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Comments
the rattling, does it sound like its idle related. Mine is an automatic and when its in gear sitting at idle, there is a slight
vibration which can be heard from inside the car if the radio is
off and the windows are up, almost like an echo caused by the vibration. Other owners have reported this problem on various car related web sites. Just wondering if its the same
problem. Dealer blames it on the 4 cyl - says its normal, i don't
think so. I must admit though other than that we love the car,
great handling, acceleration. Let us know what dealer says.
Has anyone else had this problem?
I have a Jetta which is another story that has 110K and it does not burn any oil and that is changing the synthetic oil every 5k to 6k miles. If a brand new broke in alty can't do better than a 7yr old vw there is a problem. My dealer also agreed to replace the engine.
used about 1/2 qt between oil changes. Toyota claims that all high speed highway driving such as you described makes oil usage more noticeable. Reason is you don't get any condensation diluting
the oil like you would thru short trips and stop and go driving. Thats toyotas theory - for what its worth.
BTW: The "H" series may be cheaper than the "V" series but they are also rated for lower speeds too.
From what flea is reporting here it sounds like (s)he may need the higher speed "V" rated tires. I wonder if flea is lending the car out to anyone (kid)?
If H-rated tires are allowed by the manufacturer or can be substituted, use them.
The day after i bought it i checked the oil and it was low approx 1/2 qt also the coolant reservoir was overfilled. I don't think the dealers do any prep at all on new cars. I now have 2500 miles on the car and checking oil regularly, i don't think its burning any. Whether its prep or oil change you cannot trust them. I always check and recheck the fluid levels.
As for the high speed vibration - could be caused by alot of things most of them minor- try flip-flopping front tires, if pulling changes sides, could be a bad tire.
Now for my biggest complaint - the vibration at idle. The vibration itself is very mild but the knocking sound that goes with it really bugs me- you can only hear it from inside the car with windows up and radio off. Others have posted about this, dealer claims its normal for 4 cyl engine. I'd appreciate it if any other 2.5s owners who have opinions or info on this 'vibration at idle' would post it here.
H rated tires are based on a testing procedure that tests a tire for a 24 hour period at a constant 130 mph. My concept is that no car is going to be driven like that and H rated tires will fulfill anyone's needs for a normal car.
V rated tires, being stiffer, will cause more noise.
The V rated tires will be stiffer and usually have a lower treadwear rating.
However, not since 1993 and my experience with a new Chrysler Concorde have I EVER been so disappointed in an automobile.
Bill
I really don't think Firestone, never mind me, cares too much about your concept of which tire consumers should buy. I have not seen you in the Altima forum before, have you even drive the SE? Probably not, It is a performance vehicle.
BTW: I don't know why you quoted my comment, maybe you did not read it correctly, it means that the H is cheaper $ and is also rated for slower speeds. The H would probably be well suited for a less performing car such as a Mustang or something.
I've spent several years as a regional manager for Super Shops, a high performance auto parts and service chain (before they went bankrupt due to bad financial planning) and handled hundreds and thousands of performance tire and wheel transactions for consumers.
The reason I quoted you is that perhaps you don't understand the testing criteria for an H or V rated tire, but I do. Don't dispense advice unless you know what's up.
You actually think that a V rated tire is "softer" than an H tire. It is, in some ways - the tread compound is softer, and stickier, but the sidewalls are stiffer, transmitting more vibration and noise than an H rated tire.
I currently race SCCA Solo II, and have for 16 years - I've owner many, many performance vehicles - I DO understand performance.
I don't own an Altima. Not that's it not a great car, it just doesn't fit my needs since I have my daily driver/race car and an SUV because of the kids and a big dog.
I'm here because I consult for a lawfirm on dealer fraud and lemon law cases and I take every chance I can get to learn more about current problems with vehicles.
Now that the pleasantries are finished, I'll be glad to help - that's all I'm here for.
Well, at least I am able to get some level of agreement regarding the tires even though zeus can't seem to help but throw in alot of noise aka chest beating. But please, just agree rather than disagree and then repeat what I have already said, it doesn't make you look knowledgeable and I actually find it tiring. It seems that you are under the impression that you are the only one here that has owned/driven a hot rod or understands cars and just because you raced a car does not make you any great shakes either.
If you can answer my questions instead of bantering of your opinions then perhaps I will listen. I mean, come on wouldn't Nissan save big bucks by putting "H" series tire on all Altima SE's as you suggest? Instead of getting answers I get noise from an industry expert(?).
And you drive an SUV (Stupid Useless Vehicle)...I'm running now!
Now back to the discussion.
The Sandman :-)
(P.S. Zues, I for one am pretty impressed with your credentials!)
Yes, you could easily run an H rated tire in place of the V rated OEM tires. Me personally? I would keep the Vs or upgrade to a Z rated tire like the Bridgestone Pole Position, BF Goodrich KDW or Kuhmo 712, but I don't mind paying a little more and sacrificing road manners (quietness, smoothness versus harshness and noise) to get a little more juice. I also don't mind replacing my tires more frequently because that's a fact of life considering the way I drive and my competition participation.
For someone who wants good performance, but a bit softer ride and more longevity (read more value), the H rated tires are great.
Drives fine at town speeds, not noticeable when accelerating quickly.
Is this normal or just me not adjusted to the shifting points? Or something else?
I am otherwise very happy with the vehicle. The transmission shifts smoothly when accelerating & the engine runs smoothly at idle.
I'm feeling very uneasy about this-- being my first new car and coming from a 10 year old car that had weak torque converter springs, this is ever so slightly reminiscent...
Feedback of "doesn't happen" is just as valuable to me as someone knowing what it is/might be.
I've only had a 2.5 at highway speeds before this one and I didn't notice a thing like this.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Scott
Drives fine at town speeds, not noticeable when accelerating quickly or during downshifts during braking.
Is this normal or just me not adjusted to the shifting points? Or something else?
I am otherwise very happy with the vehicle. The transmission shifts smoothly when accelerating & the engine runs smoothly at idle.
I'm feeling very uneasy about this-- being my first new car and coming from a 10 year old car that had weak torque converter springs, this is ever so slightly reminiscent...
Feedback of "doesn't happen" is just as valuable to me as someone knowing what it is/might be.
I've only had a 2.5 at highway speeds before this one and I didn't notice a thing like this.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Scott
Just a thought - if it still feels weird, don't hesitate dropping by the dealer. It may not be normal at all.
My suggestion to Flea differs from Zeus' and is to bring the car to another dealer for a second opinion, not buy a different set of tires (as recommended by Zeus), especially since I, along with others that happen to own 3.5 SE (Zeus doesn't), reported no visible tire wear after the same mileage duration Flea was having to change tires. I would also like to report that I have just put another 1700 miles on the car (9700 now) and the tires look fine and have not been rotated since new. If Flea's car in performing properly, then the only other thing I can think of that may be causing this tire failure is someone (bsides flea) is doing some serious burnouts with this car.
I have a 2002 Pathfinder, we have the same engine, the 3.5 V6.
I know what you are talking about, it happens as well to me on the highway when I release the gas pedal (even when I am barely depressing on it before, and sometimes with a gradual release of it).
I don't know if its normal, have not told the dealer or attempted to find a remedy. Just thought I'd say that your not the only one.
I have a 2000 Altima with 50k miles on it. Till date never had to take it to the dealer for any problem. recently, the dealer said I needed new brake pads in front. After I had that done, I have noticed a low speed wobble in the steering, that disappears at speeds above 30MPH. Anybody have a clue what it could be?
Have they been balanced ? Has the car been
aligned? Are any suspension parts loose or defective? Did the dealer techs test drive the car after latest fix?
The car sounds undrivable - you say sounds like
washer spin cycle, is it the sound or is there also vibration ?
90k mile
Check engine light (emission) is on.
mpg value decreasing... 10 now
engine/emission generating louder noise
Pep boye diagnosed for free and checked the code:
EGR control solenoid
and told me this can only be managed by dealer.
Anybody here experienced this problem?
Do I have to go to the nissan dealer, or other service shop to check it again?
Computer diagnosis: nissan dealer charges $86; Honda dealer charges $48 ... any difference for the EGR modules between different makes?
EGR control solenoid: $150 (LOCAL NISSAN DEALER)
Is 'EGR control solenoid' same as 'EGR valve solenoid'?
Thanks.
What you have is a used car that was BEAT TO DEATH as a rental (Pull a CARFAX - I'll bet a week's wages). I see very, very few Nissan products - in fact, I see fewer Missans than Toyotas and Hondas (separately, not combined) and only 3-4 Altimas in a year and a half of doing this automotuve expert court thing.
I'm glad you were able to vent, but that is not what Edmund's is for - I'm sorry you got a bum used car, but that's all that's wrong with your situation.
The second was a '99 Altima. Tranny up and quit at 35K miles. It was replaced under warranty. That car's mileage is now somewhere in the lower 90's. About a month ago, it did have a distributor failure that left them stranded. I was actually surprised to hear this...I thought distributors went the way of the carburetor!
Neither car has been really bad, although I'm surprised at the tranny failures. My Mom & stepdad commute into work together, and most of their driving is highway mileage, so it's not like they're thrashing the car or anything!
Never seen you here before - many people ask for my help with their cases and I give it freely.
I've run over 3,000 CARFAX reports - I know they don't list a previous owner's name, and many rentals aren't listed as "rentals".
You defintely got the exception to the rule when it comes to Altimas. Good luck with it.
I was also trying to curtail your post because people have been sued for slamming a car dealership in a public forum. I'm sorry your reaction was so hostile - I'm glad I'm not your service advisor.
I'm not any more important than anyone here, but along with the other car business guys (and ex-car business guys like me), we try to help folks out of problems when dealing with a problematic dealership or vehicle.
I know you bought the car used - did you have someone check it out for you (other than the dealer)? It's unfortunate that some unscrupulous dealer's idea of a vehicle certification is just filling out a form and giving it an oil change.
In the mean time, I am in the spin cycle. Literally. The wierd thing is, there is no noticeable steering wheel vibration at all. Yet, if I drive it at 10 or less mph (foot off the gas) I can feel the tires thump-thump, thump-thumping on the pavement. Sound like high points, but so did the other tire sets, too. That is why I am pointing at the rims. Nissan doesn't see it that way.
"DO NOT BUY A NISSAN ALTIMA GXE 2001 AND IF YOU DEFINITELY WANT TO BUY ONE, THEN FROM MY EXPERIENCE AND OPINION, PLEASE ADVOID BUYING IT FROM COLLINS NISSAN."
You do as you wish. Have a nice day.
Why you are doing this is a complete mystery.
Again, have a nice day.
We also own a '01 Altima GXE, but a Limited Edition model, and we had to have the idler pulley replaced under warranty at about 28k miles. Also, the brakes wore out at 16k miles and "we" had to pay to replace them. Thus far the only problems with the car.
We were lucky enough to buy the car new with only 24 miles on the odometer after it was driven up to Ft. Lauderdale from Miami. The wife still loves her car after 2 years and 36k miles!
The Sandman :-)
If the car's vibrating, and it's showing up in the steering, that's most likely a problem with tire balance.
As for whining from the steering wheel belt, I can't remember...do these cars use a single serpentine belt for everything? Only time I've had belts squeak was in cold weather, before the car had warmed up. Maybe you've got a mis-aligned or warped pulley somewhere?
Dunno about the grinding noise in the heater, either. In some cars, I can hear the flaps in the ducts as they open and close to direct the air, and some fans are louder than others. If the sound just went away on it's own though, in all fairness, it's hard for a mechanic to diagnose a problem that isn't there!
What kind of car did you have before you got the Altima, Mrsvalentine? Some of your concerns, like the "gliding" (not sure what you mean by that) and shocks (rough ride?) make me think of someone who just got really used to the way their old car handled and acted, and now just have to re-adjust to a different driving experience.
Also, one thing I would DEFINITELY do is have the tranny serviced. I don't care what the manuals say nowadays, every 30,000 miles is good preventive maintenance. You're right at that mark now, and you really don't know how that car was treated by the previous driver(s).
Good luck with it!
As far as slander, your remarks labeling a particular dealership are dangerous. I have heard also where people that posted their experiences were brought to court by the slandered dealership.
Thanks~
positives:
-unique styling (camry and accord look close to the same style)
-great looking
-handling comparable to sports car
-fantastic power
-great stereo BOSE
-great standard warranty
-heated mirrors
-8-way power drivers seat
-17 inch wheels
-quality finished allow rims
-fog lights (standard)
-auto transmission very smooth
-seperate defrost controls
-lots of cargo area
-cargo nets
-more front legroom
-more headroom
negatives:
-interior door panels have no style
-simulated wood grain could look more realistic (I hear that this
has been upgraded for '03)
-absence of plush plastic ;-)
On the down side, the 3.5 SE unlike the 2.5 does have a very stiff ride. It also uses a lot of fuel(I'm getting 15mpg in the city).
I would recommend you actually drive both models if you are thinking of buying the Altima.