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Comments
Have you taken a test drive? I highly recommending it before making any conclusions.. good luck!
The only time you would press the lock button is if you were starting out in very deep snow, mud, or sand which most folks will never do in this car. DO NOT drive on normal roads with the center diff. locked!
-D
Not all Muranos are AWD.
Only the ones ordered with the AWD option will have it.
All Muranos are PRIMIARLY FWD vehicles, even those with the AWD option.
The AWD vehicles only use the AWD function when they loose traction to the front wheels.
You can lock the AWD by using the AWD lock button, but it only remains locked up to 19 mph, then it unlocks and becomes FWD again, unless traction to the front wheels is lost, then the AWD will kick in again.
In my Murano I have not noticed any difference but in the Maxima (with virtually the same motor) I had before the Murano I could definately notice a difference in both power and gas milage between using regular and premium gas. I got about 5% better gas milage using premium over regular.
Will appreciate a response. Planning to buy one next month.
Not intrusive when off, feels very stable when on.
The basic install requires drilling a hole in the roof for the receiver, removing weather seals and routing the cable, removing some plastic parts in the back of the car and installing the receiver and plugging it into the power and radio buss.
No bad but why can't nissan just INCLUDE the XM receiver like Honda does?!?!
Here's a site that has lots of pictures.
http://muranosat.avapl.org/index2.html
The Murano in the pictures is a 2003, so they had to remove the radio from the dash in order to add the cable that runs from the back opf the head unit to the spot under the rear seat where you make the connection to the SAT tuner.
It's really pretty easy, if you have the cable already installed (you do if it's a 2004 or 2005).
Good luck!
As for DIY installs then I agree, no hole is needed .
We bought Murano S awd 2005 in 2 weeks ago... Impressions: Runs good. I don't know why Edmunds says there not enough power because of CVT. Shift it to D-S mode(lever to your right) and you will feel the difference between any cars outhere. Test drive on Magnum did not impress me at all. Big box on the weels. All marketing hype about "Mercedes" transmission etc. is nothing. I was trying 6 cyl version and IT IS UNDEPOWERED. Murano - different story. So far my car has 800 miles, no squicks, rattles or anything. Milege according to the trip computer was at the beginning (car had 60 miles) 13 mpg (premium fuel), now at 800 miles shows 18.7 constantly. Middle grade fuel used all the time. AWD locked all the time. Power is more then enough for me. One thing that bothers me is AWD light sometimes dissapears at 55 mph (road was wet) today on 10 inches of snow it dissapeared at 35 mph. I guess this is because tires sensors detects road conditions and tranny adjust itself. Will see. So far for a mere 27500 with convinience package and free carwash for life and oil change for 3 years and finance for 72 month for 6% I'm damn pleased
Any thoughts?
Thanks
Jeff in MN
last night was extreme.... while driving on an expressway at about 90 kmph, the Emergency Break light and the Battery Light just turned on.... i slowed down and parked on the side. turned the car off and back on... but no avail... luckily the dealership was open till 9pm on thursdays, so i took it there and the guy there said no problems just have our techs have a look at this in the morning (being it was 6 pm). asked him if i need to worry about it... but he said no... its just a small thing... but gues what, on my way back it stopped on the expressway... even while pressing the gas pedal to the full, nothing would happen... the rpm's wouldnt just go up.... put the car in park.... and the rpm's were fine... back to drive and still same problenms..... kep the car running at less than 5 mph on the pavement for about 2 mins when all the lights just turned on i.e. vdc off, awd, slip, tire pressure, service engine etc..... and then..... started blinking.... it was like -18 C outside and i was with my pregnant wife.... and no cell phone.... well climbed on the fence and called the dealership in saskatoon... they said, since u got the car from calgary, you should contact ur sales agent there ..... or call 1-800
i didnt have time for the bull crap .... so i called 1-800 and the tow truck was on the way in 35 mins.
but i got some lessons....
1. NEVER BUY the first generation of the cars
2. call nissan about the issues with the agents in each dealership
3. get a freakin cell phone for emergencies
Now, the car is at the dealership and would go into the workshop in about an hour...
i will let you guys know what went wrong with this.
Anyone had a chance to see how stripped this is? Could not find any in the Metro Detroit - Nissan dealers inventory, to see and test.
I also wonder if gas mileage is still very low for this version, as it is for SL???
Price showing on edmunds looks pretty appealing...but how stripped off this car this?
Thank you,
Dan
Jeff in MN
As far as your current problem, my first guess would be that your altinator is shot. Let us know when you hear what the problem was.
One other thing, the dealer that you contacted in Saskatoon should be shot. It's a wonder some of these dealers are still in business. It's like they make you think that they are doing you a favour by letting you take your car to them. Not all dealers are like that though. I have never had any trouble here in Ottawa getting any of the dealers to service my cars. A lot of the time it was easier getting an appointment at the dealers where I didn't buy my car because the one where I bought was too busy. Maybe the dealer in Saskatoon was just too busy to take care of you.
i didnt have the issue with the service of this car that much. and i also do understand that first generation vehicles can and DO get some unseen issues, but the way that person dealt with me over the phone that " had you purchased the vehicle from us, we would have been able to help you... you do us a favor when u buy cars from us and in return we help you out in such situations"
well, i understand they make money by only selling the car to someone but that doesnt mean to tell other customers which bought same brand from somewhere else in the country ( in my case Calgary)
anyways... they took their time and fixed it today i.e. monday....
i have a trailer hitch package, roof cross-bars and the front grill cover (radiator protector from bugs) other than the above mentioned problems, this car has been a beauty in driving and riding
We took delivery of a 2005 SL with most of the "bells and whistles" including the NEW Technology Package (NAV, Intelligent Key, and Back-Up Camera). It also has XM, which is nice. I believe the 2005 also have some new safety features (I think roll-over sensors that when activated, deploy air bags?).
If you have the means, I'd def recommend getting a 2005 with the Tech Package (new for 2005) if for no other reason than the Back-Up Camera. Before we purchased our Murano, we rented a 2004 model and my one major complaint was lack of visibility in reverse. The camera helps a lot here. The Intelligent Key is also very neat, and is a safety feature as well (no fumbling for keys ever).
Overall, very satisfied with the vehicle. It's actually for my wife, but I drive it when possible (fyi, I have a 2004 G35 so the fact that I like driving the Murano is high praise indeed!).
- Jeff
SO FAR NO RATTLES OR WIND NOISE. PUT A COAT OF WAX ON IT AND IT WAS ONE OF THE EASEST CARS I HAVE EVER WAXED. LOTS OF FLAT SURFACES.
well after getting my car 4 times in past 3 weeks to the workshop... its time to take it back again... now the "Service Engine Soon" light came up.
after getting the alternator changed, i noticed that the car has lost almost 35% of its power... it used to gain a speed of 90 kmph at no more than 1500rpm (at a steady rate) but now it was taking almost 3000rpms to gain the same speed under same driving conditions (i.e. -15C ~ -30C)
now this weekend, the light came up and i took it to the dealership. just got it back and the guy told they had to contact Nissan's Tech line cuz their techs couldnt figure out the problem. and the Nissan Techline would contact them back with solutions...
it could be
a. a part in the transmission
or
b. the whole transmission
now after seeing that many problems in such short time has made me think about my decision to buy this beauty.
has anyone else suffered from such conditions or its just my badluck.
I have been running it on regular fuel, ocassionally pumping in some 90/91 octane juice. I haven't any problems with the 87 octane.
Over the past year I installed the front bumper guard, it was a bit of a challenge, I wouldn't recommend doing it yourself if you don't have a hoist to work under, also some pretty tight areas to get at. However it did save a couple of "dings". Also installed the protector for the top of the back bumper, a necessity because of my son's goalie bag.
Overall, I have been very happy with the vehicle. It has served me well here in MN, especially the heated seats.
I stopped an owner in a parking lot who said it was more like 15 city /18 fwy and this owner was disappointed. thx
Murano has a very poor record on gas mileage. For its size, and claimed engine+transmission incorporated high –techs,is not what it’s worth it.
I have direct contact with engineering community @ Nissan Technical Center North America in Farmington Hills, Mi.
All I can tell you is that they are very well aware of this fact, and figured out that the CVT could be the problem (and you would believe that a CVT tranny would improve mileage). Wrong on Murano.
Nissan should be sued on deceiving customers by claiming an “average” gas mileage 20% higher then it is in the real world environment.
A dated engine + tranny of a 6 cyl Caravan, which does not benefits from the latest high-techs such as CVT, VVT-I, Aluminum block, 3.5 VQ- best in class engine, is getting an average of 23 mpg, waaay better then Murano. Did I say Caravan is even 300 lbs heavier??
As stated on this forum, and as my friends that own a Murano are noticing disappointingly, Murano’s gas mileage,on cold OR warm weather, is very poor and rather close to a bulky domestic SUV.
Hope it helps you on making a decission based only on gas mileage performance. Sorry Nissan!:))
Dan
As far as the CVT being the reason for poor gas milage, how can you be so sure? Have you actually got a Murano with a regular tranny to compare it to? Before the Murano I drove a Maxima for 4 years and the gas milage on that car was not as good as advertised either. My milage in the Max was no better than the Murano on the highway. My Max was also just a 3 liter. I have a friend who has a current generation 3.5 liter Altima with a manual tranny and his milage is no better than my Murano on the highway.
The fact is that most people I know do not get the milage that their cars were rated for. It would be hard to sue Nissan for their ratings since the ratings are calculated by the manufacturers based on tests mandated by the EPA. Nissan puts their cars through a series of tests which are designed by the EPA. These tests do not really represent how many of us drive though. The highway test for instance simulates driving over a distance of 10 miles at an average speed of 48mph and a maximum speed of 60mph. When was the last time you drove on the highway at that speed? They also perform the test with the AC off. Most of us drive with the AC on most of the time. They also accelerate very slowly in the test. One of the quickest accelerations that they do in the highway test is the initial acceleration from 0 to 35 miles per hour in 30 seconds. Watch the next time that you drive and see how long it take you to get to 35mph. I bet it takes you less than 30 seconds. Now the highway values that they calculate are reduced by 22% to get the rated milage but for most cars it is still higher then what most actually get. Also keep in mind that the tests are conducted in a lab on a dynamometer and not on a real road. If you want more info on how they test the milage on cars take a look at http://www.fueleconomy.gov/.
Your arguing is common sense.
I was answering to mileagefreak's concern on the Murano's gas mileage.
Did not want to divagate on how EPA is rating the gas mileage. We all know that mnfctr's intentions are to inflate those numbers, to make their product more appealing.
You asked me "how can I be sure" ...well, I work in the automotive field, I know what mileage ratings means and also have input from a synergy process with engineers from NTCNA ( as I was mentioning previously). They are AWARE of it, better then you or me can figure out.
I am thinking this is enough compelling evidence for me to assure myself and you that "it is as it is".
Murano's CVT does not improve gas mileage, on the contrary. And actually ,a ( cheaper) 5 spd auto would do it better.
Your friend driving a manual 3.5L Altima and having no better mileage then your Murano, should check his car first. This is not rocket science to figure out....
My benchmark was with the way cheaper and not as fancy high-tech-ish - DCX Caravan, listed "officially" on the window sticker with 19-25 MPG, and getting 22-23 mpg on a 50/50 normal driving behavior. What's the point of paying that much extras on the Murano's CVT, 3.5L best in class engine??
Mileagefreak was getting a neutral and documented point of view from me, on his specific issue.
Dan
I sure would appreciate any information.
Thanks for your time.
Jeff in MN
If a cheaper 5 speed would provide better mileage as you say, I would suggest that it would also mean a rougher ride and slower acceleration. The CVT has to be the smoothest tranny that I have ever had the chance to drive.
You are right when you say that all this is not rocket science. My buddy with his manual Altima had the same problem that I had with my 5 speed Maxima. The 5 speed manuals are geared in such a way that at highway speeds the engine is turning quite a bit faster than in the Murano. In my Maxima, at 120kph (about 75mph) the Maxima engine was turning at over 3000rpm while in the Murano the engine turns at slightly less than 2000rpm at the same speed. In the city the Murano definately drinks more gas than the Altima or the Maxima but at highway speeds it is much closer. This is the same reason that a manual 3.5l Altima gets worse gas mileage than the auto version.
I've been constantly monitoring my gas consumption using the trip computer on my 2 month old 2005 SL.
MPG varies greatly on how you drive.
My best was 28 miles per gallon at 60mph using cruise control during an 80 miles stretch.
My worst was 14.5 mpg during some heavy city driving (stop & go, Lights, Stop signs, etc.,).
Overall, I seem to be averaging about 19.5 miles / gal. I tend to drive with a lead foot.
I use regular gas (87 octane).
I may end up with a sedan, first time ever!
I am considering buying a 2005 SL. From those of you who bought the technology package, I would appreciate your feedback if you thought it was worth it. I see that "Seltz" is enjoying it (from previous post), but I am weighing the cost/benefit so all comments are welcome.
Thanks
I bought a 2003 AWD SL last February and have been averaging 16.5 MPG. I expected that the AWD option would subtract from overall mileage when I bought the vehicle.
I will say that I have usually gone for 2 door coupes - my last car was a 2001 Acura 3.2 CL. But I love this Murano and it has been a great vehicle over the first year. No problems, it looks great, drives great and I still catch people admiring it in parking lots. The AWD, antilock breaks and huge tires really help in Florida with the heavy rain we get very quickly. It holds the road and gives a secure feeling that is well worth the lower mileage. Every time I hit a puddle with the Acura, I thought I was going offroad!!
Those w/o the AWD badge, are still partially AWD in the way you described?
Thanks,
Dan