i have a 2009 gs350. i want to replace the daytime running lights with leds. I bought a set and after i installed them they flickered while the car was running. i figured out that that was most likely happening because the drl are also the high beams.. I'm assume thats whats causing the flickering. i just want to be sure that this is the problem and its not something else. also could someone recommend a good pair of leds that aren't crazy expensive and preferably no ballasts, not sure if this is possible. thanks for the help

 

You need to get a decoder if you want to use LED's in your DRL. But then bad part is you will loose your High Beams since the LED's are not as bright as a regular halogen bulbs.

 

Here is a guide to install them

http://store.ijdmtoy.com/Lexus-RX350...Beam-a/430.htm

 

hmm, do i have any other options? i noticed some are single beam and some are dual beam, does that make any difference?

 

im not going to mess with the decoder thing, id rather just keep my high beams.. so what if I bought an hid kit, would i still have issues due to the drl also being the high beam or are hids able to do both like the stock halogen bulbs?

 

Not sure if this applies to you. On my 06 gs430, it has a wedge bulb and high beam. To my knowledge (and I may be wrong), the DRL is run off the wedge bulb during the day. When you turn on your headlights (low beams), the high beams will run on half-wattage. As ReyRey suggested, a decoder would stop the flickering, but you will lose your high beam functionality.

HID Powerhouse (a sponsor of this forum) suggested these 3 options:

1) Traditional 6000K LED bulbs with traditional relay unit attached to the bulbs (subtle upgrade - ideal for DRL, high beam output is diminished);

2) CREE XML2 6500K LEDs with built-in resistor and cooling fan (very bright for both DRL and high beam); and

3) Philips Lumileds Luxeon 6000K Crisp White LEDs with built-in resistor circuit (brightest for both DRL and high beam).


Personally, I am currently waiting for the philips lumiled luxeon's to arrive.

 

Other way around...The wedge bulb is the night "city" light and DRL is the high beam bulb operating at 10-20%.

Function > Form..just my 2 cents

Throwing HID into the high beam reflector bowl is not the best idea. HID needs that brief warm up time eliminating it's usefulness as a high beam replacement.

 

Weird, I replaced my bulbs last night with:

Philips Ultinon D4S 6200K
LP2 Samsung 2 LED chip bulbs (1 pair)
Philips Lumileds Luxeon 6000K

Samsung LED chips are used for DRLs and the Lumiled Luxeon for high beams are BRIGHT. I do not see any loss of high beam functionality. The highbeams seem to be run when the headlights are turned on.

Just a heads up for anyone trying to match colors, they seem to be a bit off in terms of kelvin. Nothing big, but i can notice the difference.