Sylvania Silverstars

[barneyfife911]

I know this has been talked about before, but I need some input/feedback. I pick up my 2004 Sport this weekend and was going to put the Silverstars in. Service Manager at Toyota said I was "crazy as hell" to do that. Said there was the very real risk it could screw up the electrical system and would definitely void any warranty. Said he had 3 cases in the last 2 months of people with major electrical repair bills from installing non OE bulbs (did not say they were the Sylvanias). In one instance, the entire wiring harness had to be replaced, costing thousands. I know there are a lot of people happy with these bulbs, but now I'm having second thoughts. Any feedback...? Thanx!

 

[sharp4runr]

Hmmm, haven't had a problem with mine. I've only had them for like 2 months but just the same. Some guys have had their silverstars for almost a year or more with no probs. if any came in for problems, they were probably the ones using the 6000K "HID" bulbs...

 

[momo.75]

I have had mine since last June and haven't had any problems. I have them all the way around and love'em.

 

[msanta]

First, I have been using the SylverStars for a few months now without a problem. I have replaced all the bulbs including the DRL bulbs with SilverStars, they look so cool! These bulbs are actual replacement bulbs, so they should not cause any trouble. They then burn hotter, so I don't really think that's an issue. Check out their website:
SilverStars Good Luck and I hope this helps you!

 

[jharris2]

I've been using Osram Silverstars for a year now, too, with no difficulty. I got Osram because the European version is a tiny bit brighter than the US version marketed as Sylvania. I believe that so long as you use the same wattage bulbs that you're OK -- otherwise, your service manager would be saying you couldn't use ANY non-Toyota bulb.

They then burn hotter, so I don't really think that's an issue.

Do you mean color temperature or actual bulb temperature?

 

[barneyfife911]

Thanks for all the feedback. The website was very helpful, but it also says "We estimate the SilverStar halogen lights to have a life span of up to one year under average driving conditions." If that's true, that's a lot of cash (if you replace all) to dish out for bulbs each year.

 

[msanta]

Yes, they say the bulbs last around a year but I believe they are counting the hours you keep them on to give you that time. I am sure you are not going to keep your lights on for weeks. I am positive they will last longer than that. The website should explain that a little better.

 

[dcampen]

Silverstars

Yes, they say the bulbs last around a year but I believe they are counting the hours you keep them on to give you that time.

What they are saying is that with normal usage the bulbs will last for about 1 calendar year - you will have to replace your headlamp bulbs every year.

I am sure you are not going to keep your lights on for weeks.

That is good because if you did then you would have to replace the bulbs every few weeks.

I am positive they will last longer than that. The website should explain that a little better.

Their life is shorter than OEM bulbs. Their web site does not explain better, in fact they are evasive about this issue.

What they have done with these bulbs is put a blue tint on the envelope to make the light look more like the HID color but this blue tint is a filter, it reduces light output. To compensate for the light reduction due to the blue filter they then use a filament that burns hotter. Since the filament burns hotter it fails more quickly.

 

[bryancos]

The service manager is full of dung... these are legit bulbs, manufactured by Osram Sylvania, the same folks who make the majority of bulbs that can be found on all cars using 9006/9005 type bulbs.

And if they give you grief over warranty regarding aftermarket parts, you may want to remind them of the Magnusson Moss Warranty Act, Title 15 US Code Chapter 50 Section 2302 (no, I'm not an attorney, I looked it up!)

<I>
Q. Does installing an aftermarket part, automatically void my vehicle factory warranty? A. NO, According to the Magnusson-Moss Act of 1975 (see below):

The Magnusson-Moss Warranty - Federal Trade Commission Improvement Act of 1975 protects consumers from such fradulent activity by new car dealers. Under this Act, aftermarket equipment that improves performance does not void a vehicle manufacturer's orginial warranty, unless the warranty clearly states the addition of aftermarket equipment automatically voids your vehicle's warrany or if it can be proven that the aftermarket device is the direct cause of the failure. The easiest way to check this is to look in your owner's manual under, "what is not covered". <B>Under Magnusson-Moss Act a dealer must prove, not just vocalize, that aftermarket equipment caused the need for repairs before they can deny warranty coverage. If they cannot prove such claim-or offer an explanation- it is your legal right to demand compliance with the warranty. </B>The Federal Trade Commission (202.326.3128) administers the Magnusson-Moss Act and monitors compliance with warranty law.

</I>

From Sylvania's site at: http://www.sylvania.com/auto/sstar_faq.htm

<i>
What is the life expectancy of SilverStar?

The life expectancy of a SilverStar halogen light source is dependent on the driver

 

[jharris2]

I've been using Osram Silverstars for a year now, too, with no difficulty.

After making this post, I went out and looked at the truck....then did some follow-up research. Turns out that the Osram brand does not have the 9005/9006 bulbs for the US market. They only have the European bulbs (some older Toyotas use those sizes).

Instead, I got Philips Premium bulbs for the 4Runner. The Osram Silverstar must have been what I was considering for the Camry at the time.

:smash:

 

[ginkang]

I had mine (Silverstar) for 3 weeks now. No problem so far. They are good lights.

 

[msanta]

This issue about how long the Silverstars last is very unclear to me. I had a 92' Camry until I traded it in for my 4Runner and never had to replace the OEM bulbs. That's about 11 years with the same bulb. If the SilverStars last half of that I'll be content. It does make sense that if they are brighter they will use a higher wattage.

 

[hiluxsurfnz]

got them for half a year now, no problems so far. I have Narva Arctic Blues which is the same co. as Osram and Sylvania.

 

[NoDak]

This issue about how long the Silverstars last is very unclear to me. I had a 92' Camry until I traded it in for my 4Runner and never had to replace the OEM bulbs. That's about 11 years with the same bulb. If the SilverStars last half of that I'll be content. It does make sense that if they are brighter they will use a higher wattage.

granted you could keep the bulbs for 11yrs, but you will notice a difference in brightness if you had replaced them with new ones. i had oem bulbs on my 98 runner, but then i noticed after driving my wife's new 02 tacoma, her lights where alot brighter. i replaced the 98 oem bulbs with new bulbs, and then i noticed a difference in brightness. light bulbs due tend to get weaker as they age, you can tell by how much more yellow the light gets. good example, while driving at night, try and notice how many cars have more yellow dim lights than bright yellow light.

 

[ScottAW]

Do the silverstars throw better light than the OEMs?

 

[msanta]

You're absolutely right, they do tend to loose intensity due to the wearing of the filament inside with time, but my bulbs never failed me though.

 

[bryancos]

In a word, YES. See this Independent review on rockcrawler.com:

http://www.rockcrawler.com/techreports/sylvania_silverstar/index.asp