Hi Folks! First, want to say thanks for running such a cool, helpful site! Just found it and I've learned an awful lot in just a few days of just browsing...
Got My first Infiniti (98 Q45 black, stock, now 70K mi) a year ago and as mechanically (and now finacially!) challenged as I am, it's been all I can do to change the oil / check fluids and tire press. Glad (after reading a little) that I decided against unhooking the airbox to get to the oil filter! The car is in really great shape and as much as I liked it from the test drive (WAS shopping for a maxima or accord 6cyl- so much for that...) I am most suprised that I seem to like it a little more every day. What a sweet ride!
Got a few questions and ideas for the future and would appreciate any input anyone has.
1) What is a good wax? Heard nothing but good things about Zymol Japon but haven't found it locally yet. Been using Zymol cleaner wax and the paint is now ship-shape but don't think I ought to use that regularly due to the abrasives.2) The biggest beef I have with the car is the suspension: it's slightly soft and noisey for an otherwise very quiet car (rattle/chatter from top of strut towers/shocks whilst travelling over a slightly rippled surface). The replacement of choice here seems to be the Tokico Blue and those sound perfect but it doesn't look like they are made for my year. On top of that I have recently noticed intermittant, dark drops of fluid on the garage floor just inside both front tires. Shocks leaking? Suspect so as I've have started feeling a little vibration/floating in the wheel over medium bumps since.3)Will need new tires soon (stock rims in great shape and I kinda like 'em). The top of the line Michelins and one type of Firestone seem to be the consensus here. Did I get that right? Got the Kuhmo 215/r60/16's on there that came w/ it and they are wearing well in the 6K mi I've put on and while I want something bigger and stickier (who doesn't?), after reading the post on how hard Q's are on the tires available today, I wonder if it's worth the extra $ if they will get chewed up so fast. I tend to drive somewhat hard (what 33 yr old in this car wouldn't?) and good shocks & tires are the first main improvment I'd like to make but I'm balancing results vs. $ and it seems to be a close call. 4) Is there a hose attchmt. for the 'oil filter drain tube' I can get / make so I can change the oil w/out spilling a couple of ounces of oil on the alternator wires every 3500 mi.? Does anyone else use something like this?5)I want to get a service manual/s (only have the owners mans. that came w/ it) and E-bay sounds like the place. Are the ones there okay w/ everyone or are they flawed? I did read to try and stay away from the CD-Rom versions and I also like to have the book in my hand as I decide whether I should cut the red wire or the blue...
You guys are awesome and thanks again for the info I've already gotten! I'm no mechanic and this is the first car I've owned that would fail to make a shopping cart flinch so all your help in keeping my baby the way she was meant to be is a huge help! Now, I need to think of a name... Doug
New (to me) Q questions
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maxnix
- Posts: 22627
- Joined: Mon Jul 22, 2002 8:11 pm
- Car: 1995 Infiniti Q45
1995 Infiniti Q45t
2000 Infiniti Q45
For the service manual, try http://www.infinitipartsusa.com .
Tell them you are with NICO.
Great to have another 2nd generation Q on board.
Tell them you are with NICO.
Great to have another 2nd generation Q on board.
http://www.nissaninfiniticlub....20081http://www.nissaninfiniticlub....19802
Great threads recently on detailing. At 70k your struts should probably be replaced. Lots of info here on that too. You can do a remote oil filter...AZHitman knows more about that and info has been posted. Use the search in the upper right corner. Don't get the generic CD manuals as your only manual. Always go factory for the FSM. I think the factory ones are on CD too though, so make sure you know what you're getting before you buy. Welcome!
Great threads recently on detailing. At 70k your struts should probably be replaced. Lots of info here on that too. You can do a remote oil filter...AZHitman knows more about that and info has been posted. Use the search in the upper right corner. Don't get the generic CD manuals as your only manual. Always go factory for the FSM. I think the factory ones are on CD too though, so make sure you know what you're getting before you buy. Welcome!
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dougs98Q45
- Posts: 108
- Joined: Tue May 13, 2003 3:57 pm
- Car: Golf
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AZhitman
- Administrator
- Posts: 54540
- Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2002 2:04 am
- Car: 58 L210, 63 Bluebird RHD, 64 NL320, 65 SPL310, 66 411 RHD, 67 WRL411, 68 510 SR20, 75 280Z RB25, 77 620 SR20, 79 B310, 90 Z32, 91 GTi-R, 92 Silvia Qs, 98 S14, 23 Z.
- Location: Surprise, Arizona
- Contact:
1) Best, no question: Zaino. Order it from Zaino.com.2) Definitely time for struts, but the leak sounds more like tension rods - they are silicone filled. Order from Joe at Scottsdale.3) 245/50/16 is the size of choice around here if you have 16's - They'll totally transform your car. Amazing upgrade. Shop at tires.com or tirerack.com.4) Remote oil filter. It'll take some research, but TD Performance makes a nice kit (buy from SummitRacing.com), depending on what fits your car. Find out what filter you use, then cross-reference to a filter spec that they MAKE a kit for and go from there. It'll require some fabricating and finagling, but you sound like a resourceful guy.
Anyway, you've come to the right place. Congrats on your new baby, Welcome to NICO, and I'm sure some of our 97-01 Q owners will chime in here soon!!!
Anyway, you've come to the right place. Congrats on your new baby, Welcome to NICO, and I'm sure some of our 97-01 Q owners will chime in here soon!!!
Hmmm, at 35 years old, I drive my 98 Q45 hard as well (95k miles so far). I have experimented with both stock and non-stock tire profiles, and although I am into performance, I did not think the trade off in ride quality was worth it (besides the extra expense).
My first set of new tires came at something like 45k miles. I was craving more performance, so I went with a 245 50 VR16 or something like that. At nearly $800, they weren't cheap. The resulting ride quality was horrible, to say the least. There was a slight performance increase, but the deterioration in ride quality was not welcome.
At something like 75k miles, those had to go and I went back to the stock 215/60 R16 tires. I got them through Big O Tires at 40th Street and Greenway in Phoenix for about $450 and I have to admit, I'm very pleased. They have 90% of the performance of the lower profile tires, yet the Q45 can now tour in grand style as she was intended.
Also, I did have the front struts replaced under warranty at about 60k miles as they were doing exactly what you describe. They have been quiet since.
--don
My first set of new tires came at something like 45k miles. I was craving more performance, so I went with a 245 50 VR16 or something like that. At nearly $800, they weren't cheap. The resulting ride quality was horrible, to say the least. There was a slight performance increase, but the deterioration in ride quality was not welcome.
At something like 75k miles, those had to go and I went back to the stock 215/60 R16 tires. I got them through Big O Tires at 40th Street and Greenway in Phoenix for about $450 and I have to admit, I'm very pleased. They have 90% of the performance of the lower profile tires, yet the Q45 can now tour in grand style as she was intended.
Also, I did have the front struts replaced under warranty at about 60k miles as they were doing exactly what you describe. They have been quiet since.
--don
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dougs98Q45
- Posts: 108
- Joined: Tue May 13, 2003 3:57 pm
- Car: Golf
don85259 wrote:Hmmm, at 35 years old, I drive my 98 Q45 hard as well (95k miles so far). I have experimented with both stock and non-stock tire profiles, and although I am into performance, I did not think the trade off in ride quality was worth it (besides the extra expense).
My first set of new tires came at something like 45k miles. I was craving more performance, so I went with a 245 50 VR16 or something like that. At nearly $800, they weren't cheap. The resulting ride quality was horrible, to say the least. There was a slight performance increase, but the deterioration in ride quality was not welcome.
--don
What was the tire you tried in 245 size? I'm going to try 245/50R16 Continental ContiExtremeContact.
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dougs98Q45
- Posts: 108
- Joined: Tue May 13, 2003 3:57 pm
- Car: Golf
I forget now..
airman wrote:What was the tire you tried in 245 size? I'm going to try 245/50R16 Continental ContiExtremeContact.
Wait...*smell of bacon frying*...got them from Big O Tires...I think it was their "performance brand." *goes to their website*
Bingo! It was their Falken brand.
Link:
http://www.bigotires.com/TireD...bid=1
Falken Ziex ZE-502
The Falken Ziex ZE-502 is packed with the latest high performance tire technology. It combines responsive handling, outstanding all-weather traction with premium tread wear, all at a very economical price.
The Falken Ziex ZE-502 features a unidirectional tread pattern highlighted by two full circumference high mass center ribs. These help funnel water through the tread center ensuring continuous road contact. The twin transverse grooves intersect across each side of the tread providing excellent grip during acceleration, cornering and braking. The infinite pitch shoulder slots help maintain traction on snow and ice making this tire a dependable all-season performer.
--don
I know Zanio is touted as all the rage, but I'm a comitted zymol user.
Do you know of another company who makes custom waxes based on a car's original paint type?
Zymol has a special wax specifically for infiniti's painttype and clear coat and it works extremely well.
Several years ago I called the zymol offices about a problem I was having with my recently repainted M3. I just could not get the wax to apply evenly. After talking to a lady in customer service for a while she took down my name an number and said she'd have someone call. I honestly never expected to recieve a call back.
But within the hour, the PRESIDENT of the company called back, spent 30 minutes with me on the phone and sent over a special formulation for the new paint on the car. Needless to say, I'm a believer.
During the conversation he talked about how new paint cures, how to feed it properly and mentioned he see's this with some of the Ralph collection cars too. I later learned he's the guy who build the waxes for Ralph Lauren's concours collection.
So, if you want the best, these guys are the real deal. Zymol
Do you know of another company who makes custom waxes based on a car's original paint type?
Zymol has a special wax specifically for infiniti's painttype and clear coat and it works extremely well.
Several years ago I called the zymol offices about a problem I was having with my recently repainted M3. I just could not get the wax to apply evenly. After talking to a lady in customer service for a while she took down my name an number and said she'd have someone call. I honestly never expected to recieve a call back.
But within the hour, the PRESIDENT of the company called back, spent 30 minutes with me on the phone and sent over a special formulation for the new paint on the car. Needless to say, I'm a believer.
During the conversation he talked about how new paint cures, how to feed it properly and mentioned he see's this with some of the Ralph collection cars too. I later learned he's the guy who build the waxes for Ralph Lauren's concours collection.
So, if you want the best, these guys are the real deal. Zymol
I have used Zymol and I like it. However the best wax out there is Collinites's No. 885 Special Heavy Duty Fleetwax. It's for marine and aeronautical finishes.
It was given to me by a body shop manager at a local dealership here in CT. It was also recommended by a mechanic at a Toyota dealership.
It works better than anything I have used. It also protects better than anything that I have used.
It was given to me by a body shop manager at a local dealership here in CT. It was also recommended by a mechanic at a Toyota dealership.
It works better than anything I have used. It also protects better than anything that I have used.
I, too, am a strong believer in Zaino; I have tried literally dozens of similar products and have found nothing better. (Their website address is actually http://www.zainobros.com.)
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dougs98Q45
- Posts: 108
- Joined: Tue May 13, 2003 3:57 pm
- Car: Golf
Ordered a few of the Zainos and got them recently: this weekend or the next it will get done and I'll let you know....
Also, took the car into the local dealer fro warranty work on my noisey suspension: they replaced the tension rods (where the leak was coming form) and the bearings & insulators (boots) at the top of the front struts. Rep. said the struts were still good. I was a little doubtful considering HOW the car was driving but I must say he was right. Floating feeleng in wheel is gone (rods) as is chattering sound over rippled pavement (bearings). Rides good now! Also, the G35 loaner they gave me was a neat change!
Lastly, (w/ aid of a flashlight) foung the place where all the oil (couple ounces) was coming from when I pilled the filter during an oil change. Slipping the end of a flexible tube over it (down to the drain pan) prior to fliter removal did the trick! No mess and no need to relocate filter. I seem to be getting the knack of the peculiar arm-twist required to get to the filter....
Also, took the car into the local dealer fro warranty work on my noisey suspension: they replaced the tension rods (where the leak was coming form) and the bearings & insulators (boots) at the top of the front struts. Rep. said the struts were still good. I was a little doubtful considering HOW the car was driving but I must say he was right. Floating feeleng in wheel is gone (rods) as is chattering sound over rippled pavement (bearings). Rides good now! Also, the G35 loaner they gave me was a neat change!
Lastly, (w/ aid of a flashlight) foung the place where all the oil (couple ounces) was coming from when I pilled the filter during an oil change. Slipping the end of a flexible tube over it (down to the drain pan) prior to fliter removal did the trick! No mess and no need to relocate filter. I seem to be getting the knack of the peculiar arm-twist required to get to the filter....
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elwesso
- Posts: 30810
- Joined: Sun Feb 23, 2003 4:52 pm
- Car: 94 Infiniti Q45t 5 spd
2007 BMW M Coupe
2007 Infiniti G35 S 6MT - Location: Indiana
- Contact:
RE FSM-- If you have a good internet connection, goto http://www.infiniti-techinfo.com and do an overnight subscription...... You can download all the TSBs and FSMs you want!!!! Email me off board if you want some more info (i did this for all the 1st gen Q owners!)
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dougs98Q45
- Posts: 108
- Joined: Tue May 13, 2003 3:57 pm
- Car: Golf
Elwesso- saw the great thread on that a bit ago and when the time comes, that will be my first choice. Waiting 'cuz I'm thinking of getting a new hard drive for the 'puter (dang they're gettin cheap!) but if I have any ? I will email you then. Thanks! I figure, if I've already got the warranty might as well use it when needed!
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dougs98Q45
- Posts: 108
- Joined: Tue May 13, 2003 3:57 pm
- Car: Golf
ZAINO RESULTS
Just did the Dawn / claybar / Zaino treatment on the car 2 weeks ago, for the first time. Thought I'd share my impressions....
-Dawn stripped the old Zymol off beautifully.-The Meguiar's clay bar was a breeze to use (but my paint was in good condition prior).-The Zaino went on easy: comparing pros & cons against the Zymol cleaner wax: Pros- Looks a slight bit better that the Zymol right after completion. Put two coats on and the shine was a little easier to get uniform-don't have the crusty residue to clean off around all the edges-also made lenses and plastic trim look like new!-does seem to repel dust a little better-the Zaino website gives some really great advice for the uneducated (like myself!) on the types of towels to use and it does make a big difference!
Cons- while easy to apply, the wait required between some of the different stages makes the first time proccess a long one. Car was not driven and confined to garage for 5 days! (put on two coats) Not a biggie for me as I could drive the truck, but if it was my only vehicle I'd would have had to wash in between.-Lot of stuff to order for the first time. Think I spent $60 and didn't even get the swirl/scratch remover product for that.
That's about it. Bottom line- the car looks about as good when finished with either product, enough so that it won't sway me either direction. The teller wil be the durability. I am banking on a properly maintained Zaino finish to outlast the Zymol wax by quite a bit. If it doesn't I'll go back to Zymol. If it does, I'm a Zaino guy.
On a side note (and related to a previous thread on water spots) I had a serious water spot from one of the windshield misters that was briefly clogged (another minus for Zymol in the hands of a clutz). I ingored it long enough for it to get thru the wax (Doughhhh!) and after the Dawn strip, and with a water hose at hand, I attacked it. Clay bar - nothingVinegar- nothingCalcium/lime/hard water depost remover- nothingPolishing compound from auto store (hands shaking now...)-
Nothing! It is into my paint. The horizontals were repainted a year ago after an insurance claim due to damage from a gravel truck (windshield, grill, headlight lens, etc. It was bad!) The finish looked great, even better than before which is saying something. But the clearcoat/paint are obviously not of the same thickness or quality (never happened before) so the moral of this story is stick with the factory paint if you can. No big suprise but now I have a permanent blemish on an otherwise cherry car.
So, we'll see how the Zaino holds up.....
Just did the Dawn / claybar / Zaino treatment on the car 2 weeks ago, for the first time. Thought I'd share my impressions....
-Dawn stripped the old Zymol off beautifully.-The Meguiar's clay bar was a breeze to use (but my paint was in good condition prior).-The Zaino went on easy: comparing pros & cons against the Zymol cleaner wax: Pros- Looks a slight bit better that the Zymol right after completion. Put two coats on and the shine was a little easier to get uniform-don't have the crusty residue to clean off around all the edges-also made lenses and plastic trim look like new!-does seem to repel dust a little better-the Zaino website gives some really great advice for the uneducated (like myself!) on the types of towels to use and it does make a big difference!
Cons- while easy to apply, the wait required between some of the different stages makes the first time proccess a long one. Car was not driven and confined to garage for 5 days! (put on two coats) Not a biggie for me as I could drive the truck, but if it was my only vehicle I'd would have had to wash in between.-Lot of stuff to order for the first time. Think I spent $60 and didn't even get the swirl/scratch remover product for that.
That's about it. Bottom line- the car looks about as good when finished with either product, enough so that it won't sway me either direction. The teller wil be the durability. I am banking on a properly maintained Zaino finish to outlast the Zymol wax by quite a bit. If it doesn't I'll go back to Zymol. If it does, I'm a Zaino guy.
On a side note (and related to a previous thread on water spots) I had a serious water spot from one of the windshield misters that was briefly clogged (another minus for Zymol in the hands of a clutz). I ingored it long enough for it to get thru the wax (Doughhhh!) and after the Dawn strip, and with a water hose at hand, I attacked it. Clay bar - nothingVinegar- nothingCalcium/lime/hard water depost remover- nothingPolishing compound from auto store (hands shaking now...)-
Nothing! It is into my paint. The horizontals were repainted a year ago after an insurance claim due to damage from a gravel truck (windshield, grill, headlight lens, etc. It was bad!) The finish looked great, even better than before which is saying something. But the clearcoat/paint are obviously not of the same thickness or quality (never happened before) so the moral of this story is stick with the factory paint if you can. No big suprise but now I have a permanent blemish on an otherwise cherry car.
So, we'll see how the Zaino holds up.....