I picked up a new '09 a few weeks ago. Overall I like the vehicle. It will be great in the winter and for anywhere off pavement. Not bad on the highway, either. Obviously it's not a car and I don't expect it to handle like one, but it is very quiet in the cabin and it smoothes out cracks and minor lumps in pavement quite well. Good acceleration, too, especially considering it's weight.

I have a couple minor irritations, as I have with every car I've purchased.
(1) the brakes are more than a tad mushy. Is this normal? Can it be corrected with braided steel lines?
(2) Opening the front windows at city speeds creates hurricane force winds inside. Perhaps window deflectors would alleviate?
(3) opening the back windows at highway speeds creates an earsplitting woofwoofwoofwoofwoof Not so bad at city speeds, but still noticeable. I don't know how to fix that.
(4) the front passenger window rattles already. I'll have to mention that at the first service.
(5) there's a lot of play in all windows when rolled partially down. They will move at least an inch and a half front to back. Is that to be expected?

Again, overall it is a very nice vehicle. It'll be even better when I get some of the above resolved.

welcome

welcome.
I can fix #4 for you. dont drive down the highway with the rear windows down.

Welcome to ClubX.

(1) the brakes are more than a tad mushy. Is this normal? Can it be corrected with braided steel lines?
(2) Opening the front windows at city speeds creates hurricane force winds inside. Perhaps window deflectors would alleviate?
(3) opening the back windows at highway speeds creates an earsplitting woofwoofwoofwoofwoof Not so bad at city speeds, but still noticeable. I don't know how to fix that.
(4) the front passenger window rattles already. I'll have to mention that at the first service.
(5) there's a lot of play in all windows when rolled partially down. They will move at least an inch and a half front to back. Is that to be expected?


Congrats on the new rig!
My thoughts on your points vs what I'm used to on mine.
1) What were you used to before driving the X? I came from a '69 Chevy P/U so the X's brakes feel really good.
2) I just got used to setting the windows at just below or above my ear level and that seemed to help. Or I'll open the rear windows about an inch and that stops a lot of the wind slap.
3) Yeah this one baffles me too and I don't think there's a way to keep it from happening other than not to open the rear windows by themselves. Opening the passenger side (when by yourself) just a bit seems to help.
4) None of my windows rattle and I've had mine almost a year now
5) I haven't noticed this but then I haven't tried tugging on them either...if it aint' broke...

I have an 09 for two month. The brakes, I think, are very good especially the rear brake which I use a lot to slow my self down on highway (No brake lights to freak the entire world out). I came from a mustang gt and it had pretty good brakes. I have 'X' model with, I feel, are crappy tires (General something or another) they are lousy in rain. All that weight sometimes want to go straight when your turning, especially highway ramps. I still have the GT with Pirelli's as my reference, they could hang on great in the rain, except when the back end tried to catch up the front. The only issue I'm seeing is some little, annoying rattle inside the dash were the Vent/Radio. I had something similar in my mustang to. I really don't want to go through the dealer to get it sorted out. But still after 1800 miles, It's there. Good luck

welcome

I had a Chev Beretta as my winter car - it died - and an '05 Mustang GT for summer use. Neither has spectacular brakes, but both better than the X. It's not that they're bad breaks, there just seems to be a dead zone in the pedal. Apply the brakes lightly and the vehicle slows appropriately, apply a little more brake and nothing. Then a little more brake and then get the desired extra breaking power. Maybe they just need to be bled... but direct from factory?

On another note, I think the rattle is something other than the window. Don't know what yet.

And I noticed the play in the windows by simply cleaning them.

...The brakes, I think, are very good especially the rear brake which I use a lot to slow my self down on highway (No brake lights to freak the entire world out)....

What do you mean you use the rear brake to slow down on the highway? Do you pull up the parking break?

welcome! I would just take this back to the deal before trying to fix yourself

I would love to get my hands on an 09. I love the new body style. It so much roomier then the 04's.....Welcome to the site!

Yes, use the parking brake lightly. Look you will replace the fronts twice, three times before you replace the backs so why not use them to save some front. Plus it exercises the parking brake. I know kind of goofy but I continually see where simply tapping the brakes, brake lights come on, just screws up the flow

Welcome to Club Xterra.

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