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.
ANTI-FREEZE
In the winter when it is anticipated that the
outside temperature will drop below 32ÉF (0ÉC),
check antifreeze to assure proper winter protec-
tion. For additional information, see ªENGINE
COOLING SYSTEMº in the ª8. Maintenance and
do-it-yourselfº 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 ªBATTERYº in the ª8. Mainte-
nance and do-it-yourselfº 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 ªENGINE COOLING SYS-
TEMº in the ª8. Maintenance and do-it-yourselfº
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 ªTIRE
CHAINSº in the ª8. Maintenance and do-it-
yourselfº section of this manual.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) model
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:
cA scraper and stiff-bristled brush to remove
ice and snow from the windows and wiper
blades.
c A sturdy, flat board to be placed under the
jack to give it firm support.
c A shovel to dig the vehicle out of snowdrifts.
c Extra window washer fluid to refill the reser-
voir tank.
DRIVING ON SNOW OR ICE
WARNING
cWet ice (32ÉF, 0ÉC 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 ªgripº under these conditions.
Try to avoid driving on wet ice until the road
is salted or sanded.
c 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
5-56Starting and driving
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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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When driving in areas using road salt or other
corrosive materials, check lubrication fre-
quently.
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 should be rotated every
7,500 miles (12,000 km).
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.
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 ªImportant Tire Safety Informationº (US) or
ªTire Safety Informationº (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) position
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-
justment, 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 recliner, etc. to ensure
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.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-3
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nance log shown in the ªINFINITI Service and
Maintenance Guideº. When replacing the filter,
wipe the inside of the air cleaner housing and
the cover with a damp cloth.
WARNING
cOperating the engine with the air cleaner
removed can cause you or others to be
burned. The air cleaner not only cleans the
air, it stops flame if the engine backfires. If it
isn't there, and the engine backfires, you
could be burned. Do not drive with the air
cleaner removed, and be careful when work-
ing on the engine with the air cleaner
removed.
c Never pour fuel into the throttle body or at-
tempt to start the engine with the air cleaner
removed. Doing so could result in serious
injury.
CLEANING
If your windshield is not clear after using the
windshield washer or if a wiper blade chatters
when running, wax or other material may be on
the blade or windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with a
washer solution or a mild detergent. Your wind-
shield is clean if beads do not form when
rinsing with clear water.
Clean each blade by wiping it with a cloth
soaked in a washer solution or a mild deter-
gent. Then rinse the blade with clear water. If
your windshield is still not clear after cleaning
the blades and using the wiper, replace the
blades.
CAUTION
Worn windshield wiper blades can damage the
windshield and impair driver vision.
VK45DE engine
SDI1830
WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES
8-22Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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REPLACING
Replace the wiper blades if they are worn.
1. Push the ignition switch to the ON posi-tion and turn the windshield wiper switch
on. Push the ignition switch to the LOCK
position when the wiper is in the fully up
position. The wiper will stop as illustrated.
The wiper should be in the fully up position to
avoid scratching the engine hood or wiper
arm.
2. Pull the wiper arm.
3. Push the release tab
sA, and then move
the wiper blade down the wiper arm
s1
while pushing the release tab to remove.
4. Insert the new wiper blade onto the wiper arm until a click sounds.
5. Rotate the wiper blade so the dimple is in the groove.
CAUTION
cAfter wiper blade replacement, return the
wiper arm to its original position;
otherwise it may be damaged when the hood
is opened.
c Make sure the wiper blades contact the
glass; otherwise the arm may be damaged
from wind pressure.
SDI2185SDI1649
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-23
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Washer switch, Windshield wiper and
washer switch.................2-27
Washing .....................7-2
Waxing ......................7-2
Weights (See dimensions and weights) . . .9-10
Wheel/tire size .................9-9
Wheels and tires ................8-34
Wheels and tires, Cleaning aluminum alloy
wheels ......................7-3
Wheels, Rear Active Steer system ......5-55
Window washer fluid ..............8-17
Window(s) Cleaning ...................7-3
Power windows .............. 2-43
Windshield wiper and washer switch . . . .2-27
Wiper Rain-sensing auto wiper system .....2-28
Windshield wiper and washer switch . . 2-27
Wiper blades ................ 8-22
X
Xenon headlights ...............2-29
10-8
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