CAUTION
●Do not continue to drive if your vehicle over-
heats. Doing so could cause engine damage
or a vehicle fire.
● To avoid the danger of being scalded, never
remove the radiator cap while the engine is
still hot. When the radiator cap is removed,
pressurized hot water will spurt out, possi-
bly causing serious injury.
● Do not open the hood if steam is coming out.
If your vehicle is overheating (indicated by an
extremely high temperature gauge reading), or
if you feel a lack of engine power, detect
abnormal noise, etc., take the following steps:
1. Move the vehicle safely off the road, apply the parking brake and move the selector
lever to the P (Park) position.
Do not stop the engine.
2. Turn off the climate control. Open all the windows, move the heater or air condi-
tioner temperature control to maximum
hot and fan control to high speed. 3. If engine overheating is caused by climb-
ing a long hill on a hot day, run the engine
at a fast idle (approximately 1,500 rpm)
until the temperature gauge indication
returns to normal.
4. Get out of the vehicle. Look and listen for steam or coolant escaping from the radia-
tor before opening the hood. (If steam or
coolant is escaping, turn off the engine.)
Do not open the hood further until no
steam or coolant can be seen.
5. Open the engine hood.
WARNING
If steam or water is coming from the engine,
stand clear to prevent getting burned.
6. Visually check drive belts for damage or looseness. Also check if the cooling fan is
running. The radiator hoses and radiator
should not leak water. If coolant is leak-
ing or the cooling fan does not run, stop
the engine.
WARNING
Be careful not to allow your hands, hair, jewelry
or clothing to come into contact with, or get
caught in, engine belts or the engine cooling
fan. The engine cooling fan can start at any
time.
7. After the engine cools down, check thecoolant level in the reservoir tank with the
engine running. Add coolant to the reser-
voir tank if necessary. Have your vehicle
repaired at the nearest INFINITI retailer.
If needed, Roadside Assistance is available.
Please see your Warranty Information Booklet
or Roadside Assistance I.D. Card for the toll-free
number to call (U.S.) or Warranty & Roadside
Assistance Information Booklet (Canada).
IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS
6-10In case of emergency
—
—
08/03/09—pattie
Warning lights and chimes:Make sure that all
warning lights and chimes are operating prop-
erly.
Windshield defroster: Check that the air comes
out of the defroster outlets properly and in
sufficient quantity when operating 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 vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
checked periodically (for example, each time
you check the engine oil or refuel).
Battery*: Check the fluid level in each cell. It
should be between the MAX and MIN lines.
Vehicles operated in high temperatures or un-
der severe condition require frequent checks of
the battery fluid level.
Brake fluid level*: Make sure that the brake
fluid level is 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 spot and turning off the
engine. Wait more than 15 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 there is a smell of
exhaust fumes, immediately have the exhaust
system inspected by an INFINITI retailer. (See
“PRECAUTIONS WHEN STARTING AND DRIVING”
in the “5. Starting and driving” section for
exhaust gas (carbon monoxide).)
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
evident, check for the cause and have it cor-
rected immediately.
Power steering fluid level* and lines: Check the
level when the fluid is cold, with the engine 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, deformation, rot or loose
connections. 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
“CLEANING EXTERIOR” in the “7. Appearance
and care” section.
Windshield washer fluid*: Check that there is
adequate fluid in the reservoir.
8-4Maintenance and do-it-yourself
—
—
08/03/09—pattie
The engine cooling system is filled at the factory
with a high-quality, year-round, anti-freeze
coolant solution. The antifreeze solution con-
tains rust and corrosion inhibitors, therefore
additional cooling system additives are not
necessary.
WARNING
●Never remove the radiator cap and engine
coolant reservoir cap when the engine is hot.
Wait until the engine and radiator cool down.
Serious burns could be caused by high pres-
sure fluid escaping from the radiator or cool-
ant reservoir. See precautions in “IF YOUR
VEHICLE OVERHEATS” in the “6. In case of
emergency” section of this manual.
● The radiator is equipped with a pressure
type radiator cap. To prevent engine dam-
age, use only a genuine NISSAN radiator cap.
CAUTION
When adding or replacing coolant, be sure to
use only a Genuine NISSAN Long Life
Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) or equivalent with
the proper mixture ratio shown in the following
chart. The life expectancy of the factory-fill
coolant is 105,000 miles (168,000 km) or 7
years. Mixing any other type of coolant or the
use of non-distilled water will reduce the life
expectancy of the factory-fill coolant. Refer to
the Infiniti Service and Maintenance Guide for
more details. The use of other types of coolant
solutions may damage the engine cooling
system.
Outside
temperature down to Antifreeze Demineral-
ized water
or distilled water
°F °C
30 35 50% 50%
CHECKING ENGINE COOLANT LEVEL
Check the coolant level in the reservoir when the
engine is cold. If the coolant level is below MIN
2, open the reservoir tank cap and add coolant
up to the MAX
1level. If the reservoir tank is
empty, check the coolant level in the radiator
when the engine is cold. If there is insufficient
coolant in the radiator, fill the radiator with
coolant up to the filler opening and also add it
to the reservoir tank up to the MAX level
1.
Tighten the cap securely after adding engine
coolant.
This vehicle contains Genuine NISSAN Long Life
Antifreeze/Coolant (blue). The life expectancy of
the factory-fill coolant is 105,000 miles
SDI2198
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-9
—
—
03/16/10—tbrooks
(168,000 km) or 7 years. Mixing any other type
of coolant or the use of non-distilled water will
reduce the life expectancy of the factory-fill
coolant. Refer to the NISSAN/INFINITI Service
and Maintenance Guide for more details.
If the cooling system requires coolant fre-
quently, have it checked by an INFINITI retailer.
CHANGING ENGINE COOLANT
Major cooling system repairs should be per-
formed by an INFINITI retailer. The service pro-
cedures can be found in the appropriate INFINITI
Service Manual.
Improper servicing can result in reduced heater
performance and engine overheating.
WARNING
●To avoid the danger of being scalded, never
change the coolant when the engine is hot.
●
Never remove the radiator cap when the engine
is hot. Serious burns could be caused by high
pressure fluid escaping from the radiator.
●Avoid direct skin contact with used coolant. If
skin contact is made, wash thoroughly with
soap or hand cleaner as soon as possible.
●Keep coolant out of reach of children and pets.
Engine coolant must be disposed of properly.
Check your local regulations.
CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and apply the parking brake.
2. Run the engine until it reaches operating temperature.
3. Turn off the engine. Wait more than 15
minutes for the oil to drain back into the oil
pan.
4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean. Reinsert it all the way.
5. Remove the dipstick again and check the oil level. It should be within the range
1.
If the oil level is below
2, remove the oil
filler cap and pour recommended oil
through the opening. Do not overfill
3.
6. Recheck oil level with the dipstick.
It is normal to add some oil between oil mainte-
nance intervals or during the break-in period,
depending on the severity of operating condi-
tions.
CAUTION
Oil level should be checked regularly. Operat-
ing the engine with an insufficient amount of oil
can damage the engine, and such damage is
not covered by warranty.
VQ35HR engine
SDI2045
VK50VE engine
SDI2265
ENGINE OIL
8-10Maintenance and do-it-yourself
—
—
03/16/10—tbrooks
back up slowly. If possible, have someone
guide you when you are backing up.
Always block the wheels on both vehicle and
trailer when parking. Parking on a slope is not
recommended; however, if you must do so:
CAUTION
If you move the shift selector lever to the P
(Park) position before blocking the wheels and
applying the parking brake, transmission dam-
age could occur.
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Have someone place blocks on the down- hill side of the vehicle and trailer wheels.
3. After the wheel blocks are in place, slowly release the brake pedal until the blocks
absorb the vehicle load.
4. Apply the parking brake.
5. Shift the transmission into P (Park).
6. Turn off the engine.
To drive away:
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Shift the transmission into gear.
4. Release the parking brake. 5. Drive slowly until the vehicle and trailer
are clear from the blocks.
6. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
7. Have someone retrieve and store the blocks.
● When going down a hill, shift into a lower
gear and use the engine braking effect.
When going up a long grade, downshift the
transmission to a lower gear and reduce
speed to reduce chances of engine overload-
ing and/or overheating.
● If the engine coolant rises to an extremely
high temperature when the air conditioning
system is on, turn off the air conditioner.
Coolant heat can be additionally vented by
opening the windows, switching the fan
control to high and setting the temperature
control to the HOT position.
● Trailer towing requires more fuel than nor-
mal circumstances.
● Avoid towing a trailer for the first 500 miles
(800 km).
● Have your vehicle serviced more often than
at intervals specified in the recommended
maintenance schedule in the INFINITI Service
and Maintenance Guide.
● When making a turn, your trailer wheels will
be closer to the inside of the turn than your vehicle wheels. To compensate for this,
make a larger than normal turning radius
during the turn.
● Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely
affect vehicle/trailer handling, possibly
causing vehicle sway. When being passed by
larger vehicles, be prepared for possible
changes in crosswinds that could affect ve-
hicle handling. If swaying does occur, firmly
grip the steering wheel, steer straight
ahead, and immediately (but gradually) re-
duce vehicle speed. This combination will
help stabilize the vehicle. Never increase
speed.
Do the following if the trailer begins to sway:
1. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal to allow the vehicle to coast and steer as
straight ahead as the road conditions
allow. This combination will help stabilize
the vehicle.
– Do not correct trailer sway by steering orapplying the brakes.
2. When the trailer sway stops, gently apply the brakes and pull to the side of the road
in a safe area.
3. Try to rearrange the trailer load so it is balanced as described earlier in this sec-
tion.
9-26Technical and consumer information
—
—
08/03/09—pattie
You may notify INFINITI by contacting our
Consumer Affairs Department, toll-free,
at 1-800-662-6200.A vehicle equipped with All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
should never be tested using a two wheel
dynamometer (such as the dynamometers used
by some states for emissions 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.
Using the wrong test equipment may result in
transmission damage or unexpected vehicle
movement which could result in serious vehicle
damage or personal injury.
Due to legal requirements in some states/ areas
or provinces, your vehicle may be required to be
in what is called the “ready condition” for an
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test of the emis-
sion control system.
The vehicle is set to the “ready condition” when
it is driven through certain driving patterns.
Usually, the “ready condition” can be obtained
by ordinary usage of the vehicle.
If a powertrain system component is repaired or
the battery is disconnected, the vehicle may be
reset to a “not ready condition”. Before taking
the I/M test, check the vehicle’s
inspection/maintenance test readiness condi-
tion. Push the ignition switch to the ON position
without starting the engine. If the Malfunction
Indicator Light (MIL) comes on steady for 20
seconds and then blinks for 10 seconds, the I/Mtest condition is “not ready”. If the MIL does not
blink after 20 seconds, the I/M test condition is
“ready”.
If the MIL indicates the vehicle is in a “not
ready” 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 re-
tailer can conduct it for you.
WARNING
Always drive the vehicle in a safe and prudent
manner according to traffic conditions and
obey all traffic laws.
1. Start the engine. Allow the engine to idle
until the engine coolant temperature
gauge needle points between the C and H
(normal operating temperature).
2. Accelerate the vehicle to 55 MPH (88 km/h), then quickly release the accelera-
tor pedal completely and keep it released
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 run- ning.
READINESS FOR INSPECTION/
MAINTENANCE (I/M) TEST
9-30Technical and consumer information
—
—
08/03/09—pattie
Checking engine coolant level......8-9
Checking engine oil level .........8-10
Engine block heater ............5-81
Engine compartment check locations . . . 8-6
Engine cooling system ...........8-9
Engine oil .................. 8-10
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation ..............9-6
Engine oil replacement indicator .....2-25
Engine oil viscosity .............9-6
Engine serial number ...........9-12
Engine specifications ............9-8
Engine start operation indicator .....2-23
If your vehicle overheats .........6-10
Starting the engine ............5-12
Engine coolant temperature gauge ......2-7
Entry/exit function, Automatic drive
positioner ................... .3-25
Event Data Recorders (EDR) ..........9-31
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) ........5-2
F
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label . . .9-12
Filter Air cleaner housing filter .........8-19
Changing engine oil and filter ......8-11
Flashers
(See hazard warning flasher switch) .....2-40
Flat tire ..................... .6-2
Flat towing .................. .9-27
Floor mat cleaning ............... .7-5
Fluid Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) . . . .8-13
Brake fluid ................. 8-14Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants
..................9-2
Engine coolant ...............8-9
Engine oil .................. 8-10
Power steering fluid ............8-13
Window washer fluid ...........8-14
FM-AM-SAT radio with Compact Disc (CD)
player ..................... .4-61
Fog light switch ............... .2-40
Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system . . .5-61
Front passenger air bag and status light . .1-47
Front power seat adjustment ..........1-2
Front seat, Front seat adjustment .......1-2
Fuel Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants .................. .9-2
Fuel
economy ............... 5-68
Fuel economy information (display) ....4-9
Fuel octane rating .............9-4
Fuel recommendation ...........9-4
Fuel-filler cap ................ 3-18
Fuel-filler door ............... 3-18
Gauge ....................2-8
Fuses ..................... .8-22
Fusible links ................. .8-22
G
Garage door opener, HomeLink Universal
Transceiver .................. .2-60
Gascap .................... .3-18
Gauge ...................... .2-5
Gauge Engine coolant temperature gauge . . . .2-7
Fuel gauge ..................2-8 Odometer
..................2-6
Speedometer ................2-6
Tachometer .................2-7
Trip computer ............... 2-27
General maintenance ..............8-2
Glove box ................... .2-48
H
Hands-free phone system, Bluetooth
(with navigation system) ...........4-104
Hands-free phone system, Bluetooth
(without navigation system) .........4-115
Hazard warning flasher switch . . . . . . . .2-40
Head restraints ................. .1-6
Headlights Aiming control (See adaptive front
lighting system (AFS)) ...........2-38
Bulb replacement ............. 8-26
Headlight switch .............. 2-36
Xenon headlights ............. 2-35
Headphones (See INFINITI mobile
entertainment system) ........4-94 , 4-102
Heater Automatic climate control .........4-40
Engine block heater ............5-81
HomeLink Universal Transceiver . . . . . .2-60
Hood release ................. .3-16
Hook Coat
hooks................ .2-49
Luggage hook ............... 2-50
Horn ...................... .2-41
10-3
—
—
10/19/09—tbrooks
Sun visors................... .3-21
Sunglasses holder .............. .2-47
Supplemental air bag warning labels . . . .1-53
Supplemental air bag warning light . .1-53 , 2-17
Supplemental restraint system ........1-40
Supplemental restraint system, Precautions
on supplemental restraint system ......1-40
Switch Autolight switch ............. .2-36
Continuous Damping Control mode
select switch ................ 2-44
Fog light switch .............. 2-40
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
switch ................... 2-43
Hazard warning flasher switch ......2-40
Headlight switch .............. 2-36
Ignition switch automatic transmission
models ................... 5-13
Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA) OFF
switch ................... 2-44
Lane departure warning (LDW)
system ................... 2-42
Power door lock switch ...........3-5
Rear window and outside mirror
defroster switch .............. 2-35
Snow mode switch ............2-43
Turn signal switch ............. 2-39
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off
switch .................... 2-45
T
Tachometer ................... .2-7
Temperature gauge, Engine coolant
temperature gauge .............. .2-7Theft (INFINITI Vehicle Immobilizer System),
Engine start
.................. .2-31
Thigh extension ................ .1-4
Three-way catalyst ............... .5-2
Tilt/telescopic steering .............3-19
Tire pressure, Low tire pressure warning
light ...................... .2-15
Tire, Tire replacement indicator ........2-25
Tires Flat tire ................... .6-2
Low tire pressure warning system ....5-3
Spare tire ................. 8-38
Tire and Loading information label . . . 8-30
Tire chains ................. 8-35
Tire dressing ................7-4
Tire pressure ................ 8-28
Tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS) ....................
5-3
Tire rotation ................ 8-36
Types of tires ............... 8-34
Uniform tire quality grading .......9-28
Wheel/tire size ...............9-9
Wheels and tires ............. 8-28
Tonneau cover (see cargo cover) .......2-51
Top tether strap child restraints .......1-24
Touch screen system ..............4-4
Towing Flat towing ................ .9-27
Tow truck towing .............. 6-11
Towing a trailer .............. 9-19
Towing safety ............... 9-23
TPMS, Tire pressure monitoring system . . . .5-3
TPMS, Tire pressure warning system .....6-2
Trailer towing ................. .9-19Transceiver, HomeLink
Universal
Transceiver .................. .2-60
Transmission Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) . . . .8-13
Driving with automatic transmission . . . 5-13
Transmission selector lever lock
release ................... 5-16
Transmitter
(See remote keyless entry system) ......3-13
Traveling or registering your vehicle in
another country ................ .9-10
Trip computer ................. .2-27
Trip odometer ................. .2-27
Turn signal switch .............. .2-39
U
Underbody cleaning .............. .7-3
Uniform tire quality grading .........9-28
V
Vanity mirror ................. .3-24
Vanity mirror lights ............. .2-59
Variable voltage control system . . .....8-17
Vehicle Dimensions ................ .9-10
Recovery (freeing a stuck vehicle) . . . . 6-14
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off
switch .................... 2-45
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC)
system ................... 5-77
Vehicle information and settings
(display) ...................
4-7
10-7
—
—
10/19/09—tbrooks