How to improve astra j reverse lighting?

.:SAmSuNG:.

.:SAmSuNG:.

.:SAmSuNG:.

Soldato
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So I have a 2010 astra hatch that has a single reverse light which is shocking. You can hardly tell its on most of the time when reversing at night.

I have fitted a led bulb into it but I think it's more of a projector bulb that does not fire it back into the reflector.

I guess I have 2 options. Try find a better bulb or fit a larger reverse light on the bottom of the rear bumper.

Has anyone got any recommendations on a decent bulb that will actually light up the ground behind the car?

Edit- they are h21w bulbs.
 
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Most cars only have one reversing light (typically in the opposite spot of the one rear fog light) and they aren't really there to illuminate anything behind you but to warn others...
 
dalin80 said:
Most cars only have one reversing light (typically in the opposite spot of the one rear fog light) and they aren't really there to illuminate anything behind you but to warn others...
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How are you supposed to see behind you at night?

Phil W said:
Upgrade to a CREE LED?
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I already have a projector style cree led bulb in it but due to its design its not firing into the reflector much so is really no better.

Was hoping someone would have some experience with downward firing bulbs.
 
.:SAmSuNG:. said:
So I have a 2010 astra hatch that has a single reverse light which is shocking. You can hardly tell its on most of the time when reversing at night.

I have fitted a led bulb into it but I think it's more of a projector bulb that does not fire it back into the reflector.

I guess I have 2 options. Try find a better bulb or fit a larger reverse light on the bottom of the rear bumper.

Has anyone got any recommendations on a decent bulb that will actually light up the ground behind the car?

Edit- they are h21w bulbs.
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Aside from buying some 5050 white led strip to stick on the back and splicing into your reverse light cable, not much can be done unfortunately
 
mjt said:
This. You're driving an Astra, not a skip loader...

You can't.
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Is that an argument I can use when my wife reverses into another car at night? Saying you are not expected to see at night is not really helpful.

The reverse light acts as both a signal to other road users and to aid in seeing behind u at night.
 
Funnily enough, I was thinking about this just now as I came home.

I live at some flats with a shared parking space, rather than drive in and then have to faff around turning, I prefer to back in from the roadway. This entails a reverse distance of about 50Yards.

I would like brighter reversing lights too! (Toyota LC80)

Are there actually any legal limits??
 
Rear fogs sometimes help illuminate objects you're about to hit.

Alternatively, you could be like a UK-reg E60 I saw the other night on the motorway with appalling rear numberplate LEDs that lit up half of Belgium.
 
There's never a situation where you have to reverse and you don't know what's behind you. To reverse you have to have come from the direction you now want to go so you should remember what was there. If you were parked you get to see everything before getting in the car to reverse.
 
Diagro said:
Fit some ;)
Blind everyone when you reverse but at least you can see.
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Will match my 7000k hid reflectors up front! :D

I ordered a different type of bulb to try before doing anything else. My wifes driving test was a few hours one afternoon in America when she was 16 in a automatic. Let's just say it's took a lot of work to get her up to a suitable standard to drive manuals in Europe. Her reversing is still lacking when she doesn't have the sensors, camera and rear lights in my focus to help her.
 
I fitted some LED bulbs to my fiesta which dramatically improved visibility - Although it did have 2 lights. The leon sadly only has one rear reversing light and I am considering upgrading it shortly - However it does have LED rear lights which light up anything I'm about to hit
 
this thread is amazing, i think you need a trip to Specsavers if you can not see at night
 
This is so annoying isnt it. Why cant they light up behind you, too? I can't see a thing behind my car when reversing at night. It's really very irritating.
 
Haze said:
this thread is amazing, i think you need a trip to Specsavers if you can not see at night
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Specsavers sell night vision? :rolleyes:

I have no problem reversing the astra. It's terrible but manageable but to lower the risk of my wife damaging another car or person I don't think it's a bad idea to try and improve the rear visibility.

Before buying this car I have never felt the need to upgrade reversing lights. I'm not sure why I am trying to defend the idea though. I'm just after bulb recommendations.
 
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One said:
There's never a situation where you have to reverse and you don't know what's behind you. To reverse you have to have come from the direction you now want to go so you should remember what was there. If you were parked you get to see everything before getting in the car to reverse.
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Simply not true!

Whenever I go to an unfamiliar house and am unsure whether there is going to be room to turn round, I will always reverse down the drive just to make sure that I will not find myself put in a situation where I might have to reverse back out onto the road.
 
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