SuperMario

Straight forward, what about fuel filters for the 6th generation? How often should be changed? And how difficult is it to change? Do we even have one?

I'm doing about 21-24 mpg at the moment, almost 400 miles on a full tank. I used to 'drive hard' until these prices started to hit highs last year. Now I'm more aware of the situation and don't push as hard as before.

I posted this apparently on a '07 thread and got yelled at What's up with that, are 04-06 not good enough for 07 owners? Just kidding, I know 'they' are not up in mileage yet, so I forgive them...

Also, what about a tune up? At what mileage should it be done or how often?

NmexMAX

iTrader: (22)

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=485597

What do you mean by 'tune up'?

!PrjctMax!

iTrader: (38)

I'd assume that it's the same for the 6th gen since it's the same motor...?

and "tune up," as in just a tune up...plugs, filters and the other god stuff, and yes, I know that we don't have spark plug wires

edit: omg, my post count is the same as the current year!!!

NmexMAX

iTrader: (22)

IB your post count is sorry vs mine

!PrjctMax!

iTrader: (38)

...?...

SilverMax_04

There is a thread in the Fluids and Lubes section of this site, but it mainly covers earlier Maxima's.
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=260358

A key quote there from Bill99: "5th gen Maximas and up have fuel filters in the {gas} tank. . ."

A question to and answer by Bill99 on the 5th & 6th Gen fuel filters:

Q: now im confused..its not necessary to change out a fuel filter for a 5th {or 6th} gen?

A: "It probably is, but Nissan (for 2000-up Maximas):
A) No longer considers it normal maintenance.
B) Buried it in the fuel tank.
This makes changing the fuel filter a more involved and potentially dangerous process."

There was a detailed post on how to change the Max fuel filer that is located in the gas tank, but I only copied the info and pictures to a Word Document (for future reference) and did not get the link to this posting -- which was posted by spirilis, including pictures of his work on his 2000 Max.

You can either try to contact spirilis with a private message, or I am willing to send you an e-mail with the Word Document attached (including pictures where spirilis took them). Just PM me. Hope this helps. The access to the filter and fuel pump (both in the tank) is located under the bottom rear seat cushion.

One of those who did a filter in the tank replacement shows a picture of the inside of his filter after about 70 K miles and it is quite black. This is understandable because the filter is doing the needed filtering. I plan to replace my in the tank filter some where between 75 K and 80 K miles (I'm now at 56 K miles).

I believe this is covered in the owners manual -- and my memory is that you change the plugs at about 100 K miles or so. But check the manual to be certain about this -- it could be as high as 120 K miles. With the new extra low sulfur gasoline now in use and the quality spark plugs used in the Max, even this may be too soon to change the plugs.

SuperMario

SilverMax_04, thanks for all your answers. I only found information for previous generations, not for the 6th generation. Now everything is clearer. I have 45k miles, so I guess I have enough time before it gets 'black'.

One more stupid question, the engine on the 5th and 6th generations is the same? Sorry, I'm a newbie!!!

SilverMax_04

Nissan has made a few minor changes in the 3.5 L VQ engine over time. The earlier ones had a 10.0 to 1 compression ratio -- by 2004 (actually January 2003) this engine had a 10.3 to 1 compression ratio. So some on this site will tell you that this engine changed -- which it did. But the changes were all minor, like this.

Thus, the procedure for changing the fuel filter in the gas tank should essentially be the same since 2000.