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SEAT BELTS The seat belts can be cleaned by wiping
them with a sponge dampened in a mild
soap solution. Allow the belts to dry com-
pletely before using them. See ªSeat belt
maintenanceº in the ª1. Safety Ð Seats,
seat belts and supplemental restraint sys-
temº section.
WARNINGDo not allow wet seat belts to roll up in the
retractor. NEVER use bleach, dye, or
chemical solvents to clean the seat belts,
since these materials may severely weaken
the seat belt webbing. 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
coatings 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
corrosion. Wet floor coverings will not dry
completely inside the vehicle, and should
be removed 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 pro-
cess. 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 it clean.
O Always check for minor damage to the
paint and repair it as soon as pos-
sible.
O Keep drain holes at the bottom of the
doors open to avoid water accumula-
tion.
O Check the underbody for accumulation
of sand, dirt or salt. If present, wash
with water as soon as possible.CORROSION PROTECTION
Appearance and care
7-5
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CAUTIONO NEVER remove dirt, sand or other debris
from the passenger compartment 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 compo-
nents inside the vehicle as this may
damage them.
Chemicals used for road surface de-icing
are extremely corrosive. They accelerate
corrosion and deterioration of underbody
components such as the exhaust system,
fuel and brake lines, brake cables, floor
pan and fenders.
In winter, the underbody must be cleaned
periodically.
For additional protection against rust and
corrosion, which may be required in some
areas, consult an INFINITI dealer.
7-6 Appearance and care
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8 Maintenance and do-it-yourself Maintenance requirements ............................... 8-2
General maintenance........................................ 8-2
Explanation of general maintenance
items .......................................................... 8-3
Maintenance precautions .................................. 8-5
Engine compartment check locations................ 8-7
Engine cooling system ..................................... 8-8
Checking engine coolant level..................... 8-8
Changing engine coolant............................. 8-9
Engine oil ....................................................... 8-10
Checking engine oil level........................... 8-10
Changing engine oil and filter ................... 8-11
Automatic transmission fluid........................... 8-13
Power steering fluid ........................................ 8-13
Brake and clutch fluid..................................... 8-14
Brake fluid................................................. 8-14
Clutch fluid ............................................... 8-15
Window washer fluid ....................................... 8-15
Battery ............................................................ 8-16
Jump starting ............................................. 8-18
Drive belts ...................................................... 8-19
Spark plugs .................................................... 8-19
Replacing spark plugs ............................... 8-20 Air cleaner...................................................... 8-20
Windshield wiper blades ................................. 8-21
Cleaning .................................................... 8-21
Replacing .................................................. 8-22
Parking brake and brake pedal....................... 8-23
Checking parking brake............................. 8-23
Checking brake pedal................................ 8-23
Brake booster ........................................... 8-24
Fuses .............................................................. 8-25
Engine compartment.................................. 8-25
Passenger compartment ............................ 8-27
Keyfob battery replacement ............................ 8-28
Keyfob (except Intelligent Key) .................. 8-28
Intelligent Key ........................................... 8-29
Lights.............................................................. 8-31
Headlights................................................. 8-33
Exterior and interior lights......................... 8-33
Wheels and tires ............................................ 8-37
Tire pressure ............................................. 8-37
Tire labeling .............................................. 8-41
Types of tires ............................................ 8-43
Tire chains ................................................ 8-44
Changing wheels and tires ........................ 8-45
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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 essen-
tial to maintain your INFINITI's fine me-
chanical 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 the general maintenance are per-
formed.
As the vehicle owner, you are the only
one who can ensure that your vehicle re-
ceives the proper maintenance care. You
are a vital link in the maintenance chain.
Scheduled maintenance:
For your convenience, both required and
optional scheduled maintenance items
are described and listed in your ªINFINITI
Service and Maintenance Guideº. You
must refer to that guide to ensure that
necessary maintenance is performed on
your INFINITI at regular intervals.
General maintenance:
General maintenance includes those
items which should be checked during
normal day-to-day operation. They are es- sential for proper vehicle operation. It is
your responsibility to perform these main-
tenance procedures regularly as pre-
scribed.
Performing general maintenance checks
requires minimal mechanical skill and
only a few general automotive tools.
These checks or inspections can be done
by you, a qualified technician, or, if you
prefer, an INFINITI dealer.
Where to go for service:
If maintenance service is required or your
vehicle appears to malfunction, have the
systems checked and serviced by an
INFINITI dealer.
INFINITI technicians are well-trained spe-
cialists and are kept up to date with the
latest service information through tech-
nical bulletins, service tips, and in-
dealership information systems. They are
completely qualified to work on INFINITI
vehicles before work begins.
You can be confident that an INFINITI
dealer'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 performed regularly as prescribed in
this section. If you detect any unusual
sounds, vibrations or smell, be sure to
check for the cause or have an INFINITI
dealer perform it promptly. In addition,
you should notify an INFINITI dealer if you
think the repairs are required.
When performing any checks or mainte-
nance work, closely observe the ªMainte-
nance precautionsº later in this section.MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS GENERAL MAINTENANCE
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EXPLANATION OF GENERAL
MAINTENANCE ITEMS Additional information on the following
items with ª*º is found later in this sec-
tion.
Outside the vehicle The maintenance items listed here should
be performed from time to time, unless
otherwise specified.
Doors and engine hood: Check that all
doors and the engine hood operate prop-
erly. Also ensure that all latches lock se-
curely. 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 lubrica-
tion frequently.
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 head-
light aim.
Road wheel nuts (lug nuts): When
checking the tires, make sure no wheel nuts are missing, and check for any loose
wheel nuts. Tighten if necessary.
Tires*: Check the pressure with a gauge
often and always prior to long distance
trips. If necessary, adjust the pressure in
all tires, including the spare, to the speci-
fied pressure. Check carefully for damage,
cuts or excessive wear.
Tire rotation*:
Sedan: The tires should be rotated every
7,500 miles (12,000 km) to minimize tire
wear variation.
Coupe: The tires cannot be rotated.
Tire, wheel alignment and balance: If the
vehicle should pull 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.
O For additional information regarding
tires, refer to ªImportant Tire Safety
Informationº (US) or ªTire Safety Infor-
mationº (Canada) in the Warranty In-
formation Booklet. Windshield: Clean the windshield on a
regular basis. Check the windshield at
least every six months for cracks or other
damage. Have a damaged windshield re-
paired by a qualified repair facility.
Windshield wiper blades*: Check for
cracks or wear if they do not wipe prop-
erly.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
8-3
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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.
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.
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 ap-
plying any brakes.
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.
Brakes: Check that the brakes do not pull
the vehicle to one side when applied.
Parking brake*: Check that the pedal/
lever has the proper travel and confirm
that your vehicle is held securely on a
fairly steep hill with only the parking
brake applied. Seats: Check seat position controls such
as seat adjusters, seatback recliner, etc.
to ensure 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 securely in all latched
positions.
Seat belts: Check that all parts of the seat
belt system (For example, buckles, an-
chors, adjusters and retractors) operate
properly and smoothly, and are installed
securely. Check the belt webbing for cuts,
fraying, wear or damage.
Steering wheel: Check for changes in the
steering conditions, such as excessive
free play, hard steering or strange noises.
Warning lights and chimes: Make sure
that all warning lights and chimes are op-
erating properly.
Windshield defroster: Check that the air
comes out of the defroster outlets prop-
erly and in sufficient quantity when oper-
ating the heater or air conditioner.
Windshield wiper and washer*: Check that
the wipers and washer operate properly
and that the wipers do not streak. Under the hood and the vehicle The maintenance items listed here should
be checked periodically (For example,
each time you check the engine oil or re-
fuel).
Battery*: Check the fluid level in each
cell. It should be between the MAX and
MIN lines. Vehicles operated in high tem-
peratures or under severe conditions re-
quire frequent checks of the battery fluid
level.
Brake and clutch fluid level*: Make sure
that the brake and clutch fluid levels are
between the MAX and MIN lines on the
reservoir.
Engine coolant level*: Check the coolant
level when the engine is cold.
Engine drive belts*: Make sure that no
belt is frayed, worn, cracked or oily.
Engine oil level*: Check the level after
parking the vehicle on a level location
and turning off the engine. (Wait at least
10 minutes for the oil to drain back into
the oil pan.)
Exhaust system: Make sure there are no
loose supports, cracks or holes. If the
sound of the exhaust seems unusual or
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there is a smell of exhaust fumes, imme-
diately 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).
Fluid leaks: Check under the vehicle for
fuel, oil, water or other fluid leaks after
the vehicle has been parked for a while.
Water dripping from the air conditioner
after use is normal. If you should notice
any leaks or if gasoline fumes are evi-
dent, check for the cause and have it cor-
rected immediately.
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 attachment, leaks, cracks, etc.
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, de-
formation, deterioration or loose connec-
tions.
Underbody: The underbody is frequently
exposed to corrosive substances such as
those used on icy roads or to control
dust. It is very important to remove these
substances, otherwise 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.
Windshield washer fluid*: Check that
there is adequate fluid in the tank. When performing any inspection or main-
tenance 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.
WARNING O Park the vehicle on a level surface, apply
the parking brake securely and block the
wheels to prevent the vehicle from
moving. For a manual transmission,
move the shift lever to N (Neutral) posi-
tion. For an automatic transmission
models, move the selector lever to P
(Park).
O Be sure the ignition key is in the OFF or
LOCK position when performing any
parts replacement or repairs.
O If you must work with the engine run-
ning, keep your hands, clothing, hair
and tools away from moving fans, belts
and any other moving parts.
O It is advisable to secure or remove any
loose clothing and remove any jewelry,MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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such as rings, watches, etc. before work-
ing on your vehicle.
O Always wear eye protection whenever
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 neces-
sary to work under the vehicle, support it
with safety stands.
O Keep smoking materials, flame and
sparks away from the fuel tank and bat-
tery.
O On gasoline engine models with the Mul-
tiport Fuel Injection (MFI) System, the
fuel filter or fuel lines should be serviced
by an INFINITI dealer because the fuel
lines are under high pressure even when
the engine is off. CAUTION O Do not work under the hood while the en-
gine is hot. Turn the engine off and wait
until it cools down.
O Never connect or disconnect the battery
or any transistorized component while
the ignition switch is in the ON position.
O Never leave the engine or automatic
transmission related component har-
ness connector disconnected while the
ignition switch is in the ON position.
O Avoid contact with used engine oil and
coolant. Improperly disposed engine oil,
engine coolant and/or other vehicle
fluids can damage the environment. Al-
ways conform to local regulations for
disposal of vehicle fluid.
This ª8. Maintenance and do-it-yourselfº
section gives instructions regarding only
those items which are relatively easy for
an owner to perform. A genuine INFINITI Service Manual is also
available. See ªOwner's Manual/Service
Manual order informationº in the ª9.
Technical and consumer informationº sec-
tion.
You should be aware that incomplete or
improper servicing may result in oper-
ating difficulties or excessive emissions,
and could affect your warranty coverage.
If in doubt about any servicing, have it
done by an INFINITI dealer.
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