Every since I got my car I've been more into them now, maybe cause I came from a Daewoo to a Maxima, and didn't care about the Daewoo. Anyway, what I meant by little things is the things the ppl normally overlook. I know that if my car bounces around, check the shocks/struts..if I seem to pull one way, check wheel alignment and tire pressure..basically stuff the requires maintenance, but not listed in any Nissan tune-up brochures. For example, the PCV valve, Nissan claims they don't require maintenance, or the fuel filter(strainer) because it strains the fuel and doesn't need replacing..things like that. But other than the two I mentioned, any others I should keep in mind in the near future?

 

theres not to much on these cars to worry about. we never replace pcv valves, i cant remember the last time i sold one...... fuel filter every 15k. plugs every 60k fluid flushes every 30k

 

I thought due to the location of the fuel filter in the 5th and 5.5 gen, that it is not considered a maintenance item meaning in theory it should never be replaced. Also, I think Nissan only recommends replacing the plugs ever 100,000 due to them being platinum (and a pain to replace, at least in the 5.5 gen).

 

the plugs are platinum yes. but go every 60. we always do um then at the dealer at that time. they are past most of there service life at this time and most are overgaped and platinum cant be re-gaped. unfortunatley the 3.5 does take a while to change plugs since you must remove the plenum. the 5.5 gen fuel filter is not serviceable correct. i didnt know what year yours was.

 

are you a tech or just a parts guy?
i ask because you arent saying the same thing the owners manual says.
nissan recommends changing the PCV valve (i think at 60K)
nissan also says that the fuel filter is "maintenance free" and doesnt need to be replaced.

and can you really say there isnt much to worry about?
MAF, coils, etc, etc

 

service advisor, and no we dont replace the pcv valves at 60. the fuel filter is not servicable as mentioned in my post above i didnt know what year his max was. and the thread is about maintenace, not about comin problems realated only to the 00-03 max's

 

but if you read his post he is asking this:

MAF is sensitive so if you have a K&N dont over oil it

The VIAS on the 00-01's break 99% of the time, you can fix it yourself w/ some epoxy

Seafoam treatments arent too bad for the car at higher milages before you change your oil

Some guys like to put a trans cooler on their car, im considering doing this

 

Change the oil every 3K. I have been using Mobile 1 synth (10W30) and just hit my 41st oil change. Any oil will do as long as you change it regularly.

Just changed the plugs at 149 (first set at 80). Just cause I was there. No need to do it before 100k if you are driving normally.

MAF went at 90K, blew one coil at the same time. Replaced the individual coil, not all six.

I have never replaced the PCV.

I have never replaced the fuel filter.

Not sure why everyone loves and needs an oiled filter, but they are pretty popular. My neighbor and his buddy just switched back to regular Nissan filters as he just replaced his MAF for the third time and he was running and blames the K&N oiled filters. I think he liked the sticker in the window. K&N states on their website that over oiling can coat electrical sensors, but they are also quick to point out that they don't believe MAF's are hampered.

"When servicing a K&N filter, take care not to over-oil the element. Besides impeding air flow, excess oil can migrate into the intake system where it can coat electronic sensors, which some OEM’s claim may hinder the sensors’ operation and result in a repair that will not be covered under warranty"

Their MAF disclaimer is in the link:
http://www.knfilters.com/MAF/massair.htm

Who knows?

 

There is a difference between unserviceable and not knowing the procedure to replace it. Both the 5th & 5.5 gens are serviceable with respect to the fuel filter. Nissan listed it as not needing replacement but they also say 100k for the plugs. I replaced my fuel filter at about 50k and it was caked with sediment. I ordered a few filter & O ring from Dave B. I owned that car since new and only used 93 octane from top tier gasoline companies. You obviously do not want to be pulling up the back seat going into the tank every 15k miles but about every 40k-50k seems a good comprimise. The fuel filter is not magic, it is like every other fuel filter and should be replaced. How well you want your car to run is ultimately up to the owner. My pcv was also stuck at 40k. Tried cleaning it with brake cleaner to no use so it was replaced with a purolator that fit almost identical to stock for 8 or so bucks. It is hard to throw a blanket statement out there that no car needs a pcv replacement, fuel filter, etc.

 

once again the thread is about maintenance not comin problems or aftermarket parts. maybe im being to technical by reading the topic of the thread.

 

never said that no car needs a pcv replacement just said we do not replace them automaticly at 60. u did what we would do wich is to try and clean it if there was a reason to if not we leave um alone

 

basically op wants to know what stuff can be done maintenance wise that is not provided by dealership or owners manual. ie fuel filter is not usually serviced on our cars and is not "needed" but as stated, its a serviceable part that has improved performance/drivability.

some stuff to check:
air pressure every week or 2 weeks since its getting cold
fuel filter
gas tank additives ie]bg44k [dealership fluid]
look for oil leaks
lubricate suspension components
spark plugs. since your 3.0 you can just get copper plugs since theyre cheaper and replace them more often. easy to do,cheaper, and works just as well
seafoam through crankcase,brake booster hose, gas tank
clean maf sensor [might damage sensor according to some ppl]
just to name a few. cant remember anythign else off th top of my head

 

I coulda sworn this thread was about "little things that need maintenance/tune-ups?"

Definition of Maintenance: care or upkeep, as of machinery or property: With proper maintenance the car will last for many years.

So fixing a VIAS that is broken counts as maintenance, right?

Just to clarify my pov

 

in my long history of dealing with nissan dealerships, service advisors knew less about my car than i did. if i asked them any simple question, they had no idea. they would have to call a tech. they simply schedule appointment and repeat what the techs say.
just trying to put some comments in perspective.

yes, this thread is about maintenance. so the person wanted to know COMMON PROBLEMS that would require maintenance (above and beyond what the owners manual says)

 

im glad to know that u summerize all service advisors as being repeditive basterds that know nothing. i guess you also count those that are ase certified as well?

 

so yea ok, the coils fail, the maf meter fails, the variable valve timing solinoids fail, most of the time the cam sensors fail, most of the time the crank sensors fail, replace the pcv valve if it is clogged and cant be cleaned out,