Nissan X-TRAIL Engine Problems

It's borderline at the moment, so I wouldn't panic, but I would monitor it over the next 12 months or so, and use a good quality 10w-50 oil. X-Trails do have a reputation for using oil at high mileage, and it's usually wear in the rings and bores.

I UNDERSTAND Shell is having problems with LPG at the moment and my advice is to use BP at least until Shell gets on top of its problems.

GLAD we could help. I hope you continue to enjoy the savings at the pump.

I agree that car companies and their dealers should step up to the plate and fix any cars that have a problem, particularly one that is as potentially dangerous as you describe. In their defence it can be difficult to isolate and fix a problem that only occurs intermittently. If it doesn't occur in their presence then it's hard to criticize dealers and their mechanics.

But they should do their utmost to find and fix the problem, and you have to question if they've done that in this case. Your friend should go back to the dealer and express her disappointment and frustration at the situation, and ask the dealer to call on Nissan's help to sort the problem out, and don't take the car back until they can demonstrate to her that the problem is fixed. The dealer should also provide her with a car to drive while hers is off the road.

I HAVEN'T heard of any problems with the sensor, but it sounds a serious issue.

I'm not aware of any affordable equipment you could purchase to diagnose problems at home. If you want to save money you could use an independent service agent who would generally charge much less than the dealer.

I HAVEN'T heard of any problems with the sensor, but it sounds a serious issue.

CARMAKERS publish fuel-economy figures based on a standard test; they're intended to be used for comparison purposes so buyers can determine which car is more fuel-efficient. Because they're taken from a dynamometer test, they don't necessarily relate to real-world fuel economy. The best thing you can do is to review all of the things that can affect fuel economy, such as driving style, speed, hilly terrain, tyre pressure and roof racks -- and make adjustments to minimise their effect. That said, the Nissan X-Trail is one that is often complained about by Carsguide readers and some have resorted to LPG to fix the problem.