Versa on a long road trip

[Sahandman]

hi guys,If you are an owner of the versa and have taken it on a long road trip please respond by commenting on your experience with the car. Was the ride comfortable, did the engine work effortlessly with a long drive or did it seem like its tired, how was the fuel consuption and anything else that could help. Im trying to go on a road trip from Toronto to Los Angeles, which is about a 7 day drive and want to know if the versa can handle the trip. thanks

[kaotical24]

I too am interested in this thread

[Kermee]

As soon as I get mine, it's road trip for me.

It's the only real way to break in a car.

Cheers,Kermee

[landonb16]

I wanted to take a long trip this weekend but then i read this in the manual...

During the first 1,200 miles (2,000 km), follow these recommendations to obtain maximum engine performance and ensure the future reliability and economy of your new vehicle. Failure to follow these recommendations may result in shortened engine life and reduced engine performance.

Avoid driving for long periods at constant speed, either fast or slow, and do not run the engine over 4,000 rpm.

Do not accelerate at full throttle in any gear.

Avoid quick starts.

Avoid hard braking as much as possible.

What does "long periods" mean?

Thanks, Landon

[voltronguy]

I never thought when we started looking at small around town cars for my wife that we would ever take one on a trip. That's what my comfy V6 sedan is for! When we drove the Accent I knew I barely would want to go to the next town in it.

Now that we have our Versa I actually really want to take our next trip in it! I think we'll probably break it in a bit more first though.

[hoangmn]

I posted on another thread and edited some.I started my trip after 600 miles break in. Too bad Ididn't see the manual part as the other one posted Anyway, it's a great ride. I rode 1100 miles total. 420 miles up and down continuosly for each way.

After 10 days running around to break-in the engine, I drove to LA!Things I love:It's a great car. I think it's better that Matrix, powerwise: more torque, less weight. The matrix always has the under-power problem. I can run up mountain at 70mph/4000rpm (OD off). I still can push more but it's the new engine so I went easy on it. On flat level, I can run easy 80mph/3200rpm.The steering handle is OK. I could get up to 400miles per tank as advertised. The engine is quiet.The thing I appreciate a lot is the transm which can control the downhill speed. I did not use much brake because the transm handle it by itself. If you need to slow down, press the brake to slow it down and then release it, the transm will keep your car at that speed. If you ever drove up and down mountain. You know why I like this. That's awsome!Things I hate:The vent system is not great. I feel hot when I close the window and let fresh air come in by itself while driving on freeway. Even though it's cool outside. I either have to turn on the fan, lower the window or turn on the AC.No hatch release button from dashboard. I will have to do this from my alarm remote control.Noise inside car is average.

[Cowboys Fan 87]

Let us know when you TPMS light comes on......

LOL

[Ever Victorious]

Let us know when you TPMS light comes on......

LOL

Jinx!

[jody]

Hi. I'm new to the forum. I've had my white Versa S with manual for 2 months now. Though it's a nice ride, I'm having some trouble. The Tire Pressure Monitoring light has gone on though the pressure is fine; the air conditioning light goes on every time I turn the fan on and I have to turn it off, the alarm has gone off after the car is unlocked and I'm in the car; the car has locked itself twice --- I'm becoming very nervous about the car. I'll probably take it in, but anyone else have these things happen?

[rwanttaja]

Hi. I'm new to the forum. I've had my white Versa S with manual for 2 months now. Though it's a nice ride, I'm having some trouble. The Tire Pressure Monitoring light has gone on though the pressure is fine; the air conditioning light goes on every time I turn the fan on and I have to turn it off, the alarm has gone off after the car is unlocked and I'm in the car; the car has locked itself twice --- I'm becoming very nervous about the car. I'll probably take it in, but anyone else have these things happen?

TPMS Light: Common problem. Hopefully Nissan will eventually fix the root cause.

Air Conditioning Light: Check if your selector is set to the Defrost position. Many cars, like the Versa, activate the air conditioning when the defrost mode is selected. The Air Conditioner doesn't just cool the air, it dehumidifies it...that's why it comes on for defrost.

Alarm/Locking Issues: These are new. Do you have the Intelligent Key? Is there a possibility that the panic or door-lock buttons are getting depressed in your pocket when you sit down? I've twice had the "panic" mode start by the keys on my ring or the coins in my pocket squeeze down on the fob when I sit. If you've got an I-key, try keeping it in your shirt pocket and see if the problems continue. I ended up removing a bunch of no-longer-used keys from my key ring, and haven't re-activated the panic button since.

Ron

[Ever Victorious]

TPMS Light: Common problem. Hopefully Nissan will eventually fix the root cause.

What he said. Ignore the light until Nissan comes out with a permanent fix. DO make sure Nissan knows that your car has a fault - call them. Let them know you have the problem. Or if you have some time to spare, take the car to your dealership's service department and check it in. They will more than likely "reregister" your sensors with the computer. It will make the light go away for a while, but more importantly, it will make a note in Nissan's system that yet another vehicle has had a problem with this system.

Quote »Air Conditioning Light: Check if your selector is set to the Defrost position. Many cars, like the Versa, activate the air conditioning when the defrost mode is selected. The Air Conditioner doesn't just cool the air, it dehumidifies it...that's why it comes on for defrost.[/quote]This is true also. Another condition that the A/C will come on is if you turned off the climate controls or the vehicle with the A/C on, regardless of switch position. This is because the V's climate controls remember how you last had it set. The A/C will only be OFF when you turn the climate controls ON when the car:

1) last was turned off with the A/C off AND2) has the air flow switch in a non-defrost position.

Quote »Alarm/Locking Issues: These are new. Do you have the Intelligent Key? Is there a possibility that the panic or door-lock buttons are getting depressed in your pocket when you sit down? I've twice had the "panic" mode start by the keys on my ring or the coins in my pocket squeeze down on the fob when I sit. If you've got an I-key, try keeping it in your shirt pocket and see if the problems continue. I ended up removing a bunch of no-longer-used keys from my key ring, and haven't re-activated the panic button since.[/quote]She has an S model, so the iKey isn't available. This must mean she has the S w/power package and the regular keyless entry. I agree, though, with pressure being put on the lock or panic buttons as being the cause of this one. I can't tell you how many times I set off my last car's alarm by sitting down and having the fold of my jeans triggering the panic button.

If this is being caused while the key is not being pushed on by anything (like it's still hanging in the ignition or something), this might be something you want to have checked out by a Nissan dealer. If this is the case, you would be the first person to report this problem, so it is likely it could be fixed and never occur again.

[rwanttaja]

TPMS Light: Common problem. Hopefully Nissan will eventually fix the root cause.

It occurred to me that Jody could probably use a bit more information on this. The information is here on NICOclub, but it would take a little digging for Jody to find it. (Hey, can we put this in a FAQ or something?)

There are two instances where the TPMS light comes on. The first is if the system detects that a tire has significantly low pressure. In this instance, the light should come on steadily. When the pressure problem is corrected the light should go out.

The second problems is when there's an error in the TPMS itself. This situation seems to occur when the car's computer gets confused and can't read the remote sensors anymore. When this happens, the light flashes for a minute, then burns steadily. It will repeat this sequence every time the car is started.

So...if the TPMS light flashes when you start the car, you've probably got a system error. It's not a problem (other than the TPMS is no longer working) but it requires the system to be reset by a Nissan dealer.

What to do if the TPMS light comes on:

1. If you're driving and you notice the light is flashing, your TPMS is probably at fault. Take the next exit, stop at a safe location, and check the tires to be sure.

2. If you're driving and notice the light is solidly on, you might have a tire pressure problem or you may not have noticed the TPMS error light during the flashing period. Assess the "feel" of the car. If the car seems sluggish or there's noise coming from a corner of the car, you may well have a flat. If so, pull over at the first safe spot and check it out.

If you don't notice any difference in handling or noise, your TPMS may be faulty or the tire may not be completely flat (the sensor is supposed to trigger when the pressure gets down 25%...below ~28 PSI or so). In this case, take the next exit and find a safe location to stop. Turn off the ignition, then turn it back on. If the TPMS light flashes, you've got a faulty TPMS, and the car can be safely driven. Check the tire pressure just in case.

If the light comes on steady, the TPMS is probably detecting a low tire and corrective action is needed.

3. If a tire is flat or low, take the appropriate action (install spare or add air). If the TPMS itself is OK, this should turn out the light.

4. If your TPMS is faulty, OR re-inflating the low tire doesn't help, some folks have had some luck with this procedure: A - Inflate ALL tires to 40 PSI B- Drive the car five miles or so C - Reduce the pressure to the standard level

5. If your TPMS is faulty, contact your Nissan dealer. Depending on whether they've encountered the problem before, they can do a TPMS system reset while you wait.

Ron

[Ever Victorious]

It occurred to me that Jody could probably use a bit more information on this. The information is here on NICOclub, but it would take a little digging for Jody to find it. (Hey, can we put this in a FAQ or something?)

Wait a couple days. My personal project for this weekend is exactly that, a Versa FAQ for the main portal page.

[versula]

Went on a long trip from SE VA to Montreal and back. The trip there was broken into two legs, but the trip back was all one day driving (about 12 hours).

The Versa was very comfortable and easy to drive the whole way. On the way up, it was raining hard and the "service engine light" came on for a while but then went off. It wasn't blinking so I was not that worried anyway, maybe the guy in NJ didn't put the gas cap on right.

The Versa went well over the Catskills in the rain and pulled 80 MPH on the freeway (I don't go faster than that on 87 because it seems like there are cops about every 30 miles pulling people over). Also, the car was loaded with 2 people, luggage and had the AC on for most of the way up (defogger) and still pulled 33.6 MPG. And the best part is that the car was VERY comfortable for me and my passenger.

[LA02MAX]

We went on a short road trip (550 mi) when we first got the versa from New Orleans, La to Ft. Worth, Tx and the versa handled it very well.-The wind noise was minimal-The seats were very comfortable-The gas mileage was decent (32 mpg...i get 31 with my V6 maxima on road trips)-It didn't feel tired after the trip like some cars do (like my brother's mini cooper)We didn't get to anything over 80mph because it was still in the break-in period and there are a lot of cops in the middle of the day on I-49 and I-20. I can't really remember what the engine was turning at 80 with the CVT but I do remember that it was only slightly higher than my 6-speed maxima (2500 rpms). Overall it was a very comfortable trip and that car continues to impress me

[MDWeezer]

Assuming I can get my Versa in the next week or two (hoping my dealership can pull through!), I'll be driving my Versa from Florida to NY come Christmas time.

It will be myself, my brother and his wife in a 6-Speed SL Onyx Blue with conveinience package. Hoping the storage will be enough, my family is throwing a wedding shower for my fiance (who will already be in NY) and we'll be driving back gifts. We'll most likely have one of the back seats down (not sure if we'll give the 3rd person the 40 seat or 60 seat ).

Looking for a comfortable 2600 mile round trip drive (we might drive straight there with 3 people). I'll definitely have a trip report (how the car is on gas, how it handled, comfort for 3 people, how much luggage and of course, lots and lots of pictures).

And I'll definitely be pulling over for a car wash as soon as we get out of the snow on our way back to wash off all the salt from driving in the snow!!!

[Ever Victorious]

I guess I forgot to post here after my road trip.

Went to Walla-Walla and back, a little over 300 miles each direction. Myself, my wife, my best friend and his G/F all went. The shortest of us all was his g/f at 5'8"... everyone else is 6' tall. Noone was complaining of lack of room, at least not until we also shoved my dad (5'9") in the back with them for the last 40 miles (and dropped him off an equivalent mileage back through the return trip). Cruised at 75MPH the whole way, only had to drop out of 6th when going up the steepest hills leading up to the mountain passes (when everyone and their dog was slowing way down because of the hill).. lots of tunes, lots of comfort, and 33 MPG average economy on the trip.

[proxim2020]

I plan on taking a 6000 mile trip to Halifax, NS and back in a few months when our V gets in. I'll let you guys know how that goes.