbus 15 Leds Free WST Hot Sale | eBay

You still have 1 left, and that's the fog light BAY9s LED, but I didn't find any that's cheap.This is the cheapest, and it's not canbus:
White 9 SMD 5050 120° BAY9s H21W LED Lights Bulbs Globe 12V Auto Car Truck Ute | eBay
 
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Shame about the reversing light visibility though but perhaps that's just me and my cr*p eyesight?:crying:
Click to expand...
No it's not your cr*p eyesight, the reverse light visibility is too low, but that's where parking aid sensors come in..
 
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s3facelift09 said:
No it's not your cr*p eyesight, the reverse light visibility is too low, but that's where parking aid sensors come in..
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reassurance.., I'll cancel the Specsavers appointment for now then?

My other car is a Range Rover and I find that much easier to park than the S3 due to brighter reverse lights, excellent high-mounted factory camera and handy auto-dipping door mirrors. It's crazy that I can park a shed better than a pocket-sized hatchback???:wacko:
 
Tonka Toy said:
Thanks for the reassurance.., I'll cancel the Specsavers appointment for now then?

My other car is a Range Rover and I find that much easier to park than the S3 due to brighter reverse lights, excellent high-mounted factory camera and handy auto-dipping door mirrors. It's crazy that I can park a shed better than a pocket-sized hatchback???:wacko:
Click to expand...
..life never ceases to amaze us..or install a camera to the precious.. uhm what about you interior lights?
 
Why do yo use white bulbs instead of color bulbs? for the same price, the quality of the light is better. in case of brake light, if u compare white and red, the difference is notable. have a look at this video of this difference in my car:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qe9DTTyP270[/youtube]
aparently, halogen bulbs make more light, but the camera was not in exactly front.
but you can appreciate that it's pure red, not orange.
if u wanna know which bulbs u need for sportback, have a look:
backup: T10 8W 720lm 4-LED Car White Light Liquidaci�n / c�pula / Panel Lamp - sin Gastos de Env�o - DealExtreme (1 pair)
brake: 1156 5W 360LM 30x5050 SMD LED coche bombillas de freno / Turning se�al de luz roja (Pair/12V) - sin Gastos de Env�o - DealExtreme (2 pairs)
turn(rear): Bau15s 150 Degree 6W LED CANBUS Indicator Tail Light Bulb Yellow/Amber 7507 PY21W-in Light Source from Automobiles & Motorcycles on Aliexpress.com (1 pair)
turn(front): not found yet, if u can help me, i'll be agreed.
rear fog: 1156 / BA15S / P21W 7.5W 500lm Luz Directivo 5-LED rojo del coche / luz de la cola / de la se�al de luz (12 ~ 24V) - sin Gastos de Env�o - DealExtreme (1 pair)


we are always talking about restyling.
thank you in advance, regards!
 
Why you don't use coloured bulbs??
i'm upgrading my Sportback Restyling to LED bulbs, i use coloured bulbs. i already ordered all bulbs, but just arrived brake lights.
here you can see the diference between using led/red bulbs instead of halogen/white bulbs:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qe9DTTyP270[/youtube]
for a SportBack with restyling rear lights, you will need these bulbs:
brake (2 pairs)
fog (1 pair)
steering (1 pair)
Backup (1 pair)
hope i helped the ones who didn't know how to begin. and for others, to guide them.
regards!
 
tome1994 said:
Why you don't use coloured bulbs??
i'm upgrading my Sportback Restyling to LED bulbs, i use coloured bulbs. i already ordered all bulbs, but just arrived brake lights.
here you can see the diference between using led/red bulbs instead of halogen/white bulbs:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qe9DTTyP270[/youtube]
for a SportBack with restyling rear lights, you will need these bulbs:
brake (2 pairs)
fog (1 pair)
steering (1 pair)
Backup (1 pair)
hope i helped the ones who didn't know how to begin. and for others, to guide them.
regards!
Click to expand...
First of all in your video you are comparing a standard white bulb with a red LED bulb on brake lights. Why didn't you compare 2 LED bulbs on the brake lights, one white and one red? I don't see any special difference besides the LED bulb coming off faster. If the tail light is made of red platic and the OEM bulb is white, I don't see why I wouldn't use a white LED bulb on that place. I have it in white and it works excellent.
Secondly, the link you gave for the bulbs on the brake lights. The bulbs on the link you provided are not canbus, so there will be an error message on the FIS/board computer.

Third, who says we didn't use LED coloured bulbs, we used them on the indicator lights, the OEM bulbs were amber, and so are the LED bulbs for wich I provided link earlier.
 
s3facelift09 said:
First of all in your video you are comparing a standard white bulb with a red LED bulb on brake lights. Why didn't you compare 2 LED bulbs on the brake lights, one white and one red? I don't see any special difference besides the LED bulb coming off faster. If the tail light is made of red platic and the OEM bulb is white, I don't see why I wouldn't use a white LED bulb on that place. I have it in white and it works excellent.
Secondly, the link you gave for the bulbs on the brake lights. The bulbs on the link you provided are not canbus, so there will be an error message on the FIS/board computer.

Third, who says we didn't use LED coloured bulbs, we used them on the indicator lights, the OEM bulbs were amber, and so are the LED bulbs for wich I provided link earlier.
Click to expand...

In answer to your first thing, yes, it is a standard white halogen bulb, but with a white led bulb you won't get a pure red light needer. It's because of this that I use red bulbs, and get pure red light.
Second thing: yes, that's not a canbus bulb. But maybe you should know that bulbs that has higher than 5w wattage don't get error.
And third, obviously, in indicator light you must use amber light, but in brake light and fog, i prefer using coloured bulbs instead of white because, as I said before, you get better light.
Regards!
 
tome1994 said:
In answer to your first thing, yes, it is a standard white halogen bulb, but with a white led bulb you won't get a pure red light needer. It's because of this that I use red bulbs, and get pure red light.
Second thing: yes, that's not a canbus bulb. But maybe you should know that bulbs that has higher than 5w wattage don't get error.
And third, obviously, in indicator light you must use amber light, but in brake light and fog, i prefer using coloured bulbs instead of white because, as I said before, you get better light.
Regards!
Click to expand...
First thing, this is all by your opinion, there is no proof of this. When I replace anything OEM I always try to maintain the OEM spirit. And I think that a red colored bulb behind a red plastic light is not needed and that it will be weaker at day time.

Second thing the noncanbus bulb with 30 SMD LED's from the link you provided won't spend more then 1 watt, not nearly enough to 5 watts that you suggested, that's why bulbs with preinstalled resistors are made, and they are called canbus bulbs. The bulb from your link will give an error message on the board computer 100% no doubt about it.

Third thing, again your opinion, with no proof, picture or video, all the bulbs you said are great cost much more and without proof of being better, or how much better in percentage.

Best regards.
 
s3facelift09 said:
First thing, this is all by your opinion, there is no proof of this. When I replace anything OEM I always try to maintain the OEM spirit. And I think that a red colored bulb behind a red plastic light is not needed and that it will be weaker at day time.

Second thing the noncanbus bulb with 30 SMD LED's from the link you provided won't spend more then 1 watt, not nearly enough to 5 watts that you suggested, that's why bulbs with preinstalled resistors are made, and they are called canbus bulbs. The bulb from your link will give an error message on the board computer 100% no doubt about it.

Third thing, again your opinion, with no proof, picture or video, all the bulbs you said are great cost much more and without proof of being better, or how much better in percentage.

Best regards.
Click to expand...

I think you don't understand nothing. I DON'T GET ANY ERROR FROM THIS BULBS!!!! Do you understand now?
You are like ants, if audi says canbus, you canbus like sillys. I REPEAT, I DON'T GET ANY ERROR!!!
You need a minimum wattage, canbus is only a resistor that reach to this minimum wattage.
If you replace OEM, don't install LED.
This red coloured led light in the day time is light enough to notice other cars that you brake.
Regards!
 
tome1994 said:
I think you don't understand nothing. I DON'T GET ANY ERROR FROM THIS BULBS!!!! Do you understand now?
You are like ants, if audi says canbus, you canbus like sillys. I REPEAT, I DON'T GET ANY ERROR!!!
You need a minimum wattage, canbus is only a resistor that reach to this minimum wattage.
If you replace OEM, don't install LED.
This red coloured led light in the day time is light enough to notice other cars that you brake.
Regards!
Click to expand...

Mr. Caps Lock I don't have a hearing problem. IF YOU AREN'T GETTING AN ERROR, THEN YOU HAVE A CANBUS BULB. You're acting like a BMW owner. Cheers. I'm through with you.
 
s3facelift09 said:
Mr. Caps Lock I don't have a hearing problem. IF YOU AREN'T GETTING AN ERROR, THEN YOU HAVE A CANBUS BULB. You're acting like a BMW owner. Cheers. I'm through with you.
Click to expand...


I try to highlight that i don't get errors.
no, as you said, it's not canbus...

I tell you that if the bubs is minimum 5w consumption you don't get any error. maybe the 30smd led don't make this consumption, but the whole bulb consume 5w.
why are you through with me? I proove what I say, I'm not talking without knowing about the topic. Maybe you think that you know all and others just have to bow.
regards!
 
tome1994 said:
I try to highlight that i don't get errors.
no, as you said, it's not canbus...

I tell you that if the bubs is minimum 5w consumption you don't get any error. maybe the 30smd led don't make this consumption, but the whole bulb consume 5w.
why are you through with me? I proove what I say, I'm not talking without knowing about the topic. Maybe you think that you know all and others just have to bow.
regards!
Click to expand...
The ad says it's not canbus, but it has to be otherwise you would be getting an error. Because in 2010., when I was replacing the 4 standard stop light bulbs with a 68 LED bulbs (noncanbus) on my 2010. A3 Sportback, we had to put 4 resistors on each wire to stop the error message on the board computer, and 68 led's is 2 times more then 30 led's on your bulbs. And not 2, not 3 resistors but 4 resistors were required to turn off the error. And now you are convincing us that you have plain, non canbus bulbs and that you don't get an error. That's impossible for the reason I stated. You have canbus bulbs. That's not a question. And I don't know why is this a problem for you to accept?
 
Understand that 1 LED bulb (noncanbus) with 68 LED'd has a power consumption of 1 watt or less, and 4 such bulbs don't spend more then 5 watts. And you need a minimum 20 watts to turn off an error. It's not possible without resistors not to get an error. Either you need to install resistors or canbus bulbs need to be installed.
 
s3facelift09 said:
Understand that 1 LED bulb (noncanbus) with 68 LED'd has a power consumption of 1 watt or less, and 4 such bulbs don't spend more then 5 watts. And you need a minimum 20 watts to turn off an error. It's not possible without resistors not to get an error. Either you need to install resistors or canbus bulbs need to be installed.
Click to expand...

Go back to your first post... you affirmed that it's not canbus and must get error. You were 100% sure.
20 wats to turn off what? I assure you that I don't get any error with only 5w/bulb.
Maybe the bulbs you bought consume 1w for example, and the ad says 5. I don't know.
I just made a purpose, which can help ppl who don't know which bulbs to use. These bulbs works in my car, you don't believe me, think what you want...
Regards!
 
tome1994 said:
Go back to your first post... you affirmed that it's not canbus and must get error. You were 100% sure.
20 wats to turn off what? I assure you that I don't get any error with only 5w/bulb.
Maybe the bulbs you bought consume 1w for example, and the ad says 5. I don't know.
I just made a purpose, which can help ppl who don't know which bulbs to use. These bulbs works in my car, you don't believe me, think what you want...
Regards!
Click to expand...

A canbus LED bulb, and a noncanbus LED bulb look completely the same from the outside (except festoon where resistors can be seen). The resistors are hidden from the inside. I can't tell by the look is it a canbus or not. Your LED bulb CANNOT CONSUME 5 WATTS AND THEREFORE TURN THE ERROR OFF IF IT IS NOT CANBUS, THAT IS IF IT DOES NOT HAVE PREINSTALLED RESISTORS IN ITSELF, THAT CANNOT BE SEEN.

Here's an example, I found a 120 SMD LED Bulb Ba15s for the stop light. It consumes around 3,5 watts of power. It needs to consume a minimun of 5 watts so that it doesn't trigger an error. You need to install a 5w resistor. This bulb that has 4 times more Led's then your bulb would trigger an error without a resistor. Buy this bulb and install it in your car and then talk.
 
s3facelift09 said:
A canbus LED bulb, and a noncanbus LED bulb look completely the same from the outside (except festoon where resistors can be seen). The resistors are hidden from the inside. I can't tell by the look is it a canbus or not. Your LED bulb CANNOT CONSUME 5 WATTS AND THEREFORE TURN THE ERROR OFF IF IT IS NOT CANBUS, THAT IS IF IT DOES NOT HAVE PREINSTALLED RESISTORS IN ITSELF, THAT CANNOT BE SEEN.

Here's an example, I found a 120 SMD LED Bulb Ba15s for the stop light. It consumes around 3,5 watts of power. It needs to consume a minimun of 5 watts so that it doesn't trigger an error. You need to install a 5w resistor. This bulb that has 4 times more Led's then your bulb would trigger an error without a resistor. Buy this bulb and install it in your car and then talk.
Click to expand...

In my first post i don't assure that any bulb is canbus. It's you who is attacking my purpose saying that it must get error.
The bulb maybe is canbus, but it don't tell it.
We are making an amount from 1 grain of rice.
If you want to swear me, I can tell you that the minimum wattage(for cars with bornedtz ecu) is around 5w. Maybe for cars with bcm the minimum wattage is higher.
So, as I said, these bulbs are right for cars with bornedtz ecu, i can't assure it for bcm ecu.
Regards!
 
have any of you actually viewed these on a bright sunny day with direct sunlight onto the rear of the car ?
i modified the a4 b8 rear led clusters for led indicators and no led bulb on the market for reasonable cost comes anywhere near the lumen intensity of a regular bulb . (i.e there were not visible in direct sun when on and fitted in the rear cluster )
i had to make custom bulbs using cree 3w amber leds with driver circuits .just 1 of these is brighter than a regular bulb .
 
hollow said:
have any of you actually viewed these on a bright sunny day with direct sunlight onto the rear of the car ?
i modified the a4 b8 rear led clusters for led indicators and no led bulb on the market for reasonable cost comes anywhere near the lumen intensity of a regular bulb . (i.e there were not visible in direct sun when on and fitted in the rear cluster )
i had to make custom bulbs using cree 3w amber leds with driver circuits .just 1 of these is brighter than a regular bulb .
Click to expand...

I upgraded brake lights at the end of august. In Mallorca is very sunny yet.
I didn't had any problem, and in case that I have any in the future i'll replace it for ones I purposed for fog lights, which are brighter.
My mother has an a4 b8 and i don't think that the result can be good. It's because i don't try to change it.
Regards!
 
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