I have an '08 G35X sedan, 3-years old and 30k running perfectly. Dealer wanted $700 for oil change, rotation and diff fluid change as 30k service. Took it to an independent certified Nissan mechanic instead. The mechanic opined that none of the fluids - transmission, coolant, brake, front and rear diffs and transfer case needed to be touched for 5-years 45k miles and the transmission fluid is good for 60k. Anyone have opinions on timing of fluid changes?

Also, I liked the Goodyear RS-A's that came on the car but they are shot at 30k and are quite expensive. Looking more for grand touring tires than ultra performance with longer tread life, good winter handling but still decent performance and a better price. Recommendations? I can use Tire Rack with this mechanic.

Thanks for any advice.

 

you can always push the intervals depending on how you drive, but since its your first time changing out diff fluids i would REALLY recommend you to do it since there will most likely be a lot of fine metal shavings from the break in especially in the rear diff stuck on the magnet on the drain plug.

Its an easy DIY and is posted by soundmike here and should not cost you more than $25 for 3qts of syn 80w90 (or75w90) gear oil. ~1.6qts would go to rear and around a qt in the front diff.

Also while youre at it just change out the transfer case fluid as well which is pretty cheap(Matic-D) i did all these services on my used AWD FX and was surprised with how dirty the fluids were and how much shavings were on the magnet.

Similarly if you do the service at 30k then you can easily get away with tranny drain and fill rather than flush which should be ~3.5qts instead of 12-14qts of Matic S(NOT recommended to use any other ATF as Infiniti has an open disclaimer to void tranny warranty if any other fluid used)

Everything combined is pretty cheap if you DIY or even with a personal mechanic it should be pretty cheap and worth it. Also recommend cleaning out your Throttle Body (DIY in appropriate section).

Infniti recommends 30k so for warranty issues you should try to stick close to it and keep all your receipts. Other than that its your choice really and waiting till 45k is your call.

 

^Good advice!

 

Thanks for the info. Do you know how many quarts of the matic d ATF for the transfer case? I can't find the answer anywhere.

PS - I called a local Nissan dealer and he advised 2 5/8 pints are needed - in other words 1.3 quarts. Naturally only comes in quart containers. Does this sound right?

 

My RWD AT takes 4 quarts if I'm very patient draining it. What nobody has said thus far is "READ THE MANUAL" - obviously, my car is different than yours and also, sometimes people here make mistakes, so in my opinion, going to a forum is going to cost you in the long run.

 

http://72.3.186.204/refgh0v/og/infin...-G35-Coupe.pdf

I did check and page 424 of the manual is blank for differential and transfer case. Amazing. The manual is for both the coupe and sedan.

 

ok as for the transfer case(TC) its is about 1.3Qts and they come in 1qt bottles so you would have to buy 2 Matic D(They were ~$8 each)you dont need to measure it when you or the mechanic pumps it into the TC stop when the fluid starts dripping out of the fill hole, wait a few minutes to let it drip out and youre done.

Same thing for both the differentials just keep pumping in until it starts dripping out of the fill hole and then let it just about stop dripping and then youre done no measuring required.(Gearoil 80W90 or 75W90)

Then for the tranny (get ~4qts Matic S ~$11-15each), warm up your car and tranny by driving for about 10mins have your mechanic or yourself check the fluid level(stick behind the engine near firewall, engine cover must be removed) make sure its at proper level. After waiting a few minutes drain the AT fluid into a pan that has measurement markers, as per manual you MUST put in as much as you take out, in my case it was ~3.5qts so it will be different for almost everyone depending on how much was there in teh first place and how long you let it drain.

i take it you want to now the quantities to know how much to buy so APPROX get:
2 bottles/qts of Matic-D (Will use ~1.3Qts)
4 bottles/qts of Matic-S (Will use ~3.2-4Qts)
3 bottles/qts of any synthetic gearoil for both diffs (~1.5in rear and <1qt front)

Hope it helps

EDIT: This LINK also has a DIY with quantities

 

I have an 08X as well, with roughly 32K miles. I've changed the transfer case fluid, front/rear diff with Amsoil Gear Lube, and drain/refilled my transmission pan twice (yes I know it only gets 3+ qts per drain). All was done at the dealer.

I do my own oil changes with Castrol Synctec 0w-30.

With that said, the dealer is ripping you off for $700.