Best Headlight Option

[heavy4x4]

Hi all,

 

Bought a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado in 2009 with 19,000 miles on it.

 

Replaced the passenger-side headlight in 2012 when the truck had 80,000 miles on it. Put a Sylvania XtraVision bulb in its place.

 

Drove for another 20,000 miles and the same bulb burned out; driver's side still going strong.

 

Went and bought a pair of upgraded ($52/pair) Sylvania Ultra Star bulbs and replaced both (each time taking extreme care not to touch the bulb with bare hands per the instructions).

 

Well, tonight, less than a year and only 18,000 miles later, the driver's side bulb has burned out.

 

Has this been your experience? Are aftermarket bulbs really this inferior? What have you used with success and longevity?

 

-Steve

[kstruckcountry]

The Sylvania's are famous for burning out fast... sounds like you actually got good life out of them compared to others....

 

I would go back to ACDelcos. Mine haven't been changed since I got the pickup over 3 years ago....

[waumo1]

They run the filaments hotter to get more light. If you read the description of the lamps from the manufacturer they state the shortened life.

I choose to replace the lamps more often to get better lighting. Always carry a spare though.

[Ianf]

Switched mine out for HIDs when new 4+ years ago. Haven't had a problem since. No filaments means no shortened life. I ran the HIDs in my old truck for 6+ years on a single set and they were going strong still when I dumped it.

[ATMINF]

What brand HID?

[Jvs]

Yes typical.

 

There's even a diagram on the back showing you that. The premium bulb is rated very low for life expectancy but very bright.

 

Personally I'd bite the bullet and go HID

[TooTall1]

I have these in my low beams and I'm very happy with them. Bright white light and expected 30,000 hour lifespan. http://www.gtlightingusa.com/html/products/?products-show-168.html

[white1500]

A pair of 9006 osram night breakers unlimited are on their way so i will report back once they're installed.

 

At the moment I'm down to one sylvana ulta something, and they have lasted about 5 years or so.