I've been thinking about getting the LED tailight bulbs...but how do i go about taking out the oem bulbs and replacing them with the LED's? :banghead:

so it would look like this in the end.
http://www.rx8strakes.com/ProductImages/prod_led_taillight_kit.jpg

The standard ones just twist out.

S

i know that much...but..how do i go about gaining access to even do that? sorry haha i don't know much about taking cars apart..

Since Stealth answered you nicely (didn't say "search" or even "check your owner's manual") :eyetwitch

I offer you the following instructions from the Owner's Manual:

Replacing a Bulb (Rear)
Rear turn signal lights, Brake lights/ Taillights, Reverse lights

1. Pull the center section of the plastic retainer and remove the retainers and partially open the trunk side trim.
2. Turn the socket and bulb assembly counterclockwise and remove it.
3. Disconnect the bulb from the socket.
4. Install the new bulb in the reverse order of removal.


If you don't have an Owner's Manual, you can see one online HERE (http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/pdf/manuals/RX8_2004_owners.pdf)

Look at page 8-32 (257 of the .PDF) - it even has some bad-ass line drawings to help.....

open trunk

unscrew the 4 hooks off of the plastic panel that hold the cargo net

pull the plastic panel upwards to snap the clips that hold it to the body

peel your way through the trunk interior to the taillight sockets.

buy some nice led bulbs, a pair of nice smt leds on ebay for around 25.

install them, and check polarity.

For the turning lights you'll need a resistor which you can also find on ebay usually from the same guy that sold you the bulbs.

ah thank you guys!! I really appreciate the info, not knowing how to install of was the only thing holding me back from getting them! Ill be sure to check my manual also!

if you plan to replace the turn singles with LEDs be sure and get some load resistors also. www.rx8strakes.com sells a really good LED kit for the tails.

anyone find a good place to mount their load resistors? I got the kit from RX8strakes.com and they're just sitting out at the corner of my trunk trim lol... Aparently they get hot (tested them for like a two minutes and they really do) so I was hesitating on where I wanted to mount them for now...