Car Trouble, Need Advice
 

My old mechanic went out of business and so I'm heading to the assholes at the Nissan dealership to get my car checked out. The car's check engine light came on today and it started shaking after I turned it on and move it few feet (like it's choking or something). The car is also having trouble going past 40 mph. Any idea what the problem is?

Another problem is that the breaks are at 50% yet when I break it squeaks. I don't get it. Finally, last time I went to the SOBs at the dealership they tried to charge me $149.99 for a power steering flush and I thought that was a huge rip-off. I've held off for a while but they told me six months ago I needed a flush ASAP. What's a fair price for a power steering flush? Is there a good place to get that on the cheap?

Re: Car Trouble, Need Advice
 

holy schnikies, i got all the same problems you do.

check engine light has been on for a good 7 years now since i consistently ran out of gas when i was dead dead broke in law school back in 02 or so. over the years my car will sometimes shake like it is having convulsions. recently my brake sensor lights came on. also recently i am having intermittent trouble excellerating from about 40 to highway speed.

lets just say that on the way to w va last week, i did alot of polite "im sorry my cars takes 2 mins to go from 40 to 70" waving on the highways. those jerks dont even have on ramp or yield areas so at one point i had to merge directly onto highway traffic at 40 mph with a redneck truck on my ass, i honestly thought i was going to cause a 50 car collision.

i plan on getting my transmission checked and hope i only need transmission fluid for the slow excelleration, the brakes i know i need to replace and the check engine light/sporadic convulsions i should probably get a fluch and tune up.

since im so smart, im just going to wait on this until i get moved into my new house when hopefully i will have enough money. of course by then i will probably need new rooters since my brake pads are currently carving inot my rooters and i will probably need a new transmission later b/c im too lazy n broke to just change my trans fluid.

feel better?

Re: Car Trouble, Need Advice
 

Actually I have never had a PS pump flush.....on anything and I have never had a PS problem. I would check that it is a legit problem/fix.....dealerships love their upsells and add-ons. As far as the other goes, it may be a coil pack. If it is running like shit and the Check engine light on.....Not a fortune, but a couple hundred+
You may want to log on to a Nissan Board that has a large membership. Some good model specific info can be gleaned from such places. you may be able to get the down lo on a good trustworthy mech in your area as well.
I have 20 year old Dodge diesel....project truck going on. I frequently post troubleshooting Q's on the boards with good results.
Good luck

Re: Car Trouble, Need Advice
 

[quote=Hog1;764527]Actually I have never had a PS pump flush.....on anything and I have never had a PS problem. I would check that it is a legit problem/fix.....dealerships love their upsells and add-ons. As far as the other goes, it may be a coil pack. If it is running like shit and the Check engine light on.....Not a fortune, but a couple hundred+
You may want to log on to a Nissan Board that has a large membership. Some good model specific info can be gleaned from such places. you may be able to get the down lo on a good trustworthy mech in your area as well.
I have 20 year old Dodge diesel....project truck going on. I frequently post troubleshooting Q's on the boards with good results.
Good luck[/quote]


I always follow the owners manual to the T, Toyota recommends changing the brake fluid every 3 years, says nothing about PS fluid. Saden1 if you are looking to put dollars into fixing your car I would hold off on the PS fluid unless you feel like it is hard to steer or getting strange noises when turning. Both PS and brake fluid are hydraulic fluid so they tend to absorb moisture/water once they gather enough then tend to break down and could impede the performance of your brakes/steering and/or ruin parts like calipers/master cylinders and pumps. Eventually you need them done I usually do both in the 5th year of the cars life, mileage really is not a factor.

I am thinking your check engine light is a mis-fire as well maybe over multiply cylinders. If I were you I find another local wrench before going to the dealership (stealership), if it is not warranty work I don't go to a dealership.

Re: Car Trouble, Need Advice
 

Sounds like coil packs could be going out, possible fouled spark plugs causing a misfire, or your oxygen sensors could have completley failed and now the computer is making the engine run funky....

Re: Car Trouble, Need Advice
 

A bunch of different things could cause this behavior. Take it somewhere (places like Autozone will do it for free) and have them read the code. The code will get you in the vicinity of what is wrong, and you can go from there.

Re: Car Trouble, Need Advice
 

I would not take it to the Nissan place. That's a bunch of BS on the PS and I have never heard of having it flushed. Do as cpayne5 has said about Auto Zone and then ask around to find a good referal to another local shop.

Re: Car Trouble, Need Advice
 

[quote=cpayne5;764617]A bunch of different things could cause this behavior. Take it somewhere (places like Autozone will do it for free) and have them read the code. The code will get you in the vicinity of what is wrong, and you can go from there.[/quote]


This is good advice here. My dad has a code reader that I've had to borrow for my Nissan a couple of times. It's really easy to use. Just plug it in, the reader spits out a code, then plug the reader into your computer (of course you have to install the code reader software on your computer first) and it will tell you what the code is, and tell you the exact part that needs replacing. I would NOT take it to the Nissan place, because they will jack you up in regards to charges. When my alternator went out on the Nissan, they were going to wind up charging me almost a thousand dollars just to "search" for the problem. They had already charged me $300 just for hooking it up to their computer system (which tells me they already knew what the problem was, they were just trying to do more stuff to charge me money.) So, I used Dad's code reader, and $145 later and a new alternator, my car was fixed.

Re: Car Trouble, Need Advice
 

[quote=cpayne5;764617]A bunch of different things could cause this behavior. Take it somewhere (places like Autozone will do it for free) and have them read the code. The code will get you in the vicinity of what is wrong, and you can go from there.[/quote]


Good idea, I forgot about that! Be warned at least from my experiences they get kind of pissey if you don't buy the part from them that the code says is broken.

Re: Car Trouble, Need Advice
 

[quote=mredskins;764627]Good idea, I forgot about that! Be warned at least from my experiences they get kind of pissey if you don't buy the part from them that the code says is broken.[/quote]

Saden can get pretty pissy himself, so I'm not going to worry about it. ;)

Re: Car Trouble, Need Advice
 

Ok, thanks guys. The Nissan dealer does inspection for free and they looked at the car yestarday and said I need to get the 105K service done. Of course they told me to get the ps flushed.... even worse they tried to charge me $40 to replace my license plate lights. I just told them to do the service which is $400 with a 10% coupon I printed online.

Car is running smooth again and they either replaced the plate lights for free or them mother fckers tried to cheat me because they work.

Re: Car Trouble, Need Advice
 

[quote=cpayne5;764630]Saden can get pretty pissy himself, so I'm not going to worry about it. ;)[/quote]


Hey for the record still have my Runner. This past weekend I drained and filled the front/rear diff and transfer case with Amsioil Severe gear oil. I should be good for 100k miles now.

Re: Car Trouble, Need Advice
 

[quote=mredskins;764638]Hey for the record still have my Runner. This past weekend I drained and filled the front/rear diff and transfer case with Amsioil Severe gear oil. I should be good for 100k miles now.[/quote]

I run Amsoil in mine, too. Good stuff. I won't run it all the way out to 100k, though. Those intervals are for ideal conditions.

Re: Car Trouble, Need Advice
 

OTM if your check engine light has been on 7 yrs, how do you get past md emissions? My car also started doing the same thing, then emissions came due, and they failed it straight out since the check engine light was on...

Re: Car Trouble, Need Advice
 

[quote=CRedskinsRule;764645]OTM if your check engine light has been on 7 yrs, how do you get past md emissions? My car also started doing the same thing, then emissions came due, and they failed it straight out since the check engine light was on...[/quote]


HA I was going to say the same thing.

Re: Car Trouble, Need Advice
 

Trade it in for a new car.

Last spring I needed new brakes and rotors on my EVO VIII. The parts alone cost 4K. On top of that I did have a check engine light on and my Turbo wasn't boosting properly. Kelly Blue Book had it going for 8K in fair condition. Sorry but I'm not going to put 4K into an 8K car to make it a 10K car, when I was a teenager I would have but not now.

I traded it in for 7K, avoided a huge maintence cost, and got 5 car years younger. The real beauty is that due to the fact that I had a 6 year loan on the EVO and a 3 year loan on the new car I didn't add any additional years to my payoff. In fact I subtracted 2 months.

Since my payoff was more than what they gave me for the car I was a little bit upside down and I carried the negative equity over to the new car. To cover myself I purchased the gap insurance. Gap insurance covers a vehicle with negative equity in the event you get into an accident.

I ended up with a 2008 Scion so it wasn't brand new, but it's newer used and my payments stayed about the same.

Recap: I avoided a huge maintenance cost, purchased a newer vehicle, cut loan payoff date by 2 months and essentially eliminated my negative equity. It's worth looking into.

Re: Car Trouble, Need Advice
 

[quote=Angry;764660][B]Trade it in for a new car.[/B]

Last spring I needed new brakes and rotors on my EVO VIII. The parts alone cost 4K. On top of that I did have a check engine light on and my Turbo wasn't boosting properly. Kelly Blue Book had it going for 8K in fair condition. Sorry but I'm not going to put 4K into an 8K car to make it a 10K car, when I was a teenager I would have but not now.

I traded it in for 7K, avoided a huge maintence cost, and got 5 car years younger. The real beauty is that due to the fact that I had a 6 year loan on the EVO and a 3 year loan on the new car I didn't add any additional years to my payoff. In fact I subtracted 2 months.

Since my payoff was more than what they gave me for the car I was a little bit upside down and I carried the negative equity over to the new car. To cover myself I purchased the gap insurance. Gap insurance covers a vehicle with negative equity in the event you get into an accident.

I ended up with a 2008 Scion so it wasn't brand new, but it's newer used and my payments stayed about the same.

Recap: I avoided a huge maintenance cost, purchased a newer vehicle, cut loan payoff date by 2 months and essentially eliminated my negative equity. It's worth looking into.[/quote]


I really really thought about it and then saw the sticker tag on a Nissan Murano and came to my senses. I can't afford a 40K car right now.

Re: Car Trouble, Need Advice
 

[quote=saden1;764637]Ok, thanks guys. The Nissan dealer does inspection for free and they looked at the car yestarday and said I need to get the 105K service done. Of course they told me to get the ps flushed.... even worse they tried to charge me $40 to replace my license plate lights. I just told them to do the service which is $400 with a 10% coupon I printed online.

Car is running smooth again and they either replaced the plate lights for free or them mother fckers tried to cheat me because they work.[/quote]

Those inspections are not for free. See the $400 you paid them.

Re: Car Trouble, Need Advice
 

[quote=CRedskinsRule;764645]OTM if your check engine light has been on 7 yrs, how do you get past md emissions? My car also started doing the same thing, then emissions came due, and they failed it straight out since the check engine light was on...[/quote]

If its anything like Va I don't think they check emmissions. If they do I have never seen them check it on my inspections.

Re: Car Trouble, Need Advice
 

[quote=firstdown;764667]If its anything like Va I don't think they check emmissions. If they do I have never seen them check it on my inspections.[/quote]

Maryland checks emissions every two years. The first thing they do is plug into the onboard computer and if it's reading any error codes you fail.

Re: Car Trouble, Need Advice
 

[quote=firstdown;764666]Those inspections are not for free. See the $400 you paid them.[/quote]


I am free to walk away after the inspection. I am also free to pay for service and thus my inspection as well as everyone who gets an inspection and walks away.

Re: Car Trouble, Need Advice
 

[quote=CRedskinsRule;764671]Maryland checks emissions every two years. The first thing they do is plug into the onboard computer and if it's reading any error codes you fail.[/quote]


I have lived in both states and MD is way easy compared to VA. Just the emissions every two years. VA they check everything expect emissions every year.

Re: Car Trouble, Need Advice
 

[quote=saden1;764665]I really really thought about it and then saw the sticker tag on a Nissan Murano and came to my senses. I can't afford a 40K car right now.[/quote]


Don't buy brand new, buy a certified used that's only a year or three old. They are still in excellent condition and the major depreciation from driving it off of the lot has already occured. You can find one anywhere from 20K-30K

Re: Car Trouble, Need Advice
 

Off-Topic, my wife and i just mailed out our last payment for my pickup truck today. I will never again by anything brand new. It will be used cars from here out. I made up my mind after they wouldn't refinance me last summer. My truck is a 2006 and doesnt even have 100K on it. I will pay cash for my vehicles from now on....

Re: Car Trouble, Need Advice
 

I say buy used if you are keeping it for 5 or less years, buy new if you plan to keep 5 plus years.

Actually the best deal is wait for the new model to come out then buy a new last year model. They always want to move those off the lot especially if the body style changed.

Re: Car Trouble, Need Advice
 

[quote=mredskins;764701]I say buy used if you are keeping it for 5 or less years, buy new if you plan to keep 5 plus years.

Actually the best deal is wait for the new model to come out then buy a new last year model. They always want to move those off the lot especially if the body style changed.[/quote]

I will never buy brand new again because the car has you by the balls. You owe way more than it's worth and you have to hold onto it beyond it's prime unless you want to loose money on the deal. Buying a brand new car is a terrible investment.

You might say that holding onto it until it's paid off might be more beneficial but the truth is that you can buy a used car much cheaper, pay it off sooner and still enjoy no car payment like the guy who paid twice as much and had to wait twice as long to do so.

Re: Car Trouble, Need Advice
 

[quote=Angry;764703]I will never buy brand new again because the car has you by the balls. You owe way more than it's worth and you have to hold onto it beyond it's prime unless you want to loose money on the deal. Buying a brand new car is a terrible investment.

You might say that holding onto it until it's paid off might be more beneficial but the truth is that you can buy a used car much cheaper, pay it off sooner and still enjoy no car payment like the guy who paid twice as much and had to wait twice as long to do so.[/quote]


Depends on the car you buy. Buy a car with high resale value you should come out ahead if you keep it the life of the loan. Done it all my life never been upside down in loan. Buying a used car you lose value as soon as you drive that one off the lot as well.

A car (outside of classics and exotics) is never a positive finical investment. New or used when you go to sell it you will never recover your original purchase price.

Re: Car Trouble, Need Advice
 

[url=http://www.daveramsey.com/media/flash/elearning/drive-free/player.html]Drive Free. Retire Rich.[/url]

I dont know if any of you have heard of Dave Ramsey, but this pretty much summed up our strategy for paying off my truck and setting up a "vehicle replacement" fund for the future. He is actually right and if you can afford to save the money each month, you basically have enough cash every 2 years to buy a good decent used vehicle without going in debt.

Re: Car Trouble, Need Advice
 

[quote=SolidSnake84;764717][URL="http://www.daveramsey.com/media/flash/elearning/drive-free/player.html"]Drive Free. Retire Rich.[/URL]

I dont know if any of you have heard of Dave Ramsey, but this pretty much summed up our strategy for paying off my truck and setting up a "vehicle replacement" fund for the future. He is actually right and if you can afford to save the money each month, you basically have enough cash every 2 years to buy a good decent used vehicle without going in debt.[/quote]


I have seen this guy before Dave Ramsey, he seems like he is around for the finical challenged. His plans have a lot of assumptions in them, even this car one. He is completely forgetting or omitting maintenance/repair bills.

Also sorry but their is not a new or used car that I will drive that the purchase price is $6k or even $11K. Plus to think your $6k car is going to be worth anything near $6k a year later is full hearted. Do a search for $6k cars, I willing to bet most won't make it through the year with a major reapir expense.

This guy is so full of crap, I hope you didn't buy any of his stuff or go to his lame classes like my co-worker, who now also agrees with me that his plans are fair fetch.

Re: Car Trouble, Need Advice
 

[quote=SolidSnake84;764717][url=http://www.daveramsey.com/media/flash/elearning/drive-free/player.html]Drive Free. Retire Rich.[/url]

I dont know if any of you have heard of Dave Ramsey, but this pretty much summed up our strategy for paying off my truck and setting up a "vehicle replacement" fund for the future. He is actually right and if you can afford to save the money each month, you basically have enough cash every 2 years to buy a good decent used vehicle without going in debt.[/quote]

They had a Dave Ramsey class here in town back during the summer. I wanted to go to it, but couldn't at the time. I hear he can definitely change your life financially.

Re: Car Trouble, Need Advice
 

[quote=skinsguy;764724]They had a Dave Ramsey class here in town back during the summer. I wanted to go to it, but couldn't at the time. I hear he can definitely change your life financially.[/quote]


You lucked out by missing out.

Re: Car Trouble, Need Advice
 

Is he actually on the up and up or is this a scam? I haven't heard anything bad about the guy, although it does cost $100 to take the course. (Well to buy the materials for the course.)

Re: Car Trouble, Need Advice
 

[quote=Angry;764678]Don't buy brand new, buy a certified used that's only a year or three old. They are still in excellent condition and the major depreciation from driving it off of the lot has already occured. You can find one anywhere from 20K-30K[/quote]


I have a serious issue with buying anything used. I have this fear that it will fail because of misuse by the prior owners. The thought of spending 20K on a used car literally frightens and I can't get passed it. I have never owned anything used in my life, ever!

Re: Car Trouble, Need Advice
 

Well, they do have car facts where you can look up vehicle history.

It is true that buying certified used vehicles is the way to go, although I'm not so sure about spending $20-$30k on a used vehicle.

Re: Car Trouble, Need Advice
 

[quote=skinsguy;764729]Is he actually on the up and up or is this a scam? I haven't heard anything bad about the guy, although it does cost $100 to take the course. (Well to buy the materials for the course.)[/quote]


It is not like he is scamming anyone it is just common sense stuff; to me at least.

Re: Car Trouble, Need Advice
 

what kind of cars do people want to buy then? if a 6K dollar car is too "cheap", and a 20K+ new car is a frightening investment, then what do people want?

I bought my wife a car in July for 1500 bucks. a 2001 Mitsubishi Mirage, that is loaded, and in great shape. I found it in the valley trader....the same car is valued on kelly blue book for twice as much....i think sometimes people can't be helped....

Re: Car Trouble, Need Advice
 

[quote=mredskins;764737]It is not like he is scamming anyone it is just common sense stuff; to me at least.[/quote]

Yeah I mean there are no magic tricks when it comes to being smart about your finances. Live within your means, don't carry stupid debt, max out your savings for retirement with a 401k and an IRA. Common sense stuff, but it's crazy to think what is common sense for some is greek for others.

Re: Car Trouble, Need Advice
 

[quote=SolidSnake84;764739]what kind of cars do people want to buy then? if a 6K dollar car is too "cheap", and a 20K+ new car is a frightening investment, then what do people want?

I bought my wife a car in July for 1500 bucks. a 2001 Mitsubishi Mirage, that is loaded, and in great shape. I found it in the valley trader....the same car is valued on kelly blue book for twice as much....i think sometimes people can't be helped....[/quote]


I think your car purchase much like your home purchase is dependent on your income and staying with in your means. So you have to pick one that will last you the longest but yet not brake the bank.

For some a $6k car is out of the question and for others $60k car is going cheap.

Re: Car Trouble, Need Advice
 

I will say this. I paid $5000 for a 1999 Honda Civic in 2005, it had 98000 miles. It now has 223,000 miles, and is starting to act quirky (although it could just need a basic service). $5000 may get you an older car, but if you are diligent in looking for a good buy (only driven on Sunday to church by a little old lady kinda thing) you can get a lot of mileage for a little bit of cost.

Re: Car Trouble, Need Advice
 

[quote=SolidSnake84;764739]what kind of cars do people want to buy then? if a 6K dollar car is too "cheap", and a 20K+ new car is a frightening investment, then what do people want?

I bought my wife a car in July for 1500 bucks. a 2001 Mitsubishi Mirage, that is loaded, and in great shape. I found it in the valley trader....the same car is valued on kelly blue book for twice as much....i think sometimes people can't be helped....[/quote]


As soon as I pay my Mustang GT off, I want to get a good, used, pick up truck. Nothing full size, but something decent enough to haul a few things. Something around $12k.

I suppose it's what people are used to according to where they live. In my area, the economy is...well...we hardly have an economy! We have the highest unemployment rate in the state, possibly the country. So, you tend to see a lot of very used, very old, and even wrecked vehicles on the road. So, a used car for $20k in my area is probably expensive, even for the higher up, well to do residents. So if people decide to spend that much on a vehicle, they would much rather buy it brand new.....for the full warranty.

Back when I bought my Mustang, there was no way I was going to buy a used one, simply because I know a lot of people buy those to race. So, I didn't want to get one that was ragged out. Plus it was in the second year of the new body style (when they went with a more retro look in '05) and I didn't want the old body style mustang.

But, if it comes to a truck, I can deal with a good used truck, as long as it gets me from point a to point b and I can at least haul trash or mulch with.