Silverstar Ultra 9003/HB2 vs OEM headlight bulb comparison

[CTScott]

This past weekend I replaced my headlight bulbs with Sylvania Silverstar Ultra 9003/HB2. I started doing the bloody knuckle method of replacing them, and then decided that it might be fun to pull off the front bumper to allow the headlamp assemblies to be removed as per the service manual. It only took me 30 minutes to change the bulbs this way (and that included about 15 minutes of taking pictures and looking over all that one can see with the bumper off.

to attempt to qualify the difference with the bulbs I took before and after pictures looking out of my garage with the car and camera in identical places. I mounted my digital SLR camera to my tripod, positioned it at head height height, and took pictures in full manual mode so that I could ensure that all settings would be identical.

Here are the pictures. Looking out of my garage door, my driveway rises about 8 feet over 75 feet to the road, and along the right side a 3 foot high retaining wall curves from the corner of the garage out about 50 feet to where the driveway narrows.

OEM Headlight bulbs:
http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo163/ctscott329/Silverstar%20Ultra%20Bulbs/OEMBulbs256.jpg

Sylvania Silverstar Ultra 9003/HB2 bulbs:
http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo163/ctscott329/Silverstar%20Ultra%20Bulbs/SilverstarUltraBulbs256.jpg

Based on the Silverstar's advertised 50% brighter, 40% farther, 50% wider performace, I was expecting a big difference between the before and after shots. As you can see above, the biggest difference is in color.

After I buttoned everything up I took it for a spin and noticed a small difference in the range of the new bulbs, but nothing earth shatterring. I remembered that Bob mentioned in another post that adjusting the lights up a bit makes a big difference. I adjusted mine up about 6 inches at 20 feet and went out for another spin. Bringing them up that amount made a huge difference in range (probably 30 to 50 feet further illumination) and isn't enough to bother drivers approaching me.

I do like the much whiter color of the Ultrastars, but I think that adjusting the lights made the bigger difference for me.


Here are some pictures of my 09 LB as I removed the bumper to change the bulbs:

Bumper off (approximately 5 minutes to remove):
http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo163/ctscott329/Silverstar%20Ultra%20Bulbs/Bumperoff.jpg

Headlight assembly mounting screws:

http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo163/ctscott329/Silverstar%20Ultra%20Bulbs/Screw1.jpg

http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo163/ctscott329/Silverstar%20Ultra%20Bulbs/Screw2.jpg

http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo163/ctscott329/Silverstar%20Ultra%20Bulbs/Screw3.jpg

Headlight Assembly free:
http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo163/ctscott329/Silverstar%20Ultra%20Bulbs/Lightoff.jpg

Socket cover removed and bulb retaining clip released:
http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo163/ctscott329/Silverstar%20Ultra%20Bulbs/BulbRemoval.jpg

Inside of the 09 bumper:
http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo163/ctscott329/Silverstar%20Ultra%20Bulbs/BumperInside.jpg

[DESIGNZIT]

Bought and changed out bulbs for $8.00 labor at the dealership here ......better at that price than bloody knuckles ........Love the SilverStars... and there is a big difference i am seeing in distance and brightness......

[thebarber]

in my experience, silverstars are overpriced....you can get almost any other aftermarket halogen bulb for half the price and itll do the same job

i had 4 sivlerstars (not ultra's, granted) in my matrix (lows and fogs) 3 of 4 burnt within 2 weeks of each other after 10months of use

good luck with yours...

[Klink10]

CT....1st, thanks for the pics. Did you do the bumper remove yourself? How heavy was it? I am a 1 man operation and contemplating this in the future.

[CTScott]

CT....1st, thanks for the pics. Did you do the bumper remove yourself? How heavy was it? I am a 1 man operation and contemplating this in the future.

The bumper was really easy to remove - If memory serves me right, 6 screws on the bottom, 5 plastic pop fasteners on the top by the hood and 2 in the wheel wells. After removing all of them the bumper stays in place until you pull it out from the clips that are at the bottom edge of the front of the headlights.

The bumper could not have weighed more than 10 lbs. In the picture it is sitting on my creeper to keep it from getting scratched.

[ozmdd]

I agree that Silverstars are not going to give you an HID experience, nor are they drastically brighter than OEMs, but I haven't seen any aftermarket bulbs that are truly brighter; just different light colors. If you were to significantly crank-up the wattage of the bulbs, you'd generate more heat, which could be a problem in plastic housings. That being said, I agree that the color is more pleasing and crisper, and I've had some 6000K aftermarket (ebay) H4's in my Jeep for 4 years now that I REALLY like, and I don't get flashed ever, even when I forget that my hi-beams are on. :)
Also, you shouldn't be getting bloody knuckles when you change them, so long as you take your time.

[thebarber]

I agree that Silverstars are not going to give you an HID experience, nor are they drastically brighter than OEMs, but I haven't seen any aftermarket bulbs that are truly brighter; just different light colors. If you were to significantly crank-up the wattage of the bulbs, you'd generate more heat, which could be a problem in plastic housings. That being said, I agree that the color is more pleasing and crisper, and I've had some 6000K aftermarket (ebay) H4's in my Jeep for 4 years now that I REALLY like, and I don't get flashed ever, even when I forget that my hi-beams are on. :)
Also, you shouldn't be getting bloody knuckles when you change them, so long as you take your time.

ive had hid's....no halogen is anywhere close to bright

i run higher wattage bulbs in my yaris (with a heavy duty harness) but its nowhere near hid's...

[CTScott]

Scott, a little side note if i may. when you took the pictures did you keep the White Balance setting on auto or did you use the ambient white ( blank sheet of paper so the SLR can measure the white)? with this i believe you can achieve a better comparison

I set it manually using a white card.

After I completed the swap and downloaded the pics, I realized that it would have been better to do the comparison somewhere flat and wide open.

[gid]

I believe the filaments need time to break in . We use the ULTRAs in the '08 sedan . The sedan bulbs are much easier than the Liftback . No need to remove the bumper . The headlights were out of align from the factory , so had to raise the drivers side up . Seems fine now . Figure these should last longer since the '08 sedan doesn't have daytime running lights . These bulbs seem to blow during extreme changes in temperature , especially beginning of winter .

[LtNoogie]

CT....1st, thanks for the pics. Did you do the bumper remove yourself? How heavy was it? I am a 1 man operation and contemplating this in the future.

You can find the shop manual for removing exterior trim here:

http://www.etimago.com/yaris/repairmanual/Exterior.pdf

[Klink10]

CT- Thanks
LT Noogie- I got the manual, was just curious. :smile:

[YarisSedan]

in my experience, silverstars are overpriced....you can get almost any other aftermarket halogen bulb for half the price and itll do the same job

i had 4 sivlerstars (not ultra's, granted) in my matrix (lows and fogs) 3 of 4 burnt within 2 weeks of each other after 10months of use

good luck with yours...

if they are burning out its because you got the oil from your fingers on the bulb. Any halogen bulb will burn out after 2 weeks if you get any fingerprints whatsoever when installing.

[PETERPOOP]

i think you read it wrong. he said after 10 months of use, the bulbs burnt out within 2 weeks of eachother? i think that's right

[33OH]

I've never removed the bumper to get my headlight bulbs out. In fact, I've never removed anything. Just get your hand behind the bulb and unclip the clip and pull the bulb out. Wasn't hard.

And I agree, I went from OEM to SilverStar Ultras and didn't see hardly any difference besides color.

I went to 8000K HID's and I can see everything. I do get brighted/flipped off/the hand/etc. though, and I have mine pointed down farther than stock to try and not blind anyone.

But it's worth it!

[CTScott]

I've never removed the bumper to get my headlight bulbs out. In fact, I've never removed anything. Just get your hand behind the bulb and unclip the clip and pull the bulb out. Wasn't hard.

And I agree, I went from OEM to SilverStar Ultras and didn't see hardly any difference besides color.

I went to 8000K HID's and I can see everything. I do get brighted/flipped off/the hand/etc. though, and I have mine pointed down farther than stock to try and not blind anyone.

But it's worth it!

Did you just do the 8000K HID bulbs, or did you change the entire headlight assembly?

[33OH]

Did you just do the 8000K HID bulbs, or did you change the entire headlight assembly?

Just the 8000K bulbs. Same with the SilverStars, just the bulbs.

[CTScott]

Just the 8000K bulbs. Same with the SilverStars, just the bulbs.

No problems with overheating with the HID bulbs? Most of the ones I've seen advertised are 100W, which is almost double the rating of the OEMs or SilverStars.

[33OH]

No problems with overheating with the HID bulbs? Most of the ones I've seen advertised are 100W, which is almost double the rating of the OEMs or SilverStars.

(They come with the ballasts too, not just the bulbs. not sure if that's what you were asking up above.)

I've had them installed since August (or around there) and no problems yet.

I did have to disable my DRL for them to work though, so I only run them at night now.

[CTScott]

(They come with the ballasts too, not just the bulbs. not sure if that's what you were asking up above.)

I've had them installed since August (or around there) and no problems yet.

I did have to disable my DRL for them to work though, so I only run them at night now.

The ballast ones definitely seem like the better route. With those, the wiring from the ballast to bulb and the bulb connector can be sized appropriately for the higher current draw. The drop-in HID bulbs must be the ones that people cook their wires and connectors with.

[Chupacabra]

Scott,
Noticed the exact same thing. The light was merely whiter....not any brighter. The whiter light "appears" brighter because the eye likes that light but it doesn't do much for the poor lighting. Looks like I'll live with it. It's possible that I'd do HID's down the road but I'd have to get a projecter style (correct) housing.

[33OH]

The ballast ones definitely seem like the better route. With those, the wiring from the ballast to bulb and the bulb connector can be sized appropriately for the higher current draw. The drop-in HID bulbs must be the ones that people cook their wires and connectors with.

Yeah, I'm extremely happy with these ones. They even have a one-year warranty which is awesome. They were $110 or $115 shipped from Xenon-Vision here.

And I picked up an extra set of 8000K bulbs off of the forum for $20 to have as spares, just in case.

[CTScott]

Scott,
Noticed the exact same thing. The light was merely whiter....not any brighter. The whiter light "appears" brighter because the eye likes that light but it doesn't do much for the poor lighting. Looks like I'll live with it. It's possible that I'd do HID's down the road but I'd have to get a projecter style (correct) housing.

I wonder how long it will be until someone makes projectors for the 09...

[Chupacabra]

I wonder how long it will be until someone makes projectors for the 09...

If somebody makes a good and nice projector.....I am there! :w00t:

[spookz]

If only depotautolights make the ccfl type projectors for the 09's.. =(

[rningonfumes]

You don't blind oncoming traffic?

[33OH]

You don't blind oncoming traffic?

Oncoming traffic no, people with really little cars who are in front of me at a light, yes.

You aim the headlights at the ground more, they're still 100 times brighter than non-HID.

[phu@xenon-vision]

HID will be alot brighter then the Silverstar, the difference is night and day. I provided a link below with more information on our HID Kits

http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9610

[33OH]

HID will be alot brighter then the Silverstar, the difference is night and day. I provided a link below with more information on our HID Kits

http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9610

And I'll vouch for Xenon-Vision because I used their kit. :thumbsup:

[slvryaris]

CTScott go to www.powerbulbs.com and order either Osram Nightbreakers H4's or Philips X Treme H4's, and you will crap your pants compared to the stock bulbs and even the U.S. Sylvania Silverstar bulbs. The US versions use Halogen gas and tint the lens of the bulb to get the white color. The ones from Power Bulbs are filled with Xenon gas and most of the times never tint the glass. They are extremely bright and very very white compared to stock and US versions.

I am currently using the Philips X treme and love them. The Osram Nightbreakers didnt last very long for me and the Philips are as bright but are rated for a longer life.

[DerFlosser]

CTScott go to www.powerbulbs.com and order either Osram Nightbreakers H4's or Philips X Treme H4's, and you will crap your pants compared to the stock bulbs and even the U.S. Sylvania Silverstar bulbs. The US versions use Halogen gas and tint the lens of the bulb to get the white color. The ones from Power Bulbs are filled with Xenon gas and most of the times never tint the glass. They are extremely bright and very very white compared to stock and US versions.

I am currently using the Philips X treme and love them. The Osram Nightbreakers didnt last very long for me and the Philips are as bright but are rated for a longer life.


I purchased the Nightbreakers and noticed very little if any difference. The white is just brighter. I hope that somebody comes out with a nice projector headlight for the 09.

[marcus]

5 minutes to remove the bumper.. seriously...maybe i can now swap my horn to a boat horn...

[schleppy]

Just to add the other side of the story here, Silverstars don't last long. For a bulb that costs that much they tend to go in less than a year (I personally know 4+ people that had to replace at least one bulb within a few months). They also don't have as bright a light output as the Osram Silverstars (available online, pricey).

Personally I would give rallylights.com a call and tell them what you're looking for. They stock an insane number of bulbs and don't charge much at all.

[marcus]

thats why u go for hids..low power consumption longer life as well plus a whole lot brighter.

[l2a3k2a3i]

5 minutes to remove the bumper.. seriously...maybe i can now swap my horn to a boat horn...
I like the way this guys thinks^ haha

[PolarWhite]

Not even understanding this at all. I operate a lube center in Texas. We change light bulbs everyday. I bought my replacement bulbs from www.powerbulbs.com and I am very pleased with them. They are the Philips and they were recommended by the sales staff. I changed both of them and DID NOT remove the bumper. Was not a big deal at ALL. That is a lot of trouble to go to just to change a couple of bulbs. Just my .02 cents.

[Xander]

Thanks for the pictures, 2005 Scion Xa uses the same type of housing and lights, I am using a 4000K lights my lights where about 1 1/2 years old so I did see a good improvement as they start to be weaker as time goes on. I was able to do this in less than 10mins due to your pictures. Understanding what was under the rubber boot made it a very easy job of un hooking the clips by feel, I did notice on the driver side on the Xa its very cramped due to the fuse box I have heard allot of people say to unbolt it, I found by removing the fuse box cover my small hands where barely able to do it with out the need of unbolting anything. Thank you

On Xenon light kits, Plastic lens are going to melt pretty fast, also federal law mandates in the USA any xenon light must be in a housing intended to for it, so standard plastic lens on the Yaris and Xa are going to be illegal as 17 year old, The reason behind this is the optics of a halogen and the optics of a Xenon are different the Glare and the light will go places it shouldn’t and will blind people unless you replace the lens swell. So before you blow 80 dollars on Xenon kit I would consider is it worth the 150 dollar ticket or the 300-500 dollars more to get the correct housing for them to be street legal.

[DOMAV]

hi i'm not technical but was this DRL that has to be disabled?

[KrazyDawg]

Sylvania Silverstar Ultras have a short lifespan. I used these on a Civic with DRL. On my first set, I had both bulbs go out at the same time in 5 months (10,000 miles). The replacement set averaged 5 months for the driver's side (11,000 miles) and 6 months on the passenger's side (18,000 miles). Sylvania is quick to replace them under warranty.

I had PIAA H4 Xtreme White installed that lasted 8 months (18,000 miles) on the driver's side and 11 months (25,000 miles). I made two attempts to get them covered under warranty and both times the CSR lost my information. I gave up after that but if anyone has any issues, I suggest filing a complaint with the BBB and State Attorney General for failing to honor their warranty.

[3dr5speedblk]

Had these for a while,Gotta get em in this weekend!
going to try it with out taking bumper cover off w/ rubber gloves.It's just to dang cold here like 20 below zero tonight!! Looks like a little more side light!!
How long did they last??

[ibanezjeepguy]

I work at an auto parts store and people continuously ask me why they burn out so fast.
I have to refer them to the packaging the bulbs come in... the mini line graph on the back, as brightness increases lifespan decreases... obviously, something in the design must create more heat leading to more stress on the bulb.
If you have the spare money to burn, by all means, buy the silverstars

they make my sales look better anyway ; )

[CTScott]

Had these for a while,Gotta get em in this weekend!
going to try it with out taking bumper cover off w/ rubber gloves.It's just to dang cold here like 20 below zero tonight!! Looks like a little more side light!!
How long did they last??

Mine lasted almost 18 months. To me, the extra light is worth replacing them at that interval.

[3dr5speedblk]

Took your advice, took the bumper cover off!E-Z ten minutes tops!!
Used a 10mm socket on the lower screw bolts ,Mint!!

[Hershey]

Mine lasted almost 18 months. To me, the extra light is worth replacing them at that interval. Agree , the extra white light helps distinguish things ( deer , critters ) at night better than the factory bulbs . Ours just pooped out yesterday . The bitter cold seems to make them die . Have noticed that over the years of using the SILVERSTARS . I think these lasted nearly 18 months as well . Yesterday we picked up a new twin pack at WAL-MART for $29 and installed them in the parking lot in about 15 minutes for the '08 sedan that's a breeze compared to the L.B.. Will take a look at the SYLVANIA website for a printable REBATE which is normally $5 for the SILVERSTAR and $10 for ULTRA .

[Hershey]

There's a printable $10 rebate for the ULTRA and $5 for the SILVERSTAR until FEBRUARY 12th . Here's the site , www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProducts/AutomotiveLighting/CouponsAndRebates . It's on the bottom of the page . Click to get to the printable coupon / rebate form to mail in .

[3dr5speedblk]

High beams are waaay better! Really lights up the trees!
Cheap 33bucks w/free ship on amazon!!
Get em if you live out in the booneys and drive at night.

[the_boss]

bought GE nightawk in august and had to replace them last week....lifetime of 150hrs as per GE...no mention of it on the package.

[Trubin]

Does anyone know where i can get those 5 plastic top bumper fasteners? mine broke off when my front got hit.

[3dr5speedblk]

Does anyone know where i can get those 5 plastic top bumper fasteners? mine broke off when my front got hit.

Toyota dealer?? I know OREILLYS autoparts has many sizes of the plastic push pins!!

[RedRide]

Does anyone know where i can get those 5 plastic top bumper fasteners? mine broke off when my front got hit.


Try here......

https://www.clipsandfasteners.com/Toyota_Lexus_Clips_And_Fasteners_s/13.htm

They are a great vedor that I have ordered from.

[CTScott]

Try here......

https://www.clipsandfasteners.com/Toyota_Lexus_Clips_And_Fasteners_s/13.htm

They are a great vedor that I have ordered from.

The part number for the Liftback and Sedan ones is 90467-07071-22

25 for $11.75 is a great price! My local dealer charges $1 each for them.

http://www.clipsandfasteners.com/Toyota_Bumper_Cover_Push_Type_Clips_90467_07071_22 _p/a21249.htm

[RedRide]

Don't forget, you also need to pay for shipping but, is still a bit cheaper.
At least they have just about whatever you may need.

[jemmah]

If you can replace the headlight bulbs without removing the front of the Yaris (2dr hatch) then you have some really small hands!!!!!!!!!!!

[MadMax]

There's a printable $10 rebate for the ULTRA and $5 for the SILVERSTAR until FEBRUARY 12th . Here's the site , www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProducts/AutomotiveLighting/CouponsAndRebates . It's on the bottom of the page . Click to get to the printable coupon / rebate form to mail in .

Fack! I can't believe this! I just got a pair of these for my Jeep today, remembering that someone had mentioned the rebate on this forum; and I just saw that it ended yesterday!!! :hitcomputer:

[ibanezjeepguy]

yeah, thats about how much they over-inflate the price.
had another iritated customer come in yesterday saying his pair of ultras blew out after a year. I said I'm surprised you got a year, congratulations! Here's some regular bulbs, half price!

[MadMax]

Well, I drove in with the new Ultras in the Jeep this morning and I gotta say they are a bit of an improvement over the Silver Stars that I replaced with them. Whiter and a little better spread, but only time will tell how well they hold up, especially in my rough-riding Jeep!

I had Fat Boys which where great, but which also melted the wiring. I had one go out and the harness was a mess, which is why I went with a cooler bulb.

As for the Yaris, I don't know what is stock but I have no problems with the factory lights that are in mine.

Cheers! M2