Light Bulbs

[marineaulu]

My experience with Fog lamps and bulbs.

Back in Jan 2000, I installed PIAA fog lamps on a Dodge Caravan. Five summers and winters later, they still work as if they were new. Bright, white, and powerful add-on to the poor lighting output of this van.

So, when I got my Mazda 3 Sport GT in the spring 2004, I decided to replace the stock H7 low beam bulbs by PIAA Extreme White bulbs. I figured that they would last forever.
Back then, H11 were not available from PIAA. So, I got Hoen USA H11 bulbs for the fog lights.

About one year later (today), one of the PIAA H7 bulb is already burned out. And trust me, I took all necessary precautions during the install to not touch or rub the bulb against greasy surfaces. At the price they are asking for their bulbs, I'm not too impressed.

The Hoen USA bulbs are still running OK.

With this experience, I would say that PIAA fog lamps (sealed units) are high quality products, but they make bad bulbs as stock replacement.

Any of you guys experience similar results?

 

[ZoomVT]

You should just go with HIDs.

 

[txmazdaspeed]

To get them to last a year is a miracle to me as every aftermarket bulb I have ever put in a vehicle would only last about 5 months and them burn out. Obvious precautions would be not to touch the bulb and clean them with rubbing alcohol before installing.

 

[marineaulu]

Picture of burned out PIAA

Here is the picture of the PIAA Extreme White Plus H7 Bulb burned out.
I also attached the stock bulb for reference (the stock bulb is not burned).

Interesting to see the different design.