Internot:
At the risk of offending you, might I suggest a little more calm approach to trying to resolve the issue? Your dealer and Nissan both want you to be happy with the car and will generally try hard to please you.
I am going to do the same test tonight and compare my findings to yours.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dbc
If I place my ear within a couple of inches of the PS pump I can here a slight whine. It was fairly constant at idle - very slight variation of pitch when steering the car stationary. This was so subtle that moving back just a few more inches resulted in the normal engine idle sounds swamping the pump noise. There is, like in all cars, a whine from the alternator that varies directly with engine rpm. It's actually louder than the PS pump. I think I can faintly hear this from the drivers seat on initial stepoff and maybe up to 5-10mph. But only if all accessories are off and I listen closely.
Conclusion: My PS pump contirbutes no audible noise, in the cabin, to the operation of the vehicle.
I do think I am a bit more intolerant than normal right now due to the barrage of car issues I have had in the last 45 days, or so.
So far, Nissan has been very helpful and I have not a bad thing to say about the service I have received thus far.
Corporate was very cordial and I have received a follow up call already from them. I kind of knew that a complaint like this was going to be difficult to resolve unless the cause was immediately apparent. So, I have been preparing in advance of where I currently am in the process (probably to a fault). I know that steps must be followed in escalation protocols.
I will be a happy camper if this gets resolved. I know my statement earlier about taking this issue as far as I can sounded combative. It wasn't meant to be... I just mean I am not accepting their response "that this is normal" and am willing to escalate things according to their protocol until I get a resolution.
It's funny, I spent so much time on the tdiclub forums researching issues and when I got this car all I kept thinking was... well, at least I won't have to be doing that anymore. LOL
P.s. I also told corporate that the service writer who helped me was excellent and he noted that on the record.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dbc
Internot:
At the risk of offending you, might I suggest a little more calm approach to trying to resolve the issue? Your dealer and Nissan both want you to be happy with the car and will generally try hard to please you.
Last edited by theinternot; 08-10-2012 at 10:22 PM.
It will be worth the effort to get your car right because, as I'm sure you know, it's a very impressive vehicle. As much as I love my little Golf TDI hatchback consider this:
It cost just as much as this Altima yet doesn't have anywhere the nice features of the Altima: no sunroof, power seat, intelligent key, remote start, homelink or auto dim mirror.
The Altima is getting about 3 mpg less than the TDI but by the time you factor in the higher cost of diesel the actual cost per mile is almost the same. The Altima is larger, roomier, quieter and more comfortable - and probably a little faster.
This Altima is really a high value proposition for it's reasonable price.
Although, it can be nice and deceiving to see high numbers on the trip odometer in between fill ups, the TDI is definitely not more cost effective.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dbc
It will be worth the effort to get your car right because, as I'm sure you know, it's a very impressive vehicle. As much as I love my little Golf TDI hatchback consider this:
It cost just as much as this Altima yet doesn't have anywhere the nice features of the Altima: no sunroof, power seat, intelligent key, remote start, homelink or auto dim mirror.
The Altima is getting about 3 mpg less than the TDI but by the time you factor in the higher cost of diesel the actual cost per mile is almost the same. The Altima is larger, roomier, quieter and more comfortable - and probably a little faster.
This Altima is really a high value proposition for it's reasonable price.
Also consider timing belt replacement on the TDI every 60K (about $800) and the expensive DSG trans service (about $400) every 40K. Your diesel savings are completely blown by the service expense.
The QR engine in the Altima has a timing chain requiring no service and the CVT calls for no routine maintainence under normal use.
AND... let's not forget about new fuel filters every 20k (mine were toast at about 10k, so I changed them with the oil)... which by the way requires pure synthetic and a very specific oil specification that is hard to find in regular stores.
Dang, 60k timing belt recommendations now? Was 90k, then 80k...
I can understand the caution though... if your timing belt goes on the TDI...
bye,bye valves.
Thanks for reminding me why I went with the Altima! ;-)
Quote:
Originally Posted by dbc
Also consider timing belt replacement on the TDI every 60K (about $800) and the expensive DSG trans service (about $400) every 40K. Your diesel savings are completely blown by the service expense.
The QR engine in the Altima has a timing chain requiring no service and the CVT calls for no routine maintainence under normal use.
Also consider timing belt replacement on the TDI every 60K (about $800) and the expensive DSG trans service (about $400) every 40K. Your diesel savings are completely blown by the service expense.
The QR engine in the Altima has a timing chain requiring no service and the CVT calls for no routine maintainence under normal use.
I'm about to talk myself into disliking my VW.
Actually Nissan specifies an expensive CVT fluid replacement every 60k, which can cost as much as $400 for a complete flush. It's required to keep the warranty in effect. While it's most likely that the CVT will last as long as the car the financial reality is that you really don't want to be on the hook for a transmission replacement if it fails.
The 2013 Altima Service and Maintenance guide states that replacement at 60k is required ONLY if you tow a trailer, use a camper or cartop carrier or drive on rough or muddy roads. If not, the only requirement is to "inspect" the fluid. No change required to keep the warranty in effect. Besides, unless you buy an extended warranty, there's no power train warranty beyond 60k miles anyway.
I flipped through that maintenance supplement book and saw no mention of when to change the CVT fluid. It just said "inspect" (or something like that) It might be good for the life of the CVT.
Can someone please explain to me why a CVT has an O/D (overdrive). Considering it really doesn't have a gear what good would it be to have one ...or they just want to have one so it sounds good to the buyer.
The "overdrive off" button on the side of the gearshift is used to provide additional downhill engine braking.
Nowadays the term "overdrive" is vague and it doesn't really apply to a cvt that has no gears anyway. I think they continue to use it because many people know to turn "overdrive off" when descending steep grades.
OK, this is what the "2013 Service and Maintenance Guide" actually says:
I noticed the two dots are indented following the towing a trailer sentence. Maybe that is why there is confusion on this issue. Little old men don't need confusion, we live with it on a daily basis.
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