Easy DIY: Upgrade Your Car’s Interior Lighting

DIY

Lighting and Lamps

Mark Bach

March 16, 2022

Mark Bach

March 16, 2022

Most car customizations focus on a vehicle’s curb appeal. While auto enthusiasts usually focus on exterior looks, drivers spend most of their time inside the vehicle.

A pair of racing seats - opens in new window or tab. or a thumping sound system are common interior enhancements. But an often overlooked but super-fast upgrade is a car’s interior lighting.

It’s easy to work on the lighting inside the car—and it can go a long way toward adding personality, splashes of color, and greater utility.

Swap the Lamp

The interior of most modern cars is illuminated with incandescent or halogen bulbs cast through a simple lens. Fortunately, there are many alternatives to using the existing light-bulb sockets.

A simple swap of the light source can make a big difference. LEDs provide a more intense light without the risk of overheating the light fixture. Many are available in colors to match your interior. eBay Motors offers a wide range of interior LED light kits - opens in new window or tab. containing all the bulbs you’ll need for a specific make and model.

Another option is to place a set of LED light strips in the cabin. Then, you can use a phone app to control the color choices and lighting intensity. You can even link some strips to the audio system—for a disco effect.

LEDGlow - opens in new window or tab., an eBay store, offers LED tubes in either a fixed color or multicolor option. These lights use a built-in control box to avoid needing the app.

A strip of OLED lights adds a line of color.

Another striking interior-lighting effect is to add a continuous flow of colorful light - opens in new window or tab.. A strip of OLED (organic light-emitting diodes) lighting can be slim enough to tuck into the seams of your dashboard padding or along the floorboards.

As Easy or Complex as You Like

Most of these devices are powered by an auxiliary power port (or cigarette lighter) for a temporary effect. Or you can hardwire them using the car’s electrical system. Because these devices are low power, nearly any circuit can be accessed as the energy source.

Finally, perhaps the easiest, and least expensive way to change the nighttime atmosphere in your car is to drop in a pair of solar-powered cupholder lights - opens in new window or tab..

About the author

Mark Bach

Mark C. Bach has oil in his veins and remembers feeler gauges and brake springs. He has a love for all things that move, especially old-school muscle cars. Bach writes for a variety of outlets, including Chevy Classics and FuelCurve.com, and maintains Route66pubco.com.

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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.