First post this year...so Happy New Year!

I have 04 with 80k miles on it (I feel like it should be way less than that since my round trip to work is less than 10miles, but i love driving the damn car). Anyway, so I have been hearing some weird noises in the back end of the car on turns, especially if i go over a bump. I remember a similar sound from my first car Dodge Stratus and I was told it was the Control Arm or something. Well, I figured she needs a major tune-up and I was wondering how much is this going to cost me? Also, I should mention that I haven't done the last two Maintenance check...I was convinced that it wasn't necessary as long as I have done my regulation oil changes, which I've always done every 3k. Any suggestions and input would be appreciated.

go get the car checked out for the noise in the rear. Get you spark plugs changed. If you havent done ANY maintanence besides an oil change, go get the tranny drained and filled, get the coolant flushed, get the rear diff drained and filled. Get the brake fluid changed/flushed.

I have 62k on my 05 and havent changed the coolant or the brake fluid, but that's about it. I've done the tranny drain and fill 3 times and the rear diff drain and fill twice.
-GP-

How much does it usually cost to get a tranny flush at a dealer?

How is she dying??She is just a little pissed you dont treat her right lol And she making some noise to let you know

LOL...You might be right. When I was going from my Dodge Stratus to a Maxima, I said that I will treat her right and not drive so aggressively. Although I washed and cleaned her EVERY week, I definitely pushed her to the limits. Then I went Luxury with the G and swear that she will be treated like a Princess. But the G is too much fun to drive (fast) and crashed her within a Month. $11k later, she was almost as good as new. I don't think she ever fully recovered after that damn repair shop put their hands on her. Anyway, thank you all for you suggestions. I will be looking into the price of all these...Economy is kinder tough right now!

don't forget to check and or replace the drive belts.

should be replaced even if they look good at your mileage.


air filter too.

Tranny flush isnt recommended on our cars, atleast not first Gen's. Just drain and fill it, you'll get about 1/3 of the full capacity out of the tranny pan on a drain and fill. So do it once, wait a week or two, then drain and fill it again and you'll be good to go.
-GP-

So it's the repair shop's fault?

At 80K you're looking at:
-Tranny fluid change (flush will not harm it tho)
-Coolant flush and change
-Air Filter change
-Belt change
-Consider new plugs and make sure they check for oil pooling or oil on the threads of the plug (has been an issue on some cars)
- have them look closely at rotors
- cabin filter change
- clean out throttle body and plenum (if desired for the plenum)
- differential fluid change
- brake fluid-- only if it looks dirty. Mine looks new at >60K
- Consider moving to synthetic oil (German Castrol, Amsoil, etc.)
- there may be more others can add to. Good luck.

Total cost at dealer >$650 usually: at good local repair shop who knows what they're doing, <$500.

Materials and time, at a dealer it's about $75-150 just for the fluid change, depending on where you live (NY versus Van Horn TX). At a non-dealer, <75.

Keep in mind, especially aggressive drivers, that driving conditions that increase the normal operating temperature of the fluid accelerate oxidation. This includes things like aggressive driving or high speed driving during unusually hot weather, etc. Most ATF can handle normal operating temperatures of 175 to 190 degrees F. But as the operating temperature goes up, the life of the fluid drops. For every 20 degree increase in fluid temperature beyond the normal range, the life of the fluid is cut roughly in half! That's why many vehicle manufacturers recommend changing the ATF at 15,000 miles if a vehicle is subjected to "severe use" instead of the usual 30,000 mile interval for normal use.

The noise you hear is most likely something relatively painless to resolve, like end links. Probably a $200 job (if I remember to check an old invoice I'll update the price).

When you state that you haven't done the last two maintenance checks, at what mileage was the last routine scheduled maintenance, beyond an oil change, performed on your car? Based on your statement I assumed you haven't done it since and including the 60k, is that correct? If so, then I'd see to the maintenace on Braintree's list ASAP, if you care about the longevity of your ride. You're 20k beyond when everything on that list needed to be done.

dealer charges about $200 for the tranny service

I called the Nissan Dealership and dude suggested that I go with the 73k service. Not sure what it includes since I don't own a Nissan, but he says that the Infiniti and Nissan Services Schedules are the same. I searched my house for the G's Maintenance Service booklet and couldn't find it. Does anyone know where I download the PDF or post it on the thread? I changed the Engine and In-Cabin Air filter last summer, so I don't know if it's due to be changed again. If it is, the consensus is DIY, so that's a non-issue.

Anyother 80K DIY...times are hard??? Thank you all again for your insights and advise.

From the title I expected this to be much worse...