I have aftermarket HIDs on my 2IS and set it to auto with no problem so far. I read on another thread setting it to auto is not recommended since it may turn on and off more than normal usage. Is this a myth? If it's true, please explain.

 

I leave my factory HIDs on auto. 3 years and 50K miles, no problems so far.

 

I can see that if you're frequently/constantly going under bridges or dark clouds blocking the sun causing it to turn on/off frquently/constantly throughout the day, then you should have it off-whether it's aftermarket or factory.

Otherwise, mine has been on auto since 99 and it only turns on at night and once in a long while if I'm sitting at a red light under a bridge

 

Ok, say my HIDs turn on and off more frequent than normal. Why is it bad? What is the technical reason?

 

The turning on / off is tougher on the bulbs. I am guessing, -- in HID -- not only is it harder on the bulbs, but also on the ballast and relays.

 

i have aftermarket HIDs, i just got them in and im leaving it on auto. im lazy...

 

could this cause the igniter to prematurly wear out ???

 

Thanks for all the replies. I'm still looking for a technical reason why it would be hard on the bulbs/ballasts/igniters.

 

igniting the bulb is very different from runing the bulb, when ignite you have to "burst" over 1000v through the system on the bulb to ignite the gas inside. that's what causes problems, either on the bulbs or the ballasts. believe me, it hurts.

with hid kits, i really don't recomend putting it at auto position all the time. especially when you are in the garage in the morning when starting the car. the stock harness and such are not designed to sustain stable and harmless supply to the ballasts, you can put more wear on the system.

stock hid system is differently designed and they have already put it into considering about auto. so it's "better". but in generate turning it on and off often is not a good idea.

if you still don't believe it, go and flip your headlights (with hid kits) on and off fast. my guess is you will blow the hid bulb pretty fast (happened to me)

 

Thanks, that's the reply I was looking for. I guess there is nothing I can do when the alarm is going off, the HIDs flash on and off. At least it doesn't happen often.

 

ah, good point. you are right, that's definitely not helping. even for stock hid, i dont' think it's a good thing

 

From my past experience with 8000k systems, turning it on and off doesn't let the bulbs heat up or cool down correctly. This will cause premature wear.

 

U know, i really hate hwo the HID's kick in when i flash my high beams while HID's are off.

 

that's why i hardly flash which bears the same "worry" as you on the hid