Hey guys,
I'm having the 60k maintenance done by a family mechanic. I've already got the 5 quarts of the Nissan 5A/T transmission fluid, Nissan coolant, and the oem serpentine belt... Now I'm wondering what I should use for the differential fluid and am wonder if it is mandatory to change the washers for the differential and transmission after taking the screws off?
Additionally I read the warrenty/maintenance booklet that infiniti provides... I know it is not much of a cost but is it necessary to change the radiator cap too?
Thanks:
Mike

Mike, I was just going to say, make sure the tranny fluid is Matic-S and, since you're paying the price to go with Nissan's coolant, you might want to consider using the newer blue coolant that they're transitioning to. It's totally compatible with the older green coolant, but it has a much longer service change interval on subsequent drain/refills of 5yr/75k miles vs. 4yr/60K miles for the green (BTW, with the original factory fill of blue coolant in the newer vehicles, service life is 7yr/105K miles; they just derate it for subsequent fills). The two types of coolant are about the same price at the dealer. Part number for the blue is 999MP-LP25500P , although I see it come up on goggle under part numer 999MP-L25500P also. You can pick it up online for a little over $16 per premix gallon, or probably at a dealer for more like $23-26.

As far as differential fluid, it's not a terribly serious concern. Pretty much any GL-5 80-90w gear oil will do. I've used Sta-Lube brand in countless cars again and again and never had any problems; it's a non-event. Some will swear by synthetics, but unless you are full on racing or doing heavy towing, I'd save your money.

It is not mandatory to swap the crush washers every time, more that there is a concern with overtightening the plugs in an attempt to get a new "crush seal" out of an already crushed washer. Be particularly careful with the diff plugs since they are threaded into an aluminum castings. The transmission drain uses the same size washer as the engine oil drain plug. I usually will go two times on a washer unless I feel like splurging and putting a new one on. It's the kind of thing I'll do if I think about it ahead of time and order them online at a reasonable price, but to buy them at the dealership for 5 bucks a piece; forget it!

Lastly, I didn't change my radiator cap even though it says to. I figure it will be one of the very first things I'll check if and when it ever shows any hint of overheating or losing coolant. SO far, zero issues there, so I'm gonna let that one ride (I'm doing the same with the serpentine belt. The original still looks to be in great shape.)

Cheers

^ thanks VQ my 60k service is around the corner, luckily my neighbor is a nissan tech!

YES! thank you big time!!!! I really appreciate it!!