Silverstar Ultras

[ga93sle]

So wayyyy back in the day when I had my SLE, I had the headlight bulbs upgraded to Silverstar Ultras and absolutely loved them, had them in that car for a couple years before it got totaled, so when it came time to replace a bulb in the Kia, I decided this would be a good route. I replaced them about 8 months ago, went with Silverstar Ultras in the headlights (9003s I believe), and front and side markers, and basic Sylvanias in the foglights (apparently they don't make Silverstar Ultras in my foglight size.) I have loved them ever day I've had them until the other night when one burned out. Now like I said, I did have them in my 93 forever, but I do remember reading about problems with bulb life longevity, so I'm just curious anyone else's experience with them...

[J Wikoff]

I've bought one set. They were decent for my wife's old Grand Am for a couple months, then they burnt out within a day or two of each other.

[CMNTMXR57]

Silverstars and Silverstar Ultra's are garbage and the biggest marketing snake water sales out there.

Fact: They do not put out any more light (lumen output) than OEM bulbs.
Fact: They have the shelf live of a loaf of bread. Why? In order to get the higher kelvin rating (the blue'ish color that your mind tricks you into thinking you're seeing better, when in fact you're not (as again, they have the same lumen output as a stock bulb), you have to overdrive the filament. Overdriving the filament shortens life.

Here is the stats (I posted this before)

Don't waste your time with Silverstars. Biggest P.O.S. headlight scam on the market. You aren't getting any more lumen output than a regular bulb. All it does is increase the Kelvin rating. In order to this, it overdrives the filament. That means you shorten the life of the bulb. Essentially Silverstars have the life of a wet fart.

Your stock bulbs are 9005 (high beam), and 9006 (low beams)

9006 Lumen Output: 1,000 lumens
9006 Kelvin Rating: 3,100k
Life: 1,000 hours

9005 Lumen Output: 1,700 lumens
9005 Kelvin Rating: 3,100k
Life: 320 hours

Here are Silverstar stats;
9006 Lumen Output: 1,000 lumens (the same as the stock 9006)
9006 Kelvin Rating: 4,000k
Life: 200 hours

9005 Lumen Output: 1,700 lumens (the same as the stock 9005)
9005 Kelvin Rating: 4,000k
Life: 100 hours

Silverstar Ultra's
9006 Lumen Output: 1,000 Lumens (same as stock)
9006 Kelvin Rating: 4,100k
Life: 200 hours

9005 Lumen Output: 1,700 lumens (same as stock)
9005 Kelvin Rating: 4,100k
Life: 100 hours

DON'T PISS YOUR MONEY AWAY ON SILVERSTARS! You'll spend more upfront and do so much more frequently to get that "bluer" light that is so desirable, but you will NOT get any more effective in illuminating the road in front of you.

[nos4blood70]

Yup, what Lane said. Normal, clear halogens or HIRs would be your best bet.

My Ultras lasted me two months.

[dangrus4060]

Been running Ultras (hi and lo beams) in both my SSEi and me daughter's SE for 5 years now...and we both do a lot of nighttime driving...

Now the Ultra fogs did not last very long, put regular Sylvania fogs back in.... running on 5 years now.

[spoiledred94]

Silverstars and Silverstar Ultra's are garbage and the biggest marketing snake water sales out there.

Fact: They do not put out any more light (lumen output) than OEM bulbs.

I find myself liking the glow of blue eyed opposing traffic. But its a fad and I don't need to spend that money.

Lance, what is snake WATER?

[CMNTMXR57]

A buncha B.S.

[xxdabroxx]

I have been running them in my truck for a long time. They do seem to have a shorter life, about a year is all I would get out of them. Always wanted to do a retrofit, just too cheap/ lazy.

[CMNTMXR57]

It's not a matter that they seem to. They do. I list the average hour life above. Those are from Sylvania.

[Wes]

A buncha B.S.

I have always heard the phrase snake OIL. I think that is what he was trying to say.

But, it's probably similar to the discussion of doughnuts vs cookies. And not the edible kind.

[CMNTMXR57]

Yes

[1oldman]

And here I thought that snake water was all that was left after the snake was through with the oil. - BC