2012 INFINITI M automatic transmission

8 Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Maintenance requirement .................................... 8-2Scheduled maintenance .................................. 8-2
General maintenance....................................... 8-2
Where to go for service ................................... 8-2
General maintenance ........................................... 8-3 Explanation of maintenance items ................... 8-3
Maintenance precautions ..................................... 8-5
Engine compartment check locations ................... 8-7 VK56VD engine ............................................... 8-7
VQ37VHR engine ............................................. 8-9
Engine cooling system ....................................... 8-11 Checking engine coolant level ....................... 8-12
Changing engine coolant ............................... 8-12
Engine oil .......................................................... 8-13 Checking engine oil level............................... 8-13
Changing engine oil and filter ....................... 8-13
Automatic transmission fluid ............................. 8-16
Power steering fluid........................................... 8-16
Brake fluid......................................................... 8-17 Brake fluid .................................................... 8-17
Window washer fluid ......................................... 8-18
Battery .............................................................. 8-19 Jump starting ................................................ 8-20
Variable voltage control system ......................... 8-20 Drive belts ........................................................ 8-21
Spark plugs ...................................................... 8-21
Replacing spark plugs ................................. 8-22
Air cleaner ........................................................ 8-22
Windshield wiper blades ................................... 8-24 Cleaning ...................................................... 8-24
Replacing..................................................... 8-24
Brakes .............................................................. 8-25 Self-adjusting brakes ................................... 8-25
Brake pad wear warning .............................. 8-25
Fuses ................................................................ 8-26 Engine compartment .................................... 8-26
Passenger compartment............................... 8-28
Intelligent Key battery replacement ................... 8-29
Lights................................................................ 8-31 Headlights ................................................... 8-31
Exterior and interior lights ........................... 8-32
Wheels and tires ............................................... 8-34 Tire pressure ............................................... 8-34
Tire labeling ................................................ 8-38
Types of tires............................................... 8-40
Tire chains ................................................... 8-41
Changing wheels and tires........................... 8-41

8-4Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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
leverintheP(Park)positionwithout
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 ”
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 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 ”in the “7. Appear-
ance and care ”section.
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. 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.
. Ifyoumustruntheengineinan
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.
. The fuel filter or fuel lines should be
serviced by an INFINITI retailer because
the fuel lines are under high pressure
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-5
MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS

8-16Maintenance and do-it-yourself
d. Install the other bolts that hold theundercover 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.
When checking or replacement is required,
we recommend an INFINITI retailer for
servicing.
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 transmis-
sion, which is not covered by the INFINITI
new vehicle limited warranty.
SDI1765A
Check the fluid level in the reservoir.
The fluid level should be checked using the
HOT range (
*1: HOT MAX.,*2: HOT MIN.)
at fluid temperatures of 122 to 176 8F (50
to 80 8C) or using the COLD range (
*3:
COLD MAX.,
*4: COLD MIN.) at fluid
temperatures of 32 to 86 8F(0to30 8C).
If the fluid is below the MIN line, add
Genuine NISSAN PSF or equivalent. Re-
move the cap and fill through the opening.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID POWER STEERING FLUID

9-2Technical and consumer information
The following are approximate capacities. The actual refill capacities may be a little different. When refilling, follow the procedure
instructed in the“8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself ”section to determine the proper refill capacity.
Capacity (Approximate)
Recommended specifications
US measure Imp measure Liter
Fuel 20-1/8 gal16-3/4 gal 76 See“Fuel recommendation” later in this section.
Engine oil*2
Drain and refill
With oil filter change VQ37VHR
5-1/8 qt4-3/8 qt 4.9
.Engine oil with API Certification Mark*1*10
. Viscosity SAE 5W-30
VK56VD (2WD) 6-3/8 qt
5-1/4 qt6.0
(AWD) 6-1/2 qt 5-3/8 qt6.1
Without oil filter change VQ37VHR
4-7/8 qt4.0 qt 4.6
VK56VD (2WD) 6.0 qt 5.0 qt5.7
(AWD) 6-1/8 qt 5-1/8 qt5.8
Cooling system
With reservoir VQ37VHR
8-7/8 qt7-3/8 qt 8.4
Pre-diluted Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) or equivalent
VK56VD
11-1/2 qt9-5/8 qt 10.9
Reservoir VQ37VHR
7/8 qt3/4 qt 0.8
VK56VD 7/8 qt3/4 qt 0.8
Automatic transmission fluid ———Genuine NISSAN Matic S ATF*3
Differential gear oil ———Front:
Genuine NISSAN Differential Oil Hypoid Super GL-5 80W-90 or API GL-5 Viscosity SAE
80W-90*4
Rear:
API GL-5 synthetic gear oil, Viscosity SAE 75W-90*5
Transfer fluid ———Genuine NISSAN Matic J ATF*6
Power steering fluid (PSF) Refill to the proper oil level according to the instructions in the “8.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself ”section. Genuine NISSAN PSF or equivalent*7
Brake fluid Genuine NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid*8 or equivalent DOT 3
Multi-purpose grease Without limited slip differential ———
NLGI No. 2 (Lithium soap base)
With limited slip differential ———
Air conditioning system refrigerant ———HFC-134a (R-134a)*9
Air conditioning system lubricants ———NISSAN A/C System Oil
Type S or exact equivalent
Window washer fluid ———Genuine NISSAN Windshield Washer Concentrate Cleaner & Antifreeze or equivalent
CAPACITIES AND RECOMMENDED FUEL/
LUBRICANTS

*1:INFINITI recommends Genuine NISSAN Ester Engine Oil available at your INFINITI retailer.*2:For additional information, see“Engine oil ”in the “8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself ”section for changing engine oil.*3: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.
*4:For hot climates, viscosity SAE 90 is suitable for ambient temperatures above 32 8F(08C).*5:See an INFINITI retailer for service for synthetic oil.*6:Using transfer fluid other than Genuine NISSAN Matic J ATF will cause deterioration in driveability and transfer durability, and may damage the transfer, which is not covered by the INFINITI new
vehicle limited warranty.
*7:DEXRONTMVI type ATF may also be used.*8:Available in mainland USA through an INFINITI retailer.*9:For additional information, see “Vehicle identification ”later in this section for air conditioner specification label.*10:For additional information, see “Engine oil and oil filter recommendation ”later in this section.
Technical and consumer information9-3

Do not tow a trailer with your
vehicle.
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.
. For emergency towing procedures refer
to“Towing recommended by INFINITI ”in
the “6. In case of emergency ”section of
this manual.
Automatic transmission
To tow a vehicle equipped with an auto-
matic transmission, an appropriate vehicle
dolly MUST be placed under the towed
vehicle ’s drive wheels. Alwaysfollow the
dolly manufacturer ’s recommendations
when using their product. DOT (Department Of Transportation) Qual-
ity Grades: All passenger car tires must
conform to federal safety requirements in
addition to these grades.
Quality grades can be found where applic-
able on the tire sidewall between tread
shoulder and maximum section width. For
example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
TREADWEAR
The treadwear grade is a comparative
rating based on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends
upon actual conditions of their use, how-
ever, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Technical and consumer information9-19
TOWING A TRAILER
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING

10 Index
Number
4 Wheel Active Steer (4WAS) system ............... 5-100
4 Wheel Active Steer (4WAS) warning light ....... 2-13
A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) ......................... 5-96
Active noise control ........................................ 5-103
Adjustable headrests .......................................... 1-8
Air bag systemFront-seat mounted side-impact supplemental
air bag system ............................................. 1-49
Roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental
air bag system ............................................. 1-49
Air bag warning labels ...................................... 1-52
Air bag warning light ............................... 1-52, 2-16
Air cleaner housing filter ................................... 8-22
Air conditioner Air conditioner specification label ................ 9-13
Air conditioning system refrigerant and
lubricant recommendations ............................ 9-7
Automatic climate control ............................ 4-33
In-cabin microfilter ....................................... 4-47
Air filter In-cabin microfilter ....................................... 4-47
Alarm
How to stop alarm (see vehicle
security system) ........................................... 2-30
Alcohol, drugs and driving .................................. 5-8
Antenna ............................................................ 4-88 Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ......................... 5-96
Appearance care
Exterior appearance care................................ 7-2
Interior appearance care ................................ 7-4
Armrest ............................................................. 1-10
Ashtrays (See cigarette lighter and ashtrays) .... 2-47
Audible reminders ............................................ 2-19
Audio operation precautions ............................. 4-48
Audio system .................................................... 4-48 Steering wheel audio controls ...................... 4-87
Autolight system ............................................... 2-35
Automatic Automatic climate control .................. 4-36, 4-40
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ............... 8-16
Climate control ............................................ 4-33
Driving with automatic transmission ............ 5-14
Automatic door locks .......................................... 3-6
Automatic drive positioner ................................ 3-28
Automatic moonroof.......................................... 2-55
Automatic seat positioner ................................. 3-28
Average fuel consumption and speed................ 2-27
Avoiding collision and rollover ............................ 5-6
B
Battery .............................................................. 8-19
Battery replacement, Intelligent Key ............... 3-2
Battery saver system ................................... 2-36
Intelligent Key .............................................. 8-29
Variable voltage control system ................... 8-20 Before starting the engine ................................ 5-13
Belts (See drive belts) ....................................... 8-21
Blind Spot Intervention (BSI) ON
indicator light ................................................... 2-17
Bluetooth
®hands-free phone system
(models with navigation system) ....................... 4-89
Bluetooth
®hands-free phone system
(models without navigation system) ................ 4-100
Bluetooth
®streaming audio ............................. 4-73
Brake Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) .................... 5-96
Brake fluid ................................................... 8-17
Brake force distribution ............................... 5-99
Brake system ............................................... 5-93
Parking brake operation ............................... 5-18
Brake warning light........................................... 2-11
Break-in schedule ............................................. 5-90
Brightness control Display ON/OFF button ................................ 4-10
Bulb check/instrument panel ............................ 2-10
Bulb replacement .............................................. 8-31
C
Cabin air filter................................................... 4-47
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants ...... 9-2
Car phone or CB radio ...................................... 4-89
Card holder ....................................................... 2-51
Catalytic converter
Three way catalyst ......................................... 5-3