Headlight lifespan

I have a 2012 Tacoma, love the truck, but it seems like every 3-6 months i'm replacing a headlamp.

Any suggestions on what would be causing this? Any ideas how to fix it? I'm about pissed enough to replace the stock setup with LED's and Halos.

 

Don't buy cheap blue bulbs and don't touch the bulb glass. Is it just one side that keeps dying?

 

I have been buying cheap bulbs after the good bulbs only lasted 6 months. I have been using gloves so i don't touch the glass. and so far its both sides ... i replaced the drivers side on Saturday afternoon, and sunday evening the passengers side is toast.

 

Maybe try some long life bulbs. If they fail too soon then you might have an electrical problem. Might have to get a new wiring harness for the headlights.

 

This is the reason I always replace both bulbs at the same time. What were the "good" bulbs?
The higher the output, the shorter the lifespan.

 

http://www.osram-americas.com/en-us...ms/Pages/lrgproductspecs.aspx?partnumber=9003
How many hours a day do you run the headlights? High beam or low beam? Sylvania standard bulbs are rated for 1100 hours on low beam and 230 hours on high beam. XtraVision bulbs are rated for 160 hours on either. Silverstar bulbs are rated for only 150 hours on low beam and 50 hours on high. Note the rating is at 12.8 VDC. The vehicle supply voltage tends to higher with the engine running (~13.5 V), so the life has to be scaled by typically a factor of 7, i.e. (12.8/13.5)^7 = 0.69. A bulb rated for 1100 hours normally at 12.8 V would last 1100 x 0.69 = 758 hours at 13.5 V.

 

As mentioned, price doesn't have much to do with it. High output bulbs can have short lifespans like cheap bulbs. Sylvania Silverstars for example are some of the worst in terms of bulb life, but cost significantly more. It is difficult to assess without knowing what you are running. Running a bulb labeled long life from a reputable manufacture, is obviously your best bet for long life though light output is reduced. Toyota's OEM bulb supplier is Osram. Healdight bulbs should always be changed in pairs as halogens dim over time.