●If you have to tow manual transmission mod-
els with the rear wheels on the ground (if you
do not use towing dollies) or four wheels on
the ground:
– Push the ignition switch to the ON posi- tion and turn off all accessories.
– Always release the parking brake.
– Move the transmission shift lever to the N (Neutral) position.
– Observe the following restricted towing speeds and distances for manual trans-
mission models only:
●Rear wheels on the ground:
Speed: Below 50 MPH (80 km/h)
Distance: Less than 50 miles (80 km)
● Four wheels on the ground:
Speed: Below 70 MPH (112 km/h)
Distance: Less than 500 miles (800 km)
– If the speed or distance must necessarily be greater, remove the propeller shaft be-
fore towing to prevent damage to the
drivetrain.VEHICLE RECOVERY (Freeing a stuck
vehicle)
WARNING
●Stand clear of a stuck vehicle.
● Do not spin your tires at high speed. This
could cause them to explode and result in
serious injury. Parts of your vehicle could
also overheat and be damaged.
Pulling a stuck vehicle
If your vehicle is stuck in sand, snow, mud, etc.,
use a tow strap or other device designed spe-
cifically for vehicle recovery. Always follow the
manufacturer’s instructions for the recovery de-
vice.
Front
Remove the recovery hook cover with a suitable
tool.
Securely install the vehicle recovery hook
1
stored with jacking tools or in the jack storage.
Attach the tow strap to the recovery hook.
Make sure that the hook is properly secured in
the original place after use.Front
SCE0893
6-22In case of emergency
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10/15/09—tbrooks
Rear
Do not use the tie down hook
2for towing or
vehicle recovery.
CAUTION
● Tow chains or cables must be attached only
to the vehicle recovery hooks or main struc-
tural members of the vehicle. Otherwise, the
vehicle body will be damaged.
● Do not use the vehicle tie downs to free a
vehicle stuck in sand, snow, mud, etc. ●
Never tow a vehicle using the vehicle tie
downs or recovery hooks.
● Always pull the cable straight out from the
front of the vehicle. Never pull on the vehicle
at an angle.
● Pulling devices should be routed so they do
not touch any part of the suspension, steer-
ing, brake or cooling systems.
● Pulling devices such as ropes or canvas
straps are not recommended for use in ve-
hicle towing or recovery.
Rocking a stuck vehicle
If your vehicle is stuck in sand, snow, mud, etc.,
use the following procedure:
1. Turn off the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system.
2. Make sure the area in front and behind the vehicle is clear of obstructions.
3. Turn the steering wheel right and left to clear an area around the front tires. 4. Slowly rock the vehicle forward and back-
ward.
●Shift back and forth between R (Reverse)
and D (Drive) (automatic transmission
models) or 1st and R (Reverse) (manual
transmission models).
● Apply the accelerator as little as possible
to maintain the rocking motion.
● Release the accelerator pedal before
shifting between R (Reverse) and D (Drive)
(automatic transmission models) or 1st
and R (Reverse) (manual transmission
models).
● Do not spin the tires above 35 MPH (55
km/h).
5. If the vehicle cannot be freed after a few tries, contact a professional towing ser-
vice to remove the vehicle.
Rear
SCE0894
In case of emergency6-23
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10/15/09—tbrooks
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
VQ37VHR engine ............................... 8-6
Engine cooling system ............................. 8-7
Checking engine coolant level ................... 8-7
Changing engine coolant ........................ 8-8
Engine oil ........................................ 8-8
Checking engine oil level ....................... 8-8
Changing engine oil and filter ................... 8-9
Automatic transmission fluid .......................8-11
Power steering fluid ............................... 8-11
Brake and clutch fluid ............................. 8-11
Brake fluid ................................... 8-12
Clutch fluid (if so equipped) ....................8-12
Window washer fluid ............................. 8-12
Battery .......................................... 8-13
Jump starting ................................. 8-15Variable voltage control system
...................8-15
Drive belt ........................................ 8-15
Spark plugs ..................................... 8-16
Replacing spark plugs ......................... 8-16
Air cleaner ....................................... 8-17
Windshield wiper blades .......................... 8-17
Cleaning ...................................... 8-17
Replacing ..................................... 8-18
Brakes .......................................... 8-19
Self-adjusting brakes .......................... 8-19
Brake pad wear warning ....................... 8-19
Fuses ........................................... 8-19
Engine compartment ........................... 8-19
Passenger compartment ....................... 8-21
Intelligent Key battery replacement ................8-21
Lights ........................................... 8-23
Headlights .................................... 8-24
Exterior
and interior lights ..................... 8-24
Wheels and tires ................................. 8-26
Tire pressure .................................. 8-26
Tire labeling .................................. 8-29
Types of tires ................................. 8-31
Tire chains ................................... 8-32
Changing wheels and tires..................... 8-32
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04/28/10—diane
When driving in areas using road salt or other
corrosive materials, check lubrication 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 headlight 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.
Tire rotation*: Tires cannot be rotated on this
vehicle because the front tires are a different
size than the rear tires.
Tires*: Check the pressure with a gauge often
and always prior to long distance trips. If nec-
essary, adjust the pressure in all tires, includ-
ing the spare, to the pressure specified. Check
carefully for damage, cuts or excessive wear.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) trans-
mitter components: Replace the TPMS transmit-
ter grommet seal, valve core and cap when the
tires are replaced due to wear or age.
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.
For additional information regarding tires, refer
to “Important Tire Safety Information” (US) or
“Tire Safety Information” (Canada) in the
INFINITI Warranty Information 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 repaired by a qualified
repair facility.
Windshield wiper blades*: Check for cracks or
wear if they do not wipe properly.
Inside the vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
checked on a regular basis, such as when
performing scheduled 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) mechanism: On
a fairly steep hill, check that the vehicle is held
securely with the selector lever in the P (Park)
position without applying any brakes. Brake pedal:
Check the pedal for smooth opera-
tion. If the brake pedal suddenly goes down
further than normal, the pedal feels spongy or
the vehicle seems to take longer to stop, see an
INFINITI retailer immediately. 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 the parking brake opera-
tion regularly. The vehicle should be securely
held on a fairly steep hill with only the parking
brake applied. If the parking brake needs ad-
justed, see an INFINITI retailer.
Seat belts: Check that all parts of the seat belt
system (for example, buckles, anchors, adjust-
ers and retractors) operate properly and
smoothly, and are installed securely. Check the
belt webbing for cuts, fraying, wear or damage.
Seats: Check seat position controls such as
seat adjusters, seatback recliners, 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 securely
in all latched positions.
Steering wheel: Check for changes in the steer-
ing conditions, such as excessive free play,
hard steering or strange noises.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-3
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10/15/09—tbrooks
When performing any inspection or maintenance
work on your vehicle, always take care to pre-
vent serious accidental injury to yourself or
damage to the vehicle. The following are general
precautions which should be closely observed.
WARNING
●Park the vehicle on a level surface, apply the
parking brake securely and block the wheels
to prevent the vehicle from moving. For
manual transmission models, move the shift
lever to N (Neutral). For automatic transmis-
sion models, move the selector lever to P
(Park).
● Be sure the ignition switch is in the OFF or
LOCK position when performing any parts
replacement or repairs.
● Never connect or disconnect the battery or
any transistorized component while the ig-
nition switch is in the ON position.
● Never leave the engine or automatic trans-
mission related component harnesses dis-
connected while the ignition switch is in the
ON position.
● If you must work with the engine running,
keep your hands, clothing, hair and tools
away from moving fans, belts and any other
moving parts. ●
It is advisable to secure or remove any loose
clothing and remove any jewelry, such as
rings, watches, etc. before working on your
vehicle.
● Always wear eye protection whenever you
work on your vehicle.
● 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.
● Never get under the vehicle while it is sup-
ported only by a jack. If it is necessary to
work under the vehicle, support it with
safety stands.
● Keep smoking materials, flame and sparks
away from fuel tank and the battery.
● Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic
engine cooling fan. It may come on at any
time without warning, even if the ignition
key is in the OFF position and the engine is
not running. To avoid injury, always discon-
nect the negative battery cable before work-
ing near the fan.
● The fuel filter or fuel lines should be serviced
by an INFINITI retailer because the fuel lines
are under high pressure even when the en-
gine is off.
CAUTION
● Do not work under the hood while the engine
is hot. Turn the engine off and wait until it
cools down.
● Avoid direct contact with used engine oil and
coolant. Improperly disposed engine oil,
coolant, and/or other vehicle fluids can dam-
age the environment. Always conform to lo-
cal regulations for disposal of vehicle fluid.
This “8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself” sec-
tion gives instructions regarding only those
items which are relatively easy for an owner to
perform.
A genuine INFINITI Service Manual is also avail-
able. (See “OWNER’S MANUAL/SERVICE
MANUAL ORDER INFORMATION” in the “9. Tech-
nical and consumer information” section.)
You should be aware that incomplete or im-
proper servicing may result in operating diffi-
culties or excessive emissions, and could affect
your warranty coverage. If in doubt about any
servicing, we recommend that it be done by an
INFINITI retailer.
MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-5
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04/28/10—pattie
When checking or replacement is required, we
recommend an INFINITI retailer for servicing.
CAUTION
●Use only Genuine NISSAN Matic S ATF. Do
not mix with other fluids.
● Using automatic transmission fluid other
than Genuine NISSAN Matic S ATF will cause
deterioration in driveability and automatic
transmission durability, and may damage
the automatic transmission, which is not
covered by the INFINITI new vehicle limited
warranty. Check the fluid level in the reservoir.
The fluid level should be checked with the
engine off using the HOT range (
1: HOT MAX.,
2: HOT MIN.) at fluid temperatures of 122 to
176°F (50 to 80°C) or using the COLD range (
3:
COLD MAX.,
4: COLD MIN.) at fluid tempera-
tures of 32 to 86°F (0 to 30°C).
If the fluid is below the MIN line, add Genuine
NISSAN PSF or equivalent. Remove the cap and
fill through the opening.
CAUTION
● Do not overfill.
● Use Genuine NISSAN PSF or equivalent. For further brake and clutch fluid information,
see “CAPACITIES AND RECOMMENDED
FUEL/LUBRICANTS” in the “9. Technical and
consumer information” section of this manual.
WARNING
●
Use only new fluid from a sealed container.
Old, inferior or contaminated fluid may dam-
age the brake system. The use of improper
fluids can damage the brake system and af-
fect the vehicle’s stopping ability.
● Be sure to clean the filler cap before
removing.
● Brake fluid is poisonous and should be
stored carefully in marked containers out of
the reach of children.
CAUTION
Do not spill the fluid on painted surfaces. This
will damage the paint. If fluid is spilled, wash
the surface with water.
SDI1765A
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID POWER STEERING FLUID BRAKE AND CLUTCH FLUID
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-11
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04/28/10—pattie
The following are approximate capacities. The actual refill capacities may be a little different. When refilling, follow the procedure instructed in the “8.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section to determine the proper refill capacity.
Capacity (Approximate)Recommended specifications
US measure Imp measure Liter
Fuel 20 gal16-5/8 gal 76 See “FUEL RECOMMENDATION” later in this section.
Engine oil*1
Drain and refill With oil filter change 5-1/8 qt4-3/8 qt4.9 •Engine oil with API Certification Mark*2, *3
•Viscosity SAE 5W-30
Without oil filter change 4-7/8 qt4 qt4.6
Cooling system Automatic transmission model With reservoir 9 qt7-1/2 qt 8.5 50% Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) or equivalent
50% Demineralized or distilled water
Reservoir 7/8 qt3/4 qt0.8
Manual transmission model With reservoir 9-1/8 qt7-5/8 qt8.6
Reservoir 7/8 qt3/4 qt0.8
Automatic transmission fluid ——— Genuine NISSAN Matic S ATF*4
Manual transmission gear oil ——— Genuine NISSAN Manual Transmission Fluid (MTF)
HQ Multi 75W-85 or API GL-4, Viscosity SAE 75W-85
Differential gear oil ——— For M/T models: Genuine NISSAN Differential Oil Hypoid Super GL-5 80W-90 or API
GL-5 Viscosity SAE 80W-90*5
For A/T models: Genuine NISSAN Differential Oil Synthetic 75W-90 or API GL-5 syn-
thetic gear oil, Viscosity SAE 75W-90*6
Power steering fluid (PSF) Refill to the proper oil level according to the instructions
in the “8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section. Genuine NISSAN PSF or equivalent*7
Brake and clutch fluid Genuine NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid*8 or equivalent DOT 3
Multi-purpose grease Without limited slip differential NLGI No. 2 (Lithium soap base)
With limited slip differential
Air conditioning system refrigerant ——— HFC-134a (R-134a)*9
Air conditioning system lubricants ——— NISSAN A/C System Oil
Type S or exact equivalent
Window washer fluid ——— Genuine NISSAN Windshield Washer Concentrate Cleaner & Antifreeze or equivalent
*1: For additional information, see “ENGINE OIL” in the “8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section for changing engine oil.
*2: For additional information, see “ENGINE OIL AND OIL FILTER RECOMMENDATION” later in this section.
*3: INFINITI recommends Genuine NISSAN Ester Engine Oil available at your INFINITI retailer.
*4: Using automatic transmission fluid other than Genuine NISSAN Matic S ATF will cause deterioration in driveability and automatic transmission durability, and may damage the automatic transmission, which is not
covered by the INFINITI new vehicle limited warranty.
*5: For hot climates, viscosity SAE90 is suitable for ambient temperatures above 32°F(0°C).
*6: See an INFINITI retailer for service for synthetic oil.
*7: DEXRON
TMVI type ATF may also be used.
*8: Available in mainland US through an INFINITI retailer.
*9: For additional information, see “VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION” later in this section for air conditioner specification label.
CAPACITIES AND RECOMMENDED
FUEL/LUBRICANTS
9-2Technical and consumer information
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04/28/10—pattie
MEASUREMENT OF WEIGHTS
Secure loose items to prevent weight
shifts that could affect the balance of
your vehicle. When the vehicle is loaded,
drive to a scale and weigh the front and
the rear wheels separately to determine
axle loads. Individual axle loads should
not exceed either of the gross axle
weight ratings (GAWR). The total of the
axle loads should not exceed the gross
vehicle weight rating (GVWR). These rat-
ings are given on the vehicle certifica-
tion label. If weight ratings are ex-
ceeded, move or remove items to bring
all weights below the ratings.Do not tow a trailer with your vehicle.FLAT TOWING
Towing your vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground is sometimes called flat towing. This
method is sometimes used when towing a
vehicle behind a recreational vehicle, such as a
motor home.
CAUTION
●
Failure to follow these guidelines can result
in severe transmission damage.
● Whenever flat towing your vehicle, always
tow forward, never backward.
● DO NOT tow any automatic transmission ve-
hicle with all four wheels on the ground (flat
towing). Doing so WILL DAMAGE internal
transmission parts due to lack of transmis-
sion lubrication.
● For emergency towing procedures refer to
“TOWING RECOMMENDED BY INFINITI” in the
“6. In case of emergency” section of this
manual.
Automatic transmission
To tow a vehicle equipped with an automatic
transmission, an appropriate vehicle dolly
MUST be placed under the towed vehicle’s drive
wheels. Alwaysfollow the dolly manufacturer’s
recommendations when using their product.
Manual transmission
● Always tow with the manual transmission in
Neutral.
● Your vehicle speed should never exceed 70
MPH (112 km/h) when flat towing your ve-
hicle.
● After towing 500 miles, start and idle the
engine with the transmission in Neutral for
two minutes. Failure to idle the engine after
every 500 miles of towing may cause dam-
age to the transmission’s internal parts.
TOWING A TRAILER
Technical and consumer information9-17
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