Good headlight bulbs?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 293
Likes: 29
From: Columbus Ohio
Good headlight bulbs?
Its rather difficult to change the headlight bulbs in every vehicle I own and I am DONE with Sylvania bulbs. Have literally tried them all from the base bulb to their most expensive and they barley last a year if that. I'm looking for a standard replacement bulb (no LED, HID) nothing special, just some bulbs that might last a while!!
I know not to touch them and its not a electrical issue.
The C4 headlights flip and that probably does not help. The Toyota FJ eats one every six months on average and the GMC Sierra bulbs are a real pain to get to. DRL's don't help either. Turning them off does not seem to improve longevity.
Seems like Sylvania has the market cornered around here and its hard to find other brands. Any good heavy duty, long life bulbs out there?
I know not to touch them and its not a electrical issue.
The C4 headlights flip and that probably does not help. The Toyota FJ eats one every six months on average and the GMC Sierra bulbs are a real pain to get to. DRL's don't help either. Turning them off does not seem to improve longevity.
Seems like Sylvania has the market cornered around here and its hard to find other brands. Any good heavy duty, long life bulbs out there?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,389
Likes: 2,741
When you're mentioning bulbs you need to be a bit more specific I believe. The incandescent from all vendors don't seem to be an issue and in most later production cases it's a connector or circuit situation. The C4 headlamp is a "sealed beam" unless you've changed and if OE all bulbs are incandescent except the FOGS!
Buy maybe Wagner but your situation is likely "where you shop" nearly all mass marketing do the Sylvania. Call some independent jobbers and ask for Wagner.
Buy maybe Wagner but your situation is likely "where you shop" nearly all mass marketing do the Sylvania. Call some independent jobbers and ask for Wagner.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 293
Likes: 29
From: Columbus Ohio
When you're mentioning bulbs you need to be a bit more specific I believe. The incandescent from all vendors don't seem to be an issue and in most later production cases it's a connector or circuit situation. The C4 headlamp is a "sealed beam" unless you've changed and if OE all bulbs are incandescent except the FOGS!
Buy maybe Wagner but your situation is likely "where you shop" nearly all mass marketing do the Sylvania. Call some independent jobbers and ask for Wagner.
Buy maybe Wagner but your situation is likely "where you shop" nearly all mass marketing do the Sylvania. Call some independent jobbers and ask for Wagner.
I had a single Wagner bulb that had been sitting around a while and put it in the FJ. Was quite surprised to see there was no difference in the output of it compared to Sylvania's so called "premium" bulb. I'll try a set.
Seems like the only bulbs that really lasted in the Sierra were the factory bulbs. They lasted 6 years. Anyone know what brand GM uses or who makes them?
In 120 volt A/C incandescent lighting they make 130v bulbs that seem to last forever for exit signs and hard to reach places. I'm wondering if anyone makes bulbs like that for vehicles.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
The C4 has Hella lamps with H4 bulbs in them. Much easier to change and the light pattern is perfect!
I had a single Wagner bulb that had been sitting around a while and put it in the FJ. Was quite surprised to see there was no difference in the output of it compared to Sylvania's so called "premium" bulb. I'll try a set.
Seems like the only bulbs that really lasted in the Sierra were the factory bulbs. They lasted 6 years. Anyone know what brand GM uses or who makes them?
In 120 volt A/C incandescent lighting they make 130v bulbs that seem to last forever for exit signs and hard to reach places. I'm wondering if anyone makes bulbs like that for vehicles.
I had a single Wagner bulb that had been sitting around a while and put it in the FJ. Was quite surprised to see there was no difference in the output of it compared to Sylvania's so called "premium" bulb. I'll try a set.
Seems like the only bulbs that really lasted in the Sierra were the factory bulbs. They lasted 6 years. Anyone know what brand GM uses or who makes them?
In 120 volt A/C incandescent lighting they make 130v bulbs that seem to last forever for exit signs and hard to reach places. I'm wondering if anyone makes bulbs like that for vehicles.
Not sure if there is a headlamp that has a slightly higher voltage rating, but there are small bulbs (tail, brake, marker) that are rated for 14v. These bulbs will last longer than a bulb advertised at 12v but the voltage in many vehicles cvan and will fluctuate between 11v and 14v based on alternator output and battery voltage at any given time. In the 10 years I had my '92, I never replaced any tail/brake bulb or turn signal/parking bulb.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 293
Likes: 29
From: Columbus Ohio
I had upgraded the headlamps in my old '92 vert using the Hella european style lamp housings and H4 bulbs. They worked very well in terms of light output and the Hella Euro beam pattern compared to stock-style H6054 bulbs. I even used a higher wattage bulb and never had a problem with the wires, relays, or fuses.
Not sure if there is a headlamp that has a slightly higher voltage rating, but there are small bulbs (tail, brake, marker) that are rated for 14v. These bulbs will last longer than a bulb advertised at 12v but the voltage in many vehicles cvan and will fluctuate between 11v and 14v based on alternator output and battery voltage at any given time. In the 10 years I had my '92, I never replaced any tail/brake bulb or turn signal/parking bulb.
Not sure if there is a headlamp that has a slightly higher voltage rating, but there are small bulbs (tail, brake, marker) that are rated for 14v. These bulbs will last longer than a bulb advertised at 12v but the voltage in many vehicles cvan and will fluctuate between 11v and 14v based on alternator output and battery voltage at any given time. In the 10 years I had my '92, I never replaced any tail/brake bulb or turn signal/parking bulb.
Last edited by CCRed; Feb 24, 2017 at 12:05 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Ottawa Ontario
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 99
Likes: 3
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Picture please
I had upgraded the headlamps in my old '92 vert using the Hella european style lamp housings and H4 bulbs. They worked very well in terms of light output and the Hella Euro beam pattern compared to stock-style H6054 bulbs. I even used a higher wattage bulb and never had a problem with the wires, relays, or fuses.
Not sure if there is a headlamp that has a slightly higher voltage rating, but there are small bulbs (tail, brake, marker) that are rated for 14v. These bulbs will last longer than a bulb advertised at 12v but the voltage in many vehicles cvan and will fluctuate between 11v and 14v based on alternator output and battery voltage at any given time. In the 10 years I had my '92, I never replaced any tail/brake bulb or turn signal/parking bulb.
Not sure if there is a headlamp that has a slightly higher voltage rating, but there are small bulbs (tail, brake, marker) that are rated for 14v. These bulbs will last longer than a bulb advertised at 12v but the voltage in many vehicles cvan and will fluctuate between 11v and 14v based on alternator output and battery voltage at any given time. In the 10 years I had my '92, I never replaced any tail/brake bulb or turn signal/parking bulb.
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,674
Likes: 191
From: Shit Creek, USA
Its rather difficult to change the headlight bulbs in every vehicle I own and I am DONE with Sylvania bulbs. Have literally tried them all from the base bulb to their most expensive and they barley last a year if that. I'm looking for a standard replacement bulb (no LED, HID) nothing special, just some bulbs that might last a while!!
I know not to touch them and its not a electrical issue.
The C4 headlights flip and that probably does not help. The Toyota FJ eats one every six months on average and the GMC Sierra bulbs are a real pain to get to. DRL's don't help either. Turning them off does not seem to improve longevity.
Seems like Sylvania has the market cornered around here and its hard to find other brands. Any good heavy duty, long life bulbs out there?
I know not to touch them and its not a electrical issue.
The C4 headlights flip and that probably does not help. The Toyota FJ eats one every six months on average and the GMC Sierra bulbs are a real pain to get to. DRL's don't help either. Turning them off does not seem to improve longevity.
Seems like Sylvania has the market cornered around here and its hard to find other brands. Any good heavy duty, long life bulbs out there?
Mine no longer flip, so they get used a lot.
Last edited by Renfield; Mar 13, 2017 at 08:49 AM.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 656
Likes: 79
From: Jackson Wisconsin
I've noticed that some vehicles just plain eat bulbs while others last forever. I am suspect of voltage regulator issues. My own cars' bulbs, mostly Chevy's and Honda's last many years while my daughter's BMW eats bulbs; all of them on an annual basis. It is not unusual to replace multiple tail light and front bulbs within a week or 2 of each other.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 198
Likes: 2
I had upgraded the headlamps in my old '92 vert using the Hella european style lamp housings and H4 bulbs. They worked very well in terms of light output and the Hella Euro beam pattern compared to stock-style H6054 bulbs. I even used a higher wattage bulb and never had a problem with the wires, relays, or fuses.
Not sure if there is a headlamp that has a slightly higher voltage rating, but there are small bulbs (tail, brake, marker) that are rated for 14v. These bulbs will last longer than a bulb advertised at 12v but the voltage in many vehicles cvan and will fluctuate between 11v and 14v based on alternator output and battery voltage at any given time. In the 10 years I had my '92, I never replaced any tail/brake bulb or turn signal/parking bulb.
Not sure if there is a headlamp that has a slightly higher voltage rating, but there are small bulbs (tail, brake, marker) that are rated for 14v. These bulbs will last longer than a bulb advertised at 12v but the voltage in many vehicles cvan and will fluctuate between 11v and 14v based on alternator output and battery voltage at any given time. In the 10 years I had my '92, I never replaced any tail/brake bulb or turn signal/parking bulb.
watt, but haven't tried them yet. Do you think i'll need to change the
plug to a ceramic on in case it heats up. My car already has a 15 amp fuse in for the headlights.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,427
Likes: 604
From: Minneapolis Mn
I've used Sylvania's in most of mine for quite some years without an incident. It's funny the comment about some vehicles chewing up bulbs, I've had that with one brake light without figuring out why. 10 years on one, and replaced the other 2 or 3 times within those same 10 years.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
I've noticed that some vehicles just plain eat bulbs while others last forever. I am suspect of voltage regulator issues. My own cars' bulbs, mostly Chevy's and Honda's last many years while my daughter's BMW eats bulbs; all of them on an annual basis. It is not unusual to replace multiple tail light and front bulbs within a week or 2 of each other.
Last edited by rocco16; Oct 5, 2020 at 04:59 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,432
Likes: 3,285
From: Hartford WI
One thing you see in the bulbs. The brighter it is, the lower the life it is rated for.