2012 INFINITI FX maintenance

9-26Technical and consumer information
inadvertently becoming unlatched.
. Avoid abrupt starts, acceleration or
stops.
. Avoid sharp turns or lane changes.
. Always drive your vehicle at a moderate
speed. Some states or provinces have
specific speed limits for vehicles that
are towing trailers. Obey the local
speed limits.
. When backing up, hold the bottom of
the steering wheel with one hand.
Move your hand in the direction in
which you want the trailer to go. Make
small corrections and back up slowly. If
possible, have someone guide you
when you are backing up.
Always block the wheels on both vehicle
and trailer when parking. Parking on a
slope is not recommended; however, if you
must do so:
CAUTION
If you move the shift selector lever to the P
(Park) position before blocking the wheels
and applying the parking brake, transmis-
sion damage could occur.
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Have someone place blocks on the downhill side of the vehicle and trailer
wheels.
3. After the wheel blocks are in place, slowly release the brake pedal until the
blocks absorb the vehicle load.
4. Apply the parking brake.
5. Shift the transmission into P (Park).
6. Turn off the engine.
To drive away:
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Shift the transmission into gear.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Drive slowly until the vehicle and trailer are clear from the blocks.
6. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
7. Have someone retrieve and store the blocks.
. When going down a hill, shift into a
lower gear and use the engine braking
effect. When going up a long grade,
downshift the transmission to a lower
gear and reduce speed to reduce
chances of engine overloading and/or overheating.
. If the engine coolant rises to an
extremely high temperature when the
air conditioning system is on, turn off
the air conditioner. Coolant heat can be
additionally vented by opening the
windows, switching the fan control to
high and setting the temperature con-
trol to the HOT position.
. Trailer towing requires more fuel than
normal circumstances.
. Avoid towing a trailer for the first 500
miles (800 km).
. Have your vehicle serviced more often
than at intervals specified in the
recommended maintenance schedule
in the INFINITI Service and Maintenance
Guide.
. When making a turn, your trailer wheels
will be closer to the inside of the turn
than your vehicle wheels. To compen-
sate for this, make a larger than normal
turning radius during the turn.
. Crosswinds and rough roads will ad-
versely affect vehicle/trailer handling,
possibly causing vehicle sway. When
being passed by larger vehicles, be
prepared for possible changes in cross-
winds that could affect vehicle hand-

ling. If swaying does occur, firmly grip
the steering wheel, steer straight
ahead, and immediately (but gradually)
reduce vehicle speed. This combination
will help stabilize the vehicle. Never
increase speed.
Do the following if the trailer begins to
sway:
1. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal to allow the vehicle to coast and steer
as straight ahead as the road condi-
tions allow. This combination will help
stabilize the vehicle.
.Do not correct trailer sway by steer-ing or applying the brakes.
2. When the trailer sway stops, gently apply the brakes and pull to the side of
the road in a safe area.
3. Try to rearrange the trailer load so it is balanced as described earlier in this
section.
. Be careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires
considerably more distance than nor-
mal passing. Remember the length of
the trailer must also pass the other
vehicle before you can safely change
lanes. .
Down shift the transmission 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.
. Do not use cruise control while towing a
trailer.
. Some states or provinces have specific
regulations and speed limits for vehi-
cles that are towing trailers. Obey the
local speed limits.
. Check your hitch, trailer wiring harness
connections, and trailer wheel lug nuts
after 50 miles (80 km) of travel and at
every break.
. When stopped in traffic for long periods
of time in hot weather, put the vehicle
in the P (Park) position.
. When launching a boat, don’t 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 additional information, see the “8.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section
earlier in this manual.
FLAT TOWING
Towing your vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground is sometimes called flat towing.
This method is sometimes used when
towing a vehicle behind a recreational
vehicle, such as a motor home.
CAUTION
. Failure to follow these guidelines can
result in severe transmission damage.
. Whenever flat towing your vehicle, al-
ways tow forward, never backward.
. DO NOT tow any automatic transmission
vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground (flat towing). Doing so WILL
DAMAGE internal transmission parts
due to lack of transmission lubrication.
Technical and consumer information9-27

A vehicle equipped with All-Wheel Drive
(AWD) should never be tested using a two
wheel dynamometer (such as the dynam-
ometers used by some states for emissions
testing), or similar equipment. Make sure
you inform test facility personnel that your
vehicle is equipped with AWD before it is
placed on a dynamometer. Using the
wrong test equipment may result in trans-
mission damage or unexpected vehicle
movement which could result in serious
vehicle damage or personal injury.
Due to legal requirements in some states/
areas or provinces, your vehicle may be
required to be in what is called the“ready
condition” for an Inspection/Maintenance
(I/M) test of the emission control system.
The vehicle is set to the “ready condition”
when it is driven through certain driving
patterns. Usually, the “ready condition”
can be obtained by ordinary usage of the
vehicle.
If a powertrain system component is
repaired or the battery is disconnected,
the vehicle may be reset to a “not ready
condition” . Before taking the I/M test,
check the vehicle’ s inspection/mainte-
nance test readiness condition. Place the
ignition switch in the ON position without starting the engine. If the Malfunction
Indicator Light (MIL) comes on steady for
20 seconds and then blinks for 10
seconds, the I/M test condition is
“not
ready”. If the MIL does not blink after 20
seconds, the I/M test condition is “ready”.
Contact an INFINITI retailer to set the
“ready condition” or to prepare the vehicle
for testing. This vehicle is equipped with an Event Data
Recorder (EDR). The main purpose of an
EDR is to record, in certain crash or near
crash-like situations, such as an air bag
deployment or hitting a road obstacle, data
that will assist in understanding how a
vehicle’s systems performed. The EDR is
designed to record data related to vehicle
dynamics and safety systems for a short
period of time, typically 30 seconds or
less. The EDR in this vehicle is designed to
record such data as:
.
How various systems in your vehicle
were operating;
. Whether or not the driver and passen-
ger safety belts were buckled/fastened;
. How far (if at all) the driver was
depressing the accelerator and/or
brake pedal; and,
. How fast the vehicle was traveling.
. Sounds are not recorded.
These data can help provide a better
understanding of the circumstances in
which crashes and injuries occur.
NOTE: EDR data are recorded by your
vehicle only if a nontrivial crash situation
occurs; no data are recorded by the EDR
under normal driving conditions and no
personal data (for example, name, gender,
Technical and consumer information9-31
READINESS FOR INSPECTION/
MAINTENANCE (I/M) TEST EVENT DATA RECORDERS (EDR)

If your vehicle overheats .............................. 6-11
Starting the engine ...................................... 5-14
Entry/exit function, Automatic drive positioner ... 3-33
Event Data Recorders (EDR) ............................... 9-31
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) .......................... 5-3
F
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label ............. 9-12
Filter
Air cleaner housing filter .............................. 8-21
Changing engine oil and filter ...................... 8-12
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher switch) .... 2-42
Flat tire ............................................................... 6-2 Flat towing ........................................................ 9-27
Floor mat cleaning .............................................. 7-5
Fluid Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ............... 8-15
Brake fluid ................................................... 8-16
Capacities and
recommended fuel/lubricants ........................ 9-2
Engine coolant ............................................... 8-9
Engine oil .................................................... 8-11
Power steering fluid ..................................... 8-15
Window washer fluid ................................... 8-16
FM-AM-SAT radio with Compact Disc
(CD) player ........................................................ 4-63
Fog light switch ................................................ 2-42
Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system ........... 5-67
Front passenger air bag and status light ........... 1-44
Front power seat adjustment ............................... 1-3 Front seat, Front seat adjustment ........................ 1-3 Front-seat active head restraint ........................... 1-9
Fuel
Capacities and
recommended fuel/lubricants ........................ 9-2
Fuel economy............................................... 5-74
Fuel economy information (display) .............. 4-11Fuel octane rating .......................................... 9-4
Fuel recommendation ..................................... 9-4Fuel-filler cap ............................................... 3-24
Fuel-filler door ............................................. 3-24
Gauge ............................................................ 2-8
LOOSE FUEL CAP warning ............................. 3-26
Fuses ................................................................ 8-25
Fusible links ..................................................... 8-25
G
Garage door opener, HomeLink®
Universal Transceiver ........................................ 2-65
Gas cap ............................................................ 3-24
Gauge Engine coolant temperature gauge ................. 2-8
Fuel gauge ..................................................... 2-8
Odometer....................................................... 2-6
Speedometer ................................................. 2-6
Tachometer .................................................... 2-7
Trip computer .............................................. 2-28
General maintenance ................................... 8-2, 8-3
Glove box ......................................................... 2-52
H
Hands-free phone system, Bluetooth®
(models with navigation system) ....................... 4-94
Hands-free phone system, Bluetooth®
(models without navigation system) ................ 4-105
Hazard warning flasher switch .......................... 2-42
Head restraints ................................................... 1-6 Headlight aiming control .................................. 2-39
Headlights Aiming control (See adaptive front lighting
system (AFS)) ............................................... 2-40
Bulb replacement ......................................... 8-30
Headlight switch .......................................... 2-37
Xenon headlights ......................................... 2-36
Headrest ........................................................... 1-10
Heater Automatic climate control .................. 4-43, 4-45
Engine block heater ..................................... 5-87
HomeLink
®Universal Transceiver ...................... 2-65
Hood release .................................................... 3-18
Hook
Coat hooks .................................................. 2-53Luggage hook .............................................. 2-54
Horn ................................................................. 2-43
I
Ignition switch (Push-button) ............................ 5-10
Immobilizer system ........................................... 2-32
In-cabin microfilter ............................................ 4-48
10-3

10-4
IndicatorDot matrix display ....................................... 2-21
Lights .......................................................... 2-18
INFINITI Vehicle Immobilizer System .................. 2-32
INFINITI voice recognition system .................... 4-120
INFO button ........................................................ 4-9
Inside mirror ..................................................... 3-29
Inspection/maintenance (I/M) test .................... 9-31
Instrument brightness control ........................... 2-41
Instrument panel ................................................ 2-5
Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA) off indicator light ... 2-19
Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA) system ................. 5-70
Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) system (Full
Speed Range) ................................................... 5-31
Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) system
warning light .................................................... 2-15
Intelligent cruise control (ICC) system,
Preview function ............................................... 5-54
Intelligent Key ..................................................... 3-2 Intelligent Key battery discharge indicator ........ 2-24
Intelligent Key insertion indicator ...................... 2-24
Intelligent Key removal indicator ....................... 2-24
Intelligent Key system ......................................... 3-7 Battery replacement ..................................... 8-27
Intelligent Key system warning light ............ 2-15
Key operating range ....................................... 3-9
Key operation .............................................. 3-10
Warning signals ........................................... 3-12
Interior light control switch ............................... 2-63 Interior light replacement .................................. 8-30Interior lights .................................................... 2-63 iPod®player operation ..................................... 4-80
ISOFIX child restraint ........................................ 1-21
J
Jump starting ...................................................... 6-8
K
Keyless entry (See remote keyless
entry system) .................................................... 3-14
Keys ................................................................... 3-2 For Intelligent Key system .............................. 3-7
L
LabelsAir bag warning labels ................................. 1-50
Air conditioner specification label ................ 9-13
Emission control information label ............... 9-13
Engine serial number ................................... 9-12
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label ........ 9-12
Tire and Loading information label ...... 8-34, 9-13
Vehicle identification number (VIN) .............. 9-11
Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) ON
indicator light ................................................... 2-19
Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) system ........... 5-24
Lane departure warning (LDW) system .............. 5-22
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system/Lane
Departure Prevention (LDP) system ................... 5-21
Lane departure warning chime .......................... 2-21
Lane departure warning light ............................ 2-15 LATCH system ................................................... 1-21
License plate, Installing front license plate ....... 9-14
Lift gate ............................................................ 3-18
Light
Air bag warning light ................................... 1-50
Bulb replacement ......................................... 8-29
Cargo light ................................................... 2-65
Fog light switch ........................................... 2-42
Headlight switch .......................................... 2-37
Headlights bulb replacement ....................... 8-30Indicator lights ............................................ 2-18Interior light control switch .......................... 2-63Interior lights ............................................... 2-63
Map lights ................................................... 2-63
Personal lights ............................................. 2-63
Replacement ................................................ 8-29
Vanity mirror lights ...................................... 2-64
Warning/indicator lights and
audible reminders ........................................ 2-13
Xenon headlights ......................................... 2-36
Lights, Exterior and interior light replacement ... 8-30
Loading information (See vehicle
loading information) ......................................... 9-15 Lock Automatic door locks ..................................... 3-6
Door locks ..................................................... 3-4
Lift gate lock ................................................ 3-18
Power door lock ............................................. 3-4
Locking with mechanical key ............................... 3-4
Low fuel warning .............................................. 2-25
Low tire pressure warning light ......................... 2-15

Low tire pressure warning system (See tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS)) ................................. 5-4Low washer fluid warning ................................. 2-25
Luggage hooks ................................................. 2-54
M
Maintenance Battery ......................................................... 8-17
General maintenance ............................. 8-2, 8-3
Indicators for maintenance ........................... 2-26
Inside the vehicle .......................................... 8-3
Maintenance precautions ............................... 8-5
Maintenance requirements ............................. 8-2
Outside the vehicle ........................................ 8-3
Seat belt maintenance ................................. 1-17
Malfunction indicator light (MIL) ....................... 2-19
Map lights ........................................................ 2-63
Master warning light ......................................... 2-17
Mechanical key (Intelligent Key system) .............. 3-3
Memory storage, Automatic drive positioner ..... 3-34
Meter, Trip computer ......................................... 2-28 Meters and gauges ............................................. 2-6 Instrument brightness control ...................... 2-41
Mirror
Inside mirror ................................................ 3-29
Outside mirrors ............................................ 3-30
Vanity mirror ................................................ 3-32
Monitor, Rearview monitor ................................ 4-24
Moonroof .......................................................... 2-60
N
Net, Cargo net .................................................. 2-54
New vehicle break-in ......................................... 5-74
No key warning ................................................. 2-24
O
Odometer............................................................ 2-6
Off-road recovery ................................................ 5-7
Oil Capacities and
recommended fuel/lubricants ........................ 9-2
Changing engine oil and filter ...................... 8-12
Checking engine oil level ............................. 8-12
Engine oil .................................................... 8-11
Engine oil viscosity ........................................ 9-7
Oil filter replacement indicator ..................... 2-26
Operation, Indicators for operation ................... 2-24 Outside air temperature .................................... 2-29
Outside mirrors ................................................. 3-30
Overheat, If your vehicle overheats ................... 6-11
Owner’s Manual/Service Manual
order information .............................................. 9-32
P
Panic alarm ...................................................... 3-16
Parking Brake break-in ............................................. 5-79
Parking brake operation ............................... 5-20
Parking brake release warning ..................... 2-24 Parking on hills ........................................... 5-76
Personal lights .................................................. 2-63
Phone Bluetooth
®hands-free phone system
(models with navigation system) .................. 4-94
Bluetooth
®hands-free phone system
(models without navigation system) ........... 4-105
Car phone or CB radio ................................. 4-93
Power Front seat adjustment .................................... 1-3
Power door lock ............................................. 3-4
Power outlet ................................................ 2-49
Power steering fluid ..................................... 8-15
Power steering system ................................. 5-77
Power windows ............................................ 2-58
Precautions
Audio operation ........................................... 4-49
Braking precautions ..................................... 5-78
Child restraints ............................................ 1-20Cruise control .............................................. 5-29Driving safety................................................. 5-8
Lane departure warning (LDW) system ......... 5-22
Maintenance .................................................. 8-5
On-pavement and off-road driving .................. 5-7
Seat belt usage ........................................... 1-11
Supplemental restraint system ..................... 1-37
When starting and driving .............................. 5-3
Pre-crash seat belts with comfort function ........ 1-13
Preview function ............................................... 5-79
Preview function (for Intelligent cruise
control system) ................................................. 5-54
10-5

10-6
Preview Function warning light .......................... 2-17
Push starting .................................................... 6-10
“PUSH” warning ............................................... 2-24
Push-button ignition switch ..................... 5-10, 5-11
R
Radio ................................................................ 4-49 Car phone or CB radio ................................. 4-93
FM-AM-SAT radio with Compact Disc
(CD) player ................................................... 4-63
Rain-sensing auto wiper system ........................ 2-34
Rapid air pressure loss ....................................... 5-7
Readiness for inspection/maintenance
(I/M) test .......................................................... 9-31 Rear Active Steer system .................................. 5-85
Rear Active Steer warning light ......................... 2-17
Rear center seat belt ......................................... 1-17Rear door lock, Child safety rear door lock ......... 3-6
Rear seats .......................................................... 1-5
Rear window and outside mirror
defroster switch ................................................ 2-36
Rear window wiper blades ................................ 8-24
Rearview monitor .............................................. 4-24
Recorders, Event data ....................................... 9-31
Registering your vehicle in another country ...... 9-11
Remote keyless entry system ............................ 3-14
Reporting safety defects ................................... 9-30
Roadside assistance program ............................. 6-2
Rollover .............................................................. 5-6 Roof
Moonroof ..................................................... 2-61 Roof rack ..................................................... 2-57
S
Safety
Child seat belts ........................................... 1-18
Towing safety ............................................... 9-23
Satellite radio operation ................................... 4-64
Seat adjustment Front power seat adjustment .......................... 1-3
Front seats ..................................................... 1-3
Seat belt(s) Child safety ................................................. 1-18
Infants ......................................................... 1-19
Injured persons ........................................... 1-13Larger children ............................................. 1-19
Precautions on seat belt usage .................... 1-11
Pre-crash seat belts with comfort function ... 1-13Pregnant women .......................................... 1-13
Rear center seat belt .................................... 1-17Seat belt cleaning .......................................... 7-6
Seat belt extenders ...................................... 1-17
Seat belt maintenance ................................. 1-17Seat belt warning light and chime ............... 2-17
Seat belts .................................................... 1-11
Seat belts with pretensioners ...................... 1-49
Shoulder belt height adjustment .................. 1-16
Small children ............................................. 1-19
Three-point type .......................................... 1-14
Seat synchronization function ........................... 3-33
Seat(s)
Climate controlled seats .............................. 2-45 Driver-side memory ...................................... 3-32
Heated seats ............................................... 2-43
Seats ............................................................. 1-2
Security system (INFINITI Vehicle Immobilizer
System), Engine start ........................................ 2-32 Security system, Vehicle security system .......... 2-30
Selector lever
Shift lock release ......................................... 5-19
Servicing climate control ................................... 4-48
SETTING button ................................................. 4-15
Shift lock release Transmission ............................................... 5-19
SHIFT “P”warning ............................................ 2-24
Shifting, Automatic transmission ....................... 5-15
Shoulder belt height adjustment, For
front seats ........................................................ 1-16
Snow mode switch ............................................ 2-46
Spare tire ........................................................... 9-9
Spark plugs ...................................................... 8-20
Speedometer ...................................................... 2-6
Starting Before starting the engine ........................... 5-13
Jump starting ................................................. 6-8
Precautions when starting and driving ........... 5-3
Push starting ............................................... 6-10
Starting the engine ...................................... 5-14
STATUS button .................................................... 4-9
Status light, Front passenger air bag ................ 1-44
Steering Power steering fluid ..................................... 8-15
Power steering system ................................. 5-77