Posted: Mar 21 2005 at 7:29pm | IP Logged

Okay, I’ve been watching these posts for several weeks now and have contributed some. Rather that post this info to all the pertinent threads, I will start a new one.

I bought my Titan in January 2004, it was manufactured 11/03. I live in Northern California in the Sierra foothills at the 4000’ elevation. My daily commute is just less than fifty miles round trip and ranges from 4000’ to 1800’ in elevation. I get to use my four-wheel drive quite often, as I live above the snowline. To date I have put 24804 miles on my truck. The last 4448.4 were a ten-day trip from California to Missouri and back (averaged 15.76mpg). Here is what I have observed:

The Titan Rocks!!!

Now that that’s out of the way, for the first few months I rigorously kept a record of my mileage. I experimented with different grades of gasoline but since it seemed to be consistently in the 13mpg range I now only use 87 octane and no longer keep a record of my mileage, but I do check it at every fill-up to make sure everything is running smoothly. I don’t tow often but when I do it is usually a car or tractor on a flatbed trailer and two of those trips have been over the Sierras. I have taken it out and gotten it dirty, it has proven itself well in the desert, mud, and snow (with stock 285/70R17 tires). The only modification I have made is the addition of a CB radio; I may level the truck in the future (once I find a leveling kit that I’m confident in) to improve my approach angle.

Gasoline

The titan’s engine is not a high compression engine so as long as I don't get any pre-detonation (pinging) I run 87 octane. I do use a fuel system cleaner every 3000 miles and when I get to 30k I will flush the fuel system.

Motor Oil and Filter

I change my oil every 3000 miles so as long as it meets the most current API rating I use whatever 10w30 is on sale. I do splurge on the filter though; all my vehicles get K&N oil filters (the nut on the end makes removal easy).

Brakes

Reading all the horror stories about brakes have got me paranoid. I noticed a slight pulsation when I bought the truck and attributed it to the ABS. Since reading posts on this message board I have noticed just the hint of a vibration when I’m braking, I probably wouldn’t have even noticed it if I hadn’t read so many complaints. The vibration has not worsened since my trip, which covered the Sierras, the Rockies and a detour to the Grand Canyon. I did, however purchase a new set of front pads prior to my trip and will install them and turn the rotors in the near future.

Headlights

Never seemed to bother anyone until I was towing a car on a flatbed trailer at night. Apparently the trailer dropped the rear of the truck down enough to raise the angle of the headlights. Will look into some helper springs to alleviate that. If I level the truck I’ll have to adjust the headlights down.

Window Switch

Driver’s side window sometimes gets stuck in the down position and I have to fiddle with the switch to get it to go up. Haven’t experienced same problem on the passenger side.

Rear View Mirror

The auto wink feature seems to be moot with a tinted rear window.

Tire Pressure Sensor Light

Won’t go off, possibly because I swapped out my right front tire with my spare due to a minor cut in the sidewall. Will have to have that looked at.

Loud Beep

Occurs shortly after start-up on occasion. Haven’t found any correlation to go along with it (i.e. weather conditions or lights on the dash). It lasts for several seconds and then stops, sometimes it happens twice. Will have dealer check it out.

Bed Box Door

Have to slam it to get it closed.

Passenger Side Seatbelt

Has a tendency to lock up and not release. Have to disconnect, run it all the way in and then pull back out again.

That’s about it most of these are minor annoyances and I’ve never bought a vehicle that was perfect but this one seems to be pretty close.

If this was a bit long winded I apologize. I just wanted to share some thoughts.

Posted: Mar 22 2005 at 8:51am | IP Logged

Your mileage seems about on par with what I get 15.5 to 16.5. It went down a bit when the weather got cold.

Headlights - I got flashed constantly so decided to check per the service manual. Mine were 10" HIGH at 25 feet. Adjusted down to spec. and hardly get flashed antmore except for skateboard cars.

Brakes - No problem at 4500 miles. I'll have the dealer do the new rotors etc this summer when availability is better. I have a set of SS lines,speed bleeders, Carbotech pads waiting on the shelf. Titan has kind of a mushy pedal feel which may improve after I get the TSb and add the lines and bleed.

The spare has no sensor - you'll have to swap it in from the bad rim/tire;

Loud Beep - No Idea

Bed Door - yes gotta wang it up but works every time so I'll leave it alone.

K&N - I had one on previous truck- does nothing except let more dirt in IMOH. Maybe pickup a couple horses at 6000RPM but so what. I've heard of some MAF sensors getting hozed from the oil. Granted probably from over oiling, but just the same why take the risk.

Posted: Mar 22 2005 at 9:02am | IP Logged

I use K&N oil filter only. I will NEVER use a K&N air filter. My ranger's mileage dropped immediately from 17 to 16mpg. Over a 6000 mile period it dropped to 13mpg. That was straight out of the box, no oiling. I cleaned and lightly oiled it and then cleaned my MAF sensor. My mileage started at 16 and dropped to 13 again so I tossed the K&N filter, cleaned the MAF again and put a Fram in it. My mileage came back to 17mpg and stayed there. I sell auto parts and won't recommend K&N or AirHog or anything else that uses oil.

Posted: Mar 28 2005 at 8:42pm | IP Logged

We just received the “tornado” at work; it has a money back guarantee. I’m waiting until I can log three tanks of gas for a baseline then I’ll buy one and see if my mileage improves. I’ll post my findings here.

Posted: Mar 29 2005 at 7:19pm | IP Logged

Some great stuff there.

On the tire pressure sensor, you don't have the sensor on the spare. You only have 4 sensors. If you use the spare the light will remain on till the other rim is on and you drove about 1/4 mile over 20 mph.

Posted: Apr 07 2005 at 8:58pm | IP Logged

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind when I get new tires.