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DIY: Scorpio-N & Santro Xing get LED reverse & brake light upgrades

1st July 2024, 17:36 by Rahul Nagaraj

Ordered LED lights for both cars from Boodmo and the before & after difference is incredible.

BHPian alphrex recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

"Upgraded to LED lights and the difference is incredible! The intensity is so much better than the old halogen and it really enhances the overall look of the module."

Hey everyone,

So, I was feeling the urge to upgrade the halogen bulbs in my Santro Xing and Scorpio-N, and I decided to tackle both vehicles at the same time. I ordered some LED bulbs from LED Beam, and also got a reverse brake light switch for the Santro Xing from Boodmo.

RED LED FOR SANTRO

WHITE LED FOR SCORPIO

The items I ordered were:
1) 1 1156 LED bulb with built-in heat dissipation for my Scorpio-N
2) 2 1157 red LED bulbs for the Santro Xing
3) Reverse brake light switch for the Santro Xing

The tools required for the job were just a screwdriver, a 14mm open spanner wrench, and of course, some of your time. Oh, and a yoga mat or something to sit on while working on the cars.

I started with the Santro Xing, thinking it would take some time, but it turned out to be quite straightforward. It was just a matter of unscrewing and screwing in the new bulbs, and popping out the light unit. It hardly took me ten minutes on one side to get the job done. Since my brake light switch wasn't working, I decided to change that as well. It was as simple as unscrewing the old switch and popping in the new one with the help of a 14mm spanner. I always enjoy working on my Santro because it's so DIY friendly and just works all the time. It's not always the case with modern cars, as I'll explain during the work on the Scorpio-N.

HALOGEN STEUP

LED SETUP

WORKING LEDs

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH SEAN

Now, coming to the Scorpio-N, you didn't need any special tools to change the bulbs, but it took me 30 minutes to do one side. Why? Because it's so hard and congested there. There's literally no space to put your hand in, and guess what? You have to wear a working glove because it's like sharp sheared metal and plastic, especially on the edges. Also, there's not enough length of wire to take the socket out for bulb replacement, so you have to put both hands inside. I even had to crawl under the vehicle to get enough leverage. I mean, why does it have to become harder and harder to work on new vehicles? On the other hand, my 14-year-old Santro is a bliss to work on.

After struggling for nearly 45 minutes, I managed to change the bulbs on both vehicles. The difference is very noticeable, especially in the case of the Scorpio-N at night. Thanks to the LEDs, it's so much easier to see in the dark with my reverse parking camera. The throw is excellent, and it illuminates a large space behind the vehicle. As for the Santro, the intensity of light has improved, and it looks lovely when I hit the brake.

SANTRO:-