possible. Please bring all Intelligent Keys that
you have when visiting an INFINITI retailer for
service.WARNING
In freezing temperatures the washer solution
may freeze on the window and obscure your
vision which may lead to an accident. Warm the
window with the defroster before you wash the
window.
CAUTION
●Do not operate the washer continuously for
more than 30 seconds.
● Do not operate the washer if the reservoir
tank is empty.
● Do not fill the window washer reservoir tank
with washer fluid concentrates at full
strength. Some methyl alcohol based
washer fluid concentrates may permanently
stain the grille if spilled while filling the win-
dow washer reservoir tank.
● Pre-mix washer fluid concentrates with wa-
ter to the manufacturer’s recommended lev-
els before pouring the fluid into the window
washer reservoir tank. Do not use the win-
dow washer reservoir tank to mix the washer
fluid concentrate and water. If the windshield wiper operation is interrupted
by snow or ice, the wiper may stop moving to
protect its motor. If this occurs, turn the wiper
switch to the OFF position and remove the snow
or ice that is on and around the wiper arms. In
approximately 1 minute, turn the switch on again
to operate the wiper.
WINDSHIELD WIPER AND WASHER SWITCH
2-32Instruments and controls
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FREEING A FROZEN DOOR LOCK
To prevent a door lock from freezing, apply
deicer through the key hole. If the lock becomes
frozen, heat the key before inserting it into the
key hole or use the Intelligent Key system.
ANTIFREEZE
In the winter when it is anticipated that the
outside temperature will drop below 32°F (0°C),
check antifreeze to assure proper winter protec-
tion. For additional information, see “ENGINE
COOLING SYSTEM” in the “8. Maintenance and
do-it-yourself” section.
BATTERY
If the battery is not fully charged during ex-
tremely cold weather conditions, the battery
fluid may freeze and damage the battery. To
maintain maximum efficiency, the battery
should be checked regularly. For additional
information, see “BATTERY” in the “8. Mainte-
nance and do-it-yourself” section.
DRAINING OF COOLANT WATER
If the vehicle is to be left outside without
antifreeze, drain the cooling system, including
the engine block. Refill before operating the
vehicle. For details, see “ENGINE COOLING SYS-
TEM” in the “8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself”
section.
TIRE EQUIPMENT
SUMMER tires have a tread designed to provide
superior performance on dry pavement. How-
ever, the performance of these tires will be
substantially reduced in snowy and icy condi-
tions. If you operate your vehicle on snowy or
icy roads, INFINITI recommends the use of MUD
& SNOW or ALL SEASON tires on all four wheels.
Consult an INFINITI retailer for the tire type,
size, speed rating and availability information.
For additional traction on icy roads, studded
tires may be used. However, some U.S. states
and Canadian provinces 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 may be used. For details, see “TIRE
CHAINS” in the “8. Maintenance and do-it-
yourself” section of this manual.
For all-wheel drive
If you install snow tires, they must also be the
same size, brand, construction and tread pat-
tern on all four wheels.
SPECIAL WINTER EQUIPMENT
It is recommended that the following items be
carried in the vehicle during winter:
●A scraper and stiff-bristled brush to remove
ice and snow from the windows and wiper
blades.
● A sturdy, flat board to be placed under the
jack to give it firm support.
● A shovel to dig the vehicle out of snowdrifts.
● Extra window washer fluid to refill the reser-
voir tank.
DRIVING ON SNOW OR ICE
WARNING
● Wet ice (32°F, 0°C and freezing rain), very
cold snow or ice can be slick and very hard to
drive on. The vehicle will have much less
traction or “grip” under these conditions.
Try to avoid driving on wet ice until the road
is salted or sanded.
● Whatever the condition, drive with caution.
Accelerate and slow down with care. If accel-
erating or downshifting too fast, the drive
wheels will lose even more traction.
COLD WEATHER DRIVING
5-80Starting and driving
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08/03/09—pattie
8 Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Maintenance requirement.......................... 8-2
Scheduled maintenance ........................ 8-2
General maintenance ........................... 8-2
Where to go for service ......................... 8-2
General maintenance .............................. 8-2
Explanation of maintenance items ............... 8-2
Maintenance precautions .......................... 8-5
Engine compartment check locations ................ 8-6
VQ35HR engine ................................ 8-6
Vk50ve engine ................................. 8-7
Engine cooling system ............................. 8-9
Checking engine coolant level ................... 8-9
Changing engine coolant ....................... 8-10
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 fluid ...................................... 8-14
Brake fluid ................................... 8-14
Window washer fluid ............................. 8-14
Battery .......................................... 8-15
Jump starting ................................. 8-16
Variable voltage control system ...................8-17Drive belts
....................................... 8-17
Spark plugs ..................................... 8-18
Replacing spark plugs ......................... 8-18
Air cleaner ....................................... 8-19
Windshield wiper blades .......................... 8-19
Cleaning ...................................... 8-19
Replacing ..................................... 8-20
Rear window wiper blades ........................8-21
Brakes .......................................... 8-21
Self-adjusting brakes .......................... 8-21
Brake pad wear warning ....................... 8-21
Fuses ........................................... 8-22
Engine compartment ........................... 8-22
Passenger compartment ....................... 8-23
Intelligent
Key battery replacement ................8-23
Lights ........................................... 8-25
Headlights .................................... 8-26
Exterior and interior lights .....................8-26
Wheels and tires ................................. 8-28
Tire pressure .................................. 8-28
Tire labeling .................................. 8-32
Types of tires ................................. 8-34
Tire chains ................................... 8-35
Changing wheels and tires..................... 8-36
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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
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08/03/09—pattie
Preview Function warning light........2-17
Push starting .................. .6-9
Push-button ignition switch ..........5-9
R
Radio ..................... .4-46
Radio Car phone or CB radio ..........4-103
FM-AM-SAT radio with Compact Disc (CD)
player .................... 4-61
Rain-sensing auto wiper system .......2-33
Rapid air pressure loss .............5-6
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M)
test ...................... .9-30
Rear Active Steer system ...........5-79
Rear Active Steer warning light ........2-17
Rear center seat belt ............. .1-19
Rear door lock, Child safety rear door lock . .3-6
Rear seats ................... .1-5
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch ..................... .2-35
Rear window wiper blades ..........8-21
Rearview monitor ............... .4-22
Recorders, Event data .............9-31
Registering your vehicle in another
country .................... .9-10
Remote controller (DVD) ...........4-102
Remote keyless entry system .........3-13
Reporting safety defects (US only) ......9-29
Roadside assistance program .........6-2
Rollover ..................... .5-5
Roof Moonroof ................. .2-56Roof rack
.................. 2-53
Safety
Child seat belts .............. .1-15
Reporting safety defects (US only) . . . 9-29
Towing safety ............... 9-23
S
Satellite radio operation ...........4-62
Seat adjustment Front power seat adjustment ........1-2
Front seats ..................1-2
Seat belt(s)
Child safety ................ .1-15
Infants .................... 1-15
Injured persons ............... 1-16
Larger
children ............... 1-15
Pre-crash seat belts with comfort
function ................... 1-16
Precautions on seat belt usage ......1-12
Pregnant women .............. 1-16
Rear center seat belt ...........1-19
Seat belt cleaning ..............7-5
Seat belt extenders ............1-19
Seat belt maintenance ..........1-20
Seat belt warning light and chime ....2-17
Seat belts .................. 1-12
Seat belts with pretensioners ......1-52
Shoulder belt height adjustment .....1-19
Small children ............... 1-15
Three-point type .............. 1-17
Seat synchronization function ........3-26
Seat(s) Climate controlled seats ..........2-41
Driver-side memory ............3-25Seats
.....................1-2
Security system (INFINITI Vehicle Immobilizer
System), Engine start .............2-31
Security system, Vehicle security system . .2-29
Selector lever Shift lock release ............. .5-16
Servicing air conditioner
(See automatic climate control) . . . .4-40 , 4-42
Servicing climate control ...........4-46
SETTING button ................ .4-13
Shift lock release Transmission ............... .5-16
Shifting, Automatic transmission .......5-13
Shoulder belt height adjustment, For front
seats ...................... .1-19
Small light indicator light ...........2-20
Snow mode switch .............. .2-43
Spare tire .................... .9-9
Spark plugs .................. .8-18
Speedometer .................. .2-6
Starting Before starting the engine .........5-12
Precautions when starting and driving . . 5-2
Starting
the engine ............ 5-12
STATUS button ................. .4-7
Status light, Front passenger air bag . . . .1-47
Steering Power steering fluid ............8-13
Power steering system ..........5-72
Rear Active Steer system .........5-79
Steering lock release malfunction
indicator .................. 2-23
Steering-wheel-mounted controls for
audio .................... 4-89
Tilt/telescopic steering ..........3-19
Storage .................... .2-46
10-6
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10/19/09—tbrooks
Vehicle identification number (VIN)......9-11
Vehicle loading information ..........9-15
Vehicle security system ............2-29
Ventilators .................. .4-39
Voice command (See Bluetooth Hands-Free
Phone System) ............4-105 , 4-121
Voice recognition system ..........4-129
Voice recognition, Alternate command
mode ..................... .4-142
Warning Dot matrix display .............2-21
Hazard warning flasher switch ......2-40
Lane departure warning (LDW)
system ................... 5-19
Tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS) ....................5-3
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders .................. 2-12
W
Warning labels, Air bag warning labels . . .1-53
Warning light Air bag warning light ............1-53
All-wheel drive (AWD) warning light . . . 2-13
Anti-lock braking system (ABS) warning
light ..................... 2-13
Brake warning light ............2-13
Intelligent Key warning light .......2-15
Lane departure warning light .......2-15
Low tire pressure warning light .....2-15
Rear Active Steer warning light ......2-17
Seat belt warning light and chime ....2-17
Warning lights ................ .2-13Warranty, Emission control system
warranty
.................... .9-29
Washer switch, Windshield wiper and
washer switch ................ .2-32
Washing .................... .7-2
Waxing ..................... .7-2
Welcome light ................ .2-57
Wheel/tire size ................ .9-9
Wheels and tires ............... .8-28
Wheels and tires Care of wheels ............... .7-3
Cleaning aluminum alloy wheels .....7-3
Wheels, Rear Active Steer system ......5-79
Window washer fluid ............. .8-14
Window(s) Cleaning .................. .7-3
Power
windows .............. 2-53
Windshield wiper and washer switch . . . .2-32
Wiper Rain-sensing auto wiper system .....2-33
Windshield wiper and washer switch . . 2-32
Wiper blades ................ 8-19
X
Xenon headlights ............... .2-35
10-8
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