birdfeather
Member
- :
- 2007 Mazda 3 Sedan Black Mica
there on the 2nd page
How-To: LED Interior / Reverse / Licence plate lights
- Thread starter jam_asian85
- Start date
there on the 2nd page
I tried the reverse bulbs, because I wanted more visibility when backing up. (I have a 5% tint back there and it's sometimes scary backing up at night.) The aftermarket reverse bulbs from superbrightleds.com were very disappointing. They're only brighter if you look them straight-on. I determined this by putting just one in and having the other stock. And since there's just a single LED diode on the end, it doesn't cast light in a (close to) 360-degree cone like the stock incandescent bulb does. So you're not taking advantage of the mirror-reflective bulb housing that casts the light. Basically the stock ones were effectively "brighter". I recommend not buying those bulbs. I'll eventually try to discover some other bulb that is brighter. Someone pointed me toward these ones they have on Amazon that have like 15+ LED diodes on them; maybe those work.
birdfeather
Member
- :
- 2007 Mazda 3 Sedan Black Mica
haha, you just changed my mind on getting them, very much appreciated... ya im on a hunt to find brighter ones, let me know if u have any luck finding some
Boostin McFly
Member
- :
- 2008 Mazdaspeed3
Keep this post updated if you find anything. I would like to know an alternative as well.
as requested, here you go elderlycoffee
In this picture, how did you change out the lighting that highlights the Shifter...it is the small blue light underneath your climate control. I never even noticed that on my 04 Mazda 3i.
Thanks for the great write up though...great instructions and I am gonna upgrade my lighting to White LED all throughout!
M
my3needsaname
It's standard on newer versions of the car...or higher end versions of the car...I forget which.
Boostin McFly
Member
- :
- 2008 Mazdaspeed3
I have it on my 08 MS3 GT. Not sure if the Sport has it or older models.
I just want to mention randomly that I found another bulb that can be replaced. I was taking apart the lower dash area to get at the shifter assembly (to install solid bushings) and pulled off the cigarette tray part. There's an incandescent bulb that lights up that ring around the cigarette outlet. It looked like the same bulb type as the maps/glovebox/plate, but I'm not 100% sure. I don't know if replacing that one would be so noticable, because that ring is tinted red plastic and the LEDs give less of a cone of light emittance, which may be needed to light up the ring evenly. But hey rice knows no limits. 
I suspect there are other bulbs behind the other stuff up higher too. Personally, I draw the line at the dome/map/glove/plate lights that are more for actually illuminating things you might be reading or whatever.
I suspect there are other bulbs behind the other stuff up higher too. Personally, I draw the line at the dome/map/glove/plate lights that are more for actually illuminating things you might be reading or whatever.birdfeather
Member
- :
- 2007 Mazda 3 Sedan Black Mica
they do auto-dim the same
noobinacan
Member
Boostin McFly
Member
- :
- 2008 Mazdaspeed3
Weird question but, I put these lights in and for some reason I have the top center dome light installed and during the day when it is set to door or on it turns on but when its night time and its set to door and on it won't turn on. all of the other lights work when the door is open or when they are set to on but this one. I thought at first that the bulb was bad but during the daytime it will turn on, but as soon as it gets dark it won't light up. I have no idea why this is happening...maybe its a phantom bulb that only comes out during the day? haha
birdfeather
Member
- :
- 2007 Mazda 3 Sedan Black Mica
im having the same EXACT issue, seems like i have to hit it or keep switching it on and off to get it going, im not sure what the problem is...
Boostin McFly
Member
- :
- 2008 Mazdaspeed3
s***...i pulled the cover off on my trunk light and the black plastic switch came loose...now I can't turn my light on or off...anybody else run into this problem? Easy dealer fix?
Boostin McFly
Member
- :
- 2008 Mazdaspeed3
It's a Dashhawk
noobinacan
Member
Lights to be changed out:
Map Light:
Get a good grab in there, and just pull on it, dont pull too hard or you'll damage the wiring harness.
nope, do this instead. there are two tabs on the sides of that light. stick a small flat head screw driver in the sides left side to pop it out and then on the right side to pop it out.
Trunk/Cargo Light:
Just pull on the clear cover and it'll just come out.
nope, do this.
Under the light, there is a little tab and it pop's out with a flat head screw driver.
Replace the factory bulb with the LED you bought.
mothernature
Member
Anyone done this for a mazda 5?
on the first post there is a list of the bulb P/N
man that piano black looks good at night. i was not a fan of it untill that pic
just wanted to say thanks for this write up. pretty clear and straight forward, and when i did it a few months ago, i think it took all of half an hour for all the lights. it's a cheesy thing to do, personally, and i welcome anyone who wants to make fun of it, but it's a nice conversation starter.
