New alt.autos.nissan.maxima user here. First time poster.
I have a 1997 Nissan Maxima SE with 118,000 miles. The car has been a
full-on ROCK STAR for me. The car is paid off in full, and has
performed wonderful. Purchased when it had 42,000 miles I have done the
following to maintain the car:
* Full brake overhaul (about 65,000 miles ago)
* Regular oil changes and basic maintenance (transmission fluid flush,
fuel injection cleaned, air filter replace, tires rotated, balanced, or
replaced, etc.)
* Premium octane fuel used only
* Average yearly miles: 12,000
I believe that I can easily make it to 200,000 miles. Could I make it
to 250,000? My question to the group is this: what type of preventative
maintenance should I be thinking about in order to keep this baby
running smoothly? I don't know too much about cars and do most of my
basic maintenance at a 20-minute oil change shop. I've never had the
authorized dealer do any work on the car. Thoughts? Comments? Concerns?
I hope I'm not jinxing myself by posting this thread...
Thanks,
diro
Shines - 26 Jul 2006 21:24 GMT
> New alt.autos.nissan.maxima user here. First time poster.
>
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>
> diro
===
You just keep driving it and fixing things that need fixing. Keep the
cooling system in good condition. Clean and prep. the door and window rubber
seals.
codifus@optonline.net - 27 Jul 2006 14:12 GMT
> New alt.autos.nissan.maxima user here. First time poster.
>
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>
> diro
With that kind of excellent maintenance you've been doing, that maxima
should easily reach 250K miles. Even 300K should be possible. One
thing, as mentioned by the other poster, you did not mention anything
about your cooling system maintenance. How's that? If it has not been
good chances are your water pump will go. It's a bit of an expenesive
job to replace in the VQ30DE motor in your maxima. It's about a $400
job because the water pump is pretty deep inside the motor, driven by
the timing chain etc.
Other than that, change your coolant regularly, stay away from any of
those 5 year or 10 year orange coolants etc. Your car was born with the
basic green ethylene glycol coolant. Stick with that. Nissan coolant is
the best choice. Any green coolant that says it is low in silicates (or
non silicates even better) is a good 2nd choice. The green Prestone
coolant would be a distant 3rd choice becasue it has lots of silicates.
CD
diroberts@yahoo.com - 28 Jul 2006 17:04 GMT
> With that kind of excellent maintenance you've been doing, that maxima
> should easily reach 250K miles. Even 300K should be possible. One
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>
> CD
re: coolant. Yes, I've done a "coolant/radiator flush" on the
recommended mileage but have not replaced the water pump yet. I won't
do so until it goes bad. $400 is cheaper than taking on a car payment
for a newer car. I will be sure to stick w/ the coolant you recommend.
Three months ago, I also replaced the starter, and two other related
electrical switches. Since then though, the car has been starting
"hard/rough" and today I found out I need a new ignition switch ($200
including labor) so I'm going to do that. Not an expense I was counting
on considering I'm on a major budget but oh well.
Glad to hear that I'm on the right track. 300K? IF I could reach that
milestone that would be full on mental and I'd be **stoked**!
njmodi - 28 Jul 2006 18:07 GMT
> re: coolant. Yes, I've done a "coolant/radiator flush" on the
> recommended mileage but have not replaced the water pump yet. I won't
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> Glad to hear that I'm on the right track. 300K? IF I could reach that
> milestone that would be full on mental and I'd be **stoked**!
Not sure how handy you are, but you can replace the ignition switch
yourself for 40 dollars and in and 1/2 hour of your time.
Nirav
bud smith - 28 Jul 2006 03:24 GMT
> New alt.autos.nissan.maxima user here. First time poster.
>
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> authorized dealer do any work on the car. Thoughts? Comments? Concerns?
> I hope I'm not jinxing myself by posting this thread...
I have 214K on my 92 Maxima. Bought it new. Original clutch. No AC
problems. Only routine maintenance except for clutch master cylinder,
starter, water pump, and idler gear. Window solenoids and lock solenoids
and bose crapped out, but those are electrical, not mechanical. I change
the oil every three thousand miles.