[Tea Es]

Recently got myself a Frontier (2016 S I4 automatic) and was wondering about general upkeep, maintenance, and usage. I told myself I'd read through the manual cover to cover to get the knowledge, but that thing is long and I got bored after pages about seat belts. Figured I'd ask you guys for opinions/advice.

I've read online that there's a break in period. I havent driven it hard by any means yet, im up to 1600Km (~1000miles). Not that I really plan to drive it overly hard, but was curious about the break in period in general. Opinions?

Oil. Should I be checking that on the reg? I think I saw mention somewhere that when it's new there might be some top ups require. Something to check or good till the first scheduled maintenance/check? Opinions?

Any other insights on how to treat the new rig for short and long term would be greatly appreciated. (Im a newbie to vehicles really, but i'd like to learn a few things)

Thanks!

 

[Zedbra]

Welcome from a fellow Canuck. All cars suggest you break in the motor easy, it lets all the metal parts get used to one another, so to speak; if there are any abnormalities then you will find them usually right away. As for oil - I have never checked my oil on my truck in 150k, I don't even know where the dipstick is located. I change it every scheduled change and I drive it. It doesn't leak a drop in 10 years.

As for the other regular maintenance, you need to follow the book on the basics. You have long winters in Newfoundland, it will give ya some time to read up. ::grin::

 

[Tea Es]

You have long winters in Newfoundland, it will give ya some time to read up. ::grin::

Long and salty winters. It's bad enough we're right on the ocean, but they use salt on all the roads in the winter, which eats vehicles. I'll be having it rust protected well before they start putting the salt out again this year. Was going to have it done right after I bought it, but the shop I was talking to said they recommend waiting until fall (salting the roads was done for the year when I got it), then having it touched up again in the spring.

On the breaking in, the first few days I had the truck I found that it seemed a little choppy or something when changing gears. Is that normal? Not grinding, but it wasnt as smooth a transition as it was on my previous vehicle (Nissan Versa Note), though I dont notice that now. Maybe that was all in my head and it just felt different driving than the car and now I'm used to it...

 

[Zedbra]

Why would you wait? Steel will instantly start to rust - it's usually best to protect it right away, not after months of exposure. They don't send the trucks in raw steel and wait for the customer to paint it later

 

[Tea Es]

Why would you wait? Steel will instantly start to rust - it's usually best to protect it right away, not after months of exposure. They don't send the trucks in raw steel and wait for the customer to paint it later

Good point.

I was all about getting it done right after I got the truck. Was talking to a shop that a friend recommended, and the guy there said that he recommended waiting until fall. I just figured he knew better than me so I didnt question it (and figured if the guy who would be making money off of it was telling me I didnt need it right away, it probably wasnt needed right away)... It wouldnt hurt to get it done earlier, might just get it put on sooner than the fall instead.

 

[Clint]

Congrats on the truck, welcome to the forum.I'd coat it now while it's all clean and no road grime to interfere with adhesion.

Clint

 

[Montagge]

Don't do what the previous owner of my Frontier did and let it get rusty then put anti-rust coating on it! Removing anything is a serious commitment haha!

 

[kgordon]

I had mine sprayed when i bought it at the end of april. Looks great 5 years later, only rusted areas are where i hit rocks and removed it.