Fluids. (Inre 2003 Infiniti M45)

[m-tastic]

Alright, there are a few that I know will come to my aid.

All shade tree mechanics and Infinity techs:I have not had time to source a proper "Manual" for this car. What are the proper, and what are acceptable fluids (Oil, ATF, Brake, Coolant), and what are the proper capacities and weights.

I have only run synthetics (usually Mobil or Redline depending on the vehicle) for the past 15 years.

I have been watching the oil consumption and it seems to be ok, but figure when it is time to change ........

[szh]

Alright, there are a few that I know will come to my aid.

All shade tree mechanics and Infinity techs:I have not had time to source a proper "Manual" for this car. What are the proper, and what are acceptable fluids (Oil, ATF, Brake, Coolant), and what are the proper capacities and weights.

I have only run synthetics (usually Mobil or Redline depending on the vehicle) for the past 15 years.

I have been watching the oil consumption and it seems to be ok, but figure when it is time to change ........

NOTE: All of the capacity and basic Infiniti information is in the stickies in this forum, if you do not want to look at the Owners Manual in the back.

BTW, you do not need to get the Service Manual for the basic stuff that most people can do themselves. This is all in the Owner's Manual ...

TRANSMISSION

Using the correct ATF is essential!

Nissan and Infiniti will void your warranty on the transmission if you do not use Fluid J. This is mentioned all over the manuals (Owner's and Service) in bold lettering. This is a bit more expensive than other ATF, but best to do it ... I'd rather not have to fight a legal battle over this item if you ever do have any transmission problem!

My advice for transmission longevity is to do a transmission flush - double preferred - every 25k to 30k miles. That will extend the life well past the warranty period.

The amount you need depends on whether you do a simple drain and fill, or a full flush. So, the answer varies between 6 to 10 quarts of ATF. Best to just have the dealer do a cycled (through the gears) transmission flush on their equipment.

ENGINE OIL

You can use whatever you are comfortable with, as long as you are careful and religious about the interval and changing the oil filter each time you change the oil. My oil and filter change interval is 3750 miles ...

I use and like Mobil 1 Synthetic 0W-40. If you prefer a dino oil, then use Castrol GTX 5W-30 or Chevron Supreme 5W-30. I have no experience with AMSoil or Redline or the other synthetics.

Again, as long as you change the oil and filter frequently enough, almost any brand oil will do just fine!

BRAKE FLUID

Any good DOT 3 fluid will work just fine. Change it every 2 years - 3 years maximum - for the best results.

DIFFERENTIAL GEAR OIL

I like Mobil 1 Synthetic 75W-90, although their 75W-140 ought to be just fine too. Needs two quart bottles (actually it is less than 2 quarts ... just drain, close, and fill till it pours out the fill hole).

OTHERS

"Power steering" fluid is just ATF essentially, check its level regularly, but I am not sure what a good change interval is or should be. I plan to change it at 60k miles.

The unusual one is the "Cooling Fan" fluid ... yes, I kid you not! This should be changed early (like around 10k miles) at least once, although I do not know what a good regular interval is for the future. I plan to change it at 60k miles.

Z

[m-tastic]

Thank you very much for the transmission warning!

Off to the stickies I go.

Thank you again.

[Q45tech]

Changing fluids just prolongs the day that you have to pay to replace the hard parts the fluid lubricates.

Almost everything hard individually cost > $2,000 to replace.

Add the ABS to the differential to the transmission to the radiator to the PS pump and rack you get > $10,000 plus of course the engine.

Fluids are cheap!

Don't forget the oil in AC compressor if you car what happens after 100,000 miles.

[szh]

Dennis, thanks for the reminder about the A/C compressor oil! I forgot about that.

Can you also comment on my change intervals (not the engine oil, of course!) that I mention in the post above? Some of them are my seat-of-the-pants intuition and guesswork, since neither the Owner's Manual nor the Service Manuals recommend any particular intervals for items other than engine oil.

Z