6.Avoid Idling
•Shutting off your engine when safe for
stops exceeding 30 seconds saves fuel
and reduces emissions.
7.Buy an Automated Pass for Toll Roads
•Automated passes permit drivers to use
special lanes to maintain cruising speed
through the toll and avoid stopping and
starting.
8.Winter Warm Up
•Limit idling time to minimize impact to
fuel economy.
•Vehicles typically need no more than 30
seconds of idling at start-up to effectively
circulate the engine oil before driving.
•Your vehicle will reach its ideal operating
temperature more quickly while driving
versus idling.
9.Keeping your Vehicle Cool
•Park your vehicle in a covered parking
area or in the shade whenever possible.
•When entering a hot vehicle, opening the
windows will help to reduce the inside
temperature faster, resulting in reduced
demand on your A/C system.
•Keep your engine tuned up.
•Follow the recommended scheduled mainte-
nance.
•Keep the tires inflated to the correct pres-
sure. Low tire pressure increases tire wear
and lowers fuel economy.
•Keep all the wheels in correct alignment.
Improper alignment increases tire wear and
lowers fuel economy.
•Use the recommended viscosity engine oil.
For additional information, seeRecom-
mended fluids/lubricants and capacitiesin
the10. Technical informationsection
WARNING
•Do not drive beyond the performance capa-
bility of the tires, even with 4WD engaged.
Accelerating quickly, sharp steering ma-
neuvers or sudden braking may cause loss
of control.
•Always use tires of the same type, size,
brand, construction (bias, bias-belted or ra-
dial), and tread pattern on all four wheels.
•This vehicle is not designed for off-road
(rough road) use. Do not drive on sandy or
muddy roads that tires may get stuck in.
•For 4WD equipped vehicles, do not attempt to
raise two wheels off the ground and shift the
transmission to any drive or reverse position
with the engine running. Doing so may result
in drivetrain damage or unexpected vehicle
movement which could result in serious ve-
hicle damage or personal injury.
•Do not attempt to test a 4WD equipped
vehicle on a 2-wheel dynamometer (such as
the dynamometers used by some states for
emissions testing) or similar equipment
even if the other two wheels are raised off
the ground. Make sure that you inform the
test facility personnel that your vehicle is
equipped with 4WD before it is placed on a
INCREASING FUEL ECONOMY FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) (IF EQUIPPED)
Starting and driving5-83
•Always use tires of the same type, size,
brand, construction and tread pattern on all
four 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.
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 capa-
bilities of studded snow tires on wet or dry
surfaces may be poorer than that of non-
studded snow tires.
Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) models
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.
8-32Do-it-yourself
released. When driving in areas using road salt
or other corrosive materials, check lubrication
frequently.
Lights*
:
Clean the headlights on a regular basis. Make
sure that the headlights, stop lights, tail lights,
turn signal lights, and other lights are all oper-
ating properly and installed securely. Also
check the aim of the headlights.
Road wheel nuts (lug nuts)*
:
When checking the tires, make sure no wheel
nuts are missing, and check for any loose wheel
nuts. Tighten if necessary.
Tire rotation*
:
Tires should be rotated every 5,000 miles
(8,000 km). Tires marked with directional indi-
cators can only be rotated between front and
rear. Make sure that the directional indicators
point in the direction of wheel rotation after the
tire rotation is completed.
Tires*
:
Check the pressure with a gauge often and
always prior to long distance trips. Adjust the
pressure in all tires to the pressure specified.
Check carefully for damage, cuts or excessive
wear.Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) trans-
mitter components
:
Replace the TPMS transmitter grommet seal,
valve core and cap when the tires are replaced
due to wear or age.
Wheel alignment and balance
:
If the vehicle should pull to either side while
driving on a straight and level road, or if you
detect uneven or abnormal tire wear, there may
be a need for wheel alignment.
If the steering wheel or seat vibrates at normal
highway speeds, wheel balancing may be
needed.
For additional information regarding tires, refer
to “Important Tire Safety Information” (US) or
“Tire Safety Information” (Canada) in the
INFINITI Warranty Information Booklet.
Windshield
:
Clean the windshield on a regular basis. Check
the windshield at least every six months for
cracks or other damage. Have a damaged wind-
shield repaired by a qualified repair facility.
Wiper blades*
:
Check for cracks or wear if not functioning
correctly. Replace as necessary.
Inside the vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
checked on a regular basis, such as when
performing scheduled maintenance, cleaning
the vehicle, etc.
Accelerator pedal
:
Check the pedal for smooth operation and make
sure that the pedal does not catch or require
uneven effort. Keep the floor mat away from the
pedal.
Automatic transmission P (Park) mechanism
:
On a fairly steep hill, check that your vehicle is
held securely when P (Park) has been activated,
without applying any brakes.
Brake pedal*
:
Check the pedal for smooth operation. If the
brake pedal suddenly goes down further than
normal, the pedal feels spongy or the vehicle
seems to take longer to stop, have your vehicle
checked immediately. It is recommended you
visit an INFINITI retailer for this service. Keep
the floor mat away from the pedal.
Brakes
:
Check that the brakes do not pull the vehicle to
one side when applied.
Maintenance and Schedules9-3