Infiniti M35/M45 Maintenance and Repair

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Comments

  • donbregmandonbregman Member Posts: 5
    My only beef with the car is the fact that at night it is very difficult to see the homelink buttons on the mirror. I have been in other vehicles with similar homelink button locations and they have LED's. I will question Infinity when I brink the car in for service as to the possibility of having them modified.
  • eyeguy1eyeguy1 Member Posts: 3
    Dear BW45....what has been your usual city/hwy mileage? Which grade of gas? I use 89 and average 18mpg all around.
    One other problem acknowledged by dealer is premature shut off at the fuel pump. I have new (1/06) car with none of your listed problems so it seems Infiniti is trying.
    Have you had any experience with Bloomfield dealer? I purchased car in Sarasota, FL and stay here for 7 months. Dealer has been exceptional. MF
  • bw45sportbw45sport Member Posts: 151
    I've had none of the problems listed either. My M45, like the G35 I purchased 3 years ago, has been completely trouble free.

    I'm currently averaging a little over 17mpg as my driving has become more city than highway. As I also mentioned before, I've noticed that the two Infiniti's that I've driven seem to be more fuel hungry during warmup than at least Mercedes. If I have a week of short haul driving (5 or 10 minutes to destination) with time to cool down between trips, I've dipped to as low as a little over 15 mpg.

    I haven't had any experience with dealers other than Infiniti of Omaha and Jackie Cooper Imports of Tulsa. Both dealers have provided excellent support and customer service.

    I agree with you that Infiniti is trying. They really have done a wonderful job with a first model year car and I'm sure that the minor flaws that have bothered some with be addressed.
  • pgharris3pgharris3 Member Posts: 2
    i own a m35x and am wondering if mine is the only vehicle that revs real high when driving 70+, as if it was waiting to shift into overdrive? my engine also downshifts when I break at higher speeds and was told by dealer's service that it's part of the vehicle performance.
  • bdkinnhbdkinnh Member Posts: 292
    What are the RPM's you see at 70? When I took one out they were around 3000; if that's what you have then that's normal.

    Most of the other cars I tested were around 2000 @ 70 MPH. I don't know if it's because the M is a five speed, or if they just set it to rev high.
  • james27james27 Member Posts: 433
    Infiniti chose to set the gearing to keep the engine in the high power band rather than letting it run at a more relaxed rate for instant response, not economy. So, what you have it normal. That's what gives it the instant scoot, but eats up gas; it may also be one reason they have such a short interval for oil changes...rpm's per mile driven will be significantly higher than with many other cars. FWIW, my snow tires are quieter than the stock tires that came with the car and have almost the grip.
  • stixpixxstixpixx Member Posts: 17
    I have an M35 Sport with Tech Package. I purchased it last June and have 15000 miles on it. Yesterday I was listening to the radio and the sound went out. I then noticed that the whole center console, including temperature,cd,dvd,nav,voice control was not responding. I called my dealer and took it in today. They said the Clarion navigation system which controls everything has a manufacturer defect and needs to be replaced. It is going to take a week to get the upgraded unit from Clarion to resolve this issue. For now I will have to suffer for at least a week without using the stereo, nav, bluetooth, temp. This really sucks. I would recommend you call your dealer to get it replaced before before it goes out on you.

    Rafael
  • proacmanproacman Member Posts: 5
    Brought my M35x in for service. Told Danya Ruppert that the car makes a squealing noise over bumps when cold. Of course, when I picked up the car she said there was no problem.

    The next week, the noise got so bad that I couldn't hear the radio when the car went over bumps. Took it to Infiniti of Fairfield and they said I had a bad strut on the right rear and that it should have been obvious to any mechanic that bothered to look.

    Thus, Stay Away from PEPE INFINITI!
  • ewl88ewl88 Member Posts: 76
    Try the Infiniti service number which is the number you call to get towing, etc. They may provide a local alignment shop with the alignment specs but my body shop had difficulty getting specs from Infiniti. They may provide the specs if you explain that you don't want to drive 2 hours!
  • ewl88ewl88 Member Posts: 76
    I scratched one of my tire rims against a granite block curb. The scratches aren't deep but are noticeable. Any options besides buying a new rim?
  • blov8rblov8r Member Posts: 567
    Try a different dealer. My M35 Sport does not experience the same problem.

    Agreed. Take the car elsewhere, drive other comparable units, etc. My M35 Sport is nimble and steady ... either you're so accustomed to a truck's lack of responsiveness that the M seems too sensitive or your M has a problem. I wouldn't be surprised if it proves to be the former! Bart :shades:
  • blov8rblov8r Member Posts: 567
    I agree with you that Infiniti is trying. They really have done a wonderful job with a first model year car and I'm sure that the minor flaws that have bothered some with be addressed.

    First model year cars tend to have MANY more mechanical problems than the M. Recalls galore. The M, with it's few warts and sores, for the most part doesn't have the usual first year plague of endless and repetitive malfunctions. Put another way, it can use some refinements but mechanically it's as solid as an anvil. Just finished my first 12 months and a paltry 7K miles but nothing has needed dealer service other than routine oil changes that, for $35 also get me a thorough wash mini-detail. Beats Jiffy Lube. Bart :shades:
  • blov8rblov8r Member Posts: 567
    I scratched one of my tire rims against a granite block curb. The scratches aren't deep but are noticeable. Any options besides buying a new rim?

    Oooops. I'm in constant fear of that and crunching my front air dam on curbs ... so far so good. I can't help you with the rims, but I did read awhile ago that if they're not badly scraped they can be buffed out. Price I don't know, but beats replacing them. I'd call my dealer and ask for a referral ... that should do it as you're not the first to have this sad misadventure.
    Good luck. Bart :shades:
  • sangonesangone Member Posts: 15
    I have a similar but less intrusive problem. I have the M45 SPort w/ Tech & Journey package and my XM went completely out. I cannot even access the XM band using the radio button. Wondering if the problem is related to what you mention.
  • brianfoxbrianfox Member Posts: 25
    I have successfully used a RAZR in my M45 (I had the phone for just a couple of days). I just got a Sony W800i. A good number of Sony phones are on the compatibility list. For 2 days, everything worked fine. Starting today, although I can always get the phone to pair up, there is NO sound out of the car speakers.

    I can dial a number from the car controls, and the phone dials out. I can also dial from the phone, and the car responds by muting the radio. I can hear a faint "pop" from the car speakers when the dial initiates, and when the call connects, but otherwise nothing but a slight hiss when I turn the car sound up all the way.

    I have tried deleting the phone and repairing. Still no sound. Obviously, my next step is to try my phone in another car, and another phone in the Infiniti.

    Anyone have a similar problem?
  • brianfoxbrianfox Member Posts: 25
    Stupid question, but do you actually have an XM account, or was this the free trial period running out? It sure sounds like you never started an account.

    When I first got my car, I was able to access random channels for about 2 weeks. I then called XM and got my 90 days free - they don't make you sign up for a pay-account during the trial. After 90 days exactly, your sat will cut out again. I decided to go month to month. There was NO activiation fee - don't let them try to charge you one.

    If your account is not active, then voice is the only way I know of accessing the radio (pushing Radio button doesn't take you to SAT if it's not activated). Use voice and say "Sat One Hundred". It should take you to Howard 100. You'll be directed to call if you don't have a subscription.

    When you call to subscribe, have your Radio ID ready (Voice command to "Sat Zero"), and possibly your Vehicle ID. They'll have you go to a channel for a test...you'll have to use the voice for that as well. It's pretty inconvenient to have to subscribe while sitting in your parked car.
  • brianfoxbrianfox Member Posts: 25
    The lack of backlights on the homelink buttons is truly a surprising oversight on Infiniti's part. On top of that, they give you this clashing green LED for no apparent reason. I'd be very surprised to see this not fixed on the '07.

    Speaking of lights, I'd personally spend a grand to replace the "what-were-they-thinking-Orange" with the ultra-pleasant Acura Blue. I swear, at night it's like I'm driving on Mars. I wonder how many years away we are from having backlights that let you actually choose your preferred color? It would not be difficult nor expensive to use fiber optics and have a color wheel or programmable light at the light source. Alternatively, very inexpensive dual or tri-color LEDs are available... I could see them charging about $500 in a tech package.

    You listening, Infiniti? You could market the hell out of personalized lighting, and be the first in the world. Can you envision the ad campaign? The inside of the cabin at night, dash pulsing different colors to the beat of music? The kids would eat that up in the G.

    I think the M would be that much better if they adopted the Acura Blue lighting and the Acura Real-Time Traffic. But then again, those are the only nice things on the Acura...
  • courtney11courtney11 Member Posts: 77
    Is the mileage as bad as I have read? I noticed the tires have a very low treadwear rating. How fast do the tires wear out? Do you only get 20k miles on them, or is it less?
  • carnaughtcarnaught Member Posts: 3,570
    Well, I have the Acura blue on my TL and the orange on my M35 sport. I like the M's orange better, personal preference. I like the Lexus and Mercedes S class, colors the best.

    BTW, I think there is a car out now that does have the ability to change dash colors but I don't remember which one, Passat?
  • james27james27 Member Posts: 433
    As I was cleaning up the car today, I noticed that the driver's rubber door moulding is torn. I'm fairly tall, and the seat back/bottom junction is behind the door pillar, so to get out, you end up rubbing on it as you get out. Was wondering if anyone else had noticed this? The composition of that rubber is very soft and insubstantial. I'm a little disappointed.
  • brianfoxbrianfox Member Posts: 25
    My mileage is not very good. I drive 50% freeways, 50% light traffic, but have a lot of small hills (not steep at all). I get 17 MPG. This is my 3rd Infiniti, and I've never done better than 22 MPG, even with my G20. Infiniti makes really, really heavy cars.

    These are the same tires my I30 came with, and those lasted over 30K. Infiniti tends to put very expensive tires on their cars (I didn't say they were the best - only expensive).

    BTW, if you're concerned about the stock tires on a 50K car, you should be looking at Maximas instead.
  • bw45sportbw45sport Member Posts: 151
    you end up rubbing on it as you get out. Was wondering if anyone else had noticed this?

    I've had the same experience and it's not that uncommon. A very easy fix, quick and free, if you find that it causes you problems. To date, I've had no leak or wind noise from it.
  • bw45sportbw45sport Member Posts: 151
    Any options besides buying a new rim?

    Check with your Infiniti dealer to see if they can refer you to a wheel repair service. I gashed the front wheel on my G35 Coupe and had that sick feeling you get when you know you just blew $300 or whatever the wheel on a G costs to make it look right again.

    My dealer referred me to a repair specialist, working out of his shop at home, who charged $70 and made the wheel look good as new. If you lined it up with the other three you'd never know which was the damaged one.

    I'd had a similar problem on my MB SL500 that looked like the pebbled surface of concrete. When he was finished, you guessed it, good as new. There are very few that are beyond repair anymore.
  • ewl88ewl88 Member Posts: 76
    Thanks. Well check with them. Hopefully they'll be quick and convenient. Can't take time off from work with something "elective" like this.
  • courtney11courtney11 Member Posts: 77
    Thank for the info, however just because I am intersted in the M35 and the tire wear doesn't mean I should dismiss the tire wear. I have heard that you are lucky to get 20K miles and at 1K per set it adds up. And yes, Mileage is important to, the TL gets much better MPG as does the Lexus ES330, BMW3 and others. I have a neighbor who owns a M35 who has said he is lucky to get between 15-16 in the city. His previous car was a Lexus ES300 which got 20 in the city. By the way my wife has a 2001 TL which gets 19-20 in the city. At todays gas prices it all matters.
  • sangonesangone Member Posts: 15
    I was able to find a solution through the local Infiniti dealership. Apparently, someone at the garage where I park near the airport (valet) for some reason disconnected the battery. The XM system had to be reset by the dealership to work. :mad: My XM service has been active since August of last year so the 90 day trial wasn't an issue.
  • mrshermanoaksmrshermanoaks Member Posts: 5
    The lane markers on freeways and streets out here in LA are pretty narrow, and I am sick to death of hearing the LDW warning beep. I've come to call it my "You're driving somewhere" alarm. I know it can be turned off, but I have to do it each time I start the car, and its difficult to do while driving because it's down low and hidden by the steering wheel.

    Is there anything either I or a dealer could do to either turn this off permanently, or to keep this off persistently until I turn it back on? It's seriously detracting from my enjoyment of this car. :cry:
  • docnukemdocnukem Member Posts: 485
    Yes, there is a way to set the default to "off". I believe it is in your owner's manual.
  • james27james27 Member Posts: 433
    I bought snow tires for my car (without tire pressure senders). WHen I put the factory wheels back on, I rotated them. Was hoping the senders would resync and give a readout. No such luck. In talking with the dealer, you need not only the Infiniti scan tool ( a generic one won't work), and another tool. Takes about 10-minutes. This is a pain, but they did offer to do it for free if I called first to make sure they had a break and someone was available.
  • buster6buster6 Member Posts: 134
    I have 19k on my M45 sport, and it is going to need new tires very soon. I am getting an average of 18.1 with 50/50 city and highway driving, and about 15 all city driving.
  • buster6buster6 Member Posts: 134
    I am in the process of having to get new tires for the m45 sport (19's). I am in the process of looking now and am getting quotes of about $1250 (less 100 rebate) from an online source for an oem replacement. Is that about right or is there a good tire replacement that does not cost as much. I drive about 30k miles a year, and the tire cost is killing me (I will have to replace them 5 times in 3 years).

    Thanks for any help you have to offer.
  • networthnetworth Member Posts: 22
    Have you tried TireRack.com? I purchased some Goodyear F1's for my roadster there and got a good price compared to retail or other on-line outlets. I drive about 30K/yr as well and am curious as to the wear life I'll get on my 45 sport. Only 2400 miles thus far so I've got a bit to go before replacement (hopefully.....)
  • pgharris3pgharris3 Member Posts: 2
    it's a little north of 3000, so i feel better knowing that it's not just my vehicle. would help if my service dept knew enough to tell me in the first place. thanks
  • velveteendad1velveteendad1 Member Posts: 36
    OK, another iPod question/suggestion - has anyone tried using a bluetooth device hooked up to their iPod to play music through the M35's bluetooth system? Would it work?

    Just looking for ways to get the iPod hooked up - FM transmitters don't work well, and my M35 won't have the audio inputs.

    Thanks for any suggestions!
  • dl8dl8 Member Posts: 25
    be happy.
    I also do 60% freeway, 35 - 40% local. I only get 13.8 MPG
    It is worst than my MB 600S.
    I can't believe this.

    D
  • tayl0rdtayl0rd Member Posts: 1,926
    ... I wonder how many years away we are from having backlights that let you actually choose your preferred color? ... You could market the hell out of personalized lighting, and be the first in the world. ...

    Ummm... Have you ever heard of the 2005 Ford Mustang GT? ;):blush:
  • networthnetworth Member Posts: 22
    I'm getting around 15 pure City, 16-18 mixed and 22-24 (best is 24.6)pure highway in my M45 sport. I don't push her hard but cruise around 75 on the interstate. I'm curious if there is this much difference between vehicles or just driving style and conditions.
  • bobs540ibobs540i Member Posts: 2
    Same with my car. When the seat is all the way back you cannot help but rub the door seal when exiting the car.
  • cmf1cmf1 Member Posts: 4
    just got my m35x. car seems great. had two questions. it was raining in NY today and noticed that the passenger side wiper ends directly in middle of the driver window and leaves a line, very annoying. is that normal? also, got the journey and NAV package with sirius radio, which was installed at dealership. came with a sirius antenna mounted on the roof. asked the dealer if they had an antenna that matched the color of the car. was told that only comes with the tech package.can they replace the sirius antenna with one that matches the car, which is what I thought I would be getting. thanks
  • m35manm35man Member Posts: 4
    I have the same problem. Was planning to talk to the dealer on my next trip. Has anyone asked? One reply noted a quickand free fix???
  • m35manm35man Member Posts: 4
    I found a local electronics guru (ex-helicopter electrician) who did an integration that gave me an iPod docking station. It's hard wired into the back of the radio using the FM port, but he put some type of filter on to give it a clear frequency. Sound quality is about the same as FM. Very pleased. He's based in NH so you need to find someone out your way
  • velveteendad1velveteendad1 Member Posts: 36
    Thank you for the suggestion. Did he use an FM modulator that's hooked into the Antenna line? To play it, do you set the FM radio on a certain station and then it plays through the radio?
  • m35manm35man Member Posts: 4
    Yes. I set the radio to 88.7 The filter he installed has a toggle switch next to the seat heaters/cooler. 88.7 is crystal clear when it's switched on.

    Good Luck
  • stephenc3stephenc3 Member Posts: 2
    Can everyone help me out and post what type of mileage they are getting with the M35 and M45... I am coming out of a gas hog SUV and just want to make sure what to expect, do not want to go from the frying pan to the fire if I dont have too.

    Thanks.

    Potential buyer in California
  • m35manm35man Member Posts: 4
    Your car my be set up different for CA emissions but my M35X gets ~20-21 highway ~17-19 city. Average is always around 19-20 per the car computer.- Boston
  • networthnetworth Member Posts: 22
    I'm getting around 15 pure City, 16-18 mixed and 22-24 (best is 24.6)pure highway in my M45 sport. I don't push her hard but cruise around 75 on the interstate.
  • jatracewjatracew Member Posts: 1
    I have had this happen to me twice so far since early December when I bought my M35. Let me know if you get any support from the problem
  • msu79gt82msu79gt82 Member Posts: 541
    Can everyone help me out and post what type of mileage they are getting with the M35 ...

    M35: City ~18 and Highway ~24 (or abut 2 mpg better than my Acura MDX)
  • msu79gt82msu79gt82 Member Posts: 541
    I researched this before I bought and decided on the non-Sport. Very few and expensive choices for the Sport model (also I traded an FX35 Sport; didn't like the ride).
  • patchiepatchie Member Posts: 1
    Just got a 2006 M35 and the clock and homelink is not working. Contacted the dealer and advice it may be a blown fuse. Does anyone know where the fuse is locted and how is it mark. I have check both fuse in the hood and pass compartment but found nothing mark clock or homelink. Help.
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