8 Do-it-yourself
Maintenance precautions ................................................ 8-2
Engine compartment check locations .......................... 8-3VK56VD engine ............................................................ 8-3
VQ37VHR engine......................................................... 8-5
Engine cooling system...................................................... 8-8 Checking engine coolant level................................... 8-9
Changing engine 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........................................................ 8-14
Brake fluid...................................................................\
....... 8-14 Brake fluid .................................................................... 8-15
Window washer fluid...................................................... 8-15
Battery ........................................................................\
........ 8-16
Jump starting............................................................... 8-17
Variable voltage control system.................................. 8-18
Drive belts ........................................................................\
.. 8-18
Spark plugs ........................................................................\
8-19
Replacing spark plugs................................................ 8-19 Air cleaner........................................................................\
.. 8-19
Windshield wiper blades ............................................... 8-21
Cleaning....................................................................... 8-21
Replacing..................................................................... 8-21
Brakes..................................................................\
............... 8-22 Self-adjusting brakes............................................... 8-22
Brake pad wear warning........................................ 8-22
Fuses...................................................................\
................ 8-23 Engine compartment............................................... 8-23
Passenger compartment ....................................... 8-24
Intelligent Key battery replacement........................... 8-25
Lights........................................................................\
.......... 8-27 Headlights.................................................................. 8-28
Exterior and interior lights.................................... 8-28
Wheels and tires............................................................. 8-30 Tire pressure ............................................................. 8-30
Tire labeling............................................................... 8-34
Types of tires............................................................. 8-36
Tire chains................................................................... 8-36
Changing wheels and tires..................................... 8-37
8-12Do-it-yourself
SDI2320
VK56VD engine — AWD models
SDI2047
VQ37VHR engine — AWD models
Engine oil and filter
1. Place a large drain pan under the drainplug.
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 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
SDI2025
BRAKE FLUID
Check the fluid level in the reservoir. If the
fluid is below the MIN lineor the brake
warning light comes on, add Genuine
NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT 3fluid up to the MAX line
.
If fluid must be added frequently, the system
should be checked. It is recommended you
visit an INFINITI retailer for this service.
SDI2544
WARNING
Antifreeze is poisonous and should be
stored carefully in marked containers
out of the reach of children.
Fill the window washer fluid reservoir per-
iodically. Add window washer fluid when the
low window washer fluid warning appears
on the vehicle information display.
To fill the window washer fluid reservoir, lift
the cap off the reservoir tank and pour the
window washer fluid into the tank opening.
Add a washer solvent to the washer for better cleaning. In the winter season, add a
windshield washer antifreeze. Follow the
manufacturer’s instructions for the mixture
ratio.
Refill the reservoir more frequently when
driving conditions require an increased
amount of window washer fluid.
Recommended fluid is Genuine NISSAN
Windshield Washer Concentrate Cleaner &
Antifreeze or equivalent.
CAUTION
.
Do not substitute engine anti-freeze
coolant for window washer solution.
This may result in damage to the
paint.
. Do not fill the window washer re-
servoir tank with washer fluid con-
centrates at full strength. Some
methyl alcohol based washer fluid
concentrates may permanently stain
the grille if spilled while filling the
window washer reservoir tank.
. Pre-mix washer fluid concentrates
with water to the manufacturer’s
recommended levels before pouring
the fluid into the window washer
reservoir tank. Do not use the win-
dow washer reservoir tank to mix the
Do-it-yourself8-15
WINDOW WASHER FLUID
SDI2584
SDI2566
ENGINE COMPARTMENT
WARNING
Never use a fuse of a higher or lower
amperage rating than that specified on
the fuse box cover. This could damage
the electrical system or electronic con-
trol units or cause a fire.
If any electrical equipment does not operate,
check for an open fuse.
1. Be sure the ignition switch is pushed to the OFF or LOCK position and the
headlight switch is turned to OFF.
2. Open the engine hood and remove the cover on the battery and the fuse/fusible
link holder.
3. Remove the fuse/fusible link holder cover.
4. Remove the fuse with the fuse puller.
SDI1754
5. If the fuse is open, replace it with a
new fuse. Spare fuses are stored in the
passenger compartment fuse box.
6. If a new fuse also opens, have the electrical system checked and repaired.
It is recommended you visit an INFINITI
retailer for this service.
The holder
also contains the fuses. It is
recommended you visit an INFINITI retailer
for checking and/or replacing.
Do-it-yourself8-23
FUSES
10-6Technical and consumer information
damage to the engine. If any of the above
symptoms are encountered, have your ve-
hicle checked. It is recommended you visit an
INFINITI retailer for this service or other
competent service facility.
However, now and then you may notice
light spark knock for a short time while
accelerating or driving up hills. This is no
cause for concern, because you get the
greatest fuel benefit when there is light
spark knock for a short time under heavy
engine load.
FUEL INFORMATION (for
VK56VD engine model)
Use unleaded premium gasoline with an
octane rating of at least 91 AKI (Anti-Knock
Index) number (Research octane number 96).
If unleaded premium gasoline is not avail-
able, unleaded regular gasoline with an
octane rating of at least 87 AKI number
(Research octane number 91) may be tem-
porarily used, but only under the following
precautions:
.Have the fuel tank filled only partially
with unleaded regular gasoline, and fill
up with unleaded premium gasoline as
soon as possible.
. Avoid full throttle driving and abrupt
acceleration. Use unleaded premium gasoline for max-
imum vehicle performance.
CAUTION
.
Using a fuel other than that specified
could adversely affect the emission
control system, and may also affect
warranty coverage.
. Under no circumstances should a
leaded gasoline be used, because this
will damage the three-way catalyst.
. Do not use E-15 or E-85 fuel in your
vehicle. Your vehicle is not designed
to run on E-15 or E-85 fuel. Using E-
15 or E-85 fuel in a vehicle not
specifically designed for E-15 or E-
85 fuel can adversely affect the
emission control devices and systems
of the vehicle. Damage caused by
such fuel is not covered by the
INFINITI new vehicle limited war-
ranty.
. Do not use fuel that contains the
octane booster methylcyclopentadie-
nyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT).
Using fuel containing MMT may
adversely affect vehicle performance
and vehicle emissions. Not all fuel
dispensers are labeled to indicate
MMT content, so you may have to consult your gasoline retailer for
more details. Note that Federal and
California laws prohibit the use of
MMT in reformulated gasoline.
. U.S. government regulations require
ethanol dispensing pumps to be iden-
tified by a small, square, orange and
black label with the common abbre-
viation or the appropriate percen-
tage for that region.
Gasoline specifications
INFINITI recommends using gasoline that
meets the World-Wide Fuel Charter
(WWFC) specifications where it is available.
Many of the automobile manufacturers
developed this specification to improve
emission system and vehicle performance.
Ask your service station manager if the
gasoline meets the World-Wide Fuel Char-
ter (WWFC) specifications.
Reformulated gasoline
Some fuel suppliers are now producing
reformulated gasolines. These gasolines are
specially designed to reduce vehicle emis-
sions. INFINITI supports efforts towards
cleaner air and suggests that you use
reformulated gasoline when available.
10-8Technical and consumer information
that can be harmful to the fuel system and
engine.
Octane rating tips
Using unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating lower than recommended above can
cause persistent, heavy spark knock. (Spark
knock is a metallic rapping noise.) If severe,
this can lead to engine damage. If you
detect a persistent heavy spark knock even
when using gasoline of the stated octane
rating, or if you hear steady spark knock
while holding a steady speed on level roads,
it is recommended you have an INFINITI
retailer correct the condition. Failure to
correct the condition is misuse of the
vehicle, for which INFINITI is not respon-
sible.
Incorrect ignition timing will result in knock-
ing, after-run or overheating. This in turn
may cause excessive fuel consumption or
damage to the engine. If any of the above
symptoms are encountered, have your ve-
hicle checked. It is recommended you visit an
INFINITI retailer for this service or other
competent service facility.
However, now and then you may notice
light spark knock for a short time while
accelerating or driving up hills. This is no
cause for concern, because you get the
greatest fuel benefit when there is light
spark knock for a short time under heavyengine load.
A vehicle equipped with Intelligent All-
Wheel Drive (AWD) should never be tested
using a two wheel dynamometer (such as the
dynamometers used by some states for
emissions testing), or similar equipment.
Make sure you inform test facility personnel
that your vehicle is equipped with AWD
before it is placed on a dynamometer. Using
the wrong test equipment may result in
transmission damage or unexpected vehicle
movement which could result in serious
vehicle damage or personal injury.
Due to legal requirements in some states/
areas, your vehicle may be required to be in
what is called the “ready condition” for an
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test of the
emission control system.
The vehicle is set to the “ready condition”
when it is driven through certain driving
patterns. Usually, the “ready condition” can
be obtained by ordinary usage of the vehicle.
If a powertrain system component is re-
paired or the battery is disconnected, the
vehicle may be reset to a “not ready condi-
tion”. Before taking the I/M test, check the
vehicle’s inspection/maintenance test readi-
ness condition. Place the ignition switch in
the ON position without starting the engine.
If the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
comes on steady for 20 seconds and then
blinks for 10 seconds, the I/M test condition
is “not ready”. If the MIL does not blink after20 seconds, the I/M test condition is
“ready”.
It is recommended you visit an INFINITI
retailer to set the “ready condition” or to
prepare the vehicle for testing.
This vehicle is equipped with an Event Data
Recorder (EDR). The main purpose of an
EDR is to record, in certain crash or near
crash-like situations, such as an air bag
deployment or hitting a road obstacle, data
that will assist in understanding how a
vehicle’s systems performed. The EDR is
designed to record data related to vehicle
dynamics and safety systems for a short
period of time, typically 30 seconds or less.
The EDR in this vehicle is designed to record
such data as:
.
How various systems in your vehicle were
operating;
. Whether or not the driver and passenger
safety belts were buckled/fastened;
. How far (if at all) the driver was depres-
sing the accelerator and/or brake pedal;
and,
. How fast the vehicle was traveling.
. Sounds are not recorded.
These data can help provide a better under-
standing of the circumstances in which
crashes and injuries occur.
NOTE: EDR data are recorded by your
vehicle only if a nontrivial crash situation
occurs; no data are recorded by the EDR
under normal driving conditions and no
personal data (e.g. name, gender, age and
crash location) are recorded. However, other
parties, such as law enforcement, could
combine the EDR data with the type of
Technical and consumer information10-25
READINESS FOR INSPECTION/
MAINTENANCE (I/M) TEST (US only)EVENT DATA RECORDERS (EDR)
11 Index
A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) ................... 5-122
Active noise cancellation ................................. 5-128
Air bag systemFront-seat mounted side-impact
supplemental air bag system ..................... 1-49
Roof-mounted curtain side-impact and
rollover supplemental air bag system ...... 1-49
Air bag warning labels ........................................ 1-51
Air bag warning light ............................... 1-52, 2-16
Air cleaner housing filter ................................... 8-19
Air conditioner
Air conditioner specification label ......... 10-16
Air conditioning system refrigerant and
lubricant recommendations ..................... 10-10
Automatic climate control .......................... 4-32
Alarm
How to stop alarm (see vehicle
security system) ............................................ 2-30
Alcohol, drugs and driving ................................... 5-9
Antenna .................................................................. 4-38
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ................... 5-122
Appearance care
Exterior appearance care ............................... 7-2
Interior appearance care ............................... 7-4
Armrest ...................................................................... 1-4
Around View
®Monitor ...................................... 4-10
Ashtrays ................................................................. 2-45
Audible reminders ................................................ 2-19 Auto closure .......................................................... 3-20
Autolight system .................................................. 2-35
Automatic
Automatic climate control ......................... 4-34
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) ....... 8-13
Climate control ............................................... 4-32
Driving with automatic transmission ....... 5-15
Automatic door locks ............................................ 3-6
Automatic drive positioner ............................... 3-28
Automatic seat positioner ................................ 3-28
Average fuel consumption and speed ........... 2-27
Avoiding collision and rollover ............................ 5-7
B
Back-up Collision Intervention (BCI) .............. 5-54
Battery .................................................................... 8-16
Battery replacement, Intelligent Key ......... 3-2
Battery saver system .................................... 2-36
Intelligent Key ................................................. 8-25
Variable voltage control system ............... 8-18
Before starting the engine ................................ 5-13
Belts (See drive belts) ......................................... 8-18
Blind Spot Intervention
®(BSI) ......................... 5-42
Blind Spot Intervention (BSI) ON
indicator light ......................................................... 2-17
Blind Spot Warning (BSW) ............................... 5-32
Brake
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ............. 5-122
Brake fluid ....................................................... 8-14 Brake force distribution ............................ 5-124
Brake system ................................................ 5-121
Parking brake operation .............................. 5-19
Brake warning light ............................................. 2-12
Break-in schedule .............................................. 5-116
Bulb check/instrument panel ............................ 2-11
Bulb replacement ................................................. 8-27
C
Camera aiding sonar function ......................... 4-23
Capacities and
recommended fluids/lubricants ....................... 10-2
Car phone or CB radio ....................................... 4-38
Card holder ............................................................ 2-49
Catalytic converter Three way catalyst .......................................... 5-5
Chassis and body maintenance ....................... 9-10
Check tire pressure warning ............................. 2-23
Child restraints ...................................................... 1-19 LATCH system ............................................... 1-21
Precautions on child restraints .................. 1-19
Child safety ............................................................ 1-17
Child safety rear door lock .................................. 3-6
Chimes Audible reminders .......................................... 2-19
Seat belt warning light and chime ............ 2-15
Circuit breaker Fusible link ...................................................... 8-24
Cleaning exterior and interior ................... 7-2, 7-4