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With your recent purchase of an Infiniti vehicle, whether a car or SUV/CUV, comes the responsibility to properly maintain it. More people are leasing than ever before and it is the responsibility for the lessee to properly maintain their vehicle. To that end, manufacturers are specifying, via a maintenance schedule, what services should occur, and when. While some vehicles even include free maintenance, it doesn’t occur by osmosis. You still need to take your car in for service.
In some cases, the lessee’s responsibility ends when the lease does. In others, they decide to buy the car outright at the end of the lease term. To an actual purchaser of the vehicle, the service schedules become even more important, especially if they plan to keep the vehicle for more than three years. Which is why KBB.com recommends following the service schedules notated in Infiniti’s vehicle’s owner’s manual. We use the 2018 Infiniti Q70 as an example. Service schedules for other Infiniti vehicles share many of the same intervals. Please check your owner’s manuals for more details.
Like clockwork, your Infiniti’s motor oil and oil filter should be changed every 5,000 miles or six months, whichever comes first. During that oil service, it’s always a good idea to rotate the tires, which enable them to maintain equalized road wear because of their constant movement around the vehicle. With proper care, they will hopefully get you to the 35-to 40,000-miles range. Synthetic motor oil has become mainstream in our cars, to the point where most automakers will recommend its usage. It is formulated to last longer than 5,000 miles and is able to withstand high heat and thermal breakdown, but for simplicity’s sake follow the directions in the owner’s manual.
It’s time once again for a change of oil, and oil filter as well as another round of tire rotations. Beginning at the 10,000-mile mark, it’s recommended to inspect the brake pads and rotors, to insure proper stopping power. Inspect and top off (if needed) the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) fluid and inspect the front driveshaft boots for tears that can allow dust, dirt and debris inside. Replace windshield wiper blades every year or 10,000 miles, whichever comes first. It’s never a bad idea to check the vehicle’s alignment.
The service technicians at your Infiniti dealership will, once again, replace the engine oil and filter, and replace the brake fluid. At the same time, they will inspect the brake system, pads and rotors. The exhaust system will be examined to insure against leaks or damage. Your Infiniti mechanic will also go over the steering gear and linkage, as well as axle and suspension parts. The tires are due to be rotated once again, and finally, inspect and refill (if necessary) the vehicle’s fluid levels.
Slightly more extensive, this service starts with a replacement of the engine air filter, which is designed to trap dirt and debris before it has a chance to be ingested into the engine. At the same mileage mark, the mechanics will perform an oil and oil filter change, and another tire rotation. They will follow with an inspection of the brake pads and rotors. Finally, it’s time to replace the in-cabin air filter and the Infiniti Intelligent Key battery.
At 40,000 miles, your Infiniti’s drive belts are due for a look-see. It’s also time to once again replace the motor oil and filter with fresh versions of each. Inspect the EVAP vapor lines and fuel lines at the same time. Brake fluid replacement is next, following with an inspection of the CVT fluid for topping off, if needed. Rotate the tires, inspect windshield wiper blades, and visually inspect the brake pads, and rotors, once again.
If you subject your Infiniti to desert or high-stress driving situations, that may accelerate the need for service sooner than listed in your manual. For example, if most of your driving occurs in dusty, desert-like surroundings, or on high-speed runs or travel along mountainous grades, Infiniti recommends more frequent oil and filter changes than listed above. As always, your mileage may vary.
For buyers planning to keep their Infiniti vehicles for extended periods of time, the company offers the prepaid Elite Prepaid Maintenance program that ranges in length from 12 months / 10,000 miles to 96 months / 80,000 miles. It provides basic servicing like oil changes and rotations, at pricing today that protects you from future increases.
Infiniti also offers their Infiniti Elite Extended Protection Plans, which covers more than 1,655 components (less a deductible) and includes trip interruption insurance, up to $500 per incident, and car rental coverage up to $50 per day for five days, along with other features. Durations are from 24 months/40,000 miles, to 96 months/120,000 miles. Not to be confused with third-party extended warranty plans, service can be performed at any Infiniti dealership.
The plans cover many parts included in the original warranty plan, for a longer period of time. It is transferable, but pricing varies; Polish up your negotiation skills and see your Infiniti dealer for more accurate figures.