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 pre-
vent the vehicle from rolling backwards on a
hill under all load or road conditions. Al-
ways be prepared to depress the brake
pedal to prevent 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 roll
away 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 protection. For
additional information, seeEngine cooling
systemin the8. Do-it-yourselfsection.
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
Batteryin the8. Do-it-yourselfsection 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, seeChanging engine
coolantin the8. Do-it-yourselfsection of this
manual.
HILL START ASSIST (HSA) COLD WEATHER DRIVING
Starting and driving5-93
In order to maintain the appearance of your
vehicle, it is important to take proper care of it.
To protect the paint surfaces, please wash your
vehicle as soon as you can:
•After a rainfall, to prevent possible damage
from acid rain.
•After driving on coastal roads.
•When contaminants such as soot, bird drop-
pings, tree sap, metal particles or bugs get
on the paint surface.
•When dust or mud builds up on the surface.
Whenever possible, park your vehicle inside a
garage or in a covered area to minimize the
chances of damaging the paint surface of your
vehicle.
When it is necessary to park outside, park in a
shady area or protect the vehicle with a body
cover.Be careful not to scratch the paint surface
when putting on or removing the body cover.
WASHING
Wash dirt off with a wet sponge and plenty of
water. Clean the vehicle thoroughly using a mild
soap, a special vehicle soap or general purpose
dishwashing liquid mixed with clean, lukewarm
(never hot) water.
CAUTION
•Do not use car washes that use acid in the
detergent. Some car washes, especially
brushless ones, use some acid for cleaning.
The acid may react with some plastic vehicle
components, causing them to crack. This
could affect their appearance, and also
could cause them not to function properly.
Always check with your car wash to confirm
that acid is not used.
•Do not wash the vehicle with strong house-
hold soap, strong chemical detergents,
gasoline or solvents.
•Do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight or
while the vehicle body is hot, as the paint
surface may become water-spotted.
•Avoid using tight-napped or rough cloths,
such as washing mitts. Care must be taken
when removing caked-on dirt or other for-
eign substances so the paint surface is not
scratched or damaged.
Rinse the vehicle thoroughly with plenty of
clean water.
Inside edges, seams and folds on the doors,
hatches and hood are particularly vulnerable to
the effects of road salt. Therefore, these areasmust be cleaned regularly. Take care that the
drain holes in the lower edge of the door are
open. Spray water under the body and in the
wheel wells to loosen the dirt and wash away
road salt.
A damp chamois can be used to dry the vehicle
to avoid water spots.
WAXING
Regular waxing protects the paint surface and
helps maintain a new vehicle appearance.
After waxing, polishing is recommended to re-
move built-up residue and to avoid a weathered
appearance.
An INFINITI retailer can assist you in choosing
the appropriate waxing products.
•Wax your vehicle only after a thorough
washing. Follow the instructions supplied
with the wax.
•Do not use a wax containing any abrasives,
cutting compounds or cleaners that may
damage the vehicle finish.
Machine compounding or aggressive polishing
on a base coat/clear coat paint finish may dull
the finish or leave swirl marks.
CLEANING EXTERIOR
7-2Appearance and care
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
MOST COMMON FACTORS
CONTRIBUTING TO VEHICLE
CORROSION
Most vehicle corrosion is caused by:
•The accumulation of moisture-retaining dirt
and debris in body panel sections, cavities,
and other areas.
•Damage to the paint surface and other
protective coatings caused by gravel and
stone chips or minor traffic accidents.
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS INFLUENCE
THE RATE OF CORROSION
Moisture
The accumulation of sand, dirt and water on the
inside floor of the vehicle can accelerate corro-
sion. Wet floor carpet/floor mats will not dry
completely inside the vehicle. They should be
removed and completely dried to avoid floor
panel corrosion.
Relative humidity
Corrosion will be accelerated in areas of high
relative humidity, especially those areas where
the temperatures stay above freezing and
where atmospheric pollution exists and road
salt is used.
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 in-
side 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.
CORROSION PROTECTION
Appearance and care7-7
4. Repeatedly tap the key against your palm
until battery
1falls out.5. Insert the new battery with the positive
terminal facing upwards. Use a lint-free cloth
to do so.
6. Make sure that the surface of the battery is
free of lint, grease and other contamination.
7. Insert the front tabs of battery cover
1and
then press to close it.
8. Insert emergency key element into the key
(seeMechanical keyin the3. Pre-driving
checks and adjustmentssection).
9. Check the function of all key buttons on the
vehicle.
If you need assistance with replacement, it is
recommended that you visit an INFINITI retailer
for this service.FCC Notice:
For USA:
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC
Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) This device may not cause harm-
ful interference, and (2) this device must accept
any interference received, including interfer-
ence that may cause undesired operation.
NOTE
Changes or modifications not expressly ap-
proved by the party responsible for compliance
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
For Canada:
This device complies with Industry Canada
license-exempt RSS standard(s). Operation is
subject to the following two conditions: (1) this
device may not cause interference, and (2) this
device must accept any interference, including
interference that may cause undesired opera-
tion of the device.
NPA1473SPA0784Z
Do-it-yourself8-21
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.
Low/High beam Headlight bulb replacement
:
1. Open the hood. For details, seeHoodin
the3. Pre-driving checks and adjustments
section.
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.
NDI1626NDI1611
Do-it-yourself8-25
Some day-to-day and regular maintenance is
essential to maintain your vehicle’s good me-
chanical condition, as well as its emission and
engine performance.
It is the owner’s responsibility to make sure that
the specified maintenance, as well as general
maintenance, is performed.
As the vehicle owner, you are the only one who
can ensure that your vehicle receives the proper
maintenance care. You are a vital link in the
maintenance chain.
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
General maintenance includes those items
which should be checked during normal day-to-
day operation of the vehicle. They are essential
if your vehicle is to continue to operate prop-
erly. It is your responsibility to perform these
procedures regularly as prescribed.
Performing general maintenance checks re-
quires minimal mechanical skill and only a few
general automotive tools.
These checks and inspections can be done by
yourself, a qualified technician, or if you prefer,
an INFINITI retailer.
SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE
The maintenance items listed underMainte-
nance scheduleslater in this section are re-
quired to be serviced at regular intervals. How-
ever under severe driving conditions, additional
or more frequent maintenance will be required.
WHERE TO GO FOR SERVICE
If maintenance service is required or your ve-
hicle appears to malfunction, have the systems
checked and serviced. It is recommended you
visit an INFINITI retailer for this service.
INFINITI technicians are well-trained specialists
and are kept up to date with the latest service
information through technical bulletins, service
tips and training programs. They are completely
qualified to work on INFINITI vehiclesbefore
work begins.
You can be confident that an INFINITI retailer’s
service department can perform the service
needed to meet the maintenance requirements
on your vehicle.During normal day-to-day operation of the ve-
hicle, general maintenance should be per-
formed regularly as prescribed in this section. If
you detect any unusual sounds, vibrations or
smells, be sure to check for the cause or have
an INFINITI retailer do it promptly. In addition, it
is recommended you notify an INFINITI retailer if
you think that repairs are required.
When performing any checks or maintenance
work, closely observeExplanation of general
maintenance itemslater in this section.
EXPLANATION OF GENERAL
MAINTENANCE ITEMS
Additional information on the following items
with “*” is found later in the “Do-it-yourself”
section of this manual.
Outside the vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
performed from time to time, unless otherwise
specified.
Doors and engine hood
:
Check that all doors, the lift gate and the engine
hood operate smoothly. Also make sure that all
latches lock securely. Lubricate if necessary.
Make sure that the secondary latch keeps the
hood from opening when the primary latch is
MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS GENERAL MAINTENANCE
9-2Maintenance and Schedules
Steering gear and linkage, axle and suspension
parts, drive shaft boots:
Check for damage, looseness, and leakage of
oil or grease. Under severe driving conditions,
inspect more frequently
Tire rotation:
Tires should be rotated every 6,000 miles
(10,000 km) for 2WD, every 3000 miles (5000
km) for 4WD/AWD according to the instructions
underTire rotation*earlier in this section“Ge-
neral maintenance” in this section. When rotat-
ing tires, check for damage and uneven wear.
Replace if necessary.
Transmission fluid/oil, differential oil, transfer
case oil:
Visually inspect for signs of leakage at specified
intervals.To ensure smooth, trouble-free, safe and eco-
nomical driving, INFINITI provides two mainte-
nance schedules that may be used, depending
upon the conditions in which you usually drive.
These schedules contain both distance and
time intervals, up to 120,000 miles (192,000
km)/144 months. For most people, the odom-
eter reading will indicate when service is
needed. However, if you drive very little, your
vehicle should be serviced at the regular time
intervals shown in the schedule.
After 120,000 miles (192,000 km)/144 months,
continue maintenance at the same mileage/time
intervals.
ADDITIONAL MAINTENANCE ITEMS
FOR SEVERE OPERATING SYSTEMS
Additional maintenance items for severe oper-
ating conditions; should be performed on ve-
hicles that are driven under especially demand-
ing conditions. Additional maintenance items
should be performed if you primarily operate
your vehicle under the following conditions:
•Repeated short trips of less than 5 miles in
normal temperatures or less than 10 miles in
freezing temperatures.
•Stop-and-go traffic in hot weather or low
speed driving for long distances.
•Driving in dusty conditions or on rough,
muddy or salt-spread roads.
•Towing a trailer, or using a camper or car-top
carrier.
OIL CHANGE MONITOR
This vehicle is equipped with oil change moni-
tor. It calculates engine oil and filter change
interval base on driving conditions. Driving in
severe conditions will shorten the engine oil
and filter change interval. When the Engine Oil
– Service Due Now warning appears in the
vehicle information display, the engine oil and
filter need to be replaced.
NOTE
For vehicles operated in Canada, both standard
and severe maintenance items should be per-
formed at every interval.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
Maintenance and Schedules9-7