2003 INFINITI G35 ESP

O HEADED UPHILL WITH CURB:
j 2
Turn the wheels away from the curb and
move the vehicle back until the curb side
wheel gently touches the curb.
O HEADED UPHILL OR DOWNHILL, NO
CURB:
j 3
Turn the wheels toward the side of the road
so the vehicle will move away from the
center of the road if it moves.
4. Turn the ignition key to the LOCK position
and remove the key. The power assisted steering is designed to
use a hydraulic pump, driven by the engine, to
assist steering.
If the engine stops or the drive belt breaks, you
will still have control of the vehicle. However,
much greater steering effort is needed, espe-
cially in sharp turns or at low speeds.
WARNING If the engine is not running or is turned
off while driving, the power assist for the
steering will not work. Steering will be
much harder to operate. BRAKING PRECAUTIONS The brake system has two separate hydraulic
circuits. If one circuit malfunctions, you will still
have braking at two wheels.
Vacuum assisted brake
The brake booster aids braking by using en-
gine vacuum. If the engine stops, you can stop
the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal.
However, greater foot pressure on the brake
pedal will be required to stop the vehicle and
the stopping distance will be longer.
Wet brakes
When the vehicle is washed or driven through
water, the brakes may get wet. As a result,
your braking distance will be longer and the
vehicle may pull to one side during braking.
To dry brakes, drive the vehicle at a safe
speed while lightly pressing the brake pedal to
heat-up the brakes. Do this until the brakes
return to normal. Avoid driving the vehicle at
high speeds until the brakes function correctly.
Using the brakes
Avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal
while driving. This overheats the brakes, in-
creases wear on the brake linings and pads,
and reduces gas mileage.POWER STEERING BRAKE SYSTEM
Starting and driving
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cidents resulting from careless or dan-
gerous driving techniques. It can help
maintain vehicle control during braking
on slippery surfaces, but remember that
the stopping distance on slippery sur-
faces will be longer than on normal
surfaces, even with the anti-lock sys-
tem. Stopping distances may also be
longer on rough, gravel or snow covered
roads, or if you are using tire chains.
Always maintain a safe distance from
the vehicle in front of you. Ultimately,
the responsibility for safety of yourself
and others rests in the hands of the
driver.
Tire type and condition of tires may also
affect braking effectiveness.
O When replacing tires, install the
specified size of tires on all four
wheels.
O When installing a spare tire, make
sure it is the proper size and type as
specified on the tire placard. See ªVe-
hicle identificationº in the ª10. Tech-
nical and consumer informationº sec- tion for tire placard location. When driving on slippery surfaces or suddenly
avoiding obstacles on roads, the vehicle might
swerve or slip. With the vehicle dynamics
control (VDC) system, sensors detect these
movements and control the braking and en-
gine output to help improve vehicle stability
while driving.
O When the vehicle dynamics control system
is operating, the slip indicator in the instru-
ment panel blinks.
O When only the traction control system por-
tion of the vehicle dynamics control system
is operating, the slip indicator will also blink.
O If the slip indicator blinks, the vehicle is
under slippery conditions. Be sure to drive
carefully. See ªSlip indicator lightº, and ªVe-
hicle dynamics control off indicator lightº in
the ª2. Instruments and controlsº section.
O Indicator light
If a malfunction occurs in the system, the
SLIP and indicator lights come on in
the meter panel.
As long as these warning lights are on, the
traction control function is canceled.
The VDC system uses a Brake Limited Slip
Differential (LSD) system to improve vehicle
traction. The brake LSD system works when
one of the driving wheels is spinning on aVEHICLE DYNAMICS CONTROL
(VDC) SYSTEM
Starting and driving
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slippery surface. The brake LSD system
brakes the spinning wheel which distributes
the driving power to the other drive wheel. If
the vehicle is operated with the vehicle dynam-
ics control system turned off, all VDC and TCS
functions will be turned off. The brake LSD
system and ABS will still operate with the VDC
system off. If the brake LSD system or the ABS
is activated, the slip indicator light will blink and
you may hear a clunk noise and/or feel a
pulsation in the brake pedal. This is normal.
While the VDC system is operating, you may
feel a pulsation in the brake pedal and hear a
noise or vibration from under the hood. This is
normal and indicates that the VDC system is
working properly.
The computer has a built in diagnostic feature
that tests the system each time you start the
engine and move the vehicle forward or in
reverse at a slow speed. When the self-test
occurs, you may hear a clunk noise and/or feel
a pulsation in the brake pedal. This is normal
and is not an indication of a malfunction.
WARNINGO The vehicle dynamics control system
is designed to help improve driving stability but does not prevent acci-
dents due to abrupt steering opera-
tion at high speeds or by careless or
dangerous driving techniques. Re-
duce vehicle speed and be especially
careful when driving and cornering
on slippery surfaces and always drive
carefully.
O If suspension parts such as shock
absorbers, struts, springs and bush-
ings are not standard equipment or
are extremely deteriorated, the ve-
hicle dynamics control off indicator
light may come on.
O When driving on extremely inclined
surfaces such as higher banked cor-
ners, the vehicle dynamics control
system may not operate properly or
the vehicle dynamics control off indi-
cator light may come on. Do not drive
on these types of roads.
O If the tires other than the recom-
mended ones are used, the vehicle
dynamics control system may not op-
erate properly or the vehicle dynam- ics control off indicator light may
come on.
O The vehicle dynamics control system
is not a substitute for winter tires or
tire chains on a snow covered road.
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The jack should be used on level firm
ground.
2. Loosen each wheel nut one or two turns by
turning counterclockwise with the wheel nut
wrench. Do not remove the wheel nuts
until the tire is off the ground.
3. Carefully raise the vehicle until the tire
clears the ground. To lift the vehicle, se-
curely hold the jack lever and rod with both
hands as shown above. Remove the wheel
nuts, and then remove the tire.
WARNING O Never get under the vehicle while it is
supported only by the jack.
O Use only the jack provided with your
vehicle to lift the vehicle. Do not use
the jack provided with your vehicle
on other vehicles.
The jack is designed only for lifting
your vehicle during a tire change. O Use the correct jack up points; never
use any other part of the vehicle for
jack support.
O Never jack up the vehicle more than
necessary.
O Never use blocks on or under the
jack.
O Do not start or run engine while ve-
hicle is on the jack, as it may cause
the vehicle to move. This is especially
true for vehicles with limited slid dif-
ferential carriers.
O Do not allow passengers to stay in
the vehicle while it is on the jack. CE1092
In case of emergency
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REMOVING SPOTS Remove tar and oil spots, industrial dust, in-
sects, and tree sap as quickly as possible from
the surface of the paint to avoid lasting dam-
age or staining. Special cleaning products are
available at your INFINITI retailer or any auto-
motive accessory store.
UNDERBODY In areas where road salt is used in winter, the
underbody must be cleaned regularly. This will
prevent dirt and salt from building up and
causing underbody and suspension corrosion.
Before the winter period and again in the
spring, the underseal must be checked and, if
necessary, re-treated.
GLASS Use glass cleaner to remove smoke and dust
film from the glass surfaces. It is normal for
glass to become coated with a film after the
vehicle is parked in the hot sun. Glass cleaner
and a soft cloth will easily remove this film.
CAUTIONWhen cleaning the inside of the window,
do not use sharp-edged tools, abrasive cleaners or chlorine based disinfectant
cleaners. They could damage the elec-
trical conductors, radio antenna ele-
ments or rear window defogger ele-
ments.
ALUMINUM ALLOY WHEELS Wash regularly, especially during winter
months in areas where road salt is used. Salt
could discolor the wheel if not removed.
CHROME PARTS Clean all chrome parts regularly with a non-
abrasive chrome polish to maintain the finish. Occasionally remove loose dust from the inte-
rior trim, plastic parts and seats using a
vacuum cleaner or soft brush. Wipe the vinyl
and leather surfaces with a clean, soft cloth
dampened in mild soap solution, then wipe
clean with a dry soft cloth. Before using any
fabric protector, read the manufacturer's rec-
ommendations. Some fabric protectors con-
tain chemicals that may stain or bleach the
seat material.
Use a cloth dampened only with water, to
clean the meter and gauge lens.
CAUTION O Never use gasoline, thinner, or any
similar material.
O The leather seats should be regularly
coated with a leather wax like saddle
soap. Never use car wax.
O Never use fabric protectors unless
recommended by the manufacturer.
O Do not use glass or plastic cleaner on
meter or gauge lens covers. It may
damage the lens cover.CLEANING INTERIOR
Appearance and care
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MOST COMMON FACTORS
CONTRIBUTING TO VEHICLE
CORROSION: O The accumulation of moisture-retaining dirt
and debris in body panel sections, cavities,
and other areas.
O Damage to paint and other protective coat-
ings caused by gravel and stone chips or
minor traffic accidents.
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
INFLUENCE THE RATE OF
CORROSION:
Moisture Accumulation of sand, dirt and water on the
vehicle body underside can accelerate corro-
sion. Wet floor coverings will not dry com-
pletely inside the vehicle, and should be re-
moved for drying to avoid floor panel
corrosion.
Relative humidity Corrosion will be accelerated in areas of high
relative humidity, especially those areas where
the temperatures stay above freezing and
where atmospheric pollution exists and road
salt is used. Temperature A temperature increase will accelerate the rate
of corrosion to those parts which are not well
ventilated.
Air pollution Industrial pollution, the presence of salt in the
air in coastal areas, or heavy road salt use will
accelerate the corrosion process. Road salt
will also accelerate the disintegration of paint
surfaces.
TO PROTECT YOUR VEHICLE
FROM CORROSION: O Wash and wax your vehicle often to keep
the vehicle clean.
O Always check for minor damage to the paint
and repair it as soon as possible.
O Keep drain holes at the bottom of the doors
open to avoid water accumulation.
O Check the underbody for accumulation of
sand, dirt or salt. If present, wash with water
as soon as possible. CAUTION O NEVER remove dirt, sand or other
debris from the passenger compart-
ment by washing it out with a hose.
Remove dirt with a vacuum cleaner or
broom.
O Never allow water or other liquids to
come in contact with electronic com-
ponents inside the vehicle as this
may damage them.
Chemicals used for road surface de-icing are
extremely corrosive. They accelerate corro-
sion and deterioration of underbody compo-
nents such as the exhaust system, fuel and
brake lines, brake cables, floor pan and fend-
ers.
In winter, the underbody must be cleaned
periodically.
For additional protection against rust and cor-
rosion, which may be required in some areas,
consult your local INFINITI retailer.CORROSION PROTECTION
Appearance and care
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Your new INFINITI has been designed to have
minimum maintenance requirements with
longer service intervals to save you both time
and money. However, some day-to-day and
regular maintenance is essential to maintain
your INFINITI's good mechanical condition, as
well as its emission and engine performance.
It is the owner's responsibility to make sure
that the specified maintenance, as well as
general maintenance, is performed.
As the vehicle owner, you are the only one
who can ensure that your vehicle receives the
proper maintenance care. You are a vital link
in the maintenance chain.
General maintenance:
General maintenance includes those items
which should be checked during normal
day-to-day operation of the vehicle. They are
essential if your vehicle is to continue to
operate properly. It is your responsibility to
perform these procedures regularly as
prescribed.
These checks or inspections can be done by
yourself, a qualified technician or, if you prefer,
your INFINITI retailer.
Periodic maintenance:
The maintenance items listed in this part are required to be serviced at regular intervals.
However, under severe driving conditions, ad-
ditional or more frequent maintenance will be
required.
Where to go for service:
If maintenance service is required or your
vehicle appears to malfunction, have the sys-
tems checked and serviced by an authorized
INFINITI retailer.
INFINITI technicians are well-trained special-
ists and are kept up to date with the latest
service information through technical bulletins,
service tips, and in-dealership information sys-
tems. They are completely qualified to work on
INFINITI vehicles before work begins.
You can be confident that your INFINITI
retailer's service department performs the
best job to meet the maintenance
requirements on your vehicle Ð in a reliable
and economic way. During the normal day-to-day operation of the
vehicle, general maintenance should be per-
formed regularly as prescribed in this section.
If you detect any unusual sounds, vibrations or
smell, be sure to check for the cause or have
your INFINITI retailer do it promptly. In addi-
tion, you should notify your INFINITI retailer if
you think that repairs are required.
When performing any checks or maintenance
work, see ªMaintenance precautionsº in the ª8.
Do-it-yourselfº section.GENERAL MAINTENANCE
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after using oxygenate-blend fuels, immediately
change to a non-oxygenate fuel or a fuel with
a low blend of MTBE.
Take care not to spill gasoline during refu-
eling. Gasoline containing oxygenates can
cause paint damage.
Aftermarket fuel additives INFINITI does not recommend the use of any
fuel additives (i.e. fuel injector cleaner, octane
booster, intake valve deposit removers, etc.)
which are sold commercially. Many of these
additives intended for gum, varnish or deposit
removal may contain active solvent or similar
ingredients that can be harmful to the fuel
system and engine.
Octane rating tips In most parts of North America, you should use
unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of at
least 87 or 91 AKI (Anti-Knock Index) number.
However, you may use unleaded gasoline with
an octane rating as low as 85 AKI number in
these high altitude areas [over 4,000 ft (1,219
m)] such as: Colorado, Montana, New Mexico,
Utah, Wyoming, northeastern Nevada, south-
ern Idaho, western South Dakota, western
Nebraska, and that part of Texas which is
directly south of New Mexico. Using unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating lower than stated above can cause
persistent, heavy spark knock. (Spark
knock is a metallic rapping noise.) If se-
vere, this can lead to engine damage. If you
detect a persistent heavy spark knock even
when using gasoline of the stated octane
rating, or if you hear steady spark knock
while holding a steady speed on level
roads, have your dealer correct the condi-
tion. Failure to correct the condition is
misuse of the vehicle, for which INFINITI is
not responsible.
Incorrect ignition timing will result in knocking,
after-run or overheating. This in turn may
cause excessive fuel consumption or damage
to the engine. If any of the above symptoms
are encountered, have your vehicle checked at
an INFINITI retailer or other competent service
facility.
However, now and then you may notice
light spark knock for a short time while
accelerating or driving up hills. This is no
cause for concern, because you get the
greatest fuel benefit when there is light
spark knock for a short time under heavy
engine load.
10-4 Technical and consumer information
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