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Comments
Steve, Host
What company would take a successful new vehicle in it's second year of production and move it across the globe?
Now if it's something like the Maxima which was built in Japan for the last 20+ years, then is moved to the US to coincide with a redesign, then sure.
hmmm, guess not. Our long term test '99 one came from the Allison Ontario factory and sounds like that's where the first ones were made for North American sales. Although:
kthenke "'98 Honda Minivan: New Model Info" Aug 25, 1998 9:24pm
Steve, Host
http://murano.nissan.co.jp/index.html
I called the dealer today, my Murano was sent on a flat bed from some local Nissan distribution lot.
I pick it up at 4PM on Monday. Yippee!
Bob
Steve, Host
I still probably have to wait another 3 weeks for my Murano to arrive.
if you save money on a vehicle that you dont like, you will hate every penny you spend on it. if you stretch yourself to afford exactly what you want, you will love paying for it.
human nature.
I also own a 3.5 Altima (2002) so I knew the engine was good and it was the same chassis as the Altima. I love the Altima and have not had a lick of problems with it. I'm pretty well sold on the Nissan build quality.
I can only report she looks great and smells so sweet. I'm not concerned the the digital read shows only 12.5 MPG on the way home from the show room. My Altima did the same when it was brand new and now I get a mind blowing 27.5 MPG on the Altima. The Murano will never get that but it will get a lot better.
I had a bit of concern when seeing the fellow on the Problems page say he was having a CVT problem. I also saw a few post stuff about popping sounds. I have to assume that these are isolated cases and can report all looks. sounds and feels great.
How about a suggestion from someone on an All-Weather mat to place on top on my factory mats?
Anything look and fit well for this SUV?
Gotta keep this baby looking as good as she does right now.
Looking forward to seeing your post Zoo.
Bob
I got a set of 4 all-weather mats from the Murano dealer and they're very heavy duty, non-slip (I put them on top of the original mats), and I like them very much. They sold them to me for cost.
But I just got 1500 total miles on the car, maybe it will improve after it break in more. Does anyone have any good/bad experience on the gas mileage?
Mobil 1 this spring hoping a steady 22 MPG.
About the CVT...I do have some concerns over the long run....so maybe getting the ext warranty while you can is a good hedge...since CVTs must be replaced in its entirety if sth goes wrong.
D/weiser..the color is Pewter with charcoal interior. It looks terrific. Dealer said it wasn't the most popular color and most seem to go for Silver. I'm not sure about that since all the dealers are loaded with black Muranos. I know what he means about the hot colors as my Altima is silver.
Thanks to all with input on the all weather mats.
As far as fuel, I had to make a trip to the dealer today to install the mud guards that were missing when I picked it up the car last night. The fuel is now 15.6 MPG and increase of 3MPG since yesterday. I predict it landing at 20 MPG shortly as I encounter very little bumper to bumper traffic.
I vote of confidence today when I met the service manager and found out he bought a Murano as his family car. I quizzed him about the CVT and he said no problems at all reported at this dealer. I asked about servicing the tranny and he was caught off guard. He said check the book, he thinks first fluid change is at 100-K. I have not checked yet but glad to hear no routine fluid changes every 30-K.
He cautioned me that a few drops of standard fluid will destroy the tranny. He said a quickie lube place added to someones Murano and it never even left the service bay. It was dead in its tracks.
I guess all the owners know this but you future buyers beware.
Happy driving and happy buying.
To all, a safe new year.
Bob
A few mileage hints about the Murano.
The Murano really sucks up the gas when it's cold (I think it's the CVT which keeps the rpm's higher until it warms up) so when you first start every morning, your mileage will be pretty low.
After it warms up, the mileage improves significantly (from an indicated 10-15 up to 19-20).
It also takes a lot of gas to get it moving and up to speed. Once there however, the mileage is pretty impressive.
I suspect that if you lived in a cold climate and only drove 2-5 miles at a time, in stop and go traffic, you could get really low mileage.
Thanks,
Don
http://www.mobil1.com/index.jsp
Anyway I'll switch around 6K miles. Since it's too cold to change oil my self now.
I think you can switch at any time. Heck most high performance cars Porsche, corvette, etc. come with Mobil in them from the factory.
But if you worry about break in wear, then just wait.
I switched my 00 Nissan Maxima (3.0 liter engine) to mobile one 5-30 at 10,000 miles and now change every 5,000 miles.
I felt at the time that this would give me 3 changes (1,000-4,000-7,000) with the regular oil and should allow the engine to be completely broken in and all the normal seating of rings and vaslves to occur.
I have 137,xxx miles on it now and have had the oil analyzed at 135k. It was fine with virtually no metal particulate matter in the oil sample sent in for analysis.
I also had a compression test run on all six cylinders at 100k and they were all very close to each other (+/-3lbs) indicating excellent wear and seating on the rings and valves.
I changed my Murano over to the same Mobile One at 10,000 miles and plan on running the same schedule for it.
Everyone's maintenance needs are different but for me, I want the vehicles I buy to last until I can't stand driving them anymore, then they go to one of my kids, usually around 130-150k.
My 95 Maxima was still running perfectly when my 19 year old totaled it last summer at 190,xxxk.
Some have done it in an FX35/45 using pre-wired connections from the rear DVD player in the arm rest. Perhaps the Murano is the same.
Thanks, Larry
I found a good link on the proper way to wash your car. Yeah, after washing cars for thousands of times I thought I knew it all but after reading the link below, I have learned a few things.
A question for those that went to a car wash.
In the event that I may go, what about the antenna on the roof? Do those giant swirling brushes present a problem? The weather in my part of the USA is usually mild enough to let me wash at home but if I have to go, any advice?
Here it is the car wash link.
Bob
http://www.autoeducation.com/car care/wash.htm
See if this works. Other link was correct but not fully highlighted.
tidester, host
That transmission is really something new. If I was a betting man I'd say we'll see more CVTs soon.
Many thanks to you posters and Edmunds for the tons of research.
O
If your like me you will start taking the long way to get someplace just to have some fun driving. Today I suggested we go to the grocer 8 miles away insted of the one 1/2 mile down the road.
Good luck and fun driving to you.
Bob
How would this result in longer engine life if the supposed break-down of the synth is the same rate as dino?
The reason synthetic oil is preferrable is that it takes longer to break-down and can tolerate higher temp ranges. Not all synths are the same, some are no better, or actually worse, than the top-of-the-line dino oil.
Q: IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REGULAR AND SYNTHETIC MOTOR OIL?
A: WE WENT TO OUR FAVORITE CAR EXPERT, PAT GOSS, TO GET YOUR ANSWER. GOSS SAYS THE DIFFERENCE IS CALLED "SHEAR STRENGTH." SYNTHETIC OIL HAS ABOUT 700 TIMES MORE SHEER STRENGTH THAN REGULAR OIL AND ALSO WITHSTANDS HEAT FAR BETTER AND REDUCES FRICTION BETTER.
HOWEVER, SYNTHETIC OIL COSTS A LOT MORE THAN CONVENTIONAL OIL, AND MUST BE CHANGED AT THE SAME INTERVAL. THE BOTTOM LINE IS SYNTHETIC OIL GIVES SUPERIOR ENGINE PROTECTION, BUT WEARS OUT IN THE SAME NUMBER OF MONTHS OR MILES. GOSS SAYS IT'S YOUR DECISION WHETHER YOU WANT TO PAY A LOT MORE FOR SUPERIOR PROTECTION.
Motor oils in general have improved over the years, as Volvo (and Toyota used to, but I'm not sure about now) and other manufacturers recommend 7.5k between oil changes.
At the least there is differing opinions on extending the change interval with synths.
Big whoop - I think synthetic is overkill for the typical passenger car.
The oil wars are a hoot though - check out Synthetic motor oil and Engine Oil - A slippery subject Part 2.
And if you're really serious, have an analysis done. (of your oil, not your mental state <g>.
Steve, Host
Couple of caveats to be aware of however.
First would be is the dealers service department convienent for you in your normal travels and in the hours they operate? Do they offer free loaners and how hard is it to get an appointment?
Second would be you really need to project pretty accurately how many miles you'll drive per year in order to determine how much service you'll be able to use up in 5 years (or whatever).
You should be able to get a copy of the dealer's service menu with the services and prices shown for each mileage increment.
You should be able to add it up pretty easily and make your decision.
In general, I'd say it's probably not worth it but your circumstances could be different.