Okay, so, I'm rather new at all car modding (my old car was so old and busted I didn't bother, I mean who does something to a 95 buick regal?). I've helped my brother do stuff to his Maxima, and I'm an engineering student, so I'm decent with my hands.

Anyway, I'm planning on getting a CAI here soon, it seems either a mazda, AEM, or CPE. Haven't decieded yet, what with cost and what not. This leads me to my first question. What does it mean when something "throws a CEL"?

I'm also looking at tinting. What I wanna know is how the rules apply to someone out of state (I have a co-op job in wisconsin, I live in Indiana). The rules are similiar, but different enough that I wanna make sure a cop won't give me a ticket for tinting if it complies with my states laws.

The manual suggests waxing the rims. Is this a good idea? Do I need a special wax, or can I just use turtle wax (I've still got the stock wheels on it).

Also, is there any way to get keys cheaper? I'd rather not pay the annoying amount the dealer wants. I mean, I'm use to cars where you can run over to walmart and buy a new key for like 2 dollars.

Finally, I've been looking at the debates about Synthetic Oil or Mineral Oil, and I was wondering, just when it's been "too long" to put synthetic in. I've got 24k miles on it, and to the best of my knowledge it's all been on regular.

 

Well I can answer some of your questions. But first, knowing the year of your 6, and if it's 2.3L or V6 would definitely help us out.

1.) When something throws a "CEL", it just means that the Check Engine Light came on after installing your intake your purchased. I believe it is because that it runs to lean or rich? Not positive, but someone on the baords can explain more in detail to that. If you do not want a cell, get Cp-e (depending on your model, go for it with the V6). If not cp-e, you could get Injen with the Cp-e customizer, that would also eliminate the CEL. I am not sure about AEM.
2.) As long as your tint complies with the tint laws in the state your vehicle is registered, I do not think police officers in another state can do anything about it. At least that is what I was told by my friend (Lives in NY, car registered in FL, limo tint, no tickets).
3.) You can wax your rims if you wish, but normally most people just clean them using soap and water, or a special wheel cleaner that is specific for the type of rim you have, i.e. chrome, aluminum, etc. Again, other experts on these boards can clarify this.
4.) As far as the keys, if you have the "chip" in your car I do not think there is a cheap way to go with that.
5.) Eh, not sure about this one

Okay, so I tried to answer these with the little energy I have so hopefully someone can come and clarify my statements and/or change or add info. to it to help you out!

 

Switching to synthetic wont be a problem. You can switch from conventional to synthetic blends to full synthetic just as long as you keep it the same brand (like Castrol, Pennzoil, etc) Its only bad if you run ur engine on conventional and dont maintain it properly for and extended time period (like up to 75,000 miles) Then the full synthetic wouldnt be the right choice. It would actually hurt your engine because it can cause leaks in ur HG's or any other gaskets.

 

1) CEL's can be thrown for any number of reasons. It happens more on cars today due to the OBDII (On Board Diagnostics) systems that monitor how your car runs. It can be anything from a loose gas cap to serious problems with your car. If the light comes on, you can plug a code reader into the OBDII port located under your steering column to "read" the code....i.e. the light is actually an indicator of a stored error code that will give you clues as to what is wrong (mis-firing cylinder, sensor malfunction, etc.)

2) Few states have legal tint on the front driver/pass side windows (for officer safety so that they can see the occupants as they approach the caronce pulled over....Check with your local State Police. If you get a ticket in the other state, not sure if it would stick or not. I can't stand being pulled over at all, so I don't tint my front windows.

3) I've never waxed my rims and they still look fine. If you wax them they'll stay nicer as the brake dust won't be able to get so thick...

4) The keys have a chip in them for anti-theft...there isn't a cheap way around them (but your car is safer for it.)

5) If you've been running a parafin based oil (Quaker State and Pennzoil) I wouldn't switch to synthetic as it will wash that waxy residue into your filter and quite possibly clog it and starve your engine of oil. You want to avoid synthetics during the break-in period of your engine as well. (Engine won't seal properly) Definitely don't use Mineral oil

 

So, it's a 2006 6s 3l.

I bought it used, so I don't know what's been it it, ever. How long do you have to run parafin based wax to get the build up problem?

About the CEL, what are the chances that something like a K and N or AEM CAI will trip it? And is there an easy way to turn it off? (Like, so I don't have to take it to the mechanic to get it turned off?) Also, what kind of performance difference is there between AEM, K+N, and CP-E?

Basically I'm looking for a CAI, and I REALLY don't want to spend double on something that won't have any really improvement other then not occasionally having to reset the CEL.