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Nissan Dualis 2013 Problems

Are you having problems with your 2013 Nissan Dualis? Let our team of motoring experts keep you up to date with all of the latest 2013 Nissan Dualis issues & faults. We have gathered all of the most frequently asked questions and problems relating to the 2013 Nissan Dualis in one spot to help you decide if it's a smart buy.

Is it normal for the clutch in my 2013 Nissan Dualis to start slipping?

Clutch life in most cars is determined by the type of driving you do and the type of driver you are. Cars that do a lot of urban running or towing will almost always have a shorter clutch life. Those used for highway journeys where the gears aren’t being changed as frequently tend to have longer clutch life.

But it’s also true that a driver who is gentle with the clutch and gearshift (as opposed to one who makes fast, hard changes) will also stretch the clutch’s lifespan.

I don’t think 100,000km out of a clutch is any reason to complain and suggests that you’re one of the gentle drivers out there. But before you commit to replacing the clutch, make sure that the slipping is not from poor clutch adjustment or oil on the clutch from a leaking engine seal, rather than a truly worn-out clutch. Of course, even if it is a worn oil seal (the rear-main seal is the most likely culprit) the gearbox and clutch must be removed to fix it, so a new clutch at 100,000km would be a good idea anyway to avoid having to remove all those components later for a clutch change.

Nissan Dualis 2013: Are there common problems over 175,000km?

It’s more than the average kilometres for a 2013 Dualis, but that’s not necessarily a problem. If it’s been serviced regularly it should be fine.

Nissan Dualis 2013: Is 175,000km going to cause a problem?

It’s more than the average kilometres for a 2013 Dualis, but that’s not necessarily a problem. If it’s been serviced regularly it should be fine.

Used Nissan Dualis review: 2008-2014

The 'dual' in Nissan Dualis signifies its dual-purpose nature, a vehicle that's a crossover between a family hatchback and a compact 4WD. Though these types of vehicle have become pretty well mainstream in the eight years since Dualis was launched here in January 2008, the Nissan was one of the first of its kind.

Though not aimed at the purist 4WD buyer, Dualis has Nissan's respected All-mode transmission so has decent traction on bush tracks, as well as on slippery sealed surfaces. It has higher than average ground clearance for a hatchback, but it isn't as high as a 'real' 4WD.

A 1.6-litre turbo-diesel was introduced in April 2013, but only has a six-speed manual gearbox. It wasn't exactly a success in a market where crossover SUVs are mainly used as family cars.



Despite its SUV look about 75 per cent of Dualis models sold here are 2WDs, through the front wheels. A sign of things to come as more and more so-called SUVs are really only 2WDs with a tougher look.

Nissan gave the Dualis a major makeover in April 2010. Every visible body component forward of the windscreen is new, with the revised bonnet giving it a bolder look and improved aerodynamics. Inside, the visual changes are minor, but the instruments and trip computer are easier to see.

Comfort of the Dualis is good and even poor quality Aussie backroads don't knock it about overmuch.

Six months later an extended wheelbase seven-seat version arrived, called Dualis +2. Children will be more comfortable than adults in the rearmost seats, though seven full-size folks can be carted in emergencies. The second-row seats can be moved forward to make access to the back reasonably easy. This sliding function also lets you juggle legroom in all three rows.

Comfort of the Dualis is good and even poor quality Aussie backroads don't knock it about overmuch. Handling is nothing out of the ordinary. It will look after you unless you do something really silly. Just don't expect a sporty Euro SUV at a Japanese price.

Nissan Dualis was originally powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine by way of a six-speed manual gearbox, or a CVT auto with pre-selected ratios that can be operated manually if you're not happy with the computer's decisions. Try for yourself during your private test drive as some will find performance is marginal.

Nissan (nee Datsun) has been operating in Australia since the mid 1960s. It built cars here for many years and is well and truly an established part of the downunder scene.

There are plenty of Nissan dealers Australian wide, with stronger than average representation in the country areas due to the longtime importation of tough 4WDs in the Patrols and Navaras.

Getting unusual parts for the Dualis may take a few days if you have trouble in the outback, but shouldn't normally take more than two or three business days. Price for Dualis parts are about average for this class.

Dualis has a reasonably simple makeup and amateur gals and guys with a mechanical bent can do a fair bit of their own work. Don't touch the safety bits, though.

Having originally shunned the name Qashqai that was used on other markets, Nissan Australia surprised us by choosing to use the Qashqai tag when the new generation 'Dualis' was introduced here in July 2014. Or perhaps the company's head office was still smarting over the failed Pulsar / Tiida / Pulsar experiment...

Dualis is built in the huge Nissan factory in Sunderland in the UK. We've extensively toured that factory and the quality it produces is pretty much equal with Japanese Nissans.

When test driving a Dualis with a CVT feel for any roughness, if it's not smooth as silk have an experienced automatic transmission person check it out.

Signs of off-road use are generally considered a no-no in a light-duty SUV.

Manuals should be smooth and easy in their gearchanges. Any hanging up or noise during changes may mean problems, either in the gearbox or the clutch.

Signs of off-road use are generally considered a no-no in a light-duty SUV. Scratches on the guards or doors; scuffs on the bumper corners; dings under the bumpers; and in particular damage to the sump may mean you should back off the purchase. Then again, if the price is right...

Check the interior and the boot for signs of hard usage. Kids can wreak havoc on the backs of the seats in front of them if they get crabby.

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Used Nissan Dualis review: 2007-2013

If you can come to terms with the quirky CVT, this may be the car to move your people.

When car companies quizzed SUV fans about the importance of four-wheel drive the response was: not important at all. Potential buyers wanted a high-riding wagon with the space to carry kids and their kit.

Nissan had an each-way punt with the compact Dualis by releasing front and all-wheel drive versions of what in reality was a small hatch with a wagon body and high driving position.

Initially it was sold as a five-seater wagon, later to be joined by a seven-seater, cutely called the +2. Entry to the Dualis club was via the ST, above which was the more highly specified Ti. The same designations carried over to the +2.

At launch, there was one engine only, a 2.0L four-cylinder with 102kW and 198Nm — nothing special, which showed on the road. Added eventually, the punchy 1.6L turbo diesel markedly improved the appeal of the Dualis.

There were manual and constantly variable transmissions. Pitched as an automatic, the latter wasn't in the conventional sense and drove quite differently. Very few bought the six-speed manual.

If the driving experience was nothing to write home about, the Dualis ticked boxes for practicality. There was plenty of space for families and the rear luggage area was quite generous, even more so once you laid the seats down flat.

On the road the Dualis's performance was unremarkable, somewhat dulled by the CVT, but it was easy to drive and park, the cabin was roomy and outward vision good.

Road testers had their reservations, but Dualis owners in the main are content with their choice.

Reliability issues are few, although one owner we talked to experienced several fairly minor glitches that clouded his view of the car.

Another owner suggested that his Dualis wasn't tough enough to withstand the punishment dished out on unsealed country roads.

Perhaps the most concerning is the report of shuddering with the CVT from one owner. Driving the CVT is definitely a different experience; it's like no other transmission. The CVT concept is brilliant and such transmissions have been around since the 1970s. However, they require the driver to understand how they operate and what idiosyncrasies to expect.

Rather than the cogs and hydraulics in a conventional automatic, a CVT has a belt and pulleys. The alignment changes continuously to maintain a constant, or near constant, engine speed for the greatest fuel efficiency.

The most common problem with a CVT is shuddering when you're taking off or accelerating. Walk away if you observe any shuddering while test-driving a car.

There have been a couple of recalls for the Dualis. One in 2012 was for the steering wheel boss, which was prone to failure and could come away from the column, leaving the driver without steering. Another in 2010 was for a cover screw connecting the steering gear pinion shaft to the housing — if it became loose, the steering could become noisy.

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Holden Captiva: Better than a Nissan Qashqai?

I wouldn't recommend the Captiva but the Dualis gets The Tick and is good value. 

Best cars for the snow

And there is likely to be more of it so with all the top resorts reporting big falls of crisp fresh white stuff, enthusiasts are dusting of their ski gear and talking snow talk.

Carsguide this week takes a look at some of the newer off-roaders and others we think are some of the more desirable partners in snow.

NISSAN DUALIS

Price: From $28,990

IT is a big seller overseas, but the compact Dualis has been slow to take off with buyers here.

But it is a competent snow companion. It's not too big, nor too small, has composed on road manners and reasonable soft-road ability.

In keeping with the current crop of smaller off-roaders, the Dualis has a wagon-style design, upright driving position and cabin that will swallow a decent amount of gear.

The rear seats split fold 60/40 and the four-wheel drive system has a lock function that splits drive 50/50 front and rear when the going gets tough at lower speeds.

The Dualis is powered by a 102kW/198Nm 2.0-litre four that delivers acceptable, but not outstanding performance.

The Ti gets standard stability control, six airbags and heated leather front seats.

Tick: Compact styling.

Cross: Still relatively unknown.

 

VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN

Price: From $33,990

THE Tiguan is essentially a grown up Golf and takes on all the attributes of its smaller brother, adding all-wheel drive into the mix with a choice of 2.0-litre petrol or turbo-diesel engines.

It's slightly longer than the Golf and comes with the 4Motion Haldex all-wheel drive system.

There is no low range but the Tig will get you out of most trouble in the snow.

One of the impressive things about this off-roader is its handling. Anyone familiar with the Golf will be perfectly at home.

Like all VW's the Tiguan is well equipped and gets standard stability control, six airbags and optional hill-descent system.

Roof rails are standard and you will need them for a luggage pod because boot space is limited. However, the rear seats do fold almost flat. If you specify leather, the front seats are heated.

Tick: Badge and handling.

Cross: Luggage space and firm ride.

 

SUBARU FORESTER

Price: From $30,990

LIKE the previous model, the Forester is a top seller and popular among skiers.

The new-generation wagon answers the criticism of limited luggage and rear seat legroom by being bigger and even more practical.

However, by growing 90mm in wheelbase and up in overall size the Forester has lost some of that on-road precision that marked the previous model as a standout. Some aspects of the cabin, like the dashboard execution, are not of the quality we expect from Subaru either.

Pluses are its size and 2.5-litre boxer four cylinder engines. Subaru build quality is generally good too, as is the constant all-wheel drive system.

The Forester has a five-star crash rating and raft of safety features that includes anti-skid brakes, stability control and brace of airbags. Manual Foresters get hill-start assist, which stops the car rolling backwards while first gear is engaged.

Tick: It's a Subbie.

Cross: Soggy SUV feel.

 

RENAULT KOLEOS

Price: From $29,990

TO dismiss the Koleos as just a French car over the top of Nissan mechanicals is missing the point.

The Koleos is well executed, solid and safe. It has six airbags, stability control and hazard lights that come on after an emergency stop.

The "All-Mode 4x4i" all-wheel drive versions also get hill-start assist and hill-descent control.

In auto mode, the torque split between the front and rear is automatically determined by the amount of available grip.

Entry models are two-wheel drive while all-wheel drive buyers get a choice of the smooth Renault-sourced 2.0-litre dCi turbo diesel or 2.5-litre Nissan-sourced petrol four cylinder.

There's plenty of room. The rear centre armrest is removable to allow skis to be pushed through and there are storage bins under the front seats and rear floor.

Like the Tiguan, the range topping models with leather get heated front seats.

Tick: Better looking than an X-Trail.

Cross: Renault badge.

 

AUDI Q5

Price: From: $59,900

IT seems that just about any vehicle Audi launches at the moment is a sellout.

The Q5 is one of them.

Smaller than a Q7, the Q5 has the same off-road attributes in a smaller sharply styled package with good luggage space via the 40/20/40 split rear seats and optional cargo barrier that separates luggage.

Two petrol and two turbo diesels are available and the S-tronic seven-speed gearbox contributes to good fuel figures.

Audi's permanent quattro all-wheel drive system splits torque 40/60 front and rear, which gives the car relatively neutral handling.

For those looking for something bigger, there's the A6 Allroad and the Q7.

Unfortunately Audi is becoming just like its German rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz when it comes to equipment.

Tick: Space and diesel.

Cross: Expensive options.

 

FORD TERRITORY

Price: From $39,490

THE Territory has just undergone a recent update to bring it into line with the rest of the Ford range.

However, the cabin remains largely the same, and that's not a bad thing. It's good for a family and has seven-seater capacity.

The Territory's cabin is well thought out and there is lots of storage space.

Buyers have a choice of four AWD models or three rear-drive models.

Stability control is standard, as are four airbags and anti-skid brakes.

The TS and Ghia four-wheel drive models get seven seats as standard. Mum and Dad will also appreciate the standard DVD player in the Ghia.

The reversible rear-load floor and compartment for storing wet items is handy.

Tick: Practical and good looking.

Cross: Getting on despite update.

 

VOLVO XC60

Price: From $57,950

THE XC60 is one of the best handling Volvo wagons around and one of the most attractive.

The new City Safety feature is more than just a gimmick. The system applies the brakes if you are about to rear-end another car in low-speed situations up to 30km/h.

Other Volvo strengths are the lane change warning system and blind-spot warning system. Volvo seats are renown for their comfort. 40/20/40 split rear seat is practical.

There is a choice of either the 2.4-litre D5 turbo-diesel, which is about to be upgraded to a twin-turbo for better economy and efficiency, or the 3.0-litre turbo petrol six.

Tick: Styling and equipment.

Cross: Rattly diesel.

 

LEXUS RX350

Price: From $81,900.

THE RX350 has grown slightly, which translates into more interior room.

This wagon, like all Lexus models, is packed with equipment that is optional on its rivals like satellite navigation, power rear hatch and rear reversing camera.

The Sports Luxury gets active headlights that follow the curve of the road, plus a heads-up display.

The safety package consists of stability control with cooperative steering function (VSC+), traction control, anti-skid brakes, electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist.

There is also, hill-start assist, 10 airbags and a first-aid kit.

The rear seats split 40/20/40 and there is a wet-storage area in the luggage load floor. Thule luggage pods are also available.

Tick: Standard equipment.

Cross: Looks bloated.

 

MAZDA CX9

Price: From $51,990

It looks big and feels big but once under way, the CX9 shrink-wraps around you.

It's well sorted on the road, has a host of safety gear and with seven seats, has plenty of room for the family.

The cabin quality is better than the CX9 too.

The 204kW/366Nm 3.7-litre V6 has plenty of poke but slurps petrol like a celebrity lining up for a free drink during Melbourne Cup week.

The 60/40 split fold rear seats can be released from the luggage area.

Tick: Rear seating, quality.

Cross: Fuel economy.

 

TOYOTA PRADO

Price: From $48,600

THE Prado is the ideal family load-lugger if you need serious space and room for the family.

It comes with eight seats and long-range fuel tank of 180 litres.

The full-time 4WD system has a low-range setting for heavy off-roading.

However only the higher spec Prados get standard stability control, anti-skid brakes, hill-descent control and six airbags as standard so it pays to check the fineprint.

GXL, VX and Grande buyers get foglights and roof rails with satellite navigation and height-adjustable air suspension standard only on the top-of-the-range Grande.

Tick: Standard and GX lack standard safety gear.

Cross: Clunky styling.

 

NISSAN MURANO

Price: From $45,990

THE previous-generation Murano was a sleeper.

In a lineup dominated by the Navara and Patrol, it never really stood out other than a competent family wagon and its soft curves alienated many potential buyers.

But Nissan hopes to change that with the new-generation Murano.

The styling is sharper, the 191kW/336Nm 3.5-litre V6 a sweet engine that delivers good fuel economy. The packaging is good. The automatic All Mode 4x4-i all-wheel drive system can distribute torque on demand to where its needed.

The luxury Ti gets all the fruit, from navigation system to heated front seats, reversing camera, automatic rear hatch and Bose sound system. The 60/40 split rear seats on both the ST and Ti can be flipped forward from the back of the car.

Tick: Engine, equipment.

Cross: Cheese-cutter grille.

 

RANGE ROVER SPORT

Price: From $90,900

THE Range Rover brand has a strong following and is the preferred luxury chariot for seriously well-heeled snowgoers.

Like the bigger Range Rover the Sport gets the nifty "Terrain Response" off-road system which means you just have to twist the switch to get the required off-road mode.

The Range Rover Sport has real off-road capability but we don't think too many owners would ever go bush bashing in the leather-line luxury off-roader, particularly with the stylish 20-inch wheels available some models.

The 65/35 split rear seats also have folding cushions and the full-size spare is easily accessible under the car. However, some of the bigger wheel/tyre options make do with a spacesaver.

Tick: Luxury.

Cross: Reliability.

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Complete guide to Nissan Dualis 2013
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