I apologize for this total noob question.

but I'm assuming our car a35 uses a timing chain right ? and if so what are the maintenance requirements of it ? I'm at 80k miles now and need to start thinking of major maintenance needs.

thanks

 

The A35 uses timing chains and there is no mention of maintanance of that item in the maintainence manual at any milage level.

 

here check out the maintenance schedule listed on Edmunds for 90k, it covers everything they check/replace

http://www.edmunds.com/car-maintenan...&mileage=90000

 

timing chain, the chain itself may stretch after very high mileage and the guides etc may need replacing at high mileage, but usually the chain will make noise beforehand. otherwise theres no real change interval like belts

 

Maintenance on cars is pretty basic now, when I was a tech back in 96 stuff was done more frequently cause fluid and spark plugs did not last 90-120k but owners pushed the cars to 90k with 15k spark plugs and did the same with trans and coolant that should have been changed at 30k max.

As far as maintenance:
Drain and refill CVT
D&D Coolant
In the morning on start up, get out of the car and listen and see if your engine sounds like birds chirping if it is you need new accessory drive belts, the chirping at start up is just a dry belts but once you drive and loosen it up the noise goes away
Power Steering fluid gets nasty black, either pay the dealer to drain and refill it or just turkey baster it out with new fluid every oil change or every other oil change
Brake fluid breaks down over time and your stopping distance gets longer so eventually flush/bleed the brake fluid when you get new pads or rotors

Mostly everything else is an inspection item, and door locks spray with some all purpose grease, trunk/hood/door hinges spray with some white lithium grease, I usually spray them and wipe them down a day or 2 later.

Just be an informed customer, once you know what they do and what your paying for they can't ripe you off

 

what about the spark plugs ? should I wait to 100k or just change them out now ?

 

I had an 03 Altima 6 cyl and put 170k on the original set of plugs, so don't be in a hurry to change them out.

 

Be advised you have to take off what seems like every hose on this puppy in addition to the MAF and intake manifold. When I did this at 100k (note I do mainly highway driving)...the old ones looked new! Plus you are looking at about $20 per plug. My advice...if it is running well and gas mileage hasn't been going down...leave them until you START noticing an issue and then pounce. Seriously, the next set will be done by the dealer...I've had my fun! I am thinking of taking these to 250K (150K interval) or until I start seeing my performance or mileage experience issues. Note I reused the old manifold gasket as it looked pristine but if I were to do it over again, would probably have changed it out as well.

 

Perfect, sound advice right here!

 

perfect thanks guys! great info.

looks like all I need to do is a coolant flush and a cabin air filter change.

I already changed the engine air filter and did a tranny flush at 50k miles.

 

Yup, great advice! The plugs are too hard to replace to just do it because you can at 50-60K

 

It is work to change out the plugs on the VQ35, especially the rear plugs. Did you get a quote at the dealer I did once and it was like 3 to 4 hrs on the labor alone

 

Not yet...but from the pain in the rear of last time and the heat/humidity of Florida, I think it may be worth it (especially with my big hands....it is real difficult to get to one hose in particular on the passenger side firewall. If I can find a three year old in the neighborhood with small enough hands and strength, I might do it myself again but I can see where it would be scheduled at 3 or 4 hours at the dealer.