My 370 is Starting to Falter

wilsonp · 01-31-2012, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dinfire

Apparently I should have added in the OP that I'm not an idiot. You act like you're talking to a 15-year-old. I'm almost 40 and was raised with cars. Nissan doesn't make the batteries? Really??? Good lord.

I'm going to have to go with I'm not so sure any more...

Put in a new battery, then you can complain. Get new mats. Stop sweating the small stuff - you'll be dead before it matters to anyone else at this rate.

birdmanx1 · 02-01-2012, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dinfire

The revs are plenty high enough. The horsepower just drops out. It also doesn't matter whether it's warmed up or not. It does the same thing.

Spark plugs? ... maybe?

Quote:

Originally Posted by dinfire

The clicking seatbelt drives me crazy. I've tried lubricating it, but it seems to be the mechanism that attaches to the body of the car. If you move it by hand you'll hear the clicking I'm talking about.

Don't have that issue. I mean it would be expected for some parts to get a little loose, for instance my license plate screws got a little loose and the exhaust vibration amplified the noise. Tightened up the screws a little and VOILA. I would think the same principle applies to your seatbelt unit.

keb370z · 02-01-2012, 10:32 AM

I just have to say, I've never seen a group of men talk so much about... shoes.

Sorry. Don't mind me. Resume thread.

Spikuh · 02-01-2012, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dinfire

A big thanks to everyone who took the time to give me thoughtful answers to my questions. The bogging down doesn't happen all the time, just when I make right-hand turns at a good clip. It's not driver error. I've been driving stick for 30 years. The revs are plenty high enough. The horsepower just drops out. It also doesn't matter whether it's warmed up or not. It does the same thing..

If you are low on gas, this will probably be fuel starvation. There are a few threads around discussing this issue, just hit up that search button.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dinfire

If the key fob battery is dead that's pretty disappointing to be honest. Same with the mats. Both should last longer than they have.

As I have already mentioned on the floor mats, the mileage on them is irrelevant. It is more about how often you do things on them, i.e. getting in and out of your vehicle. Think of it this way. If you and I both do nothing else in our cars but drive them to and from work then we have two times a day where we each put the most wear and tear on our floor mats. Let's assume you have to drive 2 miles round trip and I have to drive 20 miles round trip. That means the amount of wear and tear you put on your mats in 500 miles (2 miles x 50 work weeks x 5 days a week), I put on in 5,000 miles. That does not mean my mats are better quality, it means I drive farther.

On the battery, its a battery. A small one at that so it probably costs like $2.00 to replace. If that battery lasts you for another 3 years, that is the equivalent of you loosing $0.00182 a day. And who knows, maybe its $10 to replace the battery. That would be the equivalent of you loosing $0.009132 a day, or less that a penny.

These two issues are minor inconveniences that you shouldn't be splitting hairs over. The headaches are not worth it and choosing an appropriate shampoo is more important. At least for someone like me, because I hate dandruff.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dinfire

I actually took the car into the dealer before the warranty expired to get the gas gauge and mats looked at. They said they'd need to take the dash apart to fix the gas gauge and would need to order a part. I said OK, and they never got back to me. Big surprise there. They also said that they would not replace the mat under warranty. I complained and then they said that their service manager would have to call me. Of course he never did. A month later, Santa Monica Nissan went out of business. I had also just given them $100 for three oil changes and I've only redeemed one. Have no idea if another dealer will honor that special..

Bad dealers are bad dealers. That does not mean the product is bad.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dinfire

The clicking seatbelt drives me crazy. I've tried lubricating it, but it seems to be the mechanism that attaches to the body of the car. If you move it by hand you'll hear the clicking I'm talking about. For some reason my car has developed the problem over time. It didn't click when I first got the car..

Don't know what to tell you on this one outside of get it replaced if it really causes you that much of a headache, I know it would me. Would I be miffed about having to replace it, you bet, but more because that is money going out than coming in. That said, the cost of replacement would probably still be negligable and not worth getting frustrated over compared to having to deal with the noise everyday.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dinfire

Again, I still love the car, but as the first vehicle I've bought that cost (a lot) more than $25,000 I expected better build/endurance for some things. I think maybe I should have listened to the old addage of you get what you pay for.

This seems to be where the disconnect between you and a lot of others seems to be so let me try to reframe a bit. For the same costs, if Nissan was able to give you a battery that was incapable of running out of power, invulnerable floor mats and a perfectly silent seat beat system in every way, what would you be willing to give up in return? Working headlights? Functioning engine? Airbags or other safety features?

The point is there are trade offs and we can't get around them. For most, a good quality vehicle is going to be reliable and free from mechanical issues. For some, an eternal fob, invincible floor mats, and noise free cabin determine quality.

Personally, I am more of the former, and would rather go eat a burger than worry much about the latter. To me, it is what it is. I replace them, and move on.

[EDIT]I am not to sure how my tone is going to come off in this, but I want you to understand I am not trying to be negative towards you at all, just trying to clearly express my thoughts in a neutral manner. Hopefully I didn't fail to hard.

Jsolo · 02-01-2012, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dinfire

I get oil changes every 3500 miles. I've replaced the air filter twice. When I take it in for service I have them look at all the stuff you mentioned and they always report no issues. It goes into Nissan regularly. I don't think driving my car two miles a day at 30 MPH is "severe duty." I do get on the highway all the time to rev it good and blow out the carbon.

Oil changes and air filters are one thing, but all your short trips are not helping extract the engine's potential. Review your service manual. IIRC anything under at least 5 miles is severe duty.

If you have an opportunity, pull off one of the maf sensors from the intake (don't disconnect any wires). I'm sure the backside will not be so clean.

Review page 9 of this pdf

http://www.nissanusa.com/pdf/techpub...2010_N_SMG.pdf

If you haven't already, try a bottle or two of chevron.

FairladyZ · 05-04-2012, 08:03 PM

this thread sucks lol

LakeShow · 05-04-2012, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FairladyZ

this thread sucks lol

UNKNOWN_370 · 05-04-2012, 08:42 PM

What cracked me up was... "I used everything to fix it. (I use meguiars)". If you used everything? Why you only have one brand posted???

Leather needs "Real care"
1.you need a suncreen visor
2. Up to bi-Monthly leather conditioner and cleaner.
3. Keep the car parked in shaded area.
4. Leaving windows mildly cracked in the summer. It helps slow down damage from excessive material breakdown from heat.

Leather is like this no matter what price of car you buy. Nissan uses a good grade of leather in this current gen Z.

shadoquad · 05-04-2012, 08:43 PM

Here I thought cars aged like fine wines and appreciate in value from repeated use.

MacLean · 05-04-2012, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FairladyZ

this thread sucks lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by LakeShow

+2.......

Quote:

Originally Posted by UNKNOWN_370

What cracked me up was... "I used everything to fix it. (I use meguiars)". If you used everything? Why you only have one brand posted???

Leather needs "Real care"
1.you need a suncreen visor
2. Up to bi-Monthly leather conditioner and cleaner.
3. Keep the car parked in shaded area.
4. Leaving windows mildly cracked in the summer. It helps slow down damage from excessive material breakdown from heat.

Leather is like this no matter what price of car you buy. Nissan uses a good grade of leather in this current gen Z.

+1.......

KillerBee370 · 05-04-2012, 10:07 PM

Minor issues. The sky is not falling.

shadoquad · 05-04-2012, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KillerBee370

Minor issues. The sky is not falling.

Ya can't just replace a key fob. Pretty sure you have to sell the vehicle back and buy a new one.

KillerBee370 · 05-04-2012, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadoquad

Ya can't just replace a key fob. Pretty sure you have to sell the vehicle back and buy a new one.

This

MacLean · 05-04-2012, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KillerBee370

Minor issues. The sky is not falling.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadoquad

Ya can't just replace a key fob. Pretty sure you have to sell the vehicle back and buy a new one.

+1......

Oh or course. Once the key fab is out your stuck like Chuck & nothing can be done. As he stated the 2nd key is doing the same, so no good with key 2 either. He is lucky he made it to 3yrs. I would hate to see if it was only 2yrs......probably WWIII.

LukasC · 05-05-2012, 03:03 PM

replace the key fob battery walah!! problem solved.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dinfire

My Z just ran out of its warranty and of course it's now starting to have issues. For one, the car is starting to not recognize the key fob. I'll literally be sitting in the driver's seat with the fob in my hand and the car will say that the key is not present. It's also started to not recognize using the key fob to lock the doors. The buttons on the doors to lock the car are getting finicky as well. Any ideas what this might be? I live in Los Angeles so it's not weather-related.

I live a mile from work, so despite the fact that my car is over three years old it only has 13K miles on it. The driver's side floor mat has started to unravel and get holes in it. Also, the leather on the driver's side seat on the side with my clutch leg is starting to crack. The leather is shiny and no matter what leather cleaner I use (I use Meguiars) it sticks out like a sore thumb compared to the rest of the interior. Any ideas there?

I guess, in sumnation, I'm starting to realize that you get what you pay for. My Z seemed like a steal for the price when I bought it, but now it's becoming obvious that it wasn't built using the best materials in some cases.

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02-01-2012, 10:32 AM	#78 (permalink)
keb370z Base Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 214 Drives: '11 M6 Sport in Blue Rep Power: 13	I just have to say, I've never seen a group of men talk so much about... shoes. Sorry. Don't mind me. Resume thread.

05-04-2012, 08:03 PM	#81 (permalink)
FairladyZ Track Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 850 Drives: 2012 370Z TRNG SPRT Rep Power: 17	this thread sucks lol

05-04-2012, 08:42 PM	#83 (permalink)
UNKNOWN_370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: ny'r livn in tx Posts: 8,687 Drives: well over 130m.p.h. Rep Power: 14858	What cracked me up was... "I used everything to fix it. (I use meguiars)". If you used everything? Why you only have one brand posted??? Leather needs "Real care" 1.you need a suncreen visor 2. Up to bi-Monthly leather conditioner and cleaner. 3. Keep the car parked in shaded area. 4. Leaving windows mildly cracked in the summer. It helps slow down damage from excessive material breakdown from heat. Leather is like this no matter what price of car you buy. Nissan uses a good grade of leather in this current gen Z.

05-04-2012, 08:43 PM	#84 (permalink)
shadoquad A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: . Posts: 42,608 Drives: . Rep Power: 3886	Here I thought cars aged like fine wines and appreciate in value from repeated use.

05-04-2012, 10:07 PM	#86 (permalink)
KillerBee370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: So Cal baby! Age: 51 Posts: 5,964 Drives: with passion Rep Power: 321	Minor issues. The sky is not falling.