Newbie...

[RocketCityJ30]

Hi everyone,

I recently put my much loved J30t to bed and have acquired an 04 M45. It has 43,000 miles on it with an extended warranty and is in great condition. I was worried about the "stiff" steering vs. the J30, but it's growing on me.

I have two questions: 1) any major gotchas to look for, 2) is there any way to add blue tooth or the back up sensors that are on later models? The manual talks about phone capability, but so far I can't get an affirmative on the ability to add it.

Thanks, Lisa

[szh]

Welcome to NICO!

I recently put my much loved J30t to bed and have acquired an 04 M45. It has 43,000 miles on it with an extended warranty and is in great condition. I was worried about the "stiff" steering vs. the J30, but it's growing on me.

I have two questions: 1) any major gotchas to look for, 2) is there any way to add blue tooth or the back up sensors that are on later models? The manual talks about phone capability, but so far I can't get an affirmative on the ability to add it.

The things to do and watch out for:

1. Keep an eye on the oil consumption. A few (reportedly near 10%) of the VK45 engines tend to like using a quart of oil every few thousand miles ... if it gets bad enough (like 1 qt per thousand miles), Infiniti will replace the engine for you. On my car, I tend to use about 1/3 to 1/2 qt every 3750 miles or so. Not as good as my old Q45's (no oil use at all) and probably not as good as you were used to on the J30.

2. If you had not already bought an Extended Warranty (to 100k miles), I would have strongly recommended it. All modern luxury cars have expensive electronics in them (NAV, for example) and if these die, the cost to repair/replace is typically hefty.

3. Please make it a point of using Premium gas ... anything less causes performance problems with the 4.5 liter engines.

4. If you get knocking in the engine, this is usually (not always) due to carbon buildup. At the first sign of it, rev the engine high for a few minutes (in neutral, of course) and see if that cures it. If not, then using BG-44K once (no more than twice in 3000 miles!) to clean the injectors, and help remove carbon buildup, is necessary. If two treatments of BG-44K do not work their magic, then a powered rail flush at the dealer becomes necessary.

5. Please do an oil and oil filter change every 3750 miles or less. You do not have to use synthetic ... a good dino oil (like Castrol GTX 5W-30 or Chevron Supreme 5W-30) is fine. Personally, I use Mobil 1 Synthetic 0W-40 every 3750 miles, but using synthetic is not a requirement. Keeping the Oil Change Interval ("OCI") low (no more than 3750 miles) is important though.

6. Tires ... make sure that you have a 95 (or higher) load index rating and an H (or higher) speed rating. Keep it at about 36 psi or so (all round) and check the pressure regularly (once every other week, cold pressure, in the garage, first thing in the morning, before the sun warms up the tire, etc.)!

Other than that, do not baby the car! Enjoy it - it is fun to drive it hard.

Adding bluetooth or other options to a car that did not come with that package (I think it was called the Technology package) is probably not easy. Please contact Joe Tsensky at http://www.everythinginfiniti.com and see what he has to say about it ...

Z

[RocketCityJ30]

Thank you for the tips!! I will put them in my husband's to do pile!

[CakeDaddy]

Hi everyone,

I recently put my much loved J30t to bed and have acquired an 04 M45. It has 43,000 miles on it with an extended warranty and is in great condition. I was worried about the "stiff" steering vs. the J30, but it's growing on me.

I have two questions: 1) any major gotchas to look for, 2) is there any way to add blue tooth or the back up sensors that are on later models? The manual talks about phone capability, but so far I can't get an affirmative on the ability to add it.

Thanks, Lisa

I think the only "gotchas" in my opinion may be the lack of U-turn radius, complicated climate/audio control configuration at times & the fog lights are stricly for decoration, but other than that............

..and as for the maintenance(sp) on this car, remember this - Pay for the Best and Cry Once or go Cheap and Cry Forever.