
8 Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Maintenance requirements..........................8-2
General maintenance ..............................8-2
Explanation of general maintenance items .........8-2
Maintenance precautions . . . ........................8-5
Engine compartment check locations ................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 ............................8-9
Changing engine oil filter .......................8-10
5-speed automatic transmission fluid ...............8-11
Power steering fluid ............................... 8-11
Brake fluid ....................................... 8-12
Brake fluid . . . ................................. 8-12
Window washer fluid ............................. 8-12
Window washer fluid reservoir ..................8-12
Battery .......................................... 8-13
Jump starting ................................. 8-14
Variable voltage control system .....................8-15
Drive belt ........................................ 8-15Spark plugs
...................................... 8-16
Replacing spark plugs . . .......................8-16
Air cleaner ....................................... 8-17
In-cabin microfilter ............................. 8-17
Windshield wiper blades .......................... 8-19
Cleaning ..................................... 8-19
Replacing .................................... 8-19
Brakes .......................................... 8-22
Fuses ........................................... 8-23
Engine compartment ........................... 8-23
Passenger compartment . . . ....................8-25
Battery replacement .............................. 8-25
INFINITI Intelligent Key™ ........................ 8-26
Lights ........................................... 8-27
Headlights .................................... 8-27
Exterior and interior lights . . . ....................8-28
Wheels
and tires ................................. 8-32
Tire pressure .................................. 8-32
Tire labeling ................................... 8-35
Types of tires .................................. 8-38
Tire chains .................................... 8-39
Changing wheels and tires .....................8-39
REVIEW COPY—2010 Infiniti QX56(iwz)
Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna)
02/12/09—debbie

When performing any inspection or maintenance
work on your vehicle, always take care to prevent
serious accidental injury to yourself or damage to
the vehicle. The following are general precau-
tions which should be closely observed.
WARNING
●Park the vehicle on a level surface, ap-
ply the parking brake securely and
block the wheels to prevent the vehicle
from moving. Move the shift selector to
P (Park)
● Be sure the ignition key is in the OFF or
LOCK position when performing any
parts replacement or repairs.
● Your vehicle is equipped with an auto-
matic 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 disconnect the negative
battery cable before working near the
fan.
● If you must work with the engine run-
ning, 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 en-
closed space such as a garage, be sure
there is proper ventilation for exhaust
gases to escape.
● Never get under the vehicle while it is
supported only by a jack. If it is neces-
sary to work under the vehicle, support
it with safety stands.
● Keep smoking materials, flame and
sparks away from the fuel tank and
battery.
● On gasoline engine models, the fuel
filter or fuel lines should be serviced by
an INFINITI dealer because the fuel
lines are under high pressure even
when the engine 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 contact with used engine oil and
coolant. Improperly disposed engine
oil, engine coolant and/or other vehicle
fluids can damage the environment. Al-
ways conform to local regulations for
disposal of vehicle fluid.
● Never leave the engine or automatic
transmission related component har-
nesses disconnected while the ignition
switch is in the ON position.
● Never connect or disconnect the battery
or any transistorized component while
the ignition switch is in the ON position.
This “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section
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 or-
der information” in the “Technical and consumer
information” section of this manual.
You should be aware that incomplete or improper
servicing may result in operating difficulties or
excessive emissions, and could affect warranty
coverage. If in doubt about any servicing,
have it done by an INFINITI dealer.
MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-5
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The engine cooling system is filled at the factory
with Genuine NISSAN Long Life
Antifreeze/Coolant to provide year-round anti-
freeze and coolant protection.The anti-freeze so-
lution contains rust and corrosion inhibitors. Ad-
ditional engine cooling system additives are not
necessary.
WARNING
●Never remove the radiator or coolant
reservoir cap when the engine is hot.
Wait until the engine and radiator cool
down. Serious burns could be caused
by high pressure fluid escaping from
the radiator. See precautions in “If your
vehicle overheats” found in the “In case
of emergency” section of this manual.
● The radiator is equipped with a pres-
sure type radiator cap. To prevent en-
gine damage, 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 (green) or equivalent
with the proper mixture ratio of 50% anti-
freeze and 50% demineralized or distilled
water. The use of other types of coolant
solutions or coolant colors, such as or-
ange, may damage the engine cooling
system.
Outside temperature
down to Genuine
NISSAN
Long Life
Antifreeze/ Coolant or equivalent Demineral-
ized or dis- tilled water
°C °F
-35 -30 50% 50%
CHECKING ENGINE COOLANT
LEVEL
Check the coolant level in the reservoir when
the engine is cold. If the coolant level is below
the MIN level, add coolant to the MAX level. If the
reservoir 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 up to the MAX level.
The engine coolant reservoir is a pressur-
ized tank. When installing the cap, tighten
it until a clicking sound is heard.
LDI0369
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-7
REVIEW COPY—2010 Infiniti QX56 (iwz)
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02/12/09—debbie

If the cooling system frequently requires
coolant, have it checked by an INFINITI
dealer.
CHANGING ENGINE COOLANT
An INFINITI dealer can change the engine cool-
ant. The service procedure can be found in the
INFINITI Service Manual.
Improper servicing can result in reduced
heater performance and engine overheat-
ing.
WARNING
●To avoid the danger of being scalded,
never change the coolant when the en-
gine is hot.
● Never remove the radiator or engine
coolant reservoir 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 the reach of chil-
dren 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. Start the engine and let it idle until it reaches operating temperature.
3. Turn off the engine. Wait more than 10
minutes for the oil to drain back into
the oil pan.
4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean. Re- insert it all the way.
LDI0370
ENGINE OIL
8-8Maintenance and do-it-yourself
REVIEW COPY—2010 Infiniti QX56 (iwz)
Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna)
02/12/09—debbie

CAUTION
●Do not ground accessories directly to
the battery terminal. Doing so will by-
pass the variable voltage control sys-
tem and the vehicle battery may not
charge completely.
● Use electrical accessories with the en-
gine running to avoid discharging the
vehicle battery.
Your vehicle is equipped with a variable voltage
control system. This system measures the
amount of electrical discharge from the battery
and controls voltage generated by the generator. The current sensor
Ais located near the battery
along the negative battery cable. If you add elec-
trical accessories to your vehicle, be sure to
ground them to a suitable body ground such as
the frame or engine block area.
1. Power steering fluid pump
2. Automatic belt tensioner
3. Water pump
4. Cooling fan
5. Air conditioner compressor
6. Crankshaft pulley
7. Generator
WARNING
Be sure the ignition key is in the OFF or
LOCK position before servicing drive belt.
The engine could rotate unexpectedly.
WDI0566WDI0661
VARIABLE VOLTAGE CONTROL
SYSTEM DRIVE BELT
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-15
REVIEW COPY—2010 Infiniti QX56
(iwz)
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02/12/09—debbie

The following are approximate capacities. The actual refill capacities may be slightly different. When refilling, follow the procedure
described in the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section to determine the proper refill capacity.
Capacity (Approximate)Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
US measure Imp measure Liter
Fuel 28 gal23-1/4 gal 105.8 Unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of at least 87 AKI (RON 91)*1
Engine oil *7 Drain and RefillWith oil filter change 6-7/8 qt 5-3/4 qt 6.5 Engine oil with API Certification Mark *2
Viscosity SAE 5W-30 *2
Without oil filter change 6-1/2 qt 5-1/2 qt 6.2
Cooling system With reservoir 3-3/4 gal 3-1/8 gal 14.4 50% Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant or equivalent
50% Demineralized or distilled water
Automatic transmission fluid Refill to the proper level according to the instructions in
the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section. Genuine NISSAN Matic S ATF *3
Power steering fluid (PSF) Genuine NISSAN PSF or equivalent.*4
Brake fluid Genuine NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid *5 or equivalent DOT 3
Multi-purpose grease ———NLGI No. 2 (Lithium Soap base)
Air conditioning system refrigerant — ——HFC-134a (R-134a) *6
Air conditioning system oil ———NISSAN A/C System Oil Type S or equivalent *6
Transfer fluid 3-1/8 qt 2-5/8 qt 3.0 Genuine NISSAN Matic D ATF (Continental U.S. and Alaska) or Canada
NISSAN Automatic Transmission Fluid or equivalent (if available)
Front differential gear oil 3-3/8 pt 2-7/8 pt 1.6 Genuine NISSAN Differential Oil Hypoid Super GL-5 80W-90 OR API GL-5
Viscosity SAE 80W-90 *8
Rear differential gear oil 3-3/4 pt 3-1/8 pt 1.75 API GL-5 Synthetic 75W-90 gear oil or equivalent *9
Windshield washer fluid (shared between
front and rear wipers) 1-1/4 gal 1 gal
4.5Genuine NISSAN Windshield Washer Concentrate Cleaner & Antifreeze or
equivalent
*1: For further details, see “Fuel recommendation.”
*2: For further details, see “Engine oil and oil filter recommendations.”
*3: If Genuine NISSAN Matic S ATF is not available, Genuine NISSAN Matic J ATF may also be used. Using automatic transmission fluid other than Genuine NISSAN Matic S ATF or Matic J ATF will cause deterioration in driveability and automatic transmission durability, and may damage the automatic transmission, which is not covered by the INFINITI new ve-
hicle limited warranty.
*4: DEXRON™ VI type ATF or Canada NISSAN Automatic Transmission Fluid may also be used.
*5: Available in mainland USA through your INFINITI dealer.
*6: For further details, see “Air conditioner specification label.”
*7: For further details, see “Changing engine oil.”
*8: For hot climates, viscosity SAE 90 is suitable for ambient temperatures above 0° C (32° F) .
*9: See your INFINITI dealer for service.
CAPACITIES AND RECOMMENDED
FUEL/LUBRICANTS
9-2Technical and consumer information
REVIEW COPY—2010 Infiniti QX56 (iwz)
Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna)
02/12/09—debbie

Car phone or CB radio.............4-69
Cargo light ...................2-54
Cargo net ....................2-45
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . .9-12
CD care and cleaning .............4-50
CD player (See audio system) .........4-37
Child restraint with top tether strap ......1-36
Child restraints .......1-30, 1-30, 1-31, 1-33
Precautions on child
restraints ........1-31, 1-39, 1-44, 1-49
Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-36
Child safety rear door lock ............3-6
Chimes, audible reminders ...........2-15
Cleaning exterior and interior ..........7-2
Clock ...................2-34, 4-35
(models with navigation system) ......4-13
Clock set ....................4-13
C.M.V.S.S. certification label ..........9-10
Cold weather driving ..............5-54
Compact disc (CD) player ...........4-37
CompactFlash (CF) player ...........4-39
Console box ...............2-36, 2-42
Control panel buttons ..............4-2
Brightness/contrast button .........4-18
Enter button ..................4-2
Setting button ................4-11
Startup screen ................4-5
Controls Audio controls (steering wheel) ......4-51
Heater and air conditioner controls . . . .4-22
Rear audio controls .............4-53
Rear seat air conditioner ..........4-24
Coolant Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine coolant ..........8-8 Checking engine coolant level
........8-7
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-5
Corrosion protection ...............7-5
Cruise control ..................5-17
Cup
holders ...................2-40
Curtain side-impact and rollover air bag . . .1-64
D
Daytime running light system
(Canada only) ..................2-28
Defroster switch Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch ....................2-24
Digital video disc DVD .............4-54
Dimensions and weights .............9-8
Dimmer switch for instrument panel ......2-28
Display controls (see control panel buttons) . .4-2
Distance to empty ................4-7
Door locks ....................3-4
Drive belt ....................8-15
Drive positioner, Automatic ...........3-29
Driving Cold weather driving ............5-54
Driving with automatic transmission . . . .5-13
Precautions when starting and driving . . .5-2
E
Economy - fuel .................5-40
Emission control information label .......9-10
Emission control system warranty .......9-30
Engine Before starting the engine .........5-11 Block heater
.................5-56
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine coolant ..........8-8
Changing engine oil .............8-9
Changing engine oil filter ..........8-10
Checking engine coolant level ........8-7
Checking engine oil level ..........8-8
Engine compartment check locations . . . .8-6
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-5
Engine cooling system ............8-7
Engine oil ...................8-8
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . .9-5
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-5
Engine serial number ............9-10
Engine specifications .............9-7
Starting the engine ............ .5-12
Engine
oil pressure gauge ............2-6
Engine oil pressure low/engine coolant
temperature high warning light .........2-10
Enter button ....................4-2
Event data recorders ..............9-32
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) ........5-2
Eyeglass case ..................2-37
F
Flashers
(See hazard warning flasher switch) ......2-29
Flat tire ......................6-2
Floor mat positioning aid .............7-5
Fluid Brake fluid ..................8-12
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
10-2
REVIEW COPY—2010 Infiniti QX56 (iwz)
Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna)
02/12/09—debbie