Has anyone changed the fuel filter on an 03/04 M45?

[2K3_M45]

Hi, I'm a new owner of a 2003 M45 and I was just wondering if the fuel filter is really "maintence free" as the manual states. My car has about 45,000 miles on it and I'm getting ready to start changing out fluids and other maintence items but I'm really surprised that the manual says there is no need to change the fuel filter. I was wondering if anyone has gone ahead and changed it anyways and what was the condition of the filter and at how many miles.

Thanks.

[auditech10]

I will be doing mine very shortly as well as the fuel sending unit/level sensor. I dont believe in "maintenance free" as it really doesnt exist. It is a marketing technique that makes you think all you need to do is put gas and go and you will have no problems. Well thats not for me and shouldnt be for anybody else that cares for their cars.Cheers

[szh]

I will be doing mine very shortly as well as the fuel sending unit/level sensor. I dont believe in "maintenance free" as it really doesnt exist. It is a marketing technique that makes you think all you need to do is put gas and go and you will have no problems. Well thats not for me and shouldnt be for anybody else that cares for their cars.Cheers

Agreed! Although I don't know if the sending unit needs replacement that early ...

I plan to change my fuel filter at the 60k mark - I will be at four years by that time. That is long enough by far!

Z

[auditech10]

Yeah I am just at 50K and plan to do the filter within the next 1000 miles or so. The reason for the sending unit is because I think its the reason for my gauge being inop. Its fairly cheap and pretty easy to do.cheers

[ClutchKick]

Interested in me posting the factory service manual up for this?

[auditech10]

Not for me, but I bet somebody could use it eventually.

[szh]

I will get it done ... time is a bit tricky for me just now though.

Z

[FLEETVDO]

The fuel filter in in the tank and is part of the fuel sending unit. Infiniti doesn't recommend changing it.

[szh]

The fuel filter in in the tank and is part of the fuel sending unit. Infiniti doesn't recommend changing it.

Umm .... yeah ... but Infiniti has not recommended many other things (omission rather than an particular act) that are important to do as we have learned over the years.

For example, on the 1990-96 Infiniti Q45, the front upper links needed replacing every 25k miles - there was no mention of this in the Owner's Manual. Or that, if you do not flush the transmission methodically every 25 to 30k miles, your transmission life was not much more than 100 to 125k miles (just past warranty expiration), etc.

It is best to do certain things and make sure that the car runs well. For me, the fuel filter is one of these. There is no way that you can avoid getting junk in the gas (that the filter removes in normal operation), so it seems quite natural that the filter would need eventually replacement.

Now, when I do mine at 60k miles or so, if we do find a pristine fuel filter inside the car, I will eat my words!

But, I seriously doubt that I am wrong!

Z