One of the best ways to personalise your car’s interior is to install custom interior lights. These lights allow you to transform the colour and ambience of your vehicle completely. Whether you want a multi-colour or a warm red light, custom lights allow you to achieve a personalised, unique look. Generally, internal car globes are LEDs, but they can also be bulbs. Some of the benefits they provide include:
- Don’t use your battery
- Long-lasting
- Increase your vehicle’s resale value
- Add personality to your car
You can get creative with internal car globes. LEDs use a semiconductor to emit light, meaning they don’t burn out like other types of lights. Moreover, they use less energy and don’t create any heat. All of this makes them the best choice for internal car lights. LED lights are usually sold in strips, making them easy to install. However, there are many different types of interior LED lights.
Types of Interior Lights
Interior Door Lights
Interior door lights provide extra illumination to the doors, allowing you to find the window controls and handles easier, or find something in the storage compartment in your door. Some people use modern logo lights on the doors, showing off their love for the brand they have.
Interior Dome Lights
Dome lights provide illumination to the front and back areas of your vehicle when opening or closing your doors. This is the type of light that can greatly contribute to your personal style. You can replace your current dome lights with LED lights, or go with a different colour for a more personalised design.
Trunk Lights
These lights are technically not interior lights, but they can provide a lot of value when opening your trunk to load or unload luggage. On top of that, you can add a few style points to your vehicle.
Map Lights
Map lights are those that provide extra visibility in areas where you typically position your navigation or phone. While most cars today come with integrated GPS, older ones can take advantage of map lights. Still, these lights can add to the overall look of your interior.
How to Choose Interior Car Lights
Choosing interior car lights is pretty straightforward. Most are designed to fit all vehicles, but there are some made for specific models and makes. If you have a larger vehicle like a ute, you might need more lights. The number of lights you want to install will come down to personal preference. It’s recommended you go for lights from a well-known brand that manufactures high-quality products to get the best results.
How to Install Interior Car Lights
How you install interior car lights in your vehicle will depend on the type of vehicle you have. However, there are a few general tips that can help you go through the process with ease. For the best results, consult your owner’s manual.
First and foremost, you have to decide where you want the lights. Plan ahead, as the options are endless. Measure the area and determine how many light units you want. Next, determine how you’ll install them. There are a couple of different methods, the most popular of which are zip ties and glue.
Once you’ve decided how and where, you’ll need to grab a few tools, such as a multimeter to measure voltage, crimp tools, a screwdriver and wire-cutting pliers. You may also need electrical tape, glue, zip ties or wire connectors, depending on what method you decide to go for.
Before you install the lights, determine what power source you’ll use to run them. Ideally, the power source should be 12V, which is generally where you have the cigarette lighter, stereo or a separate outlet. You can connect the lights in the fusebox. Make sure to ground the negative power wires with a grounding point. This is typically located under the dash. Remove the bolts on the firewall and use a connector to place the wiring under the bolt. After that, replace and tighten the bolt.
Lastly, connect the lights to the available power source, and place them where you want them located. Make sure to place the controller in an easy-to-reach location. You’ll need to decide when you want the lights to come on. You can set them to light up with your headlights, or only when you use the buttons on the controller. Some interior car lights can be controlled through your phone.
The Final Word
Internal LED lights are an affordable investment that can completely change the look of your vehicle. They’re easy to install, and easy to remove if you don’t find them appealing. LEDs are the most popular types of lights used for interior car lights, as they’re durable, affordable, efficient and long-lasting. They’re available in a range of colours, including multi-colour. Some are made for specific vehicle models and makes, while others are universal. For the best fit, go with vehicle model- and make-specific LED lights.
