We all know that Sylvania Silverstar headlamps do not last very long and seem to burn out faster than regular headlamps. I am wondering if anyone has had good luck returning their silverstar bulbs to the manufacturer with the customer satisfaction refund form that is on Sylvania's website.
http://content.sylvania.com/app/disp...x?id=003680349
I have been using them on both of my Accords for a few years now, and even though the bulbs burn out after a year or so, I continue to use them because they do put out good light. I recently tried out a pair on my school bus and they worked great, but after only 4 months of service, both low beams are burnt out. I am debating whether or not to replace them with another pair of silverstars, but it would be crazy to have to replace these "High Performance" bulbs again in another 4-5 months.

 

I started using them about a year ago and liked them, but couldn't afford to keep putting them. After the last one that I was going to buy burnt out, I wrote a letter to the company and explained they have a nice product, but them don't last long. I didn't expect to hear anything from them, but they sent me two free ones, so I will use them until one of them burns out.

 

Are you careful not to touch the glass with you bare hands? You really should use latex gloves. The oil from you hands getting on the bulb will cause the filament to burn out much faster.

I've used some "superwhites" on my motorcycle. I forget which brand, but they lasted over 30,000 miles and were definitly brighter and more white in color that the standard OEM H4 bulbs. Sicne hte headlights are on all the time like in the school bus, I'd estimate that they saw 800 hours of operation without replacement. That would probably be the equvalent of 6-8 months on the school bus. SO 4 months is a little short, but i suppose 1 year isn't unreasonable. Most normal vehicles don't see 30+ hours of operation per week.

 

My Wagner Truviews have been great so far

 

Thanks for the replies. I am always very careful about not touching halogen bulbs but the bus uses H6054's so I couldn't have touched the bulb inside. I was hoping they wouldn't be as fragile and burn out as quickly, but they did. I never thought of calculating the hours of operation, but I put some numbers together and the lights are only on for 3.5-4hr per day and I am the only one who drive's this bus so it's only 20hrs total a week. The first one went out right before Christmas and the other went out yesterday. I looked at the school calender and at the most, they were only on the bus for a total of 72 school days, so that's an average of 288 hrs of use.

 

i have had my silverstars for almost 2 years now. no problems :dunno:

 

get hella replacement housings... yes, they're pricey but if you drive alot at night, its the only real way to go. Also, slightly higher wattage bulbs would help a lot. Any bulb with a coating on it will not last as long as OEM bulbs, so find higher wattage bulbs without any coating. www.rallylights.com has a good selection.

 

I've had my silverstars for over a year, and I do a lot of night driving. And, wow you have a school bus!

 

I emailed Sylvania, so I'll have to wait and see if anything happens there. This is my first year with the bus and it's awsome. I am still at the age where I have to hookup all of the vehicles that I drive, to set them apart from the rest and the headlights on the bus needed an upgrade, but since I don't own the bus, it was easier just to throw on a set of Silverstars,and they worked great until they blew out on me. I like the way they look on the bus, but a set of diamond backs would look even better, maybe someday I'll get a set, but for now this is what I am working with.