
The full-time all-wheel drive (AWD) system
automatically changes the driving mode. ALL-WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) WARNING
LIGHT The AWD warning light is located on the
instrument panel.
The AWD warning light comes on when
the ignition switch is turned to the ON po-
sition. It turns off soon after the engine is
started.
If any malfunction occurs in the AWD sys-
tem while the engine is running, the
warning light will come on.
The warning light may blink rapidly (about
twice per second) while trying to free a
stuck vehicle due to high power train oil
temperature. The driving mode may
change to 2 wheel drive. If the warning
light blinks rapidly during operation, stop
the vehicle with the engine idling in a
safe place immediately. Then if the light
goes off after a while, you can continue
driving.
A large difference between the diameters
of front and rear wheels will make the
warning light blink slowly (about once per
two seconds). Pull off the road in a safe
area, and idle the engine. Check that all
tire sizes are the same, tire pressure is
correct and tires are not worn. If the warning light is blinking after the
above operation, have your vehicle
checked by an INFINITI dealer as soon as
possible.
WARNING Do not attempt to test an AWD equipped vehicle
with two wheels on a two wheel dynamometer
and the other two wheels raised. Doing so may
result in transmission damage or unexpected
vehicle movement which could result in serious
vehicle damage or personal injury.
CAUTION O Do not operate the engine on a free roller
when any of the wheels are raised.
O If the warning light comes on while
driving there may be a malfunction in the
AWD system. Reduce the vehicle speed
and have your vehicle checked by an
INFINITI dealer as soon as possible.
O Never drive on dry hard surface roads in
the SNOW mode, as this will over load
the power train and may cause a serious
malfunction.SSD0336AALL-WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) (if so equipped)
Starting and driving
5-23
w 06.1.4/V35-D/V5.0
X

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
8-5
w 06.1.4/V35-D/V5.0
X

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.
8-6 Maintenance and do-it-yourself
w 06.1.4/V35-D/V5.0
X

Two types of fuses are used. Type
q A
is
used in the fuse boxes in the engine com-
partment. Type
q B
is used in the passen-
ger compartment fuse box.
Type
q A
fuses are provided as spare
fuses. They are stored in the passenger
compartment fuse box.
Type
q A
fuses can be installed in the en-
gine compartment and passenger com-
partment fuse boxes. If a type
q A
fuse is used to replace a type
q B
fuse, the type
q A
fuse will not be level
with the fuse pocket as shown in the il-
lustration. This will not affect the perfor-
mance of the fuse. Make sure the fuse is
installed in the fuse box securely.
Type
q B
fuses cannot be installed in the
underhood fuse boxes. Only use type
q A
fuses in the underhood fuse boxes. ENGINE COMPARTMENT
CAUTION Never use a fuse of a higher or lower am-
perage rating than that specified on the fuse
box cover. This could damage the electrical
system or cause a fire.
If any electrical equipment does not oper-
ate, check for an open fuse.
1. Be sure the ignition switch and head-
light switch are in the OFF position.SDI1751 SDI1752 SDI1392A
FUSES
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
8-25
w 06.1.4/V35-D/V5.0
X

PASSENGER COMPARTMENT
CAUTIONNever use a fuse of a higher or lower am-
perage rating than that specified on the fuse
box cover. This could damage the electrical
system or cause a fire.
If any electrical equipment does not oper-
ate, check for an open fuse. 1. Be sure the ignition switch and the
headlight switch are in the OFF posi-
tion.
2. Open the fuse box lid
q 1
.
3. Remove the fuse with the fuse puller
q 2
.
4. If the fuse is open
q A
, replace it with a
new fuse
q B
. Spare fuses
q 3
are
stored in the fuse box.
5. If a new fuse also opens, have the
electrical system checked and re-
paired by an INFINITI dealer. SDI1962 SDI1754
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
8-27
w 06.1.4/V35-D/V5.0
X

performance problems and/or fuel system
damage.
O The fuel must be unleaded and have an
octane rating no lower than that recom-
mended for unleaded gasoline.
O If an oxygenate-blend, excepting a
methanol blend, is used, it should con-
tain no more than 10% oxygenate.
(MTBE may, however, be added up to
15%.)
O If a methanol blend is used, it should
contain no more than 5% methanol
(methyl alcohol, wood alcohol). It
should also contain a suitable amount
of appropriate cosolvents and corro-
sion inhibitors. If not properly formu-
lated with appropriate cosolvents and
corrosion inhibitors, such methanol
blends may cause fuel system damage
and/or vehicle performance problems.
At this time, sufficient data is not avail-
able to ensure that all methanol blends
are suitable for use in INFINITI vehicles.
If any driveability problems such as en-
gine stalling and hard hot starting are ex-
perienced after using oxygenate-blend fu-
els, 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.
E-85 fuel E-85 fuel is a mixture of approximately
85% fuel ethanol and 15% unleaded gaso-
line. E-85 can only be used in a Flexible
Fuel Vehicle (FFV). Do not use E-85 fuel in
your vehicle. U.S. government regulations
require fuel ethanol dispensing pumps to
be identified by a small, square, orange
and black label with the common abbre-
viation or the appropriate percentage for
that region.
Aftermarket fuel additives INFINITI does not recommend the use of
any aftermarket fuel additives (i.e. fuel in-
jector cleaner, octane booster, intake
valve deposit removers, etc.) which are
sold commercially. Many of these addi-
tives 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 Using unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating lower than recommended 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 oc-
tane rating, or if you hear steady spark
knock while holding a steady speed on
level roads, have your dealer correct the
condition. 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 consump-
tion or damage to the engine. If any of the
above symptoms are encountered, have
your vehicle checked at an INFINITI dealer
or other competent service facility.
However, now and then you may notice
light spark knock for a short time while ac-
celerating 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.
9-4 Technical and consumer information
w 06.1.4/V35-D/V5.0
X

ENGINE Model VQ35DE
Type Gasoline, 4-cycle
Cylinder arrangement 6-cylinder, V-slanted at 60É
Bore x Stroke in (mm) 3.760 x 3.205 (95.5 x 81.4)
Displacement cu in (cm 3
) 213.45 (3,498)
Firing order 1-2-3-4-5-6*
Idle speed rpm
See the emission control label on
the underside of the hood.Ignition timing (B.T.D.C.) degree/rpm
CO percentage at idle speed [No air] %
Spark plug Standard PLFR5A-11
Service option PLFR4A-11, PLFR6A-11
Spark plug gap (Normal) in (mm) 0.043 (1.1)
Camshaft operation Timing chain The spark ignition system of this vehicle
meets all requirements of the Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment Regula-
tions. TI0001-A
SPECIFICATIONS
9-8 Technical and consumer information
w 06.1.4/V35-D/V5.0
X

A vehicle equipped with All-Wheel Drive
(AWD) should never be tested using a two
wheel dynamometer (such as the dyna-
mometers used by some states for emis-
sions testing), or similar equipment. Make
sure you inform test facility personnel
that your vehicle is equipped with AWD
before it is placed on a dynamometer. Us-
ing the wrong test equipment may result
in transmission damage or unexpected
vehicle movement which could result in
serious vehicle damage or personal in-
jury.
Due to legal requirements in some states/
areas, your vehicle may be required to be
in what is called the ªready conditionº for
an Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test of
the emission control system.
The vehicle is set to the ªready conditionº
when it is driven through certain driving
patterns. Usually, the ªready conditionº
can be obtained by ordinary usage of the
vehicle.
If a powertrain system component is re-
paired or the battery is disconnected, the
vehicle may be reset to a not ªready con-
ditionº. Before taking the I/M test, check
the vehicle's inspection/maintenance test
readiness condition. Turn the ignition switch ON without starting the engine. If
the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)
comes on steady for 20 seconds and then
blinks for 10 seconds, the I/M test condi-
tion is ªnot readyº. If the MIL does not
blink after 20 seconds, the I/M test condi-
tion is ªreadyº. If the MIL indicates the
vehicle is in a ªnot readyº condition, drive
the vehicle through the following pattern
to set the vehicle to the ready condition.
If you cannot or do not want to perform
the driving pattern, an INFINITI dealer can
conduct it for you.
WARNING Always drive the vehicle in a safe and pru-
dent manner according to traffic conditions
and obey all traffic laws.
1. Start the engine. Allow the engine to
idle until the engine coolant tempera-
ture gauge needle points between the
C and H (normal operating tempera-
ture).
2. Accelerate the vehicle to 55 MPH (88
km/h), then quickly release the accel-
erator pedal completely and keep it re-
leased for at least 10 seconds. 3. Quickly depress the accelerator pedal
for a moment, then drive the vehicle at
a speed of 53 to 60 MPH (86 to 96
km/h) for at least 9 minutes.
4. Stop the vehicle. Leave the engine
running.
5. Accelerate the vehicle to 35 MPH (55
km/h) and maintain the speed for 20
seconds.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 at least 10 times.
7. Accelerate the vehicle to 55 MPH (88
km/h) and maintain the speed for at
least 3 minutes.
8. Stop the vehicle. Place the automatic
transmission selector lever in the ªPº
or ªNº position or the manual trans-
mission shift lever in the ªNº position.
9. Turn the engine off.
10. Repeat steps 1 through 8 at least one
more time.
If step 1 through 7 is interrupted, repeat
the preceding step. Any safe driving mode
is acceptable between steps. Do not stop
the engine until step 7 is completed.READINESS FOR INSPECTION/
MAINTENANCE (I/M) TEST (US only)
Technical and consumer information
9-25
w 06.1.4/V35-D/V5.0
X