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Nissan Altima Hybrid Engine Questions
I just wanted to make sure this is "normal" for this engine and others are experiencing it.
A lot more noticable when the engine is cold but still there when it's warmed up. The engine makes a "ticking" sound, especially at idle. It almost sounds like the old Isuzu Rodeo engines (also Honda Passport) that had problems with the lifters sticking.
Does anyone else's make this noise? The car has 8000 miles now and we've had it since May.
A lot more noticable when the engine is cold but still there when it's warmed up. The engine makes a "ticking" sound, especially at idle. It almost sounds like the old Isuzu Rodeo engines (also Honda Passport) that had problems with the lifters sticking.
Does anyone else's make this noise? The car has 8000 miles now and we've had it since May.
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i've read about this from my other forums
the engine does shut off at stop lights (probably before your complete stop)
the car can run solely on battery power up to 42 mph.
the transition is sorta noticeable, but I think you get used to it. Personally, it doesn't bother me unless your engine is still cold, that's a bit more abrupt.
I think some cars may be better than others on the transition. Make sure to test drive the exact car you are buying before committing to it.
1. Get engine to operating temperature
2. Get driver to the temperature he desires
3. Then go into EV mode if there is enough battery power and below 42 miles per hour.
That may be overly simple but that is what I notice.
As far as the transition from gas to electric, when it happens and the car is moving it is rarely noticable. But when it happens at the stop sign or red light, you do notice the transition. As someone said, you get used to it easily and should not be the reason you would not buy it. They all do it.
1. When the connected to the error machine, the car displayed an error code, which implied that I either drove the car on low gas for a long time (which has never happened, I filled it up even before it reached the quarter mark) OR the car tried to run while in neutral. Both sound like lame excuses. So now they claim the engineer from Nissan ran tests and drove the car for almost 100 miles over a three day period and the car runs just fine. They are returning the car today. I am very concerned. No noteable cause was identified, no parts were replaced, and the battery is the same one that died down on me.
Any idea what might have happened to my car? Any suggestions on where I can show the car to someone who really cares to find out why the car broke down?
Thanks,
ANU
It will be interesting to see what they say tomorrow.
Had my oil change fiasco recently too;
First time I was changing it I had a whole conversation with the mechanic to make sure I get the right oil, he said no problem, of course they'll put in 0W-20 which they did, everybody's happy. Second time I came in with my previous bill and told another sales person to get my information from the paper and get the same oil. They did the oil change but the new bill is only $30.. ? They put in the regular cheapest oil possible. Called the mechanic who worked on the car to the front desk and the guy basically said "what's the difference?" even though he new it was a hybrid!!! Front desk manager wasn't happy, they had to redo it.
I think I'll remind them every time now to make sure they put in 0W-20.
Other then that after 9K miles the car is running just fine (except cracked windshield I had to replaced due to flying road debris :sick: ).
Cheers,
as for the life of the engine, that's a better argument.
If my dealership had it, I'd probably use it, but I would extend my oil change intervals more (probably from 3750 to 5000+)
I noticed it was mostly when going down hill. Speed was not an issue as it was below 30 MPH. It would alternate between electric and not back and forth while jerking.
This has happended to us twice because my wife likes the headlight automatic mode but when she is in a hurry will forget to make sure the car is off when she gets out. It really kills your computed mileage too.
I wonder if they'll tell me an error code says it was ever low on gas, because I rarely if ever let it get below a 1/4 tank.
Other than not staying on EV when going down a hill without brakes (staying around 30 mph, so it's not that we are going over 42 or even close to 42 and the battery is full as well), the car is now not really charging the battery with the brakes. I can be exiting a highway with a downhill off ramp and the charge meter on the dash will barely get into the blue, like maybe half a centimeter. It is supposed to pretty much bury the needle at that point. Every once in a while it'll work correctly, but most of the time it's giving me a problem.
Gas mileage is WAY down as it also won't go into EV easily at all. If I'm coasting down from 45 or so, it usually won't go into EV until the lower 20's, even if I'm braking. Fairly full battery meter and the car is warm, it'll even do this after driving on the highway for 20 minutes.
Air on or air off hasn't made a difference.
Also since receiving car have noticed more than just a little jerk with initial motor start up after car has rested for more than an hour. It is more like a shutter, rattle, sometimes shakes steering wheel and shift handle. Very alarming and frankly embarrasing if anyone is around. It doesn't seem "normal", but have heard some rattle is ok? Could it be related to oil type as others have mentioned? Should I have this checked out? The car also seems to "twitch" or hesitate when I maintain 70mph. Is this just a quirk in the transmission?
So far have avgd between 35 and 38 mpg so guess I can't complain too much. Just second guessing myself for not buying "new", but couldn't beat the deal and car not available for purchase in Midwest.
Also he stated he drove and drove the car and everything seemed normal although he doesn't have any other hybrids to go by as a comparison. I guess drove and drove means the ONE mile they put on the odometer. Normally I like that they don't put any miles on the car, but not in this case. Also, don't tell me that you spent a lot of time driving the car if it's obvious you didn't.
Does anybody have a number for a technical line to Nissan? I know what they call is probably a dealer only line, but is there a number for a consumer to call?
Was reluctant to take it to a local dealer because of the lack of hybrid experience in my area. Found a hybrid certified technician who said that the problem was that the engine was set to rev to high (1200 vs. 1000 rpm). Said he recalibrated it and all was well.
EXCEPT for the fact that even though the gas engine runs smoothly, I can't get it to go into EV mode at all! Even just when I turn it on, it sits in EV for about 10 seconds then the gas engine turns on and stays on. The dealer didn't have a clue (the hybrid certified tech had already gone home). Said it was because the battery wasn't fully charged, but it never is. It's typically just about 1/2-way and fluctuates a little up and a little down from there. I drove it a bit to ensure a full charge but still no EV.
Anybody else had this? More than a little discouraging. The dealer where I bought it is 4 1/2 hours away. By coincidence, I'll be there next week anyway but I would hope this is an easy fix.
I hate doubting a purchase like this - i've been very happy with it otherwise. Help?
I doubt that is your issue though, but just a thought.
Just curious, what state are you in? I am also not in a NAH state and I'm running into dealer problems.
i'm in PA -- near pittsburgh. There is a hybrid certified tech about 30 mins from me, but sadly, mine is the first hybrid he's worked on...
Will a lemon law even apply?
Either way, have the dealer fix it before selling or trading it in. If they won't/can't, get nissan corporate involved.
I looked up the lemon law and in MN, a dealer has 4 chances to correct the problem before the car can be declared a lemon and the owner gets a refund or replacement. I am going back for the 3rd time in the last month for the coolant/temp light. :lemon:
Kind or surprised when I saw a bill for $60, which included 5 quarts of "OW 20" oil at $7.95 a pop. I was told that the hybrid requires synthetic oil. Not a big deal, cost another $20 or $25 but just a little irritated that I was not told about this at the time of purchase (why would a salesman want to tell me that?)
I continue to have a problem with my bluetooth (people receiving calls from me cannot understand what I say, very muffled) The dealer says there is nothing wrong with it, I say there is. Nissan customer service refuses to help me on this matter, because the dealer does not believe there is any problem.
Anyone out there with any ideas to whom I can bring this grievance to? I love the vehicle, but drive a lot (13,000 miles less than 4 months) and I talk a lot & travel in NY, CT where the fines are very steep if you get caught talking with handset to your ear.
I always lean forward when speaking to it and talk loud enough. Maybe I need to really shout, but loud of soft, if always sounds muffled.
Like I said previously, they already replaced the "control unit" (whatever that is) and they say nothing further they can do. When I called for last service appointment, as a test I called using bluetooth. Service Dept could barely understand what I was saying.
Then I switched over to hand held, and it was fine. Back to bluetooth and even they agreed it was very difficult to understand.