Aw weak! Damn silverstars
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From: Driving the Green Beast
Car Info: Version 7.5 2002 STi
Aw weak! Damn silverstars
Just and FYI for people out there... I threw silverstar bulbs in my car in March of this year and since then, both have burned out in the last 2 months. I don't use DRLs so I sent osram an email to see if I could get them replaced under warranty. This is what they sent me:
Thank you for your inquiry. I am sorry to hear that you have experienced failure of your SilverStar headlights. The SilverStars are a performance, premium halogen that has a shorter life span than the standard version. The shorter life span is directly related to the performance nature of the lamps. The blue absorption coating on the glass contributes to the crisp white light emitted, but also traps heat inside the capsule, causing the filament to burn out more quickly, thus decreasing the life. As with most high performance products, there is a trade-off between the higher performance and the life hours, unfortunately. The SilverStar product works harder (not burns hotter, however) to give the whiter, brighter light and that impacts the life hours. The SilverStar product is quoted as "lasting up to a year" (from our FAQ on the website):
SilverStar Frequently Asked Questions
What is the life expectancy of SilverStar?
The life expectancy of a SilverStar halogen light source is dependent on the driver's use of the lights, which vary by season, time of day and number of miles driven. We estimate the SilverStar halogen lights to have a life span of up to one year under average driving conditions. The life of the SilverStar is further decreased if being used in a day-time running light application.
If you feel that your personal driving habits do not warrant the life expectancy that you received from your SilverStars, please go to http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProd...tisfaction.htm. From this link you will be able to find the SilverStar Satisfaction Policy and Form. Please review this form and the instructions to receive your refund. Again, I apologize for any inconvenience these SilverStar may have caused.
Sincerely,
Heather
OSRAM Sylvania
Customer Service
SilverStar Frequently Asked Questions
What is the life expectancy of SilverStar?
The life expectancy of a SilverStar halogen light source is dependent on the driver's use of the lights, which vary by season, time of day and number of miles driven. We estimate the SilverStar halogen lights to have a life span of up to one year under average driving conditions. The life of the SilverStar is further decreased if being used in a day-time running light application.
If you feel that your personal driving habits do not warrant the life expectancy that you received from your SilverStars, please go to http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProd...tisfaction.htm. From this link you will be able to find the SilverStar Satisfaction Policy and Form. Please review this form and the instructions to receive your refund. Again, I apologize for any inconvenience these SilverStar may have caused.
Sincerely,
Heather
OSRAM Sylvania
Customer Service
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,646
From: NYC
Car Info: 02 WRX WRB
This is not unique to the Silverstars. Most of the aftermarket blue-coated or "hyperwhite" bulbs, even stock wattage ones, have a shorter lifespan than the OEM bulbs. If you check into the specs for aftermarket bulbs and compare their rated life vs. stock-type bulbs, you'll find this is the case. The marketing people won't put this info on the package because then you obviously wouldn't buy the bulbs.
If you want bulbs that will give you truly improved lighting performance without the blue crap along with a decent life, try a set of Osram Silverstars instead of the Sylvanias. You can get them at www.danielsternlighting.com , along with a lot of useful information about lighting and bulbs.
If you want bulbs that will give you truly improved lighting performance without the blue crap along with a decent life, try a set of Osram Silverstars instead of the Sylvanias. You can get them at www.danielsternlighting.com , along with a lot of useful information about lighting and bulbs.
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From: "It will take time to restore chaos." GWB
Car Info: 72 Vespa with curb feelers
I have had these in my car with no problems for about 25k miles and 2 years.
Did you touch the glass when installing them? The natural oils on your fingers causes the bulb to crack, and the packaging should have told you that.
Did you touch the glass when installing them? The natural oils on your fingers causes the bulb to crack, and the packaging should have told you that.
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,023
From: Phoenix, AZ
Car Info: Subaru Impreza WRX 2002
I also have Silverstars that have lasted 2+ years, and I keep my DRLs on (my auto insurance agent gave me a $5/month discount for this, and I KNOW him, so I'm not going to disable them.)
Moisture is also a killer for higher-heat bulbs. Have you ever seen condensation on the inside of your headlights?
Moisture is also a killer for higher-heat bulbs. Have you ever seen condensation on the inside of your headlights?
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From: Carlsbad,CA/Athens,GR
Car Info: 2001RSTI
I run Hella H4s and they last for ...well....hella long! over 8 months af daily driving. just last week one burnt out. I Recently moved down to Palm Desert from Oakland and seeing as I cant find a decent shop down here I had to go to Autozone which only carries Sylvania. I payed the same as I would a Hella bulb around $20 if these things last as long as yours did Ill be pissed. That jazz about the coating sounds like BS. I recommend Hella bulbs. Theyre not used on the WRC car for nothing!!!
I've had Silverstars in my headlights and fog lights for the past 2 and half years. An I haven't had a light burn out. Funny thing is, it's probably going to happen now that I've said something. Just watch.
Originally Posted by BillJC
I've had Silverstars in my headlights and fog lights for the past 2 and half years. An I haven't had a light burn out. Funny thing is, it's probably going to happen now that I've said something. Just watch.
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From: At the store trading the box of tissue in on some brawny!
Car Info: Platinum 02 WRX, Progress springs,JIC Bullet exhaust , STI shifter, Accessecu, Rota Sub Zero
The good thing about Stock wattage silvertars is they'll only burn out!
I had a pair of NOKYA higher wattage bulbs and fizzled my drivers side harness!
The bad part is I only had four inches of healthy wire to work with!
Do you think my son would learn from my experience? No, he just put a pair in yesterday, he's on his own!
I have ended up over the years going back to stock replacements in the side markers, the parking lights and when my HID conversion kit takes a dump its outta there too!
I learned that if I like the looks of Audis and Bimmers that much I better buy one , trying to augment the stock breasts aint cutting it.
I had a pair of NOKYA higher wattage bulbs and fizzled my drivers side harness!
The bad part is I only had four inches of healthy wire to work with!
Do you think my son would learn from my experience? No, he just put a pair in yesterday, he's on his own!
I have ended up over the years going back to stock replacements in the side markers, the parking lights and when my HID conversion kit takes a dump its outta there too!
I learned that if I like the looks of Audis and Bimmers that much I better buy one , trying to augment the stock breasts aint cutting it.
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 28
From: G.R. Michigan
Car Info: '01 Imp Wagon Silver, 17" silver OZ P7's
You guys complain about a lot, and why in the hell would you keep a light bulb for two years!! The longer a bulb is in service the less light it puts out. I'm not rich and I don't expect things to last forever, but I change my headlights about every eight months, even if they aren't blown, just because they aren't as bright. Two years is a ridiculous amount of time to run a head light. I hope you're not on the roads I'm on in the dark.
I had Silverstars in both fogs and headlights. Fog lights burned out within a week of each other at about 6 months. Headlights just burned out at 12 months. Weak.
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From: Newark / Alameda
Car Info: (2005 OBP STi - RIP), 2008 BMW M3
This may be a complete noob question, but what osram bulb would I need for an 03 WRX headlight. I know that the bulb size is 9007, but does an H7 replace that? Or does an H4 suffice? Thanks
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Posts: 1,646
From: NYC
Car Info: 02 WRX WRB
9007 is just that, 9007. H7 and H4 are totally different bulbs. If you want to get replacements for your 03 lights, whatever brand they are they must be 9007.
If you're looking for bulbs with better lighting performance than the stock ones, Osram Silverstars would be best but I don't know if they're made in 9007. A good alternative, and one that is readily available in parts stores, would be the Sylvania Xtravision (not the Sylvania Silverstar or Cool Blues, you won't get truly improved lighting from those).
If you're looking for bulbs with better lighting performance than the stock ones, Osram Silverstars would be best but I don't know if they're made in 9007. A good alternative, and one that is readily available in parts stores, would be the Sylvania Xtravision (not the Sylvania Silverstar or Cool Blues, you won't get truly improved lighting from those).