08AltimaMan

Just bought a 2008 Altima SL, fully loaded, great condition, 54,000 miles. I "think" the tires need to be balanced as even at slow speeds the ride feels a little bumpy. There are 2 specific things so far (it's been 1 full day) I have noticed.

btw, this is my first CVT.

1. There is a noise coming from the front passenger tire area. I hear it about 50mph+. It sounds as if its a really windy day and wind is passing through the tire area. I know there is a lose plastic cover under the front of the car, one of the press/lock tabs looks like its missing, so that might be the culprit where air is passing over it at high speeds causing that noise. My father in law said its possible that tire needs to be balanced...but I didn't think that would cause this noise.

2. I've felt at various times..like the initial acceleration is sluggish. I don't know what other word to use, but it takes place between going from 0mph to 30 or 40. It almost feels like hesitations/hiccups. I've noticed it too when taking my foot off the gas and the car starts slowing down on its own at lower speeds. I just never feel like I have a "smooth" experience when accelerating from a stop or low speed.

The brakes are very sensitive as well as the accelerator pedal. I found that, though, with 3-4 Altima's I test drove.

Thoughts?

For what its worth, a throttle position sensor was the first thing that popped in my head simply because my 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan has had hesitation issues in the past and a TPS helped resolve it.

I am going to get the tires rotated and balanced in the morning.

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08AltimaMan

well took the car in today to get the tires balanced, and turns out the front tires had no life left on them. The rears had probably 20,000 miles left the guy at Discount Tire told me.

I ended up getting 4 michelin Tires because of a deal...but man my car rides so much smoother. It's night and day.

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Klink

Congrats on your purchase and glad to hear the new tires helped with the ride.....Were the old tires the cheap Continentals that came originally with the car?

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08AltimaMan

Yea I believe so. The 2 front tires were 2009 Continental ContiProContacts, and the 2 rears were newer with 2010 same brand. The Discount Tire guy said the 2009 front tires were probably the originals..and given it only has 54,000 miles, I'd say that is accurate.

The Michilin ones I got are called HydroEdge, and they have a 90,000 mile warranty which is sweet.

I also noticed today to work and back, I was avg. about 35.2 MPG on the highway, which I never saw with the old tires. Coincidence?

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majorcatfish

know the feeling 08... purchased a 08 as well<few bells and a few whistles>it also had the stock continentals on it. after a week i noticed the viberation in the steering wheel and a bunch of road noise, heck have been driving a f-350 for the last 14 years guess i was use to it...lol.
anyway gauged the tires they were all over the place from 3/32 to 6/32.
yup they had to go. did some research on tires ended up purchasing michelin primacy mxv4's
the ride is smooth as glass and driving at night you can hear the moon going by.
and yes noticed a improvement in mileage as well.

have to say michelin builds a great tire, as well very proud on their prices, thank goodness i work for a tire retreader got them for 15% under cost with free mounting and balancing.

happy motoring M/C

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gameguru1360

yeah the michellins will do you good. They're known for a very smooth ride even with stock rims and stock height/shocks.

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sonetlumiere

Agreed. Michellins are very nice! Def going for Michelin once these continentals wear out lol.

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08AltimaMan

regarding #2...I really am wondering if its a transmission issue or if its just normal. I am at 55,000 miles give or take, so I know they say around 60k to consider getting the trans fluid replaced. But once I do, I am probably good for another 60k miles right?

I guess I just assume from a stop up to 40mph it should be a fairly smooth acceleration...and "sometimes" it is, other times it seems to struggle as if the transmission or whatever can't figure out what gear to go into.

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Rocket67

Mine gets worse with a load. I have read many complaints about the acceleration of this car being lumpy. I think its just due to the trans not working like a normal trans. Never had any problems and mine has been doing this since new.

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08AltimaMan

thanks.

Regarding #1...I fixed the plastic piece under the car...so taht wasn't it.

I honestly think its a seal in the passenger door or something. I am not even sure how to troubleshoot it, but the more I listen to it..it really sounds like its coming from the area where the door closes near the side mirror area.

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