I have a 2009 Honda Fit. This is now the third times that my low beams have burned out, roughly 12 months apart each time. They have not burned out while driving. I have never touched the glass part of the bulb while putting them in. I have never accidentally left on the lights. The first time, only the left bulb was burned out. The 2nd and 3rd time both low beams were out. The high beams have always worked. I know about the recall on the 2007-2008 models. Is anybody experiencing this with 2009 and later models?

 

Recently burned out a set of Philips Extreme bulbs in 9 months...put the original bulbs back in...probably only have 3 months life left in them if what you are saying is true...

 

I would think it's an environmental issue. Now is the middle of "winter," and despite it being California... we all know it gets pretty cold at night.

The heat from the bulb and the rapid cooling caused by the cold air when its off can cause increased thermal wear. Eventually resulting in thermal shock once the filament is worn down enough. I would guess that if you waited until about, say March or April... replaced the bulbs with a brand new set... that set might still burn out roughly in the middle of next winter.

Well, it's a theory anyway.

 

I've a '09 Sport MT with about 70k on it, and I'm still running on the bulbs that came with the car. If your mileage is under 60k you might want to visit the dealership to see about a warranty repair on the electrical system (I assume that you've not modified the electrical system in any way).

 

The first (if it was OE) was probably a fluke. These things last forever. Subsequent ones were probably because you put "extra bright/white" aftermarket halogens in with limited lives.

Honda sells the OE bulbs for $10 each. Get a pair.

 

I found my last receipt. Silver Star Ultra 5/1/2011. So only 8 months.

 

If i recall, silverstars are notorious for short life spans, so there's probably nothing wrong with your fit.

 

Check the specs for these. Rated life is 150 hours, less than half the estimated life of their cheapest bulbs, which is probably less than the OE's that it came with. But they charge almost three times as much for the same lumen output. Can you say "rip-off"?

Get a couple OEs from Honda. $10 list. $7 if you shop around. 34,000 miles, 2.5 years. no failures.

 

Or get some HID's if you're going to keep dropping cash on silverstars...oem lights are dim as hell, even with adjustments...

 

This is me just spitballing, but do you still have your daytime running light fuse installed? I dunno if they run the same filament, but I pulled mine when I bought the car and I'm still on my original set of bulbs 2 1/2 years later.

 

I've heard that aftermarket ones are prone to live short lives. I bought my Fit in 2007 and still running on the same ones!

 

DRL runs off the high beam filament in H4 bulbs.