My '03 maxima is coming up on 50K miles fast. I purchased the car pre-owned from a Nissan dealership on Sept 11th of '04 with 32k miles. So far the only maintenances that I've performed are regular oil changes & drained trany fluid and refilled with Redline M-90. I was wondering what kind of maintenance I should be looking to perform. I really dont want to take it to the dealership. Thanks in advance for everyones input.

 

Wait until 60k ... follow the owners manual. Do some visual inspections i.e brake pads, belts, fluid levels etc.

 

Plugs, PCV Valve, Tranny Fluid, Radiator Flush, brake inspection, engine belts, tire inspection for bubbles, clean intake (read before you do this).

 

what about plug wires?....would you think its a waste of money to replace the wires at 50K? Also, what is a PCV valve?

 

VQ's don't have plug wires They have direct ignition .. Nissan DIS. PCV = Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve.

I don't think the plugs should be changed @ 50k. Tranny fluid .. yes.

 

Get a pH test done on your radiator coolant to determine whether or not it should be replaced. It is typically replaced every 2 years or 30,000 miles but I think you could get more than 2 years out of the initial fill. A radiator shop will do the test for nothing as it just entails dipping a strip of paper into the radiator.

Has the air filter been replaced before?

 

Every 30K I replace fuel filter, tranny fluid, coolant, look at brakes and most of the time replace front pads and rotors, PCV, clean the throttle body... Plugs I do every 50K (I use NGK Iridium)... Air filter I would do every 10K if you use regular paper filters (I use K&N, I just shake out the big particles)... Oil (mobil1) I change every 6K and oil filter every 3K... Rotate tires every 10K... Other stuff as needed...

 

Can the PCV be replaced at home? If so, is this a part that I can order from Dave B., and how much $? I have been looking into replacing the fuel filter, so I guess this will be the perfect opportunity to do so. The air filter has not been changed since Ive had it, but I check it every 3-5k miles and it is still pretty clean. The in cabin air filter is another story. It needs to be either washed or replaced. As far as brakes,...Ive been noticing a bit of vibration when braking at high speeds....maybe I outta get the rotors turned and check the brake pads for replacement. Plugs are definately going to be changed, but I was wondering how much of a PITA it is to change them all. Ill also check into the pH test for the radiator. I assumed people charge for this test. I assume NOTHING is free these days! Keep the suggestions coming!!

 

There is no charge for a pH test on a radiator. It takes 2 seconds. I can't believe your air filter has never been changed with that many miles on it.

The PCV valve can be changed at home and they cost peanuts, but chances are you don't need one.

You should buy a Haynes manual. There is a procedure for testing the PCV valve in it.

A stealership or two have told me that PCV valves seldom require replacement anymore.

 

when you say you drained the tranny fluid.... did you actually drain all of the fluid or just what was in the pan? If you only drained the pan you only drained about 20% of the fluid.

 

Haynes manual is definately a good idea. Just havent been able to find one locally. As far as the air filter, Im sure it was changed sometime before I purchased the car pre-owned, but since Ive had it, it hasnt been replaced. I check it pretty often and sunlight still shines through, so it cant be that dirty. Ill probably get one anyway. As far as the tranny fluid, there is no pan for a manual is there?. Only have to drain and fill I thought. If im incorrect, someone please correct me.

 

Did not look at your car info. I thought you were an auto...

as for the six speed

 

any other suggestions?

 

Tranny holds 10 qts/pan holds 4.5 qts. Roughly, thats 50%.

 

[QUOTE=igzy]Oil (mobil1) I change every 6K and oil filter every 3K


I have just been proven wrong. I thought my mother was the worst person about taking care of a car. She changes her oil every 5k (which is bad enough). Also, you're just wasting money by changing the oil filter without changing the oil at the same time. Do you drain the old oil, change the filter and put the old oil back in?

 

I changed my pluga at 54k and the tips showed wear and the car runs smoother. For 57.00 it was worth it.

 

all the pcv valve and fuel filter mambo jambo.. is a waste of money ...
all you really need to do is tranny oil change, radiator fluid change, oil change, plugs(platinum),
brake pad change if needed. and maybe belts depending

and if u change your fluids every year your car will run for years to come.

 

[QUOTE=AcerX]How again is changing oil at 5k or 6k "bad"? Is it because Jiffy Lube says 3k?

On the oil filter: Mobil 1 has been shown to hold its additive pack well past 3k miles. Changing the oil filter just insures the oil keeps flowing (ie well filtered).

 

why suggest changing plugs and not the fuel filter? just because of its location in the tank does not mean it will not get gunked up just like every other fuel filter from every other manufacturer out there. if you buy into the nissan brainwash of 100k before a tuneup then the plugs should be fine for another 50k miles right? my main question is have you ever replaced yours and seen one with even 30k miles on it? if you had then you recommend it others as well as servicing it yourself on a 30k basis. also, my pcv had failed at 36k. i happened to pull it just to test it and it was stuck.

 

Agreed on both. My PCV was clogged at 30k. I've since added a catch-can. You'd be surprised how much oil gets blown through those over the course of just 100 miles.

 

i have 66k so its probably time for another check/replacement of it.

 

So heres the rundown of what Im looking to purchase/perform for my maintenance:
1) Haynes Manual
2) PCV Valve
3) pH test on radiator fluid
4) Spark Plugs (not sure which ones,...suggestions welcome)
5) Check/clean brakes/rotors
6) Replace fuel filter
7) Check/replace Air filter
8) Check/replace In-Cabin Air filter
9) Visual check on belts

As mentioned in previous replies....continued comments are greatly appreciated!

 

I forgot to mention that I was planning on using Seafoam. And is it necessary to clean out my Throttle Body, and what should I use and how should I clean it since its been known to be a bit touchy?

 

Here is what I did to clean my TB: removed the air box, MAF and rubber hose, took a clean lint-free cloth and wiped the TB clean on both sides of the flap (pull on the cable assembly to open flap)... I had no problems afterwards and been running for about 20-30K now after I did it the last time...

 

I emailed Haynes every month for a few months...they assured me a 2002-2003 update to the Maxima book would be out in July 2005, I have yet to see it though.

 

i'd be extremely impressed if they came out with one at all