2012 INFINITI FX check engine

8-20Maintenance and do-it-yourself
SDI1411B
VK50VE engine
1. Water pump
2. Alternator
3. Crankshaft pulley
4. Power steering fluid pump
5. Air conditioner compressor
WARNING
Be sure the ignition switch is in the OFF or
LOCK position before servicing drive belts.
The engine could rotate unexpectedly.
1. Visually inspect each belt for signs of
unusual wear, cuts, fraying or loosen- ess. 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 condition 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.
SPARK PLUGS

SDI1479A
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 tothe OFF or LOCK position and the
headlight 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.
4. Remove the fuse with the fuse puller.
SDI1754
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 electrical 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.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-25
FUSES

.If an oxygenate-blend, excepting a
methanol blend, is used, it should
contain no more than 10% oxygenate.
(MTBE may, however, be added up to
15%.)
. If a methanol blend is used, it should
contain no more than 5% methanol
(methyl alcohol, wood alcohol). It
should also contain a suitable amount
of appropriate cosolvents and corro-
sion inhibitors. If not properly formu-
lated with appropriate cosolvents and
corrosion inhibitors, such methanol
blends may cause fuel system damage
and/or vehicle performance problems.
At this time, sufficient data is not
available to ensure that all methanol
blends are suitable for use in INFINITI
vehicles.
If any undesirable driveability problems
such as engine stalling or hard hot starting
are experienced after using oxygenate-
blend fuels, immediately change to a
non-oxygenate fuel or a fuel with a low
blend of MTBE.
Take care not to spill gasoline during
refueling. Gasoline containing oxygenates
can cause paint damage.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. government
regulations require fuel 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.
Aftermarket fuel additives
INFINITI does not recommend the use of
any aftermarket fuel additives (Example:
fuel injector cleaner, octane booster, intake
valve deposit removers, etc.) which are
sold commercially. 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 persistent, 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 misuse of the vehicle, for
which INFINITI is not responsible.
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 facility.
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
specifically designed for E-85 fuel can
damage fuel system components and is
not covered by the INFINITI new vehicle
Technical and consumer information9-5

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)

10 Index
A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) ......................... 5-82
Adaptive front lighting system (AFS) .................. 2-40
Adaptive shift control (ASC) .............................. 5-19
Advanced air bag system .................................. 1-42
Aiming control, Adaptive front lighting
system (AFS) ..................................................... 2-40
Air bag system
Advanced air bag system ............................. 1-42
Front passenger air bag and status light ...... 1-44
Front-seat mounted side-impact supplemental
air bag system ............................................. 1-47
Roof-mounted curtain side-impact and rollover
supplemental air bag system ....................... 1-47
Air bag warning labels ...................................... 1-50
Air bag warning light ............................... 1-50, 2-17
Air cleaner housing filter ................................... 8-21
Air conditioner Advanced Climate Control System (ACCS) ..... 4-46
Air conditioner service ................................. 4-48
Air conditioner specification label ................ 9-13
Air conditioning system refrigerant and
lubricant recommendations .................. 4-48, 9-7
Automatic climate control .................. 4-43, 4-45
In-cabin microfilter ....................................... 4-48
Alarm, How to stop alarm (see vehicle
security system) ................................................ 2-31
Alcohol, drugs and driving .................................. 5-8
All-wheel drive (AWD) ........................................ 5-75
All-wheel drive (AWD) warning light .................. 2-13 Antenna ............................................................ 4-92
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ......................... 5-82
Anti-lock braking system (ABS) warning light .... 2-13
Appearance care
Exterior appearance care ................................ 7-2
Interior appearance care ................................ 7-4
Armrest ............................................................. 1-10
Audible reminders ............................................ 2-21
Audio operation precautions ............................. 4-49
Audio system .................................................... 4-49 Steering wheel audio controls ...................... 4-91
Auto closure ..................................................... 3-24
Autolight system ............................................... 2-37
Automatic Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ............... 8-15
Climate control .................................. 4-43, 4-45
Door locks ..................................................... 3-6
Drive positioner ........................................... 3-32Driving with automatic transmission ............ 5-15
Moonroof ..................................................... 2-61
Seat positioner ............................................ 3-32
Average fuel consumption and speed ................ 2-28
Avoiding collision and rollover ............................ 5-6
B
Back door (See lift gate) ................................... 3-18 Battery .............................................................. 8-17 Battery saver system ................................... 2-39
Intelligent Key .............................................. 8-27 Variable voltage control system ................... 8-19
Before starting the engine ................................ 5-13
Belts (See drive belts) ....................................... 8-19
Bluetooth
®hands-free phone system
(models with navigation system) ....................... 4-94
Bluetooth
®hands-free phone system
(models without navigation system) ................ 4-105
Bluetooth streaming audio .............. 4-60, 4-75, 4-92
Booster seats .................................................... 1-34
Brake Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) .................... 5-82
Brake fluid ................................................... 8-16
Brake system ............................................... 5-78
Parking brake operation ............................... 5-20
Warning light ............................................... 2-13
Break-in schedule ............................................. 5-74
Brightness control
Display ON/OFF button .................................. 4-9
Instrument panel ......................................... 2-41
Bulb check/instrument panel ............................ 2-12
Bulb replacement .............................................. 8-29
C
Cabin air filter ................................................... 4-48
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants ...... 9-2
Car phone or CB radio ...................................... 4-93
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) ............ 2-54
Cargo cover....................................................... 2-55
Cargo light ........................................................ 2-65

10-2
Cargo net .......................................................... 2-54Catalytic converter, Three way catalyst ................ 5-3
CD/CF/USB memory care and cleaning ............. 4-90
Center multi-function control panel ..................... 4-3Child restraints ................................................. 1-20 Booster seats ............................................... 1-34
LATCH system .............................................. 1-21
Precautions on child restraints ..................... 1-20
Child safety ...................................................... 1-18
Child safety rear door lock .................................. 3-6
Chimes Audible reminders ....................................... 2-21
Seat belt warning light and chime ............... 2-17
Circuit breaker, Fusible link............................... 8-25
Cleaning exterior and interior ....................... 7-2, 7-4
Climate control Automatic climate control .................. 4-43, 4-45
Clock ................................................................ 2-48
Coat hooks ....................................................... 2-53
Cockpit ............................................................... 2-3Cold weather driving ......................................... 5-85Compact Disc (CD) player (See audio system) ... 4-66
Compact spare tire ........................................... 8-42
Compass ............................................................. 2-9
Console box ...................................................... 2-52
Continuous Damping Control ............................. 5-77
Controller, Center multi-function control panel .... 4-5
Controls
Control panel button ...................................... 4-3INFINITI Controller .......................................... 4-5 Coolant
Capacities and recommended
fuel/ lubricants .............................................. 9-2
Changing engine coolant ............................. 8-11Checking engine coolant level ...................... 8-10
Corrosion protection ........................................... 7-6 Cover, Cargo cover ............................................ 2-55
Cruise control ................................................... 5-29 Fixed speed cruise control (on ICC system) ... 5-50
Cup holders ...................................................... 2-50
Current fuel consumption .................................. 2-28
D
Daytime running light system ........................... 2-40
Defroster switch, Rear window and outside mirror
defroster switch ................................................ 2-36
Dimensions ....................................................... 9-10 Distance Control Assist (DCA) system ................ 5-54
Distance Control Assist (DCA) system
warning light .................................................... 2-14
Distance to empty ............................................. 2-28
Door/lift gate open warning .............................. 2-25
Dot matrix liquid crystal display ....................... 2-21
Drive belts ........................................................ 8-19
Drive positioner ................................................ 3-32
Driving All-wheel drive (AWD) ................................... 5-75
Cold weather driving .................................... 5-85Driving with automatic transmission ............ 5-15
On-pavement and off-road driving .................. 5-7
Precautions when starting and driving ........... 5-3 Safety precautions ......................................... 5-8
DS (Drive Sport) mode ...................................... 5-17
DVD player operation ........................................ 4-67
E
Economy, Fuel ................................................... 5-74
Elapsed time ..................................................... 2-28
Elapsed time and trip odometer ........................ 2-28
Emission control information label .................... 9-13
Emission control system warranty ..................... 9-29
Engine Before starting the engine ........................... 5-13
Break-in schedule ........................................ 5-74
Capacities and
recommended fuel/lubricants ........................ 9-2
Changing engine coolant ............................. 8-11Changing engine oil and filter ...................... 8-12
Checking engine coolant level ...................... 8-10
Checking engine oil level ............................. 8-12
Coolant temperature gauge ............................ 2-8Emergency engine shut off ........................... 5-12
Engine block heater ..................................... 5-87
Engine compartment check locations ............. 8-7
Engine cooling system ................................... 8-9
Engine oil .................................................... 8-11
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation ........ 9-6
Engine oil replacement indicator .................. 2-26
Engine oil viscosity ........................................ 9-7
Engine serial number ................................... 9-12
Engine specifications ..................................... 9-8
Engine start operation indicator ................... 2-24

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