Whether you want to add a little pizzazz to your vehicle or turn it into a full-on light show, ambient lighting in your car is the way to do it.
Jerry
, the car ownership super app
, checksout which cars have the best lights and how you can express your unique personality with your own setup
. What is ambient lighting?
Ambient lighting can enhance the design of the car, and the driving experience. Custom lighting can illuminate cupholders, foot wells, the door dash, the door trim, speaker surrounds, and climate control vents.
Common types of ambient light include door lights, dome lights, trunk lights, map lights, and accent lights. Some vehicles provide drivers with the option to tailor lighting to the color of their choice and pulsate in time with music from the audio system.
Due to LED technology, automakers are able to support multiple colors from one diode with a solid-state electronic light source. LED lights are also known to last much longer than incandescent bulbs.
When looking for ambient lighting in cars, determine which trim offers it as an option or if it actually comes standard. See if the color or the brightness of the lighting can be adjusted, and how to go about accessing the feature.
What cars have good ambient lighting?
One of the first cars to feature ambient lighting was the Kia Soul. Previous Soul models offered multi-colored lighting that dances around to the beat of the music. Kia's flagship K900 sedan even has 64-color ambient lighting and seven custom themes.
The Chevy Camaro and Ford Mustang use lighting to brighten the cabin and allow drivers to change the colors on the gauge clusters. Other mainstream options include the Volkswagen Jetta, Mini Hardtop, Hyundai Sonata, and Palisade.
If you’re looking for classy and subtle lighting, Infiniti, Honda, Nissan, and Acura are the way to go. Vibrant lighting can be found on Porsches, BMWs, and the new Mercedes-Benz.
“Pricier vehicles even have the capability to illuminate the cabin in two colors at the same time, a main one and a second that acts like piping on certain parts of the interior,” MotorTrend
notes. The cabin even changes color as you drive on some newer Mercedes vehicles. If you’re able to get your hands on a Rolls-Royce, you’ll enjoy a sparkly starry night sky that uses fiber optic strands installed into the headliner. Bentleys illuminate intricate details in the door speakers of their upscale sound systems.
How to install ambient lighting yourself
It’s best to first consult the owner's manual or repair guide before attempting to install lights. Luckily, most LED strips are designed to fit the majority of vehicles.
First, decide where you want to add lights and figure out how many you’ll need to complete the project. Next, gather the appropriate tools for installation. According to Car and Driver
, “This might include a multimeter, which measures voltage, crimp tools, wire-cutting pliers, and a screwdriver. You might also need zip ties, wire connectors, electrical tape, and glue.” You’ll also need to determine your power source before you place the lights. You’ll need at least 12V and can possibly connect the lights to the fusebox. It’s important to ground the negative power wire which will require a grounding point (under the dash of your car).
Remove one bolt on the firewall and slide the wiring under the bolt using a connector. Replace and tighten the bolt. Then simply connect the lights to the power source and place them wherever you see fit. It’s a good idea to place the light’s controller in a spot that’s easy to access.
You can also determine when you want the lights to illuminate, whether they come on with your headlights or perhaps only when using the controller. Controlling the lights with your phone can also be an option.
“You might also add fuses to the wiring or circuit for added safety. If you choose to replace bulbs for a more subtle look, then it is as easy as untwisting the old bulb and screwing in the new one,” Car and Driver tells us.
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