Replacement headlight bulb for 2001 Forrester?

[Dolchas]

Greetings all!

I have to replace the bulb for one of the headlights on my 2001
Forrester L. When I went to the auto supply shop, I became a little
confused, so I thought I'd seek clarification in this newsgroup.

At the auto supply place, they had a couple classes of bulbs I could
purchase, one of which claimed to be some kind of "upgrade" that
claims to be 30% brighter. I don't know whether the bulbs that came
with my Forrester were of the regular variety or of the "30% brighter
variety," but I think I'd just like to approximate whatever my car
came with, so I don't have to replace both bulbs.

OR...is it wiser to replace both bulbs at the same time, even if one
of them is still functioning?

I live in a mountainous area where the highway I take to and from work
is a "daylight headlight" highway, which means my headlights end up
being on almost all the time I am driving the car. Consequently, I
would be particularly interested in any kind of replacement bulb that
has a reputation for longevity.

Given the specifics outlined above, what type of bulb is recommended
by denizens of this newsgroup?

I believe the brand of replacement bulbs at the supply store was
Sylvania brand -- should I look for another brand, or order another
brand, or is Sylvania okay?

Are there any particularly tricky elements to bulb replacement that I
should be aware of?

Thanks in advance for any assistance!

Chuck

 

[y_p_w]

Greetings all!

I have to replace the bulb for one of the headlights on my 2001
Forrester L. When I went to the auto supply shop, I became a little
confused, so I thought I'd seek clarification in this newsgroup.

At the auto supply place, they had a couple classes of bulbs I could
purchase, one of which claimed to be some kind of "upgrade" that
claims to be 30% brighter. I don't know whether the bulbs that came
with my Forrester were of the regular variety or of the "30% brighter
variety," but I think I'd just like to approximate whatever my car
came with, so I don't have to replace both bulbs.

Most parts stores I've been to carry Sylvania, GE, or Philips.

I don't know if Daniel J. Stern is monitoring this group. He will
respond to posts on rec.autos.tech. I bought my Osram (not
Sylvania) Silverstar H1 bulbs from him, and have been duly impressed
by how much more of the road I can see at night.

OR...is it wiser to replace both bulbs at the same time, even if one
of them is still functioning?

Definitely if you're upgrading.

I live in a mountainous area where the highway I take to and from work
is a "daylight headlight" highway, which means my headlights end up
being on almost all the time I am driving the car. Consequently, I
would be particularly interested in any kind of replacement bulb that
has a reputation for longevity.

Daniel J. Stern has posted manufacturer's rated life for several
bulbs of the same type. The long-life ones tend to last about twice
as long as the "standard" ones, with a small penalty in light output.
There also seem to be some bulbs that are specifically designed to
last longer in systems with daytime running lights.

Given the specifics outlined above, what type of bulb is recommended
by denizens of this newsgroup?

More light, long life - what is it? It's an either or if all you want
is a new bulb. If you're willing to spend the big bucks, a real (not
drop in bulb) HID retrofit kit will give you both.

I believe the brand of replacement bulbs at the supply store was
Sylvania brand -- should I look for another brand, or order another
brand, or is Sylvania okay?

Sylvania is fine. They are now owned by the German lighting company
Osram. The "30% brighter" bulbs are probably the Sylvania XtraVision
bulbs. Just don't get the "Cool Blue" or the Sylvania Silverstar -
both cost more and produce less light than some of their cheaper bulbs.
Your car uses the 9003 (dual filiment) bulb.

Osram Silverstar bulbs aren't sold through normal channels in the US;
they're supposedly among the best available. You can find specialty
retailers who get them through wholesale importers.

Are there any particularly tricky elements to bulb replacement that I
should be aware of?

Haven't tried it yet on a 9003. The H1 was easier than I thought.
I don't know about the Forrester, but I had to remove the battery
in order to take out one of the bulbs.

 

[Rick Courtright]

purchase, one of which claimed to be some kind of "upgrade" that
claims to be 30% brighter. I don't know whether the bulbs that came

Quite likely a Sylvania Xtra-vision bulb? If so, I'd replace both at the
same time, using your existing "good" bulb as a spare. I've used the
Xtra-vision bulbs in a coupla cars now, and they work for me. Brighter
than stock, not the brightest out there, but there's a cost/benefit
tradeoff that doesn't favor the more expensive bulbs IME. Check with
Daniel Stern as suggested for more info.

I've also found if you burn out an Xtra-vision bulb, you might as well
replace both at the same time: they seem to be very well "quality
controlled" regarding life expectancy! So if one goes, the other one's
not far behind.

Rick

 

[Cam Penner]

Quite likely a Sylvania Xtra-vision bulb? If so, I'd replace both at the
same time, using your existing "good" bulb as a spare. I've used the
Xtra-vision bulbs in a coupla cars now, and they work for me. Brighter
than stock, not the brightest out there, but there's a cost/benefit
tradeoff that doesn't favor the more expensive bulbs IME. Check with
Daniel Stern as suggested for more info.

I've also found if you burn out an Xtra-vision bulb, you might as well
replace both at the same time: they seem to be very well "quality
controlled" regarding life expectancy! So if one goes, the other one's
not far behind.

Wouldn't it be better to change it as late as possible
after the other? Ideally, you'd want several months of
difference between burn out times so you don't lose both of
them on the same trip home...

 

[Rick Courtright]

after the other? Ideally, you'd want several months of
difference between burn out times so you don't lose both of

Good point. That's why I always carry at least one spare. My experience
with the Xtra-vision burn out times is they've gone within 2-4 weeks of
each other. Maybe I've just been "lucky?"

Rick

 

[y_p_w]

Dolchas wrote:




Quite likely a Sylvania Xtra-vision bulb? If so, I'd replace both at the
same time, using your existing "good" bulb as a spare. I've used the
Xtra-vision bulbs in a coupla cars now, and they work for me. Brighter
than stock, not the brightest out there, but there's a cost/benefit
tradeoff that doesn't favor the more expensive bulbs IME. Check with
Daniel Stern as suggested for more info.

I've also found if you burn out an Xtra-vision bulb, you might as well
replace both at the same time: they seem to be very well "quality
controlled" regarding life expectancy! So if one goes, the other one's
not far behind.

These "high output" bulbs seem to have a reduced lifespan. The specs
for the US-sold Sylvania 9003 bulbs (for the 2001 Forrester) are in
the following link:

<http://www.sylvaniaautocatalog.com/sylvania/ProductBrowse_halog.asp?Batchid=76&FigNumber=0,134,135>

Rated low-beam life:
9003 CB (Cool Blue) : 150 hours
9003 LL (Long Life) : 800 hours
9003 ST (Silverstar) : 150 hours
9003 XV (XtraVision) : 150 hours

Really - I haven't heard of anyone with credibility who would recommend
the Cool Blue or (Sylvania) Silverstars. They have a noticeable blue
tinted filter, which makes it bluish by reducing light output.

Those specs don't have the light output, but the long life version is
supposed to have a minimal drop in output compared to the standard
version. I'm not sure which is the "standard" version in the spec,
but I'd guess it's one of the bulbs with the 300 hour rated life. I'm
not sure how much daytime running lights affect the lifespan of the
bulbs, but I'd guess it's minimal compared to fully driving the bulbs.
The rated life is also supposedly conservative, with the bulbs driven
at the maximum voltage.

It sounds like you'd probably be happiest with a "long life" version
of the bulbs. It's you choice.