Want my 02 Q with 92K miles to last

[clarksonindallas]

Love my 02 Q45 and want it to last. 93K miles. Needs new starter(intermittent dead clicks getting more frequent). Also the steering is a little loose.

What is a good maintainence list at this mileage level if I want it to last? Some thoughts:

1. Replace starter
2. New struts and bushings(replace rubber).
3. Transmission flush.
4. Oil Change

Timing chain change?

Any suggestions on a local independant mechanic in Dallas for my Q? My dealership is beginning to not recognize what a Q is anymore.

[ericthered]

I don't know about the '02 Qs so much, but on any car I'd make sure I changed the brake fluid. I usually fully flush out each circuit when I replace the pads.

Nice to see a new owner that cares

Welcome to Nico!

[Q451990]

to NICO!

I think your list is a good one. Pretty much any fluid should be replaced. The super schedule would be full exchanges anually for coolant, transmission fluid, differential gear oil, and brake fluid. Frequent oil changes... I go between 4000 and 4500 miles on a full synthetic. I'd go at a lower mileage for conventional oil, and try to keep your change intervals to no longer than 6 months.

The timing chain on your car should be maintence free for the life of the car. The 90-93 Q45s had a problem with the timing chain guides - and you'll see that mentioned around here frequently - but to my knowledge anything 1994 and newer should be pretty much bulletproof in the timing department.

Most of the failures we see on your series of Q involve electronic issues. A few blown instrument cluster backlighting flourescent tubes, dead center display screens, blown headlight ballasts etc.

A good number of the '02's had oil consumption issues that were resolved with engine swaps under the warranty. If you don't have a copy of your dealer-performed service records, you should be able to get it by going to your dealership and having them look it up by VIN. The records are maintained in a central database - so work at any dealership will show up.

If your car hasn't had the updated gas pedal and transmission control upgrade - you might look in to that. The improvment to off-the-line acceleration is said to be substantial.

Good luck!

Heath

[Towncivilian]

Don't forget about the power steering fluid. A siphon & fill of the reservoir with a turkey baster and some synthetic ATF (Mobil 1 ATF works well) a few times with some driving in between will freshen the fluid up, quiet the power steering pump during cold weather, and prolong the life of the power steering pump. Then do a siphon & fill every other engine oil change or so. Just make sure you don't put the turkey baster back in the kitchen.

It seems the cooling fan has its own hydraulic fluid as well (see MA-18). You can do the same procedure as the PSF using synthetic ATF as well.

[BadQ45t]

Do not replace the starter unless it is giving you problems, they last a long time. The rest of the suggestions are good, monitor your oil consumption and make sure flush and replace all fluids...that is your best insurance.

[clarksonindallas]

Thanks for all the responses and good advice.

Starter problem is intermittent. Sometimes it takes 4 or 5 turns to get it to catch. If it stayed this way, I'd live with it, but I didn't want to be stranded if this is a sign the starter is going downhill and it fails later

Figured I'd get the belts, plugs, and rubber replaced when i got the starter done. Other than that, keep the fluids fresh and it sounds like it will last.

[BadQ45t]

I would have a good mechanic check it out to make sure your not replacing parts that do not need to be replaced.....that is so basic any good after-market Nissan guy should be able to ensure that fixes the problem.

Parts like that are expensive, make sure you get OEM, everythinginfiniti can help via mail order, they are Scottsdale Infiniti so you know you will be getting genuine parts.

[seldomseen]

Stick to the manufactures recommended services as close as possible and don't be cheap and avoid getting the standard mechanical parts replaced when needed. Brakes, struts, hoses, muffler etc.