Why did Nissan use HID headlights only for the low beams on 02 and 03 Maximas? Is that standard among car makers? Is HID better suited for low-beam use and not high-beams, or did Nissan do it to save money? Don't a lot of other cars with HID lights have them for both low and high beams?

Also, how do I know if my headlights are aimed properly? I realize that the HID low beams have an abrupt upper cutoff, but I wonder if the cutoff is too low. It seems to me that my high and low beam light pattern should be higher, but I don't want to blind oncoming traffic.

 

Turn on your lights...stand in front of them. (pretty are'nt they) Now kneel in front of them....BRIGHT AREN'T THEY.


YES, its the law.


No, I don't think so.
I wouldn't mess with them, you might get a ticket.

 

Some do, some don't. Halogen bulbs don't require time to warm up and are ideal for "flashing" high-beams.

Most of the HIGH END cars that have dual HIDs use a mechanical reflector/shield that moves to create low and high beams, so the HID capsule is never actually turned off.

It's also a $2K option and not standard like the Maximas UNLESS you get close to $80K.

 

The only other car makers that use Bi-xenon headlights sell $100,000 cars and go by names such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Lamborghini...No, dual HID is not commonly used

 

i thought that lexus used dual beam HIDs or Bi-xenon HIDs

 

That's just too funny.

 

Not on the IS300, GS4XX, and RX300 I've seen.

 

They make aftermarket HID kits with hi/low but they are $$$$$$

 

OK, thanks for the quick education on HID lights. The quick on/off required for high beams seems to be a bad match for HID lights.

I had no idea white light was so addicting, but now when I switch to high beams it looks too yellow. I think I'll upgrade my high beam bulbs to the piaa Xtreme white bulbs. Once I have them installed I'll think again about aiming. Like I said, I want to be able to see, but I don't want to blind oncoming drivers. I HATE it when people have their headlights aimed too high.

 

the new Saab 9-5 Aero has HID highs/lows. A guy I know recently bought one and was showin me the lights a month or so ago. They were cool - just like rotated in the headlight enclosure to reposition for a high beam or low beam. But thats what, a $40000 car? something more expensive than the Maxima. I'd love to get HID highs - be great for driving on empty roads

 

You'd be better off with a set of high power driving lamps...cheaper and more effective.

 

I noticed a HUGE improvment in lighting with the KOPS 6000k HID d2s bulbs that I modified to fit the D2R housing. I also have HID conversion kit in my fogs.

Check it out:

SIDE SHOT


HEAD ON EYE LEVEL:


and thats on LOW beam

 

Yay...I bet the driving public THANKS YOU for the blinding glare.

Still NO COMPARISON to PIAA or HELLA driving lights.

 

Actually, so far its been almost 2 months and only 1 person has flashed their High-beams at me...

It's not so bad

 

Maybe it's just the camera, but that looks like mad glare to me.

Anyways, I find "1 flash in 2-months" hard to believe, since I get flashed 2-3 times PER MONTH with D2Rs. However, that's probalby because your K-rating doesn't match peoples typical expectation of high-beams white color.

 

Since that pic I re-aimed them a lil bit. That was the pick i took right after closing the hood the day of the install.

I'll take more pics this weekend and you can judge from them.

But those suckers light up the road like crazy!

 

what did you do with your 4100k bulbs? I want HID fogs..

 

laying in my desk drawer

 

Correct me if i'm wrong, but doesn't the 04 Maxima come with a hi/lo HID setup where the reflector/whateveryoucallit covers and uncovers part of the bulb? (thus, hi/low beam).

 

I believe so...If you get the HID option.

 

By the way, nothing against your comments. But i'm curious about your statement of how the 6k bulbs light the road better than the OEM's.

Could it just be because the color is more distinguishable than the OEM?

I noticed when i first turn on my HID's (bluish), the road seems a lot brighter. But upon subsequent testing, i can easily conclude that when warmed up (e.g. no longer bluish), the illuminated area is much larger.

 

Well since I had 2 diff HID kits on my previous 2000 max, I have learned alot about HID.

4200 is the least K you can get from HID, meaning that its MINIMAL(Standard)

6000 is the most light output, I.E. BRIGHTEST.

Anything above 6000+ is just changing color to being more blue/purple.

I will take a pic of 1 bulb being stock and another being 6000k for you so you can see. I'll try to do this over the weekend.

BTW - We were both correct about the 2k4 max HID system:

 

Igor, nevermind my last post. It didn't occur to me until this morning that the reason the 2k2 OEM HID's were not as bright while warming up is... well, because it's still warming up!

That teaches me not to post late at night

Though thanks for the explanation. Much appreciated.

 

No Problem

 

I'd still like to see that comparison pic when you get a chance though

 

Actually, Here is one of Juice's(Erik) Pics:

6000k VS. Stock.

 

awesome lights guys, wish I upgraded mine before they banned aftermarket HIDS, i really like the KAtS 6000K, and the KOPS, they look so sweet. Anyways, I guess Ill stick with stocks, but if someone has a extra set of 6000ks lying around, ill take em off your hands

 

If i'm not mistaken, selling of HID kits were banned. But for vehicles that come with HID's - you should be safe replacing the "burnt" bulbs

 

I think anything other than the stock bulbs wouldn't be as bright in the rain. On dry pavement the 6k in my opinion are possibly brighter, but on wet pavement i think the whiter <<if that's a word, light from the stock lights illuminates the road better.
Just my opinion.

 

Give Erik a PM and let him know you would like some bulbs

PM "Juice"

 

awesome dude, thanks a lot..... i can also get the fogs from Juice too right? I am reallt feelin those HIDS dude. really nice, one of the best i've seen.

 

Write Juice a PM and say u talked to me and u want my setup...he will hook u up!

 

did that already. hoping to hear from him soon

how was the install, was it a kick in the a$$ or was it just complicated?

 

damn it... his business suspended due to HID laws....

 

Your fogs look like they are aimed too low???

 

If they are aimed any higher I will be blinding people and being pulled over and issued repair orders