New owner of a 2007 QX56 - steering wheel question

[jlindy]

Hello all, I just purchased a 2007 QX56 black/tan with 21k miles and really love the vehicle so far. However, I have a few questions for you after not finding much via a search. I noticed at night that the buttons/controls on the steering wheel do not illuminate, but they do on my buddy's 2008. Is this a problem with my car or did they not come like that in 2007. My steering wheel is part wood, but my buddies is all leather. Just curious.

Also, I have read other posts about DVD assembly rattles and/or rattles in general around that area. My car was purchased new at the dealership that I bought it from used. Apparently the dealer agreed to put in a DVD after the sale since it didn't come factory but it was done through the dealer or one of their post sale installers. (even though the assembly comes factory right?) I have noticed a lot of rattles that come from the DVD and shaking in general. It seems as if the whole unit moves with bumps in the road and I've read that others have had this issue and thought theirs were not clipped properly? Have others had this problem and had it fixed. I have not noticed it on the 2008 I drove for a weekend.

Lastly, I know there is an AUX funtion in the 2007 but I can't find the input. I have to believe we can play an ipod/mp3 through a normal headphone jack input right? (not through NAV screen but just through the stereo speakers directly)

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

jlindy


Modified by jlindy at 7:35 AM 11/16/2009

[Timmbo]

I can't remember if the steering wheel illuminated on the '07 and earlier models. Hopefully someone here can let you know.

On the DVD screen, the '07 and older models did have an issue with lack of support for the screen. Nissan/Infiniti had a TSB where the dealer was instructed to install a bracket to reinforce the DVD screen.

If you have the AUX capabilities the jack should be located right near the stereo. Did you check the owner's manual?

[mdstahl]

I also own a 2007 QX56 with around 26K miles on it. My steering wheel also has wood inlays in it. The controls do not light up on my either (just walked out to the garage to double-check).

I also had the dealer install a nav system in mine when I purchased - I don't notice any rattles from the unit, but my car is a rattle box --- drives me nuts.

Most annoying one is from the sunroof sunshade - right above the drivers head. If i have the sunshade open, it will put pressure on the right spot and stop the noise - it eventually returns and then I need to move the sunshade for or aft a couple of inches. On a long trip we just crammed a magazine in between the shade and the roof - real classy!

Also have a major ratting in the middle of the dash somewhere (heard this one while the magazine was stuffed in the sunroof - haven't isolated that one yet.

In the back there are various rattles - one at a time I guess.

Only had the car for 3K miles, so will be going to the dealer soon as I'm sure they have experience with each of these.

Let me know what you find out about yours.

Thanks

[jlindy]

I can't remember if the steering wheel illuminated on the '07 and earlier models. Hopefully someone here can let you know.

On the DVD screen, the '07 and older models did have an issue with lack of support for the screen. Nissan/Infiniti had a TSB where the dealer was instructed to install a bracket to reinforce the DVD screen.

If you have the AUX capabilities the jack should be located right near the stereo. Did you check the owner's manual?

The dealer said the steering wheel doesn't illuminate which is surprising because if you haven't memorized the layout by feel, then you have to turn the light on at night to see it which is distracting.

Regarding the DVD, the dealer installed it post sale when it was new by one of the dealers aftermarket installers. It looks very professional, but rattled when open. I got the car back yesterday and they had the installer rework it and said a wire had been loose which cause rattling. They redid it and it is much tighter. I think we are going to be fine with it. Since it was done post sale, the TSB would not apply to this, but regardless, it is pretty tight now.

I did notice a rattle on the sunroof shade before I brought it in actually on my way to drop it off for service. If the shade was even partially open, it rattled like crazy for about 10 minutes and then couldn't get it to do it anymore. Since I got it back, it seems to have been fixed and could have been attributed to the loose wire that up in there. I would recommend troubleshooting all of the rattles and then taking it in because if you let them do it, they won't try that hard and most likely won't hear what you hear unless you tell them how to replicate the noise. It is a tight car and should be so if you experiencing anything less, then take it in. Mine is much better now.

Regarding the aux, when I press the mode button on the steering wheel a few times, it will eventually say/switch to AUX mode which tells me that it should have it. However, I don't see the aux jack anywhere in the vehicle and the only place that has an iput of that size if the headphone jack above the 2nd row controls. What am I missing? I couldn't find anythng that reference the AUX mode in the manual in general.