silverstar dies

[importspeed]

I got my 05 Elantra in Jan 05 the first Mod at 1700 miles was to replace the headlamp bulbs with Sylvania Silverstars, I was happy with the brighter,more white light given.Now it is just 9 months later at 11,500 mi. and the Left side has burned out. I don,t do a lot of night driving so i figure the hours on the lamp are low, I won,t put another pair in. I expect more life from a $30 set of bulbs. :mad:

[2loud2k2xd]

man, im really happy with me 3.99 ebay special xenon blue lights. 1 1/2 yrs and no blow out :D

[mrhoaf]

it's not the bulbs.



for some reason, thses cars seem to go through spells of blowing bulbs..... My Silverstars have lasted longer than any other bulbs I've used. <knocks on wood>

it's funny, we haven't really talked about it much recently..... seems like it used to come up all the time.


but yeah, it does suck that they didn't last very long....

[2loud2k2xd]

it's not the bulbs.



for some reason, thses cars seem to go through spells of blowing bulbs..... My Silverstars have lasted longer than any other bulbs I've used. <knocks on wood>

it's funny, we haven't really talked about it much recently..... seems like it used to come up all the time.


but yeah, it does suck that they didn't last very long....


i had already discussed the problem with the elantras and blowing headlight bulbs. this only works if you have a decent stereo system installed. the dimming caused by the bass hits burn out the headlights. i was going thru bulbs once a week.

[Estopatitiana]

yeah my sylvanias burn out about every 6 months and did it even before i had my stereo

[Gun5]

i can get bulbs (xenon) for $5 a piece here at autozone what brightness should I get the highest?

[BlackElantraGT]

install some ground wires and get a voltage stablizer. I used to go through bulbs once every 2 months. Now I'm on the same OEM Sylvania bulbs since May 2004.

[southpawboston]

i had already discussed the problem with the elantras and blowing headlight bulbs. this only works if you have a decent stereo system installed. the dimming caused by the bass hits burn out the headlights. i was going thru bulbs once a week.

not true. lots of people, myself included, seem to go through bulbs rather quickly. i didn't have my system in my car for a whole year after purchasing it, and i still had bulb blowouts.

there's several reasons for frequent blowouts:

- poor bulb manufacture
- heavy use
- frequent on/off cycles
- poorly regulated voltage (or voltage drops caused by current drain)
- moisture
- traces amounts of grease on the bulb during installation

what causes a bulb to blow frequently for one person may not be the reason that a bulb blows out on someone else's car.

from my experience, it's best to stick with the stock bulbs. they're brighter than a lot of other OEM bulbs, and they're FREE FREE FREE, since they are covered under the B2B warranty (headlights and foglights). just have to make a trip to the dealer. for some people this is too inconvenient, but for most ppl with a dealership nearby, this seems to make the most sense.

[2loud2k2xd]

i never had any issues before i installed the upgraded sound system. after that, i had to carry extras in the car, once a week i was poping headlight bulbs. from the voltage spikes. and ive had the same 3.99 ebay cheapies and havent blown them yet.

[JacksonJ]

One of my Silverstars went out last week, I put in one of my Xenon bulbs till I can get another but I can already tell the difference in the lack of lighting with just one Silverstar and 1 piece of crap.

I'm going to look for the recept because Cdn Tire where I bought mine from carries a 1 yr warrenty on them. If I don't find the recept, I'll just buy another and keep that recept now that I know they can be replaced free of charge.

[joph09]

i have the cheap ebay bulbs too for 3 months and only the left one blew out, before the i had to replace the stock ones every 6 months but only the drivers side bulb, can anyone tell me why only the left one blows on my 04 gt?

[evan938]

ive had to replace each one once in 2 years, 58.5k miles. i wasnt aware they are covered, and spent 6$ on each one (or whatever they cost) but it wasnt a big deal.

[BlackElantraGT]

i don't know where you get your H7 bulbs from Evan, but you'd be lucky if you can find anyone to sell OEM Sylvania/Osram H7 bulb at $6. Kragen's is the cheapest around here at $9.99, but AutoZone and other places charge $14.99. All the Walmarts I've been to in SoCal and Nevada also don't seem to even carry this bulb size.

[evan938]

dealership. they werent much at all. 6-8$ max, but i think they were 6

[Leviathant]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, my stock headlight bulbs last so much longer than any of the bulbs I've ever bought anywhere other than the dealership.

You're paying extra money for a bulb that burns brighter than the stock H7. If it's going to burn brighter, it's probably not going to last as long. It's like when people overclock their computers -- the computer will not last as long. Pick one: Extended life, or extended performance, you're not going to get both.

[blupupher]

Yup, Silverstars life is 135 hrs compared to 510 for the standard H7 bulb and 930 for the Long Life bulb.
Sylvania's site (http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProducts/AutomotiveLighting/Products/Halogen/StandardHalogenProducts/)

I am still on the original bulbs after 16 months and 25,000 miles, headlights on almost all the time.

[XTRAWLD]

From what I read about way back when, for the fogs anyway, so maybe this can be related to the headlights - these cars have this frequent problem....I somehow have been able to avoid it though...never replaced a bulb yet. Make sure all your lighting is switched OFF before you start the car. I heard that a surge in power before actual start up sometimes causes the blow outs. I've followed this procedure (making sure all the lighting outside is shut off before I turn off the car so that when I start it nothing is on to take away the power) and so far so good....so perhaps that's the prob.

[05xd]

I figured I would resurect(sp?) another old thread.I went out tonight and bought a pair of Silverstar bulbs.I installed them and saw a little bit of difference in brightness,but not what I expected for 40 bones.I should have saved the money so I could get a HID set-up.Oh well,I know not to buy another set of these

[Dust]

Why not rewire the stock headlights with a relay system, so that you are one, running less wire, and that whatever problems you are having, will come from the battery itself, instead of the 20 ft of wiring between the battery, the switch, and the bulb.

[BlackElantraGT]

I figured I would resurect(sp?) another old thread.I went out tonight and bought a pair of Silverstar bulbs.I installed them and saw a little bit of difference in brightness,but not what I expected for 40 bones.I should have saved the money so I could get a HID set-up.Oh well,I know not to buy another set of these

If you bought it from a auto parts retailer, I would assume they would take your return.

At least you only spent $40 to learn your lesson. I've tried all sorts of bulbs on this car, and in the end, the factory bulb ends up being the best performance for the money.

[DAILLESTWUN]

This is why i'm getting my HID's this month...

[QuickSilverGT]

My bulbs blew out a year after I purchased my car, decided to buy the cheap ebay bulbs, and they blew within three months. Mine always blows the driver side light first, and then the passenger. Are there any modifications that have to be done to the stock light housing in order to get the HID bulbs in and anyone know what the glare would be like?

[southpawboston]

don't expect those HIDS to last any longer.

after reading all these stories about $$$ down the drain, why not stick with the stock bulbs? they're FREE. it's called WARRANTY. and they're not bad bulbs, either.

[eclaixp]

Has anyone purchase the Eurodezign xenon ones @ eBay? I am planning to get the blue 8500k but wanted to hear any comments before making up my mind. Thanks.

[jp_recon]

HAHA.....

Let me first say.... I have been through about 10 ebay sets and none of them compare to the SilverStars. I had 1 pair that was close and lasted over a year, but I haven't been able to find them again...so I have been back to the SSs. I did have SSs on all four of my lights, H7-low and H3-fog. I have had the driver side go out with only 2 months of use, but the PS is still strong. I replaced the DS with an OEM bulb and it looks like total CRAP compared to the other 3 SSs.

I've also gone thru a set of PIAA Hyper Whites, while they are very comparable to the SSs, they cost me $60 and they both burned out after about 6 months. After these bulbs is when I switched to the SSs, and that was about 13 months ago.

I will also be upgrading to the HID kit in the next few weeks. :D


All I can say is, yes, the SSs are more expensive, but unless you change to HIDs, the SSs are going to be the closest you ever get.

[eclaixp]

I actually decided to purchas the Silver Stars and I am kind of dissapointed. I must admit they are brighter than stock but still yellow. I heard good things about Roadmax Xenon bulbs but haven't been able to find them on eBay and the only place I was able to find them is too pricey for me $24.80 @ http://www.lightlens.net/bulbs.htm. Anyhow, I am sticking to the SS for now which cost me $15 AR

[Phiber]

Honestly some of the Ebay special bulbs are much better than the Silverstars. I went through three sets before I wrote the company a letter. They sent me a response saying that I must have messed up on install and they couldn't do anything about it.

I am never buying Sylvania again. Ever. It was once all I would put on my vehicles. Screw Sylvania and their third rate crap.

[n0c]

My cheap $8 Ebay bulb just blew out, one two days ago and one yesterday, only six months of lite use. Back to stock ones for now but will buy some Roadmax this time.

[Gun5]

Honestly some of the Ebay special bulbs are much better than the Silverstars. I went through three sets before I wrote the company a letter. They sent me a response saying that I must have messed up on install and they couldn't do anything about it.

I am never buying Sylvania again. Ever. It was once all I would put on my vehicles. Screw Sylvania and their third rate crap.

that's some BS right there but what can you do? pay 10x the price of the bulbs and have some professional install them

[southpawboston]

I actually decided to purchas the Silver Stars and I am kind of dissapointed. I must admit they are brighter than stock but still yellow. I heard good things about Roadmax Xenon bulbs but haven't been able to find them on eBay and the only place I was able to find them is too pricey for me $24.80 @ http://www.lightlens.net/bulbs.htm. Anyhow, I am sticking to the SS for now which cost me $15 AR

what's wrong with a yellow cast? that's the best hue for visibility in any kind of rain or fog. bright white or blue-white look "cool" and are intense but don't necessarily improve visilibility in all conditions and in fact work lousy in rain/fog. i don't understand all the hype about super white bulbs.

[n0c]

^^Yep, with my ebay bulbs, there was less illumination of the road but the white light (5000k) looked 10x better then the yucky yellow lol. They were better at reflecting road signs which were LIT up by the white light. So yea they were mostly for looks. :tongue:

[southpawboston]

i think people need to know the difference. are you getting a bulb for appearance purposes or because you want to see better. most people automatically think brighter = better. there's a lot more to it than that...

[BlackElantraGT]

I don't understand the hype either with super white bulbs. Maybe six years ago when the cost of an HID system was rediculous, but most people who bought those bulbs just wanted the blue lights that they saw on high end luxury cars so I don't understand why they just won't spring for an HID kit so their lights would actually look like that, instead of buying "xenon" bulbs which anyone who knows anything about headlights and HID would know the difference between a bulb and an actual HID kit.

[CRAZIECRACKER]

i wonder if this is why i keep blowing my fogs??? ive went through 6 pairs of fogs in the past 4 or 5 months...one of my silverstars just went! :(



i had already discussed the problem with the elantras and blowing headlight bulbs. this only works if you have a decent stereo system installed. the dimming caused by the bass hits burn out the headlights. i was going thru bulbs once a week.

[vsolo]

i think people need to know the difference. are you getting a bulb for appearance purposes or because you want to see better. most people automatically think brighter = better. there's a lot more to it than that...
Actually the Silverstar are good for old guys me, we do see better at night with them BUT I have problems with them in all my cars. The Elantra & my old Plymouth Breeze they never lasted more than a year. I bought a bunch 55W, 4000K old named bulbs (3 or 4 sets) from some place on ebay. they lasted so long, I gave the extra sets to my kids. about 3 years later they finally went up & I forgot who I got them from. I don't know why SS are so crappy. Supposidly if you have the reciept, Advance auto will replace them, it was posted here somewhere.

[themarin8r]

i have never had a problem with silverstars
and i have not had any problems with headlights in my elantra
the stock ones lasted for 4 years, until i finally had to replace the lows
the highs are still good, still original, and i wont replace those with silverstars until one blows either

[Keyan]

i go through licence plate bulbs alot and i dont have any system installed whatsoever

[HeadOfMax]

I got 3 months out of my first set. I replaced them with another set of silverstars and they have been good for almost 6 months now.

[judys01GT]

the only bulb i replaced was the DS low with a stocker and that was in 06 and still going strong. the rears Brake/Turn i replaced all when the RS brake light went out, that was in june 07. still good so far

on my honduh the previous owner had a mishmash of hid bulbs and stockers. i replaced them all with a set of hyper whites i got for free from a buddy of mine. so far so good there also:D

[Stocker]

Somebody said my name, it better be somethin' good!

Thank God, I'm still on the factory-installed headlamps.

Brake lights, not so much. 2-3 years and a brake side (not turn side) goes.

[CRAZIECRACKER]

its just my foglights, my hid headlights have been great.