Hello,

So I was reading the section in the Maintenance and Schedule booklet on determining the proper maintenance interval. Premium Maintenance seems to be for just the people that want their car really looked at, so I will skip that one. Schedule 1 seems to be for a very specific set of conditions (short trips less than 5 miles (10 if freezing), stop and go traffic in hot weather or low speed driving for long distances, driving in dusty conditions, rough, muddy, salty roads, or towing). Schedule 2 is to be used if you primarily operate under conditions not listed in 1.

I live in a rural area in South West VA. The average commute to work is about 13 miles one way on a bypass (a couple of stoplights after that). To go out for dinner or to the store, it is about 8 miles one way, again on a bypass. It does get hot in summer and cold in the winter, but most of my trips are greater than 10 miles anyways. There is the occasion of downtown driving that puts me in minor stop and go traffic (a couple of blocks).

To me, it seems that I fit the Schedule 2. Does that seem correct? Especially if I am using the Nissan Ester oil. From most of what I read though, people follow the Schedule 1. I hear a lot of complaints about the maintenance schedule on the Infiniti, and while I can see it for city driving, shouldn't most people be on Schedule 2?

Just looking for thoughts and input.

Thanks, Charlie.

 

There will be a lot of varying opinions about this. A UOA can give you a pretty good idea for your driving habits. I'm probably splitting it somewhat and doing around 5,000, which is easy to calculate. My official story for the dealership if I need warranty work is that I'm following Schedule 2. They can't fault me for doing *more* frequent changes.

Some people will say that nearly everyone fits into the severe schedule. I don't think this is the case. The schedules say what you "primarily" do. Meaning if you only take a short trip or drive in stop and go traffic once in a while, you not primarily fit the severe schedule. The requirements in this manual for severe vs. normal don't look much different than for other cars I've had.

Here's a good explanation of the severe vs normal maintenance:
Service Advisor: Impacting Consumer Oil Change Habits: Tomorrow's Technician

 

Schedule 2 sounds reasonable for you, IMO. 7500 is a long OCI by traditional standards, but if it's in the manual I'd follow it. It used to go without saying, but check your oil level every so often so you don't go low over 7500 miles.

 

Another SW Va user? I am near Abingdon and very rarely see any other Gs. I got mine the day before Thanksgiving.

I did my first change at 3750, will change again at 7500, and then every 7500 after that. Similar driving style to what you posted. I am using Pennzoil Ultra 5W-30. I actually did my first change tonight.

 

I am in Blacksburg. There are a number of Gs around here. You would be surprised at the number of luxury cars around here. All the rich college kid parents buying them these cars. A lot of coupes of course. I made sure to get the Alumni plate so that people knew I earned my car...haha.

 

^^it was at VT that i first fell in love with the G coupe back in 2003. Originally i thought i'd get a Mazda6 when i graduate, but that thought was quickly changed. Then when i did graduate, the G37 was announced! Drove the beater car for an extra year or so, saved up more $ and finally got myself a G.

 

I will get the first 2 oil changes for free at 3750 and 7500 miles. After that I intend on changing my own oil every 7,500 miles.

 

What's the reason behind changing the first time at 3750 and then every 7500 after that?

 

FWIW I did a UOA on my factory oil after my first change at around 4500. One good reason is the engine is still breaking in at those intervals which means more metals floating around in the oil. See the comments from blackstone in my post below.

Also, it sounded like the dealership gave him his first two oil changes for free -- at those intervals .

https://www.myg37.com/forums/2888995-post270.html

 

I will only have approximately 2,000 miles on my 2010, when I take off on a 4,000 mile round trip, in a couple of weeks.
I have the free coupon for the first 3,500 and 7,500 mile oil changes from the dealer.
Now I will wait until I return and get the first oil change and tire rotation at approximately 6,000 miles.
It is not a good idea to have your car serviced, when you are in the middle of a trip.
I read years ago that a large percentage of cars that break down on the highway can be directly connected to the last person that worked on it.

 

I'm in the TriCities near Johnson City and travel through Abingdon weekly. If you see a platinum G37 with a 26.2 sticker on the upper left rear window, it's me. I see a few G35s on the road, but very view G37 sedans.