Headlight Premature Burnout and Battery Warranties

[dandxg]

Does this sound right to you folks. When Sylvania Silver Star Ultra's came out I bought them for both of my Toyota's. Within 1 year both of them burned out and they were expensive about $50 a pair and it's a bit of hassle because you have to pull the battery for one bulb per car.

I did wear plastic gloves when replacing them before, because I know that oils from you skin will wear them out faster.

So I go to my local Auto Zone store and they say well if you have used bulb grease then they would have lasted much longer.

Does that sound right? I really want the brightest lights but not if they are going to burn out in 1 year. I live in semi rural Colorado.

Second issue. My battery is going bad, have them test it, and they tell me we will give you a pro-rated credit but you only get the remaining warranty off the original battery. WTF? You want to give me a measly $35 credit on a $100 battery and then I only get the remainder of the original warranty, which will equal 1 1/2 years for $70. I have never heard of such info. When I had a tire warranty problem they give you pro rate and then a full warranty on new ones.

Looking for some helpful objective feedback. Thanks much.

[PhatRoyale]

Regardless of whether you use dielectric grease on the contacts or not, Silverstars have never been known for long life. Or brightness for that matter. A search on here will reveal a lot of poor reviews from members.

If you want the brightest halogen bulbs available, give the Philips X-treme Vision or OSRAM Night Breaker Plus bulbs a shot.

As for the battery warranty, that doesn't sound like a place that wants my business. I would get a second opinion from the manager or another person there to make sure that is indeed the case.

[gold94corolla]

I've never used a battery warranty... just replace em when they are too dead to hold a charge!

And the silverstar halogen bulbs suck. really. They get more brightness by burning brighter and hotter, which cuts down lifespan by a factor of ^-13. I would install a pair of 9012 HIR bulbs.

[speedy25]

Battery warranty is typical even though it sounds like crap. That policy has been a standard for a long time.

Monitor your voltage. The battery going bad and the headlight life may be connected. I put silverstars in my car and they are still OK after 2 years. GE night wolf has been brought up for being the latest greatest light available now.

-SP