Top 10 places to add Lighting to your Car or Truck

Automotive lighting is one key area where there is a ton of flexibility around customization. Enhancing the appearance of a vehicle by adding exterior and interior lights is popular among car enthusiasts. Whereas some drivers create unique looks by coordinating their color schemes, others simply add lights for safety reasons. Whatever the reason, there are many choices when it comes to adding lights to a vehicle. For those wanting to show off their car's exterior, LED wheel lights, door handle lights, undercarriage lights, and unique headlight and taillights are some options. As for the interior of a car, drivers can illuminate their pedals, trunks, dashboards, among other areas. Drivers interested in adding lights to their cars should consider their preferences, wants, and needs and also understand the types of lights that can be added to various places on their car.

Exterior Lights

Exterior lights transform the overall look of a vehicle. Lights of all colors and sizes are available for the wheels, door handles, and undercarriage. Headlights and taillights are also customizable. Many of the exterior lights come in kits, complete with everything needed for easy installation. Regardless of which type of lights is installed, buyers must heed state traffic laws when adding aftermarket lighting systems in order to avoid potential fines. Some states restrict certain exterior light colors, particularly red and blue, on personal cars, stating these should be reserved for emergency vehicles only. Other states prohibit any type of added lighting as it can be distracting, and therefore, also hazardous.

1.LED Wheel Lights

LED wheel lights are one popular way to show off stylish rims and create a custom look. Sometimes referred to as tub lights, they are placed inside the upper portion of the fender wheel well. Although hidden from view, the bulbs illuminate the tire and wheel. Choosing LED lights as opposed to other types of incandescent bulbs or neon tubes is a smart choice because LED lights are more durable and waterproof.

2.Door Handle Lights

Adding a strip or two of mini-LED lights underneath car door handles is a fun way to create a unique look. Door handle lights come in many color choices, including popular shades of red, green, purple, or orange. Not only do door handle lights aide in car customization, but these lights are also functional. For example, the handles are illuminated when trying to quickly open the car door, which is helpful on a darkened side street or parking garage. Another type or door handle light is projection LED lights that project a logo or image onto the ground, providing decorative illumination when you open the door to exit.

3.Neon Underglow

Creating a bright, neon glow underneath a car is a sure way to make a dramatic statement. To achieve this personalized look, neon light tubes are mounted under the car. While the car is in use, the lights boldly illuminate the roadway underneath the vehicle, making the car appear as if it were floating. Many color choices are available.

4.LED Underglow

Similar to neon tubes, LED underglow lights also illuminate the car's underbody. However, LED lights tend to last longer than neon lights and are more durable. LED lights use individual bulbs rather than long glass tubes as neon lights do; thus, LED lights are less likely to crack or break. Keep in mind that LED lights are not as bright as neon lights; however, LED lights offer more options when it comes to color patterns and changes, and multi-color options are also available. An LED strip is a great option for illuminating the underbody, and there are wireless models with a remote to control such features as lighting pattern, and the ability to sync the flash of the lights with music.

5.Headlights and Taillights

Cars come with standard red, orange, and white headlights and taillights. However, for some car enthusiasts, changing their look is appealing. There are kits available that transform average headlights and taillights into those that have a halo effect or beam pattern. Consumers buy the kits based on the make of the car since all cars' headlights and taillights are not the same. There are three basic types of headlights and taillights available. The chart below helps to distinguish among the styles, and buyers can choose the type best suited for their needs.

Type of Light Advantages Disadvantages

Halogen

Lasts up to 1,000 hours

Inexpensive

Easy installation

Dimmer than other headlights

Xenon

Very bright illumination

Lasts up to 2,000 hours

expensive

Adaptive Lighting System

Illumination adjusts based on vehicle speed and road conditions

Computer regulates brightness

Uses halogen bulbs; very expensive

Requires a lot of power

Prone to overheating

LED

Computer monitors illumination

Does not use much power

Does not overheat

Lasts up to 30,000 hours

Relatively expensive

Preference and budget determine which lights are best suited for an individual driver. If in doubt about lighting systems, consumers should seek the advice of a trusted auto parts retailer or mechanic.

Interior

In addition to exterior lighting modifications, some drivers also want to transform the inside of their cars. There are many ways to improve interior lighting through the installation of pedal, trunk, and dashboard lights. Another option includes adding light strips virtually anywhere more light is desired. Just as with exterior lights, there are interior light kits that include all parts necessary for installation.

6.Pedal Lights

Although pedal lights make for a cool addition to any car, some drivers install these to increase visibility of a darkened area. The metal pedals fit over the car's existing set, making installation easy. The pedals light up blue or silver, helping drivers to be certain they are pressing the correct pedal.

7.Trunk Lights

Most car trunks have an ambient dim light that turns on when the trunk is lifted and opened. However, for some drivers, having a brighter illumination of the trunk area is desired. To do this, installation of an LED or neon trunk light is the inexpensive solution. Many types of lights are available and take a short amount of time and minimal hardware to hook up to the existing wiring.

8.Dashboard Lights

Dashboard lights illuminate the dials and gauges at night; however, most are dim and do not last long before needing replacement. If the dashboard fails to glow at night, a driver cannot accurately monitor his or her speed and fuel amount, thus creating a dangerous situation. Replacing these with LED alternatives is a relatively simple do-it-yourself project. Because LED lights last a long time and give off a very bright light, some drivers argue that making the switch to LED improves safety.

9.Interior Reading Light

For long car trips, bored passengers may be glad to have a bright reading light. Although cars come equipped with dome lights designed for this purpose, many of these are too dim and cause glare for the driver. A hard-mounted, flexible interior reading light attached to the dashboard is an easy solution to promote a brighter area without increasing glare.

10.Light Strips and Strings

Adding lights to the interior of a car is made easy with lighting strips and strings. Most commonly made with LED lights, these strips and strings allow for added illumination virtually anywhere within the vehicle. Whether placed near the door to highlight the exits or underneath the seats to illuminate the floor, LED strips and strings make customizing the inside of a car possible. For a really fun effect, some use these around the holidays to create a festive feel.