Life expectancy for Halogen headlight bulbs

[Lionelgee]

Hello All,

Just wondering what the life expectancy for headlights are on a daily driven car that is kept in the 'headlights on' mode? These are just the standard run of the mill halogen - well it has H 55 watt on the box - three point plug with high and low modes. Nothing flash in the way of upgrades of bulbs or wiring. My VY Commodore that I have owned since 2015 likes to dine on its headlight bulbs every 12 months. Just after I pay the year's registration come to think of it.

I once spoke to my auto electrician and the comment I received was,"maybe there is something wrong with your headlight circuit. However, the time it would take me to isolate if such a problem did exist would be worth a whole lot more than a couple of years of replacement light bulbs". That comment was made a couple of years ago too. I have just come up after replacing a headlight bulb by the way. I used to replace them in pairs - thinking if one bulb had gone the other one would be close to follow. Over a period of observation that hypothesis was proven to be incorrect. So, I just replace single bulbs now. Be very, very quiet - because the other headlight bulb could be listening ... sshhh!

By the way, what is your favourite brand of bog standard halogen headlight lamps? I used to get Phillips ones. I tend to keep spare bulbs in the glove box and my last reserve bulb is a eXelite - it must have been a spare for the glove box I picked while I was travelling away from home. Never come across an eXelite before - I wonder how it will go?

The box reads..

H220 H4 P43T
12 V 60/55W
E13 U. V. CUT
Made in Taiwan


What is the highest wattage you can go in the H4 12V P43T arrangement plug before it starts melting the headlight and the surrounds? I am not necessarily describing the legal range of wattage BTW. [bigwhistle] From memory the 60/55 W was the legal limit, or close to it.

I do not run any other specialist lights such as driving, spot or lightbars on the car - just the pair of standard headlights.

So, kind folks - getting back to the original purpose of this post - before other questions popped up ...

Is 12 months actually a good run for a standard H4 12 V 60/55W light bulb on a car that is a daily driver that gets driven in headlights on mode?

Kind regards
Lionel

[Slunnie]

I think with H4 60/55w there wouldn't be a dimmer headlight on the road.

If you're after better vision, I find that headlight alignment makes an obscene amount of different. You have to walk that fine line between getting the beams up enough and shining down the road but not dazzling to oncoming traffic. I spend a lot of time getting this right with my vehicle and then it changes useless headlights into not too bad headlights.

90/100w bulbs can/will melt the plug on the back. I have run an traxide H4 headlight loom for seemingly eternity, and this fixed the melting plug problem and upgraded the wiring. The light output from these are similar to my Audi headlights which are projector type lights

I'm not sure regarding bulb life as mine are not DRL's - although I have noticed higher wattage bulbs don't last as long.

[Lionelgee]

Hello All,

Apart from checking the terms of longevity in the H4 bulbs I would also like to get a brighter light. I just checked out the Phillips range again and they offer H4 headlight globes GT200 Racing Vision that are advertised as 200% Brighter Halogen ADR P43t which have the Colour Temperature 3600K. While the bulb is still has a 60 / 55 Wattage.

Some other brands are offering 90 and 100 Wattage H4 bulbs.

Since I just fitted my last spare headlight globe out of the glove box for my own piece of mind I need to buy some replacements to store away in the car. I could get cheap off the shelf lights that most spare parts stores stock. Or I could invest in a more expensive set that will improve the brightness of my night vision on country roads.

Oh and I am not talking about getting a set of Stedi headlights where just the H4 bulbs - without a conversion kit - is worth over $150 either.

Stedi H4 Copper Head LED Headlight Globes (Pair) AUD $155.00 Accessed 24th August 2025 from, STEDI? Copper Head H4 LED Globe Headlight Upgrade (Pair)

(https://www.stedi.com.au/copper-head-h4-led-head-light-conversion-kit.html)I have to consider the replacement value of the Commodore after all. Not much point putting in a lighting system that is worth more than my old faithful Commodore!

Hmmm. I could also transfer this knowledge to Snowy my Defender 110 for its main stock standard headlights too. However, Snowy will be getting some nice and bright accessory lighting to complement night driving better than just a set of headlights.

Kind regards
Lionel

[Slunnie]

My experiences are that all of these 200%(etc) brighter bulbs don't make much difference compared to a standard bulb.

[p38arover]

I don't think I've ever replaced a halogen headlight bulb.

[JDNSW]

1. Headlight bulb life is as heavily dependent on the vehicle as it is on the wattage. Some vehicles have a reputation for short lived bulbs, probably mainly due to how good the cooling is, which varies enormously between designs, but also the level of vibration it is subjected to. (also see 2.)

2. Headlight bulb life (and brightness) is heavily dependent on the voltage the bulb gets. After decades of good bulb life on the 110, I started blowing headlight bulbs - turned out to be the alternator had decided to run excess voltage. This also probably explained the melted stoplight lenses, which I had blamed on poor grade of plastic in replacement lenses (due to fading).

If you are finding headlights inadequate, the first step is to check the voltage at the lights. If it is below about 13.8v with the alternator charging, you need to find out why, and fix it Increasing wattage will only make it worse. Landrovers before Defender did not have headlight relays, and headlight wiring is barely adequate for the standard wattage, and woefully inadequate for anything higher. And there are often poor connections, especially earths, to make it worse. I fitted headlight relays to both my 110 and 2a, giving a marked improvement in light, on the 110 supplying the relay with power from the alternator battery terminal, and on the 2a running an extra earth wire from battery to the radiator support as well as supplying power direct from the battery positive - which has a direct wire to the alternator. In both cases the lights were dramatically improved.

3. An intermittent connection to the headlights, either power or earth will rapidly blow bulbs. SImilarly, continuous operation, with lights switching on and off every time you park, will shorten bulb life.

4. There seems to be some difference in life between brands, but it is minor compared to the above.

[austastar]

Hi,
I used to ride a BMW for decades with the high beam modulated through a Q-Switch.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250824/a49e06ca37a65c2d68b82706c0442b9e.jpg

The H4 lamp lasted over 200,000 km.

Cheers

[TonyC]

Our Subaru has a headlight always on setting, when used we get short bulb life.
My theory is its having the lights on while cranking, I have no proof to back it up.

Brand name long life bulbs last much longer.

Any sort of plus type bulb is even shorter lived.

I've never run high wattage bulb due to it having plastic headlight lenses.

Tony

[Lionelgee]

Hello Slunnie,

Looks like for the interim an off the shelf bog standard - just in case - headlight bulbs will keep me covered until I delve further into the realm of lighting alternatives.

How long do the bulbs in your standard as per the manufacturer's head lights last you?

Kind regards
Lionel

[Lionelgee]

Our Subaru has a headlight always on setting, when used we get short bulb life.
My theory is its having the lights on while cranking, I have no proof to back it up.

Brand name long life bulbs last much longer.

Any sort of plus type bulb is even shorter lived.

I've never run high wattage bulb due to it having plastic headlight lenses.

Tony

Hello Tony,

Thank you for the post. Yes the 'having plastic headlight lenses' and their melting is my concern too. I have some ceramic plugs that I bought to replace the ones on my Series Land Rovers that fell apart soon as I touched any headlight. The ceramics might solve the plug melting issue if I get higher wattage bulbs. However they will not solve the plastic lens melting issue.

Kind regards
Lionel

[Lionelgee]

Hello All,

I was having a yarn with a friend of mine the other day who was an owner/mechanic/driver of a rally car in the 1990s. The discussion was about what he would replace his old set of Super Cibie Oscars that were fitted to his old rally car with if he were racing a newer car now. This opened up discussions about Stedi lighting systems. Hence my knowledge of the current price of their H4 lights. Then my Commodore blew its passenger side headlights. There hangs a tale. Plus the opening of the current thread.

Kind regards
Lionel

[gromit]

I've recently ordered 'Philips' H7 globes from Ali Express at a fraction of the local price.
As yet untested but in the wife's Territory I'm changing one per year, next one fitted will be from Ali Express and I'll see how it lasts.

Be careful with the pricing, a lot of low prices on Ali Express are 'New Shopper' deals.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000906546058.html'spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.52.5 53655f4PqymVw&algo_pvid=1dd6a94e-70c4-42a1-af32-83906403dc5c&algo_exp_id=1dd6a94e-70c4-42a1-af32-83906403dc5c-51&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22order%22%3A%229%22%2C%22eval%22%3A %221%22%7D&pdp_npi=6%40dis%21AUD%216.81%216.81%21%21%214.31%2 14.31%21%402101ef5e17560240528746753e2cc0%21120000 29076996971%21sea%21AU%210%21ABX%211%210%21n_tag%3 A-29910%3Bd%3A2a229059%3Bm03_new_user%3A-29895&curPageLogUid=SPl2CJAIJZJb&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A%7Cx_object_id%3 A4000906546058%7C_p_origin_prod%3A

I'm guessing the globes we buy here are made in the same factory but they can't sell them at Australian prices in China.

People have suggested they are knock offs but it would cost a huge amount of money to set up a facility for making globes.


Colin

[Lionelgee]

I've recently ordered 'Philips' H7 globes from Ali Express at a fraction of the local price.
As yet untested but in the wife's Territory I'm changing one per year, next one fitted will be from Ali Express and I'll see how it lasts.

Be careful with the pricing, a lot of low prices on Ali Express are 'New Shopper' deals.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000906546058.html'spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.52.5 53655f4PqymVw&algo_pvid=1dd6a94e-70c4-42a1-af32-83906403dc5c&algo_exp_id=1dd6a94e-70c4-42a1-af32-83906403dc5c-51&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22order%22%3A%229%22%2C%22eval%22%3A %221%22%7D&pdp_npi=6%40dis%21AUD%216.81%216.81%21%21%214.31%2 14.31%21%402101ef5e17560240528746753e2cc0%21120000 29076996971%21sea%21AU%210%21ABX%211%210%21n_tag%3 A-29910%3Bd%3A2a229059%3Bm03_new_user%3A-29895&curPageLogUid=SPl2CJAIJZJb&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A%7Cx_object_id%3 A4000906546058%7C_p_origin_prod%3A

I'm guessing the globes we buy here are made in the same factory but they can't sell them at Australian prices in China.

People have suggested they are knock offs but it would cost a huge amount of money to set up a facility for making globes.


Colin

Hello Colin,

So a similar time frame on changing bulbs on the Territory to my Commodore. How old is the Ford, Colin?

Kind regards
Lionel

[gromit]

Hello Colin,

So a similar time frame on changing bulbs on the Territory to my Commodore. How old is the Ford, Colin?

Kind regards
Lionel

9 years old.
Can't remember changing a headlamp globe for the first 5 years, maybe OEM's get a different quality.
Although it could be that SWMBO drives with the lights on.
I don't think I ever turned the spotlights on in the 5 years I had it from new, now I'm replacing spotlight globes (H11's).


Colin

[Reddirt204]

My Wife's '15 Prado has lights on all the time, and was blowing a H7 about 12-16 months, very annoying to say the least, early last year I changed over to an LED direct fit (can't remember the brand) from Repco, seem to work well, cut off is pretty good. The only issue is on the box in tiny writing is the fact it states not ADR compliant..... but I figure if they are adjusted correctly they will be fine as most of the newer cars have LED's and some are very badly adjusted..

Cheers
Redd

[JDNSW]

When I have no alternator issues on the County, bulbs last around a decade, but they are not on all the time, only when I am on a highway. On the other hand, my son has had thre Hyundai I30s, runs them always on, and usually changes bulbs several times a year on all three.

One point about increased wattage bulbs I did not mention - Landrovers without headlight relays will certainly have switch problems. In fact, this is likely even without higher wattage bulbs. Before fitting relays to my 110 (I never had higher wattage bulbs, but I suspect the previous owner may have) I had to replace both the headlight switch and the "multifunction switch" (blinker/high/low/horn) due to the contacts overheating and melting the plastic the contacts were mounted on. Both switches are ridiculously expensive, and the multifunction one is a real pain to replace.

[gromit]

My Wife's '15 Prado has lights on all the time, and was blowing a H7 about 12-16 months, very annoying to say the least, early last year I changed over to an LED direct fit (can't remember the brand) from Repco, seem to work well, cut off is pretty good. The only issue is on the box in tiny writing is the fact it states not ADR compliant..... but I figure if they are adjusted correctly they will be fine as most of the newer cars have LED's and some are very badly adjusted..

Cheers
Redd

A friend in the UK used to work for an automotive lighting manufacturer and explained.....
The reflector must be designed for an LED globe. An LED shouldn't be used in a headlamp designed for an incandescent globe, they are different.
Modern vehicles have reflectors designed to be used with LED globes.

The small print is a cop out for when you get knocked back on a roady.


Colin

[austastar]

Hi, the LED cob is a different shape to the halogen filament. Thus the beam column will not be the same as the legislated shape.
Cheers

[V8Ian]

Shock and vibration are the biggest killers of filamented globes.

[BradC]

A friend in the UK used to work for an automotive lighting manufacturer and explained.....
The reflector must be designed for an LED globe. An LED shouldn't be used in a headlamp designed for an incandescent globe, they are different.

Indeed.

Even when "adjusted properly" a LED in an incandescent fitting is highly likely to spew glare at oncoming motorists. All well and good adjusting what you see as the cutoff but without expensive test gear you'll be unable to measure and assess the scattered glare (which is part of the ADR process oddly enough). Frankly most of them aren't adjusted correctly anyway and most cars with incandescent don't have self-leveling lamps, so as soon as you put some load in the back your "adjustment" goes out the window in any case.

Every time I see a car that has retrofitted low beams coming towards me or from behind me I want to get out and smash the headlights. ****ing selfish idiots with zero clue.

The small print is there to highlight they are illegal for a reason.

[cjc_td5]

I think one of the biggest issues with short bulb life is using the headlights on auto modes, where they turn on and off regularly. They never get a chance to get to temperature before turning off again. You see it everywhere when vehicles go under bridges etc, where the headlights turn on for 20 seconds or so... And when I come home in to the garage, the headlights turn on, only for me to turn them off after 10 seconds when I kill the engine...

With older vehicles the lights were either on or off for longer periods.

Chris

[Captain_Rightfoot]

I used to by the high output ones. They seemed to last not very long at all.

I've just put Narva LED replacements in. Great upgrade. They say they last a long time.

[gromit]

I used to by the high output ones. They seemed to last not very long at all.

I've just put Narva LED replacements in. Great upgrade. They say they last a long time.

But, as discussed earlier, not legal unless the reflector is designed for LED's.


Colin

[BradC]

I just did a quick comparo of H7 lamps (because that's what the D3 uses and I have handy). Rated lifetimes seem to be between 350-450 hours.
I do ~12,000km a year at an average speed of about 60kph, so about 200 hours.

I probably do a 60/40 city / country split and I'd say 20% of the city is at night. So 64% of the time I have the lights on, mostly low beam. That's about 128 hours on the low beams per year. Using a 450 hour rated lamp (like the one I have in the car) that gives me about 3.5 years.

Last set of bulbs were replaced in late 2022 and they lasted about 4.5 years from install in early 2018. Now 2020 I was in Melbourne for 6 months, so my folks had the car and didn't drive it much. Due to stuff across 2019-2021 we did far less in total and very little country driving. If I look at the K's and estimate they probably should have gone another 6-12 months, but near enough for AULRO.

[RANDLOVER]

Interesting my D3 has HID's for the low beam and H7's for the bright and IIRC I've never changed the brights, as they probably only get used on the weekends. I did change the LH HID once, as a kangaroo's tail hit it, very expensive, so that adds to the shock and vibration argument.

[V8Ian]

Brights! I hate the way US parlance is taking over our language. :bat:

[RANDLOVER]

Me too, it's amazing how it creeps in, my pet peeves lately are how people say lick of paint instead of coat and bunch of whatever instead of a lot of.

LED lights might make crash investigation more difficult as forensics could tell a lamp was lit when damaged as the filament would burn out in air, and a hot filament would stretch under sudden deceleration.

[Captain_Rightfoot]

But, as discussed earlier, not legal unless the reflector is designed for LED's.


Colin

It's interesting .. if you read the narva blurb.. they are designed to be identical to halogen bulbs. The light they throw is the same. It's just the regs only describe filaments.

10 years ago you would have stood out but these days I doubt anyone would know. Do make sure your headlights are aligned and you aren't shooting possums.

Best upgrade I've done in a while. Not just low beam either. Really filled out high beam. The LED bar is great but now the both are better. Plus less load on the electricals.

[BradC]

It's interesting .. if you read the narva blurb.. they are designed to be identical to halogen bulbs. The light they throw is the same. It's just the regs only describe filaments.

The laws of physics disagree. A filament provides a 360 degree light source of a specific length in a specific location and the manufacturer of the housing and reflector has designed around that. It is impossible for a LED to provide the same light in the same location. At best they can provide one LED element with up to 180 degree of emission in approximately the same location, however any LED placed to emit the rear half of that 180 degrees is going to be necessarily displaced by the thickness of the LED, PCB and heatsink. That offsets the light source and its reflected output is going to move vs the approved filament. Also, while it is theoretically possible for a LED to emit 180 degrees of light in practice the light is often weaker toward the extremes due to the encapsulation.

The Narva bulb I just looked at has part of the heatsink as a "shade" to try and provide some shaping of the beam, which is great for they reflectors they designed around but will be different for others.

They are not ADR approved because they can't be. I guarantee if someone could produce a drop in LED upgrade that could be made to comply they'd have them tested and approved because they'd clean up the market. They are illegal for a very good reason.

[shack]

I'm not sure all LED bulbs are illegal in Australia, but it might be hard or expensive to get ones that are.

Often requiring a completely different reflector assembly, self leveling suspension or self leveling lights.

This is not the ADR website but gives a reasonable overview:

LED Headlights Conversions is Legal in Australia? (https://www.automotiveglobespecialist.com/post/led-headlights-conversions-is-legal-in-australia'srsltid=AfmBOoqf9zg2Uo0a75AYxpR1m93qsZpu cSBweMaTcE36GISPGHKPnbCR)


And expensive ish:

https://ebay.us/m/RJjsba

[Captain_Rightfoot]

The laws of physics disagree. A filament provides a 360 degree light source of a specific length in a specific location and the manufacturer of the housing and reflector has designed around that. It is impossible for a LED to provide the same light in the same location. At best they can provide one LED element with up to 180 degree of emission in approximately the same location, however any LED placed to emit the rear half of that 180 degrees is going to be necessarily displaced by the thickness of the LED, PCB and heatsink. That offsets the light source and its reflected output is going to move vs the approved filament. Also, while it is theoretically possible for a LED to emit 180 degrees of light in practice the light is often weaker toward the extremes due to the encapsulation.

The Narva bulb I just looked at has part of the heatsink as a "shade" to try and provide some shaping of the beam, which is great for they reflectors they designed around but will be different for others.

They are not ADR approved because they can't be. I guarantee if someone could produce a drop in LED upgrade that could be made to comply they'd have them tested and approved because they'd clean up the market. They are illegal for a very good reason.

They tried really hard to shape the light. From outside the car the shape of the beam looks identical to the old globes.

From their product website. This has been my experience. I'm not being flashed by oncoming cars. I did try and link a photo but alas...


PRECISION BEAM CONTROL
Unlike other L.E.D globes, Narva's range feature a halogenlike low beam cut off projection. Oncoming road users won't be dazzled by stray light

[V8Ian]

I'm not sure all LED bulbs are illegal in Australia, but it might be hard or expensive to get ones that are.

Often requiring a completely different reflector assembly, self leveling suspension or self leveling lights.

This is not the ADR website but gives a reasonable overview:

LED Headlights Conversions is Legal in Australia? (https://www.automotiveglobespecialist.com/post/led-headlights-conversions-is-legal-in-australia'srsltid=AfmBOoqf9zg2Uo0a75AYxpR1m93qsZpu cSBweMaTcE36GISPGHKPnbCR)


And expensive ish:

https://ebay.us/m/RJjsba
LED bulbs are not illegal per se, but they are when used as replacement in a reflector designed for halogen bulbs.

[gromit]

I'm not sure all LED bulbs are illegal in Australia, but it might be hard or expensive to get ones that are.

Often requiring a completely different reflector assembly, self leveling suspension or self leveling lights.


As you say....an ADR approved LED globe is fine in a reflector designed for LED's.
Fitting an LED in a reflector designed for an incandescent globe isn't legal.

The auto shops don't care "didn't you read the instructions, it states that they don't meet ADR mate". A bit like the high wattage globes 'For competition use only' clearly marked on the box.


Colin

[BradC]

As you say....an ADR approved LED globe is fine in a reflector designed for LED's.
Fitting an LED in a reflector designed for an incandescent globe isn't legal.

I had a bit of time today so I went through both :
- Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 46/00 - Headlamps) 2006; and
- VEHICLE STANDARD (AUSTRALIAN DESIGN RULE 46/00 - HEADLAMPS) 2006 VOLUME 2.

I wanted to do this because in a round about way a link to this was posted : LED headlights globes adr compliant h1 h3 h4 h7 h11 9005 toyota hilux, landcruiser commodore ranger (https://www.lumenpro.com.au/lumenpro-adr-compliant-led-headlight-globes-sold-a)

Those lamps are *apparently* ADR compliant (whatever that means) because they are stamped with ECE R112. They may even be tested to comply with ECE R112. In this instance it doesn't matter.

Light sources (globes, leds, whatever) are not ADR approved. The headlight is ADR approved. The headlight is the entire assembly from the light source to the reflector and through the lens fitted in the vehicle with a specific configuration.

You can not fit an alternative light source to a fitting designed for a different source and be compliant. Full stop.

Now, can you fit a led to the headlight and have it tested? Sure, the conditions are in Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 46/00 - Headlamps) 2006 section 2. Unless the entire assembly has been tested and passed with the alternative light source, no matter what is stamped on the lamp your headlight does not comply.

This is an interesting quote from : Developing ECE R112 Street-Legal LED Headlight Bulbs: V23 LED Performance
? CN360 LED (https://cn360led.com/blogs/news/how-to-develop-an-ece-r112-street-legal-led-headlight-bulb)

Bold emphasis mine.

Creating Road-Legal LED Bulbs

How should we create a road-legal LED bulb? Let's take a cue from Philips and Osram. On their official websites, we can easily find statements like this regarding their bulbs: The LED bulbs can be used on roads in countries that have given approval, but only on certain vehicle models and with specific types of lighting.

So, the "approved" bulbs are certified only for certain countries and specific lists of compatible vehicles.

Certification involves photometric testing by third-party labs. Philips and Osram collaborate with T?V-S'd, which assesses each headlamp according to their procedures. The main test verifies if the beam patterns meet UNECE R112 standards. If the photometric requirements are satisfied, the headlamp is likely to be included in the "approved" list. Some headlamps will pass, while others may not, largely depending on the optics.


The vehicle compatibility lists provided by Philips and Osram cover over 450 vehicle models. This implies conducting tests on headlights for hundreds of vehicle models, resulting in significant and costly testing expenses. This is a cost that only large companies can afford. If your company has the capability, you can also proceed in this manner.



Now Australian compliance works the same way, so if your LED vendor runs the testing process with your specific headlamp and it passes then it could be deemed compliant. It may not however, depending on the optics. Narva aren't going to do that because they'd have to test each vehicle separately.

There are no LEDs that you can retrofit into a headlamp designed for an incandescent lamp and remain compliant with the ADRs.

Edit : Oh look. I did that back in 2018 as well : H7 Halogen to LED bulb upgrade (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/l319-discovery-3-and-4-a/264580-h7-halogen-led-bulb-upgrade-post2837844.html#post2837844)
How time flies.

[Captain_Rightfoot]

That's all very interesting, but there may or may not be several other things that might not be strictly adr legal that many of us have done. 🤔

Things like engine maps, egr deletes, cat deletes, lifts etc etc. 🫣

in the scheme these mods I feel as though it's fairly minor. I think if you aligned them well there would be no issues.

I can't see the cops taking a dim view of it. 😂

[V8Ian]

That's all very interesting, but there may or may not be several other things that might not be strictly adr legal that many of us have done. 🤔

Things like engine maps, egr deletes, cat deletes, lifts etc etc. 🫣

in the scheme these mods I feel as though it's fairly minor. I think if you aligned them well there would be no issues.

I can't see the cops taking a dim view of it. 😂
That depends which side of the light you are looking from.

[RANDLOVER]

The after-market LED's are so annoying I'm tempted to say Qld should have annual road worthiness checks to get them off the roads.

[AK83]

I think headlight globe life is inversely proportional to the difficulty of replacing them. If they're easy to replace, they last a lifetime. [biggrin]

Some cars are easy-peasy, some cars are a downright nightmare!

Peugeot 307 is one of the hardest I've had to do. Retaining clips are far too deep in the rear section of the assembly to get a hand in there and manipulate it.
On the pug, I think I left it until only had 1 low beam remaining working(out of the 4 bulbs in the system) where I switched all to LEDs.
I also remember the old Ford Explorer was a nightmare too. Pretty much entire front body plastics have to come off.

D2/D2 easy-peasy to do. No tools needed. Only reason I switched to LEDs there, they are so much better than halogens.

D2a is a bit more fiddly than D1/D2, but reasonable. I relented and just got LEDs for it ... coz I could! [biggrin]

[350RRC]

The after-market LED's are so annoying I'm tempted to say Qld should have annual road worthiness checks to get them off the roads.

I had major problems with 2 vehicles in 2 days recently, one approaching and one following. I wasn't driving the RRC.

I suspect they were using low beam but the adjustment was out. The light was blinding.

Re: lamps........... Had hid inserts in the RRC for quite a few years and they were great, had them aimed low and never got flashed.

I learned back then that the K colour rating claimed was largely meaningless.

One of the ballasts failed, I wasn't needing to travel widely at night any more so I got a pair of Wipac (OEM) lamps and fitted normal wattage halogen globes.

The quality of the glass lenses and the reflectors in these things is outstanding and from memory they were $36 each from an oz supplier.

Hi and lo are on relays to suit and the light is fine.

I also still have narva spots modded with hid inserts for the supernova effect for someone approaching who hasn't dipped their lights.

David L

[Tombie]

I finally had to replace one of the 250w bulbs in one of my fyrlyts after 14 years and hundreds of hours of use.

Expect to change the HIDs in the next few months as colour is changing notably now.

[V8Ian]

I've found the FYRLYTs are let down by the lenses, rather than the globes.

[Tombie]

I've found the FYRLYTs are let down by the lenses, rather than the globes.

Not since the updates?

Borosilicate glass and a positive locking metal housing - they don't have any failures now.