.Do not use a wax containing any abra-
sives, cutting compounds or cleaners
that may damage the vehicle finish.
Machine compound or aggressive polishing
on a base coat/clear coat paint finish may
dull the finish or leave swirl marks.
REMOVING SPOTS
Remove tar and oil spots, industrial dust,
insects, and tree sap as quickly as possible
from the paint surface to avoid lasting
damage or staining. Special cleaning pro-
ducts are available at an INFINITI retailer or
any automotive accessory stores.
UNDERBODY
In areas where road salt is used in winter, the
underbody must be cleaned regularly. This
will prevent dirt and salt from building up
and causing the acceleration of corrosion on
the underbody and suspension. Before the
winter period 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 win-
dows, do not use sharp-edged tools,
abrasive cleaners or chlorine-based dis-
infectant cleaners. They could damage
the electrical conductors, radio antenna
elements or rear window defroster ele-
ments.
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.
.Inspect wheel rims regularly for dents or
corrosion. Such damage may cause loss
of pressure or poor seal at the tire bead.
.INFINITI recommends that the road
wheels be waxed to protect against road
salt in areas where it is used duringwinter.
CAUTION
Do not use abrasive cleaners when
washing the wheels.
Aluminum alloy wheels
Wash regularly with a sponge dampened in a
mild soap solution, especially during winter
months in areas where road salt is used. Salt
could discolor the wheels if not removed.
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 temperature.
.Rinse the wheel to completely re-
move the cleaner within 15 minutes
after the cleaner is applied.
Appearance and care7-3
8 Do-it-yourself
Maintenance precautions ................................................ 8-3
Engine compartment check locations .......................... 8-4
VR30DDTT engine....................................................... 8-4
2.0L turbo gasoline engine........................................ 8-5
Engine cooling system (for VR30DDTT
engine models).................................................................... 8-6
Checking engine coolant level ................................. 8-7
Changing engine coolant............................................ 8-7
Engine cooling system (for 2.0L turbo gasoline
engine models).................................................................... 8-8
Checking engine coolant level................................... 8-8
Changing engine coolant............................................ 8-9
Intercooler cooling system (for VR30DDTT
engine models).................................................................... 8-9
Checking intercooler coolant level........................ 8-10
Changing intercooler coolant................................. 8-10
Engine oil........................................................................... 8-10
Checking engine oil level .......................................... 8-11
Changing engine oil and filter................................. 8-11
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF).......................... 8-13
Power steering fluid (models with hydraulic pump
electric power steering).................................................. 8-14
Brake fluid.......................................................................... 8-14
Window washer fluid...................................................... 8-15Battery................................................................................ 8-16
Main battery location.............................................. 8-17
Auxiliary battery location
(for 2.0L turbo gasoline engine models) ........... 8-17
Checking battery fluid level................................... 8-18
Jump starting............................................................. 8-19
Variable voltage control system ................................. 8-19
Drive belts ........................................................................ 8-20
Spark plugs........................................................................ 8-21
Replacing spark plugs.............................................. 8-21
Air cleaner.......................................................................... 8-21
Windshield wiper blades ............................................... 8-22
Cleaning....................................................................... 8-22
Replacing..................................................................... 8-22
Brakes................................................................................. 8-23
Self-adjusting brakes............................................... 8-23
Brake pad wear warning........................................ 8-23
Fuses................................................................................... 8-23
Engine compartment.............................................. 8-24
Passenger compartment ........................................ 8-25
Intelligent Key battery replacement........................... 8-26
Lights.................................................................................. 8-29
Headlights.................................................................. 8-30
Exterior and interior lights.................................... 8-30
8-4Do-it-yourself
JVC0968X
VR30DDTT ENGINE
1. Battery
2. Engine oil dipstick
3. Engine oil filler cap
4. Brake fluid reservoir
5. Fuse/fusible link holder6. Air cleaner
7. Engine drive belt location
8. Radiator filler cap
9 Intercooler cooling reservoir
10. Engine coolant reservoir
11. Window washer fluid reservoir
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK
LOCATIONS
8-10Do-it-yourself
JVM0653X
CHECKING INTERCOOLER
COOLANT LEVEL
Check the coolant level in the reservoir when
the engine is cold. If the coolant level is
below the MIN level
, add coolant to the
MAX level.
If the intercooler cooling system frequently
requires coolant, have it checked. It is
recommended you visit an INFINITI retailer
for this service.
CHANGING INTERCOOLER
COOLANT
Intercooler coolant is maintenance-free.
If replacement is required, it is recommended
you visit an INFINITI retailer for this service.
Improper servicing can result in intercooler
overheating.
WARNING
.To avoid the danger of being scalded,
never change the coolant when the
engine is hot.
.Never remove the cap when the
engine is hot. Serious burns could be
caused by high pressure fluid escap-
ing from the intercooler cooling re-
servoir.
.Avoid direct skin contact with used
coolant. If skin contact is made, wash
thoroughly with soap or hand cleaner
as soon as possible.
.Keep coolant out of the reach of
children and pets.
Intercooler coolant must be disposed of
properly. Check your local regulations.
JVM0654X
VR30DDTT engine
JVM0429X
2.0L turbo gasoline engine
ENGINE OIL
CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
apply the parking brake.
2. Run the engine until it reaches operating
temperature.
3. Turn off the engine.Wait more than 15
minutes for the oil to drain back into the
oil pan.
4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean.
Reinsert it all the way.
5. Remove the dipstick again and check the
oil level. It should be within the range
.
If the oil level is below, remove the oil
filler cap and pour recommended oil
through the opening.Do not overfill
.
6. Recheck oil level with the dipstick.
It is normal to add some oil between oil
maintenance intervals or during the break-
in period, depending on the severity of
operating conditions.
CAUTION
Oil level should be checked regularly.
Operating the engine with an insuffi-
cient amount of oil can damage the
engine, and such damage is not covered
by warranty.
CHANGING ENGINE OIL AND
FILTER
Vehicle set-up
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
apply the parking brake.
2. Run the engine until it reaches operating
temperature.
3. Turn the engine off and wait more than
15 minutes.
4. Raise and support the vehicle using a
suitable floor jack and safety jack stands.
.Place the safety jack stands under the
vehicle jack-up points.
.A suitable adapter should be attached
to the jack stand saddle.
5. For VR30DDTT engine models: Remove
the plastic engine undercover.
.Remove the small plastic clip at the
center point of the undercover.
.Then remove the other bolts that hold
the undercover in place.
CAUTION
Make sure the correct lifting and sup-
port points are used to avoid vehicle
damage.
JVM0668X
VR30DDTT engine (2WD models)
JVM0669X
VR30DDTT engine (AWD models)
Do-it-yourself8-11
8-12Do-it-yourself
JVM0667X
2.0L turbo gasoline engine
JVM0428X
2.0L turbo gasoline engine
Engine oil and filter
1. Place a large drain pan under the drain
plug.
2. Remove the oil filler cap.
3. Remove the drain plug
with a wrench
and completely drain the oil.
CAUTION
Be careful not to burn yourself, as the
engine oil is hot.
.Waste oil must be disposed of prop-
erly.
.Check your local regulations.
4. (Perform steps 4 to 7 only when the
engine oil filter change is needed.)
Loosen the oil filter
with an oil filter
wrench. Remove the oil filter by turning it
by hand.
5. Wipe the engine oil filter mounting sur-
face with a clean rag.
CAUTION
Be sure to remove any old rubber gasket
remaining on the mounting surface of
the engine. Failure to do so could lead toengine damage.
6. Coat the gasket on the new filter with
clean engine oil.
7. For VR30DDTT engine models: Screw in
the oil filter clockwise until a slight
resistance is felt, then tighten addition-
ally more than 2/3 turn.
For 2.0L turbo gasoline engine models:
Securely tighten the oil filter. Do not use
excessive force.
Oil filter tightening torque:
VR30DDTT engine models
11 to 15 ft-lb
(14.7 to 20.6 N·m)
2.0L turbo gasoline engine models
19 ft-lb
(25 N·m)
8. Clean and re-install the drain plug with a
new washer. Securely tighten the drain
plug with a wrench.
Drain plug tightening torque:
VR30DDTT engine models
22 to 29 ft-lb
(29.4 to 39.2 N·m)
2.0L turbo gasoline engine models
22 ft-lb
(30 N·m)
Do not use excessive force.
9. Refill engine with recommended oil and
install the oil filler cap securely.
See “Capacities and recommended
fluids/lubricants” (P.10-2) for drain and
refill capacity. The drain and refill capa-
city depends on the oil temperature and
drain time. Use these specifications for
reference only. Always use the dipstick
to determine the proper amount of oil in
the engine.
10. Start the engine and check for leakage
around the drain plug and the oil filter.
Correct as required.
11. Turn the engine off and wait more than
15 minutes. Check the oil level with the
dipstick. Add engine oil if necessary.
After the operation
1. Install the engine undercover into posi-
tion as the following steps.
a. Pull the center of the small plastic clip
out.
b. Hold the engine undercover into posi-
tion.
c. Insert the clip through the undercover
into the hole in the frame, then push
the center of the clip in to lock the clip
in place.d. Install the other bolts that hold the
undercover in place. Be careful not to
strip the bolts or over-tighten them.
2. Lower the vehicle carefully to the
ground.
3. Dispose of waste oil and filter properly.
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.When checking or replacement is required,
we recommend an INFINITI retailer for
servicing.
CAUTION
.It is recommended that you use only
Genuine NISSAN Matic S ATF. Do
not mix with other fluids.
.Using automatic transmission fluid
other than Genuine NISSAN Matic S
ATF may cause deterioration in dri-
veability and automatic transmission
durability, and may damage the
automatic transmission. Damage
caused by the use of fluid other than
as recommended is not covered by
the INFINITI new vehicle limited
warranty.
Do-it-yourself8-13
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FLUID (ATF)
9-4Maintenance and schedules
Warning lights and chimes:Make sure that
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. It
should be between the MAX and MIN lines.
Vehicles operated in high temperatures or
under severe condition 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 electro-
nic accessories that consume battery
power when the engine is not running
(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.
Intercooler coolant level*:Check the coolant
level when the engine is cold.
Engine drive belts*:Make sure that no belt is
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 recom-
mended you visit an INFINITI retailer for this
service. (See “Precautions when starting and
driving” (P.5-4).)
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 isnormal. If you should notice any leaks or if
gasoline fumes are evident, check for the
cause and have it corrected immediately.
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, defor-
mation, rot or loose connections.
Underbody:The underbody is frequently
exposed to corrosive substances such as
those used on icy roads or to control dust. It
is very important to remove these sub-
stances, otherwise rust will 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 accu-
mulate. For additional information, see
“Cleaning exterior” (P.7-2).
Windshield washer fluid*:Check that there
is adequate fluid in the reservoir.