
8 Do-it-yourself Maintenance precautions .......................................... 8-2
Engine compartment check locations ....................... 8-4
Engine cooling system .............................................. 8-5
Checking engine coolant level ............................. 8-5
Changing engine coolant ..................................... 8-6
Engine oil .................................................................. 8-7
Checking engine oil level ..................................... 8-7
Changing engine oil and filter .............................. 8-8
Automatic transmission fluid ................................... 8-10
Power steering fluid ................................................ 8-10
Brake and clutch fluid ............................................. 8-11
Brake fluid .......................................................... 8-11
Clutch fluid.......................................................... 8-11
Window washer fluid ............................................... 8-12
Battery ..................................................................... 8-13
Jump starting ...................................................... 8-14
Drive belts ............................................................... 8-14
Spark plugs ............................................................. 8-15
Replacing spark plugs ........................................ 8-15
Air cleaner ............................................................... 8-16
Windshield wiper blades ......................................... 8-16
Cleaning ............................................................. 8-16
Replacing............................................................ 8-17 Parking brake and brake pedal ............................... 8-18
Checking parking brake ..................................... 8-18
Checking brake pedal ........................................ 8-18
Brake booster ..................................................... 8-19
Fuses....................................................................... 8-20
Engine compartment .......................................... 8-20
Passenger compartment .................................... 8-21
Keyfob battery replacement .................................... 8-21
Lights ....................................................................... 8-23
Headlights........................................................... 8-25
Exterior and interior lights .................................. 8-26
Wheels and tires ..................................................... 8-30
Tire pressure ...................................................... 8-30
Types of tires...................................................... 8-30
Tire chains .......................................................... 8-31
Changing wheels and tires ................................. 8-32
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When performing any inspection or mainte-
nance work on your vehicle, always take care
to prevent serious accidental injury to yourself
or damage to the vehicle. The following are
general precautions which should be closely
observed.
WARNINGO Park the vehicle on a level surface,
apply the parking brake securely and
block the wheels to prevent the ve-
hicle from moving. For a manual
transmission, move the shift lever to
N (Neutral) position. For an automatic
transmission, move the selector lever
to P (Park) position.
O Be sure the ignition key is OFF or
LOCK when performing any parts re-
placement or repairs.
O If you must work with the engine
running, keep your hands, clothing,
hair and tools away from moving
fans, belts and any other moving
parts.
O It is advised to secure or remove any loose clothing and any jewelry, such
as rings, watches, etc. before work-
ing on your vehicle.
O Always wear eye protection when-
ever you work on your vehicle.
O If you must run the engine in an
enclosed space such as a garage, be
sure there is proper ventilation for
exhaust gases to escape.
O Never get under the vehicle while it is
supported only by a jack. If it is nec-
essary to work under the vehicle,
support it with safety stands.
O Keep smoking materials, flame and
sparks away from fuel and the bat-
tery.
O On gasoline engine models with the
Multiport Fuel Injection (MFI) System,
the fuel filter or fuel lines should be
serviced by an INFINITI retailer be-
cause the fuel lines are under high
pressure even when the engine is off. CAUTION O Do not work under the hood while the
engine is hot. Turn off the engine and
wait until it cools down.
O Never connect or disconnect either
the battery or any transistorized com-
ponent connector while the ignition
key is on.
O Never leave any engine or automatic
transmission related component har-
ness connector disconnected while
the ignition key is on.
O Avoid direct contact with used engine
oil and coolant. Improperly disposed
engine oil, engine coolant and/or
other vehicle fluids can hurt the envi-
ronment. Always conform to local
regulations for disposal of vehicle
fluid.
This ª8. Do-it-yourselfº section gives instruc-
tions regarding only those items which are
relatively easy for an owner to perform.
A genuine INFINITI Service Manual is alsoMAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS
8-2 Do-it-yourself
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1. Fuse/fusible link holder
2. Battery
3. Engine oil filler cap
4. Brake fluid reservoir
5. Clutch fluid reservoir
6. Power steering fluid reservoir
7. Engine coolant reservoir
8. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
9. Radiator filler cap
10. Engine oil dipstick
11. Air cleaner
SDI1485ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK
LOCATIONS
8-4 Do-it-yourself
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CHANGING ENGINE COOLANT O Major cooling system repairs should be
performed by your INFINITI retailer. The
service procedures can be found in the
appropriate INFINITI Service Manual. O Improper servicing can result in reduced
heater performance and engine overheat-
ing.
WARNING O To avoid being scalded, never change
the coolant when the engine is hot.
O Never remove the radiator cap when
the engine is hot. Serious burns
could be caused by high pressure
fluid escaping from the radiator.
O Avoid direct skin contact with used
coolant. If skin contact is made, wash
thoroughly with soap or hand cleaner
as soon as possible.
O Keep coolant out of reach of children
and pets.
1. Open radiator drain plug at the bottom of
radiator, and remove radiator filler cap.
O Be careful not to allow coolant to con-
tact drive belts.
O Waste coolant must be disposed of
properly. Check your local regulations.
2. Close the radiator drain plug securely after
the coolant is drained. 3. Fill the radiator slowly with the proper mix-
ture of anti-freeze solution and demineral-
ized water/distilled water. Fill the reservoir
tank up to the MAX level. Then install the
radiator filler cap.
4. Start the engine and warm it up until it
reaches normal operating temperature.
Then race the engine 2 or 3 times under no
load. Watch the engine coolant tempera-
ture gauge for signs of overheating.
5. Stop the engine. After it completely cools
down, refill the radiator up to the filler
opening. Fill the reservoir tank up to the
MAX level. Check the drain plug for any
sign of leakage.
6. Recheck the coolant level after the vehicle
has been driven for a day.SDI0114
8-6 Do-it-yourself
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Check the fluid level in each cell. It should be
between the MAX and MIN lines.
If it is necessary to add fluid, add only distilled
water to bring the level to the indicator in each
filler opening. Do not overfill.
Vehicles operated in high temperatures or
under severe conditions require frequent
checks of the battery fluid level.
1. Remove the cell plugs.
2. Add distilled water up to the MAX level.
3. Tighten cell plugs. JUMP STARTING If jump starting is necessary, see ªJump start-
ingº in the ª6. In case of emergencyº section. If
the engine does not start by jump starting, the
battery may have to be replaced. Contact your
INFINITI retailer. 1. Power steering fluid pump
2. Fan
3. Alternator
4. Crankshaft pulley
5. Air conditioner compressor
. : Tension checking points
WARNING Be sure the ignition key is in the OFF or
LOCK position. The engine could rotateDI0137M SDI1480 SDI1389
DRIVE BELTS
8-14 Do-it-yourself
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If maintenance is required, see your INFINITI
retailer for servicing.
The filter element should not be cleaned and
reused. Replace it according to the mainte-
nance intervals. See ªPeriodic maintenance
schedulesº in the ª9. Maintenanceº section for
maintenance intervals. When replacing the
filter, wipe the inside of the air cleaner housing
and the cover with a damp cloth.
WARNINGO Operating the engine with the air
cleaner removed can cause you or
others to be burned. The air cleaner
not only cleans the air, it stops flame
if the engine backfires. If it is not
there, and the engine backfires, you
could be burned. Do not drive with
the air cleaner removed and be care-
ful when working on the engine with
the air cleaner removed.
O Never pour fuel into the throttle body
or attempt to start the engine with the
air cleaner removed. Doing so could
result in serious injury. CAUTION O After wiper blade replacement, return
the wiper arm to its original position.
Otherwise it may be damaged when
the engine hood is opened.
O Make sure the wiper blade contacts
the glass, otherwise the arm may be
damaged from wind pressure.
O Worn windshield wiper blades can
damage the windshield and impair
driver vision.
CLEANING If your windshield is not clear after using the
windshield washer or if a wiper blade chatters
when running, wax or other material may be on
the blade or windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with a
washer solution or a mild detergent. Your
windshield is clean if beads do not form when
rinsing with clear water.
Clean the blade by wiping it with a cloth
soaked in a washer solution or a mild deter- gent. Then rinse the blade with clear water. If
your windshield is still not clear after cleaning
the blades and using the wiper, replace the
blades.
AIR CLEANER WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES
8-16 Do-it-yourself
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CAUTIONNever use a fuse of higher amperage
rating than that specified on the fuse
box cover. This could damage the elec-
trical system or cause a fire.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT If any electrical equipment does not operate,
check for an open fuse.
1. Be sure the ignition key and headlight
switch are OFF.
2. Open the engine hood and remove the
cover on the battery and the fuse/fusible
link holder.
3. Remove the fuse/fusible link holder cover.
4. Remove the fuse with the fuse puller.
5. If the fuse is open, replace it with a new
fuse. 6. If a new fuse also opens, have the electrical
system checked and repaired by your
INFINITI retailer.
Fusible links If any electrical equipment does not operate
and fuses are in good condition, check the
fusible links. If any of these fusible links are
melted, replace only with genuine NISSAN
parts. SDI1392
FUSES
8-20 Do-it-yourself
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PASSENGER COMPARTMENT If any electrical equipment does not operate,
check for an open fuse.
1. Be sure the ignition key and the headlight
switch are OFF.
2. Open the fuse box lid.
3. Remove the fuse with the fuse puller.
4. If the fuse is open, replace it with a new
fuse.
5. If a new fuse also opens, have the electrical
system checked and repaired by your
INFINITI retailer. Replace the battery as follows:
1. Open the lid using a suitable tool.
2. Replace the battery with a new one.
Recommended battery: CR2025 or equiva-
lent SDI1393
SPA1374KEYFOB BATTERY
REPLACEMENT
Do-it-yourself
8-21
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