Nissan Murano 2005 and earlier

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Comments

  • dklaneckydklanecky Member Posts: 559
    You will find that there are probably 100's if not 1000's of differing opinions on motor oil changes/frequency/brands, etc.

    I have had very good luck following this schedule with (most recently) my 95 Maxima (now at 192,xxx miles) and my 00 Maxima (now at 123,xxx miles). When my Murano is delivered around the first week of May I will follow the same schedule with it.

    I follow as much as possible the break in driving instructions for the first 1000 miles of the vehicle's life. IMO, this is the most critical time in the vehicles life and will determine just how long it will last and how much trouble (or lack of) I'll experience. (This is also why I insist on a vehicle that has less than 50 miles on the odometer when I pick it up.)

    In general, keep it under 4000 rpm's, no hard (sudden) starts or stops, no sustained cruising at any speed, and keep it under 55 mph (that's the hard one:-)).

    I change the original oil and filter at 3000 miles, using the regular 10-30 oil. I change them both again at 6000 miles, still with the 10-30 oil. Then at 10,000 miles I switch to full synthetic Mobile One 10-30.

    From that point on I change both oil and filter at 5000 mile increments.

    This schedule also then fits you into the 15,000 mile service increments that Nissan recommends (ie 15-30-45-60, etc).

    Good luck!
  • chevydude2chevydude2 Member Posts: 36
    Wife got hit on drivers side in a Yukon XL and it got totaled..(wife O.K.) Looked for new cars -- drove me crazy, had decided on a Toyota 4Runner Limited and on a whim, I drove thru the Nissan Dealer. We test drove a Murano and what a sweet ride. SHamrock Nissan in S.Bend, IN would not deal -- so, living in SW Mich, we went to Cole-Gilmore Nissan in Kalamazoo. Got a great deal on a loaded SL -- even has nav system. They knocked $2300 off sticker... nice to deal with - no high pressure -- just nice people. Can't get the Murano 'til I get the final settlement on the Yukon..Murano is my FIRST foreign auto, but appears to be a great ride.
  • ndboomerndboomer Member Posts: 20
    Chevy Dude-

    Did you try Tom Nauin in Elkhart, IN and Bill Frank Nissan in South Bend (near Niles)? I saw an ad for one of these two dealerships offering Muranos at invoice.
  • nisenewmannisenewman Member Posts: 6
    Picked up my murano today!!!! Love it...and again the dealership was great showed me everything top to bottom. I did have to show him how to open the gas (saw that posted earlier LOL)
    Dweiser I took the SL. I drove the SE, but it was alittle tight for my taste. I would get it though if I lived in an area with twisty roads. It handles curves great. I did not realize how big It is until I parked in my garage. It does not look that big, but all alone in my garage Have to figure out the homelink now, so I can open the garage.
  • dweiserdweiser Member Posts: 288
    I too have the SL. If you have any problems getting HomeLink working, I'm sure folks here will be able to help. Mine is now working but I found I have to press and hold the button (on the mirror) in longer than I would have thought, to make the garage door open or close. I say this because it would be very easy to think you hadn't programmed it correctly and it wasn't working, when all you had to do was to press and hold the button a little longer. Setting it up is a two person job unless you take gust's hilarious advice and stand up through the sunroof.
    :)
  • uncledaviduncledavid Member Posts: 548
    Hey! Isn't it time that the editors here at Edmunds.com did a FULL TEST on the Murano? There is only a "First Drive" posted. I'm sure we'd all like to see a more complete test.
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    Contact us! :-)

    tidester, host
  • workinclassdogworkinclassdog Member Posts: 20
    Picked this up on another msg board for Infiniti owners - was posted by an Infiniti dealer in TX...

    "There has been much discussion regarding this issue but this is how it stands. All FX35 and FX45 vehicles are prewired and will accept either Sirius or XM kits that will be available starting at the end of April. $400 is for the factory installed option. We are talking about an aftermarket installation kit."

    Apparently Infiniti is working on an aftermarket solution for the FX 45, which shares pretty much all the same components as the Murano (even looks like a twin)

    This could be great news - assuming the kit will work in a Murano!
  • dweiserdweiser Member Posts: 288
    Thanks to Edmunds and UncleDavid (for asking).
    "We will be conducting a comparison test that will include the Murano in a few weeks. Please look for the review beginning of May."
  • uncledaviduncledavid Member Posts: 548
    Great news!
  • miamicrv1miamicrv1 Member Posts: 66
    We're getting ready to purchase our Murano in Victoria BC and because cars are already less expensive than in the US we're never quite sure how far to push the negotiations. Any BC residents that can offer some pricing advise would be appreciated. We're still trying to make up our mind between the SE and SL.
  • email77email77 Member Posts: 27
    My new Murano SE AWE, got everything except NAV. I paid total with G.S.T. $47,615. since we don't have PST in Alberta that's only one T for me.
    I think I got a good deal. let me know what do you get.
  • miamicrv1miamicrv1 Member Posts: 66
    That does seem like a good price...thanks for the information
  • woodyr1woodyr1 Member Posts: 142
    If you are buying in Victoria, you are buying from an establishment where I have had both my Pathfinder's serviced. You may want to compare the option package for the US and Canadian models of the Murano. When I bought my 2001 Pathfinder, the Canadian model had more standard equipment than the same model in the US. Regarding pricing, a dealer did advise me that they were not charging more than MSRP as supply was readily available.
  • bspzbspz Member Posts: 35
    I did mine alone, just back the car up to the garage opening, leave the drivers door open, have the ladder under the door opener and press the security button. Most openers give you 30 seconds to set your remote, plenty of time to get into the car and setup the button...
  • baataboombaataboom Member Posts: 23
    Gene,
    [ I'm fighting back the urge to say something clever/funny ]
    You may be new to computers, forums, Edmunds, sales, etc but you surely have noticed a lack of sales & self promotion on this site. Your behaviour has likely driven away any potential customers by hitting them over the head with your sales brochure.

    Did you happen to notice that you are the only sales guy 'working' the Edmunds site? Did you think you were the first to think 'Ooooh! what an opportunity!'? Can you imagine what it would be like if all sales folks behaved this way? Let me tell you: there would only be sales folks left, the rest of us would wander off in the electronic equivalent of dodging the sales crowds at the dealerships. (I believe there are actually sales-focused forums here, maybe you should consult your brethen).

    You are certainly welcome here. There are a number of sales folks here. But like anyone else, their value to the group is demonstrated, not proclaimed.

    If you can't or won't provide any non-sales value here, that's OK. It's not clear that I've provided any value either, but I'm not selling anything. Bring your humor, bluster, questions, and car facts to edmunds and they will be welcome. But leave your sales togs at home.

    Your multiple postings here at edmunds are not technically SPAM, but they sure do taste like it. Please stop, and join us.
  • baataboombaataboom Member Posts: 23
    Ooops! There I go jousting at windmills. The message I was replying to disappeared. Good show moderator! (There are several others from isellnissan scattered though the nissan forums).

    I'm still very pleased with our Murano (loaded, w/nav), by the way. No rattles or problems.

    BTW, since the 6-CD changer will display CD and track titles, I've begun re-recording many of my CDs with this info. If you're using Roxio EZ CD Creator, just check the disk-at-once option and be sure the 'CD Text' box is then checked (without disk-at-once, it will be ghosted). CD Creator can also retrieve your track and disk titles from the internet (CDDB), you won't need to type anything (unless you want to). (No I'm not selling anything).
  • email77email77 Member Posts: 27
    Good job baataboom, I will try this tonight, it is so helpful.
  • timtimtjtimtimtj Member Posts: 3
    I have my new Murano SE for about a week so far and I really love it. I have only one issue which I will most likely need to have my dealer look at. I have a rattle on the driver's side. It happens when going over medium or larger bumps and sounds like it's right next to my left ear while driving...very annoying! It's a plastic sound...almost a popping. I've read the other posts about rattles but mine sounds like it's coming from a different place. I checked the seat belt adjuster and that's not the source. It seems to be originating from the rear of the driver's side front window frame. Anyone have anything similar to this? If possible, I'd like to fix it myself instead of bringing it to the dealer however, I'd tried all the obvious things. Any ideas?
  • travisstacytravisstacy Member Posts: 2
    I have had my Murano SL for about three months now, and also have the same popping noise in drivers door that is mentioned above. From what I can tell it has something to do with the door seals rubbing together slightly. I have not figured out a fix, I can only say when it is warmer than 80 degrees it seems to go away. When its warm the door and trim must expand just enough to tighten the seal. I will probably bring it up at my next service, but I don't think there is much they can do. Other than that I love everything about my Murano so far.
  • timtimtjtimtimtj Member Posts: 3
    I hope that the dealer can do something about it. It's not normal! I thought that it might be the window moving against its seal. Unfortunately, it's very difficult to pinpoint the source of the noise. I'm not sure that I'd be able to live with it do to it happening right in my ear! Anyway, I'm going to put up with it until my first service and then have the dealer take a look at it. With any luck, they'll be able to fix this. Other than that, the car is great!
  • travisstacytravisstacy Member Posts: 2
    I will probably have my first service done within the next month. I'll be sure to post what the dealer said, and if they did or didn't fix it.
  • timtimtjtimtimtj Member Posts: 3
    Thanks...let's hope one of us gets it fixed! Please post what you find out!

    -Tim
  • rrennerrrenner Member Posts: 4
    I am interesting in purchasing a Murano sometime next year. I'm hoping the prices might improve, or that I can find a lightly-used one.
    My husband likes the vehicle, but is concerned that the 18" tires will be expensive to replace, and that we won't be able to have our great local mechanic service it once it's out of warranty. We keep cars for a long time - my current vechicle is a 1991 Explorer. I can't wait to get something new!
    Any comments on how expensive the Murano might be in the long run, compared to something like an Explorer? Thanks!
  • uncledaviduncledavid Member Posts: 548
    The tires are not really expensive. Tirerack.com has them for $95 each. But, their unusual size may mean that they are relatively hard to get.

    I don't think the Nissan will be hard to maintain or expensive. Nissan's are very reliable vehicles and the V6 in that car has held up extremely well. You can see in Consumer Reports that the problem rate on that engine is extremely low. In fact, it should be a lot more reliable than your Ford. Also, as with many new cars, it doesn't need its first tune-up until after 100,000 miles.

    The unknown is the CVT transmission. But, CVT have fewer moving parts than more conventional automatics. So, I don't see that as being a big issue either.

    The warranty on the Nissans is 36,000 miles, and 50,000 drivetrain. If you are still nervous, you can always purchase and extended warranty.

    Finally, prices have come down on the Murano dramatically. It was selling for MSRP+ early in the year. They are now available for a few hundred more than invoice, if you bargin hard.

    Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot are also good options. Neither vehicle is as sporty, but both will be reliable and are available at decent prices.
  • dklaneckydklanecky Member Posts: 559
    Are more expensive than most simply because of the 18" size. I seriously doubt that the Explorer could cost you less in repairs than the Murano over the next 150-200,000 miles, based on anyone's reliability information.

    The only thing your mechanic probably couldn't service on the Murano would be the CVT transmission.

    My understanding is that the CVT transmission is designed for the life of the vehicle meaning no replaceable parts.

    You just replace the whole unit (when and if) it ever dies. It is also supposed to be way less expensive to replace than a normal transmission.

    Nissan vehicles have consistently been at the top of the long term reliablility list (check Consumer Reports). The Murano is also built in Japan which increases significantly (for Nissans in particular)the higher reliability probability.

    I looked at Explorers and was reasonably impressed with them except for the lower gas mileage. (That's an extra cost you'll pay every week!)

    Drive both vehicles on the same day if you can back to back and then make a decision based on what you like the best. They are pretty different vehicles in how they drive and in their functionality.
  • uncledaviduncledavid Member Posts: 548
    Again, I disagree with the suggestion that the Murano tires are expensive. The tires that are standard on the vehicle can be had for under $100. Go to tirerack.com, and order them. They can be installed by a local vendor.

    Then again, I'm not sure how much the tires for other SUVs cost and the tires for the Murano are going to be harder to find. I did look at the prices for the Explorer, and the selection is greater with some tires being cheaper than the $99 tires on the Murano.

    BTW, the Murano will be built in the US next year. As dklanecky notes, Nissans built in Japan seem to be a bit more reliable. I'm not sure what that is about.
  • dklaneckydklanecky Member Posts: 559
    I believe this is an unsubstantiated rumor. I have not seen anything in print from a reliable source (other than message boards like this one).

    Matter of fact, a poster on another Meassage Board (FA, who's an engineer in the Nissan Plant that makes the Altima in the US) has said that there's no way the Murano is coming to the United States for production.

    The sales volume is way too low to be moving the entire plant over here. Why would Nissan want to do that?

    The replacement tires that I looked at for the Murano (a little wider at 275/55/18 than stock) were Michelin Cross Terrains at $151 each from Tirerack.com. If you go to the 255/55/18's you can find about 20 choices on Tirerack for as low as $99 or as high as $238 each.
  • uncledaviduncledavid Member Posts: 548
    I appreciate the information about the manufacturing location. I had heard (and I'm not sure where) that the Murano would be moving to a new US plant (not the one in Smyrna) and would be built alongside other light trucks. But, come to think of it, I don't remember seeing that in print anywhere.

    Your posts are always so informative!
  • dklaneckydklanecky Member Posts: 559
    I just spend way too much time collecting as much general (and specific) information as I can about Nissan (and Infiniti).

    I'm really impressed with what they've (Gosen and crew) done with the company in the last 5 years.

    What a turn around and what a generally great group of new products (well maybe not the M45).

    It's just a (relatively) cheap hobby!!
  • uncledaviduncledavid Member Posts: 548
    My only issue with Nissan lately (although this does not really apply to the Murano) is that the quality of the interiors seems to be declining. I hate all the hard plastic in the new Maxima and the G35. I like the Murano's interior, but wish the interior on the other vehicles was up to Nissan's standards in other domains.
  • rrennerrrenner Member Posts: 4
    I certainly appreciate the thoughtful commentary on the tires and on the Murano in general. It gives me more confidence in the Nissan. After reading this site extensively, I am very excited about the Murano. I wish I did not feel I needed to wait another year to pay off my husband's Silverado and save more for a down payment. I look foward to reading more info as you all post it.
    Thanks again!
  • dweiserdweiser Member Posts: 288
    You were correct UncleDavid, one of the reviews in one of the "big three" car mags said the Murano will be built in the US next year. They may or may not be right but it was in the review. I guess if this is a "big deal" to anyone I can find which magazine as I have them here.
  • uncledaviduncledavid Member Posts: 548
    Thans, Dweiser. I thought I had read something to that effect. I dimly remember reading that Nissan was going to have a new plant, somewhere in the midwest, and that there were going to build the Murano and other light trucks in that plant.
  • uncledaviduncledavid Member Posts: 548
    It was in Consumer's Digest

    "Murano's paint is barely dry, but there's already one bit of news to report. Starting with the '04 models, production shifts from Japan to Nissan's new truck factory in Canton, Mississippi. That plant will also be home to a new full-size pickup and SUV that are unrelated to Murano--and a 2004 Quest minivan that is."
  • dklaneckydklanecky Member Posts: 559
    Where source have you folks gotten the "Murano to be made in the US" facts from? I'm an engineer in the Nissan Smyrna, TN plant and as far as I know, I have not seen anything about Muranos to be built in the US.

    Smyrna, TN builds the Frontier, Xterra, Altima and Maxima and in the future, the next Pathfinder.

    Canton, MS builds (or will build) the new Quest, the Titan Pickup, The Pathfinder Armada SUV, a future Infiniti SUV, and eventually more Altimas.

    The Murano, 350Z, G35's, M45 and Q45 are staying in Japan.

    Sentras are in Mexico.

    Also, it would not make sense to install all of the line machinery, get the suppliers set up for parts in Japan, train all of the people, etc. if they were only going to make vehicles for 1 year and then move everything and repeat the process again. If a move is to be made, it would be more likely for a new major model change (see Maxima).

    This was posted on 1/6/2003 by bamajets over on FA.

    Is there a pool or a bet in this somewhere?
  • dweiserdweiser Member Posts: 288
    Just the ages old search for the truth dklanecky.
    And for an honest human being of course.
    Both searches c-o-n-t-i-n-u-e.
    :)
  • 92drexel92drexel Member Posts: 153
    has a good comparo between the Murano, Highlander, and the Endeavor. They had some nice things to say about the Murano.
  • uncledaviduncledavid Member Posts: 548
    I have no source regarding the manufacturing issue, other than that specific blurb from Consumer's Review. I'm claiming no inside knowledge whatsoever, and am just reprinting a blurb I took off their website. For all I know,they could be reporting inaccurate information. Also, I don't follow Nissan nearly as closely as dklanecky and he is much more informed about these issues than I am.

    However, I would have to point out that there are many examples of manufacturers who shifted production from Japan to the US during the middle of a model run. Honda, for example, did that with the Accord. For a while, some Accords were built in Ohio and some were built in Japan and you could not tell the difference unless you read the window sticker. In fact, my first Accord was built in Japan at the same time many others were rolling off the plant in Ohio.

    It is also the case that the new Quest and Murano will share many components. So, it would make good sense for them to be built in the same place.

    That said, I follow dklanecky's reasoning as well and agree that it makes sense to expect Muranos to keep being manufactured in Japan.
  • mert2jrmert2jr Member Posts: 1
    Spoke with my dealer, they told me towing package is not available at this time - maybe in June. I have noticed posts here and other forums that it is availabe and at FreshAlloy had pictures of dealer installed hitch. Does any one have a part number or name and tel number of a dealer that has installed the package. I now hidden hitch has one but there seems to be problem with wiring harness. I want the Nissan Accessory hitch installed by me dealer. Thanx
  • dklaneckydklanecky Member Posts: 559
    I don't think the hitch and towing package your seeing people talk about is "dealer installed".

    I think it's coming from Japan with the hitch and wiring installed. That's why your dealer says he doesn't have them for installation yet.

    He doesn't have the Nissan ones.

    The "Hidden Hitch" brand you've seen over at FA is available from a Hidden Hitch dealer, probably not your Nissan dealer.

    I suppose it's also possible that the Nissan Hitch and wiring are Port Installed Options, but I'm not sure.
  • dweiserdweiser Member Posts: 288
    If it's o.k. to mention a car mag here, the May 2003 issue (thanks 92drexel for the heads up) of "Motor Trend" compares the Endeavor, Highlander, and Murano. The comparo ends "We found it (the Murano) simply irrestible-and the clear winner of this three-way midsize-sport/utility evaluation."
  • bspzbspz Member Posts: 35
    mine came with the towing package as listed on the sticker which would indicate to me that it is a factory installed option. All of the Muranos at the dealer where I found mine had the towing package...about 5 vehicles. That was back in Feb.
  • brelanbrelan Member Posts: 8
    Our towing package was dealer installed. The hitch was a nissan part with 'standard wiring'. We wanted the wiring customized for our trailer and the dealer worked with us to make this happen. We are pleased with the look of this hitch assembly.
  • roadrunner70roadrunner70 Member Posts: 241
    to brelan, could you please explain what change you made to the wiring harness. although i put on a hitch, i have been investigating the wiring harness since i need a flat five pin (the fifth for the back up lights to power a brake lock out solenoid). i understand that a converter is needed since the turn signals are separate from the brakes lights. where was all of this connected and what was your custom change. thanks
  • brelanbrelan Member Posts: 8
    to roadrunner70,the std wiring our local nissan dealer provided is a flat 4 pin. We purchased the wiring harness (8 pin) from our trailer dealer, took it to the nissan dealer who wired a 4 pin to the end of the trailer harness. We now have a separate harness that connects to the nissan supplied wiring. Everything is stored in the spare tire well. I don't know if a converter was needed. Sorry I can't be of more help but I can say that the dealer was happy to do the conversion for us at no extra cost.
  • brelanbrelan Member Posts: 8
    I forgot to add that the dealer told us the hitches are hard to get. We put our name on a waiting list because the nissan tubular hitch complemented the murano's styling more than other hitch brands.
  • nisenewmannisenewman Member Posts: 6
    Well I got the homelink going. Thanks for the tip about holding it in. I wish they would have lit those buttons up. LOVE DRIVING IT!. Have a twin pewter running around town. Drives my hubby crazy he thinks it me and is ringing me up to ask where I'm heading .My nit pics are just a few. The reflection on the glass in the florida sun from the dash is pretty bad(have latte interior). Going to have to have a dash cover made some how or tint more of the top of the front window. The cup holders are not the best design. Found I can only use large containers unless I want what I'm drinking all over me or the interior. My hubby just stuffs napkins around the cups. Other than those few things it is great. No popping sounds as of yet. Had a bumper guard put on along with a wind deflector for the sunroof, but the dealer said the cross bars for the roof rack were causing problems and they would not install them yet. Has anyone had them put on? Any problems?
  • dweiserdweiser Member Posts: 288
    Hi Nisenewman,
    Can't address your other concerns (I got used to (got over) the windshield reflection thing real fast)(you can always go to the Lincoln Aviator board for suggestions from fake fur to dead animals to decorate the upper dash) from those folks with more money than brains or taste.
    :)
    I like the cup holders on the Murano.
    You DO know there's a flip-down thingy there to accommodate/hold smaller cups in place right?
    Works great for coffee, can of beer, and gin & tonics!
    (just kidding)
  • roadrunner70roadrunner70 Member Posts: 241
    to brelan, why did you have an 8 wire harness? thanks. roadrunner70
This discussion has been closed.

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