My 99 Maixma is about to hit 25k miles. When should I get my first tune up? What major maintanence do i need for 25k miles?

 

The 30K service calls for replacing engine oil, oil filter, air filter. All the rest is "inspect this, inspect that." At 60K you repeat the 30K maintenance, and also replace the spark plugs.

 

That's the good thing about owning a Max.....low maintenance! But be careful with the dealers because they will try and do things they know you don't need. I always itemize the list when I do go in for service.

 

You don't have to let the dealer perform this service. Any qualified person can do it, including the vehicle's owner.

 

If the vehicle's owner or another shop performs any service, how does it affect the the warranty?

 

Nissan requires that the scheduled maintenance be done to keep the warranty in effect. It does not require this service be done by a dealer or any other specific provider. You can do the maintenance yourself, in your own driveway. I do.

My '99 Maxima Owner's Manual contains a chapter titled Do-it-yourself. Chapter 8 includes instructions for maintenance procedures such as changing engine oil and oil filter, replacing the air filter, and replacing spark plugs. These are the heart of the 60K scheduled maintenance. Nissan puts that information in the Owner's Manual for a good reason. They know some owners want to perform maintenance themselves.

Unethical dealers seek to increase their service revenues by misinforming customers. They may tell you that dealers must perform schedule maintenance. They may tell you that certain services are required even though Nissan does not require them. It is up to the customer to know the facts and politely (but firmly) resist such dealer misbehavior.

 

So is there a suggested interval for tune ups?

 

That depends on what you mean by "tune up". Years ago, a tune up meant new points and condenser, new spark plugs, adjust ignition timing, adjust the carburetor for a smooth idle. Now, in the era of computer-controlled engines, there is no standard "tune up".

Rather than think in terms of "tune up", I am guided by the manufacturer's scheduled maintenance. For the Maxima, there is a scheduled service at intervals of 30K miles. You will find this schedule in your Owner's Manual.

Service providers, including dealers, are perfectly willing to define their own idea of a "tune up". These businesses may call for services which are not truly needed, such as replacing the PCV valve at 15K intervals and spark plugs at 30K intervals.

 

alot of your driving and cultural practices can influence what maintenance you need to do. If you use cheap gas, run your car empty alot, drive short distance whatever you may need to do things more often. If you want to take care of your car just do the norm. Oil and filter every three, longer if you use a good synthetic. Change tranny fluid every 20-30. This is one area where i don't agree with the manufacturer. If you drive your auto hard you need to change that fluid alot. Air filter about every 10 or so, or if you get a k&N Type clean every 20 or so. Plugs every 50 or 60 if you use platinum, more often if you use cheap gas. Fuel filter every 30 or so, more often if you use cheap gas or run near empty alot. Radiator flush at 50 or sooner, this is not as important as it use to be due to better coolant. Rotate your tires every 5k. I like to replace my belts and hoses every 3 years or so. Its not very expensive, will need to be done eventually, and keeps you from getting stranded. Oh yea, and if you drive alot of short distances where you don't really let car warm up to full temp, your muffler will rust out. Don't forget to eat!

 

I totally agree with everything you said, except: "You can do the maintenance yourself, in your own driveway. I do". Maxrx7 made a good point and I would like nothing more than doing everything myself, save money, time, and bond with my car. I haven't seen anything in writing that says the OWNER can perform the service himself. I checked the warranty book and it did say another shop can do the recommended work. Therefore, I assume they want reciets that the maintance was performed on the car. So what I am going to do is, find someone or friend of someone who has a shop and get fake reciets and stuff, while I do the service myself. I would take it to the dealer, but they completely su*k. Thanks for your time .

 

I don't advocate false receipts. You might want to buy your own oil and filters, and save those dated sales receipts. In addition, you may keep a written record of all work done (regardless of who did the work) with date and odometer reading at the time of each service.