Good morning.
I'm asking this on behalf of my uncle. How do you know if the car needs new brakes? Is it true that the M35 brake pads don't have wear indicators (the squealing noise when brakes are low?) - so that means we have to trust the dealer? Is there an easy way for one to visually inspect?
Where would you go to replace the brakes? Would going to a Nissan dealer be ok instead of an Infiniti dealer (due to location)?
Thanks for any input you can provide.
John
2008 M35 brakes
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yomoms16
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Re: 2008 M35 brakes
they do have wear indicators... but when ur car starts to squeal is usually when its really really in need of brakes ... a quick.visual inspection will give you an idea of how much brake pad life is left...... as far as letting the dealership do it...I won't personally.... Find any good mechanic shop... brakes are a straight forward job on the M ...dealerships just gonna charge an arm n a leg for that.... just my 2©
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Larz
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Re: 2008 M35 brakes
Welcome to Nico, John.
I share the same concerns and I don't happen to know how to measure the pads myself, nor would I know what I'm looking for even if I did scoot under to do a visual exam. Also, I'm completely against using shops like Jiffy Lube, Pep Boys, etc where they do an oil change and a free inspection.
Here is the solution that works for me. I use my Infiniti dealer for oil changes and bring my own oil. They charge me about $20 for the oil change, including new filter (from the dealer) installed, and an inspection - including a measurement of the tire wear and brake pads among other things. They may suggest extra things to be done, but you don't have to do it and at least you get an idea of how much life is left on the brakes.
You can never be 100% sure that mechanics aren't 'twisting the truth' to get more money out of you regardless of where you take your car.
Unless you have a regular mechanic shop that you can trust, your options are limited. I only let the dealer do things that are best done only at the dealer. Otherwise I let my reg mechanic (10 years with him) do it at his shop, or I do it myself.
I share the same concerns and I don't happen to know how to measure the pads myself, nor would I know what I'm looking for even if I did scoot under to do a visual exam. Also, I'm completely against using shops like Jiffy Lube, Pep Boys, etc where they do an oil change and a free inspection.
Here is the solution that works for me. I use my Infiniti dealer for oil changes and bring my own oil. They charge me about $20 for the oil change, including new filter (from the dealer) installed, and an inspection - including a measurement of the tire wear and brake pads among other things. They may suggest extra things to be done, but you don't have to do it and at least you get an idea of how much life is left on the brakes.
You can never be 100% sure that mechanics aren't 'twisting the truth' to get more money out of you regardless of where you take your car.
Unless you have a regular mechanic shop that you can trust, your options are limited. I only let the dealer do things that are best done only at the dealer. Otherwise I let my reg mechanic (10 years with him) do it at his shop, or I do it myself.
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pedsemdoc
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Re: 2008 M35 brakes
John,
if you or a close friend is mechanically inclined, you would be shocked to see how easy it is to change your brake pads and rotors and even more shocked by what the stealership will charge you.
I had never done a brake job before, but got a friend to show me what to do...man, it was way too easy and I didn't even have air tools!
Nowadays, YouTube and the DIY section in forums like these can get you trained and ready in a short period of time to do something like this-experienced folk will let you know if this something you should try on your own vs taking it to a qualified mechanic.
You might surprise yourself if you decide to tackle this job. Heck, you might take on changing your alternator/power steering belts too.
The perfect example of how a little bit of knowledge can save you lots of dough is changing the in cabin air filter--10-15 min job, about $15 for the filter. Stealership typically charges $50-75.
Craig
if you or a close friend is mechanically inclined, you would be shocked to see how easy it is to change your brake pads and rotors and even more shocked by what the stealership will charge you.
I had never done a brake job before, but got a friend to show me what to do...man, it was way too easy and I didn't even have air tools!
Nowadays, YouTube and the DIY section in forums like these can get you trained and ready in a short period of time to do something like this-experienced folk will let you know if this something you should try on your own vs taking it to a qualified mechanic.
You might surprise yourself if you decide to tackle this job. Heck, you might take on changing your alternator/power steering belts too.
The perfect example of how a little bit of knowledge can save you lots of dough is changing the in cabin air filter--10-15 min job, about $15 for the filter. Stealership typically charges $50-75.
Craig