18th May 2001, 15:41
Yes, a 4x4 that switched to front wheel drive only would be an interesting concept! But we can't all be motor buffs so switch your Frontera to 4H before setting off in snow (if the older design). You can safely drive around town etc. up to about 50 mph., but only use it when absolutely necessary. Only engage 4L in very severe conditions as this makes the Frontera like a tractor! - and you MUST NOT exceed about 20 mph.
Don't forget in ice and snow that REVERSING is NOT in 4WD - so don't park nose first down a hill up against a wall or ditch etc.
Properly maintained the Frontera is really excellent.
30th Jun 2003, 05:19
To the person who said "reversing is not 4x4"; sorry, wrong, it is! I assume you have been misled by an incomplete description of how the locking hubs operate. If you start reversing in 4wd the hubs unlock and then re-lock in the opposite direction within half a revolution or so. They only unlock completely if you select 2wd and reverse (or go forwards, if the last direction travelled in 4wd was backwards).
29th Apr 2006, 15:21
The only 4x4 I know of that runs in front wheel 2wd mode is the subaru 284 pickup, which is also a capable and undervalued 4x4.
1st Oct 2007, 15:50
It sounds like a change in emissions causing prob. dealer will not detect this.don't worry about it only a simple fault.
21st Apr 2008, 16:07
Sounds like you need to replace heater plugs which is a simple fix,they are just under the injectors on the head.
21st Apr 2008, 17:14
I don't know the first thing about cars, but my car once ended up doing that and I found it was the alternator that had gone, so have a look at that.
Hello to everyone, im very much considering buying a frontera sport (2.8TD) anybody wanna write some serious praise for this car so I can feel ultra good when I get hold of one?
28th Aug 2008, 13:51
I have a 1998 Opel Frontera which will never be on the road again because of faulty clocks and shorting of the lights. I have to pay £1,000 to have it repaired. Hardly seems reasonable. It will now rust outside. Any suggestions?
22nd Oct 2008, 06:02
I have just got hold of an N reg 2.8tdi LWB Frontera. I live in Northern Ireland and bought it off eBay from a man living in Appleby in the Pennines area.
I drove the car home at speeds not exceeding 75mph, and was surprised at the fuel return of around 33/35 mpg's. He only ever used this motor for holidaying with the family, and it had done 4500 miles, 3000 miles, and 3500 miles between the last 3 MOTs. It has 120500 miles on the clock, of which I have done 1500.
I replaced the alternator and the battery, and still it takes time to start from cold. Once it's started, it will stop and start all day until it's left overnight. Is there any known faults with the fuel filter head, as it seems not to be getting fuel in the mornings?
Apart from this the jeep drives 100% and has no other problems. No smokiness, no rattles or bangs, and at 20ft away it can just about be heard ticking over.
The heater plugs are good. They were replaced in July 07 along with the injectors and injector pump being reconditioned, and the timing belt.
There is a full service history with it too, so I know it's been looked after. And all this for £650..... bargain.
25th Dec 2009, 14:20
I have had a Frontera 2.8TD for the last 5 years, serviced it twice per year. I have had a trouble free 5 years; very reliable 4x4 car.
30th Dec 2009, 17:00
I have a 1999 2200 cc petrol Frontera, and the problem I have is that the engine management light will light up for maybe a day or so then will go off. It may take a day or two, then it comes back on again for a few days, then it will go off again. The car seems to never react to this, any ideas?
6th Jan 2010, 16:52
I have a 1997 2.5TD LBW Frontera. When I bought it a few months ago, one of the rear passenger doors would not open, but I have been too busy to take a look at it. Problem now is I went to get something from the back seat of the car, and the other rear passenger door that was working would not stay shut. I slammed the door, which got it to stay shut, but now it is the same as the other one, and will not open...
It seems a connecting rod or something may have come off inside the door, but it looks like it may be difficult to get the door trim panels off whilst the door is shut. Any ideas?
11th Jan 2010, 08:53
My old Frontera has this rear door locking issue. I find that activating the central locking 2 or 3 times and then hold up the rear door button on the inside whilst operating the outside handle usually opens the door. Have never looked into fixing it. because the above usually works fine.
11th Jan 2010, 09:00
On my 1992 2.3 TD the rev counter and water temp gauges have just stopped working, and have noticed the battery warning light glows when the indicators are on. Is this due to the usual bad earthing problems or something more sinister?
14th Jan 2010, 16:40
Just brought a 2.2 16v estate, which I bought with the head gasket gone. Fixed this, but found the engine light on, and the gauges don't work unless you have the lights on.
Have driven the vehicle in the snow; it's been great, very comfy ride.
29th Apr 2010, 13:17
I have a 1995 2.4 petrol LWB Frontera. Have owned it for 6 years, done a lot of towing with it. I treat it as a work horse vehicle. I do have it serviced, have never broken down in it, and never had a problem. Owned a SWB 1992 model for 11 years and that was a damn good one as well.
Cheers, Rich from Devon.
I like the joker who thinks he's not in 4WD when he reverses.
23rd May 2010, 17:32
I have a 2.3 turbo diesel Frontera LWB 1995. It is slow on pulling away; has the turbo gone or do they have a booster valve that might need replacing?
Thanks.
26th Jul 2010, 14:27
Regarding the low power problem on the 2.3 Diesel.
Giving the intercooler radiator a dam good clean out and replacing any old and soft rubber hoses in the induction circuit usually gives the motor a bit more poke. Also screwing the injector pump down by 1/4 to 1/2 a turn works well. Just remember to knock it back for the MOT or it may fail on idle emissions.
1st May 2001, 06:19
Can't believe someone would buy a 4x4 and not realise than in 2wd form its driven by the rear wheels! Ever tried driving a VW Beetle or BMW in the snow? Same problem. Use the little switch on the dash to engage 4WD in these situations.