My last car had an appallinglypuny single reversing light, which made reversing out of my narrow and dark driveway more of an act offaith rather than skill... I found a high output CREE, LED reverse bulb which totally transformed reversing. The sun really did appear to shine from the car's ass!!!No CANBUS errors when I fitted it, but the jury was out as to if CANBUS monitored the reverse light on this car.
My MY 2013 Pro_Cee'd has twin reversing lights which I find great as standard, obviously things not so good with your model!!

So if someone can confirm if CANBUS monitors the reverse light (or not) that should steer you in the right direction. Some CREE bulbs are quoted as being CANBUS compatible...

Edited by: BaldyDave

 

Thanks Dave, will try one of these.

I just don't understand Kia lights - my "go-backwards" light is pathetic and my wife's 2013 Picanto headlights are the worst I've ever come across on a new car. Don't the design teams ever try the cars in dark and wet conditions? My last car was a Skoda Octavia and the lighting was fabulous all round, and that was with bog-standard halogen bulbs.

COME ON KIA - GET YOUR COLLECTIVE ASSES IN GEAR!!!

 

My last car had an appallingly puny single reversing light, which made reversing out of my narrow and dark driveway more of an act of faith rather than skill...  I found a high output CREE, LED reverse bulb which totally transformed reversing. The sun really did appear to shine from the car's ass!!!  No CANBUS errors when I fitted it, but the jury was out as to if CANBUS monitored the reverse light on this car.  
My MY 2013 Pro_Cee'd has twin reversing lights which I find great as standard, obviously things not so good with your model!!
 
So if someone can confirm if CANBUS monitors the reverse light (or not) that should steer you in the right direction. Some CREE bulbs are quoted as being CANBUS compatible...

Hi Dave,
I just got my new Cee'd SW3 126bhp crdi in November 2013.
I too have the same complaint about the single pathetic reversing light, also have a dark narrow driveway.
As a temporary solution I've resorted to using a 2 inch dia. magnetic led lamp on the tailgate before reversing in at night.
Can you tell me where I can buy that Cree LED bulb? I'm in Fife.
Also can you tell me what this CANBUS thing is?
Do Kia think that we all reverse to the left?
In this day and age I can't understand why twin reversing lights
shouldn't be made compulsory for all car manufacturers on all models.
I moved up from the 2011 cee'd SW2 thinking it would've had the twins, especially when KIA say they are so concerned about safety.
With friendly greetings.

 

Odd, ive got _2_ reverse bulbs, and the light is great. Got the hatchback model.

 

I've ordered mine online (today) from phoenixautobulbs.co.uk. They aren't cheap at £26 a pair but its better than wrecking the back or sides of the car. I might splash out on a pair of Phillips Xtreme main beam bulbs soon too, the standard ones aren't a patch on my last cars lights (Skoda Octavia with standard halogens - brilliant lights, literally!)

 

I've ordered mine online (today) from phoenixautobulbs.co.uk. They aren't cheap at £26 a pair but its better than wrecking the back or sides of the car. I might splash out on a pair of Phillips Xtreme main beam bulbs soon too, the standard ones aren't a patch on my last cars lights (Skoda Octavia with standard halogens - brilliant lights, literally!)

Dave,
Thanks for the bulb info.
Now that you mention it my 2011 Cee'd SW 2 had terrific front lights,
but the front lights on this one are poor by comparison.
Although I still love my new cee'd SW it's a much nicer ride since they softened the suspension a bit and put in a heavier anti roll bar.
The only other small gripe I have is the tyre noise off those fuel saver Michelin tyres.
I can't afford to change them so I'll have to wait until they wear out
before getting quieter ones.(turn up the music)
I might even consider getting non fuel saver tyres (all year round tyres)like we used to have. They had much more flexible sidewalls which cushioned road surface irregularities.
I carry a very delicate instrument in the car and with the current tyres to save the instrument going out of tune have to lower the pressures by 3 pounds.

 

Strange - Just jumping in



The GT model has twin vertical blocks of lights at each side which are red/clear/red which you would assume that if you go into reverse, both the clear lights on both sides would come on and for the rear fog lamps, the red ones on both sides - well they don't.

if you go into reverse - the two middle clear ones on the left come on (Nothing on the right) and if you put on the rear fog lights - the two right clear lights light up red!!

Seems odd to design them as two blocks of red/clear/red on each side - why not have both sides light up the clear ones in reverse and both sides red when putting rear fogs on......strange

 

I've ordered mine online (today) from phoenixautobulbs.co.uk. They aren't cheap at £26 a pair

Are you sure they will fit? Cree led bulbs are normally a bit longer than regular bulbs...

My 5 door hatch also has 2 clear lamps/lenses, but I'm actually not sure if they both work as reversing lights :-/

 

Just thought I'd mention that reversing lights are designed to let anyone behind know that you are reversing and not to light up the area behind the car . They would have a completely different design if this was the function .

 

Just thought I'd mention that reversing lights are designed to let anyone behind know that you are reversing and not to light up the area behind the car . They would have a completely different design if this was the function .

Well to me the design is absolutely right on other makes of vehicles,
and that is to let the driver see what is behind when reversing in the dark.
The onus is on the driver to make sure there are no pedestrians behind when reversing.
The onus is not on the pedestrian to jump out of the way.
But I agree to the fact that it does help others to realise you are reversing.

 

Update on led bulb - just got mine from Phoenixautobulb.co.UK (came within 2 days). Not cheap at £26 for pack of two but worth it!

It fis the lamp unit perfectly and now I have a lot more light to see by. Still not up to Octavia standards (it has 2 lights as standard) but so much better than original bulb. No canbus error either if you get the bulb with the in-built resistor. Also, if the light is merely a reversing warning light it can now be seen in bright sunshine - the original is virtually invisible in these conditions.
Now, if only I can find out how to get to the reversing light bulb in the wife's Picanto I can use the second bulb to replace the 16watt glow-worm fitted by KIA!

 

I'm sure our ceed has 2 reverse lamps ?

 

Correct Panman, ceed 2012+ has two reversing lights. I don't really understand the issue tbh.

 

Correct Panman, ceed 2012+ has two reversing lights. I don't really understand the issue tbh.

The issue is that the SW model variant (i.e estate car) only has a single reversing bulb, whereas the hatchback model (and my Pro_Cee'd S model) have twin reversing bulbs. The single reverse bulb does not produce enough light to make reversing the car safe at night time. The OP was looking for a way to improve the light output, and that is why I suggested a high output LED bulb which I had success with in a car I'd previously owned, which also had just a single reversing lamp.

 

Hooray I've cracked the reversing light problem on the Cee'd Sportwagen. I've fitted a Cree 50w led bulb and now the light really does shine bright.

Here's the link...

WWW.lightec-autostyle.co.uk/50w-cree-p21w-del-reverse-led

 

I agree that the reversing lights are very poor And yes I would like to go the LED way but the cut off forReverse lamps is 1-4-86 on and after this date they must be E mark bulbs. Can you please advise are your led bulbs E marked? If so I will get some. Many thanks

 

Best way to find out is to contact Lighter direct. Mine's in the car!

 

OK I was just
wondering If you had noticed when fitting them. Thanks anyway for
taking the time to reply.

 

Thanks, Dave - I have the same surprising problem with my 2014 C'eed Sportswagon 4tech - the very useful reversing camera is not very useful at night as the feeble single reversing light doesn't put out enough light for it! Just a murky, grainy image. High tech car with very low tech reversing and hazard lamps! Happy with the dip beam headlights, though.
I'll order the Cree bulbs for the reversing light and report back...

 

My dips are fine, it's the mains that were crap! The Philips bulbs have sorted that out.

 

Might give then a go... I'm guessing during them would be begins me

 

Reverse lights aren't brilliant. I usually reverse with my foot on the brake just enough to put the brake lights on but not activate the brakes. Seems to illuminate the camera nicely enough to see what's going on .

 

Autocomplete nonsense! I meant they would be beyond my ability tofit...

 

Interesting idea, RSVR... Think I'll try the LED

 

It's a piece of cake fitting the reversing light bulb.

Just lever off the access cover on the tailgate inner trim panel and then remove bulb in it's holder - twist anticlockwise about eighth of a turn. Then remove old bulb and replace with new one. Put back but just check the correct position of the holder (it'll only go in one way). It will take all of five minutes!