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 shift 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.
. 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.
. On gasoline engine models, the fuel
filter or fuel lines should be serviced by
an INFINITI retailer because the fuel lines
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-5
MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS
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 1768F (50
to 808C) or using the COLD range (
*3:
COLD MAX.,
*4: COLD MIN.) at fluid
temperatures of 32 to 868F(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.
CAUTION
. Do not overfill.
. Use Genuine NISSAN PSF or equivalent.
For further brake fluid specification infor-
mation, see “Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants” in the“9. Technical and
consumer information” section of this
manual.
WARNING
. Use only new fluid from a sealed
container. Old, inferior or contaminated
fluid may damage the brake system. The
use of improper fluids can damage the
brake system and affect the vehicle’s
stopping ability.
. Be sure to clean the filler cap before
removing.
. Brake fluid is poisonous and should be
stored carefully in marked containers out
of the reach of children.
CAUTION
.Do not add brake fluid with the ignition
switch in the “ON” position or the
engine running. Doing so could make
the brake fluid overfill when the ignition
switch is turned off.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-13
POWER STEERING FLUID BRAKE FLUID
8-14Maintenance and do-it-yourself
.Do not spill the fluid on painted
surfaces. This will damage the paint. If
fluid is spilled, wash the surface with
water.
SDI2513
BRAKE FLUID
Check the fluid level in the reservoir. If the
fluid is below the MIN line
*1or the brake
warning light comes on, add Genuine
NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT 3fluid up to the MAX line
*2.
To add brake fluid:
1. Be sure the ignition switch is in the OFF or LOCK position.
2. Depress and release the foot brake pedal more than 40 times.
3. Open the reservoir filler cap and add brake fluid up to the MAX line
*2. (See “
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants” in the“9. Technical and
consumer information” section for the
recommended types of brake fluid.)
NOTE:
When the ignition switch is placed in the
“ON” position after adding brake fluid up
to the MAX line
*2in the reservoir, the
brake fluid decreases below the MAX line
*2. This is normal.
If fluid must be added frequently, the
system should be checked by an INFINITI
retailer.
8-18Maintenance and do-it-yourself
SDI2533
1. Power steering fluid pump
2. Water pump
3. Alternator
4. Crankshaft pulley
5. Air conditioner compressor
WARNING
Be sure the ignition switch is in the OFF or
LOCK position before servicing drive belts.
The engine could rotate unexpectedly.
1. Visually inspect each belt for signs ofunusual wear, cuts, fraying or loosen- ess. If the belt is in poor condition or
loose, have it replaced or adjusted by
an INFINITI retailer.
2. Have the belts checked regularly for condition and tension in accordance
with the maintenance schedule in your
“INFINITI Service and Maintenance
Guide”.
WARNING
Be sure the engine and the ignition switch
are off and that the parking brake is
engaged securely.
CAUTION
Be sure to use the correct socket to remove
the spark plugs. An incorrect socket can
damage the spark plugs.
DRIVE BELTS SPARK PLUGS
several times. The pedal travel distance
will decrease gradually with each de-
pression as the hydraulic pressure
decreases.
If the brakes do not operate properly, have
the brakes checked by an INFINITI retailer.
SDI2518
SDI2532
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.
3. Remove the fuse/fusible link holder cover
*1,*2or*3.
4. Remove the fuse with the fuse puller.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-23
FUSES
8-24Maintenance and do-it-yourself
SDI1754
5. If the fuse is open*A, replace it with a
new fuse
*B. Spare fuses are stored in
the passenger compartment fuse box.
6. If a new fuse also opens, have the electrical system checked and repaired
by an INFINITI retailer.
Fusible links
If any electrical equipment does not
operate and fuses are in good condition,
check the fusible links. If any of these
fusible links are melted, replace only with
genuine INFINITI parts.
JVM0200X
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 fuse switch (if so
equipped)
To reduce battery drain, the extended
storage fuse 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 the extended storage fuse switch is not
pushed in (switched on), the“SHIPPING
MODE ON, PUSH STORAGE FUSE” warning
may appear on the dot matrix liquid crystal
display (if so equipped). See “Dot matrix
liquid crystal display” in the“2. Instru-
ments and controls” section. If any electrical equipment does not
operate, remove the extended storage fuse
switch and check for an open fuse.
NOTE:
If the extended storage fuse switch mal-
functions or if the fuse is open, it is not
necessary to replace the switch. In this
case, remove the extended storage fuse
switch and replace it with a new fuse of
the same rating.
How to remove the extended storage fuse
switch:
1. To remove the extended storage fuse switch, be sure the ignition switch is in
the OFF or LOCK position.
2. Be sure the headlight switch is in the OFF position.
3. Remove the fuse box cover.
4. Pinch the locking tabs
*1found on
each side of the storage fuse switch.
5. Pull the storage fuse switch straight out from the fuse box
*2.
CAUTION
Be careful not to allow children to swallow
the battery and removed parts.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-25
INTELLIGENT KEY BATTERY REPLACEMENT
fuel is not covered by the INFINITI new
vehicle limited warranty.
. If a methanol blend is used, it should
contain no more than 5% methanol
(methyl alcohol, wood alcohol). It
should also contain a suitable amount
of appropriate cosolvents and corro-
sion inhibitors. If not properly formu-
lated with appropriate cosolvents and
corrosion inhibitors, such methanol
blends may cause fuel system damage
and/or vehicle performance problems.
At this time, sufficient data is not
available to ensure that all methanol
blends are suitable for use in INFINITI
vehicles.
If any undesirable driveability problems
such as engine stalling or hard hot starting
are experienced after using oxygenate-
blend fuels, immediately change to a
non-oxygenate fuel or a fuel with a low
blend of MTBE.
Take care not to spill gasoline during
refueling. Gasoline containing oxygenates
can cause paint damage.
E-15 fuel
E-15 fuel is a mixture of approximately
15% fuel ethanol and 85% unleaded gasoline. E-15 can only be used in vehicles
designed to run on E-15 fuel. Do not use E-
15 in your vehicle. U.S. government
regulations require fuel ethanol dispensing
pumps to be identified with small, square,
orange and black label with the common
abbreviation or the appropriate percentage
for that region.
E-85 fuel
E-85 fuel is a mixture of approximately
85% fuel ethanol and 15% unleaded
gasoline. E-85 can only be used in a
Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV). Do not use E-
85 fuel in your vehicle. U.S. government
regulations require fuel ethanol dispensing
pumps to be identified by a small, square,
orange and black label with the common
abbreviation or the appropriate percentage
for that region.
Aftermarket fuel additives
INFINITI does not recommend the use of
any aftermarket fuel additives (Example:
fuel injector cleaner, octane booster, intake
valve deposit removers, etc.) which are
sold commercially. Many of these additives
intended for gum, varnish or deposit
removal may contain active solvent or
similar ingredients that can be harmful tothe fuel system and engine.
Octane rating tips
Using unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating lower than recommended above can
cause persistent, heavy spark knock.
(Spark knock is a metallic rapping noise.)
If severe, this can lead to engine damage.
If you detect a persistent heavy spark
knock even when using gasoline of the
stated octane rating, or if you hear steady
spark knock while holding a steady speed
on level roads, have an INFINITI retailer
correct the condition. Failure to correct the
condition is misuse of the vehicle, for
which INFINITI is not responsible.
Incorrect ignition timing will result in
knocking, after-run or overheating. This in
turn may cause excessive fuel consumption
or damage to the engine. If any of the
above symptoms are encountered, have
your vehicle checked at an INFINITI retailer
or other competent service facility.
However, now and then you may notice
light spark knock for a short time while
accelerating or driving up hills. This is no
cause for concern, because you get the
greatest fuel benefit when there is light
spark knock for a short time under heavy
Technical and consumer information9-5