Updated: Silverstars blew... again (Replaced with Phillips X-Treme Power bulbs. See Pg 2)

**Tideland Prius** · 09-22-2007, 06:45 PM

Alright, so I've gone through two sets of Silverstars and they both blew out before 12 months were up.

So needless to say, I'm not going to get another pair because their lifespan is pathetically short.

Keep in mind that mine's a Canadian vehicle so I do have the bulbs running as DRLs.

So, with that in mind, what other bulbs do you suggest I try? I do like the whiteness and the slightly brighter lights of the Silverstars but not their lifespan. Judging by sushi's thread, the HID conversion takes a bit of work and seems costly (although if I had the time and money, that would probably be the route I take and solve my problems with the stock lights).

Are there any other aftermarket bulbs that you guys have tried and are worth the cost?

Thanks!

cheule · 09-23-2007, 03:21 AM

I take it 12 months is the lifetime you get with this type? I mean, this isn't abnormal for Sylvania Silverstars 9003STs?

seasalsa · 09-23-2007, 11:04 AM

When my OEM lamps burned out between 20,000 and 25,000 miles I replaced them with standard 9003's and they are still burning at 57,000. I considered the Silver Stars but am glad I didn't get them after hearing of your experience. We don't have DRL but I leave mine on and use auto off so the usage is similar.

**Tideland Prius** · 09-23-2007, 01:06 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sean Blumenthal @ Sep 23 2007, 12:21 AM) [snapback]516475[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I take it 12 months is the lifetime you get with this type? I mean, this isn't abnormal for Sylvania Silverstars 9003STs?
[/b]

Yeah supposedly it's abnormal but after two sets, I'm basically sold that they'll last under 12 months under my conditions (DRLs + longer winter nights). I mean if you live in the southern states, they'll probably last for years.

I gotta get replacements quick. The right side is the one that blew and the left one will not be far behind. I don't intend on driving around with foglights. I mean, they work in the daytime (treat them as DRLs so I don't get pulled over) but I don't think they're sufficient at all for night time driving.

lenjack · 09-23-2007, 05:53 PM

Sylvania's website does mention the shorter service life of the Silverstars.

benighted · 09-23-2007, 06:35 PM

I'd stick with the OEM's or extended life bulbs then re-aim the foglights higher so they put light the same level as your headlights.

Mine has the HID's but I use the stock foglights with them sometimes for better color rendition (despite what some might say there are benefits to having yellowish lights at night IMHO). With the fogs adjusted properly I can turn off my HID's and leave the fogs on (resistor mod), they put out light almost as well as standard lowbeams.

To adjust the fogs just stick a phillips screwdriver through the hole in the bottom and turn the plastic wheel until they are where you need them.

**Tideland Prius** · 09-23-2007, 08:06 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lenjack @ Sep 23 2007, 02:53 PM) [snapback]516631[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Sylvania's website does mention the shorter service life of the Silverstars.
[/b]

I don't tihnk 1 year was what they had in mind, esp. not if they're charging $70/pair.

cheule · 09-23-2007, 08:43 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Sep 23 2007, 05:06 PM) [snapback]516661[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I don't tihnk 1 year was what they had in mind, esp. not if they're charging $70/pair.
[/b]

Yeah 1 year seems awfully short. So I take it you aren't satisfied with OEMs? Not bright enough? or is it the color temperature?

Not trying to get you off topic from finding better replacements, just curious why not stick with the OEMs... they'd probably last 5 years or so.

**Tideland Prius** · 09-23-2007, 09:53 PM

Both.. colour and intensity. My main concern is illumination (without blinding other drivers of course), how it looks comes second. Most American Priuses were sold with HIDs and I've seen those (whenever you guys decide to drive up here) and they're fantastic. No glare whatsoever (even when I saw them head on), and nice and bright.

usbseawolf2000 · 09-23-2007, 11:00 PM

I don't need to change my bulbs yet but when I researched for the bulbs for my previous car, OSRAM Silverstars are the best with long life. They are not the same as Sylvania Silverstars. Which Silverstars did you use?

09-22-2007, 06:45 PM	#1
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 19,616 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 228 Thanked 344 Times in 243 Posts Friends: 23	Alright, so I've gone through two sets of Silverstars and they both blew out before 12 months were up. So needless to say, I'm not going to get another pair because their lifespan is pathetically short. Keep in mind that mine's a Canadian vehicle so I do have the bulbs running as DRLs. So, with that in mind, what other bulbs do you suggest I try? I do like the whiteness and the slightly brighter lights of the Silverstars but not their lifespan. Judging by sushi's thread, the HID conversion takes a bit of work and seems costly (although if I had the time and money, that would probably be the route I take and solve my problems with the stock lights). Are there any other aftermarket bulbs that you guys have tried and are worth the cost? Thanks! __________________ 2005 Tideland Pearl Premium Package 25/10/04 VVT-i Emblem, Sport Pedals, All-Weather Mats, Cargo Mat, EV Mod, JDM Prius Footwell Lighting, DICE iPod Kit 2008 Deep Black smart fortwo passion coupé - sold (6.1L/100km) 2010 Blue Ribbon Metallic Technology Package 29/08/09 All-Weather Mats, Homemade Console Pads, LED lighting "Ask an Expert" on Facebook I am not employed by Toyota, and the opinions expressed by me as a Prius Expert are not those of Toyota.

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09-23-2007, 03:21 AM	#2
cheule Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 39 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I take it 12 months is the lifetime you get with this type? I mean, this isn't abnormal for Sylvania Silverstars 9003STs?

09-23-2007, 11:04 AM	#3
seasalsa Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 1,202 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	When my OEM lamps burned out between 20,000 and 25,000 miles I replaced them with standard 9003's and they are still burning at 57,000. I considered the Silver Stars but am glad I didn't get them after hearing of your experience. We don't have DRL but I leave mine on and use auto off so the usage is similar.

09-23-2007, 05:53 PM	#5
lenjack Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Pennsylvania USA Posts: 456 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: III Package: No Package Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts Friends: 0	Sylvania's website does mention the shorter service life of the Silverstars.

09-23-2007, 06:35 PM	#6
benighted Chief thread hijacker Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Westport, WA Posts: 530 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I'd stick with the OEM's or extended life bulbs then re-aim the foglights higher so they put light the same level as your headlights. Mine has the HID's but I use the stock foglights with them sometimes for better color rendition (despite what some might say there are benefits to having yellowish lights at night IMHO). With the fogs adjusted properly I can turn off my HID's and leave the fogs on (resistor mod), they put out light almost as well as standard lowbeams. To adjust the fogs just stick a phillips screwdriver through the hole in the bottom and turn the plastic wheel until they are where you need them.

09-23-2007, 09:53 PM	#9
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 19,616 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 228 Thanked 344 Times in 243 Posts Friends: 23	Both.. colour and intensity. My main concern is illumination (without blinding other drivers of course), how it looks comes second. Most American Priuses were sold with HIDs and I've seen those (whenever you guys decide to drive up here) and they're fantastic. No glare whatsoever (even when I saw them head on), and nice and bright.

09-23-2007, 11:00 PM	#10
usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 3,254 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #3 Thanks: 106 Thanked 178 Times in 111 Posts Friends: 59	I don't need to change my bulbs yet but when I researched for the bulbs for my previous car, OSRAM Silverstars are the best with long life. They are not the same as Sylvania Silverstars. Which Silverstars did you use?