Can't use cigarette lighter socket as AUX power?
 

The following is in page 2-45 of the 2007 Infiniti G35 Sedan manual:

=================

The cigarette lighter socket is a power
source for the cigarette lighter element
only. The use of the cigarette lighter
socket as a power source for any other
accessory is not recommended.

=================

Using the AUX power inside the center console box is not that convenient if the component requiring power is to be installed outside of the console box. If so, you'll have to leave the console box opened, and I'm not sure how well it will stay open while driving. Besides, it's nice to be able to lean on it every once in a while when it's closed.

Things I may want to power include an Escort 8500 X50 radar detector (although I just ordered the Invisicord, but somewhat wary of making changes to my brand new G35 :-) ), an iPod (in case the passenger wants to play with the iPod outside of the console box), a Garmin nuvi 350 (I do have the Nav, but not yet 100% confident it has all the detailed road information as compared to my Garmin), cell phone power cord, or any other item that requires power.

So, my questions are:

1) Why does Infiniti recommend that the cigarette lighter socket not be used to power other sources?

2) Does the cigarette lighter socket provide as much current as the auxiliary power socket in the center console box?

3) Maybe the cigarette lighter socket is connected to a fuse that's shared with other critical components of the car and Infiniti is worried that using it might cause a fuse to blow?

4) Anyone use the cigarette lighter socket with a radar detector or other device for an extended period of time and not have any problems?

Thanks.

I have my cell phone charger plugged in it at all times.

The console lid does have an indent on the front drivers side that allows the lid to fully close and the cord to move freely. It's convenient to leave ipod in cupholder and still have lid fully close.

you don't need garmin.. the oem navi is detailed enough to get you to anywhere...

Coming from MB COMAND, I can honestly say the G35 navi is absolutely ridiculous in terms of detail, routing ability, etc.

Now if only me and the navi could agree on the names of New England cities...

I'm not sure about your 2007. But i have a 03 G coupe and if you look inside the cig lighter outlet and the aux power outlet, there are differences in the metal contact surfaces. Because of the way the contacts are shaped, some aux plugs could cause you to blow a fuse if not inserted carefully with respect to the electrical contacts.

I also have a 1990 240sx that used to blow fuses all the time when I tried to use the cig lighter for aux power. I finally figured it out. It blew fuses for the reason I just mentioned.

My 2003 6MT does not have an auxiliary power outlet in the console box, and I notice that the 2007 G35 does not have the power outlet on the passenger side. If the 2007 6MT is the same as mine, that leaves only the cigarette lighter socket to charge the cell phone, etc.??? :confused: :(

Yes, I see that the front left side of the center console as well as the cover has an indentation so that small cables (approximately 1/8" or less) can fit throught the indentation and the cover/lid can be closed. It's not large enough to fit a coiled cable (such as those that come with radar detectors), but it can fit straight cables. That's good to know. Would've been nicer if the indentation was bigger to fit coiled cables, but I guess I can try to straighten them out as needed. Thanks.

I hope so. When I looked at Zenrin's web site (the supplier of Infiniti's nav software) at http://www.zenrin.com, it has a search function where you can enter the name of a city and state and it will tell you if it has detailed coverage. Their map as well as the search function showed that it is missing lots of detailed door-to-door coverage for many areas. However, Zenrin's web site said that it didn't have data for a particular city that I looked up, but when I drove to that city, the Nav actually had data for it. So, I hope that the actual Nav data is more detailed than what Zenrin's web site says. But, that's another topic for another thread.

Interesting. I'll have to look at how the 2007 cigarette outlet and AUX power outlet compare.

The 2007 has an AUX power outlet inside the center console, and a cigarette lighter right under the stereo controls.

Are you sure the 2007 6MT has a power outlet inside the center console? It has a different console than the automatic.

I have a 2003 6MT - it does not have an outlet inside the console whereas the 2003 automatic does.

I guess I'll find out Thursday when I have an appointment to see/drive the 2007 6MT my dealer just got in.

I don't know about the MT. I have the AT.

Same here...I never take it out and since I havent blown a fuse yet, I assume it's ok.

I sometimes put my phone in the center console while plugged into the cigarette lighter. My charger has a coiled cord and it has no issue using the gap/indentation...it just splits the coils a bit...nothing that would harm the cable in any way.