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
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
10 Technical information
Recommended fluids/lubricants and capacities . . . .10-2Fuel recommendation ..................10-3
Engine oil and oil filter recommendations ......10-5
Air conditioner system refrigerant and oil
recommendations ................... .10-6
Engine specifications ................... .10-7
Wheels and Tires ..................... .10-8
Dimensions ..........................10-8
When traveling or registering in another country . . .10-9
Vehicle identification ................... .10-9
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate ......10-9
Vehicle identification number (chassis number) .10-10
Engine serial number .................10-10
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. Certification label ......10-10
Emission control information label ..........10-11
Tire and loading information label ..........10-11
Air conditioner specification label ..........10-11Installing front license plate
...............10-12
Vehicle loading information ................10-13
TERMS ..........................10-13
Vehicle load capacity .................10-14
Loading tips ...................... .10-15
Measurement of weights ...............10-15
Trailer towing ....................... .10-15
Uniform tire quality grading ...............10-16
Treadwear ....................... .10-16
Traction AA, A, B and C ................10-16
Temperature A, B and C ................10-16
Emission control system warranty ............10-17
Reporting safety defects ..................10-17
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M) test . . .10-18
Event data recorders (EDR) (if so equipped) ......10-19
Owner’s manual/service manual order information . .10-19
DOT (Department Of Transportation) Quality
Grades: All passenger car tires must conform to
federal safety requirements in addition to these
grades.
Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
TREADWEAR
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half (1 1/2) times
as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteristics
and climate.
TRACTION AA, A, B AND C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B and C. Those grades represent the
tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as mea-
sured under controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asphalt and con-
crete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration, cor-
nering, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
TEMPERATURE A, B AND C
The temperature grades A (the highest), B, and
C, representing the tire’s resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the ma-
terial of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire
life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to
a level of performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A rep-
resent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum re-
quired by law.
WARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is estab-
lished for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, under-inflation,
or excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat build-up and pos-
sible tire failure.
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
10-16Technical information