2003 INFINITI G35 Owners Manual

equipped tires, and may not match the
potential maximum vehicle speed. Never
exceed the maximum speed rating of the
tire.
For additional information regarding
tires, refer to ªImportant Tire Safety In-
formationº (US) or ªTire Safety Informa-
tionº (Canada) in the INFINITI Warranty
Information Booklet.
All season tires INFINITI specifies all season tires on some
models to provide good performance for use
all year around, including snowy and icy road
conditions. All season tires are identified by
ALL SEASON and/or M&S on the tire sidewall.
Snow tires have better snow traction than all
season tires and may be more appropriate in
some areas.
Summer tires INFINITI specifies summer tires on some mod-
els to provide superior performance on dry
roads. Summer tire performance in snow and
ice will be substantially reduced. Summer tires
do not have the tire traction rating M&S on the
tire sidewall. If you operate your vehicle in snowy or icy
conditions, INFINITI recommends the use of
snow or all season tires on all four wheels.
Snow tires If snow tires are needed, it is necessary to
select tires equivalent in size and load rating to
the original equipment tires. If you do not, it
can adversely affect the safety and handling of
your vehicle.
Generally, snow tires will have lower speed
ratings than factory equipped tires and may
not match the potential maximum vehicle
speed. Never exceed the maximum speed
rating of the tire.
If you operate your vehicle in snowy or icy
conditions, INFINITI recommends the use of
snow or all season tires on all four wheels.
For additional traction on icy roads, studded
tires may be used. However, some provinces
and states prohibit their use. Check local, state
and provincial laws before installing studded
tires. Skid and traction capabilities of studded
snow tires, on wet or dry surfaces, may be
poorer than that of non-studded snow tires. TIRE CHAINS Use of tire chains may be prohibited according
to location. Check the local laws before install-
ing tire chains. When installing tire chains,
make sure they are of proper size for the tires
on your vehicle and are installed according to
the chain manufacturer's suggestions. Use
only SAE class S chains. Class ªSº chains
are used on vehicles with restricted tire to
vehicle clearance. Vehicles that can use Class
ªSº chains are designed to meet the SAE
standard minimum clearances between the
tire and the closest vehicle suspension or body
component required to accommodate the use
of a winter traction device (tire chains or
cables). The minimum clearances are deter-
mined using the factory equipped tire size.
Other types may damage your vehicle. Use
chain tensioners when recommended by the
tire chain manufacturer to ensure a tight fit.
Loose end links of the tire chain must be
secured or removed to prevent the possibility
of whipping action damage to the fenders or
undercarriage. If possible, avoid fully loading
your vehicle when using tire chains. In addi-
tion, drive at a reduced speed. Otherwise, your
vehicle may be damaged and/or vehicle han-
dling and performance may be adversely af-
fected.
Never install tire chains on a T-type spare
tire. Do not use the chains on dry roads. Do-it-yourself
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CHANGING WHEELS AND TIRES
Tire rotation (Sedan) INFINITI recommends that tires be rotated
every 7,500 miles (12,000 km).
Wheel nut tightening torque:
80 ft-lb (108 N z m)
See ªFlat tireº in the ª6. In case of emergencyº
section for tire replacing procedures.
Tire rotation (Coupe) Tires cannot be rotated in this vehicle, as front
tires are different size from rear tires and the
direction of wheel rotation is fixed in each tire. A pin is on the front brake rotor to prevent the
rear wheels from being installed in place of the
front wheels. The spare tire can be installed in
place of the front and rear wheels. When
installing the spare tire in the front wheel, the
hole in the spare tire wheel must be aligned
with the pin on the brake rotor.
WARNING O After rotating the tires, adjust the tire
pressure.
O Retighten the wheel nuts when the
vehicle has been driven for 600 miles
(1,000 km) (also in cases of a flat tire,
etc.).
O Do not include the T-type spare tire or
any other small size spare tire in the
tire rotation.
O For additional information regarding
tires, refer to ªImportant Tire Safety-
Informationº (US) or ªTire Safety In-
formationº (Canada) in the INFINITI
Warranty Information Booklet. Tire wear and damage
WARNING O Tires should be periodically in-
spected for wear, cracking, bulging,
or objects caught in the tread. If ex-
cessive wear, cracks, bulging, or
deep cuts are found, the tire should
be replaced.
O The original tires have a built-in tread
wear indicator. When the wear indica-DI0048-C MDI0004
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tor is visible, the tire should be re-
placed.
O Improper service for a spare tire may
result in serious personal injury. If it
is necessary to repair the spare tire,
contact your INFINITI retailer.
O For additional information regarding
tires, refer to ªImportant Tire Safety
Informationº (US) or ªTire Safety In-
formationº (Canada) in the INFINITI
Warranty Information Booklet.
Replacing wheels and tires When replacing a tire, use the same size,
speed rating and load carrying capacity as
originally equipped. See ªSpecificationsº in the
ª10. Technical and consumer informationº sec-
tion for recommended types and sizes of tires
and wheels.
WARNINGO The use of tires other than those
recommended or the mixed use of tires of different brands, construction
(bias, bias-belted or radial), or tread
patterns can adversely affect the ride,
braking, handling, ground clearance,
body-to-tire clearance, tire chain
clearance, speedometer calibration,
headlight aim and bumper height.
Some of these effects may lead to
accidents and could result in serious
personal injury.
O If the wheels are changed for any
reason, always replace with wheels
which have the same offset dimen-
sion. Wheels of a different offset
could cause early tire wear, possibly
degraded vehicle handling character-
istics and/or interference with the
brake discs. Such interference can
lead to decreased braking efficiency
and/or early brake pad wear.
O Do not install a deformed wheel or
tire even if it has been repaired. Such
wheels or tires could have structural
damage and could fail without
warning. O The use of retread tires is not recom-
mended.
O For additional information regarding
tires, refer to ªImportant Tire Safety
Informationº (US) or ªTire Safety In-
formationº (Canada) in the INFINITI
Warranty Information Booklet.
Wheel balance Unbalanced wheels may affect vehicle han-
dling and tire life. Even with regular use,
wheels can get out of balance. Therefore, they
should be balanced as required.
Wheel balance service should be performed
with the wheels off the vehicle. Spin balancing
the rear wheels on the vehicle could lead to
transmission damage.
For additional information regarding tires, refer
to ªImportant Tire Safety Informationº (US) or
ªTire Safety Informationº (Canada) in the
INFINITI Warranty Information Booklet.
Care of wheels O Wash the wheels when washing the vehicle
to maintain their appearance.
O Clean the inner side of the wheels when the Do-it-yourself
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wheel is changed or the underside of the
vehicle is washed.
O Do not use abrasive cleaners when wash-
ing the wheels.
O Inspect wheel rims regularly for dents or
corrosion. Such damage may cause loss of
pressure or poor seal at the tire bead.
O INFINITI recommends that the road wheels
be waxed to protect against road salt in
areas where it is used during winter.
Spare tire (T-type spare tire) Observe the following precautions if the T-type
spare tire must be used, otherwise your ve-
hicle could be damaged or involved in an
accident.
CAUTIONO The T-type spare tire should be used
only for emergency. It should be re-
placed by the standard tire at the first
opportunity.
O Drive carefully while the T-type spare
tire is installed. Avoid sharp turns and abrupt braking
while driving.
O Periodically check the T-type spare
tire inflation pressure, and always
keep it at 60 psi (420 kPa, 4.2 bar).
O Always keep the pressure of the full
size spare tire (if so equipped) at the
recommended pressure for standard
tires, as indicated on the tire placard.
For tire placard location, see ªTire
placardº in the ª10. Technical and
consumer informationº.
O Do not drive your vehicle at speeds
faster than 50 MPH (80 km/h).
O Do not use tire chains on a T-type
spare tire. Tire chains will not fit prop-
erly on the T-type spare tire and may
cause damage to the vehicle.
O When driving on roads covered with
snow or ice, the T-type spare tire
should be used on the front wheel
and the original tire used on the rear
wheels (drive wheels). Use tire chains only on the rear two original tires.
(Sedan)
O Tire tread of the T-type spare tire will
wear at a faster rate than the original
tire. Replace the T-type spare tire as
soon as the tread wear indicators
appear.
O Because the T-type spare tire is
smaller than the original tire, ground
clearance is reduced. To avoid dam-
age to the vehicle do not drive over
obstacles. Also do not drive the ve-
hicle through an automatic car wash
since it may get caught.
O Do not use the T-type spare tire on
other vehicles.
O Do not use more than one T-type
spare tire at the same time.
O Do not tow a trailer while the T-type
spare tire is installed.
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9 Maintenance General maintenance ................................................ 9-2
Explanation of maintenance items ....................... 9-3
Periodic maintenance schedules .............................. 9-5 Schedule 1 ........................................................... 9-5
Schedule 2 ........................................................... 9-5
Explanation of maintenance items ..................... 9-10
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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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EXPLANATION OF MAINTENANCE
ITEMS Additional information on the following
items with ª*º is found in the ª8. Do-it-
yourselfº section.
Outside the vehicle The maintenance items listed here should be
performed from time to time, unless otherwise
specified.
Tires*: Check the pressure with a gauge at
least once a month and always prior to long
distance trips. If necessary, adjust the pres-
sure in all tires, including the spare, to the
specified pressure. Check carefully for dam-
age, cuts or excessive wear.
Wheel nuts*: When checking the tires, make
sure no nuts are missing, and check for any
loose nuts. Tighten if necessary.
Tire rotation*: Tires should be rotated every
7,500 miles (12,000 km) (Sedan).
Tires cannot be rotated (Coupe).
Wheel alignment and balance: If the vehicle
pulls to either side while driving on a straight
and level road, or if you detect uneven or
abnormal tire wear, there may be a need for
wheel alignment. If the steering wheel or seat vibrates at normal
highway speeds, wheel balancing may be
needed.
For additional information regarding tires, refer
to ªImportant Tire Safety Informationº (US) or
ªTire Safety Informationº (Canada) in the
INFINITI Warranty Information booklet.
Windshield: Clean the windshield on a regu-
lar basis. Check the windshield at least every
six months for cracks or other damage. Have a
damaged windshield repaired by a qualified
repair facility.
Windshield wiper blades*: Check for cracks
or wear if they do not wipe properly.
Doors and engine hood: Check that all doors
and the engine hood, operate properly. Also
ensure that all latches lock securely. Lubricate
hinges and latches if necessary. Make sure
that the secondary latch keeps the hood from
opening when the primary latch is released.
When driving in areas using road salt or other
corrosive materials, check lubrication fre-
quently.
Inside the vehicle The maintenance items listed here should be
checked on a regular basis, such as when performing periodic maintenance, cleaning the
vehicle, etc.
Lights*: Clean the headlights on a regular
basis. Make sure that the headlights, stop
lights, tail lights, turn signal lights, and other
lights are all operating properly and installed
securely. Also check headlight aim.
Warning lights and chimes: Make sure that
all warning lights and chimes are operating
properly.
Windshield wiper and washer*: Check that
the wipers and washer operate properly and
that the wipers do not streak.
Windshield defroster: Check that the air
comes out of the defroster outlets properly and
in sufficient quantity when operating the heater
or air conditioner.
Steering wheel: Check for changes in the
steering conditions, such as excessive free
play, hard steering or strange noises.
Seats: Check seat position controls such as
seat adjusters, seatback recliner, etc. to en-
sure they operate smoothly and that all latches
lock securely in every position. Check that the
head restraints move up and down smoothly
and that the locks (if so equipped) hold se-
curely in all latched positions. Maintenance
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Seat belts: Check that all parts of the seat belt
system (For example, buckles, anchors, ad-
justers and retractors) operate properly and
smoothly, and are installed securely. Check
the belt webbing for cuts, fraying, wear or
damage.
Accelerator pedal: Check the pedal for
smooth operation and make sure the pedal
does not catch or require uneven effort. Keep
the floor mat away from the pedal.
Clutch pedal*: Make sure the pedal operates
smoothly and check that it has the proper free
play.
Brakes: Check that the brakes do not pull the
vehicle to one side when applied.
Brake pedal*: Check the pedal for smooth
operation and make sure it has the proper
distance under it when depressed fully. Check
the brake booster function. Be sure to keep the
floor mat away from the pedal.
Parking brake*: Check that the lever has the
proper travel and confirm that your vehicle is
held securely on a fairly steep hill with only the
parking brake applied.
Automatic transmission P (Park) mecha-
nism: On a fairly steep hill check that your
vehicle is held securely with the selector lever in the P (Park) position without applying any
brakes.
Under the hood and vehicle The maintenance items listed here should be
checked periodically (For example, each time
you check the engine oil or refuel).
Windshield washer fluid*: Check that there
is adequate fluid in the tank.
Engine coolant level*: Check the coolant
level when the engine is cold.
Radiator and hoses: Check the front of the
radiator and clean off any dirt, insects, leaves,
etc., that may have accumulated. Make sure
the hoses have no cracks, deformation, dete-
rioration or loose connections.
Brake and clutch fluid level*: Make sure that
the brake and clutch fluid level is between the
MAX and MIN lines on the reservoir.
Battery*: Check the fluid level in each cell.
It should be between the MAX and MIN lines.
Vehicles operated in high temperatures or
under severe conditions require frequent
checks of the battery fluid level.
Engine drive belts*: Make sure that no belt is
frayed, worn, cracked or oily.
Engine oil level*: Check the level after park- ing the vehicle on a level spot and turning off
the engine. (Wait at least 10 minutes for the oil
to drain back into the oil pan.)
Power steering fluid level* and lines: Check
the level when the fluid is cold and the engine
is turned off. Check the lines for proper attach-
ment, leaks, cracks, etc.
Exhaust system: Make sure there are no
loose supports, cracks or holes. If the sound of
the exhaust seems unusual or there is a smell
of exhaust fumes, immediately locate the
trouble and correct it. See ªPrecautions when
starting and drivingº in the ª5. Starting and
drivingº section for exhaust gas (Carbon mon-
oxide).
Underbody: The underbody is frequently ex-
posed to corrosive substances such as those
used on icy roads or to control dust. It is very
important to remove these substances, other-
wise rust will form on the floor pan, frame, fuel
lines and around the exhaust system. At the
end of winter, the underbody should be thor-
oughly flushed with plain water, being careful
to clean those areas where mud and dirt may
accumulate. For additional information, see
ªCleaning exteriorº in the ª7. Appearance and
careº section.
Fluid leaks: Check under the vehicle for fuel,
oil, water or other fluid leaks after the vehicle
9-4 Maintenance
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