Infiniti FX45 Infiniti FX35

petewat3

It would seem that Infiniti knows it has a fairly widespread problem with the skipping in the cold CD changers. They didn't even check mine out when I told them what it was doing. Just took down the unit info. and ordered a new one for me.

Thanks slummj, for the info.

drcsf

petewat3: Yes the smoke odor really seems to be gone, but its become a non issue since my 14 year old daughter, who thinks she's the next Britney Spears, has discovered perfume.

duffer7: I wish they were roadblocking me, but I was actually passing near Arlington National Cemetery and I think it was blocked for a military funeral procession - obviously they've been pretty busy lately. But the navigation worked flawlessly although I did have to pull over to program it.

Craig

mwitt3

Any recommendations for a roof rack for FX 35? Just purchased yesterday - pick up this weekend. Top rails are chrome(sport package)and at times I need to haul a little lumber. Inclined not to purchase infiniti crossbars (I have actually never seen them in chrome only black) maybe yakima?

petewat3

...maybe yakima?

mwitt3- I have yakima (low-rider towers attach well to the stock rails) & I like it. I don't have chrome rails though - not sure how that will look but as far as I know, there aren't any chrome cross bars available from anyone. Even if there were it might be too much chrome on top.
I use the yakima boa attachments for my bikes, kayak stacker for my kayak, a space booster box on occasion, and a basket (which I haven't used on the FX- might look weird). I think all of those attachments look great on it ( with the possible exception of the basket).

I've had several FX owners that weren't familiar with Yakima, ask me about the rack while at the dealer - liked the look of it.

crikey

If the reason for not wanting the OEM crossbars is due to not seeing them in chrome, the OEM crossbars come in chrome also...


The OEM crossbars are aesthetically pleasing to me but are likely not as functional as aftermarket crossbars, like Yakima and Thule. The OEM crossbars have a weight restriction of 100 lbs. I've been able to use my Thule Evolution 1600 cargo box with it. I have the black ones since I have a 2003 FX35 with Premium Package.

petewat3

The OEM crossbars are aesthetically pleasing to me

those do look like they would look nice - didn't realize they made them in chrome.

crikey

It seems that the chrome (actually, brushed aluminum) crossbars just recently came out. They are quite pricey though, in comparison to the black crossbars. The brushed aluminum ones are around $300 while the black ones that I bought about a year ago were around $175, I think.

mwitt3

Thanks for the information. The OEM bars do look good! I suspect they are not as functional as the yakima though. Pick up the vehicle this Friday and I'll get the price. Ideally I would like something I can remove easily - just have it on for certain jobs. Like the way the roof lines work on the fx and don't want it to get too "busy"

petew4

enjoy it mwitt3....I don't think you'll regret the choice - it's an awesome vehicle.

dklanecky

Is I suspect related to the roof of the vehicle, not the bars themselves. My Murano manual clearly states the limit is 100 lbs, regardless of the cross bars manufacturer.

I also have the Yakima Low Rider towers and a 48" black bar which fit pretty well.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid78/pb4561b6d475caa7ee9b1- 7713c07155c5/fb2a342f.jpg

petewat3

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/ncap/Cars/2004SUVs.html

top SUV honors go to the FX, Vue, and Highlander.
The Cayenne wasn't tested (dunno why). The X5 was close to the FX, the Touareg results are 'under review', and the SRX is just behind the FX and X5 (among others & not quite as good for the driver & front passenger).

btw- thanks for the link Steve. (from another thread):-)

stever

Odd, I thought I had posted that link in here too. Thanks Pete!

Steve, Host

frndthdevl

Anybody have any first scratch stories out there? well I do now. LOL Just a little 6 inch scratch right below the drivers door handle. And it hurts as much as I thought it would while waiting for it these past 4 months. Long walks from far off parking lot spaces did not help. It was inflicted by my wife of almost 25 years with an empty trash container. Doh! So should I pay the body shop the 500 dollars to fix, leave it as that badge of stupidity,er I mean inattention, or talk to a lawyer. HMMm, perhaps I should just go trade in my 04 fx35 with a whopping 4400 miles for a 45. Now that would show her. LOL
peace
jeff

petew4

So should I pay the body shop the 500 dollars to fix, leave it as that badge of stupidity,er I mean inattention, or talk to a lawyer. HMMm, perhaps I should just go trade in my 04 fx35 with a whopping 4400 miles for a 45. Now that would show her. LOL

LOL....all of the above? you'd love the 45....but no, I'm sure she feels lousy already. I feel lucky I guess. I have NEVER bought a new vehicle that I haven't had a scratch of some sort within a month - thought it was a jinx. But with 28K and 9 mos, I have notta nick on my 45Tech.....knock on wood. Good luck with the marital stress :-)

kcrudup

Anybody have any first scratch stories out there?

*sigh*

A concrete support pole in my building's garage jumped out in front of me last month to the tune of $1200.

stever

The best thing to do is key your own car as soon as you are ready to drive off the lot. One less thing to worry about :-)

Steve, Host

she1122

I am getting confused. I thought the FX was an all wheel drive vehicle. Then I read that you push a button and that makes it all wheel drive but it is only for lower speeds and not to be on all the time. To me that is like a 4 wheel drive vehicle that you put into 4 wheel drive when you go off road or encounter snow.

  I am very interested in the FX and drove one two days ago ( fx35) It was wonderful! But I want all wheel drive all the time or most of the time. I live in Oregon with lots of rain !!

   Please will someone explain the all wheel drive system on the FX?

wibble

The AWD version of the FX has a fully automatic AWD system that transfers drive from thr rear wheels to the front(up to 50%) as needed. Driving straight on a dry asphalt road, 100% of the drive comes from the rear wheels. Around corners or on loose, slippy surfaces, up to 50% of the drive is transferred to the front wheels as needed. The 2004 FX's also have a "snow mode" switch that will lock the wheels in 50/50 u to around 19mph and remap the accelerator input tomake it less sensitive.

crikey

But I want all wheel drive all the time or most of the time. I live in Oregon with lots of rain !!

I think that the ATTESSA system in the FX will be more than enough to handle most rainy days.

crikey

I also have the Yakima Low Rider towers and a 48" black bar which fit pretty well.

That's a good setup too, dklanecky. Was it cheaper than cost of OEM?

crikey

Anybody have any first scratch stories out there?

Get this, I park in the middle of nowhere at one of those warehouse stores. I mean, I'm really far from the next closest car.

So, I go in and do my shopping. I come out and I see this frigging shopping cart being rather close to the FX. Guess what, it did hit the FX at the rear passenger side -- big scratch and a very minute dent. I was really pissed because this seemed to be deliberate. I go out of my way to protect my vehicle from destruction and someone goes out of their way to inflict damage. Man, some people are just jealously evil.

stanny1

The New PM has the last installment of their long term test of the FX45.
The last comment in the article concerns the often criticized ride of the FX.
"While some critics complain that the FX45 rides too harshly, we disagree. Firm, absolutely. Objectionable? Not at all for a vehicle with the FX45's level of handling and performance".
I think that says it all. The critics simply don't need or will not utilize the FX45's level of performance.

tidester

I think there are better ways of expressing irritation.

tidester, host

jpiatchek

I think we owe crikey a Krispy Kreme for his loss. Must have been one of those ANTI-SUV people. Know how you feel crikey. SOme people!

sopecreek

I once saw a shopping cart starting to roll on a windy day (probably the parking lot was sloped by just a bit, small enough not to cause rolling on a normal day), thought it would stop, it didn't and picked up quite a speed and finally hit a car parked alone far away from others. Maybe it happened like that, if it makes you feel better...

tidester

Good idea! And since it's your turn to bring KKs tomorrow (Friday) ...! :-)

tidester, host

dklanecky

Don't know about the price difference between OEM and the YaKima setup.

Nissan didn't have the OEM crossbars available until recently (well more than a year after the Murano came out) and I needed them last summer for some trips.

The new OEM ones (for the Murano) do look nicely integerated and are definitely sleeker in appearance. But they are in fixed locations (in relation to the front and rear of the roof rails) so make sure whatever your going to put up there will fit that fixed mounting point(s).

crikey

Maybe it happened like that, if it makes you feel better...

I hope it did happen like that.

crikey

But they are in fixed locations (in relation to the front and rear of the roof rails) so make sure whatever your going to put up there will fit that fixed mounting point(s).

Yeah, the OEM crossbars for the FX is non-adjustable in the front while the rear has 3 exact, fixed locations. Aftermarket ones may not have this behavior and should be more flexible.

BTW, per the OEM crossbar release notes, a good rule of thumb is to place the rear bar to the rearmost fixed point of the roof rail to have the widest distance between the front and rear crossbars. Apparently, this should maximize stability of whatever is to be mounted on the roof rack.

crikey

I think we owe crikey a Krispy Kreme for his loss. Must have been one of those ANTI-SUV people. Know how you feel crikey. SOme people!

Yum...Krispy Kreme donuts...Yum

mwitt3

I agree with you. Pick up my new fx 35 with touring/sport package tomorrow after long test drive last weekend with both suspensions on the same roads. There was both 50-55 mph smooth highway and bumpy 35mph roads and I preferred the sports tuned suspension. Felt more solid and agile. Shocking thing was that my wife agreed.

johnsonlau703

Hi. I want to ask if anyone know what kind of changes there would be in the 2005 model from the current model (if any)? Also, when would the 2005 model be coming out? Lastly, I have read through some other forums and people seem to know the new things inside the new models, how are people able to find such information? Thanks.

wibble

There are np major changes planned for the 2005 model year. There might be a new colour. Last year the 2004 FX's came out pretty late. we're probably looking at September/October

devontt

I'm completely sold on the FX35. I'll be buying mine as soon as I sell my 1996 BMW 318ti--hopefully this month.

My biggest issue--the color! As I'm purchasing the Tech/Touring combo, I can get any color I want. Decisions, decisions...

If I hadn't been driving a black car for the past seven years, I'd get the FX in Black Obsidian. Can't go wrong with black, I always say--at least, here in the northern climes where summers are milder.

I like Liquid Copper, but I fear I might get tired of it after a while. And, call me silly, but I just know people are going to call it "orange," and I would never in life buy an orange car.

I've ruled out the Laser Red (why didn't they make it a metallic red?) and the Ivory Pearl.

I was tempted toward the Diamond Graphite, but it seems to lack, I dunno, drama, or something. It doesn't make much of a statement on its own, IMHO.

The car looks great in Brilliant Silver, but I've had silver cars before and I get a "been there, done that" feeling with that color too.

The Beryllium 16 is a very pretty color in full sun. A little drab otherwise.

If I rule out all of the above, I'm left with Golden Sand. I could live with it, but I don't love it.

I love the Liquid Copper, but will I love it four years from now? Will I love it when people call it "orange"?

I am not usually indecisive, so this is killing me.

Anyone out there with a Liquid Copper FX? What are your feelings? Help me decide!

Devon

petew4

my choice came down to Liquid Copper and Beryllium 16. I chose the Beryllium mainly because I felt like the style of the vehicle is such an eye catcher that adding the brightness of the Liquid Copper was kind of an 'over statement'- same with the red. I haven't regretted the choice but I have come to like the black & ivory pearl as well after seeing them on the road. The Golden Sand is my least favorite. I think I would like to see Infiniti add a green to the lineup. Like a british racing green or slightly darker - I think that would look great.

devontt

I think they need to add something in the blue tones--maybe a metallic dusty cadet blue or deep metallic royal blue. I agree that green would be a nice option, too.

Thanks for your input, Pete.

Devon

petew4

hey guys......did an inspection of the tires today & noted that I am getting a little uneven wear in the center after having run 35-36cold/38-40hot for about 3000 mi.. Too bad cuz it did increase mpg's & I liked the feel. I'm gonna knock it back only 1-2 lbs & see how that does.....fyi

petew4

yep....the MDX blue is nice, maybe something like that.

bpraxis

Note to Infiniti: Please consider adding new interior color combinations. The base willow is not a good match for some of the exterior combinations that you are offering. The willow with graphite is not a match IMO.

  Other manufactures offer far more tasteful combinations, Audi, Lexus, BMW, Acura, and Mercedes for example.

mwitt3

Just picked up my new 35 with 20 inch wheels and noted the pressure set at the dealer was 36 lbs (cold). Checking the inside of the door I noted it should be 32 cold so I dropped the pressure down. Is that the right thing to do?

c3po33

I keep my wife's at 32-33 and the tires are still new after 14,000+ miles.

petew4

well after 28K and experimenting with both extremes, I think I'm going to go with 33-34 cold & 36-38 hot. I really liked the feel (& increased mpg) at 38-40 hot but, as I posted, I am seeing a little uneven wear in the center now (very little but I can tell it). Running 32-33 (cold) for the first 15K was ok & I had almost no wear but if there is a little more at 33-34 (cold) I will live with it. I would incourage you guys to experiment with it & see how it feels but it will wear more the higher you go (at least mine did). BTW- at 28K it still looks like I have lots of wear left. I would guess at least 15K.

jgq1

Get what you like and worry about it when it happens..... chances are, you will trade it in before you get tired with the color...

I love my liquid copper and have no problem if it got called orange..... It is the most Unique color out there..... If you are still concerned get the beryllium, it was another pick of mine!

PS. The cayenne comes in a really nice green which would look nice on the FX

mwitt3

What is everyone using at the pump? I'm new to this -read the manual which recommends min. 91 octane ( have the 35). Salesman says you can go with any rating so long as you stick with it and not change back and forth. At the pump I have 87, 89 and 93 octane. 93 is running around $2.18 here in NY which I used for my first fill up. I would suspect that the 45 demands a higher octane gas but would appreciate any advice for my new 35.

wibble

You're salesman is talking nonsense. They're really not happy on less than 91 octane.

dutch47

I went through the same decision process trying to decide on a color. Black is a great color and I have had several black cars but keeping it clean drove me nuts sometimes. I narrowed it down to Diamond Graphite or Golden Sand with Ivory Pearl a distant third. I almost went with Diamond Graphite but I've had several cars that were very similar in color. I finally decided on the Golden Sand with Willow Leather interior. I really like the color, first car I've owned with with that color scheme and it hides dirt better than most other colors. I decided against Liquid Copper for the same reasons you stated - I was just not sure I would like it as much in a couple of years. I've only had my FX35 for a month and I simply love the car/suv or crossover or whatever else people are calling it. It's great to have a vehicle that so few people are driving. RX330, MDX, Explorer, etc - they all look the same - a box on wheels. It does not happen very often right now but I get a real kick seeing another FX in traffic and, in almost every case, we wave at one another as we pass. Even with gas prices going through the roof I feel the FX will continue to sell since the dealer where I bought mine is really moving them and that is with no advertising from Infiniti - which I don't understand. I've only filled up with gas three times since picking mine up and I am getting 18mpg based on city and highway driving with city driving running about 70% of the time and I don't spare the horses when I get the chance.

Good Luck on your decision on which color to go with.

devontt

Thanks for all the replies, folks!

I'm feeling better about the Liquid Copper and will probably go that route if there's one available when I need to buy. The Liquid Copper is a real head-turner. And it will be easy to find in a parking lot! (Can't tell you how often I've wandered a parking lot looking for my smallish black BMW.)

Cheers, everybody. Can't wait until I get my FX.

Devon

otis123

Does the FX35 18" tire run softer with the lower tire pressure - 32 psi cold - vs. 34-35 cold??

slummyj

Now that winter is over, I am cleaning the interior of my FX. Does anyone know of an effective way of getting salt stains off the carpet. I have both the carpeted and rubber floor mats, but some salt stains still are on the carpet where the mats didn't cover.

tidester

If it were still wet I'd suggest rapid drying (such as a blow dryer) followed by a thorough vaccuuming. You might still try that if it's damp.

tidester, host