Taxi Driver Online

Any of you notice that petrol station headlight bulbs have a small lifespan, I've used VX bulbs for the last 12 years, it came to light when me and another driver both had Vectra B's, unless you used a VX bulb they would blow within 2 weeks, yesterday I had one go on me, the only one I could get hands to was a cheapy my mate had in the boot, 4.5 hours it lasted, I fitted it at 9pm and it was gone before 2am, the record is 55 minutes set by the other Vectra owner, 55 minutes to kill a bulb, anyone else have similar experiences? and it's not a VX car it went into last night night before VX get the blame, they're bulbs are Osrams iirc and they do last ok.

I wonder if once a bulb has blown the extra load distributed to the surviving bulbs shortens their lifespan.

But, yes, I have had some very short lived bulbs. Can't say what make they are though.

When the lamp is new it has not expended any of the filament. The bulb on the other side has. The new bulb has more resistance.
When I need to replace a lamp I replace both. I retain the old but working lamp for emergencies.

I do this with Car/Taxi lamps and this includes stop/tail. I also do it with Navigation lights on the boat.

My lamps always last ages.

It would of course be silly to this with indicators - by definition they don't work together (except as hazzards).

Interior lights tend to be of differnt rates and there are more than two (usually) so I only change as required.

By the way, on my Bread Van, the top middle brake light (in the door) kept blowing - I went to a Chandler and got a 24volt version. It is a bit dim but can be seen in daylight. It has never blown again and probably never will.

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Chris The Fish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdlyi5mc ... re=related

Shouldn't a brake light be a set brightness?

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Grandad,

if you get recurring blowing bulbs, get your voltage checked, it spossible your voltage regulator is faulty

simple to check with a voltmeter and the engine revved up a bit

11.5v standing/switched off - 14.2v running (on mine) - no bulbs blown

I got some today, proper VX Osram's £3.70 each on the TC, looked at the old ones, the old VX one is just blown at the filament, the "new" Lucas bulb is frosted out like a camera flash bulb, I was suprised when I noticed it was a Lucas bulb as they are normally ok, anyway I'll know tomorrow if there's anything to worry about, not that I am cos I've been there and done it before with these things.

BTW, the replace both thing makes sense.

??????????

If you don't have a bulb out warning light on your dash, why not get a full set of LED ones they should last the lifetime of the car.
I have them in my skoda front side and number plate lights but I had to get the no dash warning ones slightly more expensive at £12 for 2.
They have been in for 2 years so far

may I reccomend Ring automatives XenonMax headlight bulbs..fair do's, theyre around twice the price of the average bulb but they really are worth the extra cost..a briiliant light even on thje murkiest of dark wet nights.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/p ... onmax.html

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

Would these be the ones that some folks on here were complaining about a few weeks ago because they are so bright they dazzle oncomming drivers?

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Grandad,

No you get them for side light stop and tail and indicators

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/i.html?_nkw=car+ ... &_osacat=0

arent they the xenon bulbs?

I hate them with a passion, if they are not fitted right they will dazzle oncoming road users.

It was headlights that where mentioned, the LED are ideal for most cars and MPVs and wavs especially volvos as I know they are bulb munchers