To anyone experimenting with LED brake/turn/running lamps in the rear. Do not order white LEDs. They will appear pink-ish or orange-ish through the red lenses. For a pure red color, always use red LEDs. Also, most LED 1157 lamps are too directional and will only light the lens where the bulb is. The light doesn't spread. I've ordered some multi-directional bulbs that should light up the whole lens area. I'll report back when I get them in a few days. Anything found in the auto parts stores is junk from my experience.
Most LED lamps sold are not as bright as the original bulbs, but there are some and I'll find the ones that work best on the smart.
I've been selling LEDs to the VW bug community for years. Now that I own a smart, I'll find the bulbs that work in the smart and offer them for sale. By the way, if you need resistors for hyper-flash, they are very simple to install. Just be aware that they get very hot.
The tail lamps seem to be the right design, with side LEDs to light up the whole space. In the video, we're told they emit a blue tint once installed. That's why I recommend using red LEDs instead of white ones for a true red from the lens.
SMDs are not the brightest LEDs. Cree lamps are much brighter, but they are very directional and won't fill up the whole lens area. They're great for backup lights in white though. Actually they only come in white and are very expensive.
If you like an off-red tint, smartmadness' lamps are probably O.K., but I can't say much more as I haven't tried them. I have some similarly designed red LED lamps on the way and will evaluate them when I get them. I'll try to post some photos, although red LEDs show up as a yellowish-white in digital photos.
By the way, the backup lights are 1156 with one contact on the bottom. Brake/tail lights are 1157 with 2 contacts on the bottom.
Just got the new, tower bulbs and installed them. Thought they'd be brighter than the regular bulbs, but they're not. Plus I get the hyper-flash, which means resistors. Think I'll just go back to the regular bulbs...brighter, simpler and readily available. I have brighter LED lamps. They're good on older VWs as the lenses are small. In the smart, the bulbs are at the top of the lens and have to spread down to fill the whole lens, so a lot of LEDs just light up the top of the lens. Being all plastic, I hesitate to use resistors. They really get hot.
Too many LEDs, especially using resistors, in too many places can cause unexpected consequences in the electrical system. In my last vehicle, putting LEDs in brake and tail lights with resistors made my cruise control inoperable with the headlights on. Replacing with regular bulbs would restore the cruise with the headlights on. I've known others who have messed up their electrical systems by using too many LEDs as replacement bulbs.
To anyone experimenting with LED brake/turn/running lamps in the rear. Do not order white LEDs. They will appear pink-ish or orange-ish through the red lenses. For a pure red color, always use red LEDs. Also, most LED 1157 lamps are too directional and will only light the lens where the bulb is. The light doesn't spread. I've ordered some multi-directional bulbs that should light up the whole lens area. I'll report back when I get them in a few days. Anything found in the auto parts stores is junk from my experience.
Most LED lamps sold are not as bright as the original bulbs, but there are some and I'll find the ones that work best on the smart.
I've been selling LEDs to the VW bug community for years. Now that I own a smart, I'll find the bulbs that work in the smart and offer them for sale. By the way, if you need resistors for hyper-flash, they are very simple to install. Just be aware that they get very hot.
I agree red with a red lens is better i just changed the rears so hyper-flash is not an issue... here's my tail/stop and backup
Weird cars. I installed similar looking lights for the brake/tail lights only and they hyper-flash. In other cars they won't. Some manufacturers include built-in resistors, but trying to guess which ones is a puzzle. Let's face it, all these lights are made in China. Their communications skills are not the best. I've dealt with many of them via e-mail and Skype, and anytime there was a question, there was a problem. I've been lied to, put off on warranty replacements, and usually have to explain the same thing 5 times and probably still won't get the correct info.
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
2010 Smart 
2008 Smart cabrio 
Big Red
R2-D2 42
Today
Linear Mode
