Sylvania Silverstar Report

[tarbe]

I have appreciated the improved lighting - especially on those late night drives to the hunting lease through pig/deer/coyote/bobcat infested areas. But true to form, I had my first Silverstar blowout at 50 weeks/18,400 miles post installation.

I guess the incremental cost is pretty small beans compared to the $3k/year I spend on gas! I'll probably stay with them for now and just keep a spare on hand.

 

[Arleaux]

Sounds about par to me.
I too like the improvement, but I have had an occasional flashing by oncoming traffic.

 

[mot]

Do I dare ask: Why not HIR's?

 

[CodyRx7]

Is it against any laws to have lights ON besides the regular headlights?

What I mean is...if you had lights like offroad foglights mounted on the bullbar, or up on a roofrack, and they weren't brighter than the standard brights on a stock vehicle...

Now, some might ask "why would you bother having standard light emitting units anywhere?" I have no idea if the lights are selectable, or if they can be wired into stock light wiring, etc....just curious.

 

[concretejungle]

Cody, i would check with your state, but in NC an officer informed me that if your headlights are burning you can have one other set of lights ie: fog, driving lights also burning.

 

[John E Davies]

Is it against any laws to have lights ON besides the regular headlights?

What I mean is...if you had lights like offroad foglights mounted on the bullbar, or up on a roofrack, and they weren't brighter than the standard brights on a stock vehicle...

You will probably get hassled if you try to drive on public roads with off-road lights blazing, esp if they are mounted above the "legal for road use" height, which varies by state, but to the best of my knowledge NEVER goes much higher than the hoodline. If they are 55 watts you may be able to get away with runnig your bumper mounted off-road lights, IF you aren't blinding oncoming traffic.

I routinely use my clear 55 watt fog lights as aux low beams, and they help a lot on twisty back roads.

I have been using the Silver Stars for 2 years with no blowouts, but I use the fogs as DRLs if the weather is dim, to avoid putting too many hours on the expensive headlight bulbs. The fogs are wired (illegally) to run with the headlights off. I have never been hassled by any LEO about this practice.

John Davies
Spokane WA

 

[chet]

I too had my first silverstar failure after close to a year. They are good enough that I will keep them though.

 

[ginericLC]

Mine didn't even make it 6 months before a burn out. I don't think they like off road driving. I don't know how you guys drive but I have a lot of vibrations on gravel etc... I won't use them again. That and they look really goofy if you use a regular bulb and one of them. Depending upon brightness and how they are aimed and mounting height it can be leagal to drive with fogs or driving lights. A lot of it depends upon what other infraction they are nailing you for and how cooperative you are. I doubt you'd get pulled over if they were aimed correctly and you weren't blinding someone.

Eric V.

 

[CodyRx7]

Are these white....or do they have a bluish tint?

 

[pigbuggy]

I hope this just comes a reminder to those who want to put new lights in their cruiser...or any car for that matter: Don't touch the bulb. (or at least try not to) The oil on your fingers create "hot spots" on the bulb causing them to burn out much faster. I'm sure most of you know this already, but for those who have frequent burnouts and burnouts in less than 6 months (not pointing any fingers) this should help.

I just put in GE Nighthawks a few months ago and have noticed a great improvement over the stock headlights I had. (duh) I only replaced the headlights, because the highbeams are amazing already.

The sylvanias are ultra white. (as far as I can tell)

 

[tarbe]

I don't know how you guys drive but I have a lot of vibrations on gravel etc... I won't use them again.

Eric V.

I'm sure I have at least 300 miles of off pavement driving on mine.

 

[Lockd97]

I've had the Silverstars in the Taco for about 4 years with no problems. I really like them but just converted the Cruiser to HIR's and man, there is no comparision. I wish I could get HIR's in H4.

 

[ginericLC]

That is true about not touching them. I always wear gloves and I hold them by the edges. I still won't buy them again. Too much money for the shortest life of any bulb I've every bought.