8 Do-it-yourself
Maintenance precautions...........................8-2
Engine compartment check locations ................8-3
Engine cooling system .............................8-4
Checking engine coolant level ...................8-5
Changing engine coolant ........................8-5
Engine oil .........................................8-6
Checking engine oil level ........................8-6
Changing engine oil ............................8-7
Changing engine oil filter ........................8-8
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) fluid .......8-9
Power steering fluid ................................8-9
Brake fluid ....................................... 8-10
Windshield-washer fluid ........................... 8-10
Windshield-washer fluid reservoir ...............8-10
Battery .......................................... 8-11
Jump starting ................................. 8-13
Drive belt ........................................ 8-13
Spark plugs ...................................... 8-14
Replacing spark plugs ......................... 8-14
Air cleaner ....................................... 8-14In-cabin microfilter
............................. 8-15
Windshield wiper blades .......................... 8-15
Cleaning ..................................... 8-15
Replacing .................................... 8-15
Brakes .......................................... 8-17
Fuses ........................................... 8-18
Engine compartment ........................... 8-18
Passenger compartment .......................8-19
Battery replacement .............................. 8-20
INFINITI Intelligent Key ......................... 8-20
Lights ........................................... 8-22
Headlights .................................... 8-22
Fog lights ..................................... 8-22
Exterior and interior lights .......................8-22
Wheels and tires ................................. 8-24
Tire pressure .................................. 8-24
Tire labeling ................................... 8-28
Types of tires .................................. 8-30
Tire chains .................................... 8-31
Changing
wheels and tires ..................... 8-32
VQ35DD engine
1. Power steering fluid reservoir
2. Engine coolant reservoir
3. Drive belt location
4. Fuse box
5. Engine oil filler cap
6. Brake fluid reservoir
7. Air cleaner
8. Fuse box
9. Fuse/Fusible link box
10. Fuse/Fusible link box
11. Battery
12. Engine oil dipstick
13. Radiator cap
14. Windshield-washer fluid reservoir
NOTE:
Engine cover removed for clarity.
LDI3012
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK
LOCATIONS
Do-it-yourself8-3
CHANGING ENGINE OIL
WARNING
●Prolonged and repeated contact with
used engine oil may cause skin cancer. ●
Try to avoid direct skin contact with
used oil. If skin contact is made, wash
thoroughly with soap or hand cleaner as
soon as possible.
● Keep used engine oil out of reach of
children.
CAUTION
Be careful not to burn yourself. The engine
oil may be hot.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and apply the parking brake.
2. Start the engine and let it idle until it reaches operating temperature, then turn it off.
3. Remove the oil filler cap
Aby turning it
counterclockwise.
4. Place a large drain pan under the drain plug
B.
5. Remove the drain plug
Bwith a wrench by
turning it counterclockwise and completely
drain the oil.
If the oil filter is to be changed, remove and
replace it at this time. For additional informa-
tion, refer to “Changing engine oil filter” in
this section. ●
Waste oil must be disposed of prop-
erly.
● Check your local regulations.
6. Clean and reinstall the drain plug and a new washer. Securely tighten the drain plug with
a wrench. Do not use excessive force.
Drain plug tightening torque: 25 ft-lb (34 N·m)
7. Refill engine with recommended oil through the oil filler opening, then install the oil filler
cap securely.
For additional information on drain and refill
capacity, refer to “Recommended
fluids/lubricants and capacities” in the
“Technical and consumer information” sec-
tion of this manual.
The drain and refill capacity depends on the
oil temperature and drain time. Use these
specifications for reference only. Always use
the dipstick to determine when the proper
amount of oil is in the engine.
8. Start the engine. Check for leakage around the drain plug and oil filter. Correct as re-
quired.
9. Turn the engine off and wait more than 10 minutes. Check the oil level with the
dipstick. Add engine oil if necessary.LDI2937
Do-it-yourself8-7
WARNING
●Use only new fluid from a sealed con-
tainer. Old, inferior or contaminated
fluid may damage the brake system.
The use of improper fluids can damage
the brake system and affect the vehi-
cle’s stopping ability.
● Clean the filler cap before removing.
● Brake fluid is poisonous and should be
stored carefully in marked containers
out of reach of children.
CAUTION
Do not spill the fluid on any painted sur-
faces. This will damage the paint. If fluid is
spilled, immediately wash the surface with
water.
Check the fluid level in the reservoir. If the brake
fluid is below the MIN line
B, the brake warning
light will illuminate. Add brake fluid up to the MAX
line
A. For additional information on the recom-
mended type of brake fluid, refer to “Recom-
mended fluids/lubricants and capacities” in the
“Technical and consumer information” section of
this manual.
If the brake fluid must be added frequently, the
brake system should be thoroughly checked. It is
recommended that you visit an INFINITI retailer
for this service.
For additional information on the location of the
brake fluid reservoir, refer to “Engine compart-
ment check locations” in this section.
WINDSHIELD-WASHER FLUID
RESERVOIR
Fill the windshield-washer fluid reservoir periodi-
cally. Add windshield-washer fluid when the low
windshield-washer fluid warning light comes on.
To fill the windshield-washer fluid reservoir, lift
the cap off the reservoir and pour the windshield-
washer fluid into the reservoir opening.
Add a washer solvent to the washer for better
cleaning. In the winter season, add a windshield-
washer antifreeze. Follow the manufacturer’s in-
structions for the mixture ratio.
LDI2463LDI2583
BRAKE FLUID WINDSHIELD-WASHER FLUID
8-10Do-it-yourself
Refill the reservoir more frequently when driving
conditions require an increased amount of
windshield-washer fluid.
Recommended fluid is Genuine NISSAN Wind-
shield Washer Concentrate Cleaner & Antifreeze
or equivalent.
CAUTION
●Do not substitute engine antifreeze
coolant for windshield-washer fluid.
This may result in damage to the paint.
● Do not fill the windshield-washer fluid
reservoir with washer fluid concen-
trates at full strength. Some methyl al-
cohol based washer fluid concentrates
may permanently stain the grille if
spilled while filling the windshield-
washer fluid reservoir.
● Pre-mix washer fluid concentrates with
water to the manufacturer’s recom-
mended levels before pouring the fluid
into the windshield-washer fluid reser-
voir. Do not use the windshield-washer
fluid reservoir to mix the washer fluid
concentrate and water. ●
Keep the battery surface clean and dry.
Clean the battery with a solution of baking
soda and water.
● Make certain the terminal connections are
clean and securely tightened.
● If the vehicle is not to be used for 30 days or
longer, disconnect the negative (-) battery
terminal cable to prevent discharge.
NOTE:
Care should be taken to avoid situations
that can lead to potential battery discharge
and potential no-start conditions such as: 1. Installation or extended use of electronic accessories that consume battery power
when the engine is not running (Phone char-
gers, GPS, DVD players, etc) .
2. Vehicle is not driven regularly and/or only driven short distances. In these cases, the
battery may need to be charged to maintain
battery health.
WARNING
●Do not expose the battery to flames, an
electrical spark or a cigarette. Hydrogen
gas generated by the battery is explo-
sive. Explosive gases can cause blind-
ness or injury. Do not allow battery fluid
to contact your skin, eyes, fabrics or
painted surfaces. Sulfuric acid can
cause blindness or injury. After touch-
ing a battery or battery cap, do not
touch or rub your eyes. Thoroughly
wash your hands. If the acid contacts
your eyes, skin or clothing, immediately
flush with water for at least 15 minutes
and seek medical attention.
● Do not operate the vehicle if the fluid in
the battery is low. Low battery fluid can
cause a higher load on the battery
which can generate heat, reduce battery
life, and in some cases lead to an
explosion.
● When working on or near a battery, al-
ways wear suitable eye protection and
remove all jewelry.
● Battery posts, terminals and related ac-
cessories contain lead and lead com-
pounds. Wash hands after handling.
BATTERY
Do-it-yourself8-11
curely in every position. Check that the head
restraints/headrests move up and down
smoothly and the locks (if so equipped) hold
securely in all latched positions.
Steering wheel:Check for changes in the
steering system, such as excessive free play,
hard steering or strange noises.
Warning lights and chimes: Make sure all
warning lights and chimes are operating properly.
Windshield defroster: Check that the air
comes out of the defroster outlets properly and in
sufficient quantity when operating the heater or
air conditioner.
Windshield wiper and washer*: Check that
the wipers and washer operate properly and that
the wipers do not streak.
Under the hood and vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
checked periodically (for example, each time you
check the engine oil or refuel) .
Battery*: Check the fluid level in each cell. The
fluid should be at the bottom of the filler opening.
Vehicles operated in high temperatures or under
severe conditions require frequent checks of the
battery fluid level. NOTE:
Care should be taken to avoid situations
that can lead to potential battery discharge
and potential no-start conditions such as:
1. Installation or extended use of elec-
tronic accessories that consume bat-
tery power when the engine is not run-
ning (Phone chargers, GPS, DVD
players, etc.) .
2. Vehicle is not driven regularly and/or
only driven short distances.
In these cases, the battery may need to be
charged to maintain battery health.
Brake fluid level*: Make sure that the brake
fluid level is between the MAX and MIN lines on
the reservoir.
Engine coolant level*: Check the coolant level
when the engine is cold.
Engine drive belts*: Make sure the drive belts
are not frayed, worn, cracked or oily.
Engine oil level*: Check the level after parking
the vehicle on a level spot and turning off the
engine. Wait more than 15 minutes for the oil to
drain back into the oil pan. Exhaust system:
Make sure there are no loose
supports, cracks or holes. If the sound of the
exhaust seems unusual or there is a smell of
exhaust fumes, immediately have the exhaust
system inspected. It is recommended that you
visit an INFINITI retailer for this service. For addi-
tional information, refer to “Exhaust gas (carbon
monoxide)” in the “Starting and driving” section of
this manual.
Fluid leaks: Check under the vehicle for fuel, oil,
water or other fluid leaks after the vehicle has
been parked for a while. Water dripping from the
air conditioner after use is normal. If you should
notice any leaks or if fuel fumes are evident,
check for the cause and have it corrected imme-
diately.
Power steering fluid level* and lines: Check
the level when the fluid is cold, with the engine
off. Check the lines for proper attachment, leaks,
cracks, etc.
Radiator and hoses: Check the front of the
radiator and clean off any dirt, insects, leaves,
etc., that may have accumulated. Make sure the
hoses have no cracks, deformation, rot or loose
connections.
9-4Maintenance and schedules
Underbody:The underbody is frequently ex-
posed to corrosive substances such as those
used on icy roads or to control dust. It is very
important to remove these substances, other-
wise rust may form on the floor pan, frame, fuel
lines and around the exhaust system. At the end
of winter, the underbody should be thoroughly
flushed with plain water, being careful to clean
those areas where mud and dirt may accumulate.
For additional information, refer to the “Appear-
ance and care” section of this manual.
Windshield-washer fluid*: Check that there is
adequate fluid in the reservoir. The following descriptions are provided to give
you a better understanding of the scheduled
maintenance items that should be regularly
checked or replaced. The maintenance schedule
indicates at which mileage/time intervals each
item requires service.
In addition to scheduled maintenance, your ve-
hicle requires that some items be checked during
normal day-to-day operation. For additional infor-
mation, refer to “General maintenance” in this
section.
Items marked with
“*”are recommended by
INFINITI for reliable vehicle operation. You are not
required to perform maintenance on these items
in order to maintain the warranties which come
with your INFINITI. Other maintenance items and
intervals are required.
When applicable, additional information can be
found in the “Do-it-yourself” section of this
manual. NOTE:
INFINITI does not advocate the use of non-
OEM approved aftermarket flushing sys-
tems and strongly advises against perform-
ing these services on an INFINITI product.
Many of the aftermarket flushing systems
use non-OEM approved chemicals or sol-
vents, the use of which has not been vali-
dated by INFINITI.
For recommended fuel, lubricants, fluids,
grease, and refrigerant, refer to “Recom-
mended fluids/lubricants and capacities”
in the “Technical and consumer informa-
tion” section of this manual.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
MAINTENANCE:
Drive belts*:
Check engine drive belts for wear, fraying or
cracking and for proper tension. Replace any
damaged drive belts.
Engine air filter:
Replace at specified intervals. When driving for
prolonged periods in dusty conditions,
check/replace the filter more frequently.
EXPLANATION OF SCHEDULED
MAINTENANCE ITEMS
Maintenance and schedules9-5
Fluid typeCapacity (Approximate)Recommended Fluids/Lubricants
Metric
Measure US Measure
Imperial Measure
Differential gear oil —— —• Genuine NISSAN Differential Oil Hypoid Super
Semi-synthetic API GL-5, Viscosity SAE
75W-90
• The use of differential gear oil other than the
specified may cause vehicle malfunctions and
result in non-warranty vehicle repairs.
Transfer oil —— —• Genuine NISSAN Differential Oil Hypoid Super
GL-5 80W-90 or equivalent conventional (non-
synthetic) oil
Brake fluid —— —• Genuine NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake
Fluid*2 or equivalent DOT 3
*2: Available in mainland USA through an
INFINITI retailer.
Multi-purpose grease —— —• NLGI No. 2 (Lithium Soap base)
Air conditioning system refrigerant —— —• HFC-134a (R-134a)
• For additional information, refer to “Air condi-
tioner system refrigerant and oil recommenda-
tions” in this section.
Air conditioning system oil —— —• Genuine NISSAN A/C System Oil Type PAG
or equivalent
• For additional information, refer to “Air condi-
tioner system refrigerant and oil recommenda-
tions” in this section.
Windshield-washer fluid 5 L1-3/8 gal 1-1/8 gal• Genuine NISSAN Windshield Washer Con-
centrate Cleaner & Antifreeze fluid or equivalent
Technical and consumer information10-3