in an accident. Immediately stop the
vehicle in a safe location and it is
recommended you contact an INFINITI
retailer.
A chime sounds if a malfunction occurs in the
brake system power supply.
. Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning
light
— Avoid driving at high speed and sud-
den braking, and see an INFINITI
retailer as soon as possible for an
inspection.
WARNING
.Your brake system may not be work-
ing properly if the brake warning
light (red) is on. Driving could be
dangerous. If you judge it to be safe,
drive carefully to the nearest service
station for repairs. Otherwise, have
your vehicle towed because driving it
could be dangerous.
. Pressing the brake pedal with the
hybrid system stopped and/or low
brake fluid level may increase your
stopping distance and braking will
require greater pedal effort as well as
pedal travel. .
If the brake fluid level is below the
minimum or MIN mark on the brake
fluid reservoir, do not drive until the
brake system has been checked. It is
recommended you visit an INFINITI
retailer for this service.
Direct Response Hybrid®Sys-
tem warning light
When the ignition switch is in the ON
position, the Direct Response Hybrid®Sys-
tem (hybrid system) warning light illumi-
nates. After starting the hybrid system, the
hybrid system warning light turns off.
If the hybrid system warning light illuminates
while driving, it may indicate that there is a
malfunction in the electric motor and/or
other hybrid system components.
Stop your vehicle immediately and it is
recommended that you contact your
INFINITI retailer.
If the hybrid system warning light blinks
while driving, it may indicate that the Li-ion
battery charge is low and you cannot
continue to drive.
Do not allow the vehicle to coast when the
Li-ion battery is low or when the hybrid
system warning light blinks while driving.
The engine will not automatically start to charge the Li-ion battery while the vehicle is
coasting.
Distance Control Assist (DCA)
system warning light (orange; if so
equipped)
This light comes on if there is a malfunction
in the Distance Control Assist (DCA) system.
If the warning light illuminates, park the
vehicle in a safe place. Stop the hybrid
system, restart the hybrid system, resume
driving and turn on the DCA system again.
If it is not possible to turn on the system or
the warning light stays on, it may indicate
that the system is malfunctioning. Although
the vehicle is still driveable under normal
conditions, have the vehicle checked. It is
recommended you visit an INFINITI retailer
for this service.
Engine oil pressure warning
light
This light warns of low engine oil pressure. If
the light flickers or comes on during normal
driving, pull off the road in a safe area, stop
the engine immediately and it is recom-
mended that you call an INFINITI retailer or
other authorized repair shop.
The engine oil pressure warning light is not
Instruments and controls2-13
2-14Instruments and controls
designed to indicate a low oil level. Use the
dipstick to check the oil level.(See “Engine
oil” (P.8-8).)
CAUTION
Running the engine with the engine oil
pressure warning light on could cause
serious damage to the engine almost
immediately. Such damage is not cov-
ered by warranty. Turn off the engine as
soon as it is safe to do so.
Forward Emergency Braking
(FEB) system warning light (if so
equipped)
This light comes on when the ignition switch
is placed in the ON position. It turns off after
the hybrid system is started.
This light illuminates when the Forward
Emergency Braking (FEB) system is set to
OFF on the center display.
If the light illuminates when the FEB system
is ON, it may indicate that the system is
unavailable. See “Forward Emergency Brak-
ing (FEB)” (P.5-101) for more details.
This light will also illuminates if the Active
Trace Control is malfunctioning. Although the vehicle is still driveable under normal
conditions, have the vehicle checked. It is
recommended you visit an INFINITI retailer
for this service. (See “Vehicle Dynamic Con-
trol (VDC) system” (P.5-122).)
High temperature warning
light
When the ignition switch is in the ON
position, the high temperature warning light
illuminates and then turns off. This indicates
that the high temperature sensor in the
engine coolant system is operational.
CAUTION
If the high temperature warning light
illuminates when the ignition switch is in
the ON position, it may indicate the
engine temperature is extremely high.
Stop the vehicle safety as soon as
possible.
If the vehicle is overheated, continuing
vehicle operation may seriously damage
the engine. (See “If your vehicle over-
heats” (P.6-12) for the immediate action
required.)
Hybrid EPS (Electrical Power
Steering) warning light
When the ignition switch is in the ON
position, the Hybrid EPS (Electrical Power
Steering) warning light illuminates. After
starting the hybrid system, the Hybrid EPS
warning light turns off. This indicates that
the electrical power steering system is
operational.
If the Hybrid EPS warning light illuminates
while the hybrid system is running, it may
indicates the Hybrid EPS system is not
functioning properly and may need servicing.
Have the Hybrid EPS system checked. It is
recommended you visit an INFINITI retailer
for this service.
When the Hybrid EPS warning light illumi-
nates with the hybrid system running, the
power assist to the steering will cease
operation but you will still have control of
the vehicle. At this time, greater steering
efforts are required to operate the steering
wheel, especially in sharp turns and at low
speeds. However, if the steering wheel
operation is still performed, the Hybrid EPS
may stop and the Hybrid EPS warning light
will illuminate. Place the ignition switch in
the OFF position. For a while after it refrains
from the steering wheel control, the tem-
perature of the Hybrid EPS system will go
.Make sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.
. Check fluid levels such as engine oil,
coolant, brake fluid and window washer
fluid as frequently as possible, or at least
whenever you refuel.
. Check that all windows and lights are
clean.
. Visually inspect tires for their appearance
and condition. Also check tires for proper
inflation.
. Lock all doors.
. Position seat and adjust head restraints.
. Adjust inside and outside mirrors.
. Fasten seat belts and ask all passengers
to do likewise.
. Check the operation of warning lights
when the ignition switch is pushed to the
ON position. (See “Warning lights, in-
dicator lights and audible reminders”
(P.2-10).) 1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever to P (Park) position.
The INFINITI Direct Response Hybrid
®
System is designed not to operate if the
shift lever is not in the P (Park) position.
3. Depress the brake pedal and push the ignition switch to start the hybrid sys-
tem. The READY to drive indicator light
will illuminate on the meter.
When starting the hybrid system at very
low outside temperatures, the READY
to drive indicator light will flash and it
may take longer for the READY to drive
indicator light to illuminate.
. The hybrid system may not start even
with the READY to drive indicator light
illuminated. Once the READY to drive
indicator light is illuminated you may
begin driving the vehicle.
. You may hear a sound in the engine
compartment when the brake pedal is
depressed with the hybrid system off.
This does not indicate a problem.
NOTE:
Care should be taken to avoid situations
that can lead to potential 12-volt battery
discharge and potential no-start conditions
such as:
1. Installation or extended use of electro-
nic accessories that consume 12-volt 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 12-volt battery may
need to be charged to maintain 12-volt
battery health.
Starting and driving5-13
BEFORE STARTING THE INFINITI
DIRECT RESPONSE HYBRID®SYSTEM
STARTING THE INFINITI DIRECT
RESPONSE HYBRID®SYSTEM
8 Do-it-yourself
Maintenance precautions ................................................ 8-2
Engine compartment check locations .......................... 8-3VQ35HR engine............................................................ 8-3
Engine cooling system...................................................... 8-5 Checking engine coolant level................................... 8-6
Changing engine coolant............................................ 8-6
Inverter cooling system.................................................... 8-7 Checking inverter coolant level ................................ 8-8
Changing inverter coolant.......................................... 8-8
Engine oil.....................................................................\
......... 8-8
Checking engine oil level ............................................ 8-8
Changing engine oil and filter................................... 8-9
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF).......................... 8-11
Power steering fluid........................................................ 8-11
Brake fluid...................................................................\
....... 8-12 Brake fluid .................................................................... 8-12
Window washer fluid...................................................... 8-12
12-volt battery ................................................................. 8-13 Checking battery fluid level..................................... 8-14
Jump starting............................................................... 8-15
Spark plugs ........................................................................\
8-15 Replacing spark plugs................................................ 8-15 Air cleaner........................................................................\
.. 8-16
Windshield wiper blades ............................................... 8-17
Cleaning....................................................................... 8-17
Replacing..................................................................... 8-17
Brakes..................................................................\
............... 8-18 Self-adjusting brakes............................................... 8-18
Brake pad wear warning........................................ 8-18
Fuses...................................................................\
................ 8-19 Engine compartment or trunk room ................... 8-19
Passenger compartment ....................................... 8-20
Intelligent Key battery replacement........................... 8-21
Lights........................................................................\
.......... 8-23 Headlights.................................................................. 8-24
Exterior and interior lights.................................... 8-24
Wheels and tires.............................................................. 8-26 Tire pressure .............................................................. 8-26
Tire labeling............................................................... 8-30
Types of tires............................................................. 8-32
Tire chains................................................................... 8-32
Changing wheels and tires..................................... 8-33
8-2Do-it-yourself
When performing any inspection or main-
tenance work on your vehicle, always take
care to prevent serious accidental injury to
yourself or damage to the vehicle. The
following are general precautions which
should be closely observed.
WARNING
.This vehicle has high voltage DC and
AC systems as well as a 12-volt
system. DC and AC high voltage is
very dangerous and can cause severe
burns and electric shock that may
result in serious injury or death.
. Never touch, disassemble, remove or
replace the high voltage parts, har-
nesses and their connectors. High
voltage cables are orange. Touching,
disassembling, removing or replacing
those parts and harnesses can cause
severe burns or electric shock that
may result in serious injury or death.
. Never try to remove the service plug
located in the trunk room. The service
plug is used only when the vehicle is
serviced by trained technicians wear-
ing personal protection equipment
and is part of the high voltage
system. Touching the service plug
can cause severe burns or electric shock that may result in serious injury
or death.
. The INFINITI Direct Response Hy-
brid
®System uses high voltage up to
408 volts. The system can be hot
while and after starting. Be careful of
both the high voltage and the high
temperature. Obey the caution labels
attached to the vehicle.
. Park the vehicle on a level surface,
apply the parking brake securely and
block the wheels to prevent the
vehicle from moving. Move the shift
lever to P (Park).
. Be sure the ignition switch is in the
OFF or LOCK position when per-
forming any parts replacement or
repairs.
. The engine can start at any time
without warning when the hybrid
system is in the READY to drive
mode. If you must work with the
Hybrid System in the READY to drive
mode, keep your hands, clothing, hair
and tools away from fans, belts and
any other parts that can move.
. It is advisable to secure or remove
any loose clothing and remove any
jewelry, such as rings, watches, etc.
before working on your vehicle. .
Always wear eye protection when-
ever you work on your vehicle.
. Your vehicle is equipped with an
automatic engine cooling fan. It may
come on at any time without warn-
ing, even if the ignition key is in the
OFF position and the engine is not
running. To avoid injury, always dis-
connect the negative battery cable
before working near the fan.
. If you must run the engine in an
enclosed space such as a garage, be
sure there is proper ventilation for
exhaust gases to escape.
. Never get under the vehicle while it is
supported only by a jack. If it is
necessary to work under the vehicle,
support it with safety stands.
. Keep smoking materials, flame and
sparks away from the fuel tank and
battery.
CAUTION
.Do not work under the hood while the
engine is hot. Turn the hybrid system
off and wait until it cools down.
. Avoid direct contact with used en-
gine oil and coolant. Improperly dis-
MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS
8-8Do-it-yourself
JVM0038X
CHECKING INVERTER COOLANT
LEVEL
Check the coolant level in the reservoir when
the engine and inverter are cold. If the
coolant level is below the MIN level
, add
coolant to the MAX level.
If the inverter cooling system frequently
requires coolant, have it checked. It is
recommended you visit an INFINITI retailer
for this service.
CHANGING INVERTER COOLANT
An INFINITI ratailer can change the inverter
coolant. The service procedure can be found
in the INFINITI Service Manual.
Improper servicing can result in inverter
overheating.
WARNING
. To avoid the danger of being scalded,
never change the coolant when the
inverter is hot.
. Never remove the cap when the
inverter is hot. Serious burns could
be caused by high pressure fluid
escaping from the inverter coolant
reservoir.
. 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.
Inverter coolant must be disposed of prop-
erly. Check your local regulations.
SDI2045
VQ35HR engine
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
ENGINE 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 thevehicle jack-up points.
.A suitable adapter should be attachedto the jack stand saddle.
5. Remove the plastic engine undercover.
.Remove the small plastic clip at the center point of the undercover.
.Then remove the other bolts that holdthe undercover in place.
CAUTION
Make sure the correct lifting and sup-
port points are used to avoid vehicle
damage.
SDI2335
VQ35HR 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.
Do-it-yourself8-9
8-10Do-it-yourself
.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 to
engine damage.
6. Coat the gasket on the new filter with clean engine oil.
7. Screw in the oil filter clockwise until a slight resistance is felt, then tighten
additionally more than 2/3 turn.
Oil filter tightening torque:11 to 15 ft-lb
(14.7 to 20.5 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:
22 to 29 ft-lb
(29 to 39 N·m)
Do not use excessive force.
9. Refill engine with recommended oil and install the oil filler cap securely.
CAUTION
The dipstick must be inserted in place to
prevent oil spillage from the dipstick
hole while filling the engine with oil.
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.