InfinitiQ451997Overview/infiniti/q45/1997/base/

1997 Infiniti Q45

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1997 Q45.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1997 Infiniti Q45 is equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission and EPA fuel economy ratings of 16 city, 22 highway, and 18 combined mpg, while routine engine service calls for 5.6 quarts of 5W-30 or 10W-30 API SM oil. Across the model's complaint history spanning 1990 through 2006, this year sits in the middle of the pack with 12 owner complaints—primarily focused on the electrical system—alongside two recalls. That total falls well below the 1991 peak of 47 complaints yet remains above the 1993 low of just 2, suggesting a vehicle that has moved past its early-generation problem years but still carries moderate, manageable reliability considerations for prospective researchers.

Model year200620052004200320022001199919981997

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.6 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 10W-30 API SMOEM · verified
Lug nut torque72-87 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/22/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24 · 585 CCA battery, OE oil filter 152089E01A. Note the factory front wiper blades is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24 · 585 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215-60VR16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter152089E01A
Engine air filter165461P100
Fuel filter164000W005
Spark plug224011P114 alt 224011P116
Battery999M1NB24C
Front wiper blades288901E310 discontinued
Serpentine beltA19206P002 alt A17201P102
Thermostat212006P001
Cabin air filter272746P125

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length199.2 in
Overall width71.7 in
Overall height57.1 in
Wheelbase111.4 in
Curb weight3882 lb
Track (front / rear)60.6 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 22 / 18 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume97 cu ft
Cargo volume13 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Q45 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.5–8.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.50 sec — 1997 t Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1997t Sedan 4.1L V87.50 sec15.70 sec266 hpRWD
1997t Sedan 4.1L V87.60 sec15.80 sec266 hpRWD
1997t Sedan 4.1L V88.00 sec16.10 sec266 hpRWD
1998t Sedan 4.1L V88.40 sec16.50 sec266 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.6 qt of 5W-30 / 10W-30 API SM engine oil, 75W-90 · 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 72-87 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 22.0-29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-7-3-6-5-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · 80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.7 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · 10W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.6 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts260-275 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts61-69 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts13-16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts20-23 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug22.0-29.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts72-87 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub181 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub177 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-8-7-3-6-5-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque14.0-22.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing15, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance2 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.49-1.60 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity6.80 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24
Standard BCI Cranking Performance585 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-17 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature180 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)43.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)34.0 psi
Engine Compression144-186. 14 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure14 psi @ Idle, 67-81 psi @ 3000 rpm psi
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket23-30 ft-lbs / 87-101 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle28-38 ft-lbs / 72-87 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0004 in / 0.0008 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0028 in / 0.0059 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.102 in / 0.63 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.102 in / 0.63 in
Rotor Minimum Machining1.024 in / 0.551 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
110-12 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60-6510–12 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages
122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
269 ft. lbs.69 ft. lbs
3loosen all bolts
418-25 ft. lbs.18–25 ft. lbs
590-95
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-1029 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 miEngine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 miBattery (inspect electrolyte level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miActive Suspension System (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1997 Q45 marks the first year of the second-generation redesign, and the federal record shows a notable uptick in recalls (2) compared to the preceding three model years (1994–1996), which had zero recalls each. While the 1997 complaint count (12) is moderate and lower than the 1994 spike (36), it is slightly higher than the 1995–1996 average (8), and the 68 TSBs indicate the manufacturer was actively addressing issues. The top complaint areas—electrical system, air bags, and suspension—are common for a new generation, but the absence of crash or fire complaints is reassuring. However, the two recalls suggest early teething problems that may have been resolved through later service campaigns. Overall, the 1997 Q45 is a riskier buy than the more mature 1995–1996 models, and a cautious buyer would be better served by a later, more sorted year like 1999 or 2000.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
68
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
12
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 12 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System3
Air Bags2
Suspension2
Service Brakes1
Engine & Engine Cooling,Electrical System1
Vehicle Speed Control1
Seats1
Steering1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

02V171000Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/RegulatorReported 24/06/2002

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, ONE OF THE DIODES USED IN THE ALTERNATOR MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED WHEN BUILT. THIS CAN EVENTUALLY RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE DIODE AND AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WHICH COULD MELT THE PLASTIC HOUSING. Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 29, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT…

99V129000Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/RegulatorReported 20/05/1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. ONE OF THE DIODES USED IN THE ALTERNATOR MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED WHEN BUILT. THIS CAN EVENTUALLY RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE DIODE AND AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WHICH COULD MELT THE PLASTIC… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 68 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
ITB13-007H2023-02-27StructureREMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See…
ITB09-039J2023-02-27VisibilityWINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last…
ITB10-067C2023-02-22WheelsWHEEL BEARING COLLISION DAMAGE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on…
ITB16-006A2021-03-24Electrical SystemINFINITI; FRONT SONAR PARKING SENSOR SERVICE INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended…
ITB97-038a2020-07-08Fuel System, GasolineVOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN 1997 Q45 INTAKE COLLECTOR GASKET LEAK Service Campaign ID #…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Q45. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1997 Q45 take?

5.6 qt of 5W-30 OR 10W-30 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 1997 Q45 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Q45 get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined mpg.