SHOCKED!!!

My 2004 Nissan Presage failed its Warrant of Fitness!

In New Zealand cars are checked for road worthiness http://www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicle/.

The car was fine apart from the Left Front Suspension (Shock), it was found to be leaking... more like useless and of no functional use at all, but for holding the spring in place. The gas shock had deteriorated.

Taking my un-warranted car away from the testing centre and cursing ever buying an import, I started the mission of working out the best options for resolving the fault.

Here are the results. (note: in New Zealand and in NZ Dollars)

To get the car repaired by Nissan

Cost of Shock $540 plus GST (15%) as well as a wait of 10 days for it to be imported from Japan.
labour estimated to be 1 hour and a half at $90 per hour plus GST.

TOTAL from Nissan - $630 plus GST = $724.50
Well that simply wasn’t an option.
I asked why it was so costly, because the Nissan Presage TU31 Chassis was unique, so had a specific shock.

I called the Shock Shop, they told me the only option they had was to rebuild the shock, this would take approximately 3 days to do.

TOTAL from the Shock Shop - $556 including GST
Getting Better

I called around and got similar results…

Another look at this blog that I put together was the answer, the Nissan Presage is on the Nissan Teana chassis, the Nissan Teana is also sold as the Nissan Maxima, which is a far more popular car in New Zealand, a favourite for taxi drivers.

"Who makes a part that is specific to one car?!?!"

Basically the TU31 Chassis is the same as the J31 Chassis, so takes the same shocks.

I called around again, specifically wanting a price for a J31 Shock and Labour… looked as thou I was still looking at over $320 for the shock.

So I went to my local Super Cheap Auto store, they priced me a J31 Left Front Shock plus (overnight) shipping for just under $240 including GST!

Pit Stop Autos fitted the Shock for me in an hour for $87 including GST!

TOTAL Do it yourself investigation = $327 including GST

Nearly a $400 saving and faster service than what I got from Nissan Servicing.

And yes the car passed its warrant of fitness

Love the Internet!

If you don't know, get Just the Answer!

On the theme of Service and Maintenance, I found this great online resource.
Just Answer is a fantastic way to connect to field experts.

Very easy to use and the site even lets you know who is available to help you with your query.
You do have to pay for the answer, however the rate is very reasonable and will save you time and frustration if you were to try to work out the more difficult stuff by yourself.

'Just Answer' doesn't only provide Automative services as well.

Check it out.
www.justanswer.com

- Eric

Nissan Maintenance Guide

Great resource if you are looking to take good care of your Nissan ride.

Download here

Blurb from the Guide:
Preventative scheduled maintenance is an important investment to optimize the performance, reliability, safety and resale value of your Nissan. Scheduling your vehicle’s maintenance at the recommended intervals will ensure your vehicle is running at its best.

We want you to enjoy your Nissan vehicle. This Service and Maintenance Guide is designed to help you make sure your vehicle receives proper and timely maintenance that is necessary. Key services are explained in detail, along with an outline of scheduled maintenance to help you maintain your vehicle. Your local Nissan dealer
can assist you in determining the best schedule based on your driving habits and local conditions.

Failure to perform scheduled maintenance may result in excluding portions of your vehicle from warranty coverage and may reduce the performance, safety, reliability and/or resale value of your vehicle. See your Warranty Information Booklet and Owner’s Manual for details.

Print it out and keep it handy.

Happy driving,

- Eric

Note: Resource is available from http://www.courtesyparts.com/owners-manuals.php

Restrain your children

The Nissan Presage comes equipped with Child Restraint Anchorages, behind each of the 2nd row seats.

This makes this car ideal for a family car, as having the Child seats installed in the 2nd row makes it conveniently located next to the large sliding doors, for easy access and exiting of the car for loading and unloading young children.

Of course you will still need to follow the instructions for installing the differing child seat systems. However it is always very useful knowing your Nissan already comes installed with Child Restraint Anchorages.

Safe Driving,

- Eric

What is that A/T switch for?

For Nissan Presage owners (that can't read Japanese) ever wondered what the A/T switch located to the left of the steering wheel is for?

Well it is actually referred to as the AT Mode switch, it allows the driver to select from 3 differing driving modes.

Mode 1: AUTO (switch level), for normal driving which automatically selects ECONOMY or POWER mode in response to the amount and speed of accelerator pedal depression.

Mode 2: POWER (switch up), used for rapid acceleration or uphill driving. the shifting speeds in each gear change to ones somewhat higher than those of the AUTO mode.

Mode 3: SNOW (switch down), used for standing starts on slippery (snowy, sandy) roads. The driving force changes in accordance with the slippery road condition when the accelerator pedal is depressed. Engine torque will be provided moderately in response to accelerator pedal depression.

To cancel the SNOW mode while driving, select a mode other than SNOW mode and take your foot off the accelerator pedal once. The mode will change to the selected mode.

TIP: Accelerator Down-shift - in the D position.

For passing or climbing hills, floor the accelerator pedal. This in turn shifts the transmission down into a lower gear, depending on the cars speed.

Happy driving

- Eric

2004 NISSAN PRESAGE whats that in english?

I needed a new car, well a car newer than the one I had, it also needed to be able to accommodate my growing family comfortably.

Apart from the fact I didn't want the car to look like your normal people mover or van, it also needed to have;

1. 7+ seats. I mean real 7 seats and not 2 pop up seats at the rear that if I were to sit in it my shoulders will be touching the ceiling of the car with my knees up around my ears, clearly seats better suited for children with no legs or small handbag dogs.

2. Sliding Doors. Sliding doors is just the best thing when getting kids in and out of the car, especially in parking lots and next to other parked cars.

3. Storage. The car has to have boot space even with the 3rd row of seats up and in-use, ideally other clever storage space as well.

4. Reversing Camera. With a larger car anything to assist in parking and reversing has to be a good thing.

5. A Good Drive. The car had to be a comfortable drive, not like other cars I have driven.

6. Fuel Efficiency. Lets face it, the price of fuel is not likely to be going down, and I hated visiting the fuel pumps, so fuel efficiency is very important in my car choice.

I Googled and Googled again the options I had for the location I am at, I visited car lots and checked out online reviews.
It really came down to 2 cars at the end the Honda Odyssey and the Nissan Presage.

Obviously I went with the Nissan Presage, but these are the main reasons why;
1. Sliding Doors
2. Easy access. the Presage being a Mini Van is easier to get into and out off.
3. 50% cheaper on average for the same year and mileage.

The Nissan Presage is a joy to drive and very easy to operate;
it ticks all the boxes and has other cool features like a Navigation System and TV... there is just one thing!

I do not speak or read Japanese!!!

I have started this Blog Page to share information about this awesome car in English, as I discover things about this car.

Watch this space.

- Eric