Nissan Murano Maintenance and Repair

rjardine

The OBC shows MPG on the US gallon.
While Premium fuel is 'suggested' by Nissan for maximum performance that does not neccesarily equate to maximum MPG! All that is required is regular/87 fuel, although I split the difference and use Shell Silver/89. Also switched to synthetic at my last oil change at 12,000km
easym1: not sure how many clicks on yout MO, but until you are passed 10-12,000km, engine is still considered green; as you approach that point and exceed it so your mpg should improve.
As for the AWD/FWD drive aspect most of the time you are in FWD with the front wheels at about 95.5% and the rears at .5%!! Only when the system detects front wheel slippage does that ratio change. .....and yes even if you lock-in the AWD it unlocks at about 30kph.

easym1

Rjardine, thanks for the info...my MO is currently at 6,000 clicks..I guess I just need to wait 'till I hit your recommended mileage. I will probably use the Shell Silver to save a bit. I'll let the readers know once I start getting some progress...By the way, everyone might find interesting the article I read at 'CBC MARKETPLACE GAS MILEAGE'..,just type those and you'll see the story...Thank you very much for all you friends that responded...appreciate your input.

stever

Here's the link:

Testing gas mileage claims (CBC News)

unless you meant this one:

How Mary Moscicki beats her car's expected mileage rating

Steve, Host

easym1

Yes, ..thanks Steve.

oufannco

You are not the only one. I have an '03 Murano with 27k miles. It's been a wonderful car. Over the past few weeks, it started to make "wheel bearing" type noises and make really loud ringing noises when I would accelerate around corners. I took it to the dealership and when they dropped the transfer case plug, nothing came out. It should have had 75 weight oil in it. I believe Nissan is taking care of it (car is still in the shop). There is no evidence of leakage on mine, but since the transfer case isn't under load unless it's locked into AWD, and I hardly used it in AWD mode or conditions, couldn't it make 27k miles before it started to show these symptoms? (open for anyone to answer) In your case, I would expect that your transfer case is leaking and the new one isn't sealed well. The exhaust lines sit right below the transfer case, and if there were any 10W75 oil leaking out, it would make an awful smell and a good amount of smoke. The dealership should be able to see this evidence though.

Good luck and if anyone has an answer or a similar case, please respond.

kalantarir

I have a 2004 Murano SL AWD, less than two months old. Wife drives it. Loves it but yesterday she told me that twice in the past couple of days, she has noticed that the two front windows went down by themselves halfway after she parked the car and went back to get in later on. She said that the first time she thought she left it open, but when it happend the second time, she was sure that there is something wrong. I have seen discussions on this. It appears that other people are having the same problem. Is there a TSB on this? And more importantly has anyone else had this problem and did Nissan fixed it right the first time.

rjardine

There is a TSB on this #03033, but supposedly it only applies to 2003 models built before March 4, 2003. It also covers doors that lock by themselves and/or alarms that sound intermittently.

kalantarir

Thank you for your reply. My car is 2004 and was manufactured in June of 2004. I went to a small dealer to find out if they know anything about this. They didn't, but are going to check. Thanks

dklanecky

Make sure your wife is aware that she can roll the front windows down with the remote control.

Quite a few people have initially made the mistake of holding down the un-lock button accidentally which is how you roll them down from a distance.

I did it just by sitting in the wrong way with the remote and keys in my pocket, just once!

rjardine

To add to dklanecky's post, in addition to finding the windows down, did your wife also find at least the drivers door unlocked, possibly all doors unlocked. If so then it may well be that where she is putting the key, having locked the car and walking away from it, something pushes constantly on the key fob in such a way as to press the unlock button.

kalantarir

Thanks for the advise. I did find out that you can roll down the windows with the unlock button. And it will roll down only as much as you hold the button. So, seeing the windows half down make sense if unlock button was pushed for few seconds. I showed her the operation. She will keep an eye on it. I hope this is the case and there is no other problem. I really don't want anyone taking the wiring harness out or play with the vehicle. Thanks for your input.

aneek

How to get in the programming menu, e.g; remote key entry thing ,
also can I get a Navigation system after market for murano , I have SL touring package

jc106

Hi,
I'm distressed. I just purchased a Murano SL awd and was thrilled about how the car drove, etc.... I just went 2.5 hour trip and realized that the seats are made for someone 5'2". Unfortunately, I am 6'3" and literally cannot tolerate the discomfort and pain in my back. You might think this is something to pick up BEFORE you buy, but it's too late for that. I've had it for 1 week and now 600 miles. I'm calling the dealer tomorrow, but if anyone has any thoughts as to how I can/should proceed I would appreciate it. I'm well past the 24 hour satisfaction guarantee. I might have been better off sitting in my old car and burning a few thousand dollars in the ash tray.

Thanks

tidester

That doesn't sound like much fun.

You might talk with the dealer and work something out. Meanwhile, you could consider aftermarket seats that might be more accomodating.

tidester, host

nowakj66

jc106 - I am very sorry to hear of your predicament. I too am 6 foot 3+" and was considering a Murano.

If I can ask, is your height in your legs or torso? I have long legs and average sized torso and wonder if the Murano might be a problem for me as well.

Good luck resolving the issue with your dealer.

gerapau

While I don't dispute that you are not comfortable in your Murano, the seats are not made for someone 5'2". I am 6'1" and find my Murano to be one of the most comfortable cars I have driven. I have made at least ten 12 hour trips (all in one shot with 30 minutes to eat and tank up) with my Murano since I have gotten it and have no problem staying comfortable for the trip.

I doubt that the dealer will be able to do much for you except suggest some aftermarket seats or back supports. I am sure it would end up costing you a substantial amount to have them take the car back (afterall, the car is now used and has probably lost a few thousand in value since you drove it off the lot). You never know though! It doesn't hurt to ask.

ramped

I can sympathize after buying a sedan recently that doesn't have the most supportive seats. Slowly I am beginning to adapt to the new seats, but I find them more uncomfortable than those in my previous car.

Do you have cloth or leather interior? Sometimes that can make a difference.

As other have posted, it is unlikely that your dealer will refund your money, but he may be willing to arrange a trade with another vehicle he has in stock for a nominal fee if you find the seating in another Murano more tolerable. Perhaps you might try the new Pathfinder?

Good luck.

jc106

Thanks for the feedback and support (no pun intended). I am going to call the dealer tomorrow morning and see if they will work for me. Any solution is bound to cost me money, the question is: how much! Worst case scenario is that my wife gets a new car and I get the Mazda 3 which fits me fine - go figure.

I have a long torso to leg ratio so in order to sit straight I end up sitting so high that I can barely see the stop lights approaching without craning my neck. The seats don't sit deep and they seat itself is high so.....

I opted not to get the sunroof because that causes the interior roof to lower 1-2". I would recommend really looking at the issue to any potential buyers as in an effort to make the mistake I have. Obviously, there are many satisfied buyers as well.

thanks!

oliver1

My girlfriend recently was driving to our country house in her 2002 murano, 2500 foot driveway, very windy, like a slalom left to right etc... she got to the top of the driveway for a hard right about 130 degrees after hard braking, the steering wheel locked up, never turned, she totalled it as she hit a huge rock in the ground. 18000 $ damage. i have read a little in you notes. Do you think there is anything i can do about this with nissan? it seem clear that there is an issue with the steering on this suv.
thanks for your help.

gerapau

Any of the steering problems which have been mentioned in here have not actually involved the actual lock up of the steering. It is more of a slight reduction in boost. It has happened to me on numerious occasions (and I can reproduce it anytime) but I have had no trouble to continue steering. In these situations the steering definately does not lock-up. It sounds to me like your girlfriend was maybe driving too fast and I doubt that Nissan will do anything to help (unless you can prove that the steering did indeed lock-up).

dweiser

Perhaps the girlfriend should be locked up for driving crazy?

paulq

I just bought my Murano and so far, I love it (aside from the limited rear visibility). I was reading the auto column on the Consumer Reports web site and they recommend that you change the oil at 500 miles and from then on, follow the manufacturer's schedule. They say this will help the car in the long run.

What do you think? Worth it?

Thanks!

tigger5753

Just got my 2004 Murano SL.. enjoying it so far, but I noticed that when I go over some bumps, I hear a flapping noise from the rear, which I am assuming is the cargo cover. It's fully deployed, covering the rear area. Anyone hear this as well?

Thx.

dweiser

I always change the oil & filter on a new vehicle at or close to 500 miles. Dates back to a new engine supposedly having metal filings and other corrosive junk from the manufacturing process and, if that's true (and I'm NOT sure it is), the early change will get rid of it. Anyway, $20 is small change to protect a $20,000 plus investment but others may rightly claim it's unnecessary.

tinycadon

Oil changes at 500 miles is not recomended, most car makers use an additive in their oil to help break in the engine. Changing the oil before the recomended break in time will only delay the process.

paulq

I thought that too but I checked around and it seems that only Honda uses a special oil (or additive) in their new cars. In fact, their manual says not to change the oil early. My new car doesn't say that. I could be wrong but maybe some more people can add to this.

tommygun

my change oil light came on and i changed my oil, but I don't know how to turn the change oil light off.
Any out there know?

als2rt

2004 Murano SL - This started about a month after purchase and is getting markedly worse. The first start of the day is the worst. Later on in the day it is there, but not nearly as bad. I get loud nasty sounding crackling and pops for several seconds, less than a minute, from the speakers. It does not matter if the stereo is on or not. It still happens with the stereo off. It goes away usually within 15 seconds and everything is fine.

Yes, I do crank the stereo. They should be cranked. That's why they put the nice high power Bose system in there. I've also played my sister-in-law's just as loud with no problems.

Anyone seen this problem?

Allan

scott174

Have you Leased a Car before? Once you return the car, they look at the mileage, look around for exterior dents, and thats all!!. Don't be worrying about little door pillar scratches. You could also go in at night to return the car.

girod0

I have the same problem. I had the seat mount replaced because it was loose (slight clonk when turning, accelerating and braking) following a service bulletin. The new one was fine at the beginning, but is already worse then the other. Haven't talked to the dealer yet.

girod0

There's a Service Bulletin on that. The seat mount needs to be changed. I had it done, but it will only temporaraly solve the problem. It comes back after a while.

msv809

My 2003 is doing the same thing with the driver's door locks with engine off. The dealer cannot determine the problem, and says that there have been no other reports of this....can't be true!

hasaanbhutta

you might have to play with the oil change menu display (if you have SE which shows milage for oil change). im not sure about SL. but you would have to reset the milage back to 0 to get rid of that oil change light.

PS> thats what i assume but i am not sure.

tigger5753

Maybe it's me, but does anyone feel that the HID doesn't shine that far ahead of the vehicle? As I drive along a wall in a tunnel for example, I notice that the top of the lighting field angles down rather than straight ahead.

The only adjustment I can make is lowering the axis of the HID lamps witht he dash switch.

Comments?

usalien

I have a 2004 Murano SL with sunroof package, which comes standard with halogen headlights rather than the bi-xenon set. I find the halogen headlights rather poor as well.

Last weekend I drove from Connecticut to Canada under rainy/foggy conditions and I ended up trying to stay as much as possible behind other cars because of the low brightness of the lamps on my Murano.

I asked the service guys at my dealership to check the alignment on the headlights and they told me they were perfectly aligned...

I was actually wondering if the HID bi-xenon headlights were of better quality in terms of brightness and how far ahead they shine, and if anyone out there had already switched from halogen to bi-xenon on their Murano?

dklanecky

There is an additional adjustment knob on the back of each of the Bi-Zenon headlights. It's a small plastic screw that you can adjust.

Be very careful however or you could easily blind oncoming drivers.

I set my headlight position switch in the middle position, then adjusted each of the headlight adjustment knobs while they were shining on the garage door at night.

I raised each one a measured 1" (at about 20' from the garage door) and I find this to provide the best lighting on any vehicle I've ever driven (over 33 years behind the wheel).

dball1944

Hi tommy Just push the maint. button until the oil change appears. Hold button down for about 3 seconds. Resets after that- It works just like the trip odometers - hold button until it resets.

homeouner

Hi all: On previous post I have commented on too many things on my MO,but not stalling on the Interstate I-85 80 miles east of Atlanta last Weds.. After 6 hrs. into a trip to Birmingham, AL. the blower motor stopped running. Apx. 20 miles later at 35 M.P.H. in slow traffic the engine stopped.& wipers went dead too, nothing going. Coasted to a stop on the median grass,& in park it started right away W/ blower & wipers all running like nothing had happened.??? No service engine lite showing. Cell phoned my son for the dealer in Birmingham & they said W/O the lite on not much chance to pull up a code. Went to dealer on Fri. & tech. installed lap top, shook main connectors and sent me on my way W/ a L.O.L . My selling dealer will look at it tomorrow??? Service Mngr. said this was a first for him too!!

fusdma

Have 04(SL-AWD) Murano with 4200 miles,fully loaded with the exception of the DVD. Just had to have the alternator replaced.Was told by the dealer that this has been happening with them. Did anyone else experience this problem? I asked why isn't there a recall? Response was, they take care of it on a as needed basis.

homeouner

From Homeouner: My service Mngr. at Hall Nissan said 03 MO had some alternator failures. Replacing as needed is the cheap way to deal W/ a problem. Have a recall and put every one at ease. My engine cut out might happen anytime again. He said all computers sometime crash,at your desk is a inconvenience, but on the road its a real danger, not to be expected on a new car.

esjl

When my Murano is in reverse the brakes squeak awful. The Dealer said it was moisture. It does not do it going forward.

 

Has anyone else had this problem when backing out with the brakes squeaking?

dklanecky

Nissan has issed a TSB on this problem:

 

http://www.infinitihelp.com/Ownership/Bulletins/Nissan/2004/NTB04- -011.htm

 

You might want to bookmark the site!

esjl

Thanks, great information.

amicu

Allan,

 

Is this noise happening randomly, or only when you drive by a certain location?

If the noise is happening randomly regardless of location then I bet you have a GSM phone which is interfering with your stereo speakers. I speak from experience …

Solution: Keep your cell phone away from the speakers if possible. Good luck.

 

Regards, Allen Micu

nurse6

I am a little behind in checking the message board but had to say at least your dealer did something for you. My 2003 MO the dealer left the plug loose and the light did not come on until the oil was gone. When light came on I stopped and called husband who brought oil when he came to check it. He found the loose plug and tightened then put in new oil. I contacted the dealer and they told me they "check" the engine and no damage done. Car had 6000 miles and no one can tell me there was no damage done. I probably will not get the 100,000 plus miles I usually put on a car.

nassin

We too have been having leaking problems with our Murano transmission/transfer case. We just got the car back from a three day repair at the dealer and it is worse than ever. It is now leaking oil onto the exaust in such amounts that the inside of the cabin is uninhabitable. There is a considerable oil spot on the driveway inthe morning, there was never that volume before.

 

It took three trips to the Dealer to get this problem worked on, and then it was only after I diagnosed it while laying on my back in the driveway. Until then, they claimed they were unable to find the source of the odor.

 

We really like this vehicle, however this issue has really gotten us sour on our Dealer. I am curious how other owners made out with other dealers, did you get this problem fixed?

dklanecky

I haven't heard of anyone else with this type of problem with a Murano. I guess it's a good thing that you have a 60 month 50,000 mile power train warranty.

 

Is there another Nissan dealer somewhere near you who may provide better service than the idiot one you've been dealing with?

migs1

just had 3 seals replaced on our 03 murano @ 33000 km..no problem with dealer ..done asap..Also had alternator replaced at 18000 km...bummer... The transfer case leak smelled like someone was continually dripping oil on the exhaust ...you know when it happens...

jeff10

On our 2004 SE the driver's side mirror seems distorted. I get a wavy view of the center line and vehicles. The dealership has replaced the mirror glass and is now claiming that this is the way the mirror is designed...and is the same for Pathfinder mirrors as well...seems odd but I cannot locate any info regarding this that would refute their statements.

 

Any thoughts?

 

Thanks

 

Jeff in MN

roadrunner70

girodO, i know about the tsb. the dealer is just being bad about it. i think that nissan has directed the dealers not to replace the second time around. i plan on filing a report with the nhtsa and i have already contacted the center for auto safety, a consumer watchdog group. it really stinks to spend 30 K plus and have a loose seat. byt he way, mine was also in service for one full week while they tried to figure out a computer problem, plus other repairs. i will bring the car to another dealer but the looseness is not every time. what has been your experience. others with loose drivers seats???

 

also, the brakes grab since the brake tsb was performed, and they squeak too, so that wasn't fixed. plus i get a very loose sound from the brakes (like the pads are moving) when stopping going forward after backing out of my driveway. all in all, not a great vehicle, and nissan has been rather poor about the seat issue, which is in actuality a potential major safety issue if rear ended. any thoughts.