[QUOTE=rkurlander;6601306]That's not right, I feel for you man. I would go back to the dealer were you bought the car from, demand they either rectify the situation or give you another car exactly like yours, minus the service engine soon light. I am pretty sure that your car is still under warranty so that means they are dragging their feet about actually fixing the problem. I assure you that if it weren't they would have already diagnosed the problem and given you a written estimate. This should be an easy fix for the dealer, but all they care about is moving inventory of the lots. Go back to the dealer and speak with a manager over the sales dept, demand that they fix the problem or give you a new car. Let him or her know that you are not leaving until the problem has been resolved to your satisfaction, DO NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER! If they refer you to the service department tell them no and tell them that they should have the manager of the service dept come to you and assure you that your problem will be fixed right then there. DO NOT LET THIS ISSUE LINGER, GOOD LUCK.

 

Did you get a chance to try the diagnostic mode instructions I found to pull the code yourself? If so, please post the results. The dealer really should be taking care of you here but since they are dropping the ball, someone here may be able to help.

Good luck!

 

Agree. The 03 was the last of the maximas built in japan. No more maximas for me.....I stick with my 03 till the wheels fall off, plus it has been trouble free except for the exhaust starting to rust out..

 

Jeez....OBD2 scanners are available at Sears and any auto parts store for as little as $50. I can't believe everyone doesn't have one. You just bought a $35k car, now go spend $50-100 and get a scanner so you can find out what your problem is BEFORE you go to the dealer.

Then go tell them "It's a p01456 code which means blah blah blah, now FIX IT!" and they won't be able to bull**** you.

DO IT.

 

Strictly a matter of opinion. I loved my 5th gen, but found my 6th gen to be a roomier, more comfortable, fun car to drive, and I happen to like the styling of the 6th gen better than that of the 5th gen. I have done nothing but recommended maintenance and service for the last four years, and everything on my 6th gen works perfectly. I took it briefly up to 100 MPH earlier this week (to check the rotation/balance I just had), and it was smooth as glass. Took my hands off the wheel, and there was no shimmy or vibration. I pushed the brake pedal and the car stopped as straight as an arrow. I'm still getting admiring glances with my 6th gen, and my siblings still think of it as a new car.

Yet professional testers say the '09 Maxima is better than the 6th gen in every way. I admire those who stick with their 5th gens either for economic reasons or because they just love the old, less-efficient manual tranny. But don't ever think for one moment that the 5th gens are superior to the '09 Maximas; the '09 wins in almost every measurable way. As it should, with much more modern styling and technology.

 

No doubt.

I had a shop charge me 50$ to diagnose an O2 sensor, and brother, that was the last time that will happen. My scanner has repeatedly paid for itself with both me and my wife's car. Plus, if you're on a road trip and get a light, you can tell if you have an emergency repair needed or if it's something you can deal with after you're back home...without having to stress with the unknown.

Jumper cables, spare tire, OBD scanner.

 

 

did you ever figure out what the light was ?

 

Looks are matter of preference and alot of think including most publications did not like the bloated look of the 6th gen and it drove and felt like a big car. All generations 7th included looked sporty especially in SE form, 6th gen well. Despite how much you love that CVT some guys just prefer the 6spd manual of the 5.5 and 6th gen or traditional auto no matter if they are less efficient than the CVT.

I also donot think that he was saying the 5th gen was superior to the 7th gen, that his 5.5 gen has not given him any problems. Hopefully the 7th gen will be more reliable as early 6th gens reliability for the most part is not the best. It helped put Nissan to a low reliabilty rating along with the Quest etc, where as 5.5 gens still rate well.

 

Yes, the 6th gen did not have that 'lean and mean' look we Maxima owners usually love, and I can see where many folks would think 'bloat.' And there were a few early problems, especially in the suspension, alignment, balance areas, that somewhat affected the Maxima's reliability reputation. And there will always be those who love their manual. And my 5th generation Maxima never had a single problem the entire five years I owned it. So I can't really disagree with anything you said.

But, having agreed to all that, I still feel this '09 Maxima is easily the finest and most 'fun' car I have ever owned. The onboard thermometer reached 100 degrees today, and yet the air-conditioned driver's seat kept both my fanny and my back very cool. During the cool half of the year, the heated steering wheel keeps my gnarly old hands warm. The hard drive has all my CDs stored and available, right at my fingertips. The power rear window shade keeps the car cooler when I have to park in the sun. I could go on and on, but you can see why I feel my '09 treats me better than any vehicle I have ever owned.

 

I can and enjoy it, I just ended up with a 09 370 instead. We both figured since we still have the 03 Max SE and G35 Sport which we still enjoy both and they are paid off if we need space. We decided to go back to Z as a fun car, love the 09 Max as well.




Wifes 05 G35S auto 14.31@98.90 mph (11/4/06) stock
Monte 03SE auto 14.60 @96.71 mph (11/4/06) stock
Monte 09 370Z Sport package auto (have not tracked yet)
All auto's[Twilight Blue, Glacier Pearl and Pearl White ]

 

Nice sets of wheels. But adding an '09 Maxima would probably have your neighbors worried that you were opening a car lot in their midst.

 

Lol

 

maybe this link will settle a few misunderstandings of the plant locations

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_Maxima

 

Great reference. This reinforces things in my mind exactly as I thought I remembered them, and is a great trip down memory lane. This also fills in what was happening early-on with this Maxima-type vehicle in other parts of the world, which I found interesting, as I was familiar mostly with what was happening in the U.S.

I had not realized that the Datsun 810, which I coveted through the late 1970s, and which became 'Maxima' in the U.S. in 1981, had already been called 'Maxima' in other parts of the world.

Thanks for a fun read.

 

Not to get off topic but I just picked up a new 09, car looks great except for the weird pry mark, indent left on the drivers side door by the power window switches, I have no clue as to why those marks are there but they are, odd since the rest of the car looks flawless.

I called my salesman about it, and I hope it's just an easy fix, I've never been one to bring a new car back and watch the tech pull interior body panels off, I don't even want to think about it

I think a salesman or lot attendant with a clunky bracelet or watch may be to blame

 

STARR! A name from the past! Or maybe from the 5th or 6th gen boards. I know I used to see lots of good posts from you. Welcome to the 7th gen board, pry marks notwithstanding.

Your car may have had a slight problem which necessitated the dealer's service department removing parts in order to reach inside the door, which they did with their usual adroitness. Not.

At worst, the besmirched part could be replaced with a new one. Be sure to get this problem on record immediately, else the dealer may say it happened while you were arm-wrestling with your junkie, and his Rolex caused the dent.

 

Thank you for the kind words, I did have an 06 SE which I traded for my 09, I decided to take advantage of a good deal, I think I made out alright

For the mark, I already told my salesman about it and will be taking it in, hopefully it is a simple fix, I had a 4Runner with a damaged interior door panel and it was replaced and you would never know it, so I just hope this is the same.

 

Anyone have tracking issues on the highway? My 09 does not like to stay in it's lane.

 

I have not noticed this with my '09. Does this happen on all types of road surfaces and speeds? I have even 'showed off' for my wife by easing my hands off the wheel (when nothing is anywhere near me) and showing her this car tends to drive itself.

It may be possible your alignment is not perfect, or there could be one bad tire on your car. Or maybe you drive on several roads that have been grooved to reduce hydroplaning; grooved roads can really mess with steering.

 

Just got the service engine light on the Maxima today. 4600 Miles. Definitely sucks. Did oil change just last week, and used the super expensive oil too. I feel its too soon for this to happen.

 

Had my check engine light come on after 4200 miles. Took it into the dealer and was told it was the EVAP system code. In other words, the gas cap was not sealing. The tech put some lithium grease on the seal and reset the code and its been fine since.

 

With the low miles on your car, this is probably something simple, such as in Glenns25 case, where the gas tank cap was not sealing properly. We already know to close the cap through at least three or four clicks. Are you sure you are doing that?

 

Yes, did this cuz that's what it said to do in the manual, and what I saw here in the posts....thought for sure this was the fix... drove it for a while and still didn't go away. Took it to Nissan today. The code that came back was an emissions leak, a very low one at that, the codes come back at different levels of leaks. What they told me was that the warning usually doesn't clear until about 40 trips and that one must be driving with about a half tank of gas. I was at about 12 trips since the indicator light came on. They cleared it and hopefully I won't have to take it back. I'm wondering if the light went out for anyone as soon as they closed it tightly, or did they drive it for a while (~40trips).

 

When they tell you it will clear itself after 100 trips on an empty tank, you will know they are telling you they don't understand this any more than you do.

 

Tell me about it...sounds like everyone has a theory behind the Service Engine Soon light and how and when it should go away. Out of sight, out of mind. Happy to see it gone =)

 

or f the mechanic depends on which side you are on.

 

So what's the code? Go to AutoZone already and have them read it.

 

sorry to jack your thread but for some reason i cant create a topic, anyone have a problem with the two main bolts on your bumper being offset? it was brought to my attention by my mechanic and he said the car might of had a front end collision.. also my car kinda pulls to the right but i dunno if it cause it sensitive to the road or because of an accident

 

Did you buy it new? Front end collision on a new car?!
Pulls to the right/left is probably alignment...

 

yeah new car my mechanic said thingsl ike that happen at dealerships like if it came off the truck or in the parking lot someone could of hit it

 

It may have been damage from when it came off of the truck when it was shipped to the dealership. When I drooped my car off at the body shop for the spoiler issue that I have been having the guy that dropped me off at home was telling me that they keep busy and sometimes when the cars come off of the trucks the get damaged sometimes and they have to fix things on them. You would think that they would tell you about this but not they just fix the issue and make the car look as if nothing was ever wrong with it. SO IT IS POSSIBLE THAT YOUR CAR WAS DAMAGED IN SHIPPING OR AT THE DEALERSHIP BUT THERE WILL BE NO WAY TO TELL.