30K miles (maintenance question)

[uncbeers]

First off, sorry! I know this has been discussed a few times but it is slightly different at least!

I'm at about 28k miles and wanted to get all the fluids changed on my G35X soon. It's only a 2005 so I'm in a race with time now on the warranty. Because I will be leaving the country in July, I thought I would use April to get the 30k fluids done. My reasoning being:

1. I want to have it done while still under warranty2. I want to get it done with time to drive it until July and make sure all is well before I park it until December

Does my logic seem sound? Also, can someone just confirm what all I should ask them to change on the X at ~30k? I am actually going to go to a Nissan dealer because I hate the closest Infiniti dealer (oh, how I wish Steve or Poyzin were closer!) and I hear Nissan's labor prices are always a bit cheaper.

Now flame away for the re-post...

[joe603]

If you don't have an AUTO, there really isn't much to do at 30k. All Infiniti's have a 6-year or 70k powertrain warranty, so the expensive stuff is still covered.

Here is some warranty info for ya:

http://www.infinitiusa.com/ownership/warranty.html

[uncbeers]

I have to admit...I did not even think about the fact that the trans, etc... are covered longer. Thanks for knocking some common sense into me with that.

However, I do have an auto being a G35X. So I assume that still leaves some fluids to change around 30K?

[telcoman]

I have to admit...I did not even think about the fact that the trans, etc... are covered longer. Thanks for knocking some common sense into me with that.

However, I do have an auto being a G35X. So I assume that still leaves some fluids to change around 30K?

I'm sure I'll get flamed but INMHO you only need to change your oil.Transmission and differential fluid do not go bad at 30k miles. When your vehicle is old enough to replace belts & hoses that is the time to replace engine coolent.

You can DIY oil change & filter for less than $20.00. Do the air filter $10-$15.00 and a cabin filter approx $30 at the dealer parts and cheaper in an auto supply store.

Just my $.02

Put the savings in your 401k

Telcoman

[joe603]

If you want...I would do a transmission flush. It really depends on how you drive.

[smockers83]

Check to see what the warranty says about fluid change intervals. You don't necessarily have to do it at 30,000 miles, just that some people do. I have a feeling I will be doing so at 30,000 miles, I have about 6000 more to go.

[tollboothwilley]

The FSM tells you to "check" the transmission fluid at 30K.

I just do a drain/fill on the transmission every 25-30K to keep the fluid good. That way you don't NEED a complete flush ever. It will keep the fluid good for the duration that you own your car.

[uncbeers]

The oil, air filter and cabin filter are already taken care of regularly. I was more concerned about the big items as I hit 30K.

And Telco, do you realize my 401K is sending me I OWE YOU notices right now (if I'm lucky)?! Thank god (or maybe not) retirement is a long ways off...

Thanks for the input all!

[pfarmer]

The oil, air filter and cabin filter are already taken care of regularly. I was more concerned about the big items as I hit 30K.

And Telco, do you realize my 401K is sending me I OWE YOU notices right now (if I'm lucky)?! Thank god (or maybe not) retirement is a long ways off...

Thanks for the input all!

I think on average you will find that a 401K is a money pit. That said it is a way to save money that most just can't do by themselves. Mine is down close $100k over the last year, or rather would be if I didn't remove it upon retirement and placed into a 72T account which has lost money every month since last August with the exception of one. Think of it like a legal pyramid game, in order for someone to win, someone has to loose.

Perry

[pfarmer]

Does my logic seem sound? Also, can someone just confirm what all I should ask them to change on the X at ~30k? I am actually going to go to a Nissan dealer because I hate the closest Infiniti dealer (oh, how I wish Steve or Poyzin were closer!) and I hear Nissan's labor prices are always a bit cheaper.

Now flame away for the re-post...

As far as Nissan prices compared to Infiniti's I had an estimate for and oil change using the new Nissan Ester oil. At Infiniti the quote was $199. At Nissan the quote was $99. Guess where I am going for that one.

Perry

[uncbeers]

My 401K is still a baby so the losses are minimal for that very reason. Now that I'm headed back to school and penny pinching again, I am noticing just how nice of a donation I have been making to Wall Street...

Thanks for the Nissan price comparison. I was planning on calling around here soon to see what I'd be looking at and that is good info to know.

[Poyzinous]

Perry I'm worried if your dealer wants to charge $200 for an ester oil change. They must be adding other things to it without telling you. At my dealer its $110. Plus ester oil can be up to a 5000 mile interval, not just 3750 miles. The way some of the guys here at nico drive I don't blame them for doing it every 3k, since I drive with a heavy foot, and I change my oil every 2000 to 2500 miles (for $0.00) yay but for UNCBEERS, since I have certain luxuries, I change my transmission and diff fluids, and transfer case fluid, every 30k or so, but since you and many here have to pay for their stuff, you can wait to 50 or 60 or 70k. If you drive hard, or very frequently, there is no harm in doing your diff and transfer case flushes early, if anything, its good to do so. You can wait till next year to do a transmission flush. I'm pretty sure you can get both diffs and your transfer case done pretty cheap with quality fluid.

[kmckis1029]

just had my 30k service last month... i was worried about the same thing... i just asked them to check them all... they ended up only changing my brake fluid, a transmission flush, and of course on oil change. didnt need differential, coolant, or transfer case fluid. if they are an honest dealer they will only recommend you to change what is needed only.

here is my thread on my recent 30k servicehttp://forums.g35club.org/zerothread/410652

[uncbeers]

"Honest dealer" is key...I hate mine and question their integrity already. I do have another option though further south so I think I will try them.

Thanks Poyzin! I may wait it out. I'm parking it in July and only get to drive it for two weeks between July 2009 and July 2010. With my duh moment I think waiting until July 2010 will not be so bad and keep me within the Powertrain warranty.

[pfarmer]

Perry I'm worried if your dealer wants to charge $200 for an ester oil change. They must be adding other things to it without telling you. At my dealer its $110. Plus ester oil can be up to a 5000 mile interval, not just 3750 miles.

When I purchase the car I was told the first two oil changes were free. Turned out the first was but they wanted to charge for the second and then honor a coupon on the book for one down the road somewhere. I told them no I was told the first two.

Now the interesting thing is the second oil change if following the recommended service would have cost in excess of $200 with the additional service checks. When I held them to their word I got the oil change free and the other service checks were marked as completed as well.

The way the Nissan dealer quoted it was very simple. Their normal change was $60 so the $99 quote was the basically the difference in the cost of the oil.

To me it seems surprising that there is that large of a swing in cost of doing something relatively simple such as an oil change between Nissan and Infiniti.

I have also heard that this applies to many other services as well, and not just locally.

Perry

[uncbeers]

To me it seems surprising that there is that large of a swing in cost of doing something relatively simple such as an oil change between Nissan and Infiniti.

I have also heard that this applies to many other services as well, and not just locally.

Perry

I have heard that on here as well. I don't want to take anything away from our Infiniti techs on here but it does seem we pay for having it done at Infiniti vs Nissan. I guess it goes right along with that whole American need for visual evidence in our luxury purchases. If we didn't all care at least a little about the badge wouldn't we be fine labeling our cars as Fords?!

[pfarmer]

I have heard that on here as well. I don't want to take anything away from our Infiniti techs on here but it does seem we pay for having it done at Infiniti vs Nissan. I guess it goes right along with that whole American need for visual evidence in our luxury purchases. If we didn't all care at least a little about the badge wouldn't we be fine labeling our cars as Fords?!

As far as having all your fluids changed now or waiting consider the fluids we are speaking of. For example for oil it depends on how clean the oil is now (particle wise) and what the chemistry of the oil is (ph).

Prior to mothballing a vehicle or any piece of machine there are a couple of schools of though. If possible and in this case impractical you could drain and flush everything and then protect it from air, moisture, and the effects the elements place on the machine. That can't happen for most people. So the next best thing is lay it up wet. Since this is what you will be doing then you want to do so with the best chemistry possible, clean fluids internally.

Personally I would see if there was just someone who could start it up once a week or so and drive it to church and back. This would help keep all of the seals functioning, dry out the moisture, cycle the battery, etc.

Perry

[Poyzinous]

Personally I would see if there was just someone who could start it up once a week or so and drive it to church and back. This would help keep all of the seals functioning, dry out the moisture, cycle the battery, etc.

I concur....Have a friend start it up and drive it around the block or something so that it doesn't spend more than a week without moving. A car is made to be driven. now everyone take my poll!!! please

[infinitidude]

unless you have a vvel engine,the ester oil will be a waste of money,

[pfarmer]

unless you have a vvel engine,the ester oil will be a waste of money,

How so? If it extends the number of miles between oil changes it sounds like for that reason alone it would be close to break even assuming the cost of oil changes quoted from Nissan. If it is truly better oil then it seems like that may well apply to other vehicles as well, just maybe not as much of a necessity.

Perry