Infiniti is Nissan’s luxury division, which means excellent engines, a genuinely good chassis, and two inherited weak points worth knowing about before they cost you money. We service the Q50, Q60, QX50, QX55, QX60, QX80, G35, G37, M37, FX35 and JX35 at our shop on North Central.
The VQ-series V6 is one of the better engines of its generation, with a timing chain tensioner history that is well documented. The QX60 and QX50 use the same Jatco CVT family found in Nissans, with the same heat sensitivity. Everything else about owning an Infiniti here comes down to staying ahead of desert wear on cooling, suspension and air conditioning.
Models we service: Q50, Q60, QX50, QX55, QX60, QX80, G35, G37, M37, FX35 and JX35.
Infiniti owners buying used should know that these vehicles hold up well mechanically and less well against heat-aged components. A pre-purchase inspection on a Phoenix Infiniti is worth every dollar: cooling system condition, timing chain noise, CVT fluid condition and suspension wear tell you more about what the next two years will cost than the odometer does.
Interval | What we perform |
30,000 miles | Full synthetic oil and filter, tire rotation, brake inspection, cabin and engine air filters, cooling system pressure test, CVT fluid condition check where applicable |
60,000 miles | Transmission or CVT fluid service, spark plugs, brake fluid flush, coolant condition check, four-wheel alignment, suspension inspection |
90,000 miles | Full coolant flush, water pump inspection, timing chain assessment on VQ engines, rear differential and transfer case fluid, fuel system service, full chassis inspection |
A rattle on cold start lasting several seconds on G35, G37, Q50, Q60, M37 and FX models. Secondary chain tensioners and guides wear, and the rate depends heavily on oil condition. Heat-degraded oil brings the failure forward. Chain stretch can be measured, which makes this something to diagnose rather than live with cam timing drifts as it progresses.
Shudder under light acceleration, hesitation from a stop, or a transmission temperature warning in summer. These models use the CVT family that Phoenix heat treats worst. Fluid service on a shortened interval is the effective intervention, and early symptoms respond far better to it than advanced ones.
Oil needing topping up between changes, sometimes with a faint exhaust smell on startup. Valve stem seals and ring wear both contribute, and heat increases the rate. Monthly level checks are essential on a VQ past 100,000 miles, because the engine gives very little warning before low oil causes bearing damage.
The vehicle sitting unevenly, a suspension warning, or a ride that has turned harsh. Air springs and dampers are heat-sensitive and expensive. Verifying whether the fault is a spring, compressor, height sensor or damper before ordering parts is where the money is saved on this repair.
Q50 and Q60 owners running staggered wheel setups cannot rotate front to rear, so alignment is the only defense they have against uneven wear on an expensive rear set. We measure all four corners and align in house, and we inspect bushings and rear links first because on these cars a rear alignment that will not hold usually means something underneath is worn.
Schedule your Infiniti service today. Written estimates, correct specifications, no pressure – and an honest answer if the work belongs somewhere else.
Beat the Phoenix heat with a fast, reliable AC checkup from Pete Kelley’s.
Quick, affordable oil changes to keep your engine running smooth.
Expert engine diagnostics and repair from Phoenix’s local experts.
Restore performance and quiet the ride with expert exhaust repairs.
Stay safe on the road with thorough brake inspections and repairs.
Expert transmission care to keep your ride shifting smoothly.
Battery testing and electrical repairs, done right the first time.
Prevent overheating with cooling system repairs from Pete Kelley’s
Q50, Q60, QX50, QX55, QX60, QX80, G35, G37, M37, FX35 and JX35.
Strongly recommended, particularly in Phoenix. We check cooling system condition, timing chain noise, CVT fluid condition, suspension wear and leaks. It routinely tells buyers more about the next two years of ownership than the mileage does.
Typically timing chain tensioner wear on the VQ engine. It is measurable, and worth diagnosing chain stretch affects cam timing as it progresses and the repair grows with it.
Yes. These share their major mechanical systems with Nissans we service daily. You get a written estimate up front and a NAPA AutoCare 24-month / 24,000-mile nationwide warranty.
Free written estimate. No pressure. Honest advice from a shop that has been on North Central since 1972.