If you choose to use a tire dressing, take the
following precautions:
•Use a water-based tire dressing. The coat-
ing on the tire dissolves more easily than
with an oil-based tire dressing.
•Apply a light coat of tire dressing to help
prevent it from entering the tire tread/
grooves (where it would be difficult to re-
move).
•Wipe off excess tire dressing using a dry
towel. Make sure the tire dressing is com-
pletely removed from the tire tread/
grooves.
•Allow the tire dressing to dry as recom-
mended by tire dressing manufacturer. Occasionally remove loose dust from the in-
terior trim, plastic parts and seats using a
vacuum cleaner or soft bristled brush. Wipe
the vinyl and leather surfaces with a clean,
soft cloth dampened in mild soap solution,
then wipe clean with a dry, soft cloth.
Regular care and cleaning is required in order
to maintain the appearance of the leather.
Before using any fabric protector, read the
manufacturer’s recommendations. Some
fabric protectors contain chemicals that may
stain or bleach the seat material.
Use a soft cloth dampened only with water to
clean the meter and gauge lens covers.
WARNING
Do not use water or acidic cleaners (hot
steam cleaners) on the seat. This can dam-
age the seat or occupant classification sen-
sor. This can also affect the operation of
the air bag system and result in serious per-
sonal injury.
CAUTION
•Never use benzine, thinner or any similar
material on the interior surfaces or sur-
face damage may occur. Such damage is
not covered under the INFINITI war-
ranty.
•Small dirt particles can be abrasive and
damaging to leather surfaces and should
be removed promptly. Do not use saddle
soap, car waxes, polishes, oils, cleaning
fluids, solvents, detergents or
ammonia-based cleaners as they dam-
age the leather's natural finish.
•Never use fabric protectors unless rec-
ommended by the manufacturer.
•Do not use glass or plastic cleaner on
meter or gauge lens covers. It may dam-
age the lens covers.
AIR FRESHENERS
Most air fresheners use a solvent that could
affect the vehicle interior. If you use an air
freshener, take the following precautions:
•Hanging-type air fresheners can cause
permanent discoloration when they con-
tact vehicle interior surfaces. Place the air
freshener in a location that allows it to
CLEANING INTERIOR
7-4Appearance and care
Allow the belts to dry completely in the shade
before using them. For additional informa-
tion, see "Seat belts" in the "1. Safety — seats,
seat belts and supplemental restraint system"
section.
WARNING
•Do not allow wet seat belts to roll up in
the retractor.
•NEVER use bleach, dye or chemical sol-
vents to clean the seat belts, since these
materials may severely weaken the seat
belt webbing.
CLEANING THE SEAT TRACKS
CAUTION
Periodically clean the seat tracks to pre-
vent reduction of ability to move the seats.
Clean periodically with a high-powered
vacuum cleaner. Dirt and debris may re-
duce the ability to adjust the seat. A wet
cleansing agent may be used if necessary.
GENUINE LEATHER SEAT
COVERS
Automotive leather is typically finished with
coatings which protect the surface from the
sun's damaging rays as well as making it re-
sistant to soiling. The finishes used in auto-
motive upholstery are unique; very different
to furniture, garment or shoe leathers.
Leather is extremely resilient and easy to
clean and maintain.
•Before cleaning leather upholstery,
vacuum it to remove dust.
•To clean leather, simply use a soft and
lint-free cloth dampened with lukewarm
water and mild soap. Do not soak the
leather.
•Use a gentle, circular motion. Do not run
the leather or apply extreme pressure
when cleaning.
•Wipe the leather again with another clean,
slightly damp cloth to remove soap resi-
due. Dry with a soft cloth.
Leather should be cleaned whenever it be-
comes soiled. Dust and dirt may harm leather
if allowed to work into the finish. Never use alcohol, cleaning solvents, oils,
varnishes or polishes on your leather, and
avoid using unknown products as they dam-
age the finish. Only use leather care agents
approved by INFINITI.
Steaming or ironing is not recommended as it
may damage the leather.
Leather is a natural product and has natural
surface properties such as unevenness in
structure, marks caused by injury, and subtle
color differences. These are characteristics of
leather and not material faults.
Leather cleaning kit (if equipped)
Spray onto the leather cleaning cloth, then
gently wipe the surface of leather. Use a dry
towel to absorb any excess moisture.
Please refer to the instruction manual pro-
vided with the leather cleaner kit.
Clean light-colored leather more frequently
because soiling on such surfaces is much
more visible.
You can obtain the leather cleaner kit from an
INFINITI retailer.
7-6Appearance and care
ACCESSING VEHICLE BATTERY
The vehicle battery is stored under a cover.
To remove the cover to gain access to the
battery:
1. Disconnect the hood release cable
1and
any other cables from the battery cover.
2. Hold the battery top cover firmly and slide it towards the front of the car
2and
upwards
3.
3. Lift the cover up and away from the bat- tery.
NOTE
When installing the battery cover, remem-
ber to replace cables in their original posi-
tion.
MAINTENANCE FREE BATTERY
For a maintenance free battery it is not re-
quired to check the fluid level. However,
INFINITI recommends to visually check the
status of the green indicator
A(if so
equipped) periodically. If it is not visible, re-
place the battery as soon as possible.
NDI1590
NDI920Z
8-10Do-it-yourself
Propeller shaft(s):
Check for damage, looseness, and grease
leakage. (4WD/AWD).
Steering gear and linkage, axle and suspen-
sion parts, drive shaft boots:
Check for damage, looseness, and leakage of
oil or grease. Under severe driving conditions,
inspect more frequently
Tire rotation:
Tires should be rotated every 5,000 miles
(8,000 km) according to the instructions un-
der "Tire rotation*" earlier in this section.
When rotating tires, check for damage and
uneven wear. Replace if necessary.
Transmission fluid/oil, differential oil,
transfer case oil:
Visually inspect for signs of leakage at speci-
fied intervals.To ensure smooth, trouble-free, safe and
economical driving, INFINITI provides two
maintenance schedules that may be used,
depending upon the conditions in which you
usually drive. These schedules contain both
distance and time intervals, up to 120,000
miles (192,000 km)/144 months. For most
people, the odometer reading will indicate
when service is needed. However, if you drive
very little, your vehicle should be serviced at
the regular time intervals shown in the sched-
ule.
After 120,000 miles (192,000 km)/144
months, continue maintenance at the same
mileage/time intervals.
ADDITIONAL MAINTENANCE
ITEMS FOR SEVERE OPERATING
SYSTEMS
Additional maintenance items for severe op-
erating conditions; should be performed on
vehicles that are driven under especially de-
manding conditions. Additional maintenance
items should be performed if you primarily
operate your vehicle under the following con-
ditions:
•Repeated short trips of less than 5 miles in
normal temperatures or less than 10 miles
in freezing temperatures.
•Stop-and-go traffic in hot weather or low
speed driving for long distances.
•Driving in dusty conditions or on rough,
muddy or salt-spread roads.
•Towing a trailer, or using a camper or car-
top carrier.
OIL CHANGE MONITOR
This vehicle is equipped with oil change moni-
tor. It calculates engine oil and filter change
interval base on driving conditions. Driving in
severe conditions will shorten the engine oil
and filter change interval. When the Engine
Oil – Service Due Now warning appears in
the vehicle information display, the engine oil
and filter need to be replaced.
NOTE
For vehicles operated in Canada, both stan-
dard and severe maintenance items should
be performed at every interval.
MAINTENANCE SERVICE
MESSAGES
The maintenance service interval display in-
forms you of the next service due date.
NOTE
The maintenance service interval display
does not show any information on the engine
oil level.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
Maintenance and Schedules9-7
10 Technical information
Recommended fluids/lubricants and capacities . .10-2Fuel recommendation ............... .10-3
Engine oil and oil filter recommendations . . . .10-5
Air conditioner system refrigerant and oil
recommendations .................. .10-6
Engine specifications .................. .10-7
Wheels and Tires .................... .10-8
Dimensions ........................ .10-9
When traveling or registering in another
country ......................... .10-10
Vehicle identification ................. .10-10
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate . . .10-10
Vehicle identification number (chassis
number) ....................... .10-11
Engine serial number ............... .10-11
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. Certification label. . . .10-11
Emission control information label .......10-12
Tire and loading information label ........10-12
Air conditioner specification label ........10-12Installing front license plate
..............10-13
Vehicle loading information ..............10-14
TERMS ....................... .10-14
Vehicle load capacity ............... .10-15
Loading tips .................... .10-16
Measurement of weights .............10-16
Trailer towing ..................... .10-16
Uniform tire quality grading ..............10-17
Treadwear ..................... .10-17
Traction AA, A, B and C ..............10-17
Temperature A, B and C ..............10-17
Emission control system warranty .........10-18
Reporting safety defects ...............10-18
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M)
test ............................ .10-19
Event data recorders (EDR) (if so equipped) . . .10-20
Owner's manual/service manual order
information ....................... .10-20
Gasoline specifications
INFINITI recommends using gasoline that
meets the World-Wide Fuel Charter
(WWFC) specifications where it is available.
Many of the automobile manufacturers de-
veloped this specification to improve emis-
sion system and vehicle performance. Ask
your service station manager if the gasoline
meets the World-Wide Fuel Charter
(WWFC) specifications.
Reformulated gasoline
Some fuel suppliers are now producing refor-
mulated gasolines. These gasolines are spe-
cially designed to reduce vehicle emissions.
INFINITI supports efforts towards cleaner air
and suggests that you use reformulated
gasoline when available.
Gasoline containing oxygenates
Some fuel suppliers sell gasoline containing
oxygenates such as ethanol, MTBE and
methanol with or without advertising their
presence. INFINITI does not recommend the
use of fuels of which the oxygenate content
and the fuel compatibility for your INFINITI
cannot be readily determined. If in doubt, ask
your service station manager.
If you use oxygenate-blend gasoline, please
take the following precautions as the usageof such fuels may cause vehicle performance
problems and/or fuel system damage.
•The fuel should be unleaded and have an
octane rating no lower than that recom-
mended for unleaded gasoline.
•If an oxygenate-blend, other than a
methanol blend, is used, it should contain
no more than 10% oxygenate. (MTBE
may, however, be added up to 15%.)
•E-15 fuel contains more than 10% oxy-
genate. E-15 fuel will adversely affect the
emission control devices and systems of
the vehicle and should not be used. Dam-
age caused by such fuel is not covered by
the INFINITI New Vehicle Limited War-
ranty.
•If a methanol blend is used, it should con-
tain no more than 5% methanol (methyl
alcohol, wood alcohol). It should also con-
tain a suitable amount of appropriate co-
solvents and corrosion inhibitors. If not
properly formulated with appropriate co-
solvents and corrosion inhibitors, such
methanol blends may cause fuel system
damage and/or vehicle performance
problems.
At this time, sufficient data is not avail-
able to ensure that all methanol blends
are suitable for use in INFINITI vehicles. If any driveability problems such as engine
stalling and difficult hot-starting are experi-
enced after using oxygenate-blend fuels, im-
mediately change to a nonoxygenate fuel or a
fuel with a low blend of MTBE.
Take care not to spill gasoline during refuel-
ing. Gasoline containing oxygenates can
cause paint damage.
E-15 fuel
E-15 fuel is a mixture of approximately 15%
fuel ethanol and 85% unleaded gasoline.
E-15 can only be used in vehicles designed to
run on E-15 fuel. Do not use E-15 in your
vehicle. U.S. government regulations require
fuel ethanol dispensing pumps to be identi-
fied with small, square, orange and black la-
bel with the common abbreviation or the ap-
propriate percentage for that region.
E-85 fuel
E-85 fuel is a mixture of approximately 85%
fuel ethanol and 15% unleaded gasoline.
E-85 can only be used in a Flexible Fuel Ve-
hicle (FFV). Do not use E-85 fuel in your
vehicle. U.S. government regulations require
fuel ethanol dispensing pumps to be identi-
fied by a small, square, orange and black label
with the common abbreviation or the appro-
priate percentage for that region.
10-4Technical information
WARNING
•It is extremely dangerous to ride in a
cargo area inside a vehicle. In a collision,
people riding in these areas are more
likely to be seriously injured or killed.
•Do not allow people to ride in any area of
vehicle that is not equipped with seats
and seat belts.
•Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a
seat and using a seat belt properly.
TERMS
It is important to familiarize yourself with the
following terms before loading your vehicle:
•Curb Weight (actual weight of your ve-
hicle) - vehicle weight including: standard
and optional equipment, fluids, emergency
tools, and spare tire assembly. This weight
does not include passengers and cargo.
•GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) - curb weight
plus the combined weight of passengers
and cargo.
•GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) -
maximum total combined weight of the
unloaded vehicle, passengers, luggage,
hitch, trailer tongue load and any other optional equipment. This information is lo-
cated on the F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. label.
•GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) - maxi-
mum weight (load) limit specified for the
front or rear axle. This information is lo-
cated on the F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. label.
•GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) -
The maximum total weight rating of the
vehicle, passengers, cargo, and trailer.
•Vehicle Capacity Weight, Load limit, Total
load capacity - maximum total weight limit
specified of the load (passengers and
cargo) for the vehicle. This is the maximum
combined weight of occupants and cargo
that can be loaded into the vehicle. If the
vehicle is used to tow a trailer, the trailer
tongue weight must be included as part of
the cargo load. This information is located
on the Tire and Loading Information label.
•Cargo capacity - permissible weight of
cargo, the weight of total occupants
weight subtracted from the load limit.
VEHICLE LOADING INFORMATION
10-14Technical information
VEHICLE LOAD CAPACITY
Do not exceed the load limit of your vehicle
shown as “The combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo” on the Tire and Loading
Information label. Do not exceed the numberof occupants shown as “Seating Capacity” on
the Tire and Loading Information label.
To get “the combined weight of occupants
and cargo”, add the weight of all occupants,
then add the total luggage weight. Examples
are shown in the illustration.
Steps for determining correct load
limit
1. Locate the statement “The combined
weight of occupants and cargo should
never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs” on your
vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be riding in
your vehicle.
3.
Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage load capac-
ity. For example, if the XXX amount equals
1400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lb.
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity
is 650 lbs. (1400 − 750 (5 x 150) = 650
lbs) or 640 − 340 (5 x 70) = 300 kg.)
5. Determine the combined weight of lug- gage and cargo being loaded on the ve-
hicle. That weight may not safely exceed
the available cargo and luggage load ca-
pacity calculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be transferred to
your vehicle. Consult this manual to deter-
mine how this reduces the available cargo
and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
STI0445
Technical information10-15