Took my bulb out of the lighting assembly over the weekend when I swapped over to a new passenger side headlight assembly. Does this bulb look like it's seen better days or do they all get like that in short order when installed? I don't really want to spend $150 or so if that's what they do when operating.. Thanks.

 

From what I understand it's normal and comes and goes with temperature. If you decide to replace them I'd go ahead and throw or in.

 

Mr. Merk.
Love the price. Many thinks for the heads up. I will probably replace if I can get 2 for a buck fiddy.

 

That band is pretty much normal. Thats the hottest spot on the quartz envelope. I suspect it's burned on moisture carried descicant.. whatever, it can be removed with fine polish and a soft rag. The bulb should then be thoroughly cleaned with alcohol before being put back in use.

 

Run it till she blows. No way to know how much life is left in it, really. You can get a spare and throw it in the glove box if you're really, really paranoid, but I'd say just go on with your day and forget about it.
Don't know about the 955, but in 957, the control module stores how many minutes (yes, minutes, not hours...) the bulb has been on, each low and high beam bulb iirc. But, even then, you still don't know how much life is left in it.

 

They tend to color shift to purple when they are at the end of their life.

 

Wow, thanks for all the comments.
I'm just trying to get better visibility out of my headlights, not really worried about it crapping out. I may just try one of those hi performance Sylvanias, not a big risk.

 

Pass on those (or anything with the SilverStar label.) Stick with Osram or Philips.

 

I have been using these for the past year and love them. Total cost $23. Every once in a while you come across a cheap product that delivers.