What am I doing wrong?
#1
What am I doing wrong?
WARNING: Long story
Background: Well, I'm a new stick driver. I've been driving my bf's 96 5spd maxima for a week or so when the CEL turned on (code shows left O2 sensor & knock sensor). I reset it and a few days later it turned back on (same codes). Then I found out that my bf has been putting 87 gas ever since he bought the car. I switched to 91 gas and reset the CEL and I've been driving it for over 1000 miles and it hasn't turn back on.
Conclusion: I suck at driving stick and would turn on the CEL if I have 87 gas but it's fine if I have 91 gas.
Question: What could I be possibly doing wrong in shifting that would cause something like this?
Side note: Anyone wants to buy a brand new Bosch O2 sensor I recently got since I won't need it anymore?
Background: Well, I'm a new stick driver. I've been driving my bf's 96 5spd maxima for a week or so when the CEL turned on (code shows left O2 sensor & knock sensor). I reset it and a few days later it turned back on (same codes). Then I found out that my bf has been putting 87 gas ever since he bought the car. I switched to 91 gas and reset the CEL and I've been driving it for over 1000 miles and it hasn't turn back on.
Conclusion: I suck at driving stick and would turn on the CEL if I have 87 gas but it's fine if I have 91 gas.
Question: What could I be possibly doing wrong in shifting that would cause something like this?
Side note: Anyone wants to buy a brand new Bosch O2 sensor I recently got since I won't need it anymore?
#2
Would shifting wrong cause the CEL light to turn on? Doubtful.
There could be a whole bunch of reasons for the CEL turning on. Putting in 87 gas might be one of them, maybe. But I used to put in 87 in my Max all the time and I never got the CEL.
I switch over to 91 and still didn't get the CEL.
If the CEL doesn't come on again, you should be in the clear. But hang onto the O2 sensor. You never know when it might come in handy. You paid for it, might as well hang onto it.
There could be a whole bunch of reasons for the CEL turning on. Putting in 87 gas might be one of them, maybe. But I used to put in 87 in my Max all the time and I never got the CEL.
I switch over to 91 and still didn't get the CEL.
If the CEL doesn't come on again, you should be in the clear. But hang onto the O2 sensor. You never know when it might come in handy. You paid for it, might as well hang onto it.
#3
fyi
Whenever the computer is reset there will be a lose in gas mileage. For about a quarter tank the car runs with a rich gas mixture, I'm not sure as to why it does this though. I'm telling you this just fyi incase you did not know this already.
for some productive stick driving tips check out this tread http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....5&pagenumber=1
SHIFT_alex
for some productive stick driving tips check out this tread http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....5&pagenumber=1
SHIFT_alex
#4
Originally posted by clee130
Would shifting wrong cause the CEL light to turn on? Doubtful.
There could be a whole bunch of reasons for the CEL turning on. Putting in 87 gas might be one of them, maybe. But I used to put in 87 in my Max all the time and I never got the CEL.
Would shifting wrong cause the CEL light to turn on? Doubtful.
There could be a whole bunch of reasons for the CEL turning on. Putting in 87 gas might be one of them, maybe. But I used to put in 87 in my Max all the time and I never got the CEL.
#6
Originally posted by dmk11
The reason why I concluded my shifting caused it is because my bf drove the car for 6 yrs w/ 87 with no CEL then when I drove it for a week the CEL turned on. So it must be the way I'm driving. It's a combination of the 87 gas and my driving that cause the CEL. Not either reason independently.
The reason why I concluded my shifting caused it is because my bf drove the car for 6 yrs w/ 87 with no CEL then when I drove it for a week the CEL turned on. So it must be the way I'm driving. It's a combination of the 87 gas and my driving that cause the CEL. Not either reason independently.
#7
Re: fyi
Originally posted by ATt
for some productive stick driving tips check out this tread http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....5&pagenumber=1
SHIFT_alex
for some productive stick driving tips check out this tread http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....5&pagenumber=1
SHIFT_alex
Originally posted by clee130
Well, if the CEL doesn't come back on, there should be no problem.
Well, if the CEL doesn't come back on, there should be no problem.
#8
different animals...
Originally posted by dmk11
Thanks for the link. I'm downloading those videos now.
But obviously I'm doing something slightly wrong if I turn on the CEL w/ 87. I just want to tune my technique so I can use 87 again on the car..
Thanks for the link. I'm downloading those videos now.
But obviously I'm doing something slightly wrong if I turn on the CEL w/ 87. I just want to tune my technique so I can use 87 again on the car..
shifting technique and the grade gas you use effect 2 different things. Bad shifting wears out the clutch and gear synchros. Low grade gas is bad for fuel mixture.
#9
how m/t works
http://www.howstuffworks.com/transmission.htm
how gaseline works
http://www.howstuffworks.com/gasoline.htm
read this too
how car engines work
http://www.howstuffworks.com/engine.htm
http://www.howstuffworks.com/transmission.htm
how gaseline works
http://www.howstuffworks.com/gasoline.htm
read this too
how car engines work
http://www.howstuffworks.com/engine.htm
#11
When the light comes on, take it to Kragen and get the code (don't listen to their explaination...it's usually generic). Then post on the board what the 4digit code is and we'll help you from there.
BTW, once the light comes on, it takes about 27 warmups (from cold to normal temp) to calibrate the ecu...so that's roughly 2 weeks of driving.
Jae
BTW, once the light comes on, it takes about 27 warmups (from cold to normal temp) to calibrate the ecu...so that's roughly 2 weeks of driving.
Jae
#12
It specifically says in the Nissan Maxima's Owners manual that the car MUST use 91 or better octane fuel.
While I don't at all see how shifting could affect this along with 87 fuel, I do see how years of driving it on 87 can cause those codes.
So stick with 91 or better, and make sure you don't skimp at all - ever.
I bet your bf was using AM/PM (Arco) or 7-11 (Citgo) gas.
BAD stuff.
IanS
While I don't at all see how shifting could affect this along with 87 fuel, I do see how years of driving it on 87 can cause those codes.
So stick with 91 or better, and make sure you don't skimp at all - ever.
I bet your bf was using AM/PM (Arco) or 7-11 (Citgo) gas.
BAD stuff.
IanS
#13
Originally posted by ThurzNite
When the light comes on, take it to Kragen and get the code (don't listen to their explaination...it's usually generic). Then post on the board what the 4digit code is and we'll help you from there.
BTW, once the light comes on, it takes about 27 warmups (from cold to normal temp) to calibrate the ecu...so that's roughly 2 weeks of driving.
Jae
When the light comes on, take it to Kragen and get the code (don't listen to their explaination...it's usually generic). Then post on the board what the 4digit code is and we'll help you from there.
BTW, once the light comes on, it takes about 27 warmups (from cold to normal temp) to calibrate the ecu...so that's roughly 2 weeks of driving.
Jae
#15
those videos are great....maybe ill learn how to drive 5spd after all
now only if i could find a friend with a 5spd that would let me learn on their car....anyone in the CT area wanna let me borrow their 5spd max for a few hours
now only if i could find a friend with a 5spd that would let me learn on their car....anyone in the CT area wanna let me borrow their 5spd max for a few hours
#16
It specifically says in the Nissan Maxima's Owners manual that the car MUST use 91 or better octane fuel.
If your BF is a big fan of 87, and has used it for a while...the knock sensor likely had to work harder over time, which may shorten its life. Of course, KSs are a little tricky in the sense that it's not a clear cutoff when it goes from good to bad. I'd keep the O2 sensor, more than likely it may be on its way out. If the CEL doesn't come on, I'd still check codes in a couple weeks to see if hte KS is still reported as acting up (CEL may not come on for this alone).
You could test the KS with a multimeter. I'm willing to bet if your bf has owned the car for a long while and always used 87 gas, it may need to be replaced. Do me a favor and smack him for putting that gas in a 5-speed max.
I don't think your shifting has anything to do with it.
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