How long do the headlight bulbs last?

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Jul 3, 2002 | 05:35 PM

pot_head

Thread Starter

Driver

Joined: Dec 2001

Posts: 181

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From: Vancouver Canada

How long do the headlight bulbs last?

i really dont like the looks of the drl in the daytime but i have no choice cuz i live in canada where drl is mandatory, so i turn on my headlights whenever i drive, even in the daytime. Does anyone know the average life of xenon(or hid...whats the diff?) bulbs? thanks.

Jul 3, 2002 | 06:05 PM

ceboyd

Lexus Test Driver

Joined: Jan 2002

Posts: 1,016

Likes: 4

From: Illinois

it varies...

the dealer insisted they last longer than stock - normal bulbs BUT I've already seen Xenon HID cars with a headlight out that is about 2 years old or younger driving around my area at night.. AND 1 SC430 in my neighborhood (a black one) has one headlight out.. so go figure?

I know using them more will shorten the life for sure! BUT my guess is that Lexus will replace them under warranty if they go within 2 years???? I could be wrong on this one though...

BTW: I just drove through Canada on my Alaska trip and my headlights burnt out 2 weeks after being home (not in my SC but in my Infiniti... cause I had to have the darn things on all damn day long!)

Jul 3, 2002 | 06:08 PM

JAC JZS

Lexus Champion

Joined: Feb 2002

Posts: 1,772

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From: California

I find that interesting that all GS's('98 included) in Canada have the 50%(always on) highbeam-DRL's. The U.S. '98 GS4's have a much dimmer DRL(changed in '99) which can be turned off anytime you want. Your HID's(OEM/ 4100k) will last longer than a halogen bulb because they run off a lower wattage(35 vs. 5_+). Also you can replace your bulbs(DRL) with something that looks better

Last edited by JAC JZS; Jul 3, 2002 at 06:11 PM.

Jul 4, 2002 | 10:59 AM

Bill B

Driver School Candidate

Joined: Jun 2002

Posts: 10

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From: Florida

It is not the bulbs that normally go it is the ignitor or ballast that craps out. Xenon bulbs should last about 7 to 10 thousand hours.

Jul 4, 2002 | 10:49 PM

squarehat

Lexus Test Driver

Joined: May 2002

Posts: 1,472

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From: Ohio, USA

Yes, lighting engineers don't like them being referred to as "bulbs," which implies a filament. They refer to them as (arc-discharge) "capsules." No filament means a much longer lifespan.