8th Generation Maxima (2016-) Let's see what Nissan has to offer on the 8th generation Maxima

HID Install - with Pictures

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Old 05-10-2016, 12:21 PM
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HID Install - with Pictures

I didn't see an install guide for the 2016 Maxima. It's pretty simple but there are a few tricks.

1. Open the hood and on the right and left fender there is a fabric gasket that has 4 push tabs. Remove them and move the mesh out of the way. Now when you go through the wheel area you can see where to route your wires.

2. Move the wheel inward depending on which side your installing. Remove the 3 plastic clips and there will be a little tab on the plastic near the bumper you can insert a flat head and pull back the plastic to gain access.

3. Acknowledge the bulb position and the way you twisted to remove it. Then have the HID ready to do the same in reverse. Make sure it goes in and doesn't wiggle.

4. Get up and stand over the side you are installing. Put the ballast and the ignighter on the side channel and run the wires down to the wheel from the top.

5. Sit back down and plug it all in. Easy Red wire to red from the factory harness.

6. I zip tied the ballast or you can double side tape.

7. Reinstall the mesh fabric gasket and boom. You cannot see it and beautiful.





Mesh Gasket on the right




You can see where I zip tied and the wires running down into the wheel area




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Old 05-10-2016, 01:24 PM
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Well done, thoughtful instructions. Where do source the lamps? Appreciate your contribution.
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Old 05-10-2016, 01:46 PM
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Kensum

Originally Posted by robtroxel
Well done, thoughtful instructions. Where do source the lamps? Appreciate your contribution.
My personal opinion is every kit is the same Chinese manufacturing facility.

I have had McCulloch, Xentec, Kensum. Never once had a problem. And at $50 with 2 year no question ask warranty. Kensum on Amazon. Get H11 L shape. Easier to twist on headlight.
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Old 05-10-2016, 01:52 PM
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How long did this take? If I get the SL this kind of easy solution is what I'm interested in.
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Old 05-10-2016, 03:10 PM
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Originally Posted by mls277
How long did this take? If I get the SL this kind of easy solution is what I'm interested in.
It's as simple as the pictures. Pop 3 small clips. 1 min. Remove mesh on sides. 1 min. Making sure wires are not pinched and clean runs. $10
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Old 05-11-2016, 07:22 PM
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Originally Posted by chriscummings83
My personal opinion is every kit is the same Chinese manufacturing facility.

I have had McCulloch, Xentec, Kensum. Never once had a problem. And at $50 with 2 year no question ask warranty. Kensum on Amazon. Get H11 L shape. Easier to twist on headlight.
Can you post the link of the HID kit that you used please.
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Old 05-11-2016, 09:49 PM
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Originally Posted by BlackMambaSV
Can you post the link of the HID kit that you used please.

Kensum on Amazon only sells 1 kit slim. 5000k / H11 L shape
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Old 05-14-2016, 07:58 AM
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Theres no issue with them drawing too much power or anything? Or the direction of the headlights etc? I may be finally lining up a deal on an SL if I can get this swap done. Might buy them ahead of time and have the dealer install them when they prep the car.

Are they similar to the HIDs in the 7th gen color and brightness wise? I think the HIDs in my 7th gen sport are perfect.
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Old 05-14-2016, 08:22 AM
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Originally Posted by mls277
Theres no issue with them drawing too much power or anything? Or the direction of the headlights etc? I may be finally lining up a deal on an SL if I can get this swap done. Might buy them ahead of time and have the dealer install them when they prep the car.

Are they similar to the HIDs in the 7th gen color and brightness wise? I think the HIDs in my 7th gen sport are perfect.
Nice to think ahead but I am wondering if the dealer would do this aftermarket mod since it is electrical and could affect the visual range of the lighting. These days we look at liability that would point back to the dealer. Let us know if they will do it. Hope you get your car soon and report back.
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Old 05-14-2016, 08:58 AM
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exactly why I asked. Gives me another reason to not get the Platinum if I can get HIDs...they have a nice SL on the lot internet price 32k with the 0% finance and my 7th gen trade. Platinum is expensive.
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Old 05-14-2016, 08:15 PM
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Draw is less. 5000k are white ish with a 1% hint of yellow.

I'm gonna try 6000k to see if I can get it to match the the LEDs. White with a 1% of blue tint.


Originally Posted by mls277
Theres no issue with them drawing too much power or anything? Or the direction of the headlights etc? I may be finally lining up a deal on an SL if I can get this swap done. Might buy them ahead of time and have the dealer install them when they prep the car.

Are they similar to the HIDs in the 7th gen color and brightness wise? I think the HIDs in my 7th gen sport are perfect.
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Old 05-17-2016, 08:35 AM
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Originally Posted by chriscummings83
Kensum on Amazon only sells 1 kit slim. 5000k / H11 L shape
Do you have any pictures of the HIDs at night from inside and out of the car? And how white is the 5000K or would you recommend a 6k? And what price did you for the kit because I've seen 2 prices on amazon for this kit 61.99 and 84.99
Thanks in advance

Last edited by BlackMambaSV; 05-17-2016 at 08:39 AM.
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Old 05-17-2016, 03:06 PM
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Originally Posted by BlackMambaSV
Do you have any pictures of the HIDs at night from inside and out of the car? And how white is the 5000K or would you recommend a 6k? And what price did you for the kit because I've seen 2 prices on amazon for this kit 61.99 and 84.99
Thanks in advance
It's the cheaper amount. They don't make premium ballast anymore. Which had the igniters in the ballast. Too many people cannot fit them in the car. So they now call the slim ballast premium. I think premium is used loosely. The $84.99 is for cars that need resistance so their dash stops telling them to change their light bulb its burnt out or canbus. We do not need this.

5000 in most cars are 95% white with 5% blue in the head light. And 80% white and 20% yellow ok the road.

Some reason our maxima 8th gen adds a little more yellow in the head light. So it's more of 95% white and 5% yellow. All I wanted was to match the LED DRL's. I ordered 6000k but it looks like most are too blue in the headlights. I will update on Friday or Saturday when I get them. As the install takes less than 1 min.

6000k are usually 85% white and 15% blue in headlight. And white light on the ground.

My accord is pure white with 5000k.
Maxima is white with a hint of yellow for 5000k
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Old 05-17-2016, 04:03 PM
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HID Install - with Pictures

6000k HIDs @ night.

Once these bulbs die out I will be switching to 5000k as I want them to match the DRLs.
Attached Thumbnails HID Install - with Pictures-80-20150919_203142_3366c3055e86e6fa120e1f330056b20dbdde27cf.jpg  
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Old 05-17-2016, 04:10 PM
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so much better than the stock bulbs. I'm just surprised its so easy to just plug in the better bulbs and it doesnt cause any issues. I'm likely to pick up the SL and swap those in and thats good enough for me. I'd rather have the dealer do it to be honest- brand new car- will ask.
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Old 05-17-2016, 06:15 PM
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This my 5000k which to me is a little yellow.




Originally Posted by tc8510
6000k HIDs @ night.

Once these bulbs die out I will be switching to 5000k as I want them to match the DRLs.

5000k next to LED




5000k next to LED




5000k next to LED


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Old 05-17-2016, 07:48 PM
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Originally Posted by tc8510
6000k HIDs @ night.

Once these bulbs die out I will be switching to 5000k as I want them to match the DRLs.
What fogs are those? And what brand HID?

Last edited by BlackMambaSV; 05-17-2016 at 07:54 PM.
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Old 05-18-2016, 04:04 AM
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Originally I had Kensun Slim HID Kit for Headlight and Fogs. I then switched over to OPT7 HID kit little more expensive but we'll worth it. Of course you will need to buy 3 kits as the fogs take 2 bulbs each.
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Old 05-18-2016, 07:15 AM
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I think I will go with 6k
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Old 05-18-2016, 08:38 AM
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What about the H11 Silverstar Halogens from Sylvania? Amazon says they fit the 2016 maxima- look like they have a blue tint?
$42.00 probably just plug in and done.

description from amazon.com
Crisp, white light, for the look, feel, and attitude of HID
Proprietary Xenon halogen gas technology
Best alternative and value compared to dropping in HID upgrades
Cobalt blue coating provides optimal light transmission and color
Mirror top alloy coating completes the jewel-like appearance of the headlights

Last edited by mls277; 05-18-2016 at 08:41 AM.
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Old 05-18-2016, 01:57 PM
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Originally Posted by tc8510
Originally I had Kensun Slim HID Kit for Headlight and Fogs. I then switched over to OPT7 HID kit little more expensive but we'll worth it. Of course you will need to buy 3 kits as the fogs take 2 bulbs each.
Can you send a link of the opt7 HID kit and from our experience the opt7 kit is better than the kensun and what Colot temp do you have?
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Old 05-18-2016, 04:22 PM
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Originally Posted by BlackMambaSV
Can you send a link of the opt7 HID kit and from our experience the opt7 kit is better than the kensun and what Colot temp do you have?
http://www.opt-7.com/bolt-ac-series-35w-slim-hid-kit/

I went with 6000k but as soon as the life of these bulbs end, I will switch to 5000k as I want my lights to match DRLs.
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Old 05-19-2016, 06:05 AM
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Originally Posted by tc8510
http://www.opt-7.com/bolt-ac-series-35w-slim-hid-kit/

I went with 6000k but as soon as the life of these bulbs end, I will switch to 5000k as I want my lights to match DRLs.
When it comes to the bulb type are we supposed to choose H11 or H11b? And did you get the relay harness?
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Old 05-19-2016, 10:12 AM
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Originally Posted by BlackMambaSV
When it comes to the bulb type are we supposed to choose H11 or H11b? And did you get the relay harness?
No relay harness needed. I went with regular H11 bulbs.
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Old 05-19-2016, 09:53 PM
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Originally Posted by tc8510
No relay harness needed. I went with regular H11 bulbs.
I noticed the 55watt kit is only 6 bucks more. Would you recommend getting that one or the 35?
http://www.opt-7.com/bolt-ac-series-55w-hid-kit/
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Old 05-20-2016, 05:19 AM
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Originally Posted by BlackMambaSV
I noticed the 55watt kit is only 6 bucks more. Would you recommend getting that one or the 35?
http://www.opt-7.com/bolt-ac-series-55w-hid-kit/
I think that might be overkill. Especially in the fog light area. But that's the beauty of customization... to each his own!
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Old 05-20-2016, 08:17 AM
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Thanks for the post! I just bought a set of op7 Bolt AC Series: 35w Slim HID's to replace the standard halogen bulbs that came with the car, and 2 sets of opt7 blitz fog lights to replace the standard fog lights (each set is 5K). I may be confusing myself, but do you only need to mount the ballast for the H11 headlights? No ballast for the fog lights?

I also saw someone mention in another post that you need to swap out the fuse for the fog lights. I appreciate the clarification
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Old 05-20-2016, 09:10 AM
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Originally Posted by upperninty
Thanks for the post! I just bought a set of op7 Bolt AC Series: 35w Slim HID's to replace the standard halogen bulbs that came with the car, and 2 sets of opt7 blitz fog lights to replace the standard fog lights (each set is 5K). I may be confusing myself, but do you only need to mount the ballast for the H11 headlights? No ballast for the fog lights?

I also saw someone mention in another post that you need to swap out the fuse for the fog lights. I appreciate the clarification
I did a quick google/amazon search for your fog lights and it looks like the capacitor is the "ballast" just think of it as a micro ballast and doesn't need to be mounted, it just connects from the HID bulb to the factory bulb socket.

You don't need to change the fuse for the fog lights. A lot of people are putting H11 bulbs in their fogs and they typically draw 55w and no one seems to be having any issues. From the factory the Maxima has H16 bulbs in them which draw less, but have the same fitting as an H11.

I tell everyone not to put HIDs in their fog lights because it is not a projection housing and you're going to blind anyone in front of you.
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Old 05-20-2016, 09:15 AM
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Originally Posted by upperninty
Thanks for the post! I just bought a set of op7 Bolt AC Series: 35w Slim HID's to replace the standard halogen bulbs that came with the car, and 2 sets of opt7 blitz fog lights to replace the standard fog lights (each set is 5K). I may be confusing myself, but do you only need to mount the ballast for the H11 headlights? No ballast for the fog lights?

I also saw someone mention in another post that you need to swap out the fuse for the fog lights. I appreciate the clarification
You will mount all ballasts.

When changing fogs the 15A fuse will blow so I upped it to a 20A fuse and all is just fine.
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Old 05-20-2016, 09:29 AM
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I appreciate the response. I bought H11's for the headlights and H16's for the fogs. I know I have to mount a ballast for the headlights I was a little confused on the fogs. Thanks for the clarification
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Old 05-20-2016, 04:11 PM
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Originally Posted by tc8510
I think that might be overkill. Especially in the fog light area. But that's the beauty of customization... to each his own!
I meant for for the headlights not fogs
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Old 05-20-2016, 05:42 PM
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Trying to match the LED

Originally Posted by tc8510
6000k HIDs
@ night.

Once these bulbs die out I will be switching to 5000k as I want them to match the DRLs.
I feel like the 5000k is too yellow. And the 6000k are too blue. Has anyone been able to match the color of the LED



Left 6000k. Right 5000k




Left 5000k Right 6000k




6000K next to LED. To me too blue




5000k. To me too yellow


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Old 05-20-2016, 07:27 PM
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Originally Posted by BlackMambaSV
I meant for for the headlights not fogs
I think it would be too much to run 55w kit for headlights. But that's me...
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Old 05-20-2016, 07:29 PM
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Originally Posted by chriscummings83
I feel like the 5000k is too yellow. And the 6000k are too blue. Has anyone been able to match the color of the LED



Left 6000k. Right 5000k




Left 5000k Right 6000k




6000K next to LED. To me too blue




5000k. To me too yellow


Looks like the 5000k is spot on at a distance. Maybe a 5500k would be a perfect match. Me personally I wish the color of the DRL was the same of that in the Murano!
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Old 05-22-2016, 07:13 AM
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Originally Posted by tc8510
Looks like the 5000k is spot on at a distance. Maybe a 5500k would be a perfect match. Me personally I wish the color of the DRL was the same of that in the Murano!
I'm wondering if it's possible to get a definitive answer to this question: the retrofit source website asks if I want a H11A or H11B bulb. Which is it?
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Old 05-24-2016, 10:52 AM
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Originally Posted by 180kMaxima
I'm wondering if it's possible to get a definitive answer to this question: the retrofit source website asks if I want a H11A or H11B bulb. Which is it?
Bump
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Old 05-27-2016, 06:41 AM
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Originally Posted by 180kMaxima
I'm wondering if it's possible to get a definitive answer to this question: the retrofit source website asks if I want a H11A or H11B bulb. Which is it?
Double bump
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Old 05-27-2016, 07:17 AM
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H11b
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Old 05-30-2016, 09:46 PM
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Want to start by saying thank you for your post, it was very helpful and gave me the confidence to take on the install. My previous 2010 Altima was a hassle to install HIDs as I had to remove the bumper.

I was able to install both in under 30 minutes, all from the top, without having to go through the wheel. The driver side was a breeze and took about 10 mins. The passenger side was a little more challenging since this is less access, but if you can squeeze your hand in, you can install it from the top.

I went with a 6000k Kit from OPT-7 (all plug and play, didn't have to splice any wires)

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Old 05-31-2016, 01:38 AM
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Thank you guys. This helps a lot and I will go with OPT7 6000k.
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