Update on my 05' Titan

[Titanoholic]

I am going to keep updating this link to new developments and gas mileage reports of my 05'. When I did not have a Titan, I really enjoyed reading these types of threads so I am going to do one of these threads myself.

Fuel Economy: First fill up (odometer 334 miles), 22.43 gallons@333 miles = 14.85mpg (60% city/ 40% highway..plus about 1 hour of just idling to show off the truck to friends).

Radio: I first thought my FM reception stunk. After driving my wife’s new Honda, her FM stations would crackle some also and the FM indicator would flash on and off. I have never noticed this before. My wife’s car has a lot more road noise to it, so maybe this is why I have never noticed it before. When I drive through Seattle tomorrow, I will see how well my stations work then.

Squeaks and rattles: I first thought my jack/tools were making a little bit of a rattle when I hit a bump, but it was not the tools. Whenever I hit a decent bump, I am getting a rattle that is coming somewhere close to the mounting bracket right next to the tool kit of the rear bench seat. Other then that, no other rattles.

I decided I am going to install this grounding wire from the engine block to the negative ground as described in arcmans ticking threat. I do not have the ticking, but after looking at that tiny 18gage grounding wire, I know this is not going to cut it. Besides, for less then 10 bucks and 15 minutes of my time, how could it hurt?

[Titanoholic]

Well for those who care to read, here is another update.

Current mileage: 864 miles
Last tank of gas: 18.2 gallons with 295 miles on the tank = 16.2 mpg (90% freeway, average speed 67.2mph)

So far I have no new issues. My FM/AM still sounds like it is not hooked up to the antenna, so when I go in for my first oil change I will ask them to take a look at it. Still only have one rattle that is coming somewhere near the tool kit. One of these days I will have my wife drive the truck around while I try to find the rattle. Other then this, this truck is awesome to drive so far. Usually when I travel over the Cascade Mountains it seems like it takes forever! The Titan is a great truck to take long trips in, 4 hours seemed like nothing! Wife loves the truck also; she thinks it is a lot more comfortable then her Honda Accord. I also think they added more support to the 05 seats. When I take a right corner somewhat fast, the seat holds me in well. I know the 04's I test drove I had to brace myself against the door to keep my butt from sliding off the seat when I turned a quick right turn.

[titanized]

Tighten the bolt that holds the body to the frame in that corner. I had to use a 24" breaker bar, but a half turn and the rattling disappeared. It drove me crazy, I took out the jack and the tools and it still made the rattle. It was more noticable when I made a right turn and the trucks weight shifted or if my right rear tire hit a manhole cover. My dealer tried to fix it by filling the rear cavity between the inside and outside walls with the expandable foam.

[Titanoholic]

Thanks for the tip, I will give it a try. I assume this bolt is located from under the truck?

[titanized]

Yes, just look under the truck near the back corner. You can't miss it.

[jdm]

My Titan had the same exact rattle when new. I thought it was the tool kit until I took all of it out and it still did it.
I carried it in & the tech who fixed it told me he had to loosen then tighten the cab bolt to make it quit.
It recently started doing it again so I repeated and it is gone again.m I also sprayed with lubricant per some posts on the subject.
It is a 17 mm bolt with 2 smaller bolts next to it (one on each side). It is under the truck, basically under the jack.

[travlskech]

this isnt a safety issue is it...i hear the rattle when i make sharp turns either way, but i don mind it really since the music typically drowns it out

[Titanoholic]

Well I tried tighten the 17mm bolt, that thing is torqued on there pretty well, I couldn't budge it with a 24" wrench! Any other ideas? Maybe I will try and loosen it and then retorque it again.

[Titanoholic]

3rd tank of gas: 388 miles on 25.3 gallons of gas = 15.33mpg (50%city and 50% highway). Total miles on the truck to date are 1048. Pretty impressed so far on the gas mileage. I live on the other side of the water from Seattle near the Olympic Mountains and 95% of my driving is up and down hills. When I am actually cruising 70mph on flat ground, my navigation says I am getting 19-21mpg, I believe it. I can’t wait to do a good stretch of highway that is mostly flat to see if I can get this kind of gas mileage.

On another good note, my radio worked great today when I went over to Seattle. First time I have used my radio in decent weather. In the past, it has been really foggy and a lot of rain, I think this had an effect on signal strength. I picked up all of my favorite stations just fine throughout the trip, so I am now thinking my radio might be okay. Also the one squeak that sounds as if it is coming from the tool kit area seems to be making less and less noise as time goes on. Today’s 170 trip I only heard it a couple of times. Other then this, I have no new issues (keep my fingers crossed) and I am still very very pleased with the truck!

[Titanoholic]

Just got back from my trip to Portland. This truck is awesome, I love it. The truck performed flawlessly, no rattles, radio worked well, navigation system kicked butt and overall the ride was very comfortable, I just wish I had to drive another 1000 miles to drive!

Current Odometer reading: 1522
Gas mileage on the way down to Portland: 18.3 gallons @ 335 miles = 18.3mpg! (95% highway @ 70mph) GPS was right on! GPS reported fuel economy at 18.3mpg.

Trip back up: GPS reported 17.8mpg. I have not filled the tank up yet so I currently do not know the actual fuel economy. God I love this truck! Oh, my mother in law told my wife, "Kevin's truck is SWEET!" This type of language is just unheard of from my mother in law!

[Danimal]

Great thread. Thanks for posting your log. I do not have a Titan but I am thinking about getting one in February. One of the many things I like about the truck is the fact that you can get it with navigation. Could you describe your experiences using the system so far? Do you think it is worth the extra $$$? Thanks.

[Titanoholic]

Personally my wife and I do not have the best sense of direction. We really have a tuff time in the Seattle area and it worked great in Portland. The stock navigation is really simple to use after you get familiar with it. The system is extremely accurate and gives good voice driving directions. So far we have not taken one wrong turn and it has taken us to every destination flawlessly and easily. It is really nice because it tells you which lane you should be in, left or right lane and it tells you when you get on or off the highway what lanes to be in and it gives plenty of notice of upcoming turns. A lot of folks think $1700 for the system is too much. Is Nissan's navigation system the best automotive stock system available, no. Sure you could go out and get a Garmen for much less and have a good system, but I really like the clean look and how it is integrated into the truck. For example, I love how it automatically dims the volume on the stereo when the GPS is giving voice directions, very slick. I just didn't want to deal with an aftermarket setup. Plus I had no choice with the new 05' packaging options. I wanted side curtain airbags and a sunroof so I had to get the navigation, but I wanted it anyways so it was all good. To me the navigation system is priceless! If you do end up buying a Titan in Feb. I highly recommend you get a 2005 or at the very least a 2004 that was built no earlier then august.

[got_titan]

very good write up. thanks, john

[Danimal]

thanks titanoholic. that's just what i was hoping to hear! i am also bad with direction and living just outside of DC I can't tell you how many times i've wished I had a real time guide. The system you describe sounds exactly like the one in my buddy's escalade. very useful. i also think it would be cool to do like these other guys have and patch the dvd into the screen on the front. talk about the ultimate road trip machine!

[Titanoholic]

Danimal, glad I could help. I wish I could bring my Titan with me, I am going to be in DC for 3 months starting in January. Hows the weather over there Jan. through the end of March?