Anyone else here have issues with Silverstar Ultra headlamps burning out quickly? Both of my low beams burned out inside 3-4 months, just a couple-few thousand miles.
My old bulbs came with the truck when I bought it used and still work, ran them about a year before switching out for Silverstar Ultras, and running them again about a month now after SUs burned out - so the 4runner electrical situation doesn't appear to be an issue for those bulbs.
Here's my experience, in case it's helpful for anyone else, or for troubleshooting.
Sylvania was quite helpful (after I sent a second inquiry from a different webpage - here's the form that got an immediate response: https://www.sylvania.com/en-us/mysy...bFormTemplates/feedback.xsn&DefaultItemOpen=1).
Here's their response:
"Thank you for contacting us with your product performance concern. We are sorry for the inconvenience this has caused you.
The life of any halogen bulb varies based on vehicle type, vehicle voltage, amount of time the bulb is on, road conditions, proper installation, and correct application. The average life of SilverStar® headlights are approximately one year. If the bulbs do not meet your expectations, we will replace them within a year of purchase when obtained through an authorized US retailer.
Vehicle electrical systems are designed to operate around 12 volts DC, but many times run between 12.8V and 14V. Due to the electrical system architecture of the vehicle, and other variables such as wiring and vehicle power demands, it is possible for some vehicles to deliver higher voltages or even voltage spikes to the bulb. The result is shortened bulb life because an increase in voltage of as little as 5% can cut a bulb's life in half. This is true for OEM bulbs and particularly, high performance halogen bulbs. Unfortunately, no adjustments can be made to the voltage since this is a function of the alternator output and electrical architecture of the vehicle.
Please confirm the following information:
Date and Place of purchase
Lamp #
We’ll then process replacements for you, shipping FedEx 2nd Day, signature required. If you experience similar performance with the replacement product please contact us again so that we can make an alternate lighting recommendation for your vehicle.
Regards,
Customer Service
1-800-729-3777"
****
Anyone know anything about 4Runners spiking voltage and shortening headlamp life? Sounds like the rep is saying that could affect "high performance" bulbs more than regular bulbs. Does this sound legit? I like the whiter (4100K) light of the SUs, but I obviously don't want to keep putting them in if they're only going to last a few months.
[EDIT] some other mentions of Silverstar bulb life here:
Looks like a few cite 1-1.5 year life here
TheDurk gives two thumbs down: "SilverStars burn out really fast, they are on NEVER AGAIN status with me"
Another thumbs down: "They're nice and bright, but they have a horrible life span, at least with my experiences."
1.5 years and still running for this guy
About 1 year life over 5-6 years of experience for this guy.
Another thumbs down on lifespan.
Seems like about 1-1.5 yrs is common. Not sure what normal bulb lifespan is, but the Silverstar Ultras seem to be quite a bit shorter. Mine only lasted a few months, though I run my headlights on all the time, so basically like DRLs. Maybe I also got a batch with a little shorter life, or winter conditions are extra hard on them, or all of the above contributed to the extra short life.
My conclusion - I'll take the free replacements Sylvania sends and see how they go. I might run lights off in daytime and see if they last a respectable amount of time. I expect they'll run about a year, and I'll pick something different and less expensive next time. Maybe there will be some more 4100K options out there for a better price by then.
My old bulbs came with the truck when I bought it used and still work, ran them about a year before switching out for Silverstar Ultras, and running them again about a month now after SUs burned out - so the 4runner electrical situation doesn't appear to be an issue for those bulbs.
Here's my experience, in case it's helpful for anyone else, or for troubleshooting.
Sylvania was quite helpful (after I sent a second inquiry from a different webpage - here's the form that got an immediate response: https://www.sylvania.com/en-us/mysy...bFormTemplates/feedback.xsn&DefaultItemOpen=1).
Here's their response:
"Thank you for contacting us with your product performance concern. We are sorry for the inconvenience this has caused you.
The life of any halogen bulb varies based on vehicle type, vehicle voltage, amount of time the bulb is on, road conditions, proper installation, and correct application. The average life of SilverStar® headlights are approximately one year. If the bulbs do not meet your expectations, we will replace them within a year of purchase when obtained through an authorized US retailer.
Vehicle electrical systems are designed to operate around 12 volts DC, but many times run between 12.8V and 14V. Due to the electrical system architecture of the vehicle, and other variables such as wiring and vehicle power demands, it is possible for some vehicles to deliver higher voltages or even voltage spikes to the bulb. The result is shortened bulb life because an increase in voltage of as little as 5% can cut a bulb's life in half. This is true for OEM bulbs and particularly, high performance halogen bulbs. Unfortunately, no adjustments can be made to the voltage since this is a function of the alternator output and electrical architecture of the vehicle.
Please confirm the following information:
Date and Place of purchase
Lamp #
We’ll then process replacements for you, shipping FedEx 2nd Day, signature required. If you experience similar performance with the replacement product please contact us again so that we can make an alternate lighting recommendation for your vehicle.
Regards,
Customer Service
1-800-729-3777"
****
Anyone know anything about 4Runners spiking voltage and shortening headlamp life? Sounds like the rep is saying that could affect "high performance" bulbs more than regular bulbs. Does this sound legit? I like the whiter (4100K) light of the SUs, but I obviously don't want to keep putting them in if they're only going to last a few months.
[EDIT] some other mentions of Silverstar bulb life here:
Looks like a few cite 1-1.5 year life here
TheDurk gives two thumbs down: "SilverStars burn out really fast, they are on NEVER AGAIN status with me"
Another thumbs down: "They're nice and bright, but they have a horrible life span, at least with my experiences."
1.5 years and still running for this guy
About 1 year life over 5-6 years of experience for this guy.
Another thumbs down on lifespan.
Seems like about 1-1.5 yrs is common. Not sure what normal bulb lifespan is, but the Silverstar Ultras seem to be quite a bit shorter. Mine only lasted a few months, though I run my headlights on all the time, so basically like DRLs. Maybe I also got a batch with a little shorter life, or winter conditions are extra hard on them, or all of the above contributed to the extra short life.
My conclusion - I'll take the free replacements Sylvania sends and see how they go. I might run lights off in daytime and see if they last a respectable amount of time. I expect they'll run about a year, and I'll pick something different and less expensive next time. Maybe there will be some more 4100K options out there for a better price by then.
Last edited:
layball:
