I'd like to ask for advice on servicing my 1994 Q (standard suspension with TCS) that has 81,000 miles. Recent experience (I've had the car 13 months/10,000 miles) has shown me that Q's can be expensive to maintain; however, since the car is so much fun to drive (and since it's paid for) I don't mind paying to service it (I'm not much of a DIY'er when it comes to cars). I intend to keep the car at least 70,000 to 80,000 more miles.
In short, when it comes to service, I'd like to focus on extending longevity while also keeping performance up. I don't see myself getting into aftermarket high-performance parts, but I do appreciate smooth, quick acceleration, good highway performance from the engine, and responsive, stable handling.
I'll soon be making a service appointment with T3. Below are some service suggestions I've read from previous posts, which all sound like good ideas to me:--transmission flush with a pan drop and a screen/filter change--put new GL-5 into the rear diff (prefer MOBIL1 GL-5)--flush coolant system (not just rad drain but cooling system flush to include black)--flush braking system--exchange power-steering system use MOBIL1 syn ATF (yes ATF)
I would greatly appreciate any other suggestions you might have. I have service records from 22,000 miles onward, and although problems have been corrected over the years (at the end of this post, I've listed major services and where they were done), I don't think the car has gotten the kind of routine maintenance it needs (aside from regular oil changes and things like that).
Here are some things I've noticed that seem to need attention (in order of urgency); once again, I'd appreciate any feedback on these points.--I feel foolish about this, but in the fall, I put about 400-500 pounds worth of potting soil and fertilizer bags in my trunk and made three trips from the hardware store (about 2 miles) to my house--without increasing the air pressure in the rear tires. Ouch. Should I ask T3 to closely inspect the rear axle? --I think I hear a buzzing from the rear deck, which I know from reading this forum could be the fuel pump.--At speeds of 70 mph and up, the steering is not very stable. In fact, at those speeds it often feels like I'm "going off the rails," and that I have to almost struggle with the steering to stay between the lines. At the least, I suppose I need to have the wheels balanced and aligned. Does anyone know if T3 in Smyrna offers that service (I found out that the Decatur T3 doesn't when I went there for brakes and suspension work last fall).--What should I ask for in terms of a "fuel induction service"? Acceleration is okay, but in both low- and high-speed acceleration (I try not to push too hard), it seems sometimes that the engine strains a bit. (Incidentally, here's the recent gas mileage [using Chevron premium]: about 18 mpg for the most recent 600 miles, after adding BG44K to a full tank; 15.9 mpg for the previous 600 miles.) --This would be in the future, but is it possible for me to upgrade the suspension by, for example, getting a thinner front sway bar and a rear anti-sway bar (none in the base). I've read here that these are two of the major elements of the 94 Q Touring suspension.
Goodness, I'm sorry this post is so long. Thanks again to all of you participants and for any advice you can offer.Glenn Peake
SERVICE HISTORY HIGHLIGHTS:78,000 miles (Troncalli Infiniti):--rotate and balance tires
73, 500 miles (T3, Decatur):--replaced front and rear rotors and front and rear brake pads--replaced both tension rods and both upper links--replaced right side rack boot--added BG 44K injector cleaner
67,400 miles (Troncalli):--replaced leaking water pump
57,000 miles (Troncalli):--replaced all drive belts--replaced leaking power steering hose
43,800 miles (Troncalli):-replaced front brake pads and machined rotors--transmission flush
43,000 miles (Troncalli):--replaced rear brake pads, machined rear rotors
TIRE INFORMATION:right rear tire: Toyo P215/65R15 Proxes TPT 95H (put on at 79,900 mi.)remaining tires: Toyo P215/65R15 Proxes H4 (put on at 73,500 mi.)
