Headlamp replacement or a bigger problem?

[mvcv]

Hi,

I replaced my 2004 Pilot's low beam headlamps about six months ago, primarily because one had burnt out and chose the Philips X-Treme H4 on the recommendation of a friend. I gave the working OEM headlamp to a relative who owns the same year Pilot so don't have that one anymore.

Anyway, now the headlamp has burned out again, on the same side as it did six months ago. Given that the original headlamp lasted six years it seems odd that this one burned out so fast. So it is just that the Philips don't last as long or should I be suspicious that there's a problem on the same side again and maybe something in the assembly is burning them out or has otherwise malfunctioned?

Also the last recommendation I found on here for replacement headlamps was over a year ago, what are the best options these days? I prefer white light, and liked having ones that were brighter than the OEM ones.

Thanks in advance,
Monica

[rocky]

Anything other than the basic headlight bulb has very short life span.

My Factory original light bulbs lasted 105k before one went out and I replaced both with silverstars. One silverstar lasted 5k so I put the remaining original bulb back in. The other silverstar lasted another 3k before blowing at 4am in the morning of a drive to SC.

The simplest ones last far longer. Don't waste you money on others

[xGS]

Originally Posted by mvcv

I replaced my 2004 Pilot's low beam headlamps about six months ago, primarily because one had burnt out and chose the Philips X-Treme H4 on the recommendation of a friend. I gave the working OEM headlamp to a relative who owns the same year Pilot so don't have that one anymore.

Anyway, now the headlamp has burned out again, on the same side as it did six months ago. Given that the original headlamp lasted six years it seems odd that this one burned out so fast. So it is just that the Philips don't last as long or should I be suspicious that there's a problem on the same side again and maybe something in the assembly is burning them out or has otherwise malfunctioned?

Also the last recommendation I found on here for replacement headlamps was over a year ago, what are the best options these days? I prefer white light, and liked having ones that were brighter than the OEM ones.

The Philips X-treme Power bulbs burn brighter and hotter so, as a result, don't last very long.
The original bulbs were the Philips LongerLife (LL) version, which last almost forever, but have a lower output.

The best compromise between brightness and life seems to be either the Philips VisionPlus or the Sylvania XtraVision bulbs.
Both are brighter than standard bulbs and should last for a few years.

One thing that can shorten the life of a halogen bulb is low voltage.
If you're still on the original battery or haven't replaced it recently, then have it tested.