Hey folks, I just picked up my new G35 6MT sedan last week and I was looking through the maintenance schedule. It seems that there are three different maintenance schedules, each suited to different driving styles. However, the manual doesn't exactly differentiate between the three. I was wondering if any of the more intensive maintenance schedules is worth the money. I've never really gone for the "I've hit 20,000 miles, now I need to pay the dealer $500 to look at every piece of my car" I mean, most quick lube places where I live will check all belts, hoses, filters, and fluids as part of a routine $25 oil change. What else do I really need checked?

My normal commute is highway for five miles then stop and go city driving for 8 more miles. I will usually go 25 or 50 miles of mixed driving on the weekends as well. Occassionally I will be sent on 100 - 200 mile trips for work a few times per year. I live in New Hampshire and the winters can be pretty harsh.

Given that information, should I plan on spending the extra $$ on a more intensive maintenance schedule?

 

This is a very low maintenance car and I agree that $500 15k and 30k services are gimmicks. Given that your G is brand new, I recommend you go the dealer for your oil changes as this offers you the best way to take advantage of any service campaigns or warranty issues. Oil change services are very competitive (~$30) and it is perfectly OK to ask your service advisor for just the oil change. For the larger services (30k), I recommend going to a Nissan dealer where that service is usually around $300.

 

I really don't know where these figures come from, but in my Motor Trend when they long term tested the 06 G35, they claimed the 15K mile service cost them $209. Are dealers charging the regular consumer a different price than they would charge places like Motor Trend, for services? I have no problem paying $200 for the 15 / 30K service but $500!!!! c'mon.

 

I just pulled the $500 figure out of the air. That's what I guessed it cost. I know my wife got her 60K service on her Acura MDX for the low low price of $480 at VIP Auto Parts store. I assumed that the dealership would only be more.

But still, even at $200 - $300, I'm reluctant. If you look down the list of what gets done, almost everything says "check" or "inspect". It just seems like a scam to charge an additional $100 - $200 for a routine oil change and tire rotation. Like I said, the guy at the quick lube place will change my oil and filters, then check my tires, belts, hoses, and fluids. The wonderful service goes for about $30. Why would I pay more than that?

 

Whether it's the $19 LubeJoint or the Stealer, the only way to make sure you aren't getting stiffed is to do it yourself whenever possible. I have had an experience (not Infiniti) where the dealer did a bunch of work only to leave the transmission plug loose (and tranny work wasn't even part of the reason I went there that time), causing me to spill all the fluid at the mall parking lot the next day. The car brand? The (not-so) great Mercedes-Benz.

With that thought, could someone post links or how-tos on some of the non-elementary stuff, like brake/tranny fluid, coolant, fan tension, etc?

 

I get my oil changed at my local shop (ex Lexus tech). For the 15K I changed the cabin filter and air filter myself. I would take my car for oil changes at the dealer, but last time it took them 2 hours to do it (as opposed to 15min at the local shop) I only plan to do the 30K maintanence at the dealer. IIRC the transmission or differential fluid has to use Infiniti oil or some BS like that.

 

You don't need to spend $500 or what ever the dealer charges for their 15K or 30K services (or any other service for that matter). Alot of what they do is just fluff to justify their high prices. I mean think about it, alot of what they check is covered under the warranty and you should never have to pay to inspect a warranteed part. You should follow the schedule in your owners manual which means basically oil changes, filters, etc. You can also probably get your tires rotated at a local tire shop for about $20.

 

Do you understand why Nissan called this an INFINITI and not just another Nissan? Well it's their premium brand!!!!!! do I need to explain further?