The nissan juke radio code

Recently I was asked to enter the radio code in a Nissan Juke. It was the 1.6 turbo one. This may seem like a simple task but I assure it's not. I'll get a picture of the radio sometime but it's got buttons 1 to 6 and a large button marked enter. How hard could this be. Let's say your pin is 9371.

Firstly no numbers above six. That's okay you'll soon figure out you press 1 to go to the first digit and the every time you press it from then on the first digit will be incremented.

So for 9371

Press 1 to go to the first digit. Then press 1, 9 times.
Press 2 to go to the second digit. Then press 2, 3 times.
Press 3 to go to the third digit. Then press 3, 7 times.
Press 4 to go to the fourth digit. Then press 4 once.

The radio code should now be displayed on the radio.

To enter this you don't press enter. You hold down 6 for a few seconds.

Really great idea Nissan. Maybe including this in the manual would help.....

Why?

Recently I got asked why I chose an s2000. This got me thinking. I don't really like this whole generation of new cars being produced today, they're all about being refined, they're pretty quick but they're not at all involving to drive. That's what I love about the s2000, it's a blast to drive and brings a smile to my face every time I drive it. I'm sure the front wheel drive hot hatches of today will give it a hard time but I don't care, the sound it makes and the feedback it gives is just intoxicating. Sadly cars like this are no longer made, well apart from the Toyota 86 / Subaru BRZ which seems to just be the s2000's slow cousin. At least it tries though, but will the influx of a new generation of even more boring hot hatches simply overwhelm the fun to drive aspect offered by cars like the s2000? It certainly seems so. I must be in a minority here but I don't like/want a fat over powered front wheel drive car that's boring to drive. Instead of chasing power numbers and making cars even heavier how about making them fun to drive? BWM used to make some good cars, now they're in the turbo game chasing numbers and making drivers fall sleep. What happened to cars like the E46 M3 CSL!? Do we need boring but fast cars like the 335i. Sales numbers seem to indicate that's what people want, well that and terrible to drive suv's but surely there are enough people out there to appreciate and buy a vehicle that's fun to drive - I guess time will tell but it's really not looking that great.

Convertibles

I've never really been a fan of convertibles, I never really got the point of being exposed to the elements whilst driving - sun burning away at your head, whilst you sweat away just to look cool. I've been riding bikes most of my life so it didn't really seem like a great idea in a car. My affordable dream car happened to be a convertible and after owning it for a while my views have changed drastically. Convertibles are so much nicer! The sound of the engine is far, far better and the assault on the senses when you're driving in anger is an experience on it's own. It just adds so much to the fun and enjoyment of the driving experience. I'm sure the extra weight and loss in rigidity will make a difference in a track car but for the other 98% of drivers I'd highly recommend trying one out for a while. Having a soft top does have it's drawbacks, and I don't know if this is just the s2000 or convertibles in general but the blind spot visibility over your shoulders is pretty bad with the top up so you need to be extra cautious. A lovely summers evening with the top down is pure bliss and it's awesome in winter as well, the heater blasting out hot air whilst the freshness rushes over you, is truly magnificent. 

Honda S2000 road test

There are many nice, refined, cars available to buy. The s2000 isn't one of those. I've wanted an s2000 for many years now, not because its the fastest/most powerful/best handling, it isn't. What it is, is raw, raw and simplistic. If you hate the thought of changing gear or revving a motor this isn't the car for you. If you like seat warmers, sat nav, electric everything you should, again, look elsewhere. If you think most of the cars around today are terribly overweight and have been longing for something different, something more raw, this may just be the car for you. At 1300kg it's relatively light, it has double wishbone suspension all round and a limited slip diff for those rear driven wheels. A 2.0 litre naturally aspirated engine sits far back in the engine bay, behind the front axle for great weight distribution.



The gearbox sits just behind it, directly below the sweet 6-speed gear lever. The seat isn't height adjustable and the steering column doesn't move at all, if you don't fit, well you don't fit. If you do fit however, you get a great driving position with some rather comfy seats, a perfectly placed steering wheel and a gear lever which falls perfectly to hand. You should by now have figured out this car was made for driving. When you're comfortably seated and ready to begin your journey you turn the key, the entire lcd dash lights up as if in test mode for a second or two before returning to normal readings. You then push the lightly glowing red start button and the engine fires to life.



It immediately has a rather high idle of 2000rpm when cold which quickly settles to around 1000rpm when warmer. The clutch is surprisingly light and the gearbox slightly notchy when cold. You can gently drive away shifting at or under 3000rpm just like any car until everything has warmed up nicely. Once warmed up apart from a lovely gearbox and great driving position you'll be wondering what makes this car so special. That is the perfect time to explore the upper ranges of the rev range. Whilst the car accelerates quite happily like any ordinary car to 6000rpm it's about that same rpm that the s2000 engine really comes alive. The engine tone changes into the most awesome sound as the revs rise from 6000 to 9000rpm. The reason for that close ratio sweet shifting gear lever become very clear as you change gear at the red-line and start the whole process again. It's something that can't be put into words, you need to experience it for yourself.



I will gladly admit that driving a car like this, in such a demanding fashion, doesn't appeal to everyone but those who do enjoy it will find this a very rewarding car. It is loud when in the vtec zone, even more so with top down which just adds to that wonderful experience. It's so mechanical in everything it does that it's truly brilliant. The grip levels are decently high on the 245/40-17 rears and 215/45-17 fronts and the handling on smooth roads is really great with very little body roll. Rough roads are quite harsh and best avoided or taken with a lot less enthusiasm. I've had my dream car for a few months now and I'm loving it more every day.