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Nissan Pathfinder Maintenance and Repair

2763 messages,  Last post on Mar 31, 2013 at 11:07 AM

You are in the Nissan Pathfinder Forum.

What is this discussion about? Nissan Pathfinder, SUV

Messages Page 48 of 277

#468 of 2763 Auto-mode 4WD by xplorx4

Nov 03, 2002 (10:25 am)

All the talk about "don't exceed 60mph in auto-mode" sounds like hogwash. The auto-mode system has been used in Infiniti QX4's since 1998!! Nissan just took the exact same system and put it in the Pathfinder, and I've never heard of anyone complaining about the problems that have been discussed about using Auto-mode above 60mph until now.
 
Don't let Nissan feed you any BS. Go check a local Infiniti dealer and pretend to be an interested customer. Ask the sales manager how long he's been selling Infinitis, ask the service manager how long he's been fixing Inifitinis, then find out if they know of any restrictions to using Auto-mode (such as don't use it above 60mph). Ask a service tech if there are any differences between the QX4 transfer case and the Pathfinder transfer case. If you want to really dig, get part numbers for the QX4 transfer case, front driveshaft, front differential and compare them with those for the Pathfinder LE...

#469 of 2763 Fuel economy in "auto" mode by pathstar

Nov 04, 2002 (10:38 am)

Does the PF get poorer fuel economy in auto mode? Yes. Is is very noticable? Yes. It was enough to make me only use auto when the roads are icy. The fuel economy and the lurching. I don't usually use auto mode on wet pavement, though I admit the PF will spin up the rear tires once in a while when accelerating from a stop. Auto mode does put a stop to that.

#470 of 2763 steering wheel squeak by kbehnke

Nov 04, 2002 (11:07 am)

The steering wheel in my '01 SE started squeaking a few days ago. I might be imagining it, but I think my '98 had the same problem. I'll look through my old maintenance records to see if my memory serves me correct, and what they did to fix it.

#471 of 2763 fuel economy in auto mode by smokey75

Nov 05, 2002 (11:12 am)

I would have to disagree that the fuel economy difference in 2wd or Auto mode is noticable. I guess it depends on your version of noticable, but there just is not enough going on mechanically when the vehicle is in Auto mode to give you signifigantly worse fuel economy.

#472 of 2763 Radio in a 03 Pathfinder LE by world_traveler

Nov 11, 2002 (11:45 am)

Hello all,
 
I picked up my 03 LE a couple of week ago. Very satisfied so far.
 
Only one minor annoyance: For some odd reasons when I start the car I have very bad radio reception for about 3-5 minutes (None of my other cars have any radio reception problems).
 
And for some reasons the radio turns clear after a while. But every time the radio turns on after starting the car I get bad reception on all the stations I can get too.
 
I read in the user manual that the radio automaically switches between the power antenna and the glass-mounted antenna. Maybe one of the two antenna is either not plugged on not functional.....
 
Anybody out there with a similar problem ??
 
Thanks

#473 of 2763 radio by mjohnr99

Nov 12, 2002 (1:07 am)

WT, my new '03 is always set to the radio on and whenever I start up all is well with reception. I'll doublecheck tomorrow for ya. Could it be physics (e.g., location, humidity, etc.)? - have you compared to another vehicle started at same time/place? If no difference, then definitely check out because mine comes on like any normal radio . . . right at start-up. Good Luck. Keep us posted.

#474 of 2763 radio by world_traveler

Nov 12, 2002 (7:02 am)

Thanks mjohnr99,
 
I think it is a problem with my Pathfinder. I always had perfect radio reception with my 4Runner and my Mazda Protege around my house.
 
It might be bad wiring maybe.
 
I plan to gather a couple of little issues before paying a visit to the dealer. I don't like going to the dealer everytime I have a little glitch.
 
So mjohnr99, are you still very satisfied with your purchase decision and your truck ???
 
Here the Pathfinder is definitely growing on me everyday. It is very comfortable and I like the handling. I also like the heathed leather seats and the auto-climate feature.
 
I had doubts about the color for a while. I sometime wish I would have chose a black one, black looks meaner, the Pewter looks more classy/soft. It is only when I wash the cars that I tend not to regret the black anymore

#475 of 2763 Harsh shifting automatic transmission by floridasearay

Nov 12, 2002 (2:09 pm)

Hi,
I need advise. I have a 1996 Pathfinder Le, with 110,000 miles. At 95,000 a new transmission was installed. When the car is cold, the shift change into 2nd and 3rd is very harsh. After driving for awhile the gear changes are much smoother.The transmission shop insists it is not a faulty part in the transmission;.Otherwise the suv runs real good. I have never had a car with this problem. I would like to keep this car, but find this very annoying, any suggestions?

#476 of 2763 radio by mjohnr99

Nov 13, 2002 (4:27 pm)

WT, check the antenna to make sure not loose. It is removable for car washes. When I took delivery, it was loose. I hand tightened and it came loose again. Took a metric combination wrench and tightened 1/8th turn - no problem now. Just a thought I had. My radio reception is perfect upon turning key - have it checked out. Not a big deal. Look what the H2s are going through over on that board and the 4th Gen Run. will have its share of quirks as well.
 
No regrets. I know you leased, but I went all out and purchased. Giving me everything I expected and glad I had this option to go to. It drives better than I expected and I know for certain that I would have been disappointed with anything less in HP. Without the supercharger, the 3rd Gen just wasn't enough for my drive style. Past the 1,000 mile mark now and I have gunned it from 0 standstill merging traffic into 60 MPH two-lane parkway and nothing but SMILES. Eats a lot of gas (first SUV) compared to that little CRX deathtrap I was in. As for Black, never really had the dust problems here that I did with black cars back in SoCal. I prefer all the door handles, weather stripping, racks, etc. to all match - hence black. Yes, very nice with black windows. Now, you know why I almost threw-up at the multicolored 4th Gen Sport: main body color, gray cladding, black running boards/tires/windows, and silver "accents" (i.e., "acc-idents") everywhere including that infamous "license plate garnish." BTW, my wife's car is black and I just had to wax it. With all the issues for black cars, researched waxes in a back issue of Consumer Reports and believe it or not, Turtle Wax Super Hard Shell LIQUID (yes, the inexpensive stuff that is everywhere) had the highest overall score for non-scratching/hazing and durability, my two prime concerns. Came out great with no swirl marks. Used electric orbital polisher. Shine was slightly less than other products, but that is less of a concern (just washing your car occasionally does more for the shine on a daily basis!). Like many waxes, do not get on trim. Very pleased. Almost used my old bottle of Meguire's cleaner wax . . . which actually got the worst overall score in all categories of the 30-50 waxes tested. Consumer Reports comes through again . . .

#477 of 2763 Radio by world_traveler

Nov 13, 2002 (7:11 pm)

Mjohnr99, Thanks for checking !!!! I'll check the antenna.
 
Talking about colors, Pewter is now growing on me. When it is clean it shine a lot and I like the look at night. But black has an edge !!!
 
I love my truck more and more. I just tested it minutes ago in a semi-wrecked gravel road in 4WD (not Auto) and man.. with the HP and suspenstion it corners like crazy. I like it more and more.
 
The MPG is much worst than my Runner... by a mile. I know that the truck has to break in but still.... This time of year I mostly do city driving... this does not help. I only have 400 miles on it... two full tanks were required.....
 
I've seen some more Runners on the lot of my Toyota dealer. The look is growing on me a little. But I do not regret my decision. I'll wait for a couple of iterations before switching back, time enough for them to clean the lines, silver accents, offer color-keyed fenders and remove the stupid cladding.
 
Thanks for the info on waxes !!! I have to wax the black Protege this weekend.
 
Cheers

Messages Page 48 of 277

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