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2018 Infiniti Q50 — surface rust underneath a winter daily

BoxerShopper534Community StarterSep 4, 20262018 Infiniti Q50 Red SportQueens
2018 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport, about 126,500 miles. There is early surface rust on brackets, fasteners and seams underneath, but nothing structural. For a salt-belt car, what treatment slows it down without creating a hard coating that traps moisture?
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20 replies

PistonCamperCommunity StarterCommunity StarterSep 4, 2026permalink
This is a climate question as much as a tire question. If Queens only sees a few real storms, a good all-weather on the 2018 Infiniti Q50 can be the saner daily. I'd do that before spending real money. Happy to compare notes if your setup is different. A day of patience here is cheaper than a wrong part. If this is nothing, great. I want that in data.
ColdStartLearner641Community StarterCommunity StarterSep 4, 2026permalink
Same neighborhood, different next step: If Queens only sees a few real storms, a good all-weather on the 2018 Infiniti Q50 can be the saner daily. I'd do that before spending real money. On “surface rust underneath a winter daily,” that was the fork that mattered for me. When does it actually happen? This is the filter I use when the thread starts repeating itself. Not driving it hard until I know more.
PistonCamperCommunity StarterCommunity StarterSep 4, 2026permalink
Yes, with one caveat: In Queens, dedicated winters on the 2018 Infiniti Q50 paid off more than I expected on ice, even on plowed roads. Then you'll know the next fork. This is from a 2018 Infiniti Q50 in Queens with 126,500 miles. Happy to compare notes if your setup is different. Video is ugly but it shows the hesitation.
ColdStartLearner641Community StarterCommunity StarterSep 4, 2026permalink
Salt and cold mornings punish cheap shortcuts. If Queens only sees a few real storms, a good all-weather on the 2018 Infiniti Q50 can be the saner daily. Then you'll know the next fork. Did the worksheet show tax yet? This is me being the wet blanket on purpose.
PistonCamperCommunity StarterCommunity StarterSep 4, 2026permalink
This is a climate question as much as a tire question. If Queens only sees a few real storms, a good all-weather on the 2018 Infiniti Q50 can be the saner daily. That's where I'd start. This is from a 2018 Infiniti Q50 in Queens with 126,500 miles. If you share a photo of the worksheet, easier to sanity-check. Video is ugly but it shows the hesitation.
HighwayGuy68Community StarterCommunity StarterSep 4, 2026permalink
This is a climate question as much as a tire question. Watch brake clearance and overall diameter if you downsize winter wheels on the 2018 Infiniti Q50. I'd do that before spending real money. If you share a photo of the worksheet, easier to sanity-check. I'd rather be boring and correct. I'll poke at it this weekend.
ApexWrench25Community StarterCommunity StarterSep 4, 2026permalink
Salt and cold mornings punish cheap shortcuts. Watch brake clearance and overall diameter if you downsize winter wheels on the 2018 Infiniti Q50. That's where I'd start. If you share a photo of the worksheet, easier to sanity-check. I've seen both outcomes, which is why I'd test instead of assume. This is the version I'd tell a friend.
DailyMilesCommunity StarterCommunity StarterSep 4, 2026permalink
This is a climate question as much as a tire question. In Queens, dedicated winters on the 2018 Infiniti Q50 paid off more than I expected on ice, even on plowed roads. I'd do that before spending real money. On “surface rust underneath a winter daily,” that was the fork that mattered for me. This is from a 2018 Infiniti Q50 in Queens with 126,500 miles. Not gospel, but it saved me a headache. Climate here is different, so treat that as a local data point. Doing the boring step first on purpose.
HighwayGuy68Community StarterCommunity StarterSep 4, 2026permalink
I'd pick the setup I'll actually live with in slush. Watch brake clearance and overall diameter if you downsize winter wheels on the 2018 Infiniti Q50. Then you'll know the next fork. If you share a photo of the worksheet, easier to sanity-check. I'm in no rush to be a hero on it.
PistonGeek244Community StarterCommunity StarterSep 4, 2026permalink
I'd pick the setup I'll actually live with in slush. Watch brake clearance and overall diameter if you downsize winter wheels on the 2018 Infiniti Q50. Then you'll know the next fork. I'd want that in writing, not as a promise. Your commute and mine probably aren't the same, but the test still applies. I'd rather pay for diagnosis than a second guess-repair.
ShopGarage419Community StarterCommunity StarterSep 4, 2026permalink
Salt and cold mornings punish cheap shortcuts. In Queens, dedicated winters on the 2018 Infiniti Q50 paid off more than I expected on ice, even on plowed roads. That's where I'd start. On “surface rust underneath a winter daily,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Do that first. Wrote this up on my lunch break.
ColdStartOwner173Community StarterCommunity StarterSep 4, 2026permalink
Salt and cold mornings punish cheap shortcuts. If Queens only sees a few real storms, a good all-weather on the 2018 Infiniti Q50 can be the saner daily. That's where I'd start. Verbal 'we'll take care of it' is not a plan. I keep a notes app thread for this now.
BoxerShopper534Community StarterCommunity StarterSep 4, 2026permalink
Following up on surface rust underneath a winter daily: still happening, but I have better notes now. Not driving it hard until I know more.
TrackTraveler521Community StarterCommunity StarterSep 4, 2026permalink
I'd pick the setup I'll actually live with in slush. If Queens only sees a few real storms, a good all-weather on the 2018 Infiniti Q50 can be the saner daily. That's where I'd start. On “surface rust underneath a winter daily,” that was the fork that mattered for me. A shop burned me once by skipping that step. If your situation is the opposite, ignore me. Video is ugly but it shows the hesitation.
RotorCamperCommunity StarterCommunity StarterSep 4, 2026permalink
I'd pick the setup I'll actually live with in slush. Watch brake clearance and overall diameter if you downsize winter wheels on the 2018 Infiniti Q50. That's where I'd start. This is from a 2018 Infiniti Q50 in Queens with 126,500 miles. Just my two cents from doing this recently. Make the next action something you can finish this week. Only after sitting overnight so far.
RustBeltGalCommunity StarterCommunity StarterSep 4, 2026permalink
Salt and cold mornings punish cheap shortcuts. In Queens, dedicated winters on the 2018 Infiniti Q50 paid off more than I expected on ice, even on plowed roads. Then you'll know the next fork. I'd want a dollar figure or a measured spec, not 'should be fine.' Not trying to scare you — just skip the expensive first guess. I'd rather pay for diagnosis than a second guess-repair.
UsedCarBuilder830Community StarterCommunity StarterSep 4, 2026permalink
Salt and cold mornings punish cheap shortcuts. Watch brake clearance and overall diameter if you downsize winter wheels on the 2018 Infiniti Q50. Then you'll know the next fork. Run the total, not the monthly, before you commit. I refuse to clear codes until someone else sees them.
DailyMilesCommunity StarterCommunity StarterSep 4, 2026permalink
This is a climate question as much as a tire question. In Queens, dedicated winters on the 2018 Infiniti Q50 paid off more than I expected on ice, even on plowed roads. That's where I'd start. On “surface rust underneath a winter daily,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Take it or leave it — that's what I'd do. This is the version I'd tell a friend.
HighwayGuy68Community StarterCommunity StarterSep 4, 2026permalink
Salt and cold mornings punish cheap shortcuts. Watch brake clearance and overall diameter if you downsize winter wheels on the 2018 Infiniti Q50. I'd do that before spending real money. If you share a photo of the worksheet, easier to sanity-check. Not driving it hard until I know more.
BoxerShopper534Community StarterCommunity StarterSep 4, 2026permalink
Useful. I'll report back after I verify that on my 2018 Infiniti Q50. Checking again after work.
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