6-12In case of emergency
NOTE:
If it is not possible to turn the hybrid system
ON by following this procedure, it is
recommended that you contact an INFINITI
retailer immediately.Do not attempt to start the engine by
pushing.
CAUTION
.
Automatic transmission models can-
not be push-started or tow-started.
Attempting to do so may cause
transmission damage.
. Three way catalyst equipped models
should not be started by pushing
since the three way catalyst may be
damaged.
. Never try to start the vehicle by
towing it; when the engine starts,
the forward surge could cause the
vehicle to collide with the tow vehi-
cle.
. Hybrid models cannot be push-
started or tow-started. Attempting
to do so may cause electrical or
transmission damage.
CAUTION
.Do not continue to drive if your
vehicle overheats. Doing so could
cause engine damage or a vehicle fire.
. To avoid the danger of being scalded,
never remove the radiator cap while
the engine is still hot. When the
radiator cap is removed, pressurized
hot water will spurt out, possibly
causing serious injury.
. Do not open the hood if steam is
coming out.
If your vehicle is overheating (indicated by an
extremely high temperature gauge reading),
or if you feel a lack of engine power, detect
abnormal noise, etc., take the following
steps:
1. Move the vehicle safely off the road, apply the parking brake and move the
shift lever to the P (Park) position.
Do not turn the INFINITI Direct Re-
sponse Hybrid
®System off.
2. Turn off the climate control. Open all the windows, move the heater or air condi-
tioner temperature control to maximum
hot and fan control to high speed.
PUSH STARTING IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS
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
JUMP STARTING
If jump starting is necessary, see “Jump
starting” (P.6-10). If the INFINITI Direct
Response Hybrid
®System does not start
by jump starting, the 12-volt battery may
have to be replaced. It is recommended you
visit an INFINITI retailer for this service.
WARNING
Be sure the engine and the ignition
switch are off and that the parking
brake is engaged securely.
CAUTION
Be sure to use the correct socket to
remove the spark plugs. An incorrect
socket can damage the spark plugs.
SDI2020
REPLACING SPARK PLUGS
If replacement is required, it is recommended
you visit an INFINITI retailer for this service.
Iridium-tipped spark plugs
It is not necessary to replace the iridium-
tipped spark plugs as frequently as the
conventional type spark plugs since they will
last much longer. Follow the maintenance
schedule shown in the “9. Maintenance and
schedules” section, but do not reuse them by
cleaning or regapping.
Do-it-yourself8-15
SPARK PLUGS
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 operating properly and installed
securely. Also check headlight aim.
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*: Check the pressure with a gauge
often and always prior to long distance trips.
If necessary, adjust the pressure in all tires,
including the spare, to the pressure speci-
fied. Check carefully for damage, cuts or
excessive wear.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
transmitter 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 windshield repaired by a
qualified repair facility.
Windshield wiper blades*: Check for cracks
or wear if they do not wipe properly.
Inside the vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
checked on a regular basis, such as when
performing periodic maintenance, cleaning
the vehicle, etc.
Accelerator pedal: Check the pedal for
smooth operation and make sure the pedal
does not catch or require uneven effort.
Keep the floor mat away from the pedal.
Automatic transmission P (Park) mechan-
ism: On a fairly steep hill, check that your
vehicle is held securely with the shift lever in
the P (Park) position 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.
Parking brake: Check the parking brake
operation regularly. The vehicle should be
securely held on a fairly steep hill with only
the parking brake applied. If the parking
brake needs adjusted, it is recommended you
visit an INFINITI retailer for this service.
Seat belts: Check that all parts of the seat
belt system (for example, buckles, anchors,
adjuster and retractors) operate properly
and smoothly, and are installed securely.
Check the belt webbing for cuts, fraying,
wear or damage.
Seats: Check seat position controls such as
seat adjusters, seatback recliner, etc. to
ensure they operate smoothly and that all
latches lock securely in every position. Check
that the head restraints move up and down
smoothly and that the locks (if so equipped)
hold securely in all latched positions.
Steering wheel: Check for changes in the
steering conditions, such as excessive free
play, hard steering or strange noises.
Warning lights and chimes: Make sure that
all warning lights and chimes are operating
Maintenance and schedules9-3
9-4Maintenance and schedules
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).
12-volt battery*: Check the fluid level in
each cell. It should be between the MAX and
MIN lines. Vehicles operated in high tem-
peratures 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 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.
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 oil level*: Check the level after
parking the vehicle on a level spot and
turning off the INFINITI Direct Response
Hybrid®System. 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) for exhaust gas (Carbon
monoxide).)
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
gasoline fumes are evident, check for the
cause and have it corrected immediately.
Inverter coolant level: Check the coolant
level when the inverter is cold. Power steering fluid level* and lines:
Check
the level when the fluid is cold, with the
hybrid system 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.
11-2
Parking brake operation .............................. 5-18
Brake assist ......................................................... 5-121
Break-in schedule .............................................. 5-116
Brightness control Instrument panel ............................................ 2-42
Bulb check/instrument panel ............................ 2-11
Bulb replacement ................................................. 8-23
C
Cabin air filter ....................................................... 4-37
Camera aiding sonar function ......................... 4-23
Capacities and
recommended fluids/lubricants ....................... 10-2
Car phone or CB radio ....................................... 4-38
Card holder ............................................................ 2-52
Catalytic converter Three way catalyst .......................................... 5-5
Changing inverter coolant .................................. 8-8
Chassis and body maintenance ....................... 9-10
Check tire pressure warning ............................. 2-24
Checking battery fluid level .............................. 8-14
Checking inverter coolant level ......................... 8-8
Child restraints ...................................................... 1-19 Booster seats .................................................. 1-34
LATCH system ............................................... 1-21
Precautions on child restraints .................. 1-19
Child safety ............................................................ 1-16
Child safety rear door lock .................................. 3-6
Chimes Audible reminders .......................................... 2-20
Seat belt warning light and chime ............ 2-17 Circuit breaker
Fusible link ....................................................... 8-19
Cleaning exterior and interior ................... 7-2, 7-4
Clock ........................................................................\
2-48
Coat hooks ............................................................ 2-53
Cockpit ...................................................................... 2-3
Cold weather driving ........................................ 5-125
Compact spare tire ............................................. 8-35
Console box ........................................................... 2-51
Coolant
Capacities and recommended
fluids/ lubricants ............................................ 10-2
Changing engine coolant ............................... 8-6
Checking engine coolant level ...................... 8-6
Corrosion protection ............................................. 7-8
Cruise control ....................................................... 5-64
Fixed speed cruise control (on
ICC system) .................................................... 5-84
Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) ................. 5-66
Cruise indicator .................................................... 2-25
Cup holders ........................................................... 2-49
Current fuel consumption ................................. 2-30
D
Daytime running light system .......................... 2-40
Defroster switch Rear window and outside mirror
defroster switch ............................................. 2-37
Dimensions ............................................................ 10-8
Direct Response Hybrid
®System warning
light ........................................................................\
2-13 Distance Control Assist (DCA) ........................ 5-88
Distance Control Assist (DCA) system
switch indicator .................................................... 2-26
Distance Control Assist (DCA) system
warning light ......................................................... 2-13
Distance to empty ............................................... 2-31
Drive positioner .................................................... 3-28
Driving
Cold weather driving .................................. 5-125
Driving with automatic transmission ....... 5-14
Precautions when starting and driving ..... 5-4
Driving the vehicle ............................................... 5-14
E
ECO drive indicator light ................................... 2-18
ECO mode ............................................................. 5-19
ECO pedal system ............................................... 5-20
Economy
Fuel .................................................................. 5-117
Efficient use of your vehicle ...... Hybrid System-8
Elapsed time ......................................................... 2-30
Elapsed time and trip odometer ..................... 2-30
Emergency hybrid system shut off ................... 6-3
Emergency shut-off system ...... Hybrid System-4
Emission control information label .............. 10-10
Emission control system maintenance ............ 9-8
Emission control system warranty ............... 10-17
Energy flow .................................... Hybrid System-6
Energy monitor .................................................... 2-29
Energy monitors ........................... Hybrid System-5