My 2003 M45 oil consumption is getting better (going down, that is) :)

[szh]

Hi, all.

I may be celebrating a bit prematurely (will see later), but it looks like my oil use in my 2003 M45 is actually getting better ... I am at about 28.5k total miles.

I was seeing about 1 qt every 3750 miles (basically added 1/2 qt in the middle of the change cycle) till about now. This last check at the mid-way mark between oil change cycles is so good that I am not going to add any oil!

My guesstimate is that I used less than 1/8 qt - the level went from just above the halfway mark (between low and high) to just below the halfway mark. Using consistent measurements (same level ground inside my garage, same overnight sitting before measuring, etc.)

I am even more convinced that my frequent oil changes in the early miles, plus the aggressive driving during the break-in period, worked its charm!

Cool!

Z

[SIDVICIOUS]

WITH 22K ON MY M45 I CAN NEVER SEEM TO KEEP THE OIL LEVEL ABOVE HALF WAY. JUST HAD THE OIL CHANGED AT THE DEALER 1,500 MILES AGO AND NOW ABOUT 1/3RD UP BETWEEN HIGH AND LOW.....

[elwesso]

Sounds good Z! Long live the VK45

(but not as long as the VH45 )

[TxGuy67]

I'm at 28K miles and the dealer just ordered a short block to the tune of $7500.00 + labor and whatever else. Guess I'm "bypassing" the 30K service. Im in a brand new G35 but I sure do miss my M.

[szh]

I'm at 28K miles and the dealer just ordered a short block to the tune of $7500.00 + labor and whatever else. Guess I'm "bypassing" the 30K service. Im in a brand new G35 but I sure do miss my M.

I am glad that this is being done for you properly - better be under warranty at 28k miles, of course!

I forget what oil consumption rates you were seeing ... can you remind me (I am getting old )?

Z

[BJB]

My '03 burned alot of oil as well. I had no idea that this was an issue with these cars until the oil light started coming on during braking. When I mentioned it to the dealer they acted like it was no big deal. It wasn't until I specifically asked if excessive oil consumption was a problem for these vehicles that they told me there was an issue.

I hope my '06 doesn't have the same problem.

Where is the oil going? and why in the world is a low mileage, luxury performance vehicle burning any oil at all?

Has Inifiniti officially addressed this issue?

[KaizenX]

Please somebody tell me this is really normal. I'm at about 5100 miles. Yes I missed my oil change but that is a totally different story. I have put in two quarts already and still down about two more quarts.

This can not be normal. If it is normal then a little man needs to come to my house and then put the necessary oil in my car and go home without me ever knowing about it.

You do not pay close to 50,000 dollars for a vehicle and it burns oil like that.

Maybe I have an extreme case but I'm really nervous. Since buying my car back in December of 04 I have brought my car to the dealership about 10 times to fix numerous issues. Most of them are still not addressed. So I do not feel to good getting my oil burning issue resolved.

[szh]

Please somebody tell me this is really normal. I'm at about 5100 miles. Yes I missed my oil change but that is a totally different story. I have put in two quarts already and still down about two more quarts.

This can not be normal. If it is normal then a little man needs to come to my house and then put the necessary oil in my car and go home without me ever knowing about it.

You do not pay close to 50,000 dollars for a vehicle and it burns oil like that.

Maybe I have an extreme case but I'm really nervous. Since buying my car back in December of 04 I have brought my car to the dealership about 10 times to fix numerous issues. Most of them are still not addressed. So I do not feel to good getting my oil burning issue resolved.

I am assuming that you have the older 2003/2004 M45. In those models, a good engine break-in process is essential to ensure proper oil use in the future. (In the new 2006 M45, the engine may have been tweaked slightly, I believe, so I am not sure what is normal for it.)

For these looser, more powerful engines, using a quart or two of oil every 3750 miles is considered normal. If you get to a quart every 1000 miles or less, then push Infiniti to replace the engine for you. They have done it for some others.

With good early engine oil care, you can achieve what I get: about half quart used every 3750 miles. Not perfect, but a heck of a lot better than the average!

Finally, you must avoid missing the regular oil changes if you have any desire to get long use from these engines. I own my 2003 M45 (no lease) and plan to keep it for years. Because I love the unique look (instant recognition) of the car! Of course, if you are planning to return the car after a lease, then you are probably doing exactly what most leasors do: let it be the next owner's problem.

So, it receives a lot of early attention to fluids ... I have a thread on this - do a search for a thread called "overkill" and you will see what I do to all the cars I buy! Makes them last for years without problems.

Z

[TxGuy67]

It was using 1-2 quarts every 1K miles. They started the oil consumption test last year but said it was normal. Not until did I "write a letter" to the local service manager did they start paying attention. I covered two other issues: alignment being off and the head light covers being clouded. So now it's ALL being taken care of. Now they say it's an internal problem thus the short block replacement instead of the long block. To think I "was" going to buy this beauty/beast at the end of my lease. There are NO other cars like this.

[TxGuy67]

Please somebody tell me this is really normal. I'm at about 5100 miles. Yes I missed my oil change but that is a totally different story. I have put in two quarts already and still down about two more quarts.

This can not be normal. If it is normal then a little man needs to come to my house and then put the necessary oil in my car and go home without me ever knowing about it.

You do not pay close to 50,000 dollars for a vehicle and it burns oil like that.

Maybe I have an extreme case but I'm really nervous. Since buying my car back in December of 04 I have brought my car to the dealership about 10 times to fix numerous issues. Most of them are still not addressed. So I do not feel to good getting my oil burning issue resolved.

What type of issues are you having? My 03 has about 3 that keep coming back. 1)Headlight plastic covers clouded 2)alignment "loosens up" veers to the right. 3)uneven tire wear at all 4 corners. And of course the oil consumption.

[KaizenX]

Yesterday I was a bit freaked so I was one sided in my post. I love my 2004 M45. It is like not other. A car you keep and no other care on the road is like.

I broke the engine engine in pretty good I thought. My fiance drives it as well I I instructed her on my procedures. My other car is a 2005 SRT-4. But up until the first oil chane I was driving the M45 any time of the day.

Brake in method used:- let engine warm up prior to any heavy exceleration- never stayed at one constant speed. Always fluctuated 10 to 20 mph- put vehicle under heavy acceleration to open her up. Never really hitting redline.- problem is the vehicle about a hundred miles before purchase. not sure of break in then.

SIDE NOTE ISSUES:- from showroom floor tire warning light on. Was instructed to bring back next week. One way home light went off. Brought back next week and they said we had wrong pressure. This was checked when purchased. Drove home next day. Light back on. Take back in and they find a nail. Ok. Nail was in from begining. They wanted to plug it and I had to fight for new tire. - Drive a few days and notice now no reading on tire pressure monitoring system at all. Take back in the tire monitoring system reset.- From show room several deep scratches in interior. Panels to be replaced. First time they rubbed something all over the dash and side panels and had dirty film all over car. Nothing fixed.- took back two or three more times and finally had all panels replaced.- driver seat has been squeaking from begining and still to this day has not been resolved. They adjusted bla bla.- headlight covers. - parking brake squeak.- smoke out of exhaust running very rich I think you would say.- headlights out of adjustem now adjustment does not work on one headlight.- steering wheel defect.- dash creak- smell in ventilation- car lunges forward when hitting exhaust- CD/radio presets come on to different setting itermittently.

That is about it. There is more but Im a bit tired.

Still Love this car and just want to enjoy it.

Thanks for listening. PEACE

[TxGuy67]

- took back two or three more times and finally had all panels replaced.- driver seat has been squeaking from begining and still to this day has not been resolved. They adjusted bla bla.- headlight covers. - smoke out of exhaust running very rich I think you would say.-smell in ventilationKaizenX - I feel your pain!I just noticed my 03 running rich as well as the above problems you have.

[MattB]

It was using 1-2 quarts every 1K miles. They started the oil consumption test last year but said it was normal. Not until did I "write a letter" to the local service manager did they start paying attention. I covered two other issues: alignment being off and the head light covers being clouded. So now it's ALL being taken care of. Now they say it's an internal problem thus the short block replacement instead of the long block. To think I "was" going to buy this beauty/beast at the end of my lease. There are NO other cars like this.

Probably a dumb question but what is the difference between short and long block?

[TxGuy67]

I asked the service writer the same question. "The short block excludes the heads, valves, etc." Didn't really explain much. Day 16 and I'm still waiting.JJR

[SIDVICIOUS]

ditto for me.....WITH 22K ON MY M45 I CAN NEVER SEEM TO KEEP THE OIL LEVEL ABOVE HALF WAY. JUST HAD THE OIL CHANGED AT THE DEALER 1,500 MILES AGO AND NOW ABOUT 1/3RD UP BETWEEN HIGH AND LOW.....

[TxGuy67]

Well after 37 grueling days my M is back! It's running great although seems to have a "miss" now and then. The dealer asked that I drive it for 1000 miles and take it in for a valve adjustment. I sneaked a peak at the dealer paperwork and from what I could see the tally was over 15K grand. Zero out of my pocket. So now it has a new engine, flywheel, crank sensor, O2 sensor, and all new fluids (incl transmission). Guess the 30K mile svc is taken care of... The G35 I had was great but man what a difference!

[szh]

Well after 37 grueling days my M is back! It's running great although seems to have a "miss" now and then. The dealer asked that I drive it for 1000 miles and take it in for a valve adjustment. I sneaked a peak at the dealer paperwork and from what I could see the tally was over 15K grand. Zero out of my pocket. So now it has a new engine, flywheel, crank sensor, O2 sensor, and all new fluids (incl transmission). Guess the 30K mile svc is taken care of... The G35 I had was great but man what a difference!

Awesome!

Now, break that engine in properly!

Z