I have heard, and it also says in my manual, that HID lamps will only"fire" or light up a certain number of times (unspecified). As such, I always make a point to turn the lights off before entering my garage, as the garage is dim enough to activate the lights even in the day. Will this lengthen the lifespan of the bulbs considerably, or am I wasting my effort?

Mark
'03 G35 Coupe

 

this seems like a hassle to me...I wouldn't sweat the small stuff and just change the bulbs when its time.

 

HID light life is mostly dependent on the number of times they are started up. Doesn't matter if the lamp is cold or hot. Has nothing with turning off the bulb, or the duration of operation before turning the lamp off either. Just the hot strike. This is because, to ionize the gas in the lamp, a much higher voltage (from the ballast) is required to "start" it. Then once its ionized and running, the voltage is reduced and the lamp runs normally.

 

^ right on.

They draw very little juice when on, but look at them like a match. You strike the match and it's instantly a large flame, but calms down then slowly burn away at the stick.

In my opinion, it doesn't matter. Good HID bulbs will last 6-7 years with average use. I don't use my automatic lights though, so I don't really mind....

 

yah i was just reading something about them.. so maybe thats why mine are going out so fast.. i always turn them on even in the daylight... i didnt think it mattered... guess it really kills the life of the bulbs.

 

Gee; the car is going in 7 years old. I guess I might as well fire them as much as I can, so I can get some cool new ones! "Gee honey, they went out so I HAD TO replace them!"

 

great plan - you must be married!

 

haha nice^

 

I have a set whenever you ready 8000k 70 shipped.