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Nissan Altima Hybrid Engine Questions

171 messages,  Last post on Dec 11, 2012 at 9:11 AM

You are in the Nissan Altima Hybrid Forum.

What is this discussion about? Nissan Altima Hybrid, Engine, Sedan

Messages Page 18 of 18

#162 of 171 Re: NAH overheating [popny85] by krouda

Sep 21, 2011 (4:36 pm)

Replying to: popny85 (Sep 01, 2011 7:25 pm)
A guy at Autozone suggested that a bad thermostat or temperature sensor might cause overheating but not throw a code. How can I test those parts to see if they are working right? And if it is one of these, any idea approx. how much to replace?

#163 of 171 Re: Nissan Altima Hybrid Oil Change [sfbaychris] by hhubby1

Oct 14, 2011 (1:37 pm)

Replying to: sfbaychris (Jan 29, 2011 5:29 pm)
I get different answers from everyone I ask. However, I can tell you that Nissan has asked me repeatedly what oil I have used because of my long standing dispute over engine noise with them. The car is now in their shop waiting for a cylinder head that they have said over and over nothing was wrong with the vehicle. It has been making noise since 2,000 miles. They have tried to blame the oil but couldn't. I'm saying if you're under warranty, at least do the synthetic until you're out so you're covered with them. They are NOT fun to work with....

#164 of 171 Re: who's responsible? [db59] by dynamo69

May 09, 2012 (6:13 pm)

Replying to: db59 (Feb 26, 2011 5:46 pm)
Hello db59, I owned a 07 NAH since new and loving every 50000 miles /85000Km so far. I live in Vancouver B.C. Canada and I average around 6.5 L/100Km or 1 1/2 gallon per 43 miles during the warmer months but 6.9 to 7.1 L/100Km in the Winter(39 M). The only flaw I had was a couple of Months ago a broken rear stabilizer Bar which is built on a hollow tube,And snapped off near the bushing on the passenger side. Nissan replaced under warranty(No Charge). The oil changes are the killer which off set my Gas saving because the dealer charges around $100.00 for the 0W20 synthetic oil. My driving style is similar to yours and I only put in Regular gas. The dealer did perform all services but mostly oil changes and a Wheel alignment.

#165 of 171 Re: who's responsible? [dynamo69] by wayne8888

May 10, 2012 (9:53 am)

Replying to: dynamo69 (May 09, 2012 6:13 pm)
Hi dynamo69. When you mention gallons are you talking imperial (UK) (which is usually the case in Canada) or US. gallons. Since a US gallons is only 0.833 Imperial gallons (or one could say that 1 imperial gallon = 1.2 US gallons). So with 100 km being 62 miles, you either got 36 miles per US gallon or 43 miles per UK gallon (since 6.5 liters = 1.72 US gallons but only 1.44 UK gallons). The calculation of miles per gallons would then be 62 miles divided by either 1.72 (US) or 1.44 (UK) gallons. On the engine topic, I am using fully synthetic oil and (since they now blame lower octane fuel for these Altima hybrid engine problems) and 93 Octane (premium) gas. After having 2 major engine issues (with carbon deposits and multi-cylinder failure) including the so-called bulletin), every thing is great (knock on wood).

#166 of 171 Re: who's responsible? [wayne8888] by dynamo69

May 10, 2012 (10:44 am)

Replying to: wayne8888 (May 10, 2012 9:53 am)
Hi Wayne 8888, All figures are in Imperial units and Si metric system in Canada(4.54L= 1 Canadian imperial gallons). The Octane for Regular here is 87 currently cost $1.42 per L or $6.44 Imp Gal(mostly tax). As mentioned I get around 40 Mpg or 6.5 to 7.0 L / 100 Km which to me it's great for a fairly big size(3000lbs) peppy car around city of Vancouver that has a mixed variety roads of mountains and freeway.
ps: I also religiously check my tire pressure(cold) at least once a month setting it 35psi .

#167 of 171 Re: who's responsible? [dynamo69] by wayne8888

May 11, 2012 (2:50 pm)

Replying to: dynamo69 (May 10, 2012 10:44 am)
Hi Dynamo,
 
Units can cause such confusion Imperial gallons vs US gallons even Octane units. But for Octane the US and Canada and Brazil are on the same page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octane_rating . I often say that we are lucky here in the U.S. to have relatively low gas prices compared to Canada and way lower than Europe. I the most I see around here is $4.43 per gallon (Thank goodness it is the tiny US gallon which is only 83.3% as large as one of your UK gallons......so that $4.43 would be $5.32 if our gallon was as big as yours). But this price is for 93 Octane. I can only imagine what you would pay for 93 Octane if you pay $6.44 for 87 Octane. I am kind of scared to go back to 87 Octane though given that my car spent a month in the shop (at Dealership) in Dec 2009 to Jan 2010, only to have to return to the shop for the carbon build-up bulletin in January 2011. I visited Vancouver in 2008..... what a beautiful city! I love Montreal also (where I did my Ph.D. at McGill) living in either of those cities might take the sting out of the high gas prices.

#168 of 171 Hybrid 11 Results by har4

Oct 07, 2012 (5:24 pm)

My ''11 Hybrid is about 15 months old, with 23,000 miles of rural, congested and highway in southern New England. The only problem I had was an initial failure of the one touch window close not working. My dealer took care of me and the window quickly and courteously.
 
I drive conservatively, trying to keep the engine speed low so that the oil film on the cylinders and bearings is not wiped away. Below a certain point, this means no metal to metal contact and no wear at all. I don't know what this speed is now in piston travel in feet per minute. Materials and oils are very good these days.
 
I use the recommended 0 - 20 oil, which means Mobile 1 Synthetic. I have been changing oil at 7,500 miles but am considering going to 10k or 15k after I verify that this won't affect my warranty. Oil life is mostly based on the heat history the oil sees, since heat shortens the molecule chains and weakens the oil film. Conservative driving reduces engine heat and synthetic oil is more resistant to breakdown. My dealer gave me three free oil changes and I have only used two so far. Eventually, I will probably change oil myself. Walmart sells Mobile 1 for less than $30 for 5 quarts. I can change oil in less time than the drive to the dealer.
 
I have had no problems with the noises that some of you seem to have had. It must be a limited problem, but certainly serious for those who have it. My car was rated 33/33 MPG. I have averaged 41 in the summer and 34 in cold weather. This is based on actual fuel used and odometer readings. The gauge reads a bit higher MPG. I have checked my odometer and it is a little slow. 8 miles reads 7.7 miles, for example, so my actual MPG is perhaps 3 % higher.
 
I am puzzled by the comments about the need for higher octane. Octane is the resistance to ignition. High compression engines heat the fuel mixture more in the compression stroke and can reach temperatures that will cause the mixture to ignite before the spark hits it. Higher octane prevents this I don't believe there is any other difference. I suppose that enough carbon in the cylinders will reduce the size of the head/cylinder chamber and increases the effective compression ratio, but this would be a result of carbon and not a cause. This used to result in knocking, but modern engines have knock sensors and retard the spark when this happens, so all you get is a tiny reduction in maximum power under full power conditions. Whatever is causing carbon to build up is certainly not something I can understand..
 
Thanks to some of the comments above, I understand that in cold weather the engine will run more to maintain a suitable temperature, and run even more to heat the car. This will certainly explain some or all of the cold weather drop in mileage.
 
So far, my car is entirely satisfactory. I hope this continues and I hope that those of you having trouble reach my trouble free situation soon.

#169 of 171 Re: Carbon Buildup/Cylinder Misfire [rasldasl] by dev1983

Nov 02, 2012 (7:49 am)

Replying to: rasldasl (Jun 19, 2011 5:23 pm)
How many miles were on your Altima? I'm running into the same issue with my 08. Thanks

#170 of 171 pulling ses codes on hybrid by paul_y

Dec 07, 2012 (2:11 pm)

I've read that I can pull the SES codes and reset the light on my 2007 Altima hybrid w/o an OBD reader. However, when I follow the instructions to push the "On" button without putting my foot on the brake, the systems check initiates but does not complete (most of the lights stay on). Is there a trick to getting the systems check to complete so that I can get the SES codes?

#171 of 171 09 Hybrid Enging Failure? Help! by ps1211

Dec 11, 2012 (9:11 am)

Last Friday, our 09 Altima Hybrid started acting funny. RPMs dropped on the drive home from work and the car wouldn't accelerate any faster than 40 MPH. After stopping and restarting, it got home okay - the next morning, we brought it into Nissan - the same thing happened on the way there. Yesterday they called and told me that the engine was "sludged up" and it looked as if the car had been driven with no oil in it and the dipstick was dry. Warranty will cover if we can prove service of the car. I can prove that we had a synthetic oil change on 10/26, and that upon coming into that change, the oil level was 1/2 low -- so there was oil in it prior to 10/26 and then after the change on 10/26. Nissan is telling me they have to "break down the engine" for $540 just to tell me what the extent of the repair will be. My question is - where did the oil go that was put in on 10/26? There are no oil spots in our garage, and no lights went on prior to last Friday. Does anyone have any insight I can keep in reserve in case Nissan denies coverage? We've had the oil changed at the recommended interval (7,500 miles) but can't prove it prior to 10/26/12.
Thanks in advance!

Messages Page 18 of 18

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