•The fuel should be unleaded and have an oc-
tane rating no lower than that recommended
for unleaded gasoline.
•If an oxygenate-blend, other than a methanol
blend, is used, it should contain no more than
10% oxygenate. (MTBE may, however, be
added up to 15%.)
•E-15 fuel contains more than 10% oxygenate.
E-15 fuel will adversely affect the emission
control devices and systems of the vehicle
and should not be used. Damage caused by
such 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 suit-
able amount of appropriate cosolvents and
corrosion inhibitors. If not properly formu-
lated with appropriate cosolvents and corro-
sion 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 driveability problems such as engine
stalling and difficult hot-starting are experi-
enced after using oxygenate-blend fuels, imme- diately change to a nonoxygenate 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 com-
mon 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. govern-
ment regulations require fuel ethanol dispens-
ing pumps to be identified by a small, square,
orange and black label with the common abbre-
viation or the appropriate percentage for that
region.
Fuel containing MMT
MMT, or methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tri-
carbonyl, is an octane boosting additive.
INFINITI does not recommend the use of fuel
containing MMT. Such fuel may adversely affect
vehicle performance, including the emissions
control system. Note that while some fuel
pumps label MMT content, not all do, so you
may have to consult your gasoline retailer for
more details.
Aftermarket fuel additives
INFINITI does not recommend the use of any
aftermarket fuel additives (Example: fuel injec-
tor cleaner, octane booster, intake valve de-
posit removers, etc.) which are sold commer-
cially. Many of these additives intended for
gum, varnish or deposit removal may contain
active solvent or similar ingredients that can be
harmful to the fuel system and engine.
Octane rating tips
Using unleaded gasoline with an octane rating
lower than recommended above can cause per-
sistent, 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
10-4Technical information
level roads, it is recommended you 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 and/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. It is
recommended you visit an INFINITI retailer.
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 engine load.
1API certification mark
2API service symbol
ENGINE OIL AND OIL FILTER
RECOMMENDATIONS
Selecting the correct oil
It is essential to choose the correct grade,
quality, and viscosity engine oil to ensure sat-
isfactory engine life and performance. For addi-
tional information, refer toRecommended
fluids/lubricants and capacities earlier in this
section. INFINITI recommends the use of an
energy conserving oil in order to improve fuel
economy.
Select only engine oils that meet the American
Petroleum Institute (API) certification or Interna-
tional Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee (ILSAC) certification and SAE viscos-
ity standard. These oils have the API certifica-
tion mark on the front of the container. Oils
which do not have the specified quality label
should not be used as they could cause engine
damage.
Oil additives
INFINITI does not recommend the use of oil
additives. The use of an oil additive is not
necessary when the proper oil type is used and
maintenance intervals are followed.
Oil which may contain foreign matter or has
been previously used should not be used.
Oil viscosity
The engine oil viscosity or thickness changes
with temperature. Because of this, it is impor-
tant that the engine oil viscosity be selected
based on the temperatures at which the vehicle
will be operated before the next oil change.
Choosing an oil viscosity other than that recom-
mended could cause serious engine damage.
Selecting the correct oil filter
Your new vehicle is equipped with a high—
quality genuine INFINITI oil filter. When replac-
ing, it is recommended you use the genuine oil
filter or its equivalent for the reason described
in “Change intervals”.
NTI326
Technical information10-5
