I don't get it with Nissan's. They are really sensitive when the weather gets really cold. Shifter hard to shift (even with MT-90. Can't get it into 1st or R easy. Even 2nd shifts are hard. Touchy clutch, and car has a touchy gas pedal as well....hhehehee..

Oh well!

 

Hmmm....I think my Max kicks *** in the cold weather...the Stillen intake likes the cold air, especially when I start the car up.

 

hmmmmm...my car had a hard time too. I started it and it bogged down. Then I cranked the key again and the rpms dropped and stayed under 1000rpms, and after it warmed up it went back to normal.

 

Don't you live in Texas? I live in the coldest capital city in the world! I even have a block heater installed. I don't know too many Max owners (especially with 01+) with block heaters! If I didn't have a manual I would get an auto starter installed. (yes I realize I can have one installed but like leaving it gear on top of the hand brake when parked)

It is 9 degrees (F) outside right now! It is going to be -10 (F) later this week. Now that is cold!

PS With wind chill it gets damn cold!

 

Yea but its gonna be in the 20s tonight. heheheheh!

 

Once my car is warmed up it runs extremely well! Very fast out on the highway fo' sho' !

Damn cold = damn fast!

 

Darn, why do you live there, It sounds horrible. I thought it was cold here in New England{30F now}.

 

26 F here right now... teens in the morning....

taking empty twisty roads to work =

 

Yea, as soon as my car reaches somewhat warm, the car hauls butt!!! But try entering a entrace ramp with your car sitting all day at work, and your work is right off the access road of a busy freeway!! LOL! We just moved (work) and I was having a bit of trouble getting going smoothly! I think I might idle for a while at work before I leave to let it warm up more than my usual 15-30 sec.

 

definitely don't punch it when the engine is cold.... I keep it under 2.5k - 3k rpm when the temp gauge is showing no reading. I would just let it warm up in the parking lot a little longer

 

Yea. I was shifting under 3k, but the car being cold, that was making it shift rough.

 

After car is warm, and its night time with a temp of 20, nothing sounds better than WOT with the stillen intake. Well i shouldn't say that, a S/C would sound nice too

 

You have to slide in behind the wheel, caress the dashboard, whisper nice things to your max, turn the key, and then she will come to life with a roar.

I live in MN, y'all have nothin' on this. We had a max gathering last weekend, the temp topped out at 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

Lemme tell ya, there is nothing like sitting down in cold max and hearing the springs crack loose from the ice that has formed on them. It goes BLAM! Damn scary noise. Thank God I don't have to park outside very often...but unless your garage is heated and insulated, garages don't help much either.

The first winter with my max, the temps started dropping and I noticed my car idled at <600 rpm when I would cold start it, and the engine would kill if I put it into drive before letting it warm up for five minutes. The dealer did an easy reprogram and I have not had a cold start problem since. VRA-VRA-VROOOOM, every time.

But ya gotta whisper to it.

 

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?threadid=85319

Very clean, safe and beautiful city! It is Canada's Capital and is also the Hi Tech Mecca of Canada.

 

how much did engine block heater cost/installed?

 

It comes standard on Canadian Maximas. So there is no cost.

Stereodude

 

I've noticed that my max definitely pulls more with the colder air. I haven't really linked the problems starting to the temperature though. Sometimes the thing doesn't want to turn over when it's 95 out or when it's 20.

As a meteorologist, I can tell you that you'll be in good shape if you live in the northern tier of states. The forecast is for below normal temperatures this winter from Upper Rocky Mountain states to the Northeast and for above average temps in the southwestern states. Everybody else near normal.

 

Too bad the tires get harder when it's colder reducing your traction. Makes taking advantage of that extra power from the cold difficult.

Stereodude

 

We got our '02 Max SE last week and my '00 Alty SE has been sitting dormant in the garage since then. I got in to take it to work this morning and it wouldn't even start up. I've never had that problem with any of my Nissans, even after being away for a week on vacation or something, so not sure why it gave up the ghost. Maybe it's just sad that I favor the new Maxima so much more now.

 

Actually it isn't standard since most of the Maxima owners I know in this country do not have them. I know a lot of guys locally who didn't get them installed either. So I'm not sure where you are getting your info.

 

Maybe you car bogged down because the oil is too thick for cold weather. What weight are you using ? Lighter is better for the cold months.

 

Yeah I don't know where I'm getting my eroneous information from either... Oh yeah... that's right... I'm getting it straight from Nissan.



http://www.nissancanada.com/eng/cars.../features.html

Stereodude

 

We just had one of our coldest nights this winter (-27C) and my 2k2 started with just a twist of the key. I never use the block heater unless I know it's going below -35 and I'm not even using synthetic oils yet. I try to let it warm up for a minute before launching it though...

 

I'm with Spartan on this. I gets "Sub Cold" in MN. I have noticed the performance on my 01'SE has increased (no mods) but my "windows" have slowed way down when I roll them up or down. Almost like they don't want to move.

 

yeah I don't have it in my 99 GLE & thats as loaded as you can get in 99. So how $$ did it costed?

 

The windows are pretty pathetic in arctic temps. I roll up to the drive thru at McD's or the bank teller and roll the window down...and the teller and I watch the window go down like it's sinking in quick sand...she laughs and I roll my eyes. The dealer has been absolutely no help on this one at all.

 

It seemed like when I bought the car last March they didn't have this problem but since the Oct. time frame, they've been getting slower and slower - almost to a stop.

 

Well as you know the Maxima has been out for 21 years now in in other words there are a lot of Maximas on the road. And I don't know anyone personally who has a block heater installed on their Maxima from the factory (there might be?). As you can see there are other Canadians on here asking about them as well. I'm sure there are others with block heaters I just don't know them. A buddy of mine with an AE didn't get one either. I will ask my three 2K2 6spd friends after work for you? Maybe the 2K2 have them but not the prior 20 years...

Update: Just talked to Paul D. and he said the cord was kinda behind the battery. And only found it when he removed the air box to install his Stillen Intake.

The block heater issue in Canada is hit and miss. Some people got them some people didn't. I will check with all the 2k2 guys. I think the dealer install them rather than stock from factory. Would be interesting to find out since a lot cars aren't getting them.

 

in cold weather (or anytime)..

turn your key and don't start your car. Wait about 10 seconds. Then start the car.


When you turn your key, the pumps and stuff get power. If you just start your car it may take a few seconds for the fuel to pump into your injecors..give it a try..works for me.

 

I can't relate to this thread living in San Diego

 

My Canadian AE has one. It on the drivers side fairly well hidden but it's there.

 

Hey check out the Canadian Roll call at:

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?threadid=85319

A buddy of mine got an AE at Graham Nissan and it didn't have a block heater. I got my AE at Walkley and it did. This is interesting...

 

There better be one on my 2002 6 speed that I bought from the dealer in Toronto. Nissan says it's standard and I want to see it. (although I can't say that southern michigan is that cold, but I still want it.)

Stereodude

 

Ya just ask(remind) them before you pick up your car. I think the dealer installs these vs direct from factory.

 

Mine came from Graham with the blocker heater. Odd.

 

where exactly is it on the driver side?? maybe mine is hidden too

 

I am not good with the fahrenheit to celsius conversion when it comes to negative numbers.

Here today it is about + 5 celsius, so 41F. A few days ago it was -22. Now that is cold

 

My 00 SE 5speed runs really well, even in bitter cold. After I get it started, that is. Sometimes it almost does not want to turn over. I am going to try turning the ignition on for a few seconds before cranking it tomorrow. Oh, and I am in an insulated garage.

As for tires, I run Blizzaks in the winter, which love cold pavement. So traction isnt that much of a problem. They spin like hell above 50F though.

 

I'm using 10w-30 and Spartan5, I blew it some kisses and whispered some nice things and it worked started right up. thanks.

 

I'm pretty sure our GLE came with a block heater, but where exactly is it?? This just occured to me now.

What does the block heater look like and how do I use it??

Thanks.

btw, you Southerners haven't experienced cold starting, until you try starting a car in -30C!!