The head and tail lamps are some of the least problematic parts of a car. However, at some point, you’ll have to replace them due to burnout, breakage, or any random reason. When it comes to changing them, there are two bulb types that easily come to mind due to their high demand – The 3057 bulbs and the 3157 bulbs.
If you’re like 90% of car owners in the United States, you’ve probably found yourself in the dilemma of not being sure of which bulb type to choose. For parts that don’t get changed too often, you don’t want to keep switching bulbs. You want to get it right once.
We’ve created this post to solve your dilemma and help you make an informed decision. We’ll be taking you through the differences between 3057 bulbs and 3157 bulbs, including their similarities.
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3057 Vs 3157 Bulbs – The Major Differences
The main differences between the two are that 3057 is a standard incandescent bulb, while the 3157 is a high-intensity LED. Also, the 3057 has a lower light output than the 3157, but it’s still enough to illuminate your car’s interior.
If you’re looking for robust illumination, choose the 3157. This model is more common, though it will cost more than the 3057 because of its higher quality and longer lifespan.
Another difference is that the 3157 is brighter. The 3157 bulb has a higher light intensity. The 3157 bulb has more lumens than the 3057 bulb, which means it will emit a brighter light and illuminate more efficiently. It’s easy to see why this is such an essential factor when choosing between two bulbs that are similar in price.
Other Differences Between 3057 and 3157 Bulbs
1. The 3157 Bulbs Use More Watts or Energy Than The 3057 Bulbs
The 3157 uses more watts than the 3057 because it has higher wattage (17 vs. 14). Higher wattages mean brighter light output. So if you need more brightness than what your car’s stock lighting provides. The 3157 is an excellent choice for those purposes.
2. The Costs of Two 3157 Bulbs Will Depend On The Brand
The cost of two 3157 bulbs depends on the brand. The price of a bulb will vary depending on where you purchase it, so make sure to check out your favorite store before you buy.
3. Both Bulb Types Differ in Usage (Even Though They Can Be Used Interchangeably)
The 3157 is typically used as the lamp on a turn signal, tail, parking, brake, and city cars’ backup lights. It’s a 12-volt bulb with a filament of 1.5 watts.
The 3057 is often used as the headlight bulb in vehicles that do not have high beam headlights installed. It has lower power consumption than most other types of bulbs (1/3 watt), so it can run on 12 volts at 2 amps without overheating or burning out prematurely.
4. The Average Rated Life Span of 3157 Is Longer Than In 3057
The average rated life span of 3157 bulbs is longer than the average 3057 bulbs, but it’s not a huge difference. If you want to get technical about it, the “average” bulb has a rated lifespan of around 4,000 hours.
However, there are two different types of 3157 bulbs – standard and long life. The standard 3157 has a rated lifespan of around 2,000 hours, while the long life 3157 has a rated lifespan of 4,000 hours.
3057 And 3157 Bulb Similarities
There are a few similarities between the 3057 and 3157. You’ll first notice that both bulbs have the same shape or wedge D.F. as its counterpart. This makes fitting them into vehicles easier because they use less space and can be mounted in different directions without sacrificing light output or quality. Other similarities include:
1. They Both Have The Same Shape
Both the 3057 and 3157 bulbs have the same S8 bulb shape. This means that they both have a diameter of around 4 inches (100mm) and a height of 1.3 inches (35mm). The only difference between the bulbs is the shape of their base.
2. They Both Have The Same C-6
Both the 3057 and 3157 bulbs have the same C-6 class. This means they are both intended for use in candelabra sockets, which are found in many lighting fixtures such as chandeliers and wall sconces. Also, they both have a dual filament, which means they can be used to light up two different things at once.
3. The Bulbs Run On The Same Voltage, 12.8/14.0
The 3057 and 3157 are dual filament bulbs that run on 12.8/14V. They both have a wedge D.F., which means they can be mounted in any direction, unlike some other bulbs that only allow mounting in one direction (such as “C” or “D” type light bulbs).
4. The Bulbs Have The Same Wedge D.F. Mounting Wedge
The 3057 and 3157 bulbs have the same wedge D.F. mounting wedge. This means that you can use them in any vehicle with a standard 12V automotive wiring system and your original headlight socket with no modifications necessary, as long as it is compatible with H3 halogen bulbs.
However, they should be installed by a professional auto mechanic to ensure their safety and longevity and avoid damaging your car’s electrical system or engine components by installing either bulb incorrectly.
Main Features of The 3057 Bulbs
1. 3057 Bulbs Are Classified As Industrial, Automotive Lamps
They are used in commercial vehicles such as trucks, buses, and cars. They have a higher voltage than the 3157 counterparts and will not work in regular household light fixtures.
2. They Can Also Be Used In Aircraft, Railroads, And Various Industrial Instruments
The 3057 is classified as an industrial, automotive lamp and can also be used in aircraft, railroad equipment, marine equipment, and various industrial instruments.
Sometimes they’re referred to as miniature bulbs because they are smaller than standard incandescent bulbs but still produce a considerable amount of light output compared to halogen ones (which tend to be no more than 15% brighter).
3. They Have A Plastic Wedge Base
This lamp has a plastic wedge base, which is more common. The 3157 lamp has a metal wedge base, while the 3057 uses a plastic one. Metal wedge bases are used for most car lights, while most other lamps use plastic ones.
4. They’re Ideal For Use In City Cars
They have a high beam headlight with a bulb replacement of 3157, which is typically used on automobiles that are low-to-medium priced and require a standard bulb type. However, they do not emit as much light as higher-end models due to their lower wattage.
Main Features of 3157 Bulbs
1. 3157 Bulb’s Available Technology Makes It Suited for Brake Lights, Tail Lights, And Backlights
It is typically used as the lamp on a turn signal, tail, parking, brake, and city cars’ backup lights. The 3157 bulb has a base in the shape of a G7 or P13t10 plug connector, which fits into most vehicles without any modification.
2. The Light Intensity of 3157 Bulbs is Brighter
For instance, when comparing the Philips LED 3057 and 3157, it’s essential to look at the light intensity of this bulb. The bulb’s intensity is measured in lumens, which tells you how bright your light will be. When it comes to brightness, there’s a difference between these two bulbs.
3. 3157 Long Life Bulbs Can Be Installed As Rear Brake Lights or Rear Tail Lights On A Ford Focus Model 2013
The 3157 Long Life bulbs can be installed as a rear brake or tail lights on a Ford Focus 2013 model. These bulbs are perfect for any vehicle that has a single-filament incandescent filament.
3057 Vs 3157 – Which One Is Good for My Car?
When choosing between a 3057 and 3157 bulb, there are valid reasons why you might choose one over the other. However, I think it’s always better to use the more powerful option.
3157 bulbs are brighter than 3057 bulbs. This is important because you want your lights to be visible from afar when driving at night. But you must be certain if it will work with your car.
Conclusion
3057 and 3157 are both car bulbs. They serve the same purpose, and they can be used interchangeably. One of the common differences between these two objects is that 3157 is brighter, and the light intensity is higher than 3057. Also, the 3157 bulb uses more watts or energy than the 3057 bulb.
Asides from these intriguing differences, 3057, and 3157 bulbs are similar in the following ways: they have the same shape, voltage, c-6, and the same mounting wedge.
