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Comments
factory hitch or aftermkt?
I have a solution that has worked GREAT for my aftermkt hitch the past two years.
1)-Slice lengthwise an six to eight inch section of 1" in diam. automobile water hose (black kind with nylon fibers embedded in it).
2)-Apply a liberal amount of silicone adhesive to the inside of the hose.
3) slide hose over/onto right hitch hanger (where contact in occurring) and let set.
It has worked flawlessly for two years, let me know if you want pics, I could have them posted after lunch.
good luck
Gritz
ZV-5100N-A
I hope that helps.
One is the issue of the automatic transmission shifting to a lower gear unneccessarily as if it is on a hair trigger. This happens at highway speeds when the grade changes ever so slightly. Kind of strange with if a vehicle with so much power and torque.
The other item is that of an occasional "pop" heard under the hood upon a cold start. Nothing that annoying, just hope it is nothing that could become serious once warranty expires...
Any tips on what to what to tell the dealer or know TSB's I should reference???
Thank you.
I'll give you the benefits of some of my experiences.
I did have an infant seat with the base. I too was told it was less safe. The reason: look what is holding the baby carrier to the base. It's just a band of plastic. It did not bother me though.
On my PF I first put the seat in the middle and used the tether strap that came with the car seat and it worked very well. Then my boy wanted to be on the side. But you have to use a buckle (keeper) to keep the seat belt cinched. Either way make the seat belt barely reach the buckle and stick your knee in the baby seat and use your weight to make the seat belt parts connect.
I had a friend who used a sheep skin to protect the leather in her Lexus. I have heard somewhere that placing towels underneath seats can be hazardous if they're able slip out and dislodge the car seat.
Also for peace of mind. Find a mirror that attaches to your back seat and reflects your baby's face into your rear view mirror.
Happy Pathfinding!!!!
Steve
First thing, call your local police department I live in the SF Area and all the local PD's have a car seat specialist. Each department sponsors car seat clinics around the area where you can take your vehicle and they will install, and or check the installation of your seat for you. I've been to two. One at car dealership, the other a local parking lot. If there isn't one of these scheduled soon enough you can make an appointment and go to the PD station and they'll do it there for you.
Now for your questions:
1)I've heard this base may make the seat less safe. Has anyone has had good or bad experiences with this or other seats?
We used a Graco model as well. I forget which one now. We have a Snugride at the ready for when we get started on #2. Never had a problem. although as the kid gets bigger it's a load to lift in and across to the middle. I've heard nothing about this being unsafe, and no one had anything to say at the car seat clinics.
2)Can you put the seat to the left/right as well as the center? How tough is it to install and remove? Anything I need to be aware of?
The first time I tried to install the seat, it was impossible. Too much stress, confusion, and reading the instructions that had statements about possible injury or death. Add in a wife at month 8 or 9 and, well I'm sure you understand. Trust me, call about the car seat clinic.
Now after I've done it a few times. It's a snap, the seats can fit in any position, although the center is the safest for just one. We just moved our seat to the side as my son is 2.5 and is a big kid.
3)Is the seat going to harm the leather
upholstery?
Not in my case. Now food, spit up, crayons are another story. Remember scotch guard and a good leather protectant are your friend. So far so good on our seats. I think in the long run leather will hold up better than cloth.
4)Has anyone used the tether points behind the rear seat? Did you need additional hardware to do so?
Yup, they work great. We had to buy the anchors, not sure if they came with your year vehicle. If not, they are 10 dollars and install in a minute or two. We have a Britax forward facing seat and when the tether is attached it's like the seat is bolted to the car.
Good luck, and congratulations!
The child seats came with a seat belt clip to prevent the belt from slacking. It worked well. The seats did not have any tethers so I was not able to use those. Steve's advise to make the seat belt barely reach the buckle and stick your knee in the baby seat and use your weight to make the seat belt parts connect is right on the money as this was the same thing I did.
I, too, have leather upholstery and what I did was to wrap a piece of cardboard (Huggies Box) with a towel and placed it underneath the car seats. It's not the prettiest and probably not the safest like Steve pointed out. I'll look into the sheepskin very soon.
Currently, I use two Britax Roundabouts for my Twins. These seats do not have a base and also have tethers. I only started to use these as they seem to be cushioned better than the Avanta's. We've started to go on lengthy drives with the Twins and these seats seem more comfortable for them to use. I use the tethers on these seats BUT I do not attach them to the rear. Instead, the child seats come with a tether strap, each of which were wrapped around the base of the driver's seat and anchored the seats there. The child seats do not move at all.
I've actually started to browse other SUVs for the Pathfinder replacement. I think the Murano would have been a good alternative BUT it only seats 5 and has less cargo space than the PF. Although the Murano presents such niceties like CVT and VDC, Nissan might have made an error on making it a 5-seater when hot sellers like the Acura MDX present the flexibility of 7-seating or additional cargo space.
But, I am very pleased with PF ownership since it has been bulletproof and for what I paid for it, it's a terrific value. And driving it always puts a grin on my face with that silky-smooth engine. I would not part with it IF it had more room. But then again, I haven't replaced it yet.
Now, what;s up with the brakes. Compared with my 99.5, I must use an extraordinary amount of pressure on the brakes. Is this normal? I remember reading a while back "bleeding the brakes" would solve this? What does this mean, and which post # was it?
Other comments: Have they softened the suspension for 2002? It rides much softer than my 99.5 and I'm afraid it won't be able to take the abuse.
My bicycle brakes required the same thing. I was told I could bake the pads in an oven to get the same results, but I ended up doing a 3000 foot downhill section in about 15 minutes (it seemed like two minutes tough). I could never completley burn them in properly with 'high speed' stops, and had to resort to the long drag method.
I am looking to buy a new car to replace my 2001 BMW 330ci, which was stolen about two weeks ago. Two weeks after I bought the BMW I feel in love with the Land Rover Discovery SE Series II. Now that I have a second chance I have been researching it and found it to be in the same price class as the Pathfinder. Has anyone considered the Disco and the Pathfinder while shopping? What are your thoughts of the Land Rovers now that they just finished 5 years with BMW and now are a Ford family product?
Please advise.
I got my SE last week, second Pathfinder in our household; we have a 2001 LE that convinced me to get this thing after owning Hondas forever. My daughter's boyfriend bought a 2002 Xterra the same day I got this, so I think it's safe to say we're pretty well Nissaned up at this point.
Haven't noticed the brake problem on this one or on our LE over the past year. In fact, that LE has been the best all around vehicle I've ever dealt with, which is why this new blue baby is parked outside. I'm looking forward to participating in this list!
Dave
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
We have a Yakima and I've had a little over 200 lbs. on it w/o any problems. I don't think I'd feel comfortable with more than that (maybe 250?). It probably has more to do with the crossbars vs. the rails as both the Yak and factory bars attach to this.
good luck
Gritz
meca2 "Nissan Pathfinder Club-Meet the Members" Feb 23, 2002 8:50pm
rendragg "Nissan Pathfinder Club-Care & Maintenance" May 3, 2002 6:28pm
crete "Nissan Pathfinder Club-Options & Accessories" Mar 26, 2002 5:41pm
brian60 "Nissan Pathfinder Club-Performance Mods" Mar 12, 2002 1:05am
ghorn1 "Nissan Pathfinder Club-Problems & Solutions" May 3, 2002 6:44pm
gottria "Nissan Pathfinder Club-Photo Gallery" Apr 10, 2002 10:51pm
duper "Nissan Pathfinder Club: Road Trip!" Mar 25, 2001 8:50pm
jambazi "Nissan Pathfinder Club-FAQ" Jun 11, 2001 9:10pm
I remember a while back, there was a discussion about a shield that needed to be removed to get at the oil filter.
I haven't crawled around under the PF (much), so I'm wondering if this shield is the one that's at the front (can be seen from the front, starting at about under the front bumper and is at an angle), or if there's another one.
Mine only has the one in the front. The PF looks sort of exposed on the bottom, so I'm wondering if I'm missing another shield or not.
Just curious. Thanks!
Nissan of Fife
Bill Korum's Puyallup Nissan
Any others I should consider?
I have just over 22k on my PF now... and my last major service (besides oil changes) was around 13k...anything in particular I should have check out at 22k? My owners manual was lost/stolen during our move from MS to WA this past October...so I'm trying to find out service info via the net.
How often have you all had your brake pads replaced/checked? This is my main concern and why I wanted/needed dealership recommendations mainly...something just don't feel as "smoothe" as it used to on my PF.
Thanks in advance...
On our '01 SE 5spd., reg. or mid grade fuel actually costs a few dimes more/fill because of reduced milage.
Skid plate:
Yup that's the one. It's pretty flimsy. Since the folks @ Grease Monkey (the only time they were allowed to change the oil) failed to put in all of the bolts, ours is now held on by five, but is very solid only with those five. It also make it quicker/easier for me to pull off when changing the oil @ home.
There is a transfer case skid plate I'm thinking about getting for around $20 bucks online. I'll post the URL if when I find it again.
As for the front 'skid plate' it's really a splash guard, since it's only made of some kind of plastic/carbon-fiber composite. You must remove this guard to access the oil filter.
Over time, my splash guard got so trashed I just removed it and left it off. Eventually, I'd like to make a steel or aluminum skid plate that mimics the design of the splash guard.
suggested to me I add a transmission cooler
for towing. I have a 2000lb boat/trailer.
I'd appreciate any advise from Pathfinder owners
as to if this is necessary or would be beneficial
for extending the longevity of this vehicle's transmission.
My 97 came with one, so I can't offer any recommendations re: aftermarket solutions, but they generally aren't difficult to install.
While you're at it, you should do a transmission fluid drain/refill. Chances are that the previous owner might not have had this done.
rcpathfinder: I found this online
http://www.nissanparts.cc/
16 mpg is bad enough but 16 mpg of premium is rough.
I'm sure others can post their experiences or link back to the previous discussions on this subject.
Thanks!