2.5L I4 engine 5 spd. auto

[pchast]

I'm looking at buying a 2015 Frontier with the 4cyl engine. Could you please comment on past reliability of that engine and the 5spd auto.

Thanks

[BRubble]

I'm looking at buying a 2015 Frontier with the 4cyl engine. Could you please comment on past reliability of that engine and the 5spd auto.

Thanks

I'm not exactly sure when they changed from the 2.4L to the 2.5L, but here is a review on the 2005 2.5L Frontier; They seem to like them pretty good:

http://www.edmunds.com/nissan/frontier/ ... =100506225

I had a '93 2.4L Hardbody,, and it was the best Vehicle that I can attest to for 20 year's of ownership. At 174K mile's, I had to get the Water Pump replaced with a new one. Other than that,, it was just regular maintenance stuff, ie Oil/Filter, Air Filter, Grease, Rear Axle Oil, AT Fluid, Tire's, etc change's. It still had the original Brake Pad's/Shoe's,, @ 176K mile's when I sold it,, and the Engine was still real quiet. I used Seat Cover's/Floor Mat's, and the Carpet and Seat's looked just like Brand New. First person that saw it,, bought it.

The 2.5L is rated to pull 3500 mile's,, and if you stay under that,, you'll be ok. It also has more HP,, than the 2.4L that I had. So if you need it for a daily driver,, and stay within it load and towing limit's,, you should be good.

Do your part to take care of it,, don't abuse it,, and it'll probably last you a good long time. Put some Seat Cover's on, use Floor Mat's, and the Seat's/Carpet, will still Look like new when you sell it, or hand it down. Seat Cover's & Floor Mat's easily pay for themselve's many time's over.

In 2013 I got a New V6 Frontier,, and that was the reason that I sold the 2.4L Hardbody.

After 20 year's I just wanted a New Truck,, and I also wanted more towing to pull My Tractor,, If I needed to take it to the shop.

Good Luck with which ever you choose.

[pchast]

Well I've got a thousand miles on the new truck. Its still a little too high to comfortably climb in and out of, but its the lowest available. It only gets 17.5 mpg so far, so its expensive. The interior is of a soft plastic that mars easily.

The real problem is the heater. I've been taken it back to Nissan Dealers twice now, a full day and a half wasted. All I get told is its right by the design. No one asked me if I understood the design or read my manual.... Its painfully cold for me at the foot/leg level.

They attempt to heat by 8 vents when the heater logo is floor ONLY. I need to go out and check the truck for ones that can be shut off, if any.

[BRubble]

You need to keep a little notebook in the cab, and write down the Mileage and gallon's of gas used, each time that you fill up the tank. Subtract Mileage from previous Fillup,, and divide by Gallon's that it take's to fill the tank. If you figure it that way,, and still get the mileage stated, then you've got a heavy foot,, or something's not right. My SVV6 Frontier KC 2wd get's better mileage than that. Last Fillup,, I got 20.5 Mixed, but I'm easy on the Gas & Brake Pedal,, so your mileage may vary.

I've got a feeling that you aren't figureing the MPG by the book method.

Make sure that your Radiator is Full. Mine wasn't, and I can tell that the heater work's better now.
I'm not for sure that some of the Nissan Folk's understand that the Radiator need's to be full, per the Owner's Manual.

I'm thinking that it's just a new truck to you,, and that you need to learn about your Truck. It took me a while to start getting thing's sorted out, but I do my own maintenance, unless it's something that I'd prefer Nissan to do.

You can get a set of Step Rail's for your Truck,, so that it's easier to get in and out. I didn't think that I'd need them,, but after getting in and out,, several time's,, I figured out,, that Step Rail's would make it easier. I got a set of Stainless Steel Step Rail's on Ebay for 125 $'s,, and I installed them myself. Nissan also has them,, and they'll install them for you if you prefer.

Good Luck

[pchast]

Thanks BRubble
I'm using the book method. I use it to record all maintenance too. The radiator is full to th e brim and the over flow tank is between the marks... We are still considering the step rails and likely will do it. The I4 2wd is supposed to be lower than the 6cyl truck by the 'book'.

[BRubble]

Thanks BRubble
I'm using the book method. I use it to record all maintenance too. The radiator is full to th e brim and the over flow tank is between the marks... We are still considering the step rails and likely will do it. The I4 2wd is supposed to be lower than the 6cyl truck by the 'book'.

When I first got the '13 SVV6, the mileage was right @ 19.5 mpg. After the Ring's seated,, some where around 2k mile's, the mileage gradually increased to what it is now @ 20.5 mpg mixed.

Take it easy with your Truck during the break in period,, like the owner's manual says to do.

Give it some time,, and after the truck limber's up,, a little, the mileage may go up some.

If you got the Base model,, then I think that model,, has the 15" wheel's,, where the SV in 4cyl or 6 cyl. has 16" wheel's. So mine is a little bit taller than the base model.

Seem's like just about all of the truck's now,, are taller than they used to be. That's one big reason,, that a lot of folk's like truck's, cause the seat higher for better visibility. I would have been satisfied with 15" wheel's,, but I wanted a V6 KC,, so,, an SV was my only option.

Good luck,
Barney

[pchast]

It hit 42 deg today... After Idling for 20 min and driving 36 miles when it was 30 out I had 157 in and 148 out of the heater with my thermometer. the head temp on the engine read 137? All this with the engine still running. Heat responded some better, likely due to the increased outside temp.
I did not notice any difference in the fluid levels after running the truck on an incline yesterday.

[BRubble]

A Block Heater for the Engine would probably help you. On my V6 engine there is a place to install one. I think that Nissan can get one for you,, and install it as well.

A Block Heater will prewarm the Engine,, so that you don't have to do as much Idleing,, which is Zapping your MPG. I thought that something was,, but didn't know that you were idleing your Engine so much.

Idleing for long period's isn't good for the Engine Either.

Maybe you should consider taking Your Truck to a different Nissan Service Department. Not all of them are the same, ie some are better than other's for one reason or the other.

Good Luck

[pchast]

The Idling was just this morning while I plowed out the bottom of
the driveway. With all the time at the last dealer and my fiddling I got 15.6 this time... That's not a real number. I'll get a real number early next week I hope.

[BRubble]

The Idling was just this morning while I plowed out the bottom of
the driveway. With all the time at the last dealer and my fiddling I got 15.6 this time... That's not a real number. I'll get a real number early next week I hope.

Well, at any rate,, liveing up North in the Cold Belt,, If I had purchased a New Truck or Car,, I wouldn't drive it home,, without haveing a Block Heater Installed.

A Block Heater heat's the Engine Coolant,, which is used to Heat the Heater Core,, which then heat's the Air to Heat the Cabin.

The Block Heater preheat's the Engine,, which make's for much easier Starting and therefore preheat's the Engine Oil as well, which help's lubricate the Engine on Startup.

I think that I read,, that All Canadian Nissan's come Standard with a Block Heater. You live close enough to Canada,, that a Block Heater Make's Good Sense. Sure it will cost a little bit for the Heater/Install,, but in the long run,, you'll get that back,, and will be attractive when time for Resale or Trade.

I guess it would also be a good idea to have the Nissan Tech to check the Hot Air coming out of the Duct's to see if it is within Spec. If not,, it might be something to do with the Thermostat,, not working correctly.

Next time, when You take your Truck in, You have to talk with the Service Writer,, but also make an appointment to talk with the "Service Manager", and tell them what is going on.

If I lived up there with all the Ice, Snow,, Wind,, and Fridgid Cold Weather,, I wouldn't be without a "Block Heater",, it just make's good sense. As somewhat of a Testimonial,, Just about all Tractor Owner's up there install or have a Block Heater Installed, so that there Engine's will Fire Up to Remove Snow.

Good Luck,

[pchast]

Its something I never thought of. I think I'm going to check into it.

Thanks,

[pchast]

When I got to Kingston yesterday morning the temp difference between in and out of the heater core was 11 deg again. After dinner I parked the truck on an incline again and ran it about 2000 rpm for 15 minutes with the overflow open again. I figure I got a few bubbles out because the fill mark was down around a 1/4" this morning when cold.

Today I ran some errands, about 7 miles. It was 22 deg outside. When the temp gage raised normally after 2 miles I turned on the heater to 'floor'. I got noticeable heat within a couple more miles, a little more than before.

Now to convince the dealership to purge more...

[pchast]

I contacted the Consumer Affairs local rep and was told to return to the dealer. Yesterday I had an appointment.

They found that the bottom hose was leaking during a pressure test. Then they replaced the hose clamps and purged the system. I'm told they added more than a quart of antifreeze. The heater is now finally Much Better. I'm satisfied at this point. We'll see next winter?

I wonder if anyone will think to do the same repairs on the other trucks they said were fine in comparison to mine?

[pchast]

I only had 3000 miles on the truck and I hauled a tierdrop(500lbs) 1500 miles round trip. I got 15.7 mpg on the way out and 18.7 on the way back... The total is now 4450 miles. I'm not unhappy with the improvement in mpg but would like better. What can I expect with this small trailer?

I was concerned by the transmission/engine behavior on the trip. A moderate hill caused 2 levels of kick down and 4300rpm in short spurts when I used the cruise control at 65..?

Comments please.

[pchast]

With 5500 miles on the truck, I've finally been out driving for an hour at night. The headlights are great for spotting deer on lawns off the highway.

There is NO adjustment for focusing the lights. Their coverage is like the outside ribs of a fan. There is a cone of darkness in the center beginning about 40 ft in front of the truck. The light spreads out at least 25ft past each side of the truck.
Terrible. Nissan dealer said its the best you will get.

I have a body shop appointment next week to shim the mounting and bring them together some.

[pchast]

Headlights...... the local body shop pulled the grill and we checked out the headlights.

Its funny. 2 minutes to pull the grill... The headlight mounting on both sides is slotted
almost a 1/4 inch. The headlights are not set the same I wonder if they used a jig to
mount them. Anyway we marked the locations and tipped them in about 7 or 8 deg.
Driving light is much better now. I don't feel the need to fine tune things more though
there is more movement possible in the mounting bolts.

I wasted almost 2 hours at the Dealer. My friend the body mechanic 'fixed' things in less
than 15 minutes. NC

[BRubble]

When I got to Kingston yesterday morning the temp difference between in and out of the heater core was 11 deg again. After dinner I parked the truck on an incline again and ran it about 2000 rpm for 15 minutes with the overflow open again. I figure I got a few bubbles out because the fill mark was down around a 1/4" this morning when cold.

Today I ran some errands, about 7 miles. It was 22 deg outside. When the temp gage raised normally after 2 miles I turned on the heater to 'floor'. I got noticeable heat within a couple more miles, a little more than before.

Now to convince the dealership to purge more...

The Coolant level on my '13 SVV6 was below the Fin's in the Radiator when I checked it initially. It took me a while to figure out the New Cooling System with the Pressurized Reservoir; So what I did was: Take cap off of the Reservoir, and Fill the Radiator with Coolant. The Level in the Reservoir rose to way over the Full Mark, but didn't overflow. Then I put the Cap's back on the Radiator & Reservoir. After Driveing the Level in the Reservoir came back down to just a little bit over the full mark,, about an Inch or so,, and the Level in the Radiator Remained Full. So on mine,, it purged itself, and function's as a normal Coolant system that I had in the past.

I only had 3000 miles on the truck and I hauled a tierdrop(500lbs) 1500 miles round trip. I got 15.7 mpg on the way out and 18.7 on the way back... The total is now 4450 miles. I'm not unhappy with the improvement in mpg but would like better. What can I expect with this small trailer?

I was concerned by the transmission/engine behavior on the trip. A moderate hill caused 2 levels of kick down and 4300rpm in short spurts when I used the cruise control at 65..?

Comments please.

If you have a tall TailGate, Try laying the Tailgate down in the Trailer. When I had the '93 2.4, I noticed that the Tailgate made a huge difference. You probably need to take it out of OverDrive when the Transmission is kicking down too much.
For more pulling power,, is the reason,, that I got the V6. I believe that your's is rated @ 3500 lbs max, but that is with just a Driver and no other weight in the Truck(Passenger's & Cargo in the Bed. With the V6 mine has a max towing of 6500, but I figure 5500 for practical max, because of Passenger and cargo in the Bed. For your I4, probaby 2500 is practical max towing. Try laying the Tailgate down in the Trailer(If Possible), and see if that helps.

Thank's about the Info on the HeadLight Adjustment; I'll look into that with mine,, to see if it make's an improvement. I did raise the Factory Adjustment up just a little bit,, and that improved mine a lot.

I'm getting 20.5 mpg in mixed driveing with the SVV6, so I'm very pleased with the MPG on mine. I'll be hooking up the 5'X10' Trailer on mine soon,, so I expect the MPG to be a good bit less. My little trailer is made a lot stronger than the one's sold @ Lowe's,, and probly weigh's close to 1K lbs., with a 4' Tall Tailgate, so we'll see how much better the V6 pull's than the '93 2.4, that I had.

[pchast]

Barney thanks for that info...

I have a sleeper style trailer. It is total about 62 inches high, no tailgate as such.
We use it as a sleeper as we travel to see relatives. ( I have a lot of allergies and
can not stay in hotels or campsites. ) A cap on the truck may help?


Pete

[BRubble]

Now I know what type trailer you were talking about. And yes,, the Frontal area of the Trailer is what I think is holding your Truck back with the I4. It just doesn't take much wind resistance for the small engine.

A Truck Cap, just might help, but I would hate to spend the money,, and not help. Seem's to me that a Truc Some Trailer's have a Wedge shape on the Front,, which may help, but never had one,, so I can't say for sure. I think that the 5th wheel trailer's pull easier, not sure about those either though.

Air has a lot of resistance, so figureing out the least wind resistance, can be a big benefit, in MPG, as well as performance.

Also fighting a Head Wind,, can also make a big difference as well.

There was basically about 1 mpg difference between the I4 and V6, on the '13's,, so that made my decision easier to go with the V6,, when I was getting my Truck.

Not saying that you can't make the I4 work for you,, cause I made the '93 I4 work for me, for 20 year's and 176K mile's; so it can be done.

[pchast]

I would have bought the 6 if they had one in 2wd. Just 4's on the lot at the time...
My wife and I are short and can't reach into the truck bed on any other new truck
today.

It tows and hauls ok. I'm just concerned with longevity and higher revs.

The tires tend to warm up if carrying any weight. I use 42 psi. They are rated at 44.
(I regularly pick up a 1/2 yd of stone for the driveway.)

[BRubble]

Redline on my V6 is a little over 6K rpm. If your's has the same redline, then in short burst's of 4300 rpm's, I think you'll be ok, as long as the engine is @ operateing temperature.

I'm like you, and want durability, so I try to stay @ or under 55 mph for the first 10 mile's, after crankup, to let everything warmup. That's what I did on the '93 I4, and it was still running good and quiet @ 176K Mile's, and 20 year's.

As long as you don't go over the Axle Gross Wt, and the Truck's Maximum Gross Weight, I think that you'll be ok. I hauled quiet a bit and pulled my 5' X 10' trailer quiet a bit with the '93 I4. I just took it easy,, when loaded or pulling a loaded trailer. It's pretty easy to damage the Brake's on a Panic Stop, as well as damage the Transmission & Rear End under heavy load, being subjected to a severe jerk or jolt.

It's real important to monitor the AT Fluid level on a Scheduled interval; as well as change the AT Fluid and Rear Axle Oil as prescribed in the Maintenance Schedule, and use the Fluid Type that is prescribed in the Owner's & maintenance manual. When Hauling and Pulling,, the Manual recommend's a more Frequent Interval in Fluid & Oil Change's. I try to do what the manual recommend's, to stay on the Safe Side.

My manual doesn't mention the Rear Axle Air Vent, but it's a good idea to keep a check on it,, to make sure that a Dirt Dobber hasn't built a Mud Dwelling around it. I take mine out once in a while( At least when I change the Rear Axle Oil), clean it with Diesel Fuel, and Blow it out with the Air Compressor, to make sure that it is not Stopped Up. Bad thing's can happen to the Seal's in the Rear Axle, if the Air Vent is Stopped up. In the 20 year's that I had the '93 Hardbody, I never found it stopped up,, but on my Tractor, I did find an Axle Vent Stopped up,, but caught it in time,, before a Seal got damaged.

You seem to think about and drive your truck like I do,, so I think that you'll be fine. We all make mistake's, but but staying clear of a Crazy Driver crossing our Path's, can also be a big problem, that we have to contend with.

[pchast]

That's kind of what I figured. Confirmation makes me feel better. Thanks.

Pete