To remove the Intelligent Key from the port,
push the ignition switch to the LOCK position
and push in the Intelligent Key
s2. Then the
Intelligent Key will be ejected from the port. Pull
the Intelligent Key out.
NOTE:
The Intelligent Key port does not charge the In-
telligent Key battery. If you see the low battery
indicator in the dot matrix liquid crystal display,
replace the battery as soon as possible. (See
ªBATTERY REPLACEMENTº in the ª8. Mainte-
nance and do-it-yourselfº section.)
CAUTION
c Never place anything except the Intelligent
Key in the Intelligent Key port. Doing so may
cause damage to the equipment.
c Make sure the Intelligent Key is in the cor-
rect direction when inserting it to the Intelli-
gent Key port. The engine may not start if it is
in the incorrect direction.
c Remove the Intelligent Key from the Intelli-
gent Key port after the ignition switch is
pushed to the LOCK position.
c Do not pull out the Intelligent Key from the
Intelligent Key port until the Intelligent Key
is ejected to the removal position. c
Make sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.
c Check fluid levels such as engine oil, cool-
ant, brake fluid and window washer fluid as
frequently as possible, or at least whenever
you refuel.
c Check that all windows and lights are clean.
c Visually inspect tires for their appearance
and condition. Also check tires for proper
inflation.
c Lock all doors.
c Position seat and adjust head restraints.
c Adjust inside and outside mirrors.
c Fasten seat belts and ask all passengers to
do likewise.
c Check the operation of warning lights when
the ignition switch is pushed to the ON
position. (See ªWARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS
AND AUDIBLE REMINDERSº in the ª2. Instru-
ments and controlsº section.)
SSD0513
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
5-10Starting and driving
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CAUTION
During the first 1,200 miles (2,000 km), follow
these recommendations to obtain maximum
engine performance and ensure the future reli-
ability and economy of your new vehicle. Fail-
ure to follow these recommendations may re-
sult in shortened engine life and reduced
engine performance.
c Avoid driving for long periods at constant
speed, either fast or slow. Do not run the
engine over 4,000 rpm.
c Do not accelerate at full throttle in any gear.
c Avoid quick starts.
c Avoid hard braking as much as possible. c
Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Maintain
cruising speeds with a constant accelerator
position.
c Drive at moderate speeds on the highway.
Driving at high speed lowers fuel economy.
c Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking.
Keep a safe distance behind other vehicles.
c Select a gear range suitable to road condi-
tions.
c Avoid unnecessary engine idling.
c Keep your engine tuned up.
c Follow the recommended periodic mainte-
nance schedule.
c Keep the tires inflated to the correct pres-
sure. Low tire pressure increases tire wear
and lowers fuel economy.
c Keep the wheels in correct alignment. Im-
proper alignment increases tire wear and
lowers fuel economy.
c Climate control operation lowers fuel
economy. Use the air conditioner only when
necessary.
c When cruising at highway speeds, it is more
economical to use the air conditioner and
leave the windows closed to reduce drag. c
Use the recommended viscosity engine oil.
(See ªENGINE OIL AND OIL FILTER RECOM-
MENDATIONº in the ª9. Technical and con-
sumer informationº section.)
BREAK-IN SCHEDULE INCREASING FUEL ECONOMY
5-46Starting and driving
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WARNING
cFor AWD equipped vehicles, do not attempt
to raise two wheels off the ground and shift
the transmission to any drive or reverse po-
sition with the engine running. Doing so may
result in drivetrain damage or unexpected
vehicle movement which could result in seri-
ous vehicle damage or personal injury.
c Do not attempt to test an AWD equipped ve-
hicle on a 2-wheel dynamometer (such as
the dynamometers used by some states for
emissions testing) or similar equipment
even if the other two wheels are raised off
the ground. Make sure that you inform the
test facility personnel that your vehicle is
equipped with AWD before it is placed on a
dynamometer. Using the wrong test equip-
ment may result in drivetrain damage or un-
expected vehicle movement which could re-
sult in serious vehicle damage or personal
injury.
Your vehicle is equipped with full-time All-
Wheel Drive (AWD).
Switching the driving mode is not necessary. The AWD warning light is located in the meter.
The AWD warning light comes on when the
ignition switch is pushed to the ON position. It
turns off soon after the engine is started.If any malfunction occurs in the AWD system
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 powertrain oil temperature. The
driving mode may change to two-wheel drive. If
the warning light blinks rapidly during opera-
tion, stop the vehicle with the engine idling in a
safe place immediately. Then if the light turns
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.
CAUTION
c
If the warning light remains on after the
above operation, have your vehicle checked
by an INFINITI retailer as soon as possible.
c If the warning light comes on while driving
there may be a malfunction in the AWD sys-
tem. Reduce the vehicle speed and have your
vehicle checked by an INFINITI retailer as
soon as possible.
SSD0336B
ALL-WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) (if so equipped)
Starting and driving5-47
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Installing the spare tire
The spare tire is designed for emergency use.
(See specific instructions under the heading
ªWHEELS AND TIRESº in the ª8. Maintenance
and do-it-yourselfº section.)
1. Clean any mud or dirt from the surfacebetween the wheel and hub.
2. Carefully put the spare tire on and tighten the wheel nuts finger tight. Check that all
the wheel nuts contact the wheel surface
horizontally.
3. With the wheel nut wrench, tighten wheel nuts alternately and evenly in the se-
quence as illustrated (
s1,s2,s3,s4,s5),
more than 2 times, until they are tight. 4. Lower the vehicle slowly until the tire
touches the ground. Then, with the wheel
nut wrench, tighten the wheel nuts se-
curely in the sequence as illustrated.
Lower the vehicle completely.
WARNING
cIncorrect wheel nuts or improperly tightened
wheel nuts can cause the wheel to become
loose or come off. This could cause an
accident.
c Do not use oil or grease on the wheel studs or
nuts. This could cause the nuts to become
loose.
c Retighten the wheel nuts when the vehicle
has been driven for 600 miles (1,000 km)
(also in cases of a flat tire, etc.). c
As soon as possible, tighten the wheel nuts
to the specified torque with a torque wrench.
Wheel nut tightening torque: 80 ft-lb (108 N´m)
The wheel nuts must be kept tightened to speci-
fication at all times. It is recommended that
wheel nuts be tightened to specifications at
each lubrication interval.
c Adjust tire pressure to the COLD pressure.
COLD pressure:
After the vehicle has been parked for three
hours or more or driven less than 1 mile
(1.6 km).
COLD tire pressures are shown on the Tire
and Loading Information label affixed to the
driver side center pillar.
After adjusting tire pressure to the COLD tire
pressure, the display of the tire pressure infor-
mation may show higher pressure than the
COLD tire pressure after the vehicle has been
driven more than 1 mile (1.6 km). This is be-
cause the tire pressurizes as the tire tempera-
ture rises. This does not indicate a system
malfunction.
SCE0039
6-6In case of emergency
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REMOVING SPOTS
Remove tar and oil spots, industrial dust, in-
sects, and tree sap as quickly as possible from
the paint surface to avoid lasting damage or
staining. Special cleaning products are avail-
able at an INFINITI retailer or any automotive
accessory stores.
UNDERBODY
In areas where road salt is used in winter, the
underbody must be cleaned regularly. This will
prevent dirt and salt from building up and
causing the acceleration of corrosion on the
underbody and suspension. Before the winter
period and again in the spring, the underseal
must be checked and, if necessary, re-treated.
GLASS
Use glass cleaner to remove smoke and dust
film from the glass surfaces. It is normal for
glass to become coated with a film after the
vehicle is parked in the hot sun. Glass cleaner
and a soft cloth will easily remove this film.
CAUTION
When cleaning the inside of the windows, do
not use sharp-edged tools, abrasive cleaners or
chlorine-based disinfectant cleaners. They
could damage the electrical conductors, radio
antenna elements or rear window defroster
elements.
ALUMINUM ALLOY WHEELS
Wash regularly with a sponge dampened in a
mild soap solution, especially during winter
months in areas where road salt is used. Salt
could discolor the wheels if not removed.
CAUTION
Follow the directions below to avoid staining or
discoloring the wheels:
cDo not use a cleaner that uses strong acid or
alkali contents to clean the wheels.
c Do not apply wheel cleaners to the wheels
when they are hot. The wheel temperature
should be the same as ambient temperature.
c Rinse the wheel to completely remove the
cleaner within 15 minutes after the cleaner is
applied.
CHROME PARTS
Clean chrome parts regularly with a non- abra-
sive chrome polish to maintain the finish.
TIRE DRESSING
INFINITI does not recommend the use of tire
dressings. Tire manufacturers apply a coating
to the tires to help reduce discoloration of the
rubber. If a tire dressing is applied to the tires,
it may react with the coating and form a com-
pound. This compound may come off the tire
while driving and stain the vehicle paint.
If you choose to use a tire dressing, take the
following precautions:
c Use a water-based tire dressing. The coating
on the tire dissolves more easily with an
oil-based tire dressing.
c Apply a light coat of tire dressing to help
prevent it from entering the tire
tread/grooves (where it would be difficult to
remove).
c Wipe off excess tire dressing using a dry
towel. Make sure the tire dressing is com-
pletely removed from the tire tread/grooves.
c Allow the tire dressing to dry as recom-
mended by tire dressing manufacturer.
Appearance and care7-3
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Occasionally remove loose dust from the inte-
rior trim, plastic parts and seats using a vacuum
cleaner or soft bristled brush. Wipe the vinyl
and leather surfaces with a clean, soft cloth
dampened in mild soap solution, then wipe
clean with a dry soft cloth.
Regular care and cleaning is required in order to
maintain the appearance of the leather.
Before using any fabric protector, read the
manufacturer's recommendations. Some fabric
protectors contain chemicals that may stain or
bleach the seat material.
Use a cloth dampened only with water, to clean
the meter and gauge lens.
WARNING
Do not use water or acidic cleaners (hot steam
cleaners) on the seat. This can damage the seat
or occupant classification sensor. This can also
affect the operation of the air bag system and
result in serious personal injury.
CAUTION
cNever use benzine, thinner, or any similar
material. c
Small dirt particles can be abrasive and dam-
aging to the leather surfaces and should be
removed promptly. Do not use saddle soap,
car waxes, polishes, oils, cleaning fluids,
solvents, detergents or ammonia-based
cleaners as they may damage the leather's
natural finish.
c Never use fabric protectors unless recom-
mended by the manufacturer.
c Do not use glass or plastic cleaner on meter
or gauge lens covers. It may damage the lens
cover.
AIR FRESHENERS
Most air fresheners use a solvent that could
affect the vehicle interior. If you use an air
freshener, take the following precautions:
c Hanging-type air fresheners can cause per-
manent discoloration when they contact ve-
hicle interior surfaces. Place the air fresh-
ener in a location that allows it to hang free
and not contact an interior surface.
c Liquid-type air fresheners typically clip on
the vents. These products can cause imme-
diate damage and discoloration when
spilled on interior surfaces. Carefully read and follow the manufacturer's
instructions before using air fresheners.
FLOOR MATS
The use of INFINITI floor mats can extend the life
of your vehicle carpet and make it easier to
clean the interior.
No matter what mats are
used, be sure they are fitted for your vehicle and
are properly positioned in the footwell to pre-
vent interference with pedal operation. Mats
should be maintained with regular cleaning and
replaced if they become excessively worn.
CLEANING INTERIOR
7-4Appearance and care
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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
VK45DE engine ................................. 8-6
VQ35HR engine ................................ 8-8
Engine cooling system ............................ 8-10
Checking engine coolant level ...................8-11
Changing engine coolant ........................ 8-11
Engine oil ....................................... 8-12
Checking engine oil level ......................8-12
Changing engine oil and filter ..................8-12
Automatic transmission fluid ......................8-15
5-speed automatic transmission ................8-15
7-speed automatic transmission ................8-15
Power steering fluid .............................. 8-16
Brake fluid ...................................... 8-16
Brake fluid ................................... 8-16
Window washer fluid ............................. 8-17
Battery .......................................... 8-17
Jump starting ................................. 8-19Variable voltage control system (if so equipped)
....8-19
Drive belts ....................................... 8-19
Spark plugs ..................................... 8-20
Replacing spark plugs ......................... 8-21
Air cleaner ....................................... 8-21
Windshield wiper blades .......................... 8-22
Cleaning ...................................... 8-22
Replacing ..................................... 8-23
Brakes .......................................... 8-24
Self-adjusting brakes .......................... 8-24
Brake pad wear warnings ......................8-24
Fuses ........................................... 8-25
Engine compartment ........................... 8-25
Passenger compartment ....................... 8-27
Battery replacement .............................. 8-28
Intelligent Key ................................ 8-28
Lights ........................................... 8-30
Headlights .................................... 8-31
Exterior and interior lights .....................8-32
Wheels and tires ................................. 8-34
Tire pressure .................................. 8-34
Tire labeling .................................. 8-38
Types of tires ................................. 8-40
Tire chains ................................... 8-41
Changing wheels and tires..................... 8-41
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Steering wheel:Check for changes in the steer-
ing conditions, such as excessive free play,
hard steering or strange noises.
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 the drive
belts are not frayed, worn, cracked or oily.
Engine oil level*: Check the level after parking
the vehicle on a level surface and turning off the
engine. Wait more than 10 or 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
ªPRECAUTIONS WHEN STARTING AND DRIVINGº
in the ª5. Starting and drivingº 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
ªCLEANING EXTERIORº in the ª7. Appearance
and careº section.
Windshield washer fluid*: Check that there is
adequate fluid in the reservoir.
8-4Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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