Nissan Maxima 2003 6 SPD , troubles

[hassanqadir]

I am a College student and cant really afford to pay $90 to Nissan as Diagnostic for a few thins. Here are few things that i am having trouble with:

1. From passenger side, a rattle, vibration sound started coming as if A leaf is stuck in the airway. Only when i turn the heat/fan on. Could it be Cabin filter ??? (now its not there, but every once in a while it comes back)

2. Fuel Automated MPG gauge on the Odometer used to show 33MPG on highway (which i know probably aint always true), but recently it came down to 20s, and now today i even saw it at 10 , and then back to 17 MPG. Has never been this low. Now its in 50s here in MA, but when it was Cold, i would smell Gas FIRST THING when i would start the car in the morning (cold engine only) once warmed up , it would be fine. Could these two things be linked ??? Could it be Fuel filter , MAF, , O2 sensors , etc What is a cheapest way or to tell what it is apart from others. I am not loosing Power in ANY gear though.

3. From the front end, i hear a Squeeking sound, often when car goes on bumps, or so. Its quite bothering... Last inspection from Nissan as complimentray VISUAL check, they said Inner tie rods are fine, but they have little bit of play in them. Could it be Stabilizer Bar links ???

4. Car has 59K miles on it, Other than Spark Plugs, Air Filter, Fuel Filter, Drive and Power Steering belt, what else should i be looking forward to change/replace. Just had this car since past 3 months or so.

5. There was a very small CLICK sound when i would move the steering wheel at a certain point, either turning left or right... I asked the tech. to check it while the courtesy check, and i dono what they did, after they gave it to me, now its not a CLICK anymore, its literally like PLASTIC from steering wheel RUBBING against the column. Although its not visible....

Car Stats: ( i dont know much about cars, and above information, like belts, and stabilizer bar links is something i have come across on internet searching, so please be patient, and if you can describe somethingin detail i will appreciate it). Is it really worth getting work done on my car from Nissan Dealership instead of just getting parts from Nissan and bringing it to local mechanic.

2003 Nissan Maxima SE 6 SPD Std.59000 Miles

[jltibbs]

Welcome to NICO!

1 - pull the cabin filter out to check it, see if it may be damaged or need to be replaced.

2 - your 'estimated MPG' changes with driving habits. if the previous owner was a conservative driver, then that explains the '33 MPG'. therefore, if you have a lead foot, then at times you WILL see a decrease in the estimated MPG.

3 - if you plan on keeping the car, look into energy suspension polyeurathene bushings. should come as a kit to replace all/most of the chassis bushings. also, think about new suspension and strut mounts, this may also be the source of the noise.

4 - add the PCV valve to that list and you're good to go. maybe even think about a trans fluid CHANGE, not a FLUSH.

5 - that probably is exactly what you think it is; the steering wheel hitting the plastic housing around the column. take that housing off, inspect it, then reinstall it and see if the issue still persists.

if you can find a local mechanic that is nissan/infiniti certified, get the parts and take them there. if not, find a local mechanic you trust, or just take it to the dealership.

[davskins97]

If you are concerned that your 'MPG' gage may be actually reflecting some new inefficiencies in your fuel consumption, you should take a reading the old-fashioned way--by seeing how many miles you get vs. # of gallons you refill the tank with.

[hassanqadir]

Thanks jltibbs. Any recommendations on transmission fluid/spark plugs ? Being on a tight budget, what will enhance the driving experience of the car, (a little bit aggressiveness , i could not find a short throw shifter (not even just the shift lever) any place. Also, do you think 60K is appropiate for a Transmission Fluid Change ? Also second and third gear when really cold dont shift as smoothly. I am a noob, why CHANGING instead of FLUSHING (i know flushing is quite expensive)

Thanks