This is just a suggestion, but for those of you who don't like to read the user manual of your Xterra there are a couple of things I wanted to bring to your attention.
In the manual it is recommended that your Air Conditioner be operated at least 10 minutes per month regardless of weather conditions.
This is to periodically circulate the refrigerant so that it can properly lubricate the compressor bearings.
It states in the manual that if this is not done damage to the compressor can result.
I know this for a fact because when I first got my Xterra approximately 30 days later the AC seized up and broke the belt.
Fortunately I had an extended warranty that replaced the compressor and all I paid was $180 for a new belt, a new idler pulley, and the deductible for the warranty.
I asked the servicer why would this happen less than a month after I got the vehicle and he said that most likely the prior owner of the vehicle did not periodically run the AC as recommended in the manual, and it may have never been inspected or the refrigerant changed periodically as recommended.
So what I do to make sure the AC compressor is exercised periodically I run the AC while the vehicle is idling after I first start it up. After doing this regularly it has now become a habit. This way the AC gets its exercise without my having to count minutes every month.
Another item that should be exercised periodically is the 4WD.
Although I have not had any problems with my Xterra's 4WD system yet, I always engage the 4WD for at least a couple of miles each time I go out somewhere. I live on a dirt road so this is not a problem.
The reason I do this is to prevent the pinion gear seal on the front differential from dry rotting.
I discovered that this problem is common with all 4WD vehicles that are not used periodically.
Matter of fact, my old RAM 2500 developed this problem.
I originally bought my RAM new back in 2006.
During the first two years I never used the 4WD system.
Then when I did use it the front differential started leaking from the pinion seal.
The mechanic told me that those seals will dry rot if the front axle is not operated periodically, which is what happened to mine.
It cost me almost $400 to get that seal replaced.
So when I got my Xterra I decided to make it a habit to exercise the 4WD for at least a couple of miles each time I take it out.
This way I won't have a rotted pinion seal like what happened to my truck.
Again, these are just suggestions to help keep a couple of expensive items on your Xterra operating correctly.
As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
In the manual it is recommended that your Air Conditioner be operated at least 10 minutes per month regardless of weather conditions.
This is to periodically circulate the refrigerant so that it can properly lubricate the compressor bearings.
It states in the manual that if this is not done damage to the compressor can result.
I know this for a fact because when I first got my Xterra approximately 30 days later the AC seized up and broke the belt.
Fortunately I had an extended warranty that replaced the compressor and all I paid was $180 for a new belt, a new idler pulley, and the deductible for the warranty.
I asked the servicer why would this happen less than a month after I got the vehicle and he said that most likely the prior owner of the vehicle did not periodically run the AC as recommended in the manual, and it may have never been inspected or the refrigerant changed periodically as recommended.
So what I do to make sure the AC compressor is exercised periodically I run the AC while the vehicle is idling after I first start it up. After doing this regularly it has now become a habit. This way the AC gets its exercise without my having to count minutes every month.
Another item that should be exercised periodically is the 4WD.
Although I have not had any problems with my Xterra's 4WD system yet, I always engage the 4WD for at least a couple of miles each time I go out somewhere. I live on a dirt road so this is not a problem.
The reason I do this is to prevent the pinion gear seal on the front differential from dry rotting.
I discovered that this problem is common with all 4WD vehicles that are not used periodically.
Matter of fact, my old RAM 2500 developed this problem.
I originally bought my RAM new back in 2006.
During the first two years I never used the 4WD system.
Then when I did use it the front differential started leaking from the pinion seal.
The mechanic told me that those seals will dry rot if the front axle is not operated periodically, which is what happened to mine.
It cost me almost $400 to get that seal replaced.
So when I got my Xterra I decided to make it a habit to exercise the 4WD for at least a couple of miles each time I take it out.
This way I won't have a rotted pinion seal like what happened to my truck.
Again, these are just suggestions to help keep a couple of expensive items on your Xterra operating correctly.
As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
