3457 Vs 3157 Bulbs: A Complete Guide
3457 Vs 3157 are the two most common bulbs that are used in the Automobile. They both have their own advantage and disadvantages. But when it comes to choosing which one is best people often get confused on account of major differences between 3457 and 3157 bulbs.
Both the bulbs are used for almost similar purposes and have similar naming schemes causing people to think that are the same bulb with a little variation in name. But in reality, they are not the exactly same, they have a lot of differences.
If you are looking for a new and best-quality turn & Tail Quality Bulb, then are at the right place. Here we have compiled a detailed article that covers all the aspects related to “3457 Vs 3157 Bulbs“. So, hang on for a while and you will be able to decide which bulb is best for your car.
What is a 3457 Bulbs?
The 3457 bulbs are turn-signal, brake bulbs that come in a variety of voltage ranges from 12v to 24v. These bulbs have dual filaments which allow it to emit both high and low-beam light.
Driver really adores these bulbs as they are quite known and reliable. These bulbs emit a yellowish light which is not that bright when compared to other options that are already available in the market. But still, it is best if you are looking for a bulb to replace your turn signals.
The best thing about the 3457 bulbs is that they are quite affordable and easy to find, that’s also one of the reasons why they are so popular in the automobile market.
What is a 3157 Bulbs?
A 3157 bulb is a type that is commonly used in automotive applications for brake lights, taillights, turn signals, and other lighting functions. It has a double-filament design which means it has two separate filaments within the bulb that can illuminate independently. This allows for a single bulb to serve multiple functions, such as providing both a running light and a brighter brake light.
These are so easy to set but keep in mind that they do require a little bit more effort than the 3457 type.
Difference Between 3457 Vs 3157 Bulbs
| 3457 | 3157 | |
|---|---|---|
| Watt | 29 Watts | 27 Watts |
| Dimension | Bayonet Base | Wedge Base |
| Heat Resistance | Designed to handle more heat | Prone to Heat Damages |
| Purpose | Always ON | Occasionally ON |
| Lifespan | Around 500 hours | Around 10,000 hours |
| Lumens | 502 Lumens | 402 lumens |
| Application | Brighter Brake Light | Taillights, Brake Lights, Turn signals |
| Brightness | Dim | Bright |
3457 And 3157 Bulbs Comparison
Power
The 3457 bulb consumes around 29w which is comparatively a bit more than the 3157 bulb which consumes around 27w. That’s the exact reason why 3457 bulbs are brighter than the 3157 bulbs, making it an ideal choice for drivers who want more brightness in their cars.
Beam Projection
There is a big difference in both 3457 and 3157 bulbs when it comes to beam projection. The 3457 bulb has a narrower and more focused beam projection while the 3157 bulb has a more diffused(wider) beam projection.
The beam pattern of an automotive bulb is an important factor that you need to consider when it comes to choosing the right bulbs. The beam pattern determines how far the light from your vehicle will be seen by other drivers when you are traveling at night.
Heat Resistance
3457 bulbs are much ahead of 3157 bulbs in terms of heat resistance capacity. It simply means that 3457 bulbs can be easily installed in the hotter part of the vehicle as they are more heat resistant so they can easily last longer compared to 3157 bulbs.
Brightness
3457 bulbs have a peak brightness of 502 lumens which is equal to 40 Candlepower while the 3157 bulbs have a peak brightness of 402 lumens which is equivalent to 32 Candlepower.
So, if you are looking for a brighter bulb then you can go with the 3457 as they are more brighter and have a more crisp beam projection as compared to the 3157 bulbs.
Lifespan
It is the most important feature that distinguishes both bulbs from each other. 3157 have a longer lifespan of more than 10,000 hours while the 3457 have a shorter lifespan of around 500 hours. However, the actual lifespan of the bulbs depends upon the usage and the vehicle’s condition.
So, it’s better to have a 3157 bulb rather than a 3457 because you won’t be replacing it every single year as they are so prone to get fused on account of its short duration.
Usage
3457 bulbs are always meant to be ‘turned On Bulbs’ while the 3157 are meant to be Occasionally ON which is also the main reason why the 3457 bulbs have a shorter lifespan compared to the 3157 bulbs.
Can I use a 3457 bulb instead of 3157?
Technically speaking, yeah you can use a 3457 bulb instead of a 3157 bulb because both the bulbs have the same base and fitment, meaning they can easily be fit into the socket. Besides that, both bulbs have dual-filament bulbs which means they have two separate filaments for different functions making them a bit compatible with each other.
But before you begin you need to know that both bulbs have different usage and both bulbs have different lifespans. So you need to choose wisely before choosing any bulb for your vehicle.
What is a 3457 bulb used for?
A 3457 bulb is a type of bulb that is commonly used in vehicles for brake lights, turn signals, tail lights, and other auxiliary lighting applications. Some of the most common uses for 3457 bulbs are listed below:
Turn signals: The brighter filament of the 3457 bulbs makes it an ideal choice for turn signals because it’s a bright light that makes it noticeable which alerts other drivers.
Parking lights: Not to mention the 3457 bulbs also serve as parking lights, as they emit a low-intensity glow when the parking brakes are engaged.
Brake lights: The 3457 bulb has dual filament in which the dimmer filament may be used can also be used for brake lights as it offers a constant red glow to indicate that the brakes have been applied.
Reverse lights: Lastly, some vehicles also use 3457 bulbs for reverse lights because of their brighter filament which provides better illumination so that the other driver can see that someone is backing up their vehicle.
Are 3157 and 3457 bulbs interchangeable?
As both 3157 and 3457 bulbs share the same base and fitment, that is why both bulbs are Completely interchangeable. However, it is recommended to use only the bulb size that has been used by the particular vehicle manufacturer.
Keep in mind that, if you are using a 3457 bulb instead of a 3157 then this can cause strain issues in your vehicle’s electrical system and lead to damage or malfunctions which can disrupt the functioning of the vehicle. Besides that, you need to replace the bulb more frequently due to its shorter lifespan.
How many watts is a 3457 bulb?
The wattage of a 3457 bulb depends on whether it’s a standard incandescent bulb or a more modern LED bulb:
- If you have a standard incandescent 3457 bulb, it will likely be around 21 watts. Basically, these bulbs are less energy-efficient but are also generally less expensive.
- If you have an LED 3457 bulb, it will be much more energy-efficient and use somewhere between 2 and 5 watts. They are typically more expensive upfront but last much longer and save you money on energy costs in the long run.
So, if you want a value-for-money deal then I recommend you go with the LED 3457 bulb as they consume less wattage and are more energy efficient in the long run.
Final Thoughts: 3457 Vs 3157 Bulbs
To wrap things up, 3457 bulbs are comparatively brighter, heat resistant, and more powerful than the 3157 bulbs. But you can’t really forget that the 3457 bulbs have a shorter lifespan.
Matter of fact, both bulbs are completely interchangeable which allows them to be used in place of one another. With that being said don’t go after replacing the bulbs, it is always recommended to use the bulb size that the car’s manufacturer has already used.
So, which bulb you should choose 3457 or 3157? Well, if you ask me then I will recommend you to go with the 3457 bulbs as it has so many pros as these bulbs are more powerful, more heat resistant and the only cons it has is it’s short lifespan which can be easily fixed, If you use them for turn signals, brake light bulbs which remain ON only for a few moments.
All in all, 3457 is clear winner only if you use it wisely and makes the best out of it.
