67,500 mi service questions

[FoxApe]

Just got a letter from the dealership for my 67,500 mi service. Service includes oil/filter change...inspect brakes.....exhaust system.....propeller shaft...steering gear & linkage...axle & suspension parts...drive shaft boots... steering linkiage & ball joints...front suspension ball joints.

Maybe this is normal procedure but its the first service letter "I" have recieved that is this involved. Since the car isn't under warranty, I do all the routine maintenance myself on time and the car operates like it did when i bought it .

Wondering how much this would cost and if its necessary to take it in.

[Double E]

It appears to be a bunch of "inspections" and an oil change. Though I trust the service they provide to alert me of any issues, I also know what "issues" look like and change my own oil.

I bet you do too!

[mahmudb]

Well I'm coming up on the 60k mile service and it has all those inspections plus change diff oil, change spark plugs, belts, etc. They quoted me $1k which seems kind of steep to me so I'm going to look and see if I can get it done for cheaper.

[Double E]

If you have a little skill, do the plugs yourself. If you need some skills to do it, they can be found on several DIY sites or call me after I do mine this weekend.

The other stuff: Have the dealer do the diff fluid, transmission fluid and pick/choose the rest. The rest is mostly "inspections" as opposed to replacements.

For example, do the oil change yourself (hella easy) and look the belts over well for any wear issues.

A grand is steep, yes, but you have to think about what you have and don't have too. If you have time & some skill, but less money, you do it.

If you have more money than time and skill, they do it.

They will also clean it up, give you a loaner for the day and you have the satisfaction that it was probably done right. What's it worth to you?

[maxnix]

The other stuff: Have the dealer do the diff fluid, transmission fluid and pick/choose the rest.

Most dealers just drain the ATF then refill. No filter screen nor pan inspection let alone filter replacement. So you end up with 4 qt.s of new ATF circulationg with 6+ qts. of old, contminated ATF. Read the discussions here (and in the Q45 Forum and IOM) about mechanical ATF exchange vs. drain and refill and decide.

One thing to be said for a trained Infiniti technician inspecting the car while it is on the rack for an oil change (with your oil and filter) is they see several every week and know where to look a little harder. While it can be done on your back with the car on jack stands, it helps if you have losts of time to roll around and you live in an earthquake free zone and have the tires well blocked.

[Double E]

^+1 Good info.

[szh]

While it can be done on your back with the car on jack stands, it helps if you have losts of time to roll around and you live in an earthquake free zone and have the tires well blocked.

I strongly recommend ramps instead of jack stands (or maybe in addition to!). It is simply too unsafe to be under the car with just jack stands, although people do it all the time ! Even if you are not in earthquake country!

Z