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Capacitive proximity switches can sense the position of non-metallic targets such as glass, plastic, and wood. They also sense metal because of the metal mass rather than sensing a galvanic response like Inductive Sensors. When a film of ice forms on the sensor it creates enough mass for the oscillating field to collapse and close the switch.
The Owners Manual says the system can't detect moving objects. Which leads me to think the sensors are capacitive. Ultrasonic sensors would have to have a transmitter and I think Ultrasonics can detect movement.
Ultrasonics would give you the output to have the increasing tone tempo whereas a capacitive type just operates in open or closed state. The water or ice on the sensor would still register regardless of switch type.
Just when I thought I was on to something, there I go a'thinkin again. When will I ever learn?
a 39 month lease through NMAC will require about $1000 due at signing, and give you a payment of about $495/mo. at 12k miles per year.
on a purchase at 5%, each $1000 you go up will increase the payment by about $19/mo.
on the 39 month lease, each $1000 you go up in price will increase the payment by about $15/mo.
I looked at a PFA LE yesterday and at the inside top of the windshield, attached to it behind the mirror, is a semi-oval piece of lattice-like plastic or some other rubbery material. It might be some kind of sun screen? Or will they remove that during the PDI? Anybody know about this?
I'm trying to work on this very tempting issue because of the following handy LE upgrades:
Puddle Lights
Fog Lights
Memory Seats (2)=Driver entry/exit system (Good for my wife)
Footwell Lights
Power rear quarter windows
Heated front seats
Chrome Grille
With the following LE options:
-LE Tech Package
-LE upgrade(Power lift gate and power passenger seats)
ps- blew away a blonde beauty in a new Escalade on the double on ramp this morning, she didn't know what hit her =o) I haven't had this much fun with a vehicle since I was 17 =o)
My PFA LE w/2nd bench & tech pkg should be here within the next 45 days... if the dealer is telling me the truth about the turnaround time...going through some of the previous post I have a feeling I'm going to be waiting longer than that..but I'm already looking for some bling bling..:)
Stomped on a Escalade huh, hehehehe. For some reason i find myself wanting to stomp on the "happy pedal" ALOT too..............and then i pass by a gas station and i come to my senses (bwahahahahahaha)
The wife planned a last minute trip, and the oil needed changing, so I drove my Armada up on my trusty ramps and planned on a usual 10-15min timeframe.
I got underneath and said a few choice words while removing the 4 bolts that holds the panel just below the oil filter. I was in a hurry!! What was Nissan thinking when they did this. LOL
Anyway, aside from the annoying panel, it wasn't that bad --- a little more messy than would be expected. The little slide for the oil to drip down from the oil filter was amusing! And the oil filter was in a fairly tight spot compared to the myriad of other vehicles that I've changed oil on.
But, the bolts that they used to hold the panel in aren't the best and they strip quite easily.
On the advice of a friend at a local body shop who has a Nissan Frontier with a similar panel and the same bolts -- I picked up some 3/8" head by 3/4" long sheet metal screws at a local hardware store.
Sure enough, in my haste to put the panel back on, I stripped one and the replacement screw came in quite handy.
---
Other thoughts -
Oil filter seems small - located in an awkward position -- covered by annoying panel --- putting bolts for panel back on are best done with small hands.
What would be a fair trade in value? does $34,000.00 Trade-in make sense (It has 2k miles and is in mint condition)
Looking to upgrade to the PFA LE Fully loaded (Tech package and DVD)
Any advice?
For owners who have had the PFA for several months now, how well the interior quality is coping? When I saw it at the dealership it didn't look as high quality to me compared to a Toyota but I am more interested in how it holds up than looks. Reading posts here, some have mentioned squeaks and rattles but is that common or unique? Squeaks and rattles drive me nuts!
Does the PFA feel as big as it looks to drive? I was comfortable with it during my short test drive, but I wonder if the realities of its size will bother me over time. Again comments from owners who have had the car for some time will be valuable.
How well is the PFA selling in so far as influencing price? I noticed Edmunds' TMV for "what others are paying" in my region (Seattle) is below MSRP. What has swayed me to considering the PFA in the first place is that the new model Toyotas are at MSRP and their huge profit margins bother me.
In a nutshell.....the Armada LOOKS huge....but it definitely doesn't drive that way. I'm just as comfortably in it as I am in my 9 year old Eclipse. Hope this helps!!
As for maneuverability. I feel very comfortable driving this around town. It is so responsive that I forget I'm driving a 6000lb plus vehicle around, I notice it is also very easy to exceed the speed limit in this thing...so watch your speed! I do look for a little bit larger parking spaces in parking lots, but have had no problems getting in or out. The Sonar does give you a little extra reassurance when backing. No problem parallel parking downtown, but again you do have to look for a bigger space, obviously.
So far, still very happy with the vehicle. Only thing that's painful is filling up the gas tank, but unfortunately that is reality with any large SUV.
For this reason I long for the hybrid and other similar fuel efficient engines.
First thing: drivetrain. For me, buying the Armada was a no brainer!! How a car drives is very important to me and this thing rocks!! The engine is amazing....you can actually spin the rear wheels if you turn off the VDC!! It is super smooth and powerful. I though it would be a lot noisier, but happy to say it's actually no worse than a sequoia, and equal to a new Navigator, which I drove too. So you get amazing power and quickness. This thing does about 1500 rmp at 60 mph....amazing....that is lower than an old 98 Corvette I owned.
The driveability is just fine. I've never driven a big suv before and have had no issues. One thing i like to do on a car is quickly wiggle the steering wheel at around 30mph to see if you can get the car to shake a little. This represents to me how it will drive and handle...either sloppy like a bus or sharp like a sports car. Well i used to own a 2001 Lexus GS and can say this this truck tracks almost as well...ie you move the steering wheel and the direction changes...no boat like steering here. That was very important to me as I did not want sloppy handling. Also, the turning circle seems very tight for such a big truck....was making a tight turn into a parking lot and was expecting to have to stop and back up to get in, but the wheel kept turning and made it in no problem. Don't know the exact radius, but given it's size i'd say it's relatively better than my old GS!! Also drives much more like a car than a truck...just turn the wheel and it goes. Have had very little bouncing or swaying when going around a corner...very impressed!
As to interior, it is what i expected. Some of the plastics do seem a bit cheap, but this is no Lexus and it is priced accordingly. I have a sunroof, and have had heard no resonance issues at all. The Bose stereo is mixed: FM does not sound very good at all, but if you listen to CD's or mp3's via the aux jack, it rocks. Turn it up enough and your ears will begin to hurt!! Very little distortion in my opinion. The seats are still a bit of a mystery to me: is the dimpled section in the middle really leather or is it vinyl?? Not sure, but they are comfortable. Only problem I've had is that the rear sonar was locked "on" (ie solid tone as if something was in the way) when it was delivered. I read that this could be weather/ice related. It has since "unlocked" and is working properly, but I will keep an eye on this.
Overall, am very happy with my Armada. Every time I step on the gas I'm glad I bought it. While interior quality could be better, there is not one competitor that has a drive train as good as the Armada....5.6 litres, 32 valves and smooth as silk!! No vibrations even when u get near 6000 rpms (did that on the demo model!!!). If your thinking of buying this truck, do it...you won't regret the decision!! Longer term we'll see, but for now I'm a happy camper!!
As far as handling goes, I went from an extended cab pickup to this, so I fell like i'm in a go cart! I feel it's the best riding, maneuvering, and handling large SUV out there, bar none. I can't wait to go out and play in the snowstorm tonight!
Only few makers actually use 100% leather in their so-called leather interior. BMW and Benz are ones that have 100% leather in their leather interior. Other makers were not named.
One example being the Acura MDX's 3rd row seat, which is completely vinyl.
Just FYI. Simple recap from my top of my head.
As you may know, Kenwood works with Sirius, and Alpine with XM.
http://www.kenwoodusa.com/excelon/excelonNav.jsp
I've seen both the headunit/touchscreen and the dvd controller unit for about $1700 online. Next step will be to visit an install shop and discuss if it could be done nicely. Keep me posted on what you find out too!!
The correct name is Ultimate.
All replies greatly appreciated
No problem with resonance, but then, I don't have a sunroof. The only problem I've had, and will be taking it to the dealer soon, is that the drivers power window will not roll up if I try the auto up function. It takes me a few times to get it to roll up.
Will be taking the family to Florida this summer on vacation, so I can't wait. Getting an after market DVD headrest system installed tomorrow to keep the kids occupied.
Besides these things that have built up I do love the truck. I know any vehicle can have problems so will be patient. The brakes just reached a point that I have to take it in. I also read on here about someone else having the same brake problem. One thing to keep in mind was over 2,000 of my 4,200 miles was on a long trip with very little stopping and starting. My Isuzu Trooper didn't get brakes until 92k miles and they weren't worn out then so I am easy on brakes. I see grooves in the rotors, not bad but there. I know they will probably want to turn the rotors and I will have to wait and see I guess but if so I won't be happy with that. There is an underlying problem.
I am still waiting on someone to find the cable for the x/m! It would just make it easier to install if the cable were already run. I think I will call the factory and ask them. If the cable is there like others have posted (plugged into the radio already) then they have to know where it goes. Sorry for the long post.
I hope to be able to make a clear objective assessment if it's for me but I'm sure there will be pressure from the salesman!
I saw in another post on the QX56 that the Armada's are now selling at invoice. Is that true in all regions now?