JHawk Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 Purchased an 05 6 weeks ago. Odo reads 43k; driverside went dead today. Dunno if this is original or if prior owner had same prob... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ingram622 Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 Sweet!! So I figured I would email Subaru about the headlights...of course not expecting any relevant or useful answer from them but here is the response. My Email: I just wanted to comment on what could be a major safety issue with the Subaru Legacy headlights going out. Both going out at the same time could be bad. 2005 Legacy GT. I only have one issue and that is with the frequent need to replace headlights. I went looking for an answer and the link below is a list of people having the same issue. Please advise as if there is anything that can be done http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12570&page=36 The answer I expected: Thank you for visiting the Subaru Web site. I am sorry that your e-mail was prompted by a concern regarding your Subaru. We are not in a position to diagnose your vehicle without a hands-on inspection. I suggest that you speak to your dealership's Service Manager and explain your situation. He would be in a better position to evaluate your concerns. If you have any questions regarding this response, please call us at 1-800-SUBARU-3 (1-800-782-2783) and refer to you SR # above. This will expedite the handling of your call. Sincerely, Matthew Seiler Customer Dealer Services I think everyone on this site should email CustDlrServices@subaru.com and complain. Of course you will all get the same answers. Ya Got to love it!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jarrod Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 Yeap my osram's just went out, buying HID's this time around Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
o1legacygt Posted October 18, 2008 Share Posted October 18, 2008 Well, I think I'm about to make the switch to HIDs. Last night my second headlight bulb burned out in two days. I dont understand what the deal is with these bulbs, but with foglight and headlight count I'm sitting on eight bulbs burning out in less than a year in a half. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob_m Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 05 LGT LTD with 73k. Had bulbs #7 and #8 burn out this morning at the same time. Thankfully, my trunkmonkey was on call and had a 2 pack of H7 bulbs in stock. I was able to use my new found skill of replacing bulbs. In under 5 minutes. At 5:00am. In the dark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eVoMotion Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 05OBXT - My first bulb just blew, 45K miles, driver's side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CodyItaliano Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 i work in auto parts. the design of the H7 bulb is not good. it doesnt allow for heat to dispurse quickly and ends up burning the element up quicker than a bulb with larger glass. a lot of european cars and various motorcycles use H7 bulbs, so i see them quite often buying replacement bulbs. i'd only had my car since december '07 and didnt like that they burned out on my first thing. so i went with and HID setup. problem fixed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outahere Posted November 26, 2008 Share Posted November 26, 2008 i work in auto parts. the design of the H7 bulb is not good. it doesnt allow for heat to dispurse quickly and ends up burning the element up quicker than a bulb with larger glass.......... So true. A long-life H7 bulb is rated at 930 hours, a long-life 9005 bulb is 1500 hours, and a standard H7 is 500 hours. http://www.candlepowerinc.com/pdfs/LL_Headlamp.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdisco Posted November 27, 2008 Share Posted November 27, 2008 You we're right. I was wrong. Put in a set of Silverstars and less in then a year my drivers side is out. I'm sorry I doubted you. Please forgive me. I liked the brighter, whiter light of Sukustars, but they should last alot longer then that. What do I get to replace them and still have that crisp bright light? Your thoughts? I think everyone on this site should email CustDlrServices@subaru.com and complain. Of course you will all get the same answers. Ya Got to love it!! http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/menuitem.9fee1be6b2b2000bc22cf37490008a0c/ ^ We should contact these people instead. They love safety issues. I contacted them about my F250 cam positioning sensor which would cause the truck to just die without warning. It took over a year but I got a recall letter from Ford and a refund from them as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarlJNgmail.com Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 So I put at least 40k on the first set of bulbs, just about 1 year and 8k miles and poof, my silverstar ultras are gone. Here's a interesting point though. It's 15f outside and I haven't started the car since thanksgiving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franklin Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 Surrender. Something is very wrong with the '05 low beam design. Subaru is NOT GOING TO FIX / ADMIT IT. Go with HID's and be done with the problem. I went thru 8 bulbs before I found relief. Unless you enjoy this BS , give up. This was the only issue with my car , and now its gone. Come over to the Light Side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mccorry Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 Lost my first headlight bulb today... 80,253 miles and 4 years....... Early '05 model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
el5y Posted December 24, 2008 Share Posted December 24, 2008 How many of you that lost bulbs really early have your headlights on all the time (i.e when you're starting up your car your headlights are turn to on?) I've heard that doing this will shorten the life of the bulb because once the engine fires up it will shoot a current through the lights stronger than what they are supposed to handle... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gusgusdude Posted December 25, 2008 Share Posted December 25, 2008 How many of you that lost bulbs really early have your headlights on all the time (i.e when you're starting up your car your headlights are turn to on?) I've heard that doing this will shorten the life of the bulb because once the engine fires up it will shoot a current through the lights stronger than what they are supposed to handle... I think this has merit ^^^ Every time my bulbs burn out , its when I first start the car with the lights on From now on I will turn them off with the ignition Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobie Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 That sounds valid. I've only had my car for 5 months (2005 Outback) and so far so good, but usually turn the lights off before the ignition. I'll make sure I keep doing that. BTW, the previous owner had the owners manual marked on the bulb page (11-74) with a post it note showing which light bulbs to use. Not sure how long these have been in there so will have spares on hand just in case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverSeraphim Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 I just put in two new Silverstars two months ago. The both burned out withing a week of each other. =\ I'll try making sure the headlights are set to 'off' before starting the car and see if it makes a difference this time around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZZMAN Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 37,000 miles 2 1/2 years old always drive / leave my lights and fogs on. Both the fogs finally went out within a day of each other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
el5y Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 37,000 miles 2 1/2 years old always drive / leave my lights and fogs on. Both the fogs finally went out within a day of each other. Must be because you have a Spec B just kidding. So you leave your headlights and fogs on ALL the time? including during startup? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spect2k Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 I had a set of silverstar ultras that lasted me about 15K before one blew. I replaced them both with silverstar. I must have touched the bulb with my finger. I've never had a bulb go so fast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idendor Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 My set of silver stars ( not ultra) died 10 days apart, ~10 mos old. I reverted to one original 05-Subie bulb & 1 new Wagner (16 bucks). Saving up for HID Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongHiway Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 I am tempted to argue against using Silverstars. I was going through 2 - 3 pair a year. The last time, I figured I'd buy the cheapest set available (and go with a D Stern option). The generics have now lasted me 1 year (and I'm sure I have put a curse on myself). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilh Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 My first finally went at 55K miles. I've had DRL disabled since about 7K. I replaced both with basic Sylvanias. Maybe I should have gone for the Osram Rallye 65W, but I needed a bulb quickly. Well, the new bulbs do seem a bit brighter/whiter than the aging stock bulbs, so I'm not unhappy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pierce88 Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 Iv been through 4 sets in about 1.5 years.... And iv had my drls disabled from day 1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongemonster Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 My PIAAs lasted maybe a month (I don't touch the glass). Tried silverstars and they lasted about two months. Back to stock bulbs (haven't had one go yet). Mine's an '08 and yes I do leave my headlight switch to on. If I get pissed off enough I'll look into that theory that there's a spike when starting the car and come up with a solution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongHiway Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 Listening to another podcast of Car Talk this AM and an OWB onwer called in to complain and, ask for help. He did a voltage check, on jus tthe batery and whiel starting the car. Per Click and Clack, his readins were within spec for the bulbs (10 - 14.3 v). One of them commented that Volvos burn through a lot of bulbs. The advice given was to not touch the bulbs while replacing them - not very useful we all follow that instruction. Their thought was that the bulb housing might get too hot and shorten bulb life. Basically, no answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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