How To: VA Replace interior lighting with LEDs (Map/Dome/Trunk/License)

[STIKC]

Objective

This tutorial is based on replacing your dim factory bulbs to bright LED bulbs. This tutorial will show you how to replace the 2 map lights, dome light, trunk light, and 2 license plate light bulbs. The reason this tutorial was created was simply to not only show you how to do it, but to bring all of the research to a centralized location. Overall the install is easy and average person can do it without a DIY tutorial, this was simply made to show you how many bulbs, what kind of LEDs you need and your best purchase options.

NOTE: THIS TUTORIAL IS BASED OFF A 2013 SUBARU WRX STI. THIS TUTORIAL IS TARGETED FOR 08+ SUBARU WRX/STI MODELS.

Task Difficulty

Easy -- 10-15 Minutes

Budget

• Recommended LED Route: $42.00 + Shipping
• Budget LED Route: $26.00 + Shipping

Tools Needed

• Flat Head Screw Driver
• Phillips Head Screw Driver

Bulbs to Replace

• Map Light (2) - DE3021
• Dome Light (1) - DE3021
• Trunk Light (1) - 168
• License Plate Light (2) - 168

LED Bulbs to Purchase

Map Light

Recommended Option
http://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/festoon/de3175-led-bulb-4-smd-led-festoon/238/

Budget Option
http://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/festoon/de3175-led-bulb--9-led-festoon/232/

Dome Light

Recommended Option
http://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/festoon/de3175-led-bulb-4-smd-led-festoon/238/

Budget Option
http://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/festoon/de3175-led-bulb--9-led-festoon/232/

Trunk Light

Recommended Option
http://www.superbrightleds.com/more...194-led-bulb-15-smd-led-wedge-base-tower/910/

Budget Option
http://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/instrument-cluster-gauge/194-led-bulb-6-led-wedge-base/200/

License Plate Light

Recommended Option
http://www.superbrightleds.com/more...194-led-bulb-15-smd-led-wedge-base-tower/910/

Budget Option
http://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/instrument-cluster-gauge/194-led-bulb-6-led-wedge-base/200/

Closing Comments

The recommended LED bulbs were used in this tutorial. The brightness between the recommended and budget option I gave is beyond worth it. I would recommend Cool White as the color of choice. If you wish to add a color scheme to your car I would use the dome light and trunk light for color and the two map lights and license plate lights for cool white. If you keep the map lights cool white it will allow you to see around your car if needed while still using the dome light add color to your car. Another smart option I would personally do is replace the OEM bulb into the small plastic packet the LED bulbs you’re replacing it with and write where it came from (map, dome, trunk, license plate).

 

[STIKC]

How-To

Map Lights

Take your flat head screw driver and gently place it into the notches on the plastic. Carefully switch back and forth between the notches to slowly push the plastic out of the cradle. Use your hand to grab the plastic lens to finish pulling the piece off. Remove the two bulbs and replace with your LED bulbs. Simply push lens back into place to complete this task.

Tabs:


Interior View:

 

[STIKC]

How-To

Dome Light

Take your flat head screw driver and locate two notches on the back section of the clear plastic lens (closes to your back seats). Use the flat head to push towards the center of the lens, then down to pop the lens cover off. Remove the bulb and replace with your LED bulb. Simply push lens back into place to complete this task.

Tabs:


Interior View:

 

[STIKC]

How-To

Trunk Light

Take your flat head screw driver and locate the 2 tabs on each side of the plastic cover around the light. Use the flat head to push the tabs and pull the plastic cover off. Remove the bulb and replace with your LED bulb. Simply push plastic cover back into place to complete this task.

Tabs:


Interior View:

 

[STIKC]

How-To

License Plate Light

Take your phillips screw driver and remove the 2 screws holding the plastic cover. Pull plastic cover off including the rubber weather sealer piece that will fall if you don’t know to look out for it. Remove the bulb and replace with your LED bulb. Repeat to finish the other side. Simply hold the plastic cover with the weather sealer together and tighten the two screws back into place to complete this task.

Screws:


Interior View:


Screws/Plastic/Rubber Weather Protection:

 

[IGOTASTi]

Nice write up.

What years of STi will this work for?

 

[STIKC]

2011+ appreciate it!

 

[STIKC]

Correction. 08+!