New Chevy NV200 from Calgary...

minor update...

- Took me a couple of different models of cheapo hubcaps but found a set that fits. The wheels look much better now.

- I couldn't find a backup alarm bulb combo. So I bought a backup alarm module. Very easy to install right beside the driver's side tailight in the door jam.

Weighed the van:
1900 kg/4180 lbs with most of my gear, me in it and 1/4 tank of fuel.
The van's GVWR on the door jam is 2155kg/4741 lbs.

Cut some spare dummy keys for spares to open the doors in case of locked out, dead van battery or whatever...
I tried the dummy keys in the ignition to test the RFID keys.
The engine won't even crank.

Gotta replace the lame horn. Will likely find a used one for a couple of bucks.

Not sure anyone is reading this but....

Went to the Nissan dealer. They were excellent and answered all my questions about the van.

The block heater cord is well hidden by the factory.
It was coiled up and cable tied under a sheet metal bracket.
Passenger side of the engine compartment, in front and left of the alternator.
The block heater heating element is screwed into a block core plug near the water pump, between the alternator and the engine block.

I cut the cable ties, uncoiled the cord and ran it thru the opening in the upper grill.
Added a few cable ties to keep it secure.

The Nissan dealer does have the JK Tires summer tires in stock if needed.
They also sell the Nexen winter tires in load range C.
The dealer stated that's what customers are using in Canada for winter.


Slowly getting the loose ends cleared up.

Still need to upgrade the completely lame horn.
Also need to improve the cargo bay lighting, perhaps some cheap LED strips or something similar.

Picked up a replacement cheapo horn. Just a universal replacement.

Took a few minutes to replace the stock horn. There is a convenient access hole in the rad support plastic cover.
Removed the wire spade connectors, unbolted the old horn, bolted in the new horn. Done!

Now I have a real horn and I can hear it when I lock the van with the remote. The lame factory horn is in the trash.



Still researching tire options....

It's starting to look like 185/60R15C rated at 1472lbs is not the right way to go. Very limited options and too small.

195/60R15 is a 1/2" taller in diameter and 1/2" wider.
They are available in XL load rating (1390lbs) in the excellent but pricey Nokian All-weather tires.
I ran Nokian all-weather tires on the previous work vehicle. These tires are essentially winter tire tread pattern but hard
rubber compound.

1390lbs may be adequate load rating comparare to the stock tires load range C load rating of 1472lbs.

http://www.nokiantires.com/tire-selector/winter-tires/results/195/60/15/

Nokian offers summer tire options also in 1390lb ratiing:
http://www.nokiantires.com/tire-selector/summer-tires/results/195/60/15/

Just documenting my tire findings:

Stock tires are 185/60R15C rated at 1472lbs
Stock wheels are 15x5.5".

185/60R15 -- 23.7" diameter -- 1472lbs -- JK Tire

185/65R15 -- 24.5" -- 1390lbs -- Nokian -- 3.4% diameter difference
195/65R15 -- 25.0" -- 1520lbs -- Nokian -- 5.5% diff

195/60R15 -- 24.2" -- 1390lbs -- Nokian -- 2.1% diff
205/60R15 -- 24.7" -- 1520lbs -- Nokian -- 4.2% diff


The 205/60R15's look good. 4% greater in diameter than stock.
This means that at 100km/hr (62MPH) on the speedo you will actually be going 104km/hr (64.5mph). Not too bad.
Plus the 4% reduction in overall drive-train ratio which is not good.

The 205's may be a bit too wide for the narrow 5.5" wheels. The sidewalls may budge on these wheels.


Just my thoughts...

So I found my old Scangauge but the cable has an issue, had to order a new cable for it.


I have about 1500km's (1000miles) on the van now.
My driving is nearly 100% city, with the van always full of tools and parts, about 1100 lbs payload.

Going by the in-dash MPG indicator, which is not reliable but since the company pays for the fuel I'm not going to hand calculate the fuel mileage.

Avg 11.4L/100 km which works out to:

20.6 MPG US, 24.8 MPG Imperial.

Well that's pretty bad, about the same as the much nicer Dodge Caravans we had. Plus since the NV200 fuel tank is so small, I'm filling up every 2nd day which is driving me nuts.

I suspect the fuel economy is so poor because the van is so underpowered.
It really has to stuggle to get up to speed and maintain speed.
It's really working on the freeway...

ChevyNV200 said:

Just documenting my tire findings:

Stock tires are 185/60R15C rated at 1472lbs
Stock wheels are 15x5.5".

185/60R15 -- 23.7" diameter -- 1472lbs -- JK Tire

185/65R15 -- 24.5" -- 1390lbs -- Nokian -- 3.4% diameter difference
195/65R15 -- 25.0" -- 1520lbs -- Nokian -- 5.5% diff

195/60R15 -- 24.2" -- 1390lbs -- Nokian -- 2.1% diff
205/60R15 -- 24.7" -- 1520lbs -- Nokian -- 4.2% diff


The 205/60R15's look good. 4% greater in diameter than stock.
This means that at 100km/hr (62MPH) on the speedo you will actually be going 104km/hr (64.5mph). Not too bad.
Plus the 4% reduction in overall drive-train ratio which is not good.

The 205's may be a bit too wide for the narrow 5.5" wheels. The sidewalls may budge on these wheels.


Just my thoughts...

Click to expand...

I had to replace the factory tires after about 30,000km. I was certainly not going to get the same tires.

Option 1:
CONTINENTAL, 185/60R15C, 94/92T, TL, VancoContact

Price for 4 installed: close to 900$. 2 months lead time.

Option 2: Nokian eNTYRE 195/60R15XL.


Went that direction. In stock, less expensive, now the speedo is dead on, and I can live with the slightly reduced load.

Phil

Well I had the Scangauge connected and sitting on the dash for a couple of weeks.

According to the SG, the engine runs cool even in hot weather, fully loaded and AC on. about 190-195F.
Unfortunately the SG does not support trans temp on the van.
So no need to keep the SG in the van.


On a negative note, I ran over some lumber at high speed on the freeway. Destroyed the driver's side front wheel, TPMS sensor and damaged front lower control arm.
Surprisingly the van still tracks staight and no vibration even though the steering wheel is now off-center and the alignment is definitely off.

I went the GM dealership, they don't even have a replacement steel wheel available in Canada let alone any suspension parts.
2-3 week wait from the US.
Then went to the Nissan dealership. All parts in-stock.
Ordered all the parts and booked the van for 2 weeks from now when I'm on vacation.

The van stays on the road for minor stuff as long as it's safe and not on fire...

Well I got the van back after a few days at the Nissan dealership.
About Cdn$2000 worth of repairs to the front and rear suspension.
Sounds much worse since the dealership overcharged the fleet company.
Drivers side front lower control arm, hub sway bar link, lower rad support, ABS wiring and sensor.
Drivers side rear ABS wiring and sensor.

Plus a full 4 wheel alignment with the van fully loaded with all the work gear in it.
My van is fully loaded near the GVWR at all times..


Back on the road with the under-powered, poor fuel economy van....

Well about 9000 km's (5500 miles) on the van now.


Fuel economy is still terrible although it was a hot summer in Calgary with full time AC use.
The AC does work excellent in this van.
Still around 11.4L/100 km (20.6 MPG US, 24.8 MPG Imperial).

The original crap JK Ameri-cargo tires were rotated at 5000 km's but are showing significant wear.
I require winter tires this fall and will be replacing them anyway.


The "free" GM 2 year oil/filter changes that came with the van are not so free when you have to book an appointment at the GM dealer and leave the van there for the day.

This van has to be on the road for work so I went to the local Mr. Lube (drive in, drive out oil/filter change). Cdn$70, done in less than 30 minutes.
We'll see if the fleet company calls me up to see why they had to pay for the oil change!