CAUTION
●If the vehicle is parked for a long period
of time, the battery discharges gradu-
ally. To avoid this occurrence, drive the
vehicle for approximately 30 minutes at
least once every two to three months.
Otherwise, the Lithium ion (Li-ion) bat-
tery may be damaged. If the Li-ion bat-
tery is completely discharged and the
hybrid system cannot be activated, con-
tact an INFINITI retailer.
High-voltage parts and harnesses on the hybrid
vehicles emit approximately the same amount of
electromagnetic waves as the conventional
gasoline-powered vehicles or home electronic
appliances despite of their electromagnetic
shieldings. Unwanted noise may occur in the
reception of a mobile two-way radio.
Charging the Li-ion battery while driving is impor-
tant. The vehicle cannot run if the Liion battery is
discharged. In the N (Neutral) position, the Li-ion
battery does not recharge. Leaving the transmis-
sion in the N (Neutral) position for an extended
period of time may discharge the Li-ion battery.
The Li-ion battery recharges when the shift lever
is in any position other than N (Neutral) . An air vent is located on the rear side trim panels
Ato cool the high-voltage battery. If the vent is
covered, the battery will overheat resulting in
reduced output performance of the hybrid sys-
tem. See “Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery air vent” in
the “Appearance and care” section.
You may hear the noise of the cooling fan from the
air vent.
CAUTION
Do not place objects over or into the air
vent. The Li-ion battery or DC/DC con-
verter may overheat and be damaged.
CAUTION
Do not load large amounts of water in
open containers (aquariums or buckets)
into the vehicle. If the water spills onto the
Li-ion battery, it may cause a short circuit
and damage the battery.
CAUTION
It may cause a short circuit and damage
the Li-ion battery or DC/DC converter.
Noise and vibration
After the hybrid system is activated, the following
noises and vibrations that are unique to the hy-
brid system may occur. This does not indicate a
malfunction.
● Electric motor noise from the engine com-
partment
● Noise from the rear of the vehicle when the
hybrid system activates or deactivates
● Noise and vibration when the gasoline en-
gine starts running or stops
● Operating noise or electric motor noise
when releasing the accelerator pedal or de-
pressing the brake pedal
● Engine noise due to rapid accelerationLPD2173
HEV-12HEV Overview
3.Use Air Conditioning (A/C) at Higher
Vehicle Speeds
● Below 40 MPH (64 km/h), it is more
efficient to open windows to cool the
vehicle due to reduced engine load
● Above 40 MPH (64 km/h), it is more
efficient to use A/C to cool the vehicle
due to increased aerodynamic drag
● Recirculating the cool air in the cabin
when the A/C is on reduces cooling load
● Turn off air conditioning when it is not
necessary
4. Drive at Economical Speeds and Dis-
tances
● Observing the speed limit and not ex-
ceeding 60 MPH (97 km/h) (where le-
gally allowed) can improve fuel efficiency
due to reduced aerodynamic drag
● Maintaining a safe following distance be-
hind other vehicles reduces unnecessary
braking
● Safely monitoring traffic to anticipate
changes in speed permits reduced brak-
ing and smooth acceleration changes
● Select a gear range suitable to road con-
ditions
● Frequent short-distance driving can re-
duce fuel economy 5.
Use Cruise Control
● Using cruise control during highway driv-
ing helps maintain a steady speed
● Cruise control is particularly effective in
providing fuel savings when driving on flat
terrains
6. Plan for the Shortest Route
● Utilize a map or navigation system to de-
termine the best route to save time
7. Avoid Idling
● Shutting off your engine when safe for
stops exceeding 30–60 seconds saves
fuel and reduces emissions
8. Buy an Automated Pass for Toll Roads
● Automated passes permit drivers to use
special lanes to maintain cruising speed
through the toll and avoid stopping and
starting
9. Winter Warm Up
● Limit idling time to minimize impact to fuel
economy
●
Vehicles typically need no more than
30 seconds of idling at start-up to effec-
tively circulate the engine oil before driving
● Your vehicle will reach its ideal operating
temperature more quickly while driving
versus idling
● Park your vehicle in moderate ambient
temperatures when possible
10. Keeping your Vehicle Cool
● Park your vehicle in a covered parking
area or in the shade whenever possible
● When entering a hot vehicle, opening the
windows will help to reduce the inside
temperature faster, resulting in reduced
demand on your A/C system
11. Cargo
● Avoid transporting unnecessary luggage
in the vehicle
● Avoid carrying luggage in the roof rack
which can increase aerodynamic drag
12. Break-in
● Your vehicle may need a break-in period
for more than 4000 miles to improve the
fuel economy
● Avoid measuring fuel economy within ini-
tial 1200 miles
13. Use D (Drive)
● Avoid using the Manual Shift mode and
selecting the Sports mode whenever
possible
Starting and driving5-5
Jump starting provides power to the 12–volt sys-
tem to allow the electrical systems to operate.
The electrical systems must be operating to allow
the Li-ion battery to be charged. Jump starting
does not charge the Li-ion battery.
To start the hybrid system with a booster battery,
the instructions and precautions below must be
followed.
WARNING
●The engine may start at any time with-
out warning when the ignition is on and
the hybrid system is in the READY
mode. When jump starting keep your
hands, clothing, hair and tools away
from fans, belts and any other parts that
can move to avoid personal injury.
● If done incorrectly, jump starting can
lead to a 12–volt battery explosion, re-
sulting in severe injury or death. It could
also damage your vehicle.
● Explosive hydrogen gas is always pres-
ent in the vicinity of the battery. Keep all
sparks and flames away from the
battery. ●
Do not allow battery fluid to come into
contact with eyes, skin, clothing or
painted surfaces. Battery fluid is a cor-
rosive sulfuric acid solution which can
cause severe burns. If the fluid should
come into contact with anything, imme-
diately flush the contacted area with
water.
● Keep 12–volt battery out of the reach of
children.
● The booster battery must be rated at
12 volts. Use of an improperly rated
battery can damage your vehicle.
● Whenever working on or near a battery,
always wear suitable eye protectors (for
example, goggles or industrial safety
spectacles) and remove rings, metal
bands, or any other jewelry. Do not lean
over the battery when jump starting.
● Do not attempt to jump start a frozen
battery. It could explode and cause se-
rious injury.
● Your vehicle has an automatic engine
cooling fan. It could come on at any
time. Keep hands and other objects
away from it. ●
Always follow the instructions below.
Failure to do so could result in damage
to the charging system and cause per-
sonal injury.
CAUTION
Do not attempt to jump start a hybrid
vehicle as a booster vehicle.
JUMP STARTING
In case of emergency6-3
CAUTION
If the green READY light does not come
on, press the START button to turn the
hybrid system OFF. Carefully disconnect
the negative cable then the positive cable.
Have vehicle taken to dealership for
repair.9. After the green READY light in the meter display comes ON, carefully disconnect the
negative cable and then the positive cable.
10. Replace the vent caps (if so equipped) . Be sure to dispose of the cloth used to cover
the vent holes as it may be contaminated
with corrosive acid.
WARNING
●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 or coolant
reservoir cap while the engine is still
hot. When the radiator or coolant reser-
voir cap is removed, pressurized hot
water will spurt out, possibly causing
serious injury.
● Do not open the hood if steam is com-
ing out.
If your vehicle is overheating (indicated by an
extremely high temperature gauge reading and
the illumination of the engine oil pressure/engine
coolant temperature high indicator light) , 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 shift lever to
P (Park) .
Do not turn the INFINITI Direct Re-
sponse Hybrid® System off. 2. Turn off the air conditioner. Open all the
windows, move the heater or air conditioner
temperature control to maximum hot and fan
control to high speed.
3. Get out of the vehicle. Look and listen for steam or coolant escaping from the radiator
before opening the hood. (If steam or cool-
ant is escaping, turn off the engine.) Do not
open the hood further until no steam or
coolant can be seen.
4. Open the engine hood.
WARNING
If steam or water is coming from the en-
gine, stand clear to prevent getting
burned.
5. Also check if the cooling fan is running. The radiator hoses and radiator should not leak
water. If the coolant is leaking or the cooling
fan does not run, stop the hybrid system.
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 coolant is leaking,
the water pump belt is missing or loose, or
the cooling fan does not run, stop the en-
gine.
IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS
In case of emergency6-5
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 cool- ant level in the engine coolant reservoir tank
with the engine running. Add coolant to the
engine coolant reservoir tank if necessary.
Have your vehicle repaired at an INFINITI
retailer.
6-6In case of emergency
8 Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Explanation of general maintenance items.........8-2
Engine compartment check locations ................8-4
QR25DER engine ..............................8-4
Inverter cooling system .............................8-5
Checking inverter coolant level ...................8-6
Changing inverter coolant .......................8-6
Engine oil .........................................8-6
Checking engine oil level ........................8-6 Changing engine oil
............................8-7
Changing engine oil filter ........................8-8
12-Volt Battery ....................................8-9
Variable-voltage control system ....................8-10
Drive belt ........................................ 8-11
Engine compartment ........................... 8-12
Exterior and interior lights .......................8-13
10. Fuse box
11. Fuse box/fusible links
12. Fuse box/fusible links
13. Battery
14. Engine oil dipstick
15. Radiator cap
16. Windshield-washer fluid reservoir
NOTE:
Hybrid system engine compartment cov-
er(s) removed for clarity.The inverter cooling system is filled at the factory
with a pre-diluted mixture of 50% Genuine
NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) and
50% water to provide year-round anti-freeze and
coolant protection. The anti-freeze solution con-
tains rust and corrosion inhibitors. Additional in-
verter cooling system additives are not neces-
sary.WARNING
●
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap
when the engine and inverter are hot.
Wait until the engine and inverter cool
down. Serious burns could be caused
by high pressure fluid escaping from
the reservoir.
● The inverter reservoir is equipped with a
pressure type cap. To prevent engine
and inverter damage, use only a genu-
ine NISSAN inverter reservoir cap.
CAUTION
● Never use any additives in the coolant
such as radiator sealer in the cooling
system. This may cause damage to elec-
trical equipment such as the motor and
inverter, as well as the engine and
transmission. ●
When adding or replacing coolant, be
sure to use only a Genuine NISSAN
Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) or
equivalent. Genuine NISSAN Long Life
Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) is pre-diluted
to provide antifreeze protection to -34°
F (-37° C) . If additional antifreeze pro-
tection is needed due to weather where
you operate your vehicle, add Genuine
NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant
(blue) . The use of other types of coolant
solutions other than Genuine NISSAN
Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) or
equivalent, may damage the inverter
cooling system.
● The life expectancy of the factory-fill
coolant is 125,000 miles (200,000 km) or
15 years. Mixing any other type of cool-
ant other than Genuine NISSAN Long
Life Antifreeze/ Coolant (blue) , includ-
ing Genuine NISSAN Long Life
Antifreeze/ Coolant (green) , or the use
on non-distilled water will reduce the
life expectancy of factory-fill coolant.
Refer to the INFINITI Service and Main-
tenance Guide for more details.
INVERTER COOLING SYSTEM
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-5
CHECKING INVERTER COOLANT
LEVEL
Check the coolant levelin the reservoir when
the engine and inverter are cold. The coolant
level should be between the MIN level
B, add
coolant to the MAX level
A.
If the inverter cooling system frequently
requires coolant, have it checked by a
INFINITI retailer.
CHANGING INVERTER COOLANT
Major cooling system repairs should be done by a
INFINITI retailer. The service procedure can be
found in the INFINITI Service Manual.
Improper servicing can result in inverter
overheating.
WARNING
● To avoid the danger of being scalded,
never change the coolant when the in-
verter is hot.
● Never remove the cap when the inverter
is hot. Serious burns could be caused by
high pressure fluid escaping from the
inverter coolant reservoir.
● 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 the reach of chil-
dren and pets.
Engine coolant must be disposed of properly.
Check your local regulations.
CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and apply the parking brake.
2. Start the engine and let it idle until it reaches operating temperature.
3. Turn off the engine. Wait more than
10 minutes for the oil to drain back into
the oil pan.
4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean. Re- insert it all the way.
NJE0002LDI2257
ENGINE OIL
8-6Maintenance and do-it-yourself