[gardengirlbc]

Hi everyone! My first time here, so glad to have found this place!

My hubby and I bought a new 2009 Nissan Versa hatchback. Manual transmission.

The car has 50,000 km on it and is overdue for its 48,000 maintenance. I called Nissan and they said that this maintenance would be $565 + tax because they have to change the coolant, check the brakes, rotate the tires, do something with the fuel system, change the air filter and check the battery.

A few weeks ago I was overdue for an oil change and couldn't make it to the dealer. I went to one of the oil change places and they said that according to the maintenance for the car the air filter should be changed. So I changed it through them.

I told the Nissan guy that and he said that they would have changed it to a non-Nissan air filter and this could damage the car. He said I need to take it in to Nissan and have them change it to a Nissan air filter.

Is that true? Will it actually harm the vehicle? Also, does having a non-Nissan filter void the warranty on the car in any way?

Thanks for your help, I'm really not a car person and I don't want us to get screwed!

 

[Nitroman15]

As long as they put the correct air filter in the car it does not matter what brand it is. It will not void your warranty. I always check mine when I am changing the oil. If it looks dirty I replace it. If not it goes back in until the next oil change.

 

[meow_mix450]

You can use any type of filter and it doesn't have to be OEM Nissan. I would recommend you do this on your own the next time; not only will you save money but it is very easy to replace.

 

[robj80]

Find a new dealer too. They are scam artists.

 

[iluvmyVersa08]

Find a new dealer too. They are scam artists.

.

There are lots of YouTube videos on how to change a lot of things on the Versa; and most are quite simple to follow.

Don't listen too much to that dealer. Try and find a new one.

 

[sooner4x4]

There are several brands of quality air filters that work just fine and are cheaper to buy than the "official" Nissan branded filter. I have used Wix and Purolator on my Versa.

Tomorrow morning I am doing my annual maintenance routine on the V. It is four years old and has 47,000 miles.

Drain and fill coolant (I am using the Nissan coolant).
Drain and fill transmission fluid (using Nissan tranny fluid)
Change out cabin and air filter.
It is due for an oil change so that is happening.

Total cost for this is under $100 using the expensive Nissan coolant and transmission fluid. I opt for the Nissan fluids for these two fluids after much reading and research on the subject. I believe these are two fluids you don't want to get wrong on any car if you plan on keeping long term. Ditto on my Toyotas and Ford.

I will also go ahead and replace the wiper blades.

Get in the habit of changing out once per year the:
Coolant, transmission fluid, air filters and wiper blades. Now the only things to worry about the rest of the year are oil changes and tire rotations. Simple, easy, cheap. Do it yourself and you know it was done and done correctly. I start doing the coolant change at four years so this is the first year for that, afterwards it becomes part of my annual routine.

The dealer will really rip you on the cabin filter. Go to Amazon and do a search on the cabin and air filter. Buy $25 worth of stuff and get free shipping. Check the brake pads or have whomever does your tire rotations check your brakes.

That takes care of everything as far as maintenance goes. Not counting oil changes, I haven't spent $545 total on maintenance the entire four years I have had the V. The dealership estimate is a total complete ripoff. That makes my blood boil on how people get taken advantage of on very simple do it yourself routine maintenance. Find someone to show you how if you need to. What you save the first time you don't take it to the dealership will more than buy the few tools you need. There is a lot of satisfaction and pride knowing you did the work.

 

[robj80]

Nissan air filters are not as good as some aftermarket. I have pics in my howto air filter change thread comparing the wix and nissan. I'd thake wix over the nissan any day.

 

[jbeau]

Actually the dealer is right on the air filter. Little known fact for everyone. Nissan uses a slightly oiled filter. You can barely tell but trust me it is there. The aftermarket filters are not oiled and tend to let more crap through. This will over time lead to failure of the mass air flow sensor. Honestly it cant be more than 5-10 bucks more for an oem filter. Not worth an expensive sensor failing long after warranty expires

 

[robj80]

Actually the dealer is right on the air filter. Little known fact for everyone. Nissan uses a slightly oiled filter. You can barely tell but trust me it is there. The aftermarket filters are not oiled and tend to let more crap through. This will over time lead to failure of the mass air flow sensor. Honestly it cant be more than 5-10 bucks more for an oem filter. Not worth an expensive sensor failing long after warranty expires

Have any nissan documentation on this because the stock filter was definately not oiled nor has any filter I bought from the dealer. The filter media was exactly like the wix filter I bought. The contruction was crap on oem. As far as ruining a maf oil is a common culprit. Oil vapor sticks to the maf then dirt particles stick to the oily maf wire. I've had it happen when I had an oiled filter.

You must have had different experiences and maybe diff oem filters then I.

 

[jbeau]

^ well... i work for nissan selling the parts. Thats what we are told. EVERY nissan oem filter is oiled at the factory. Not like a K&N at all. Just a misting of oil. You will never notice it unless it is one at the start or end of the line and gets a bit extra that drains into the packaging. But hey you seem to know more than me, so knock yourself out

 

[Gorp]

Regarding the K&N, after running one for eleven years on my GMC truck without MAF issues, the secret is to not over-oil.

You can also go surprisingly long between washes and re-oiling, depending on environs.

As far as an OEM air filter?

I'd like to see more documentation.

 

[robj80]

Regarding the K&N, after running one for eleven years on my GMC truck without MAF issues, the secret is to not over-oil.

You can also go surprisingly long between washes and re-oiling, depending on environs.

As far as an OEM air filter?

I'd like to see more documentation.

I did over oil. I didn't realize how little oil it needed. Plus was on a turbo car and was sucking really hard . Only made the mistake once.

 

[josh harris]

Hello there! I'm a new member here. Just want to share this. I have a Nissan sentra. All of its parts and components are working fine. Nissan air filter are also good, satisfaction guaranteed because of its affordability and quality.