[ICUBB]

Ever consider that the reason the rear backup lights remain incandescent is because the identical backup camera is used on all LS/LT/LTZ lines and it is color balanced for best viewing with the stock incandescent lighting ?

More likely reason is that GM can save at least $3 per bulb on a light that is sparingly used. I switched to all LED in my tail lights to help compensate for the dark tint with a brighter bulb.

 

[The Guz]

Ever consider that the reason the rear backup lights remain incandescent is because the identical backup camera is used on all LS/LT/LTZ lines and it is color balanced for best viewing with the stock incandescent lighting ?

LED's have no impact on the camera and the color of the screen.

 

[KG2014]

Why screw around swapping exterior bulbs for LEDs for no added functionality? To reduce maintenance costs?....dozens of family vehicles and never had to replace a reverse lamp and maybe half a dozen tail and marker lights. Stock incadescents put out more than enough light for the reverse camera at night. Dash bulbs are a different matter.....always a PITA to replace, but no longer they now are all stock LEDs.

Headlamps? LEDs/HID conversion not cost effective in the 16+ which can take Sylvania 9005 zXe xenons with the same color and brightness as HIDs with no ballasts or fans to fail. The cost and easy 5 minute replacement (10 with a beer break) make a yearly replacement cost effective for their easy plug and play functionality.

But, the addition of LEDs for DRL/fogs in LS/LT lines are a definite improvement because they provide both appearance and functionality. When hooked up directly to an ign-on power source they operate at full brightness as stock Impala LTZ/Premiere's DRLs during the day and its missing fog lamps at night. Even provide added functionality over the LTZ/Premier's stock DRLs which dim the LEDs when the headlamps are lighted making them useless as fogs at night. Actually work well as fogs when at full brightness putting out twice the light of the optional LED fogs (with half the LEDs) on my Silverado, and even side lighting in turns!

The 9012 bulb would be a better upgrade. Any tinted bulb will reduce output as it filters out all light but the color of the filter on the lens giving worse output. Also I must say the zXe bulbs are no where close to that of an HID bulb.

 

[Thomcat]

The 9012 bulb would be a better upgrade. Any tinted bulb will reduce output as it filters out all light but the color of the filter on the lens giving worse output. Also I must say the zXe bulbs are no where close to that of an HID bulb.

The wattage, lumen output, color temperature of Sylvania zXe 9005s and 9012s are identical ........so why the hell would someone want to booger their 16+ headlamps sockets to fit an older model bulb? And their hotter burning proprietary xenon gas mixture in a projector lens will match the HIDs. And as an owner of two other GM vehicles with stock HID projector headlamps, the zXe retrofits are only close to the whiteness but are an easy match for brightness, distance and side vision.

 

[Thomcat]

More likely reason is that GM can save at least $3 per bulb on a light that is sparingly used. I switched to all LED in my tail lights to help compensate for the dark tint with a brighter bulb.

No more likely the wiring harnesses, driver chips and sockets are different to accommodate the two different voltage buses for incandescent and LED rather than slapping in a kludge replacement LED with internal components to accommodate the different voltage bus. Rest assured future will contain more stock LEDs because they are cheaper to integrate into the total vehicle (after present buyers pay for the tech) and a lot more profitable to replace the assemblies rather than a bulb.

And I miss the logic of having to go with a brighter bulb because one blackens the lens to look "cool". And just what steps did you take to compensate for darkening the passive reflective prismatic elements within the two red lenses to SAE standards which are there specifically for night safety? Hope either your State doesn't have yearly safety inspections or Helen Keller is the inspector. Also, if some moron rear ends you at night and does serious damage, count on the insurance companies attributing partial blame to blacking out these lenses.

 

[Thomcat]

LED's have no impact on the camera and the color of the screen.

Talking night vision in an unlit environment when the camera reverts to black and white, and accuracy of colors affect levels of black, and perceived resolution.

 

[KG2014]

The wattage, lumen output, color temperature of Sylvania zXe 9005s and 9012s are identical ........so why the hell would someone want to booger their 16+ headlamps sockets to fit an older model bulb? And their hotter burning proprietary xenon gas mixture in a projector lens will match the HIDs. And as an owner of two other GM vehicles with stock HID projector headlamps, the zXe retrofits are only close to the whiteness but are an easy match for brightness, distance and side vision.

Lumens are within 100, zXe's are 65 watt vs 55 watt and color temperature is around 4100k vs 4500-5000k. You don't need to modify the headlamp sockets at all. Swap the 9011 bulbs in for 2300 lumens vs the 1700 now. The 9005 is a older model bulb and the new 9011/12 are HIR bulbs which are new. Most factory HID's are terrible and it's due to the fresnel lens on the projectors giving a fuzzy cut off. And zXe bulbs are no where close to a retrofit. My retrofit with Osram CBI bulbs will be way brighter then any OEM setup. HID's will be way. Right around 3,000-3,300 lumens. So a halogen bulb will never be as bright as a hid set up.


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[SilIce17]

Well I use LEDs because they are more efficient and brighter. Most or all manufactures use LEDs. I converted the 17 Premier tail, brake and turn signals with LEDs and don't regret it all. It's a PITA and make sure you put those resistors in a places where they won't burn anything...lesson learn here... Those muthas get hot!!




As for the topic, I tried 2 different manufactures reverse lights and they didn't work. I tried Dynamic Diode and Sylvania and both had the residual light effect when the car was off. PITA removing and putting the covers back in testing. Per Dynamic Diode, they think the resistance in some of the 17 models is different and causing this effect so they are retesting internal LED resistance for the Chevys to resolve this problem for the reverse lights. One fix is to add resistors but I'm going wait for the new LEDs. n
No issues with my 2014 Malibu LTZ with LEDs.


Anyway, if anyone has the time to test other manufactures on the Premier and find one that works, post it.