New 07 M35x owner..need some feedback!

[docgary]

Picked up my 07 M35x August have about 10k mileage on it.

1. Can I use 87 Octane? (did 1-2 tankfuls-no change in performance.)

2. front end tends to get a little squirelly...difficult to keep tracked

when i "knee-drive" ... Is it me or the car?

3. Where is the location of the microphones for the cell phone on while on bluetooth?

4. I had the same problem not being able to hook up my treo 650...One day i tried again...and it worked been great ever since!

TIA DOCGARY


Modified by docgary at 9:43 AM 12/28/2006

[CRG]

I have the same three questions.

Re: the front end drift - I had the dealer align all four wheels and rotate the tires. Didn't make much of a difference. Is it the Goodyear RSA tires? Are there any modifications to the alignment specs that might help?

[docgary]

after reading some posts, I think the sensitive front end is a result of the Goodyear tires. I find that unless Im completely attentive, the car drifts - also, the slightest input from the steering wheel results in significant movement. I have been stopped by police 2 times for weaving/dangerous driving!! (got off with a warning both times!) Knee driving is impossible!

When trying to upload a picture, I do not see the upload button!I have been registered in although I havent received any confirmation via e-mail.

Any help?

[szh]

Picked up my 07 M35x August have about 10k mileage on it.

1. Can I use 87 Octane? (did 1-2 tankfuls-no change in performance.)

The manual for the M35 says the following:

VQ35DE engine

Use unleaded regular gasoline with an octane rating of at least 87 AKI (Anti-Knock Index) number (Research octane number 91).

For improved vehicle performance, INFINITI recommends the use of unleadedpremium gasoline with an octane rating of at least 91 AKI number (Research octane number 96).

CAUTION- Using a fuel other than that specified could adversely affect the emission control system, and may also affect warranty coverage.- Under no circumstances should a leaded gasoline be used, because this willdamage the three-way catalyst.- Do not use E-85 fuel in your vehicle. Your vehicle is not designed to run on E-85 fuel. Using E-85 fuel can damage the fuel system components and is not covered by the INFINITI vehicle limited warranty.

So, I'd say that 87 for the M35 is okay to use.

Note, of course, that the M45 requires 91 octane and less is not okay - the engine knocking and pinging will be mostly silent, because the ECU will try to compensate for it to some degree, but the engine damage (for long-term reliability) is still occurring. One of those "penny-wise, pound-foolish" situations, as our Brit friends would say!

2. front end tends to get a little squirelly...difficult to keep tracked ... when i "knee-drive" ... Is it me or the car?

Hmmm. Dangerous thing to do, I suppose, but, it sounds to me like your tires may be contributing to this, or your front-end needs alignment. Have you hit any potholes per chance?

3. Where is the location of the microphones for the cell phone on while on bluetooth?

The Service Manual shows two microphones ... I am not sure yet which one is used for the telephone. One is in the headliner - can't tell exactly from the Service manual, but it appears to be behind the sunglass storage location.

The second microphone shown (marked as used for "AudioPilot") is below the center of the steering wheel - behind the steering column lower cover. This is probably what is used for the voice-recognition and Nav systems.

4. I had the same problem not being able to hook up my treo 650...One day i tried again...and it worked been great ever since!

Good!

Z

[spamcop]

after reading some posts, I think the sensitive front end is a result of the Goodyear tires.

I have Goodyear RSAs on my Lexus 400h. In the Lexus forums, it is reported that these tires are prone to issues that make your alignment a possible culprit. I have already had to realign my Lexus at 15K and replace the tires (gratis from Lexus, but they are more GYs).

The alternative tire is Michelins. The Lexus forum members report NO issues with them. FWIW, the new '07 models are shipping with Michelins. I'll be replacing the GYs with Michelins soon. As for the M, I'll insist on "other than Goodyear" when I take delivery next month.

[MFC]

Hi;

I am having a very similar problem with my December 07 M35x - tracking/steering straight; went to dealer today - they said it's performing "as designed' but then I took out a M45 with performance tires and it was a joy; I think it may be the tires are undersized for the car. Do you have the 18s?

Matthew

[tkeskic]

The Good years are also a little narrow for the RIM, and thats likly the biuggest contributor to the pulling when driving/stopping; MANY people I have meet have commented on how streached the Good year looks on this rim.

tk

[MFC]

That's what I am finding as I search the web and find more and more people posting about the "drift" and steering issue. I'm trying to compile these so I can present them to the dealer this week and "discuss" the new tires he's going to put on for me (:>).

Since this is the first month of a two year lease, there's no way I'm going to drive this car like this for many months to come.

What really frosts me is how he KNEW about this issue; he cut me off as I was explaining the issue to him saying "they get that complaint a lot" - so they clearly know there's something going on - so WHY didn't they counsel me to buy the better tires up front? It's not like I was counting pennies buying a $15,000 car! Just wait until I find my salesman, too.....

Now I'm searching for posts that indicate people who have changed their tires to better 18-inch models (I don't want to have to change the rims) and resolved the problem.

Thanks for your help!

[tkeskic]

If it a lease, take the good years off, put on what you want. You have to return the car with some tire life, performance tires will likly not last you two years. so you could get the benifits of buying a set you like, drive them, then stick the crappy tire (good year RSA) back on when you return the lease...

I'm getting some new tires (Dunlop M3) installed on Jan 2, so I will be able to confirm if the tires are the complete problem.

However, I have had this in all my cars, but rims have been wide 8 inch plus. I'll let you know either way on Wednesday after a day of driving on them. We have road ruts here like you wouldnt belive so I can test this out real fast. I expect some pull to be left, but less than what we are seeing now.

tk