.Make sure the area around the vehicle
is clear.
. Check fluid levels such as engine oil,
coolant, brake fluid and window
washer fluid as frequently as possible,
or at least whenever you refuel.
. Check that all windows and lights are
clean.
. Visually inspect tires for their appear-
ance and condition. Also check tires for
proper inflation.
. Lock all doors.
. Position seat and adjust head re-
straints.
. Adjust inside and outside mirrors.
. Fasten seat belts and ask all passen-
gers to do likewise.
. Check the operation of warning lights
when the ignition switch is pushed to
the ON position. (See “Warning/indica-
tor lights and audible reminders” in the
“2. Instruments and controls” section.)1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Move the selector lever to the P (Park)
or N (Neutral) position. (P is recom-
mended.)
The starter is designed not to operate
unless the selector lever is in either of
the above positions.
3. Push the ignition switch to the ON position. Depress the brake pedal and
push the ignition switch to start the
engine.
To start the engine immediately, push
and release the ignition switch while
depressing the brake pedal with the
ignition switch in any position.
.If the engine is very hard to start inextremely cold weather or when
restarting, depress the accelerator
pedal a little (approximately 1/3 to
the floor) and while holding, crank
the engine. Release the accelerator
pedal when the engine starts.
.If the engine is very hard to startbecause it is flooded, depress the
accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and hold it. Push the ignition
switch to the ON position to start
cranking the engine. After 5 or 6
seconds, stop cranking by pushing the ignition switch to OFF. After
cranking the engine, release the
accelerator pedal. Crank the engine
with your foot off the accelerator
pedal
by depressing the brake pedal
and pushing the push-button igni-
tion switch to start the engine. If the
engine starts, but fails to run, repeat
the above procedure.
CAUTION
Do not operate the starter for more than 15
seconds at a time. If the engine does not
start, push the ignition switch to OFF and
wait 10 seconds before cranking again,
otherwise the starter could be damaged.
4. Warm-up
Allow the engine to idle for at least 30
seconds after starting. Do not race the
engine while warming it up. Drive at
moderate speed for a short distance
first, especially in cold weather. In cold
weather, keep the engine running for a
minimum of 2 - 3 minutes before
shutting it off. Starting and stopping
the engine over a short period of time
may make the vehicle more difficult to
Starting and driving5-13
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE STARTING THE ENGINE
CAUTION
.Do not continue to drive if your vehicle
overheats. Doing so could cause engine
damage or a vehicle fire.
. To avoid the danger of being scalded,
never remove the radiator cap while the
engine is still hot. When the radiator cap
is removed, pressurized hot water will
spurt out, possibly causing serious
injury.
. Do not open the hood if steam is coming
out.
If your vehicle is overheating (indicated by
an extremely high temperature gauge
reading), or if you feel a lack of engine
power, detect abnormal noise, etc., take
the following steps:
1. Move the vehicle safely off the road,
apply the parking brake and move the
selector lever to the P (Park) position.
Do not stop the engine.
2. Turn off the climate control. Open all 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 thecoolant 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).
In case of emergency6-11
IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS
8 Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Maintenance requirement.................................... 8-2
Scheduled 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
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.
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.
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
8-12Maintenance and do-it-yourself
SDI2043
CHECKING ENGINE COOLANT LEVEL
Check the coolant levelin the reservoir
when the engine is cold. If the coolant
level is below MIN
*2, open the reservoir
tank cap and add coolant up to the MAX
*1
level. If the reservoir tank is empty, check
the coolant level in the radiator when the
engine is cold. If there is insufficient
coolant in the radiator, fill the radiator
with coolant up to the filler opening and
also add it to the reservoir tank up to the
MAX level
*1.
Tighten the cap securely after adding
engine coolant. If the cooling system requires coolant
frequently, have it checked by an INFINITI
retailer.
CHANGING ENGINE COOLANT
Major cooling system repairs should be
performed by an INFINITI retailer. The
service procedures can be found in the
appropriate INFINITI Service Manual.
Improper servicing can result in reduced
heater performance and engine overheat-
ing.
WARNING
.
To avoid the danger of being scalded,
never change the coolant when the
engine is hot.
. Never remove the radiator cap when the
engine is hot. Serious burns could be
caused by high pressure fluid escaping
from the radiator.
. Avoid direct skin contact with used
coolant. If skin contact is made, wash
thoroughly with soap or hand cleaner as
soon as possible.
. Keep coolant out of reach of children and
pets.
Engine coolant must be disposed of
properly. Check your local regulations.
8-18Maintenance and do-it-yourself
SDI2544
WARNING
Antifreeze is poisonous and should be
stored carefully in marked containers out
of the reach of children.
Fill the window washer fluid reservoir
periodically. Add window washer fluid
when the low window washer fluid warning
appears on the dot matrix liquid crystal
display.
To fill the window washer fluid reservoir,
lift the cap off the reservoir tank and pour
the window washer fluid into the tankopening.
Add a washer solvent to the washer for
better cleaning. In the winter season, add a
windshield washer antifreeze. Follow the
manufacturer’s instructions for the mixture
ratio.
Refill the reservoir more frequently when
driving conditions require an increased
amount of window washer fluid.
Recommended fluid is Genuine NISSAN
Windshield Washer Concentrate Cleaner &
Antifreeze or equivalent.
CAUTION
. Do not substitute engine anti-freeze
coolant for window washer solution. This
may result in damage to the paint.
. Do not fill the window washer reservoir
tank with washer fluid concentrates at
full strength. Some methyl alcohol
based washer fluid concentrates may
permanently stain the grille if spilled
while filling the window washer reser-
voir tank.
. Pre-mix washer fluid concentrates with
water to the manufacturer’ s recom-
mended levels before pouring the fluid into the window washer reservoir tank.
Do not use the window washer reservoir
tank to mix the washer fluid concentrate
and water.
WINDOW WASHER 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
10-2
Catalytic converterThree way catalyst ......................................... 5-4
CD/CF/USB memory care and cleaning ............. 4-83
Center multi-function control panel ..................... 4-4
Check tire pressure warning .............................. 2-23
Child restraints ................................................. 1-21 LATCH system .............................................. 1-23
Precautions on child restraints ..................... 1-21
Child safety ...................................................... 1-19
Child safety rear door lock .................................. 3-6
Chimes Audible reminders ....................................... 2-19
Seat belt warning light and chime ............... 2-15
Cigarette lighter and ashtrays ........................... 2-47
Circuit breaker Fusible link .................................................. 8-27
Cleaning exterior and interior ....................... 7-2, 7-4
Climate control Automatic climate control ............................ 4-34
Clock ................................................................ 2-46
Coat hooks ....................................................... 2-52
Cockpit ........................................................ 0-6, 2-3
Cold weather driving ....................................... 5-103
Compact Disc (CD) player (See audio system) ... 4-67
Compact spare tire ........................................... 8-44
Console box ...................................................... 2-51
Controller Center multi-function control panel ................ 4-6
Controls Control panel button ...................................... 4-4
INFINITI Controller .......................................... 4-6 Coolant
Capacities and
recommended fuel/lubricants ........................ 9-2
Changing engine coolant ............................. 8-12
Checking engine coolant level ...................... 8-12
Corrosion protection ........................................... 7-7
Cruise control ................................................... 5-46
Fixed speed cruise control (on ICC system) ... 5-66
Intelligent cruise control (ICC) system .......... 5-48
Cruise indicator ................................................ 2-23
Cup holders ...................................................... 2-48
Current fuel consumption .................................. 2-27
D
Daytime running light system ........................... 2-37
Defroster switch Rear window and outside mirror
defroster switch ........................................... 2-34
Dimensions ....................................................... 9-10
Display cleaning ................................................. 4-8
Display controls (See center multi-function
control panel) ..................................................... 4-4
Distance Control Assist (DCA) system ................ 5-70
Distance Control Assist (DCA) system
switch indicator ................................................ 2-24
Distance Control Assist (DCA) system
warning light .................................................... 2-12
Distance to empty ............................................. 2-27
Dot matrix liquid crystal display ....................... 2-20
Drive belts ........................................................ 8-21
Drive positioner ................................................ 3-28 Driving
Cold weather driving .................................. 5-103
Driving with automatic transmission ............ 5-14
Precautions when starting and driving ........... 5-3
DVD player operation ........................................ 4-68
E
ECO drive indicator light ................................... 2-17
ECO mode ......................................................... 5-21
ECO pedal system ............................................. 5-21
Economy
Fuel ............................................................. 5-90
Elapsed time ..................................................... 2-27
Elapsed time and trip odometer ........................ 2-27
Emission control information label .................... 9-13
Emission control system warranty ..................... 9-20
Engine Before starting the engine ........................... 5-13
Break-in schedule ........................................ 5-90
Capacities and
recommended fuel/lubricants ........................ 9-2
Changing engine coolant ............................. 8-12
Changing engine oil and filter ...................... 8-13
Checking engine coolant level ...................... 8-12
Checking engine oil level ............................. 8-13
Coolant temperature gauge ............................ 2-8
Emergency engine shut off ........................... 5-12
Engine block heater ................................... 5-105
Engine compartment check locations ............. 8-7
Engine cooling system ................................. 8-11
Engine oil .................................................... 8-13