04-07-2012, 10:36 PM | #1 |
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Xenon life span?
My car never sees the automatic mode of the light switch.
When i bought the car i realized that every time i pulled into the garage (or started the engine in the garage) the xenons would ignite. I figured that's 2 extra on/off cycles each day. I also use my parking lights, drls, and fogs when it's cloudy or rainy. I see no use for the headlights since they don't light up the street much, but being seen by other cars is obviously important. Am i irrational for rationing my xenons? Ever since i was a kid i always tried to save stuff. Don't get me wrong, i wasn't poor or anything, both my parents had doctorates. For example, i would save my nice hotwheels and play with my crappy ones. I eventually stopped playing with hotwheels and never got the chance to play with the Viper or the Porsche hotwheel. I apparently also think about saving my brake pads. When i'm having fun i could care less about gas or tires, but i guess i do think about efficient driving techniques for the boring old tuesday drive to work/school. Let the therapy session begin. Why do i think about saving stuff so often? No answer is too ridiculous. |
04-07-2012, 10:49 PM | #2 |
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i wouldnt worry? how long are you planning on keeping your car? might want to consider getting it cpo'd(if thats possible) or getting an extended warranty
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04-07-2012, 11:12 PM | #3 | |
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Do xenons die because of the number of hours on or how many times they're turned on? |
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04-08-2012, 08:30 AM | #4 |
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I do the same thing. The extra cycles will dramatically shorten their lifespan. You will eventually spend hundreds or even $1k for the luxury of saving yourself a few minutes of switch turning.
Same with brakes, too. I make it a game to see how much speed I can scrub off without using them. Better mpg that way, too. For the last 5000 miles or so, my service indicator indicates I won't need new ones in front for 90k miles :P That's driving mostly in town, too. Last edited by carve; 04-08-2012 at 08:45 AM.. |
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04-08-2012, 09:01 AM | #5 |
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If you want to save $, don't drive a BMW.
However, nothing wrong with trying to get value out of your dollar. Kind of like me trying to fill up when gas price is down. When I can save more $ by just driving slower! Btw, I think we have similar taste in cars. I have a loaded SGM 135! Not unlike your 3. Last edited by dtwyim; 04-08-2012 at 09:07 AM.. |
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04-08-2012, 09:16 AM | #6 |
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I do the exact same thing! lol. I think it's pointless when people have lights on during the day they serve no purpose. I do use sidelights though when it starts getting dark. Also, I think every time I put them on/off they are just getting wasted. I also hate replacing bulbs just cant be bothered. Anyway, at least I'm not alone now lol.
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04-08-2012, 09:40 AM | #7 |
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I do the same thing with the lights since i occasionally park in a garage. Pretty sure I read somewhere it's 1) not good to turn the light on until after the salts have cooled (about 5 minutes) and 2) the lights have a limited number of fires, with each dimming ever so slightly.
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04-08-2012, 09:58 AM | #8 |
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i do the same thing but also i like to show off the LED rings so i dont turn on the HID until it is dark enough
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04-08-2012, 06:57 PM | #9 | |||
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Quote:
Quote:
SGM is the best color! Wish my car was a 6 speed like your 135i, but the steptronic is tolerable. Quote:
My friend got a ticket near sunset because he was trying out his new angel eyes on his e46. $200 ticket and traffic school meant he was $290 out of pocket. |
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04-09-2012, 10:54 AM | #10 |
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Well im 75K miles and 4 years into mine and they still work. Well see what happens. I got backed into by a truck and he cracked one of my housings and sheared off an attachment point.
Im replacing the housings and debating not replacing the ballast to save some cash |
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04-09-2012, 11:06 AM | #11 |
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Miles and years don't mean anything to xenon life span. Cycles are the main thing.
Normally, I might only need to turn my lights on 3x a week. If I left it in auto, it would ignite twice a day when I start and return to my garage, and twice more in the parking garage at work. That would be 27 cycles a week. That would deliver about 11% the lifespan of controlling them manually. They should last the life of the car this way. |
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