I have owned several Maxima's before the G35 and frankly never brought them to Nissan for service except for things like timing belts. My first one (87) went 140K on the original clutch. Did regular oil changes myself or Jiffy Lub kind of place. My question is ...how necessary is it to bring the G back to Inifiniti for service, including oil changes. My car has under 1000 miles so I have time but my dealer is not close by and I'm wondering how necessary it is to bring it to Infiniti for service? Anything else done on first service? Anything special about changing the oil & filter? I noticed on oil fill cap it says something like "don't remove dip stick while adding oil" . What's up with this ?? Thanks

2003 G35 6MT Black/Graphite
1987 GN Intercooled SFI Turbo
1970 GS 455 Stage 1 4-Speed

 

You are not required to bring it to the dealer for maintanence. The only tricky part about changing the oil is the 12 (14?) screws holding the underbody diffuser in place that covers access to the oil filter and oil pan.

Personally, it's not worth it to me to change it myself, and my dealership's oil change rate is competitive with, say, Firestone -- plus at the dealership I can get free coffee and bagels while I wait and go check out the new FX45 or drool over a 6MT. (Or walk across the street to Pacific Honda and pick up a Pilot brochure, but we won't go there right now....)

2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter

 

If you take it to the dealer to change the oil, do they throw in the car wash?

 

They should. They did for me. My dealership does a crappy job at getting the bugs off the front and the brake dust off the wheels, though.

2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter

 

A one beer job. Easily less than an hour. Probably 30-40 minutes once you've done it a couple times.

ITEMS NEEDED:

-Ramps ($30 Autozone or wherever) or some other method to raise your G
-10mm socket
-14mm socket
-Socket wrench
-Drill motor (a bonus)
-5 quarts oil
-New oil filter
-Crushable washer (~$0.75 at the dealer)
-Small flat head screwdriver
-Oil drain pan

I like to drive around a bit to warm up the oil.

Drive it up on some ramps ($30 at AutoZone) and block the rear wheels. All those bolts come off with a 10mm socket in maybe 10 mins if you put the socket on a drill motor. Only a tad longer if you use a ratchet. One plastic pop rivet needs to be removed as well. It is easily extracted with a small flat head anything to release the plate. You now have access to the drain plug and filter.

The filter and drain plug (14mm) are conveniently located right next to each other through an obvious access hole. Best location I've had in an auto. Unscrew the plug (with drain pan underneath of course) and let it flow. Filter is the size of a small can of corn. Unscrew that sucker and remove. Use filter wrench if necessary.

With a shop rag (clean preferably) wipe around where you just removed the filter. Wet gasket of new filter with clean oil and reinstall. Turn by hand till good resistance then turn a little more. 1/2 to 3/4 turn maybe. Use good judgment. Don't overtighten.

Remove the crushed copper washer from around the base of the drain plug. Get two or three while you're at it. Stick the washer on the drain plug and reinstall. The washer is made to compact. Again don't overtighten but be firm.

Dump five quarts of new oil down the oil hole in the engine compartment. (Use a funnel. They're cheap.) Put the cap back on and finish your beer. Nice job.

03.5 Sedan AT (Black-Willow-Premium-Sport-Aero)

 

Geeman...couldn't have said it better myself, but I can add....

A good habit while letting the oil completely drain is to check your other fluid levels, and I always refill the windshield washer tank.


03 G35
02 Sequoia

 

"I have owned several Maxima's before the G35 and frankly never brought them to Nissan for service except for things like timing belts..."

When did Nissan start using timing chains instead of timing belts? I had a '96 Maxima and it had a timing chain.

 

Not sure, but they have been for a long time now. And it's a Good Thing(tm), too. [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]

2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter

 

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>

Remove the crushed copper washer from around the base of the drain plug. Get two or three while you're at it. Stick the washer on the drain plug and reinstall. The washer is made to compact. Again don't overtighten but be firm.

<hr></blockquote>

I meant to say above get two or three washers from the dealer while you're at it. Install only one washer.

03.5 Sedan AT (Black-Willow-Premium-Sport-Aero)