A friend just bought an Infiniti and his manual warns that repeated on/off cycles with the xenon lights considerably shorten their life span.

1) Any truth to that?
2) Anyone have long term experience with xenons to know how long they should last.

Thanks,
-Aron

 

On-and-off will probably shorten their life moreso than continuous use. Of course it's the initial striking of the arc, "on" cycle, that does the most "damage".

Initial voltage is upwards of 20KV to start the arc, then about 75 volts to sustain it.

Most engineers agree that HID "bulbs" should last about three times longer than today's halogens in ordinary use.

No "jars" from accidents, etc.