Hi guys,
Newbie here. I just "inhereted" a high milage (130,000) 1991 Nissan Maxima SE w/ auto tranny. I plan to use of as a daily driver for the
next couple of months.
I would like your advice on a few things if you don;t mind:
Tire/Wheel combo:
I am interested in installing a set of 17 inch rims and
low profile tires. However, I am kinda of a stickler when
it comes to ride comfort. I really hate bumpy rides. Is
there a low profile tire that can still retain the comfort
of the stock tires?
Suspension:
I assume that with the larger tire/wheel combo, I will need to
lower the suspension in order to get rid of the unsightly wheel
well gap. My concerns remain the same however...I really hate
bumpy rides. What setup should I consider so that I can get rid
of the wheel well gap as well as retain ride comfort?
Perhaps my distaste for bumpy rides stems from the many rides that
one of my friends use to give me awhile back. He had a 1994 Integra
that was seriosuly lowered. It looked cool but DAMN, every time I rode
in it, I felt like someone was constantly KICKING ME IN THE BUTT!
Ouch!
Also, what does the "over drive" feature on the tranny's shifter do?
I also noticed a small switch in front of the shifter at the base of
consol. It has a setting for "comfort/luxury" and one
for "performance". However, I did not notice any difference in the
ride between the two. I guess it was just a gimmick?
Thanks for your help guys.
Newbie here. I just "inhereted" a high milage (130,000) 1991 Nissan Maxima SE w/ auto tranny. I plan to use of as a daily driver for the
next couple of months.
I would like your advice on a few things if you don;t mind:
Tire/Wheel combo:
I am interested in installing a set of 17 inch rims and
low profile tires. However, I am kinda of a stickler when
it comes to ride comfort. I really hate bumpy rides. Is
there a low profile tire that can still retain the comfort
of the stock tires?
Suspension:
I assume that with the larger tire/wheel combo, I will need to
lower the suspension in order to get rid of the unsightly wheel
well gap. My concerns remain the same however...I really hate
bumpy rides. What setup should I consider so that I can get rid
of the wheel well gap as well as retain ride comfort?
Perhaps my distaste for bumpy rides stems from the many rides that
one of my friends use to give me awhile back. He had a 1994 Integra
that was seriosuly lowered. It looked cool but DAMN, every time I rode
in it, I felt like someone was constantly KICKING ME IN THE BUTT!
Ouch!
Also, what does the "over drive" feature on the tranny's shifter do?
I also noticed a small switch in front of the shifter at the base of
consol. It has a setting for "comfort/luxury" and one
for "performance". However, I did not notice any difference in the
ride between the two. I guess it was just a gimmick?
Thanks for your help guys.
Senior Member
Welcome!
With any automatic, one of the first things you're gonna want to do is add a tranny cooler. Pep Boys, amongst other places has them. Our autos don't like heat.
I have Eibach springs and Tokico shocks. A very common combination. Most people will tell you that Eibach's are pretty much the best quality springs available. That's what Ground Control uses for their adjustable coil-over units they make. They don't lower your car as much as Intrax and some others, but they have about the best ride quality out there. I have only 16" wheels and 55-series tires with sidewalls that are actually too soft, but I still have a very nice ride. If you go with 17's, really stiff sidewall tires and a more aggressive drop with cheap springs and shocks you better have a good chiroprator.
Overdrive is a gear ratio that is less than 1:1. Such as .87:1. It means the axle is turning at a greater (faster) rpm than the engine. This is for highway use, although I usually have mine on all the time unless I really want to get on it. It keeps the rpms down for better gas mileage on the highway.
Hope this gets you started.
With any automatic, one of the first things you're gonna want to do is add a tranny cooler. Pep Boys, amongst other places has them. Our autos don't like heat.
I have Eibach springs and Tokico shocks. A very common combination. Most people will tell you that Eibach's are pretty much the best quality springs available. That's what Ground Control uses for their adjustable coil-over units they make. They don't lower your car as much as Intrax and some others, but they have about the best ride quality out there. I have only 16" wheels and 55-series tires with sidewalls that are actually too soft, but I still have a very nice ride. If you go with 17's, really stiff sidewall tires and a more aggressive drop with cheap springs and shocks you better have a good chiroprator.
Overdrive is a gear ratio that is less than 1:1. Such as .87:1. It means the axle is turning at a greater (faster) rpm than the engine. This is for highway use, although I usually have mine on all the time unless I really want to get on it. It keeps the rpms down for better gas mileage on the highway.
Hope this gets you started.
Welcome to the board, and feel free to check out all the "important" posts at the top of the board.. spend a while reading, and it will answer most of the questions you have about the car.. explains the P/C switch on the tranny, springs/struts explained in detail for which brand does what, etc etc.
Senior Member
Welcome to the board!
If you are looking for comfort over handling, I would say 16's should be your choice. Browze around for a while, read the 'stickies', and have fun!
If you are looking for comfort over handling, I would say 16's should be your choice. Browze around for a while, read the 'stickies', and have fun!
Senior Member
Quote:
Originally posted by maxmizd27
Welcome!
With any automatic, one of the first things you're gonna want to do is add a tranny cooler. Pep Boys, amongst other places has them. Our autos don't like heat.
I have Eibach springs and Tokico shocks. A very common combination. Most people will tell you that Eibach's are pretty much the best quality springs available. That's what Ground Control uses for their adjustable coil-over units they make. They don't lower your car as much as Intrax and some others, but they have about the best ride quality out there. I have only 16" wheels and 55-series tires with sidewalls that are actually too soft, but I still have a very nice ride. If you go with 17's, really stiff sidewall tires and a more aggressive drop with cheap springs and shocks you better have a good chiroprator.
Overdrive is a gear ratio that is less than 1:1. Such as .87:1. It means the axle is turning at a greater (faster) rpm than the engine. This is for highway use, although I usually have mine on all the time unless I really want to get on it. It keeps the rpms down for better gas mileage on the highway.
Hope this gets you started.
what happens if you dont have a tranny cooler? I've been running my car since I bought it in 98 without one.Originally posted by maxmizd27
Welcome!
With any automatic, one of the first things you're gonna want to do is add a tranny cooler. Pep Boys, amongst other places has them. Our autos don't like heat.
I have Eibach springs and Tokico shocks. A very common combination. Most people will tell you that Eibach's are pretty much the best quality springs available. That's what Ground Control uses for their adjustable coil-over units they make. They don't lower your car as much as Intrax and some others, but they have about the best ride quality out there. I have only 16" wheels and 55-series tires with sidewalls that are actually too soft, but I still have a very nice ride. If you go with 17's, really stiff sidewall tires and a more aggressive drop with cheap springs and shocks you better have a good chiroprator.
Overdrive is a gear ratio that is less than 1:1. Such as .87:1. It means the axle is turning at a greater (faster) rpm than the engine. This is for highway use, although I usually have mine on all the time unless I really want to get on it. It keeps the rpms down for better gas mileage on the highway.
Hope this gets you started.
Senior Member
The tranny cooler is just a good idea. The biggest problem with our autos is that they run hot. A tranny cooler will reduce the temps and should help the transmission last longer. Keep an eye on your fluid. Make sure that it stays red and doesn't turn brown. Brown = Burnt
Senior Member
Quote:
Originally posted by Brian_TII
The tranny cooler is just a good idea. The biggest problem with our autos is that they run hot. A tranny cooler will reduce the temps and should help the transmission last longer. Keep an eye on your fluid. Make sure that it stays red and doesn't turn brown. Brown = Burnt
Hrmm will check that in the morning...Originally posted by Brian_TII
The tranny cooler is just a good idea. The biggest problem with our autos is that they run hot. A tranny cooler will reduce the temps and should help the transmission last longer. Keep an eye on your fluid. Make sure that it stays red and doesn't turn brown. Brown = Burnt
BTW while on the subject of fluids my dad - super smart man - filled the antifreeze resovoir PAST the maximum (well over the max) is that a problem? Personally I want to drain and change it as well but well...
Senior Member
Quote:
Originally posted by Brian_TII
The tranny cooler is just a good idea. The biggest problem with our autos is that they run hot. A tranny cooler will reduce the temps and should help the transmission last longer. Keep an eye on your fluid. Make sure that it stays red and doesn't turn brown. Brown = Burnt
Good call Bri.Originally posted by Brian_TII
The tranny cooler is just a good idea. The biggest problem with our autos is that they run hot. A tranny cooler will reduce the temps and should help the transmission last longer. Keep an eye on your fluid. Make sure that it stays red and doesn't turn brown. Brown = Burnt
Tranny coolers come in various ratings by Gross Vehicle Weight "GWV." This is a rating of the general size of vehicle and load it should be able to handle. A cooler rated at 12,000 GVW is sufficient for a Maxima. Anything rated for more than that is not necessarily better. The higher a GVW rated tranny cooler you use the more sluggish it will be at low temps (like winters in the Northeast or upper Midwest).
Member
Quote:
Originally posted by maxmizd27
Welcome!
With any automatic, one of the first things you're gonna want to do is add a tranny cooler. Pep Boys, amongst other places has them. Our autos don't like heat.
I have Eibach springs and Tokico shocks. A very common combination. Most people will tell you that Eibach's are pretty much the best quality springs available. That's what Ground Control uses for their adjustable coil-over units they make. They don't lower your car as much as Intrax and some others, but they have about the best ride quality out there. I have only 16" wheels and 55-series tires with sidewalls that are actually too soft, but I still have a very nice ride. If you go with 17's, really stiff sidewall tires and a more aggressive drop with cheap springs and shocks you better have a good chiroprator.
Overdrive is a gear ratio that is less than 1:1. Such as .87:1. It means the axle is turning at a greater (faster) rpm than the engine. This is for highway use, although I usually have mine on all the time unless I really want to get on it. It keeps the rpms down for better gas mileage on the highway.
Hope this gets you started.
maxmizd27 I heard that that leaving your O/D on under 50 MPH is harmful to your gearbox.Originally posted by maxmizd27
Welcome!
With any automatic, one of the first things you're gonna want to do is add a tranny cooler. Pep Boys, amongst other places has them. Our autos don't like heat.
I have Eibach springs and Tokico shocks. A very common combination. Most people will tell you that Eibach's are pretty much the best quality springs available. That's what Ground Control uses for their adjustable coil-over units they make. They don't lower your car as much as Intrax and some others, but they have about the best ride quality out there. I have only 16" wheels and 55-series tires with sidewalls that are actually too soft, but I still have a very nice ride. If you go with 17's, really stiff sidewall tires and a more aggressive drop with cheap springs and shocks you better have a good chiroprator.
Overdrive is a gear ratio that is less than 1:1. Such as .87:1. It means the axle is turning at a greater (faster) rpm than the engine. This is for highway use, although I usually have mine on all the time unless I really want to get on it. It keeps the rpms down for better gas mileage on the highway.
Hope this gets you started.
Senior Member
Quote:
Originally posted by phat89max
maxmizd27 I heard that that leaving your O/D on under 50 MPH is harmful to your gearbox.
I don't think it is "harmful". I believe that it just causes more wear and tear on the tranny because it is shifting more... Personally I leave mine with O/D on unless I'm towing with it. I'm sure the previous owners of my car left it on as well. So far I'm at 161k miles on the original tranny and it still shifts fine. (knock on wood) Basically I'm just too lazy to be bothered with turning it off... that and the stupid Orange / Yellow light just bugs me to death. :-)Originally posted by phat89max
maxmizd27 I heard that that leaving your O/D on under 50 MPH is harmful to your gearbox.
Take care,
