Haven't been around much - I have been out driving

I'm getting somewhere around 12mpg right now I think - but haven't filled it yet so I can't say for sure. Wish this thing had a real trip computer. (no nav on mine)

Ok so anyway - I have some more questions:

1) When I first opened up my trunk I noticed a 4" x 12" (or so) plastic pouch that contains the tow hook. Just sitting there. The owners manual and first aid kit were stuck to the side wals using their velcro - but this was just sitting on the trunk mat. Where does it REALLY belong?

2) Are there any differences between the coupe all weather floor mats and the sedan all weather floor mats? I have an x, but bought coupe trunk mats from the dealer. Big deal or not?

3) I was reading this thread on leather care:

https://g35driver.com/forums/g35-sedan-v35-2003-06/47717-leather-maintenance.html

Zaino seems to be a good choice for leather care. But I'm wondering - what really should be my process? To clean it with the Z-9 spray cleaner, and then condition it with Z-10?

4) How about dash and other non-leather item care? That thread recommended Meguiers wipes...I assume that would be the vinyl and rubber wipes? Anything else I should consider?

5) Wheel cleaner - what are some good products to consider? I can't find much by searching on this forum, even though I know brake dust has been discussed frequently.

6) Finally - tire cleaning and conditioning?


As far as body care - I intend to take it to a touchless car wash weekly, get it detailed quarterly, and as you can see above - take care of the interior, tires, and wheels by hand for normal weekly cleaning.

edit: Q2, trunk=floor

 

1) don't know
2) The coupe trunk is about 1/3rd the size of the sedan trunk
3) Clean it with Z-9 and condition with Z-10. It works great!
4) Use 303 Aerospace Protectant
5) I use a wet rag during after the wash process and gets the brake dust off. You can also wax the wheels (Use Klass AIO/SG combo for the entire car!)
6) Armor All

 

1a. I store the tow bolt-hook with the tools in with the spare. I'm hoping not to need it much. There should be a piece of the bumper they took off to mount the license plate and you might want to save that in case the next owner does not use a plate.

1b. There is a compartment that opens from the right side of the rear center armrest in which to store the first aid kit. If you insist on keeping it in the trunk, it may void the drivetrain warranty.

2. I don't know about the mat differences, but they ought to give you the right ones. It would be a problem if the mat interfered with the pedals. Check the Infiniti site to see if they are different. BTW, the rubber mats say they are not to be used with the regular mats. I have violated this prohibition-just be sure the pedals work.

3. I am using the Zaino stuff, but have only applied it twice-once a while ago and then today. It seems good.

4. I've only wiped the dash with a microfiber cloth-from Costco, by the bag.

5. I have used something I think is called "Oil Eater" also from Costco. It dissolves grease very well and I use it on my bicycles too. So far it has not removed the paint and I do rinse it off promptly. It dissolves much of the stuff without rubbing. Then I washed the wheels with soap. I would not use this on the car finish, but it might be OK (it hasn't hurt the bikes).

6. I have not used a tire cleaner. I have seen posts of people who worry that ArmorAll will affect the rubber badly. To me, for normal use, I don't think any special cleaner is needed, as the tires will get dirty very quickly (almost as quickly as I am donning my flame suit!)

Have fun!!

 

I took my car for my first car wash today (touchless).

It didn't do that good of a job on my wheels. Cam home, and wiped them clean. Tomorrow I"ll have to go get some good wheel cleaner. Preferably some wipes.

Somehow I got something on my leather within the last few days - it looked like a nice long pen mark. It may have been that way when I received it, but not all that likely. I bought some Lexol leather cleaning wipes today (best available)... And frankly it took a lot of work to get it off the leather... I went through 4 wipes on a "pen-type" mark about 4 inches long. It took at least 7-8 minutes of rubbing, but it finally did come off.

 

Hey Dingo ...

Lighter colored leather requires lots of care, more so than Graphite. Watch out if you wear jeans a lot while driving ... the seats seem to be a magnet for the blue dye, especially around the sides.

I wear blue jeans a lot on the weekends ... and black jeans to work as well, so now that I'm back to a lighter color interior (Stone) I have been wiping the seats down with the leather cleaner each Saturday. So far so good.

Not to worry about the mpg ... it'll get better as the mileage increases. My G is a little over 2 weeks old ... and I jut hit 800 miles. On the last tank I averaged roughly 16mpg (drove 280 miles and pumped in 17 gallons). Most of my driving is stop-and-go.

 

Hey Mike.

I have stone as well. I didn't consider this issue when chosing my interior color - but it likely would not make much of a difference as I think the graphite is just too dark... And subject to cracking, being ridiculously hot in the summer, etc...

I REALLY had to work the "pen mark" out though - at first I wasn't even sure it was coming off.

I don't wear jeans that much - occasionally, but not enough to be a major concern for me righ tnow.

What type of mileage were you getting when you first got the car? I'm in my first 200 miles right now - and will likely have to get some gas today when I go on a relatively short highway run (and back)

 

Mike...I really have not had a problem as you described with the blue jeans and stone interior. My last car had the same shade of stone interior(02 Maxima). All I mainly wear are blue jeans, I have 6,000 miles on my 05 now and the interior stiill looks great. After I read your post I went out and had a closer look and it's fine. I will definitely keep an eye on it.
Love my (really my wife's) X

 

Hey Dingo ... my mpg for the second tank was around 14. So it's improved with each tank.

I know what you mean about the interior color. After coming out of a black interior I really wanted a lighter color. I knew that it would require a little extra work to keep clean ... but since it gets pretty toasty here during the Summer, having something other than black makes a big difference. Plus I think that the Stone-Graphite combo looks very classy!

 

That's good to know G ... the last time I had a car with a light-colored leather interior (tan), the leather really seemed to absorb the blue dye from my jeans. I had a hard time keeping the edges clean ... there was always a "blue" tint.

So far so good for me ... of course I've cleaned and detailed the interior 3 times now since I took delivery.

 

I discussed this my wife and asked her what her opinion was with any blue dye being absorbed onto our stone(light grey) leather seats. Her answer was no problem. Heck our 02 Maxima seats looked like new after 2 years, with only a wipe down with a damp cloth a couple of times.
Maybe the big thing that is helping our cars is when we purchased both cars we had the interiors treated with scotchguard to prevent staining (scotchguard on carpets and a leather protector on the leather).
I have heard many others complain of your same problem, so this treatment must work .
I am also a believer of not using leather conditioner unless it seems to absolutely need it. If you overdo the leather conditioner I feel the leather becomes too soft and supple (although it feels great) and actually stretches, causing excess creasing etc.
Just my opinions.
Wayne

 

Wayne, I got your email and have been trying to email you back at your aol addy but it keeps bouncing. Do you have another email?

 

My 03 has the Willow interior and I bought the car used back in January. The interior looks brand new. I wear jeans for work nearly every day and I've only cleaned and conditioned the leather once and it really didn't need it. I wipe the leather down with a damp rag every month or so. For a two year old car and a light interior, I'm amazed at how well it's held up. My last car (Maxima) had a black leather interior. I've actually found the lighter color interior doesn't require near the work to keep clean. Dust is a non-issure now. The only two issues I see with light colored interiors are:

1) You have to run all weather floor mats all year round. Light colored fabric floor mats just won't last.

2) You've got to make sure you're clothes are clean before getting in. Gone are the days of working on the car and then getting in. Laying a towel on the seat is a must.