2014 INFINITI Q50 HYBRID Owner's Manual

7-8Appearance and care
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.
Temperature
A temperature increase will accelerate the
rate of corrosion to those parts which are
not well ventilated.
Air pollution
Industrial pollution, the presence of salt in
the air in coastal areas, or heavy road salt
use will accelerate the corrosion process.
Road salt will also accelerate the disinte-
gration of paint surfaces.
TO PROTECT YOUR VEHICLE FROM
CORROSION
. Wash and wax your vehicle often to
keep the vehicle clean.
. Always check for minor damage to the
paint and repair it as soon as possible.
. Keep drain holes at the bottom of the
doors open to avoid water accumula-
tion.
. Check the underbody for accumulation
of sand, dirt or salt. If present, wash
with water as soon as possible.
CORROSION PROTECTION

CAUTION
.NEVER remove dirt, sand or other debris
from the passenger compartment by
washing it out with a hose. Remove dirt
with a vacuum cleaner.
. Never allow water or other liquids to
come in contact with electronic compo-
nents inside the vehicle as this may
damage them.
Chemicals used for road surface deicing
are extremely corrosive. They accelerate
corrosion and deterioration of underbody
components such as the exhaust system,
fuel and brake lines, brake cables, floor
pan and fenders.
In winter, the underbody must be cleaned
periodically.
For additional protection against rust and
corrosion, which may be required in some
areas, consult an INFINITI retailer.
Appearance and care7-9

7-10Appearance and care
MEMO

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 ........................................... 8-2 Explanation of maintenance items ................... 8-2
Maintenance precautions ..................................... 8-5
Engine compartment check locations ................... 8-7 VQ35HR engine ............................................... 8-7
Engine cooling system ......................................... 8-9
Checking engine coolant level ....................... 8-10
Changing engine coolant ............................... 8-10
Inverter cooling system...................................... 8-11
Checking inverter coolant level ...................... 8-12
Changing inverter coolant.............................. 8-12
Engine oil .......................................................... 8-12
Checking engine oil level............................... 8-12
Changing engine oil and filter ....................... 8-13
Automatic transmission fluid ............................. 8-15
Brake fluid......................................................... 8-15
Window washer fluid ......................................... 8-16
12-volt battery ................................................... 8-17 Checking battery fluid level ........................... 8-18
Jump starting ................................................ 8-18 Spark plugs ...................................................... 8-19
Replacing spark plugs ................................. 8-19
Air cleaner ........................................................ 8-20
Windshield wiper blades ................................... 8-21 Cleaning ...................................................... 8-21
Replacing..................................................... 8-21
Brakes .............................................................. 8-22 Self-adjusting brakes ................................... 8-22
Brake pad wear warning .............................. 8-22
Fuses ................................................................ 8-23
Engine compartment and trunk .................... 8-23
Passenger compartment............................... 8-24
Intelligent Key battery replacement ................... 8-25
Lights................................................................ 8-27 Exterior and interior lights ........................... 8-28
Wheels and tires ............................................... 8-30
Tire pressure ............................................... 8-30
Tire labeling ................................................ 8-33
Types of tires............................................... 8-35
Tire chains ................................................... 8-37
Changing wheels and tires........................... 8-38
Jacking up the vehicle and replacing tires .... 8-40

8-2Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Some day-to-day and regular maintenance
is essential to maintain your vehicle good
mechanical condition, as well as its emis-
sion and engine performance.
It is the owner’s responsibility to make
sure that the scheduled maintenance, as
well as general maintenance, is performed.
As the vehicle owner, you are the only one
who can ensure that your vehicle receives
the proper maintenance. You are a vital link
in the maintenance chain.
SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE
For your convenience, both required and
optional scheduled maintenance items are
described and listed in your“INFINITI
Service and Maintenance Guide”. You must
refer to that guide to ensure that necessary
maintenance is performed on your vehicle
at regular intervals.
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
General maintenance includes those items
which should be checked during normal
day-to-day operation. They are essential for
proper vehicle operation. It is your respon-
sibility to perform these procedures reg-
ularly as prescribed.
Performing general maintenance checks requires minimal mechanical skill and only
a few general automotive tools.
These checks or inspections can be done
by yourself, a qualified technician or, if you
prefer, an INFINITI retailer.
WHERE TO GO FOR SERVICE
If maintenance service is required or your
vehicle appears to malfunction, have the
systems checked and serviced by an
INFINITI retailer.
INFINITI technicians are well-trained spe-
cialists and are kept up to date with the
latest service information through techni-
cal bulletins, service tips, and in-retailer-
ship information systems. They are
completely qualified to work on INFINITI
vehicles
beforework begins.
You can be confident that an INFINITI
retailer’s service department performs the
best job to meet the maintenance require-
ments on your vehicle. During the normal day-to-day operation of
the vehicle, general maintenance should
be performed regularly as prescribed in
this section. If you detect any unusual
sounds, vibrations or smell, be sure to
check for the cause or have an INFINITI
retailer do it promptly. In addition, you
should notify an INFINITI retailer if you
think that repairs are required.
When performing any checks or mainte-
nance work, see
“Maintenance precau-
tions” (P.8-5).
EXPLANATION OF MAINTENANCE
ITEMS
Additional information on the following
items with “*” is found later in this
section.
Outside the vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should
be performed from time to time, unless
otherwise specified.
Doors and engine hood: Check that all
doors and the engine hood, operate
properly. Also ensure that all latches lock
securely. Lubricate hinges, latches, latch
pins, rollers and links if necessary. Make
sure that the secondary latch keeps the
hood from opening when the primary latch
MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENT GENERAL MAINTENANCE

is released.
When driving in areas using road salt or
other corrosive materials, check lubrication
frequently.
Lights*:Clean the headlights on a regular
basis. Make sure that the headlights, stop
lights, tail lights, turn signal lights, and
other lights are all operating properly and
installed securely. Also check headlight
aim.
Road wheel nuts (lug nuts)*: When check-
ing the tires, make sure no wheel nuts are
missing, and check for any loose wheel
nuts. Tighten if necessary.
Tire rotation*: Tires should be rotated
every 5,000 miles (8,000 km).
Tires*: Check the pressure with a gauge
often and always prior to long distance
trips. If necessary, adjust the pressure in
all tires, including the spare, to the
pressure specified. Check carefully for
damage, cuts or excessive wear.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
transmitter components: Replace the TPMS
transmitter grommet seal, valve core and
cap when the tires are replaced due to
wear or age.
Tire, wheel alignment and balance: If thevehicle should pull to either side while
driving on a straight and level road, or if
you detect uneven or abnormal tire wear,
there may be a need for wheel alignment.
If the steering wheel or seat vibrates at
normal highway speeds, wheel balancing
may be needed.
For additional information regarding tires,
refer to
“Important Tire Safety Information”
(US) or “Tire Safety Information” (Canada)
in the INFINITI Warranty Information Book-
let.
Windshield: Clean the windshield on a
regular basis. Check the windshield at
least every six months for cracks or other
damage. Have a damaged windshield
repaired by a qualified repair facility.
Windshield wiper blades*: Check for
cracks or wear if they do not wipe properly.
Inside the vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should
be checked on a regular basis, such as
when performing periodic maintenance,
cleaning the vehicle, etc.
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 shift 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
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-3

8-4Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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).
12-volt battery*: Check the fluid level in
each cell. It should be between the MAX
and MIN lines. Vehicles operated in high temperatures 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 12-volt battery
discharge and potential no-start condi-
tions such as:
1.
Installation or extended use of electro-
nic accessories that consume 12-volt
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 12-volt battery may
need to be charged to maintain 12-volt
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
parking the vehicle on a level spot and turning off the INFINITI Direct Response
Hybrid
®System. 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).)
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.
Inverter coolant lebel: Check the coolant
level when the inverter is cold.
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
.
This vehicle has high voltage DC and AC
systems as well as a 12-volt system. DC
and AC high voltage is very dangerous
and can cause severe burns and electric
shock that may result in serious injury or
death.
. Never touch, disassemble, remove or
replace the high voltage parts, har-
nesses and their connectors. High vol-
tage cables are orange. Touching,
disassembling, removing or replacing
those parts and harnesses can cause
severe burns or electric shock that may
result in serious injury or death.
. Never try to remove the service plug
located in the trunk room. The service
plug is used only when the vehicle is
serviced by trained technicians wearing
personal protection equipment and is
part of the high voltage system. Touch- ing the service plug can cause severe
burns or electric shock that may result in
serious injury or death.
. The INFINITI Direct Response Hybrid
®
System uses high voltage up to 408
volts. The system can be hot while and
after starting. Be careful of both the high
voltage and the high temperature. Obey
the caution labels attached to the
vehicle.
. Park the vehicle on a level surface, apply
the parking brake securely and block the
wheels to prevent the vehicle from
moving. Move the shift lever to P (Park).
. Be sure the ignition switch is in the OFF
or LOCK position when performing any
parts replacement or repairs.
. The engine can start at any time without
warning when the hybrid system is in
the READY to drive mode. If you must
work with the hybrid system in the
READY to drive mode, keep your hands,
clothing, hair and tools away from fans,
belts and any other parts that can move.
. It is advisable to secure or remove any
loose clothing and remove any jewelry,
such as rings, watches, etc. before
working on your vehicle.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-5
MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS