JPH102900 Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 I've had my car since 2012 and have already gone through two sets of headlight bulbs. The first time, I replaced them myself by going up through the fender (not fun if you have big hands/arms). The second time, my car was already in the shop and I just had them do it. They charged me an arm and a leg because they took the bumper off in order to do the job instead of going through the fender. Well a year later, my drivers side is out again. I need to get the car inspected, so I am just going to do it myself and go through the fender again, but I am getting tired of this process. I'll get a long-life H7 bulb instead of a standard one this time, but I don't expect it to last much longer. Will an HID kit solve this or will I just find myself having to replace those bulbs too? I put an HID kit on my old mazda3 and had it on for 4 years without any problems. Any advice would be great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fedaykin Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Assuming you seated the bulbs properly, sealed up the headlights and you made sure the bulb glass was clean, what bulbs did you use? Things like fingerprints/moisture (oil creates hotspots on the glass), vibrations (breaks the element) tend to blow bulbs. Also, cheap/blue coloured bulbs never last long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
housemusic1 Posted March 25, 2016 Share Posted March 25, 2016 Not sure my issue is related at all, but about a year ago I switched to Sylvania Ultralight H7's, and I'm on my 5th set. The auto parts store has been great about replacing them under warranty, but it's getting frustrating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted March 25, 2016 Share Posted March 25, 2016 Read the sticky up top, that daniel stern lighting one. Order Osram bulbs from candlepower. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apexi Posted March 26, 2016 Share Posted March 26, 2016 Not sure my issue is related at all, but about a year ago I switched to Sylvania Ultralight H7's, and I'm on my 5th set. The auto parts store has been great about replacing them under warranty, but it's getting frustrating. I'm not sure what ultralight's are, but if they're like silverstars, they have a poor life expectancy. In the thread below I posted a life expectancy comparison of some bulbs. http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/headlight-bulb-250340.html?t=250340 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPH102900 Posted March 28, 2016 Author Share Posted March 28, 2016 Assuming you seated the bulbs properly, sealed up the headlights and you made sure the bulb glass was clean, what bulbs did you use? Things like fingerprints/moisture (oil creates hotspots on the glass), vibrations (breaks the element) tend to blow bulbs. Also, cheap/blue coloured bulbs never last long. I've used standard Sylvania lights (not the ultra light ones or anything special). I asked for H7-LL lights (long life) at the auto parts store, but they didn't have any. I did see the Orsam lights that others have referenced on Amazon, however, I didn't want to wait for them to be shipped and potentially have to deal with return shipping/warranty issues. The first set I put in, I probably touched the bulb trying to do my first install through the wheel well. Those lights only lasted months. The second set i had done by a reputable garage and they removed the bumper and the headlights to install the bulbs (and charged me for it........). Those ones only last a year and a half. This time around, I made sure to wear gloves and make sure that everything was sealed up. Still leaning towards an HID kit in the near future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fedaykin Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 Look at pulling the front bar off and then removing the headlight housing. It's a bit more work but much easier to make sure the bulbs are seated and clean. Strange it's blowing so quickly, you must live in a harsh environment lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPH102900 Posted March 29, 2016 Author Share Posted March 29, 2016 Look at pulling the front bar off and then removing the headlight housing. It's a bit more work but much easier to make sure the bulbs are seated and clean. Strange it's blowing so quickly, you must live in a harsh environment lol. Already took care of installing it this weekend and went through the wheel well (and rotated the tires while I was at it). When I looked at it closer, it seemed like the shop that removed the bumper and replaced the headlights last time didn't put the dust cap back on tight. That may have had something to do with it. However, Pittsburgh winters can be pretty harsh, so I guess that could have something to do with it too. Still planning to go with some HID's in the fall and I'll take the bumper off for that process. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fedaykin Posted March 30, 2016 Share Posted March 30, 2016 Well if they can't put the seal back on properly, you should be doubting whether they put clean bulbs on there as well. Oh well, now you know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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