2011 INFINITI QX check engine

11. Turn the engine off and wait more than 15minutes. Check the oil level with the
dipstick. Add engine oil if necessary.
After the operation
1. Install the engine undercover into positionas the following steps.
a. Pull the center of the small plastic clip out.
b. Hold the engine undercover into position.
c. Insert the clip through the undercover into the hole in the frame, then push the
center of the clip in to lock the clip in
place.
d. Install the other bolts that hold the un- dercover in place. Be careful not to strip
the bolts or over-tighten them.
2. Lower the vehicle carefully to the ground.
3. Dispose of waste oil and filter properly.
WARNING
●Prolonged and repeated contact with used
engine oil may cause skin cancer.
● Try to avoid direct skin contact with used oil.
If skin contact is made, wash thoroughly
with soap or hand cleaner as soon as
possible.
● Keep used engine oil out of reach of children. Contact an INFINITI retailer if replacement is
required.
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.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-11

CAUTION
●Do not add brake fluid with the ignition
switch in the “ON” position or the engine
running. Doing so could make the brake fluid
overfill when the ignition switch is turned
off.
● Do not spill the fluid on painted surfaces.
This will damage the paint. If fluid is spilled,
wash the surface with water.
BRAKE FLUID
Check the fluid level in the reservoir. If the fluid
is below the MIN line
1or the brake warning
light comes on, add Genuine NISSAN Super
Heavy Duty Brake Fluid or equivalent DOT 3fluid
up to the MAX line
2.
To add brake fluid:
1. Be sure the ignition switch is in the OFF or LOCK position.
2. Depress and release the foot brake pedal more than 40 times. 3. Open the reservoir filler cap and add
brake fluid up to the MAX line
2. (See
“CAPACITIES AND RECOMMENDED FUEL/
LUBRICANTS” in the “9. Technical and
consumer information” section for the
recommended types of brake fluid.)
NOTE:
When the ignition switch is placed in the “ON”
position after adding brake fluid up to the MAX
line
2in the reservoir, the brake fluid de-
creases below the MAX line
2. This is normal.
If fluid must be added frequently, the system
should be checked by an INFINITI retailer.SDI2513
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-13

1. Remove the cell plugsA.
2. Add distilled water up to the UPPER LEVEL
1line.
If the side of the battery is not clear, check
the distilled water level by looking directly
above the cell; the condition
1indicates
OK and the conditions
2needs more to be
added.
3. Tighten cell plugsA.
Vehicles operated in high temperatures or un-
der severe conditions require frequent checks
of the battery fluid level.
JUMP STARTING
If jump starting is necessary, see “JUMP START-
ING” in the “6. In case of emergency” section. If
the engine does not start by jump starting, the
battery may have to be replaced. Contact an
INFINITI retailer.
CAUTION
● Do not ground accessories directly to the
battery terminal. Doing so will bypass the
variable voltage control system and the ve-
hicle battery may not charge completely.
● Use electrical accessories with the engine
running to avoid discharging the vehicle
battery.
The variable voltage control system measures
the amount of electrical discharge from the
battery and controls voltage generated by the
generator.
SDI1480C
VARIABLE VOLTAGE CONTROL SYSTEM
8-16Maintenance and do-it-yourself

1. Power steering fluid pump
2. Water pump
3. Alternator
4. Crankshaft pulley
5. Air conditioner compressor
WARNING
Be sure the ignition switch is in the OFF or LOCK
position before servicing drive belts. The en-
gine could rotate unexpectedly.
1. Visually inspect each belt for signs ofunusual wear, cuts, fraying or looseness.
If the belt is in poor condition or loose,
have it replaced or adjusted by an INFINITI
retailer.
2. Have the belts checked regularly for con- dition and tension in accordance with the
maintenance schedule in your “INFINITI
Service and Maintenance Guide”.WARNING
Be sure the engine and the ignition switch are
off and that the parking brake is engaged
securely.
CAUTION
Be sure to use the correct socket to remove the
spark plugs. An incorrect socket can damage
the spark plugs.
SDI2533
DRIVE BELTS SPARK PLUGS
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-17

Under some driving or climate conditions, occa-
sional brake squeak, squeal or other noise may
be heard. Occasional brake noise during light to
moderate stops is normal and does not affect
the function or performance of the brake sys-
tem.
Proper brake inspection intervals should be fol-
lowed.For additional information, see the main-
tenance log section of your “INFINITI Service
and Maintenance Guide” for maintenance inter-
vals.
BRAKE BOOSTER
Check the brake booster function as follows:
1. With the engine off, depress and release the foot brake pedal more than 20 times.
When the foot brake pedal movement
(distance of travel) remains the same from
one pedal application to the next, con-
tinue on to the next step.
2. While depressing the foot brake pedal, start the engine.
3. With the foot brake pedal depressed, stop the engine. Keep the pedal depressed for
about 30 seconds. 4. Run the engine for 1 minute without de-
pressing the foot brake pedal, then turn it
off. Depress the foot brake pedal several
times. The pedal travel distance will de-
crease gradually with each depression as
the hydraulic pressure decreases.
If the brakes do not operate properly, have the
brakes checked by an INFINITI retailer.
SDI2518
SDI2532
FUSES
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-21

ENGINE COMPARTMENT
CAUTION
Never use a fuse of a higher or lower amperage
rating than that specified on the fuse box cover.
This could damage the electrical system or
cause a fire.
If any electrical equipment does not operate,
check for an open fuse.
1. Be sure the ignition switch is pushed to the OFF or LOCK position and the head-
light switch is turned to OFF.
2. Open the engine hood and remove the cover on the battery.
3. Remove the fuse/fusible link holder cover
1,2or3.
4. Remove the fuse with the fuse puller. 5. If the fuse is open
A, replace it with a
new fuse
B. Spare fuses are stored in the
passenger compartment fuse box.
6. If a new fuse also opens, have the elec- trical system checked and repaired by an
INFINITI retailer.
Fusible links
If any electrical equipment does not operate
and fuses are in good condition, check the
fusible links. If any of these fusible links are
melted, replace only with genuine INFINITI
parts.
SDI1754
8-22Maintenance and do-it-yourself

E-85 fuel
E-85 fuel is a mixture of approximately 85% fuel
ethanol and 15% unleaded gasoline. E-85 can
only be used in a Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV). Do
not use E-85 fuel in your vehicle. U.S. govern-
ment regulations require fuel ethanol dispens-
ing pumps to be identified by a small, square,
orange and black label with the common abbre-
viation or the appropriate percentage for that
region.
Aftermarket fuel additives
INFINITI does not recommend the use of any
aftermarket fuel additives (Example: fuel injec-
tor cleaner, octane booster, intake valve de-
posit removers, etc.) which are sold commer-
cially. Many of these additives intended for
gum, varnish or deposit removal may contain
active solvent or similar ingredients that can be
harmful to the fuel system and engine.
Octane rating tips
Using unleaded gasoline with an octane rating
lower than recommended above can cause per-
sistent, heavy spark knock. (Spark knock is a
metallic rapping noise.) If severe, this can lead
to engine damage. If you detect a persistent
heavy spark knock even when using gasoline of
the stated octane rating, or if you hear steady
spark knock while holding a steady speed on
level roads, have an INFINITI retailer correct the
condition. Failure to correct the condition is mis-
use of the vehicle, for which INFINITI is not re-
sponsible.
Incorrect ignition timing will result in knocking,
after-run or overheating. This in turn may cause
excessive fuel consumption or damage to the
engine. If any of the above symptoms are
encountered, have your vehicle checked at an
INFINITI retailer or other competent service fa-
cility.
However, now and then you may notice light
spark knock for a short time while accelerating
or driving up hills. This is no cause for concern,
because you get the greatest fuel benefit when
there is light spark knock for a short time under
heavy engine load.
CAUTION
●Your vehicle is not designed to run on E-85
fuel. Using E-85 fuel in a vehicle not specifi-
cally designed for E-85 fuel can damage fuel
system components and is not covered by
the INFINITI new vehicle limited warranty.
● E-85 is a mixture of approximately 85% fuel
ethanol and 15% unleaded gasoline.
● U.S. government regulations require ethanol
dispensing pumps to be identified by a
small, square, orange and black label with
the common abbreviation or the appropriate
percentage for that region.
Technical and consumer information9-5

3. Try to rearrange the trailer load so it isbalanced as described earlier in this sec-
tion.
●Be careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires con-
siderably more distance than normal pass-
ing. Remember the length of the trailer must
also pass the other vehicle before you can
safely change lanes.
● Use the Tow mode or downshift the trans-
mission to a lower gear for engine braking
when driving down steep or long hills. This
will help slow the vehicle without applying
the brakes.
● Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long
or too frequently. This could cause the
brakes to overheat, resulting in reduced
braking efficiency.
● Increase your following distance to allow for
greater stopping distances while towing a
trailer. Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
● INFINITI recommends that the cruise control
not be used while towing a trailer. ●
While towing a trailer, do not use the follow-
ing systems (if so equipped):
– the Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) sys- tem
– the Blind Spot Warning (BSW) system
– the Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) system
– the Distance Control Assist (DCA) system
– Intelligent Brake Assist ( IBA) system
● Some states or provinces have specific regu-
lations and speed limits for vehicles that are
towing trailers. Obey the local speed limits.
● Check your hitch, trailer wiring harness con-
nections, and trailer wheel lug nuts after 50
miles (80 km) of travel and at every break.
● When launching a boat, do not allow the
water level to go over the exhaust tail pipe or
rear bumper.
● Make sure you disconnect the trailer lights
before backing the trailer into the water or
the trailer lights may burn out.
When towing a trailer, the transmission fluid
should be changed more frequently. For addi-
tional information, see the INFINITI Service and
Maintenance Guide.
TOW mode
Using TOW mode is recommended when pulling
a heavy trailer or hauling a heavy load. Push the
TOW MODE switch to activate tow mode. The
TOW MODE indicator light in the meter illumi-
nates when TOW mode is selected. Push the
TOW MODE switch again to turn TOW mode off.
TOW mode is automatically cancelled when the
ignition switch is placed in the OFF position.
TOW mode includes the following features:
● Grade logic — Adjusts transmission shifts
when pulling a trailer or hauling a load up a
grade.
● Downhill Speed Control (DSC) — automati-
cally downshifts when driving down a grade
with a trailer or heavy load to help control
vehicle speed.
Driving the vehicle in the TOW mode with no
trailer/load or light trailer/light load will not
cause any damage. However, fuel economy may
be reduced and the transmission/engine driv-
ing characteristics may feel unusual.
When towing a trailer, final drive gear oil should
be replaced and transmission oil/fluid should be
changed more frequently. For additional infor-
mation, see the 9. “Technical and consumer in-
formation” section later in this manual.
Technical and consumer information9-27