Follow these easy-to-use Fuel Efficient Driv-
ing Tips to help you achieve the most fuel
economy from your vehicle.
1.Use Smooth Accelerator and Brake Pedal
Application
•Avoid rapid starts and stops.
•Use smooth, gentle accelerator and
brake application whenever possible.
•Maintain constant speed while com-
muting and coast whenever possible.
2. Maintain Constant Speed
•Look ahead to try and anticipate and
minimize stops.
•Synchronizing your speed with traffic
lights allows you to reduce your num-
ber of stops.
•Maintaining a steady speed can mini-
mize red light stops and improve fuel
efficiency.
3. Use Air Conditioning (A/C) at Higher Ve-
hicle Speeds
•Below 40 MPH (64 km/h), it is more
efficient to open windows to cool the
vehicle due to reduced engine load.
•Above 40 MPH (64 km/h), it is more
efficient to use A/C to cool the vehicle
due to increased aerodynamic drag.
•Recirculating the cool air in the cabin
when the A/C is on reduces cooling
load.
4. Drive at Economical Speeds and Dis-
tances
•Observing the speed limit and not ex-
ceeding 60 MPH (97 km/h) (where le-
gally allowed) can improve fuel effi-
ciency due to reduced aerodynamic
drag.
•Maintaining a safe following distance
behind other vehicles reduces unneces-
sary braking.
•Safely monitoring traffic to anticipate
changes in speed permits reduced
braking and smooth acceleration
changes.
•Select a gear range suitable to road
conditions.
5. Use Cruise Control
•Using cruise control during highway
driving helps maintain a steady speed.
•Cruise control is particularly effective in
providing fuel savings when driving on
flat terrains.
Utilize a map or navigation system to deter-
mine the best route to save time. 6.
Avoid Idling
•Shutting off your engine when safe for
stops exceeding 30 seconds saves fuel
and reduces emissions.
7. Buy an Automated Pass for Toll Roads
•Automated passes permit drivers to
use special lanes to maintain cruising
speed through the toll and avoid stop-
ping and starting.
8. Winter Warm Up
•Limit idling time to minimize impact to
fuel economy.
•Vehicles typically need no more than
30 seconds of idling at start-up to ef-
fectively circulate the engine oil before
driving.
•Your vehicle will reach its ideal operat-
ing temperature more quickly while
driving versus idling.
9. Keeping your Vehicle Cool
•Park your vehicle in a covered parking
area or in the shade whenever possible.
•When entering a hot vehicle, opening
the windows will help to reduce the
inside temperature faster, resulting in
reduced demand on your A/C system.
FUEL EFFICIENT DRIVING TIPS
5-86Starting and driving
•Keep your engine tuned up.
•Follow the recommended scheduled
maintenance.
•Keep the tires inflated to the correct pres-
sure. Low tire pressure increases tire wear
and lowers fuel economy.
•Keep all the wheels in correct alignment.
Improper alignment increases tire wear
and lowers fuel economy.
•Use the recommended viscosity engine oil.
For additional information, see "Recom-
mended fluids/lubricants and capacities"
in the "10. Technical information" section
WARNING
•Do not drive beyond the performance
capability of the tires, even with 4WD
engaged. Accelerating quickly, sharp
steering maneuvers or sudden braking
may cause loss of control.
•Always use tires of the same type, size,
brand, construction (bias, bias-belted or
radial), and tread pattern on all four
wheels.
•This vehicle is not designed for off-road
(rough road) use. Do not drive on sandy
or muddy roads that tires may get stuck
in.
•For 4WD equipped vehicles, do not at-
tempt to raise two wheels off the
ground and shift the transmission to any
drive or reverse position with the engine
running. Doing so may result in drive-
train damage or unexpected vehicle
movement which could result in serious
vehicle damage or personal injury.
•Do not attempt to test a 4WD equipped
vehicle on a 2-wheel dynamometer
(such as the dynamometers used by
some states for emissions testing) or
similar equipment even if the other two
wheels are raised off the ground. Make sure that you inform the test facility
personnel that your vehicle is equipped
with 4WD before it is placed on a dyna-
mometer. Using the wrong test equip-
ment may result in drivetrain damage or
unexpected vehicle movement which
could result in serious vehicle damage or
personal injury.
•When a wheel is off the ground due to an
uneven surface, do not spin the wheel
excessively.
INCREASING FUEL ECONOMY FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) (IF EQUIPPED)
Starting and driving5-87
•Do not place the ignition switch in the on
position while the steering wheel or a
tire is removed.
•Do not turn the steering wheel as much
as possible while the ignition switch is in
any position other than the ON position.
•Installing an accessory on the steering
wheel, or changing the steering wheel,
may reduce the steering performance.
NOTE
When the steering wheel is operated repeat-
edly or continuously while parking or driving
at a very low speed, the power assistance for
the steering wheel will be reduced. This is to
prevent overheating of the electric power
steering system and protect it from becom-
ing damaged. While the power assistance is
reduced, steering wheel operation will be-
come heavy. When the temperature of the
electric power steering system decreases,
the power assistance level will return to nor-
mal. Avoid repeating such steering wheel
operations that could cause the electric
power steering system to overheat. The brake system has two separate hydraulic
circuits. If one circuit malfunctions, you will
still have braking ability at two wheels.
BRAKE PRECAUTIONS
WARNING
While driving on a slippery surface, be
careful when braking, accelerating or
downshifting. Abrupt braking or acceler-
ating could cause the wheels to skid and
result in an accident.
Vacuum assisted brakes
The brake booster aids braking by using en-
gine vacuum. If the engine stops, you can
stop the vehicle by depressing the brake
pedal. However, greater foot pressure on the
brake pedal will be required to stop the ve-
hicle. The stopping distance will be longer.
WARNING
•If the engine is not running or is turned
off while driving, the power assist for
the brakes will not work. Braking will be
harder.
•Do not coast with the engine stopped. When the brake pedal is depressed slowly
and firmly, you may hear a clicking noise and
feel a slight pulsation. This is normal and
indicates that the Brake Assist System is op-
erating (if equipped).
Using brakes
Avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal
while driving. This will overheat the brakes,
wear out the brake linings/pads faster, and
increase fuel consumption.
To help reduce brake wear and to prevent the
brakes from overheating, reduce speed and
downshift to a lower gear before going down
a slope or long grade. Overheated brakes
may reduce braking performance and could
result in loss of vehicle control.
While driving on a slippery surface, be careful
when braking, accelerating or downshifting.
Abrupt braking or acceleration could cause
the wheels to skid and result in an accident.
Wet brakes
When the vehicle is washed or driven through
water, the brakes may get wet. As a result,
your braking distance will be longer and the
vehicle may pull to one side during braking.
To dry the brakes, drive the vehicle at a safe
speed while lightly depressing the brake
pedal to heat up the brakes. Do this until the
brakes return to normal. Avoid driving the
BRAKE SYSTEM
Starting and driving5-91
MOST COMMON FACTORS
CONTRIBUTING TO VEHICLE
CORROSION
Most vehicle corrosion is caused by:
•The accumulation of moisture-retaining
dirt and debris in body panel sections, cavi-
ties, and other areas.
•Damage to the paint surface and other
protective coatings caused by gravel and
stone chips or minor traffic accidents.
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
INFLUENCE THE RATE OF
CORROSION
Moisture
The accumulation of sand, dirt and water on
the inside floor of the vehicle can accelerate
corrosion. Wet floor carpet/floor mats will
not dry completely inside the vehicle. They
should be removed and completely dried to
avoid floor panel corrosion.
Relative humidity
Corrosion will be accelerated in areas of high
relative humidity, especially those areas
where the temperatures stay above freezing
and where atmospheric pollution exists and
road salt is used.
Temperature
High temperatures accelerate the rate of cor-
rosion to those parts which are not well ven-
tilated.
Air pollution
Industrial pollution, the presence of salt in the
air in coastal areas, or heavy road salt use
accelerates the corrosion process. Road salt
also accelerates the disintegration of paint
surfaces.
TO PROTECT YOUR VEHICLE
FROM CORROSION
•Wash and wax your vehicle often to keep
the vehicle clean.
•Always check for minor damage to the
paint surface and repair it as soon as pos-
sible.
•Keep drain holes in the lower edge of the
doors open to avoid water accumulation.
•Check the underbody for accumulation of
sand, dirt or salt. If present, wash with
water as soon as possible.
CAUTION
•NEVER remove dirt, sand or other de-
bris from the passenger compartment
by washing it out with a hose. Remove
dirt with a vacuum cleaner or broom.
•Never allow water or other liquids to
come in contact with electronic compo-
nents inside the vehicle as this may dam-
age them.
Chemicals used for road surface deicing are
extremely corrosive. They accelerate corro-
sion and deterioration of underbody compo-
nents such as the exhaust system, fuel and
brake lines, brake cables, floor pan and fend-
ers.
In winter, the underbody must be cleaned
periodically.
For additional protection against rust and
corrosion, which may be required in some
areas, it is recommended that you visit an
INFINITI retailer.
CORROSION PROTECTION
Appearance and care7-7
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
Replace the spark plugs according to the
maintenance schedule shown in a separate
maintenance booklet.
If replacement is required, it is recommended
that you visit an INFINITI retailer.
Always replace spark plugs with recom-
mended or equivalent ones.
WARNING
Be sure the engine and ignition switch are
off and that the parking brake is engaged
securely.
CAUTION
•Be sure to use the correct socket to re-
move the spark plugs. An incorrect
socket can cause damage to the spark
plugs. It is recommended that you visit an INFINITI
retailer if checking or replacement is required.
WARNING
•Operating the engine with the air
cleaner filter off can cause you or others
to be burned. The air cleaner filter not
only cleans the intake air, it also stops
the flame if the engine backfires. If the
air cleaner is not installed and the engine
backfires, you could be burned. Never
drive with the air cleaner filter off. Be
cautious working on the engine when
the air cleaner is off.
•Never pour fuel into the throttle body or
attempt to start the engine with the air
cleaner removed. Doing so could result
in serious injury.
CLEANING
If the windshield or rear window is not clear
after using the window washer or if a wiper
blade chatters when running, wax or other
material may be on the blade or windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield or rear
window with a washer solution or a mild
detergent. The windshield or rear window is
clean if beads do not form when rinsing with
clear water.
Clean the blade by wiping it with a cloth
soaked in a washer solution or a mild deter-
gent. Then rinse the blade with clear water. If
the windshield or rear window is still not clear
after cleaning the blades and using the wiper,
replace the blades.
CAUTION
Worn windshield wiper blades can damage
the windshield and impair driver vision.
SPARK PLUGS AIR CLEANER FILTERWIPER BLADES
Do-it-yourself8-13
Parking brake*:
Check the parking brake operation regularly.
Also make sure that the vehicle is held se-
curely on a fairly steep hill when only the
parking brake is applied. If the parking brake
needs adjustment, it is recommended you
visit an INFINITI retailer for this service.
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 se-
curely in all latched positions.
Seat belts:
Check that all parts of the seat belt system
(for example, buckles, anchors, adjusters and
retractors) operate properly and smoothly,
and are installed securely. Check the belt
webbing for cuts, fraying, wear or damage.
Steering wheel:
Check for changes in the steering condition,
such as excessive free play, hard steering or
strange noises.
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 good 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*:
Except for maintenance free battery, check
the fluid level in each cell. It should be be-
tween the “UPPER” and “LOWER” lines. Ve-
hicles operated in high temperatures or under
severe conditions 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 electronic
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 be-
tween the “MAX” and “MIN” lines on the res-
ervoir.
Coolant level*:
Check the coolant level when the engine is
cold.
Engine drive belt(s)*:
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 recommended you visit an
9-4Maintenance and Schedules
INFINITI retailer for this service. See "Precau-
tions when starting and driving" in the "5.
Starting and driving" section.
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.
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, deformation, rot or loose connec-
tions.Underbody:
The underbody is frequently exposed to cor-
rosive substances such as those used on icy
roads or to control dust. It is very important to
remove these substances, 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
accumulate. For additional information, see
"Cleaning exterior" in the "7. Appearance and
care" section.
Windshield washer fluid*:
Check that there is adequate fluid in the res-
ervoir.
The following descriptions are provided to
give you a better understanding of the sched-
uled maintenance items that should be regu-
larly checked or replaced. The maintenance
schedule indicates at which mileage/time in-
tervals each item requires service.
In addition to scheduled maintenance, your
vehicle requires that some items be checked
during normal day-to-day operation. Refer to
"General maintenance" in this section.
Items marked with “*” are recommended by
INFINITI for reliable vehicle operation. You
are not required to perform maintenance on
these items in order to maintain the warran-
ties which come with your vehicle. Other
maintenance items and intervals are required.
When applicable, additional information can
be found in the “Do-it-yourself” section in
Chapter 8.
NOTE
INFINITI does not advocate the use of non-
OEM approved aftermarket flushing sys-
tems and strongly advises against perform-
ing these services on an INFINITI product.
Many of the aftermarket flushing systems
use non-OEM approved chemicals or sol-
vents, the use of which has not been vali-
dated by INFINITI.
EXPLANATION OF GENERAL
MAINTENANCE ITEMS
Maintenance and Schedules9-5