Thread: Dreaded Headlight question!!!
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Old Nov 19, 2010 | 10:19 PM
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onehundred80
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From: Ontario
Default Re: Dreaded Headlight question!!!
Originally Posted by Bladecutter
Well, think of it this way:

Since the bulbs in my car are original equipment from 1998, when the car was built, I have 2 choices:

Switch the low beams with the new bulbs, and then one day when I need them most, possible turn on the high beams, and watch it go "POINK".

Or, I can rotate the rarely used 1998 high beam bulbs to the low beams, put the new ones in the high beam slots, and probably not have to worry about any bulb burning out for the next couple of years or so, easily.

Plus, I get some actual use out of those 12 year old bulbs before one kicks the bucket.
What's worse, to get no use from something before it dies, or at least getting some use?

When I buy groceries, the old stock gets pushed forward to be used, while the new stock goes in back. Why would I do anything different with headlight bulbs?

BC.
It is a amazing that the bulbs in this Boxter are all 12 years old. My low beams went within one week of each other after 20,00 miles and they had been all that time as we have DTRL's. That is basically 20,000 miles of night driving for you.
So your previous comment about rotating your 'stock' is a new thing for you, as obviously you have not rotated these before or they would not all be 12 years old.
I would sooner have a high beam go out rather than a low beam as you cannot drive on highs without getting a ticket, so the law of averages would dictate putting the new bulbs in the low beams.
You expect the current high beams to go 'POINK' sooner than the new bulbs but you still think it is better to put them into the low beams position where they could fail as you said a 100+ miles from any help. Forcing you to swap the bulb there and then, possibly in poor conditions, in the dark and with your best clothes on.
I would say that you have three choices, the two you list above and since you are dealing with 12 year old bulbs just simply replace them all.
 
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