H7 low beam headlight bulb life, whats "normal"?

I've got two Hyundai's. Both go through h7 headlight bulbs like they are
free. I would guess I'm seeing a 3-6 month life span per bulb. The
voltages on both cars are fine, and both alternators have been replaced (one
failed electrically, the other was a bearing) and this bulb failure rate
continues with the new alternators. Is this "normal"? That's a lot of
headlights! We do run with the headlights on all the time. Is there an
compatible h7 type bulb out there with a longer life?

Thanks - Dan

 

I think keeping the headlamps on all the time is the key. I don't
typically see that sort of failure rate, but most people only turn on
their headlamps when it's dark. I'd say that under what I see as normal
use, lifespan would be about 3 years or so.

Remeber, within the 5/60 warranty period, the headlamp bulbs *are* free.
If you've noticed a difference in failure rate between the original bulbs
and the replacements you've been putting in, I'd suggest trying a
different brand bulb.

 

I typically get ~6 months out of bulbs. I've been experimenting with
different brands (std. Sylvania, SilverStars, PIAA and currently Hella)
and haven't found any that last longer so far, but the Hellas are
holding up OK so far.

 

my elantra has H7 headlights and it too goes thru the bulbs like they were
free ( 6 months max,)
my Santa fe has H4 headlights and so far its been two years on the same set.

 

I agree with the poster who suggested trying different brands. For example,
if you are using Sylvania (any type), consider yourself lucky if you get
that much.

I also have two cars that use the H7. My son's Elantra had dim headlights,
so he uses the Sylvania SilverStar. They do burn out fast, but he cleared
out the clearance rack at Wal Mart when they were offering them for $10 for
a two-pack, so he doesn't care.

With my Kia Sedona, I use Phillips headlights. I also run with my
headlights on almost all the time, and have no trouble with them. I would
estimate bulb life at around 18 months, which I don't think is bad
considering how much my lights are on.

But I note that Kia and Hyundai seem to be going away from the H7 as they
are re-designing their vehicles. Maybe they discovered the same thing.

 

I don't know what is the "normal life" for H7 bulb, but I can tell that my
'06 Sonata still have the originals bulbs since the purchase, in May 2006.

Shaman

 

My 99 (that my son has now) and my 2003 (that my daughter has now) Sonatas
have never had a bulb replaced in them.

 

I don't know if this is relevant but my sister had a bad alternator on a 01
Elantra that was overcharging the system and she was popping bulbs until it
was replaced.

 

I've been replacing my H7 bulbs (low beam) every six months or so
also. I've also read about this problem on another discussion site
about Hyundais. Some times one bulb will go out, another time both
will go. I've never had this happen in any of my cars before and I've
driven with lights on at all times for safety. I've also been buying
different bulbs each time.

 

On my 03 Elantra, I've replaced one bulb. lights on all the time. On my 06
Sonata, I bought Sylvanias, silverstreaks, both went out in one year,
replaced with the original OEM bulbs and still on. leave them on all the
time too!! 40000 miles on the Elantra and 30000 on the Sonata