5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003) Learn more about the 5th Generation Maxima, including the VQ30DE-K and VQ35DE engines.

fog light bulbs

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Old 02-25-2006, 09:58 PM
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fog light bulbs

I did some searching and found that piaa plasmas are the best match to the HID headlights. I have the plasmas right now but one burnt out and I was just wondering if anyone knew of any others that might be brighter or a better match or possibly just cheaper. I am looking to order them in the next couple of days.
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Old 02-26-2006, 03:47 AM
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I just installed Hoen Xenonmatch in my fogs. Color is very close to hids but the output is not what I expected. I did just get the std 55 watt bulb. Delivered these were $38 with a 1 year warranty. Not sure if I would get again as I was hoping for more output but 55 watts is 55 watts.
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Old 02-26-2006, 04:58 AM
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Keep in mind a lot of states have laws against fog lights. So I dont know that brighter is necessarily better if it gives them an excuse to ticket you. For the most part that law isn't inforced but if you drove around with helaciously bright bulbs you might draw unecessary attention to yourself.

On the subject of fog lights how hard is a foglight change on these cars? On my trans am its a *****...
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Old 02-26-2006, 07:32 AM
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Changing the fogs on these are ridiculous. My denali it is a 5 min job to do both and adjust the aim. On the max you have to remove a screw, bolt and pop rivet and them the 2 nuts holding in the housing. I had to jack mine up as there isnt enough room. Way too much work. None of it is hard but just doesnt seem well thought out.

I just put in maxspeeds on my front last night so I will need to adjust all of my lights. Form looking at the fog light adjuster it looks like a pain. fortunately it is something that you dont do often.
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Old 02-26-2006, 07:45 AM
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Man that sucks that its a time consuming job. It was that way on my mazda and its that way on my TA. I dont get it...its a damn light bulb, it shouldn't take more than 15 mins TOPS to take out, install and adjust...but thats just me I guess...
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Old 02-26-2006, 12:14 PM
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I use the Piaa Xtreme whites in my fogs and I like the match.
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Old 02-26-2006, 02:58 PM
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No halogen blue bulb will ever match HIDs exactly, just come close with a noticeable difference in color. Also, with the blue bulbs, you are losing light output. With the $$$ Piaa wants for their bulbs, save up for a good HID kit for the fogs.
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Old 02-26-2006, 05:59 PM
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so if I got piaa bulbs that said they were an 85w=135w bulb. Would that be ok?
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Old 02-26-2006, 06:05 PM
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Originally Posted by hawaiiankine
so if I got piaa bulbs that said they were an 85w=135w bulb. Would that be ok?
If by OK you mean melted wiring harness, and cracked fog housing, then yes.
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Old 02-26-2006, 07:42 PM
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ok so i take that as a no
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Old 02-26-2006, 07:43 PM
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Originally Posted by hawaiiankine
ok so i take that as a no
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Old 02-26-2006, 07:46 PM
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just as an FYI, whats the standard wattage for the H3 bulb? (OEM)
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Old 02-26-2006, 07:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Maxima-Ness
just as an FYI, whats the standard wattage for the H3 bulb? (OEM)
35W, but a 55W aftermarket bulb will work.
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Old 02-26-2006, 07:48 PM
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so the PIAA 55=110w is fine? I thought 55w was OEM. Guess I thouht wrong...
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Old 02-26-2006, 07:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Maxima-Ness
so the PIAA 55=110w is fine? I thought 55w was OEM. Guess I thouht wrong...
Yes, as long as the input is 55W.
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Old 02-26-2006, 09:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Mungo
Changing the fogs on these are ridiculous. My denali it is a 5 min job to do both and adjust the aim. On the max you have to remove a screw, bolt and pop rivet and them the 2 nuts holding in the housing. I had to jack mine up as there isnt enough room. Way too much work. None of it is hard but just doesnt seem well thought out.

I just put in maxspeeds on my front last night so I will need to adjust all of my lights. Form looking at the fog light adjuster it looks like a pain. fortunately it is something that you dont do often.
I've found that just taking out the headlights to gain access to the fog lights is much quicker than jacking up the front of the car.
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Old 02-26-2006, 09:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Mungo
Changing the fogs on these are ridiculous. My denali it is a 5 min job to do both and adjust the aim. On the max you have to remove a screw, bolt and pop rivet and them the 2 nuts holding in the housing. I had to jack mine up as there isnt enough room. Way too much work. None of it is hard but just doesnt seem well thought out.
Only if Nissan made it this difficult to take the headlights..
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Old 02-27-2006, 11:21 AM
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I just installed my fogs along with silverstar bulbs. I love them they are rated at 4000k.
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Old 02-27-2006, 12:21 PM
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I added the H3 55W Silverstar bulbs from Walmart (18$) and like the look. A cheap, quick, and noticeable improvement to the stock bulb.
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Old 02-27-2006, 12:23 PM
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I've used Silverstars many times in past rides. They are great out of the box but seem to fad. Truthfully, seeing the Hoens, which I read so many great things about online, I wish I had just picked up some silverstars. I do think the hoens match the xenon a little better though. Either way, I dont look forward to raising the aim on the fogs!
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Old 02-27-2006, 02:48 PM
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I used SilverStar bulbs in my other cars (before I bought my I30) and while I liked the color and the brightness, I found that they burned out quickly (i.e. about 7-9 months after installation). I have read posts here and in other forums from people that have experienced similar problems. I would not recommend them.

You can get PIAA bulbs on eBay for around $40.00. I would try those instead!
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Old 02-27-2006, 02:52 PM
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Old 02-27-2006, 05:13 PM
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I tried to replace mine this weekend with Silverstars, but couldn't get the fog light out. I was able to get to the back of the housing but didn't know what was holding the light in. What has to be removed after you get the wheelwell cover removed? I saw two plastic clips on the top of the housing but had no idea what to use to remove them.

Any help is appreciated.
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Old 02-27-2006, 07:11 PM
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I would use needle nose pliers. That should get the job done.
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Old 02-28-2006, 09:04 AM
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Originally Posted by j2k15spd
I tried to replace mine this weekend with Silverstars, but couldn't get the fog light out. I was able to get to the back of the housing but didn't know what was holding the light in. What has to be removed after you get the wheelwell cover removed? I saw two plastic clips on the top of the housing but had no idea what to use to remove them.

Any help is appreciated.

You have to unclip the wiring harness, then there are 2 10mm nuts holding it in place. After those are removed push the fog light out towards the front of the car.
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Old 02-28-2006, 09:58 AM
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The PIAA's are way to dam expensive and
NOT worth the $$$$$. Silverstars burn out way to quickly. Save up and get some HID fogs or the Nokia ion gold bulbs are nice and cheap $9
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Old 02-28-2006, 03:54 PM
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I can't post yet, So I'll ask my question here...It is related though.
Anyone, Install HID fogs on their 02 max themselves? Are the 00-01 installation procedures the same for the 02-03? I was thinking maybe the yellow capsules from HID tech but I think I want to do HID fogs, like 4300k or 6K.
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Old 02-28-2006, 05:30 PM
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wow and to think i was going to spend $55 on the PIAA plasma GTX thanks for the info guys... so beside the HID fog light kit i shouldnt get any other kind of bulbs? anything long lasting?
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Old 02-28-2006, 05:31 PM
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oh yea and does anyone know if bright fogs are illegal in texas?
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Old 02-28-2006, 05:49 PM
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I went back to stock cause aftermarket burns out to fast and I believe they cause cracking of the lens. Nothing you get is gonna match the stock HID so I decide stock is just fine with me.
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Old 02-28-2006, 09:21 PM
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plasmas look so good but both of mine just blew out with only 11 months of use.....looking into hids but don't want them too bright. absolutely love the look of plasma but so quick to burn out....any suggestions on hids....
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Old 03-02-2006, 03:27 PM
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I just bought illuminics lights for like 20 bucks. I figured I would give them a shot just for sh@8 and giggles. I'll post pics when they are in.
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Old 03-02-2006, 10:58 PM
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I just went to Wally World and bought some of the SilverStars. But once I actually looked at my blown foglight, I noticed that the fog light housing has a huge crack in it and it's filled with water. I'm going to assume the bulbs that I put in here are going to blow quite rapidly so long as this is the case.

Is there any decent, somewhat-OEM looking replacment for these? I'd prefer a non-diffused light but I don't really want to spend $200 or $300 putting HIDs in there.
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Old 03-03-2006, 05:32 AM
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Originally Posted by crispykid717
You have to unclip the wiring harness, then there are 2 10mm nuts holding it in place. After those are removed push the fog light out towards the front of the car.
That's for the 2k2+ Maxima. The '00-01 are different.

Running PIAA Ion Crystals right now, but I have Eurolight Fusions for high beam. They are bright and do a good job matching the HID's as they are only somewhat "whiter" than the low beams.

FWIW, '00-01 came with 35w fog bulbs and 2k2+ have 55w bulbs from the factory.
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Old 03-03-2006, 07:04 AM
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Hi guys, check out Mtec bulbs, brighter than PIAA and a lot cheaper. Available on ebay, made in Japan with at least one year warranty sometimes more. I
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Old 03-03-2006, 08:52 AM
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undercarraige splashguards...

i was thinking...my undercarriage splashguard (name??) was torn from semi-truck tread left on the highway so i took it out. mainly the drivers side. i noticed on that side, the fogs burned out quicker. do you think that not having a undermotor splashguard affects the foglight?
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Old 03-03-2006, 09:29 PM
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wow the mtec bulbs have a lifetime warranty
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