Changing Fog Lights on Leon FR

[toNes]

So having spent the last few hours or so trawling the internet trying to find some instructions on how to change the fogs on the FR, I thought I'd post up some clear instructions since I couldn't find any online for the FR.... there's one on this forum (link at end of post) which explains how to do it for a standard Leon, but the FR grill is a lot different.
please note that steps are mainly for taking off the grill without breaking the plastic tabs, I didn't think about writing instructions and posting it online till after I had changed the bulb.... there is another thread on the forum which details how to change the bulb which I will link to.....


I had the urge to swap out all the lights on my FR recently as I was tired of the yellow headlights on my car.
So I basically bought:
Osram Nightbreaker Plus for my dipped lights (H7) - these are quality lights!! So much whiter, brighter and offer a wider beam than my old lights!
Philips Blue Vision for my sidelights/parking lights (W5W) - these offer a whiter light.
Philips Blue Vision for my fogs (H3) - for a whiter light with slight blue tint

I didn't bother with the main beams as you hardly use them when driving!

Note: Buying blue tint lights for your sidelights won't give you a solid blue light, they only offer a 'whiter' light simulating daylight (almost like HIDs)... if you want a more blue light, then get LED ones - but these are not road legal!
Can I also state that you shouldn't drive around with your fogs on!


Changing the main beams, dipped lights and side lights are quite easy... you can follow the instructions in the manual.... although the side lights are a bit more fiddly to change as access is a bit more restricted.
I wish I took photos of the light sockets after I pulled them out, but basically they have two side catches which you need to depress before you can remove them from the headlight unit.


Anyways, the reason for posting instructions and pictures up for changing the fog lights is because taking the grill off the bumper is a complete b!tch and I snapped one of the plastic catches whist doing it......

Tools required
Phillips (cross-head) screwdriver
Flat screwdriver
Torx 20 screwdriver

Step 1: Removing the grill

Take a phillips screwdriver and remove the screw in the corner of the grill indicated by the red arrow.
The yellow arrows indicate tabs which can be removed easily by putting your fingers through the grill and lifting the tabs away from the bumper.
The white arrows indicate tabs which require you to wedge a flat screwdriver between the grill and the bumper to ease the grill away (be careful as I snapped the corner tabs by yanking the grill)

Step 2: Remove the grill

This is the slot for the bottom corner tab

This is the slot for the top corner tab

Note the white arrows, these indicate the tabs which fit into the slots in the previous 2 photos.... they're a b!tch to get out as you need to get a flat screwdriver and wedge it out using a bit of force.
The yellow arrows indicate the tabs you can 'unhook' using your fingers through the grill.

Step 3: Unscrewing the Fog light unit

You will require a Torx 20 screwdriver to remove the 3 screws holding the fog light unit in place - indicated by the green arrows.

The screw indicated by the blue arrow is the fog light adjustment screw and you won't need to touch this (it's a torx 20 if you're wondering).



Step 4: change the light bulb
Unfortunately I forgot to take photos of how I changed the bulb, but there are good instructions in this thread:
http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=109160

Basically the fog light casing is held together by a metal bar that runs across the back of the casing. If you remove this bar then you can access the bulb.
Be careful when you open the casing as the bulb wires are attached to the rear casing whilst the bulb is attached to the front.

Be careful not to touch the bulb with your fingers when handling it!

The bulb is held to the front casing by a pair of wire clips which can be taken off by unhooking them.
When fitting the new bulb, make sure the indentions on the bulb fit the indentions on the casing (one side is square, the other round).


Step 5: replace fog light unit
reverse the steps.....




Best of luck!

 

[Gazza_24]

Nice 'How To'

I could have done with this a couple of weeks ago

 

[cdmalpass]

in your bulb changing frenzy i dont soupose you have ever had the front indictor bulbs out as im having difficulty removing myne

thanks

 

[/dev/null]

Nice tutorial however for the number of times you actually use your fog lights (or SHOULD be using them) it looks a lot of work.

 

[toNes]

in your bulb changing frenzy i dont soupose you have ever had the front indictor bulbs out as im having difficulty removing myne

thanks

sorry mate, not done my indicator lights as don't see the point unless they blow.... =)

Nice tutorial however for the number of times you actually use your fog lights (or SHOULD be using them) it looks a lot of work.

Unfortunately due to the nature of my work, I tend to be on the motorways a lot at night (driving back home) so sometimes I use my fogs when there are no road lights (like on the M3).

I used to use my fogs whenever I was driving on dark-ish roads, but since putting the nightbreakers in, i've not even touched my fogs as these bulbs are brilliant! Kind of regret not switching my bulbs earlier.....




On another note..... it's worth pointing out that the Blue Vision sidelights I installed are more for styling rather than performance..... they're actually dimmer than the standard osram bulbs originally fitted - which I find quite strange, but after speaking to the company I got the bulbs from it seems quite common!

 

[Gazza_24]

in your bulb changing frenzy i dont soupose you have ever had the front indictor bulbs out as im having difficulty removing myne

thanks

Just been out and had a quick look (I work nights)
From what I can gather there is a long tab kinda thing on the back of the cluster and you need to turn it in order to get the bulb out, it may need some persuasion though as mine are very stiff and as you have probably found out it's very limited for access.

Gaz......

 

[cdmalpass]

Just been out and had a quick look (I work nights)
From what I can gather there is a long tab kinda thing on the back of the cluster and you need to turn it in order to get the bulb out, it may need some persuasion though as mine are very stiff and as you have probably found out it's very limited for access.

Gaz......

yeah had a fiew cut fingers i managed to turn them but wouldnt pull out

hopefulluy someone has done this before

cheers

chris

 

[/dev/null]

Off topic slightly then, but do you find the nightbreakers make that much difference!? I had the Phillips x-treme in and one went, replaced temporarily with a cheap £6 bulb and I honestly couldn't tell the difference! But I'd be interested to know if these are much different.

 

[Grezza]

Nice one toNes, I used this guide to change a fog light on my '07 Cupra.

You are a ledge...

 

[dazvessey]

was wondering how to get them little chaps out cheers dude

 

[mclay]

hi guys bit off topic so i am sorry but strugaling to find any info. im trying to fit some fogs to my new facelift bumper on my ibiza i know its a different car/bumper but the fog looks similar. basically there are no fixings with my new bumper, i have found some bolts that would fit but theres nothing on the bumper for them to bite into ? are there fixings that go on the bumper or should i just use self tapping screw ? i am very confused and frustrated with this so any advice would be much appreciated. thanks

 

[Faceless]

Off topic slightly then, but do you find the nightbreakers make that much difference!? I had the Phillips x-treme in and one went, replaced temporarily with a cheap £6 bulb and I honestly couldn't tell the difference! But I'd be interested to know if these are much different.

I replaced my dipped beam lights with a set of these more powerful bulbs.

After replacing just 1 side, I turned the lights on and went to the front of the car to look at the difference and have to say - disappointed. Couldn't really tell much difference (plus looked just as 'Yellow').

I've also gone through 3 or 4 sets of LED sidelights. While they look "crystal white" during the day/dusk - at night they do look quite Blue. So again, I have gone back to the standard bulbs (dont like the chav blue look).

 

[Faceless]

Really nice guide toNes, plus with the pics also, will make the task so much easier for anyone contemplating this.

 

[trippy21]

>2009 updated fog light pic

Hi thought i would add an additonal pic to show the newer fog lights without fixing screws. My Leon is a 2010 1.4 TSi.

Having removed the cover as previously described you depress the two plastic tabs as shown by the arrows and then rotate the whole unit.

 

[Rob66]

Thanks for taking the time to post buddy. I don't need it at the moment, but its good to know in case i do.

Rob

 

[trippy21]

Hi thought i would add an additonal pic to show the newer fog lights without fixing screws. My Leon is a 2010 1.4 TSi.

Having removed the cover as previously described you depress the two plastic tabs as shown by the arrows and then rotate the whole unit.

Hopefully pic is available now, if not use this linkhttps://plus.google.com/photos/110497923185851432725/albums/5654105343482060913

 

[Danno1975]

Great guide, thanks.

Swapped out 1 broken unit easy as pie and removed the other for a few coats or clear coat to make it match .