coolantin the8. Do-it-yourself section of this
manual.
TIRE EQUIPMENT
1. SUMMER tires have a tread designed to provide superior performance on dry pave-
ment. However, the performance of these
tires will be substantially reduced in snowy
and icy conditions. If you operate your ve-
hicle on snowy or icy roads, INFINITI recom-
mends the use of MUD & SNOW or ALL
SEASON TIRES on all four wheels. It is rec-
ommended that you visit an INFINITI retailer
for the tire type, size, speed rating and
availability information.
2. For additional traction on icy roads, studded tires may be used. However, some U.S.
states and Canadian provinces prohibit their
use. Check local, state and provincial laws
before installing studded tires.
Skid and traction capabilities of studded snow
tires, on wet or dry surfaces, may be poorer than
that of non-studded snow tires.
3. Tire chains may be used if desired. Make sure they are the proper size for the tires on
your vehicle and are installed according to
the chain manufacturer’s instructions. Use
chain tensioners when recommended by the
tire chain manufacturer to ensure a tight fit. Loose end links of the tire chains must be
secured or removed to prevent the possibil-
ity of whipping action damage to the fenders
or underbody. In addition, drive at a reduced
speed, otherwise, your vehicle may be dam-
aged and/or vehicle handling and perfor-
mance may be adversely affected.
SPECIAL WINTER EQUIPMENT
It is recommended that the following items be
carried in the vehicle during the winter:
•A scraper and stiff-bristled brush to remove
ice and snow from the windows.
•A sturdy, flat board to be placed under the
jack to give it firm support.
•A shovel to dig the vehicle out of snowdrifts.
•Extra washer fluid to refill the windshield
washer fluid reservoir.
DRIVING ON SNOW OR ICE
WARNING
•Wet ice (32°F, 0°C and freezing rain), very
cold snow or ice can be slick and very hard
to drive on. The vehicle will have much less
traction or “grip” under these conditions.
Try to avoid driving on wet ice until the road
is salted or sanded.
•Whatever the condition, drive with caution.
Accelerate and slow down with care. If ac-
celerating or downshifting too fast, the
drive wheels will lose even more traction.
•Allow more stopping distance under these
conditions. Braking should be started
sooner than on dry pavement.
•Allow greater following distances on slip-
pery roads.
•Watch for slippery spots (glare ice). These
may appear on an otherwise clear road in
shaded areas. If a patch of ice is seen ahead,
brake before reaching it. Try not to brake
while on the ice, and avoid any sudden
steering maneuvers.
•Do not use cruise control on slippery roads.
•Snow can trap dangerous exhaust gas un-
der your vehicle. Keep snow clear of the
exhaust pipe and from around your vehicle.
5-94Starting and driving
will flash for approximately 1 minute. The
light will remain on after 1 minute. It is rec-
ommended you Contact an INFINITI retailer
as soon as possible for tire replacement
and/or system resetting.
•Replacing tires with those not originally
specified by INFINITI could affect the proper
operation of the TPMS.
•If you used Emergency Tire Sealant to repair
a minor tire puncture, the TPMS sensor
should be checked when repairing or re-
placing the tire. It is recommended you visit
an INFINITI retailer for this service.
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
monitors tire pressure of all tires. When the low
tire pressure warning light is lit, and a tire
pressure-related warning (if equipped) appears
in the vehicle information display, one or more
of your tires is significantly under-inflated. If
the vehicle is being driven with low tire pres-
sure, the TPMS will activate and warn you of it
by the low tire pressure warning light (in the
meter panel). This system will activate only
when the vehicle is driven at speeds above 16
MPH (25 km/h). For more details about the TPMS, see
Tire
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) in the
5. Starting and driving section.
STOPPING VEHICLE
WARNING
•Be sure to apply the parking brake firmly.
•Be sure that P (Park) is engaged.
•Never change tires when the vehicle is on a
slope, ice or slippery area. This is hazard-
ous.
•Never change tires when the oncoming traf-
fic is close to your vehicle. Call for profes-
sional road assistance.
1. Safely move the vehicle off the road away from traffic.
2. Turn on the hazard indicator flasher lights.
3. Park on a level surface.
4. Apply the parking brake.
5. Press the P (Park) button.
6. Turn off the engine. 7. Open the hood and set up the triangle
reflector (if equipped):
•To warn other traffic.
•To signal professional road assistance
personnel that you need assistance.
8. Have all passengers get out of the vehicle and stand in a safe place, away from other
traffic and clear of the vehicle.
In case of emergency6-3
WARNING
Always follow the instructions below. Failure
to do so could result in damage to the charging
system and cause personal injury.1. If the booster battery is in another vehicle,
position the two vehicles to bring their bat-
teries near each other.
Do not allow the two vehicles to touch. 2. Check if the parking brake is applied.
If not, after connecting the vehicle with the
booster battery (after step 8), apply the
parking brake.
The vehicle has an electric parking brake, for
more information see, Parking brakein the
3. Pre-driving checks and adjustments sec-
tion
3. Press the P (Park) button.
4. Switch off all unnecessary electrical systems (headlights, hazard lights etc,).
5. Ensure that the ignition switch of the vehicle being jump-started is in the OFF position.
6. Open the hood. For details, see Hoodin the
3. Pre-driving checks and adjustments sec-
tion.
7. Remove the vent caps (if equipped) on the battery and cover the battery with an old
cloth.
8. Connect the jump leads in the sequence (
1→2→3→4) as illustrated.NDI1595
In case of emergency6-11
WARNING
•Do not continue to drive if your vehicle over-
heats. 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 hot. When the radiator or
coolant reservoir cap is removed, pressur-
ized hot water will spurt out, possibly caus-
ing serious injury.
•Do not open the hood if steam is coming out.
If the engine of your vehicle is overheating
(indicated by the engine coolant temperature
gauge) or if you feel a lack of engine power,
detect unusual noise, etc., proceed as follows:
1. Move and park the vehicle safely off the road and away from traffic.
2. Turn on the hazard warning flasher lights.
3. Apply the parking brake.
4. Press the P (Park) button. DO NOT STOP THE ENGINE.
5. Open all windows. 6. Switch off the air conditioner system (if
equipped).
7. Set the heater or air conditioner temperature control to maximum “HOT” and fan speed
control to maximum speed.
8. Exit the vehicle.
9. Visually inspect and listen for steam or coolant escaping from the radiator before
opening the hood.WARNING
If steam or water is coming from the engine,
stand clear to prevent getting burned.
10. Open the hood. For details, see Hoodin
the 3. Pre-driving checks and adjustments
section.
11. Visually check if the cooling fan is running.
12. Visually check the radiator and radiator hoses for leakage.
WARNING
Be careful not to allow your hands, hair, jew-
elry or clothing to come into contact with, or
get caught in, engine belts or the engine cool-
ing fan. The engine cooling fan can start at any
time.
13. After the engine cools down, check the coolant level in the engine coolant reservoir
with the engine running. Do not open the
radiator cap (if equipped).
14. If the level is low, remove the engine cool- ant reservoir cap and add coolant slowly
into the reservoir. After refilling the reser-
voir to the MAX level, install the reservoir
cap.
15. Close the hood.
Have your vehicle inspected or repaired. It is
recommended you visit an INFINITI retailer.
IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS
In case of emergency6-13
Temperature
High temperatures accelerate the rate of corro-
sion to those parts which are not well venti-
lated.
Air pollution
Industrial pollution, the presence of salt in the
air in coastal areas, or heavy road salt use
accelerates the corrosion process. Road salt
also accelerates the disintegration of paint sur-
faces.
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
surface and repair it as soon as possible.
•Keep drain holes in the lower edge of the
doors open to avoid water accumulation.
•Check the underbody for accumulation of
sand, dirt or salt. If present, wash with water
as soon as possible.
CAUTION
•NEVER remove dirt, sand or other debris
from the passenger compartment by wash-
ing it out with a hose. Remove dirt with a
vacuum cleaner or broom.
•Never allow water or other liquids to come in
contact with electronic components 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 peri-
odically.
For additional protection against rust and cor-
rosion, which may be required in some areas, it
is recommended that you visit an INFINITI re-
tailer.
Appearance and care7-7
8 Do-it-yourself
Maintenance precautions..................8-2
Engine compartment check locations ...........8-3
2.0L Gasoline engine .................. .8-3
Engine cooling system ................... .8-3
Checking engine coolant level .............8-4
Changing engine coolant ................8-4
Engine oil ........................... .8-5
Checking engine oil level ................8-5
Changing engine oil .................. .8-5
Changing engine oil filter ................8-6
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) ............8-7
Brake fluid .......................... .8-7
Window washer fluid .................... .8-8
Battery ............................ .8-9
Accessing Vehicle battery ...............8-10
Maintenance free battery ................8-10
Models with Idle Stop/Start System .........8-10
Battery replacement .................. .8-11
Reinitialisation procedure after battery
reconnection ...................... .8-12
Jump-starting ...................... .8-12
Drive belt .......................... .8-12
Spark plugs ..........................8-13
Air cleaner filter ...................... .8-13
Wiper blades .........................8-13 Cleaning
..........................8-13
Replacing front window wiper blades ........8-14
Replacing rear window wiper blade ..........8-15
Brakes ............................ .8-17
Self-adjusting brakes ..................8-17
Fuses ............................. .8-17
Before replacing a fuse .................8-17
Engine compartment .................. .8-17
Passenger compartment ................8-18
Intelligent key battery replacement ..........
.8-20
Checking the
battery ..................8-20
Replacing the battery ..................8-20
Lights ............................ .8-22
Exterior and interior lights ...............8-22
Replacement procedures ................8-24
Wheels and tires ..................... .8-26
Tire Pressure ...................... .8-26
Tire inflation pressure .................8-28
Tire labeling ...................... .8-28
Types of tires ..................... .8-30
Tire chains ....................... .8-31
Tire wear and damage .................8-31
Tire rotation ...................... .8-32
Replacing wheels and tires ..............8-32
Wheel balance ..................... .8-34
When performing any inspection or mainte-
nance work on your vehicle, always take care to
prevent serious accidental injury to yourself or
damage to the vehicle. The following are gen-
eral precautions which should be closely ob-
served.
WARNING
•Park the vehicle on a level surface, apply the
parking brake securely and block the
wheels to prevent the vehicle from moving.
Press the P (Park) button.
•Be sure the ignition switch is in the OFF
position when performing any parts re-
placement or repairs.
•Do not work under the hood while the en-
gine is hot. Always turn off the engine and
wait until it cools down.
•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 any jewelry, such as rings,
watches, etc. before working on your ve-
hicle.
•If you must run the engine in an enclosed
space such as a garage, be sure there is
proper ventilation for exhaust gases to es-
cape.
•Never get under the vehicle while it is sup-
ported by a jack.
•Keep smoking materials, flame and sparks
away from fuel and the battery.
•Never connect or disconnect either the bat-
tery or any transistorized component con-
nector while the ignition switch is in the ON
position.
•On gasoline engine models with the Multi-
port Fuel Injection system, the fuel filter and
fuel lines should be serviced by an INFINITI
retailer or qualified workshop because the
fuel lines are under high pressure even
when the engine is turned off.
•Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic
engine cooling fan. It may come on at any
time without warning, even if the ignition
switch is in the OFF position and the engine
is not running. To avoid injury, always dis-
connect the negative battery cable before
working near the fan.
•Always wear eye protection whenever you
work on your vehicle.
•Never leave the engine or the transmission
related component harness connector dis-
connected while the ignition switch is in the
ON position.
•Avoid direct contact with used engine oil
and coolant. Improperly disposed engine
oil, engine coolant, and/or other vehicle flu-
ids can hurt the environment. Always con-
form to local regulations for disposal of ve-
hicle fluids.
This “ 8. Do-it-yourself” section provides in-
structions regarding only those items which are
relatively easy for an owner to perform.
You should be aware that incomplete or im-
proper servicing may result in operating diffi-
culties or excessive emissions, and could affect
your warranty coverage. If in doubt about any
servicing, it is recommended you have it done by
an INFINITI retailer.
MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS
8-2Do-it-yourself
2.0L GASOLINE ENGINE
1. Engine coolant reservoir (P. 8-3)
2. Engine oil dipstick (P. 8-5)
3. Engine oil filler cap (P. 8-5)
4. Brake fluid reservoir (P. 8-7)5. Engine air cleaner filter (P. 8-13)
6. Battery (P. 8-9)
7. Fuse box (P. 8-17)
8. Window washer fluid reservoir (P. 8-8)
WARNING
The engine cooling system is filled at the fac-
tory with a high-quality, year-round, antifreeze
coolant solution. The antifreeze solution con-
tains rust and corrosion inhibitors, therefore
additional cooling system additives are not
necessary.
•Never remove the radiator or coolant reser-
voir cap when the engine is hot. Wait until
the engine and radiator cool down. Serious
burns could be caused by high-pressure
fluid escaping from the radiator. For addi-
tional information on precautions, refer to
If your vehicle overheats
in the6. In case
of emergency section
•The engine coolant reservoir tank is
equipped with a pressure type cap. To pre-
vent engine damage, use only a genuine
INFINITI pressure cap.
CAUTION
•Never use any cooling system additives
such as radiator sealer. Additives may clog
the cooling system and cause damage to
the engine, transmission and/or cooling
system.
NIC2833
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK
LOCATIONS ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
Do-it-yourself8-3