
the windows, move the heater or air
conditioner temperature control to
maximum hot and fan control to high
speed.
3. If engine overheating is caused by climbing 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.
4. Get out of the vehicle. Look and listen for steam or coolant escaping from the
radiator 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.
5. Open the engine hood.
WARNING
If steam or water is coming from the engine,
stand clear to prevent getting burned.
6. Visually check drive belts for damage or looseness. Also check if the cooling fan
is running. The radiator hoses and
radiator should not leak water. If cool-
ant 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.
7. After the engine cools down, check the
coolant level in the reservoir tank with
the engine running. Add coolant to the
reservoir tank if necessary. Have your
vehicle repaired at the nearest INFINITI
retailer.
If needed, Roadside Assistance is avail-
able. 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 Informa-
tion Booklet (Canada). When towing your vehicle, all State (Pro-
vincial 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 applicable laws and
procedures for towing. To assure proper
towing and to prevent accidental damage
to your vehicle, INFINITI recommends that
you have a service operator tow your
vehicle. It is advisable to have the service
operator carefully read the following pre-
cautions.
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 trans-
mission, axles, steering system and
powertrain are in working condition. If
any unit is damaged, dollies must be
In case of emergency6-11
TOWING YOUR VEHICLE

7 Appearance and care
Cleaning exterior................................................. 7-2
Washing .......................................................... 7-2
Waxing ............................................................ 7-2
Removing spots............................................... 7-3
Underbody ...................................................... 7-3
Glass............................................................... 7-3
Wheels ............................................................ 7-3
Chrome parts .................................................. 7-4
Tire dressing ................................................... 7-4 Cleaning interior ................................................. 7-4
Air fresheners ................................................ 7-5
Floor mats ..................................................... 7-5
Seat belts ...................................................... 7-6
Corrosion protection............................................ 7-6 Most common factors contributing to
vehicle corrosion ........................................... 7-6
Environmental factors influence the rate
of corrosion ................................................... 7-6
To protect your vehicle from corrosion ........... 7-7

7-6Appearance and care
SAI0031
Floor mat positioning aid
This model includes front floor mat brack-
ets to act as floor mat positioning aids.
NISSAN floor mats have been specially
designed for your vehicle model. The
driver’s and passenger’s side floor mats
have a grommet hole incorporated in them.
Position the mat by placing the floor mat
bracket hook through the floor mat grom-
met hole while centering the mat in the
footwell.
Periodically check to make certain that the
mats are properly positioned.
SEAT BELTS
The seat belts can be cleaned by wiping
them with a sponge dampened in a mild
soap solution. Allow the belts to dry
completely before using them.
See“Seat belts” (P.1-14).
WARNING
Do not allow wet seat belts to roll up in the
retractor. NEVER use bleach, dye, or chemi-
cal solvents to clean the seat belts, since
these materials may severely weaken the
seat belt webbing.
MOST COMMON FACTORS CONTRI-
BUTING TO VEHICLE CORROSION
.The accumulation of moisture-retaining
dirt and debris in body panel sections,
cavities, and other areas.
. Damage to paint and other protective
coatings caused by gravel and stone
chips or minor traffic accidents.
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS INFLU-
ENCE THE RATE OF CORROSION
Moisture
Accumulation of sand, dirt and water on
the vehicle body underside can accelerate
corrosion. Wet floor coverings will not dry
completely inside the vehicle, and should
be removed for drying to avoid floor panel
corrosion.
Relative humidity
Corrosion will be accelerated in areas of
high relative humidity, especially those
areas where the temperatures stay above
freezing where atmospheric pollution ex-
ists, or where road salt is used.
CORROSION PROTECTION

8 Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Maintenance requirement.................................... 8-3
Scheduled maintenance .................................. 8-3
General maintenance....................................... 8-3
Where to go for service ................................... 8-3
General maintenance ........................................... 8-4 Explanation of maintenance items ................... 8-4
Maintenance precautions ..................................... 8-6
Engine compartment check locations ................... 8-8 VQ25HR/VQ37VHR engine ............................... 8-8
Engine cooling system ......................................... 8-9
Checking engine coolant level ....................... 8-10
Changing engine coolant ............................... 8-10
Engine oil .......................................................... 8-11
Checking engine oil level............................... 8-11
Changing engine oil and filter ....................... 8-11
Automatic transmission fluid ............................. 8-14
Power steering fluid........................................... 8-14
Brake and clutch fluid ....................................... 8-15 Brake fluid .................................................... 8-15
Clutch fluid (if so equipped) .......................... 8-15
Window washer fluid ......................................... 8-16 Battery .............................................................. 8-17
Coupe .......................................................... 8-17
Sedan and coupe......................................... 8-17
Jump starting ............................................... 8-18
Variable voltage control system......................... 8-19
Drive belts ........................................................ 8-19
Spark plugs ...................................................... 8-20 Replacing spark plugs ................................. 8-20
Air cleaner ........................................................ 8-21
Windshield wiper blades ................................... 8-22
Cleaning ...................................................... 8-22
Replacing..................................................... 8-22
Brakes .............................................................. 8-23
Self-adjusting brakes ................................... 8-23
Brake pad wear warning .............................. 8-23
Fuses ................................................................ 8-24
Engine compartment .................................... 8-24
Passenger compartment............................... 8-25
Intelligent Key battery replacement ................... 8-26

Accelerator pedal:Check the pedal for
smooth operation and make sure the pedal
does not catch or require uneven effort.
Keep the floor mat away from the pedal.
Automatic transmission P (Park) mechan-
ism: On a fairly steep hill, check that your
vehicle is held securely with the selector
lever in the P (Park) position without
applying any brakes.
Brake pedal: Check the pedal for smooth
operation. If the brake pedal suddenly
goes down further than normal, the pedal
feels spongy or the vehicle seems to take
longer to stop, see an INFINITI retailer
immediately. Keep the floor mat away from
the pedal.
Brakes: Check that the brakes do not pull
the vehicle to one side when applied.
Parking brake: Check the parking brake
operation regularly. The vehicle should be
securely held on a fairly steep hill with only
the parking brake applied. If the parking
brake needs adjusted, see an INFINITI
retailer.
Seat belts: Check that all parts of the seat
belt system (for example, buckles, an-
chors, adjuster and retractors) operate
properly and smoothly, and are installed securely. Check the belt webbing for cuts,
fraying, wear or damage.
Seats:
Check seat position controls such as
seat adjusters, seatback recliner, etc. to
ensure 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
steering 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
properly.
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 washer 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 tempera-
tures or under severe condition require
frequent checks of the battery fluid level.
Brake fluid level*: Make sure that the
brake fluid level is between the MAX and
MIN lines on the reservoir.
Engine coolant level*: Check the coolant
level when the engine is cold.
Engine drive belts*: Make sure that no belt
is frayed, worn, cracked or oily.
Engine oil level*: Check the level after
parking the vehicle on a level spot 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, im-
mediately have the exhaust system in-
spected by an INFINITI retailer. (See
“Precautions when starting and driving”
(P.5-3) 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
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-5

8-6Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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 corrected immediately.
Power steering fluid level* and lines:
Check the level when the fluid is cold,
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
exposed to corrosive substances such as
those used on icy roads or to control dust.
It is very important to remove these
substances, otherwise rust will form on
the floor pan, frame, fuel lines and around
the exhaust system. At the end of winter,
the underbody should be thoroughly
flushed with plain water, being careful to
clean those areas where mud and dirt may
accumulate. For additional information,
see “Cleaning exterior” (P.7-2).
Windshield washer fluid*: Check that there
is adequate fluid in the reservoir. When performing any inspection or main-
tenance 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 mod-
els, move the shift lever to N (Neutral).
For automatic transmission 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 ignition switch is in the ON position.
. Never leave the engine or automatic
transmission related component har-
nesses disconnected 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
supported 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 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.
MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS

8-8Maintenance and do-it-yourself
SDI2709
VQ25HR/VQ37VHR ENGINE
1. Fuse/fusible link holder
2. Battery
3. Engine oil filler cap
4. Brake fluid reservoir
5. Clutch fluid reservoir (Manual Trans-mission models)
6. Window washer fluid reservoir
7. Power steering fluid reservoir
8. Air cleaner
9. Radiator filler cap 10. Drive belts
11. Engine coolant reservoir
12. Engine oil dipstick (for VQ37VHR
engine model)
13. Engine oil dipstick (for VQ25HR en- gine model)
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK LOCATIONS

CAUTION
.Do not ground accessories directly to the
battery terminal. Doing so will bypass
the variable voltage control system and
the vehicle battery may not charge
completely.
. Use electrical accessories with the en-
gine running to avoid discharging the
vehicle battery.
The variable voltage control system mea-
sures the amount of electrical discharge
from the battery and controls voltage
generated by the generator.SDI2117
VQ25HR engine
1. Power steering fluid pump
2. Alternator
3. Crankshaft pulley
4. Air conditioner compressor
!: Tension checking points
SDI2119
VQ37VHR engine
1. Power steering fluid pump
2. Alternator
3. Crankshaft pulley
4. Air conditioner compressor
5. Drive belt auto-tensioner
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-
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-19
VARIABLE VOLTAGE CONTROL SYSTEM DRIVE BELTS