when to change 4 wheel drive fluids Infiniti EX

[Jasper8146]

We just purchased a 2011 Infiniti EX35 with just under 11,000 miles on it. I want to change out the 4 wheel drive fluids soon to get rid of all the break-in shavings which are potentially floating around in there. The local dealer more or less refused to do the service early claiming that it would jeopardize the warranty and that it absolutely wasn't necessary until 60,000 miles and that the Infiniti engineers knew what they were doing in setting the interval that long. They didn't even want to do it at 30,000. My goal is to keep this car potentially forever or for at least 150,000 to 200,000 miles. I don't want to jeopardize the warranty but I definitely don't want to wait much longer to change out the fluids. I have read consistently that somewhere around 10,000 is when most of the initial shavings would have come off and that this would be the ideal time to change the fluids. If I could get some positive feedback here, I'm thinking of printing off the replies and seeing the service manager to possibly get them to more graciously agree to do it. Or, would I be wasting money by doing the fluids early and the life of the car would be just as good if I waited until much later. If now would not be the optimal time to do the first change, when would that time be? All replies will be appreciated.

 

[dparm]

I don't think there's much to worry about break-in contaminants in the transmission/transfer case. Remember that those are sealed units and don't have to deal with things like moisture.

I'd do it at 50k if your driving style is "hard" (i.e. off-roading, towing, very aggressive driving).

 

[rshaw125]

Modern engines,transmissions/transfer cases do not have shavings floating around from manufacture.

 

[HTSS_TR]

This dealer is good ! It's rare to encounter a dealer refuse to do unnecessary works.

 

[Barkleymut]

Originally Posted By: rshaw125
Modern engines,transmissions/transfer cases do not have shavings floating around from manufacture.


Did they use a magic engine/transfer in this car???

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: Barkleymut
Originally Posted By: rshaw125
Modern engines,transmissions/transfer cases do not have shavings floating around from manufacture.


Did they use a magic engine/transfer in this car???



It will have magnets in the housing.

 

[silverrat]

Printing off replies from here will do nothing to convince them. If you must get it done, try doing it yourself. It's not hard on these vehicles.

 

[Eddie]

If one knows more than the engineers that made recomendations, then do it yourself.

 

[Garak]

The problem is that not every aspect of recommendations are written by engineers.

 

[901Memphis]

Does it yourself, they don't need to know. Get oem fluid.

 

[gofast182]

Seems like a long interval. Honda/Acura recommends a shorter interval for theirs. Being a used car I'd change it for peace of mind even though it's likely OK. And remember, remove the fill bolt first, you'd hate to drain it and find its seized...

 

[Jasper8146]

Thanks to everyone for their ideas. I have to say I am surprised but relieved to hear that people on this forum who obviously care about details such as this think there may well be more to what the dealer says than I first believed. It is reassuring that I can apparently wait longer to do these fluids than I originally planned. If I still end up up deciding to do something before 60k, I think the idea of doing it myself or finding an independent shop might well be the way to go.

 

[147_Grain]

Keep in mind that while the gear oil might last 60,000 miles, contaminants and metal flakes during the break-in process are real and the main reason why I've always changed the differential fluid in my vehicles around 5,000 miles - upgrading to Amsoil Severe Gear 75W-90.

Oil wears out for two main reasons: 1. Fluid breakdown; 2. Contamination.

 

[barkingspider]

If the dealer won't do it, then DYI. That's what I would do.

 

[RSmolik]

I see cars and trucks with 100k never service either axles and be fine. Having said that, if your Infiniti interval is 60k, then wait till 60k . In the mean time, check the fluid condition when you change the engine oil (and know what you're looking at) and make sure you repair any axle seal leaks to prevent dust/dirt intrusion (and of course gear oil loss). The dealer should NOT EVER deny you a check of it if its in for an oil change or something like that. And call me a OEM nutswinger but I always use OEM fluids nowadays for everything except engine oil.

 

[Jasper8146]

Thanks for that tip. When I changed the fluid myself on our Acura MDX a few years ago, I actually had to take it to the dealer and have them break both bolts loose because neither one would budge. And, it's precisely because I do recall the much shorter initial change interval on the Acura MDX differential that I am so hesitant to wait as long as Infiniti is recommending.

 

[Jasper8146]

You hit on exactly what my concern is which is that no matter how careful or precise the machining process now is, that when pieces of metal contact each other, there is necessarily going to be a certain amount of "wearing in" and that process is going to generate some form of debris presumably in the form of tiny metal flakes, shavings, particles, etc., which are going to continue circulating and causing additional wear until the fluid is changed out for the first time. Thereafter, the wear rate should be much lower. I actually talked to Amsoil today and believe I am going to go for the Amsoil Severe Gear 75-w90 pretty soon at least in the rear differential because if there is a warranty issue and it is determined that use of their fluid, in other words, the "wrong fluid" caused the problem, they will warranty it themselves. I'm not sure whether Red Line does that or not.