I recently purchased a 2011 G37 XS with the big factory brakes. This Saturday I took it to the dealer because the TPMS sensors had a warning light. They informed me that the 18" factory Infiniti wheels (Enkei) were not the originals that came with my vehicle. They told me that my car should have had 19" wheels. I was also told that there isn't enough clearance between the calipers and the wheels. Somewhere between the owner who turned in the lease, the dealer that took it in, and the dealer who bought it, someone somewhere swapped wheels. The car does drive fine btw. I need to add that the closest Infiniti dealer is hour and 20 min away. After getting on the highway, my TPMS light came back on. I drove it home and had my local mechanic throw his computer on it (he also maintained my 350Z, and I trust him). He told me both front TPMS sensors were bad and all the dealer did was reset it, rather than replace them. He also told he the clearance is fine, infact he has seen clearances less than that (roughly 1/4 inch) and if was concerned, 1/8 inch spacers would fix it. The dealership was nice enough, but I got the feeling since I did not buy my car there they were just looking to get me out the door. I dont know what to believe or which way to go..Any suggestions?

 

Yes, the xS coupe does come with 19 inch rims standard. If there was not enough clearance with your current rims the car would definitely not drive fine! If the rims are not touching the calipers you are okay. If the sensors were truly bad I believe the reset wouldn't accomplish anything. Maybe the sensors needed to be recalibrated and the dealer did that?

 

This post is a bit of a rant... what is the specific question you're asking?

You're right, it came from the factory with the 19" wheels. The 18's are fine, too, and tires will be much cheaper.

As far as TPMS sensors, pretty much any tire shop should be able to test the sensors and install new ones if you need them.

 

1/4" caliper clearance is gold! I've got 3mm clearance and no issues whatsoever.
As long as your 18" wheels aren't equipped w/ tires that have diameter that's way off you'll be gold there too

 

Thank you for your answers I was very concerned. My post wasn't a rant, but more of providing as much information as possible to get the best and most accurate answer. My question was are the 18" wheels safe since it does come factory with a 19" wheel. The dealer told me since the clearances were so close that if I picked up a rock it would destroy the wheels and the calipers. My local shop told me that was bullcrap. I didn't know who to believe and was relying on the expertise of people who own, modify and live for the vehicle I own. I had concerns and was asking smarter people if that makes any sense.

If you say I am fine, it confirms what I suspected. The service writer at the dealer had me thinking I was screwed and had to dump a few grand to fix the issue and I shouldn't even be driving the car. He also told me my car was wrecked on the drivers side, which is against what carfax says and also what not only my eyes but my detailer told me. It seems to me the dealer was just pissed I bought my car elsewhere.

Again, thank you to everyone for your help