Headlights - Sylvania, boo

[BenchTest]

Two years and one week ago I installed the "upgraded" Sylvania lamps for hi/low beams on the truck. The OEM lamps were still operational, although dim. 46K miles is what I got out of the passenger side (assuming driver side will die sometime soon). Lights are rarely on as I don't typically operate in the dim/dark hours. I expected better longevity. Yes, they were installed from package to assembly with clean nitrile-gloved hands (I know somebody is waiting to blame finger oils/contaminants). Not here to b itch, just sharing my experience with the Sylvania product line. I have a friend that had similar longevity, or lack thereof.

 

[Docwagon1776]

Which flavor? Silver Stars have done very well for me in the 2012.

 

[BenchTest]

Which flavor? Silver Stars have done very well for me in the 2012.

Mine are Silver Stars, lol.

 

[Docwagon1776]

Mine are Silver Stars, lol.

That sucks. Nothing personal, but I hope you just got a dud vs the whole line going **** up. I have a buddy in an adjacent business (QC for headlight housing manufacturer) , I'll ask him if he knows of any changes.

 

[Magfan2]

With the same problem I had an LED lightbar installed on my '79 Chevy C20 - excellent. Don't recall it as terribly expensive.

 

[BenchTest]

That sucks. Nothing personal, but I hope you just got a dud vs the whole line going **** up. I have a buddy in an adjacent business (QC for headlight housing manufacturer) , I'll ask him if he knows of any changes.

That's what I told the wife - "Hope this is a one-off and I'm not out here next week doing the other side". So, I'm planning to be in the garage next week replacing the other one and coming back here to change my info-share to a b itch session - LOL

 

[Curmudgeon]

I have always hated Sylvania, they don't last, aren't bright, stupid beam pattern, etc. Preferred Phillips maybe.

One day I had a bulb go out (factory bulb) in a Chrysler, I was working all night shift so near constant use but they still lasted about 3-4 years. One died and I pulled both out, both were Sylvania. I couldn't believe it. Went for new ones and saw some replacements were labeled "LL" just like the ones that blew and I found out it was "Long Life" bulbs, so I got them and they lasted the life of the car still going over 5 years later.

If you can find them, go for the LL. I saw no difference in beam pattern or light output but they really lasted.

EDIT - I always replace bulbs in a pair. Just like shocks, brakes, tires, etc.

 

[BenchTest]

I have always hated Sylvania, they don't last, aren't bright, stupid beam pattern, etc. Preferred Phillips maybe.

One day I had a bulb go out (factory bulb) in a Chrysler, I was working all night shift so near constant use but they still lasted about 3-4 years. One died and I pulled both out, both were Sylvania. I couldn't believe it. Went for new ones and saw some replacements were labeled "LL" just like the ones that blew and I found out it was "Long Life" bulbs, so I got them and they lasted the life of the car still going over 5 years later.

If you can find them, go for the LL. I saw no difference in beam pattern or light output but they really lasted.

EDIT - I always replace bulbs in a pair. Just like shocks, brakes, tires, etc.

I typically replace bulbs in pairs to maintain consistent/matching color, brightness, performance, and lifespan, but I was in the frame of mind of "EFF Sylvania" and just bought one (that's the only brand that was available where I happened to be shopping). It was snowing 10 degrees and my tolerance for the whole thing was pretty low.

 

[Curmudgeon]

I typically replace bulbs in pairs to maintain consistent/matching color, brightness, performance, and lifespan, but I was in the frame of mind of "EFF Sylvania" and just bought one (that's the only brand that was available where I happened to be shopping). It was snowing 10 degrees and my tolerance for the whole thing was pretty low.

The last 3 sets of headlight bulb I replaced were not even done by me, but by the shop that was handling the inspection. We have annual inspections here for safety and emissions.

It's stupid and childish but so is government.

 

[Docwagon1776]

Which flavor? Silver Stars have done very well for me in the 2012.

Disregard, I just checked maintenance records and I did *NOT* use Sylvania last time. I installed Philips Extremevision in Nov of 2019 to replace the originals. I thought I'd used Sylvania, but that must have been for my wife's last Jeep.