HID Lifespan?

JeffKeryk

JeffKeryk

Joined
Jan 9, 2010
Messages
23,886
Location
Los Gatos, CA
After reading the Oshram HID thread, I got to wondering...
Our 2013 GS350 is pushing 12 years old and has 116K on the clock. Almost always garaged, if that helps.

Should I consider replacing the bulbs?
I appreciate your thoughts.

FYI I have a Cerakote Lens polish kit... So don't judge me!
1749150130152.webp
 
D2S/D3S and the other HID's do decline in output from the very start. What's more, the special sauce they add to bring down the color temperature is also consumed over time, so the color temperature tends to rise over time.

But as I am sure you know, aftermarket replacement bulbs can easily be lower output than the used OEM quality bulbs.

If you do choose to replace the bulbs, a good bit of research will help you get a good result. Some folks have found LED replacements that work. I'm not convinced yet.
hidoutputcurve.jpg
 
Last edited:
Cujet said:
D2S bulbs do decline in output from the very start. What's more, the special sauce they add to bring down the color temperature is also consumed over time, so the color temperature tends to rise over time.

But as I am sure you know, aftermarket replacement bulbs can easily be lower output than the used OEM quality bulbs.
Click to expand...
Yeah, pay once cry once... I've never been sorry I sprung for quality.

I think this car is a bit of a pain to service the bulbs.
 
JeffKeryk said:
After reading the Oshram HID thread, I got to wondering...
Our 2013 GS350 is pushing 12 years old and has 116K on the clock. Almost always garaged, if that helps.

Should I consider replacing the bulbs?
I appreciate your thoughts.

FYI I have a Cerakote Lens polish kit... So don't judge me!
View attachment 283336
Click to expand...
Checknout hidplanet. I'm sure they have more than color shifted by now. Do they have a pinkish hue or cast a blueish hue? If so that's the telltale sign. Personally I'd go with a newer set of GE bulbs that were oem on some Cadillacs and maybe Lexus. They're 4600k and emit 3600 lumens vs 3200 lumens. Be careful as there are are now D1S,D2S ( which yours most likely are) all the way through I think D8S (Which are not compatible as they are mercury free).
 
HID bulbs last about 2,000-3,000 hours. If you notice you can't see as well as before, the light output seems either more "white" or "pink" than standard, your bulbs may be near the end of life.

Philips HID bulbs usually turn more white when they're closer to their end of life. (some would consider this a favorable outcome LOL)

Osram HID bulbs tend to turn more pink when they're almost out.

At that mileage, it wouldn't hurt to get new HID bulbs. Right now, there are quite a few nice OEM brand bulbs that are upgraded like the Philips Xtremevision HID bulbs or the Osram Nightbreaker HID bulbs. These bulbs are strictly for performance and seeing better. Might as well max out what you've got!
 
normal username said:
At that mileage, it wouldn't hurt to get new HID bulbs. Right now, there are quite a few nice OEM brand bulbs that are upgraded like the Philips Xtremevision HID bulbs or the Osram Nightbreaker HID bulbs. These bulbs are strictly for performance and seeing better. Might as well max out what you've got!
Click to expand...
The downside to most bulbs that boast higher output is much shorter life.
 
JeffKeryk said:
Yeah, pay once cry once... I've never been sorry I sprung for quality.

I think this car is a bit of a pain to service the bulbs.
Click to expand...
What others say...get a name brand from a trusted source, as there are a lot of fake bulbs out now.
Also, due to a recommendation here, I went with Philips Xenon XtremeVision V2 DS2 last year and they have a bit better output that the oem Philips. I like them.
 
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@JeffKeryk - are they even user-replaceable? In our ‘14GS the book wrote it as a dealer item and said it was not a homeowner task. Not that we can’t do it ourselves but that was pretty wild to me. I seem to recall observing that it may have been a bumper-off job to pull the assemblies out and then swap the bulbs, by which time you’re wondering if you should do the ballasts and igniters while that far in.

I prefer a good Philips HID over LED.
 
meep said:
@JeffKeryk - are they even user-replaceable? In our ‘14GS the book wrote it as a dealer item and said it was not a homeowner task. Not that we can’t do it ourselves but that was pretty wild to me. I seem to recall observing that it may have been a bumper-off job to pull the assemblies out and then swap the bulbs, by which time you’re wondering if you should do the ballasts and igniters while that far in.

I prefer a good Philips HID over LED.
Click to expand...
There are a number of DIY tutorials on youtube. Doesn't look at all complicated:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=013+gs350+bulb+replacement
 
meep said:
@JeffKeryk - are they even user-replaceable? In our ‘14GS the book wrote it as a dealer item and said it was not a homeowner task. Not that we can’t do it ourselves but that was pretty wild to me. I seem to recall observing that it may have been a bumper-off job to pull the assemblies out and then swap the bulbs, by which time you’re wondering if you should do the ballasts and igniters while that far in.

I prefer a good Philips HID over LED.
Click to expand...
Cuss words may be required. What's a poor boy to do?
 
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