Page 446 of 522

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.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-5
MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS
Page 447 of 522

8-6Maintenance and do-it-yourself
.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.
. The fuel filter or fuel lines should be
serviced by an INFINITI retailer because
the fuel lines are under high pressure even when the engine is off.
CAUTION
.
Do not work under the hood while the
engine is hot. Turn the engine off and
wait until it cools down.
. Avoid direct contact with used engine oil
and coolant. Improperly disposed engine
oil, coolant, and/or other vehicle fluids
can damage the environment. Always
conform to local regulations for disposal
of vehicle fluid.
This “8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself”
section gives instructions regarding only
those items which are relatively easy for an
owner to perform.
A genuine INFINITI Service Manual is also
available. (See “Owner’s Manual/Service
Manual order information” in the“9.
Technical and consumer information” sec-
tion.)
You should be aware that incomplete or
improper servicing may result in operating
difficulties or excessive emissions, and
could affect your warranty coverage. If indoubt about any servicing, we recommend
that it be done by an INFINITI retailer.
Page 449 of 522
8-8Maintenance and do-it-yourself
SDI2538
1. Battery
2. Fuse/fusible link holder
3. Engine oil filler cap
4. Brake fluid reservoir
5. Window washer fluid reservoir
6. Power steering fluid reservoir
7. Air cleaner
8. Radiator filler cap
9. Engine coolant reservoir
10. Engine oil dipstick
11. Drive belts
12. Fuse/fusible link holder
Page 451 of 522
8-10Maintenance and do-it-yourself
SDI2537
1. Battery
2. Fuse/fusible link holder
3. Engine oil filler cap
4. Brake fluid reservoir
5. Window washer fluid reservoir
6. Power steering fluid reservoir
7. Air cleaner
8. Radiator filler cap
9. Engine coolant reservoir
10. Engine oil dipstick
11. Drive belts
12. Fuse/fusible link holder
Page 460 of 522

.Keep the battery surface clean and dry.
Clean the battery with a solution of
baking soda and water.
. Make certain the terminal connections
are clean and securely tightened.
. If the vehicle is not to be used for 30
days or longer, disconnect the negative
(−) battery terminal cable to prevent
discharging it.
NOTE:
Care should be taken to avoid situations
that can lead to potential battery dis-
charge and potential no-start conditions
such as:
1. Installation or extended use of electro-
nic accessories that consume battery
power when the engine is not running
(Phone chargers, GPS, DVD players,
etc.)
2. Vehicle is not driven regularly and/or
only driven short distances.
In these cases, the battery may need to be
charged to maintain battery health.
WARNING
. Do not expose the battery to flames or
electrical sparks. Hydrogen gas gener- ated by the battery is explosive. Do not
allow battery fluid to contact your skin,
eyes, fabrics, or painted surfaces. After
touching a battery or battery cap, do not
touch or rub your eyes. Thoroughly wash
your hands. If the acid contacts your
eyes, skin or clothing, immediately flush
with water for at least 15 minutes and
seek medical attention.
. Do not operate the vehicle if the fluid in
the battery is low. Low battery fluid can
cause a higher load on the battery which
can generate heat, reduce battery life,
and in some cases lead to an explosion.
. When working on or near a battery,
always wear suitable eye protection and
remove all jewelry.
. Battery posts, terminals and related
accessories contain lead and lead com-
pounds. Wash hands after handling.
. Keep the battery out of the reach of
children.
DI0137MA
Check the fluid level in each cell (Remove
the battery cover if it is necessary). It
should be between the UPPER LEVEL
*1
and LOWER LEVEL*2lines.
If it is necessary to add fluid, add only
distilled water to bring the level to the
indicator in each filler opening. Do not
overfill.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-19
BATTERY
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8-20Maintenance and do-it-yourself
SDI1480C
1. Remove the cell plugs*A.
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 plugs
*A.
Vehicles operated in high temperatures or
under severe conditions require frequent
checks of the battery fluid level.
JUMP STARTING
If jump starting is necessary, see “Jump
starting” 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 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.
VARIABLE VOLTAGE CONTROL SYSTEM
Page 467 of 522
8-26Maintenance and do-it-yourself
occasional 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 system.
Proper brake inspection intervals should
be followed.For additional information,
see the maintenance log section of your
“INFINITI Service and Maintenance Guide”
for maintenance intervals.
SDI2584
SDI2566
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
headlight switch is turned to OFF.
2. Open the engine hood and remove the cover on the battery and the fuse/
fusible link holder.
3. Remove the fuse/fusible link holder cover.
4. Remove the fuse with the fuse puller.
FUSES
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8-28Maintenance and do-it-yourself
SDI2034
PASSENGER 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 fuse box lid.
3. Remove the fuse with the fuse puller
*A.
4. If the fuse is open, replace it with a new fuse.
5. If a new fuse also opens, have the electrical system checked and repaired
by an INFINITI retailer. Spare fuses are
stored in the fuse box.
SDI2704
Extended storage switch (if so
equipped)
To reduce battery drain, the extended
storage switch comes from the factory
switched off. Prior to delivery of your
vehicle, the switch is pushed in (switched
on) and should always remain on.
If any electrical equipment does not
operate, remove the extended storage
switch and check for an open fuse.