REMOVING SPOTS
Remove tar and oil spots, industrial dust, in-
sects, and tree sap as quickly as possible from
the paint surface to avoid lasting damage or
staining. Special cleaning products are avail-
able at an INFINITI retailer or any automotive
accessory store.
UNDERBODY
In areas where road salt is used in the winter, it
is necessary to clean the vehicle’s underbody
regularly in order to prevent dirt and salt from
building up and causing the acceleration of
corrosion on the underbody and suspension.
Before the winter and again in the spring, the
underseal must be checked and, if necessary,
re-treated.
GLASS
Use glass cleaner to remove smoke and dust
film from the glass surfaces. It is normal for
glass to become coated with a film after the
vehicle is parked in the hot sun. Glass cleaner
and a soft cloth will easily remove this film.
CAUTION
When cleaning the inside of the windows, do
not use sharp-edged tools, abrasive cleaners
or chlorine-based disinfectant cleaners. They
could damage the electrical conductors, radio
antenna elements or rear window defroster
elements.
WHEELS
•Wash the wheels when washing the vehicle
to maintain their appearance.
•Clean the inner side of the wheels when the
wheel is changed or the underside of the
vehicle is washed.
•Do not use abrasive cleaners when washing
the wheels.
•Inspect wheel rims regularly for dents or
corrosion. This may cause loss of pressure or
damage the tire bead.
•INFINITI recommends that the road wheels be
waxed to protect against road salt in areas
where it is used during winter.
ALUMINUM ALLOY WHEELS
Wash the wheels regularly with a sponge damp-
ened in a mild soap solution, especially during
winter in areas where road salt is used. The salt
residue from road salt could discolor the wheels
if it is not washed off regularly.
CAUTION
Follow the directions below to avoid staining
or discoloring the wheels:
•Do not use a cleaner that uses strong acid or
alkali contents to clean the wheels.
•Do not apply wheel cleaners to the wheels
when they are hot. The wheel temperature
should be the same as ambient tempera-
ture.
•Rinse the wheel to completely remove the
cleaner within 15 minutes after the cleaner
is applied.
CHROME PARTS
Clean all chrome parts regularly with a nonabra-
sive chrome polish to maintain the finish.
Appearance and care7-3
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
Rear light unit
1Tail light
2Turn signal light
3Brake light
4Tail light
5Reversing light
6Rear fog light (drivers side only)
REPLACEMENT PROCEDURES
LED lights (if so equipped)
The LED headlight is a projector style which
uses a LED module without serviceable parts. If
LED fog headlight , or any other LED light
replacement is required, it is recommended that
you visit an INFINITI retailer for this service.
Halogen headlight bulb
Fitting/removing the access cover on the front
wheel arch:
You must remove the cover of the front wheel
arch before you can change the halogen head-
light bulb.
To remove: switch off the lights, turn the steer-
ing so that the wheel behind the light in
question is pointing inwards . Slide cover
1up
and remove it.
To fit: inset cover
1again and slide it down
until it engages.
The headlight is a semi-sealed beam type which
uses a replaceable headlight (halogen) bulb. A
bulb can be replaced from inside the engine
compartment without removing the headlight
assembly. If you need assistance for bulb replacement, it
is recommended that you visit an INFINITI re-
tailer.
NDI1615NDI1626
8-24Do-it-yourself
Low/High beam Headlight bulb replacement:
1. Open the hood. For details, seeHoodin the
3. Pre-driving checks and adjustments sec-
tion.
2. Disconnect the negative (—) battery cable.
3. Remove the corresponding access cover from the wheel arch.
4. Turn housing cover
1counterclockwise and
remove it.
5. Turn bulb holder
2counterclockwise and
pull out
6. Take the headlight bulb out of bulb holder
2.
7. Insert the new bulb into bulb holder
2.
8. Insert bulb holder
2and turn it clockwise. 9. Press on housing cover
1and turn it to the
right.
10. Replace the cover in the front wheel arch
11. Reconnect the negative (—) battery cable and close the hood.
NOTE
Fog may temporarily form inside the lens of the
exterior lights in the rain or in a car wash. The
fog is caused by a temperature difference be-
tween the inside and the outside of the lens. This
is not a malfunction. If large droplets can be
seen, it is recommended that you visit an
INFINITI retailer.
Front turn signal light bulb
replacement (non-LED system only)
1. Open the hood. For details, see Hoodin the
3. Pre-driving checks and adjustments sec-
tion.
2. Disconnect the negative (—) battery cable.
3. Turn housing cover
1counterclockwise and
remove it.
4. Turn bulb holder
2counterclockwise and
pull out
5. Take the headlight bulb out of bulb holder
2.
6. Insert the new bulb into bulb holder
2.
7. Insert bulb holder
2and turn it clockwise.
NDI1611NDI1612
Do-it-yourself8-25
8. Press on housing cover1and turn it to the
right.
9. Reconnect the negative (—) battery cable and close the hood. If you have a flat tire, refer to
Flat tirein the6.
In case of emergency section.
TIRE PRESSURE
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
monitors tire pressure of all tires. When the low
tire pressure warning light is lit, one or more of
the tires is significantly under-inflated.
The TPMS will activate only when the vehicle is
driven at speeds above 16 MPH (25 km/h). Also,
this system may not detect a sudden drop in tire
pressure (for example a flat tire while driving).
For additional information, refer to Tire Pres-
sure Monitoring System (TPMS) in the
5. Starting and driving section.
Tire inflation pressure
Check the tire pressures (including the spare)
often and always prior to long distance trips.
The recommended tire pressure specifications
are shown on the F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. label or
the Tire and Loading Information label (if so
equipped) under the Cold Tire Pressure head-
ing. The Tire and Loading Information label is
affixed to the driver side center pillar. Tire pressures should be checked regularly be-
cause:
•Most tires naturally lose air over time.
•Tires can lose air suddenly when driven over
potholes or other objects or if the vehicle
strikes a curb while parking.
The tire pressures should be checked when the
tires are cold. The tires are considered COLD
after the vehicle has been parked for 3 or more
hours, or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km) at
moderate speeds.
WARNING
•Improperly inflated tires can fail suddenly
and cause an accident.
•The Gross Vehicle Weight rating (GVWR) is
located on the F.M.V.S. S./C.M.V.S.S. certi-
fication label. The vehicle weight capacity is
indicated on the Tire and Loading Informa-
tion label (if so equipped). Do not load your
vehicle beyond this capacity. Overloading
your vehicle may result in reduced tire life,
unsafe operating conditions due to prema-
ture tire failure, or unfavorable handling
characteristics and could also lead to a se-
rious accident. Loading beyond the speci-
fied capacity may also result in failure of
other vehicle components.
WHEELS AND TIRES
8-26Do-it-yourself
1Tire size (example: P215/60R16 94H)
1 P: The “P” indicates the tire is designed for passenger vehicles. (Not all tires have this
information.)
2 Three-digit number (215): This number gives the width in millimeters of the tire from
sidewall edge to sidewall edge.
3 Two-digit number (60): This number, known as the aspect ratio, gives the tire’s ratio of
height to width.
4 R: The “R” stands for radial.
5 Two-digit number (16): This number is the wheel or rim diameter in inches.
6 Two- or three-digit number (94): This number is the tire’s load index. It is a measurement of
how much weight each tire can support. You
may not find this information on all tires
because it is not required by law. 7 H: Tire speed rating. You should not drive the
vehicle faster than the tire speed rating.
2TIN (Tire Identification Number) for a new
tire (example: DOT XX XX XXX XXXX)
1 DOT: Abbreviation for the “Department of Transportation”. The symbol can be placed
above, below or to the left or right of the Tire
Identification Number.
2 Two-digit code: Manufacturer’s identification mark
3 Two-digit code: Tire size
4 Three-digit code: Tire type code (Optional)
5 Four numbers represent the week and year the tire was built. For example, the numbers
3103 means the 31st week of 2003. If these
numbers are missing, then look on the other
sidewall of the tire.
3Tire ply composition and material
The number of layers or plies of rubber-
coated fabric in the tire. Tire manufacturers
also must indicate the materials in the tire,
which include steel, nylon, polyester, and
others.
4Maximum permissible inflation pressure
This number is the greatest amount of air
pressure that should be put in the tire. Do
not exceed the maximum permissible infla-
tion pressure.
5Maximum load rating
This number indicates the maximum load in
kilograms and pounds that can be carried
by the tire. When replacing the tires on the
vehicle, always use a tire that has the same
load rating as the factory installed tire.
6Term of “tubeless” or “tube type”
Indicates whether the tire requires an inner
tube (“tube type”) or not (“tubeless”).
7The word “radial”
The word “radial” is shown, if the tire has
radial structure.
8Manufacturer or brand name”
Manufacturer or brand name is shown.
SDI1606ZExampleNDI1623Example
Do-it-yourself8-29
Other tire-related terminology:
In addition to the many terms that are defined
throughout this section, Intended Outboard
Sidewall is (1) the sidewall that contains a
whitewall, bears white lettering or bears manu-
facturer, brand and/or model name molding
that is higher or deeper than the same molding
on the other sidewall of the tire, or (2) the
outward facing sidewall of an asymmetrical tire
that has a particular side that must always face
outward when mounted on a vehicle.
TYPES OF TIRES
WARNING
•When changing or replacing tires, be sure
all four tires are of the same type (i.e, sum-
mer, all season or snow) and construction.
An INFINITI retailer may be able to help you
with information about tire type, size, speed
rating and availability.
•Replacement tires may have a lower speed
rating than the factory equipped tires, and
they may not match the potential maximum
vehicle speed. Never exceed the maximum
speed rating of the tire.
•Always use tires of the same type, size,
brand, construction and tread pattern on allfour wheels. Failure to do so may result in a
circumference difference between tires on
the front and rear axles which can cause the
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system to
malfunction resulting in personal injury or
death, excessive tire wear and may damage
the transmission, transfer case and differ-
ential gears.
•For additional information regarding tires,
refer to “Important Tire Safety Information”
(US) or “Tire Safety Information“ (Canada)
in the Warranty Information Booklet.
CAUTION
ONLY use spare tires specified for the model.
If excessive tire wear is found, it is recom-
mended that all four tires be replaced with tires
of the same size, brand, construction and tread
pattern. The tire pressure and wheel alignment
should also be checked and corrected as nec-
essary. It is recommended that you visit an
INFINITI retailer for this service.
All season tires
INFINITI specifies all season tires on some
models to provide good performance all year,
including snowy and icy road conditions. All season tires are identified by ALL SEASON
and/or M&S on the tire sidewall. Snow tires
have better snow traction than all season tires
and may be more appropriate in some areas.
Summer tires
INFINITI specifies summer tires on some models
to provide superior performance on dry roads.
Summer tire performance is substantially re-
duced in snow and ice. Summer tires do not
have the tire traction rating M&S on the tire
sidewall.
If you plan to operate your vehicle in snowy or
icy conditions, INFINITI recommends the use of
snow or all season tires on all four wheels.
Snow tires
If snow tires are needed, it is necessary to
select tires equivalent in size and load rating to
the original equipment tires. If you do not, it can
adversely affect the safety and handling of your
vehicle.
Generally, snow tires have lower speed ratings
than factory equipped tires and may not match
the potential maximum vehicle speed. Never
exceed the maximum speed rating of the tire. If
you install snow tires, they must be the same
size, brand, construction and tread pattern on
all four wheels.
8-30Do-it-yourself