Engine
MessagePossible causes/consequences and solutions
[Check Coolant Level See
Operators Manual] The coolant level is too low.CAUTIONAvoid making long journeys with too little coolant in the engine cooling system. The engine will otherwise be damaged.
Top up the coolant, observing the warning notes before doing so (see
If your vehicle overheatsin the6. In case of emergency
section).
If the coolant needs topping up more often than usual. have the engine coolant system checked. It is recommended you visit an INFINITI
retailer for this service.
The fan motor is faulty.
If the coolant temperature is below 250oF (120oC), you can continue driving to the nearest place you can have the system checked.
It is recommended that you visit an INFINITI retailer for this service.
Avoid putting the engine under heavy load as you do so, e.g. driving in mountainous terrain and stop-start traffic.
Instruments and controls2-43
MessagePossible causes/consequences and solutions
[Coolant Too Hot Stop Vehicle
Turn Engine Off] The coolant is too hot.
A warning tone also sounds.
CAUTIONIf the gauge indicates coolant temperature near the hot (H) end of the normal range, reduce vehicle speed to decrease temperature. If the
gauge is over the normal range, stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible. If the engine is overheated, continued operation of the vehicle
may seriously damage the engine. For additional information, refer to
If your vehicle overheatsin the6. In case of emergency section
for immediate action required.
1. Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traffic conditions, and switch off the engine.
2. Secure the vehicle against rolling away
3. Wait until the engine has cooled down.
4. Make sure that the air supply to the engine radiator is not blocked, e.g. by frozen slush.
5. Do not start the engine again until the display message goes out and the coolant temperature is below 120
oC. The engine may
otherwise be damaged.
6. Pay attention to the coolant temperature display.
7. If the temperature increases again, have the system checked immediately. It is recommended you visit an INFINITI retailer for this service.
Under normal operating conditions and with the specified coolant level, the coolant temperature may rise to 250
oF (120oC).
See If your vehicle overheats in the6. In case of emergency section.
[See Operator’s Manual] The battery is not being charged.
A warning tone also sounds.
Possible causes:
•Faulty alternator.•Torn poly-V-belt.•A malfunction in the electronics.
CAUTIONDo not continue driving. The engine could otherwise overheat.
1. Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traffic conditions, and switch off the engine.
2. Secure the vehicle against rolling away
3. Have the system checked. It is recommended you visit an INFINITI retailer for this service.
2-44Instruments and controls
Cold weather driving................... .5-93
Freeing a frozen door lock ...............5-93
Antifreeze .........................5-93
Battery .......................... .5-93Draining of engine coolant
...............5-93
Tire equipment ..................... .5-94
Special winter equipment ...............5-94
Driving on snow or ice .................5-94
WARNING
•Never rely solely on the Hill Start Assist
(HSA) system to prevent the vehicle from
moving backward on a hill. Always drive
carefully and attentively. Depress the brake
pedal when the vehicle is stopped on a
steep hill. Be especially careful when
stopped on a hill on frozen or muddy roads.
Failure to prevent the vehicle from rolling
backwards may result in a loss of control of
the vehicle and possible serious injury or
death.
•The Hill Start Assist system is not designed
to hold the vehicle at a standstill on a hill.
Depress the brake pedal when the vehicle is
stopped on a steep hill. Failure to do so may
cause the vehicle to roll backwards and may
result in a collision or serious personal in-
jury.
•The Hill Start Assist system may not prevent
the vehicle from rolling backwards on a hill
under all load or road conditions. Always be
prepared to depress the brake pedal to pre-
vent the vehicle from rolling backwards.
Failure to do so may result in a collision or
serious personal injury.
•After a short time, hill start assist will no
longer brake your vehicle and it could rollaway There is a risk of an accident and in-
jury. Therefore, quickly move your foot from
the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal.
Never leave the vehicle when it is held by
hill start assist.
Hill start assist helps you when pulling away
forwards or in reverse on an uphill gradient. It
holds the vehicle for a short time after you have
removed your foot from the brake pedal. This
gives you enough time to move your foot from
the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal and
depress it before the vehicle begins to roll.
Hill start assist is not active if
•You are pulling away on a level road or a
downhill gradient.
•On vehicles with automatic transmission, the
transmission is in position N.
•The electric parking brake is applied.
•VDC is malfunctioning.
FREEING A FROZEN DOOR LOCK
To prevent a door lock from freezing, apply
deicer through the key hole. If the lock becomes
frozen, heat the key before inserting it into the
key hole, or use the INFINITI Intelligent Key.
ANTIFREEZE
In the winter when it is anticipated that the
temperature will drop below 32°F (0°C), check
the antifreeze to assure proper winter protec-
tion. For additional information, see Engine
cooling system in the8. Do-it-yourself sec-
tion.
BATTERY
If the battery is not fully charged during ex-
tremely cold weather conditions, the battery
fluid may freeze and damage the battery. To
maintain maximum efficiency, the battery
should be checked regularly. For details, see
Battery in the8. Do-it-yourself section of this
manual.
DRAINING OF ENGINE COOLANT
If the vehicle is to be left outside without
antifreeze, drain the cooling system, including
the engine block. Refill before operating the
vehicle. For details, see Changing engine
HILL START ASSIST (HSA) COLD WEATHER DRIVING
Starting and driving5-93
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
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