Engine
MessagePossible causes/consequences and solutions
[Check Coolant Level See
Operators Manual] The coolant level is too low.CAUTIONAvoid making long journeys with too little coolant in the engine cooling system. The engine will otherwise be damaged.
Top up the coolant, observing the warning notes before doing so (see "If your vehicle overheats" in the "6. In case of emergency"
section).
If the coolant needs topping up more often than usual. have the engine coolant system checked. It is recommended you visit an
INFINITI retailer for this service.
The fan motor is faulty.
If the coolant temperature is below 250 °F (120 °C), you can continue driving to the nearest place you can have the system checked.
It is recommended that you visit an INFINITI retailer for this service.
Avoid putting the engine under heavy load as you do so, e.g. driving in mountainous terrain and stop-start traffic.
2-44Instruments and controls
MessagePossible causes/consequences and solutions
[Coolant Too Hot Stop
Vehicle Turn Engine Off] The coolant is too hot.
A warning tone also sounds.
CAUTIONIf the gauge indicates coolant temperature near the hot (H) end of the normal range, reduce vehicle speed to decrease tempera-
ture. If the gauge is over the normal range, stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible. If the engine is overheated, continued
operation of the vehicle may seriously damage the engine. For additional information, refer to "If your vehicle overheats" in the
"6. In case of emergency" section for immediate action required.
1. Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traffic conditions, and switch off the engine.
2. Secure the vehicle against rolling away
3. Wait until the engine has cooled down.
4. Make sure that the air supply to the engine radiator is not blocked, e.g. by frozen slush.
5. Do not start the engine again until the display message goes out and the coolant temperature is below 120 °C. The engine may
otherwise be damaged.
6. Pay attention to the coolant temperature display.
7. If the temperature increases again, have the system checked immediately. It is recommended you visit an INFINITI retailer for this service.
Under normal operating conditions and with the specified coolant level, the coolant temperature may rise to 250 °F (120 °C).
See "If your vehicle overheats" in the "6. In case of emergency" section.
[See Operator's Manual] The battery is not being charged.
A warning tone also sounds.
Possible causes:
•Faulty alternator.•Torn poly-V-belt.•A malfunction in the electronics.
CAUTIONDo not continue driving. The engine could otherwise overheat.
1. Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traffic conditions, and switch off the engine.
2. Secure the vehicle against rolling away
3. Have the system checked. It is recommended you visit an INFINITI retailer for this service.
Instruments and controls2-45
Hill Start Assist (HSA)................. .5-96
Cold weather driving .................. .5-97
Freeing a frozen door lock .............5-97
Antifreeze ....................... .5-97
Battery ......................... .5-97Draining of engine coolant
.............5-97
Tire equipment .................... .5-97
Special winter equipment ..............5-98
Driving on snow or ice ............... .5-98
roll away There is a risk of an accident
and injury. Therefore, quickly move your
foot from the brake pedal to the accel-
erator pedal. Never leave the vehicle
when it is held by hill start assist.
Hill start assist helps you when pulling away
forwards or in reverse on an uphill gradient. It
holds the vehicle for a short time after you
have removed your foot from the brake
pedal. This gives you enough time to move
your foot from the brake pedal to the accel-
erator pedal and depress it before the vehicle
begins to roll.
Hill start assist is not active if
•You are pulling away on a level road or a
downhill gradient.
•On vehicles with automatic transmission,
the transmission is in position N.
•The electric parking brake is applied.
•VDC is malfunctioning.
FREEING A FROZEN DOOR LOCK
To prevent a door lock from freezing, apply
deicer through the key hole. If the lock be-
comes frozen, heat the key before inserting it
into the key hole, or use the INFINITI Intelli-
gent Key.
ANTIFREEZE
In the winter when it is anticipated that the
temperature will drop below 32°F (0°C),
check the antifreeze to assure proper winter
protection. For additional information, see
"Engine cooling system" in the "8. Do-it-
yourself" section.
BATTERY
If the battery is not fully charged during ex-
tremely cold weather conditions, the battery
fluid may freeze and damage the battery. To
maintain maximum efficiency, the battery
should be checked regularly. For details, see
"Battery" in the "8. Do-it-yourself" section of
this manual.
DRAINING OF ENGINE COOLANT
If the vehicle is to be left outside without
antifreeze, drain the cooling system, including
the engine block. Refill before operating the
vehicle. For details, see "Changing engine
coolant" in the "8. Do-it-yourself" section of
this manual.
TIRE EQUIPMENT
1. SUMMER tires have a tread designed to provide superior performance on dry
pavement. However, the performance of
these tires will be substantially reduced in
snowy and icy conditions. If you operate
your vehicle on snowy or icy roads,
INFINITI recommends the use of MUD &
SNOW or ALL SEASON TIRES on all four
wheels. It is recommended that you visit
an INFINITI retailer for the tire type, size,
speed rating and availability information.
2. For additional traction on icy roads, stud- ded tires may be used. However, some
U.S. states and Canadian provinces pro-
hibit their use. Check local, state and pro-
vincial laws before installing studded tires.
Skid and traction capabilities of studded
snow tires, on wet or dry surfaces, may be
poorer than that of non-studded snow tires.
3. Tire chains may be used if desired. Make sure they are the proper size for the tires
on your vehicle and are installed according
to the chain manufacturer’s instructions.
Use chain tensioners when recommended
by the tire chain manufacturer to ensure a
tight fit. Loose end links of the tire chains
must be secured or removed to prevent
the possibility of whipping action damage
to the fenders or underbody. In addition,
COLD WEATHER DRIVING
Starting and driving5-97
WARNING
•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 or coolant
reservoir cap while the engine is hot.
When the radiator or coolant reservoir
cap is removed, pressurized hot water
will spurt out, possibly causing serious
injury.
•Do not open the hood if steam is coming
out.
If the engine of your vehicle is overheating
(indicated by the engine coolant temperature
gauge) or if you feel a lack of engine power,
detect unusual noise, etc., proceed as fol-
lows:
1. Move and park the vehicle safely off the road and away from traffic.
2. Turn on the hazard warning flasher lights.
3. Apply the parking brake.
4. Press the P (Park) button. DO NOT STOP THE ENGINE.
5. Open all windows. 6. Switch off the air conditioner system (if
equipped).
7. Set the heater or air conditioner tempera- ture control to maximum “HOT” and fan
speed control to maximum speed.
8. Exit the vehicle.
9. Visually inspect and listen for steam or coolant escaping from the radiator before
opening the hood.
WARNING
If steam or water is coming from the en-
gine, stand clear to prevent getting
burned.
10. Open the hood. For details, see "Hood" in the "3. Pre-driving checks and adjust-
ments" section.
11. Visually check if the cooling fan is run- ning.
12. Visually check the radiator and radiator hoses for leakage.
WARNING
Be careful not to allow your hands, hair,
jewelry or clothing to come into contact
with, or get caught in, engine belts or the
engine cooling fan. The engine cooling fan
can start at any time.
13. After the engine cools down, check the coolant level in the engine coolant reser-
voir with the engine running. Do not
open the radiator cap (if equipped).
14. If the level is low, remove the engine coolant reservoir cap and add coolant
slowly into the reservoir. After refilling
the reservoir to the MAX level, install the
reservoir cap.
15. Close the hood.
Have your vehicle inspected or repaired. It is
recommended you visit an INFINITI retailer.
IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS
In case of emergency6-13
8 Do-it-yourself
Maintenance precautions.................8-2
Engine compartment check locations .........8-3
2.0L Gasoline engine ................ .8-3
Engine cooling system .................. .8-3
Checking engine coolant level ............8-4
Changing engine coolant ...............8-4
Engine oil .......................... .8-5
Checking engine oil level ...............8-5
Changing engine oil ................. .8-5
Changing engine oil filter ...............8-6
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) ..........8-7
Brake fluid ......................... .8-7
Window washer fluid .................. .8-8
Battery ........................... .8-9
Accessing Vehicle battery ..............8-10
Maintenance free battery ..............8-10
Models with Idle Stop/Start System .......8-11
Battery replacement ................ .8-11
Reinitialisation procedure after battery
reconnection ..................... .8-12
Jump-starting .................... .8-12
Drive belt ......................... .8-12
Spark plugs ........................ .8-13
Air cleaner filter ..................... .8-13
Wiper blades ....................... .8-13Cleaning
........................ .8-13
Replacing front window wiper blades ......8-14
Replacing rear window wiper blade .......8-16
Brakes ........................... .8-17
Self-adjusting brakes ................ .8-17
Fuses ............................ .8-17
Before replacing a fuse ...............8-17
Engine compartment ................ .8-17
Passenger compartment ..............8-18
Intelligent Key battery replacement ........
.8-20
Checking
the battery ................ .8-20
Replacing the battery ............... .8-20
Lights ........................... .8-22
Exterior and interior lights ..............8-22
Replacement procedures ..............8-24
Wheels and tires ..................... .8-27
Tire Pressure ..................... .8-27
Tire inflation pressure ............... .8-29
Tire labeling ..................... .8-29
Types of tires ..................... .8-31
Tire chains ...................... .8-32
Tire wear and damage ............... .8-33
Tire rotation ..................... .8-34
Replacing wheels and tires .............8-34
Wheel balance .................... .8-35
When performing any inspection or mainte-
nance work on your vehicle, always take care
to prevent serious accidental injury to your-
self or damage to the vehicle. The following
are general precautions which should be
closely observed.
WARNING
•Park the vehicle on a level surface, apply
the parking brake securely and block the
wheels to prevent the vehicle from mov-
ing. Press the P (Park) button.
•Be sure the ignition switch is in the OFF
position when performing any parts re-
placement or repairs.
•Do not work under the hood while the
engine is hot. Always turn off the engine
and wait until it cools down.
•If you must work with the engine run-
ning, keep your hands, clothing, hair and
tools away from moving fans, belts and
any other moving parts.
•It is advisable to secure or remove any
loose clothing and any jewelry, such as
rings, watches, etc. before working on
your vehicle.
•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 by a jack.
•Keep smoking materials, flame and
sparks away from fuel and the battery.
•Never connect or disconnect either the
battery or any transistorized compo-
nent connector while the ignition switch
is in the ON position.
•On gasoline engine models with the
Multiport Fuel Injection system, the fuel
filter and fuel lines should be serviced by
an INFINITI retailer or qualified work-
shop because the fuel lines are under
high pressure even when the engine is
turned off.
•Your vehicle is equipped with an auto-
matic engine cooling fan. It may come on
at any time without warning, even if the
ignition switch is in the OFF position
and the engine is not running. To avoid
injury, always disconnect the negative
battery cable before working near the
fan.
•Always wear eye protection whenever
you work on your vehicle.
•Never leave the engine or the transmis-
sion related component harness connec-
tor disconnected while the ignition
switch is in the ON position.
•Avoid direct contact with used engine oil
and coolant. Improperly disposed engine
oil, engine coolant, and/or other vehicle
fluids can hurt the environment. Always
conform to local regulations for disposal
of vehicle fluids.
This “ 8. Do-it-yourself” section provides in-
structions regarding only those items which
are relatively easy for an owner to perform.
You should be aware that incomplete or im-
proper servicing may result in operating diffi-
culties or excessive emissions, and could af-
fect your warranty coverage. If in doubt
about any servicing, it is recommended you
have it done by an INFINITI retailer.
MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS
8-2Do-it-yourself
2.0L GASOLINE ENGINE
1. Engine coolant reservoir (P.8-3)
2. Engine oil dipstick (P.8-5)
3. Engine oil filler cap (P.8-5)
4. Brake fluid reservoir (P.8-7)
5. Engine air cleaner filter (P.8-13)6. Battery (P.8-9)
7. Fuse box (P.8-17)
8. Window washer fluid reservoir (P.8-8)
WARNING
The engine cooling system is filled at the
factory with a high-quality, year-round,
antifreeze coolant solution. The antifreeze
solution contains rust and corrosion inhibi-
tors, therefore additional cooling system
additives are not necessary.
•Never remove the radiator or coolant
reservoir cap when the engine is hot.
Wait until the engine and radiator cool
down. Serious burns could be caused by
high-pressure fluid escaping from the
radiator. For additional information on
precautions, refer to "If your vehicle
overheats" in the "6. In case of emer-
gency" section
•The engine coolant reservoir tank is
equipped with a pressure type cap. To
prevent engine damage, use only a
genuine INFINITI pressure cap.
CAUTION
•Never use any cooling system additives
such as radiator sealer. Additives may
clog the cooling system and cause dam-
age to the engine, transmission and/or
cooling system.
NIC2833
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK
LOCATIONS ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
Do-it-yourself8-3