Kia Bongo 3 LED Lighting Upgrade Review

Upgrade Your Kia Bongo 3 with Certified LED Lighting

For Kia Bongo 3 owners looking to enhance their vehicle's lighting, a certified LED upgrade offers significant improvements in visibility, safety, and longevity. This review details a recent installation of Bravio brand LED components, including daytime running lights, high/low beam headlights, and reverse lights, performed at the "Today's Car" Daejeon branch in Korea. The process focuses on using legally certified products to ensure compliance with vehicle inspections.

Why Upgrade Your Bongo 3's Lighting?

Standard halogen bulbs, common in many commercial vehicles like the 2023 Kia Bongo 3, often lack the brightness needed for optimal nighttime and adverse weather driving. They can also be less energy-efficient and have a shorter lifespan compared to modern LED technology. Upgrading to certified LED lamps addresses these drawbacks, providing a safer and more comfortable driving experience. This specific upgrade utilized Bravio's H7 LED headlights, compatible with both reflector and projector-type lenses, and serving as a dual high/low beam solution. The Bravio LED daytime running lights and reverse lights were also installed, all bearing official certifications from the Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT). These certifications are crucial for passing vehicle inspections and ensuring the product meets safety standards. Each kit includes a warranty and a certification sticker for peace of mind.

Kia Bongo 3 LED Lighting Installation Process

The installation of LED headlights on the Kia Bongo 3 is a relatively straightforward process. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Remove Old Halogen Bulb: Twist the existing halogen bulb counter-clockwise to detach it.
2. Install LED Bulb: Align the Bravio LED headlight's mounting bracket with the housing and twist clockwise to secure it. If the original bracket interferes, it may need to be removed before connecting the LED's power wires and sealing with electrical tape.
3. Position for Optimal Beam: Ensure the wiring harness is oriented correctly, typically around the 11:30 position for low beams and 5:30 for high beams, to achieve the correct light pattern and beam angle. This step is repeated for both the driver and passenger side headlights.
4. Install Other LED Components: Replace the daytime running lights and reverse lights by removing the old bulbs and fitting the new LED units.
5. Test All Lights: After installation, conduct a thorough test of all lighting functions, including parking lights, high beams, low beams, daytime running lights, and reverse lights, to confirm proper operation.

The entire process, including the upgrade of daytime running lights and reverse lights, took approximately 3-4 hours at the Daejeon service center. Post-installation, all lights were tested to ensure they functioned correctly, providing a noticeable improvement in brightness and clarity.

Expected Benefits and Durability

The primary benefit of this LED lighting upgrade is significantly enhanced visibility. The brighter output cuts through darkness and poor weather conditions more effectively than halogen bulbs. Beyond improved safety through better sightlines, using certified components simplifies the vehicle inspection process. LEDs are also known for their energy efficiency and extended lifespan, meaning fewer replacements and lower running costs over time compared to traditional bulbs. While specific long-term durability data wasn't provided, certified LED products generally offer several years of reliable service with minimal maintenance beyond occasional cleaning of the lens.