WARNING
Always follow the instructions below. Failure to
do so could result in damage to the charging
system and cause personal injury.
1. If the booster battery is in another vehicle
A, position the two vehicles (AandB)
to bring their batteries into close proxim-
ity to each other.
Do not allow the two vehicles to touch.
2. Apply the parking brake. 3.
Automatic Transmission model:
Move the selector lever to the P (Park)
position.
Manual Transmission model:
Move the shift lever to the N (Neutral) posi-
tion.
4. Switch off all unnecessary electrical sys-
tems (headlights, heater, air conditioner,
etc.).
5. Remove the vent caps on the battery (if so equipped). Cover the battery with a firmly
wrung out moist cloth
Cto reduce explo-
sion hazard. 6. Connect jumper cables in the sequence as
illustrated (
1→2→3→4).
For models with a steering wheel lock
mechanism: If the battery is disconnected or
discharged, the steering wheel will lock and
cannot be turned. Supply power using
jumper cables before pushing the ignition
switch and disengaging the steering lock.
CAUTION
●Always connect positive (+) to positive (+)
and negative () to body ground (as illus-
trated) — not to the battery.
● Make sure the jumper cables do not touch
moving parts in the engine compartment and
that clamps do not contact any other metal.
7. Start the engine of the booster vehicleA
and let it run for a few minutes.
8. Keep the engine speed of the booster vehicle
Aat about 2,000 rpm, and start
the engine of the vehicle
Bbeing jump
started.
SCE0653
In case of emergency6-15
3. Turn off the air conditioner. Open all thewindows, move the heater or air condi-
tioner temperature control to maximum
hot and fan control to high speed.
4. If engine overheating is caused by climb- ing a long hill on a hot day, run the engine
at a fast idle (approximately 1,500 rpm)
until the temperature gauge indication
returns to normal.
5. Get out of the vehicle. Look and listen for steam or coolant escaping from the radia-
tor before opening the hood. (If steam or
coolant is escaping, turn off the engine.)
Do not open the hood further until no
steam or coolant can be seen.
6. Open the engine hood.
WARNING
If steam or water is coming from the engine,
stand clear to prevent getting burned.
7. Visually check the drive belt for damage or looseness. Also check if the cooling fan
is running. The radiator hoses and radia-
tor should not leak water. If coolant is
leaking or the cooling fan does not run,
stop the engine.
WARNING
Be careful not to allow your hands, hair, jewelry
or clothing to come into contact with, or get
caught in, engine belts or the engine cooling
fan. The engine cooling fan can start at any
time.
8. After the engine cools down, check the coolant level in the reservoir with the
engine running. Add coolant to the reser-
voir if necessary. Have your vehicle re-
paired at the nearest INFINITI retailer.
If needed, Roadside Assistance is available.
Please see your Warranty Information Booklet
or Roadside Assistance I.D. Card for the toll-free
number to call (U.S.) or Warranty & Roadside
Assistance Information Booklet (Canada). When towing your vehicle, all State (Provincial
in Canada) and local regulations for towing
must be followed. Incorrect towing equipment
could damage your vehicle. Towing instructions
are available from an INFINITI retailer. Local
service operators are familiar with the appli-
cable laws and procedures for towing. To assure
proper towing and to prevent accidental dam-
age to your vehicle, INFINITI recommends that
you have a service operator tow your vehicle. It
is advisable to have the service operator care-
fully read the following precautions.WARNING
●
Never ride in a vehicle that is being towed.
● Never get under your vehicle after it has been
lifted by a tow truck.
CAUTION
● When towing, make sure that the transmis-
sion, axles, steering system and drivetrain
are in working condition. If any unit is dam-
aged, dollies must be used.
● Always attach safety chains before towing.
TOWING YOUR VEHICLE
In case of emergency6-17
●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 (except for Aerodynamic Package models):1. To remove the hook cover from the bum-
per, insert a suitable tool into the mesh
and take off the removable part.
Front (except for Aerodynamic Package models)
SCE0893
In case of emergency6-19
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
●Never use benzine, thinner, or any similar
material. ●
Small dirt particles can be abrasive and damag-
ing to the leather surfaces and should be re-
moved 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.
● Only use fabric protectors approved by
INFINITI.
● 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:
● 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.
● 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
WARNING
To avoid potential pedal interference that may
result in a collision or injury:
● NEVER place a floor mat on top of another
floor mat in the driver front position.
● Use only genuine NISSAN floor mats specifi-
cally designed for use in your vehicle model.
See your INFINITI retailer for more
information.
● Properly position the mats in the floorwell
using the floor mat positioning aid. See
“Floor mat positioning aid” later in this
section.
The use of NISSAN floor mats can extend the life
of your vehicle carpet and make it easier to
clean the interior. Mats should be maintained
with regular cleaning and replaced if they be-
come excessively worn.
CLEANING INTERIOR
7-4Appearance and care
Floor mat positioning aid
This vehicle includes front floor mat brackets to
act as floor mat positioning aid. NISSAN floor
mats have been specially designed for your
vehicle model. The front floor mats have grom-
met holes in them. To install, simply position
the mat by placing the floor mat bracket hook
through the floor mat grommet hole while cen-
tering the mat in the floorwell.
Periodically check to make certain that the mats
are properly positioned.The illustration shows the location of the floor
mat brackets.
SEAT BELTS
The seat belts can be cleaned by wiping them
with a sponge dampened in a mild soap solu-
tion. Allow the belts to dry completely in the
shade before using them.
See “SEAT BELTS” in the “1. Safety — Seats,
seat belts and supplemental restraint system”
section.
WARNING
Do not allow wet seat belts to roll up in the
retractor. NEVER use bleach, dye, or chemical
solvents to clean the seat belts, since these
materials may severely weaken the seat belt
webbing.
Front (example)
SAI0050
Bracket positions
SAI0057
Appearance and care7-5
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 ............................ 8-12
Brake fluid ................................... 8-12
Clutch fluid (if so equipped) ....................8-12
Window washer fluid ............................. 8-13
Battery .......................................... 8-13
Jump starting ................................. 8-15Variable voltage control system
...................8-15
Drive belt ........................................ 8-16
Spark plugs ..................................... 8-16
Replacing spark plugs ......................... 8-17
Air cleaner ....................................... 8-17
Windshield wiper blades .......................... 8-18
Cleaning ...................................... 8-18
Replacing ..................................... 8-18
Brakes .......................................... 8-19
Self-adjusting brakes .......................... 8-19
Brake pad wear warning ....................... 8-19
Fuses ........................................... 8-20
Engine compartment ........................... 8-20
Passenger compartment ....................... 8-21
Intelligent Key battery replacement ................8-22
Lights ........................................... 8-24
Headlights .................................... 8-25
Exterior
and interior lights ..................... 8-25
Wheels and tires ................................. 8-27
Tire pressure .................................. 8-27
Tire labeling .................................. 8-30
Types of tires ................................. 8-32
Tire chains ................................... 8-32
Changing wheels and tires..................... 8-33
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.
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 washers 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 and clutch fluid levels*:
Make sure that
the brake and clutch fluid levels are between
the MAX and MIN lines on the reservoir.
Engine coolant level*: Check the coolant level
when the engine is cold.
Engine drive belt*: Make sure that the drive belt
is 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 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 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
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 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