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
In addition to the vehicle load, the driving
distance possible depends upon:
•Vehicle speed.
•Road condition.
•Outside temperature.
The driving distance possible in run-flat mode
may be reduced by extreme driving
conditions/maneuvers, or it can be increased
through a moderate style of driving.
The driving distance possible in run-flat mode
is counted from the moment the tire pressure
loss warning appears in the vehicle informa-
tion display.
You must not exceed a maximum speed of 50
MPH (80 km/h).
When replacing one or all tires, observe the
following specifications for your vehicle's
tires:
•Size
•Type
•Run-flat mark
If a tire has gone flat and cannot be replaced
with a run flat tire, a standard tire may be
used as a temporary measure. Make sure that
you use the proper size and type (summer or
winter tire).
WARNING
Do not exceed the stated maximum speed.
Avoid abrupt steering and driving maneu-
vers, and driving over obstacles (curbs, pot
holes, off road). This applies in particular to
a laden vehicle.
Stop driving in emergency mode if:
•You hear banging noises.
•The vehicle starts to shake.
•You see smoke and smell rubber.
•VDC is intervening constantly.
•There are tears in the sidewalls of the
tire.
After driving in emergency mode, have the
wheel rims checked with regard to their
further use. It is recommended you visit an
INFINITI retailer for this service. The faulty
tire must be replaced.
REMOVING AND FITTING
WHEELS
NOTE
A spare wheel is not provided with your ve-
hicle.
Blocking the wheels
WARNING
Make sure to block the appropriate wheel
to prevent the vehicle from moving, which
may cause personal injury.
Place suitable blocks
1in front of and be-
hind the wheel diagonally opposite the flat
tire
Ato prevent the vehicle from moving
when it is on the jack.
MCE0001DZ
In case of emergency6-5
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
REMOVING SPOTS
Remove tar and oil spots, industrial dust, in-
sects, and tree sap as quickly as possible from
the paint surface to avoid lasting damage or
staining. Special cleaning products are avail-
able at an INFINITI retailer or any automotive
accessory store.
UNDERBODY
In areas where road salt is used in the winter,
it is necessary to clean the vehicle’s under-
body regularly in order to prevent dirt and salt
from building up and causing the acceleration
of corrosion on the underbody and suspen-
sion.
Before the winter and again in the spring, the
underseal must be checked and, if necessary,
re-treated.
GLASS
Use glass cleaner to remove smoke and dust
film from the glass surfaces. It is normal for
glass to become coated with a film after the
vehicle is parked in the hot sun. Glass cleaner
and a soft cloth will easily remove this film.
CAUTION
When cleaning the inside of the windows,
do not use sharp-edged tools, abrasive
cleaners or chlorine-based disinfectant
cleaners. They could damage the electrical
conductors, radio antenna elements or rear
window defroster elements.
WHEELS
•Wash the wheels when washing the ve-
hicle to maintain their appearance.
•Clean the inner side of the wheels when
the wheel is changed or the underside of
the vehicle is washed.
•Do not use abrasive cleaners when wash-
ing the wheels.
•Inspect wheel rims regularly for dents or
corrosion. This may cause loss of pressure
or damage the tire bead.
•INFINITI recommends that the road
wheels be waxed to protect against road
salt in areas where it is used during winter.
ALUMINUM ALLOY WHEELS
Wash the wheels regularly with a sponge
dampened in a mild soap solution, especially
during winter in areas where road salt is used. The salt residue from road salt could discolor
the wheels if it is not washed off regularly.
CAUTION
Follow the directions below to avoid stain-
ing or discoloring the wheels:
•Do not use a cleaner that uses strong
acid or alkali contents to clean the
wheels.
•Do not apply wheel cleaners to the
wheels when they are hot. The wheel
temperature should be the same as am-
bient temperature.
•Rinse the wheel to completely remove
the cleaner within 15 minutes after the
cleaner is applied.
CHROME PARTS
Clean all chrome parts regularly with a non-
abrasive chrome polish to maintain the finish.
TIRE DRESSINGS
INFINITI does not recommend the use of tire
dressings. Tire manufacturers apply a coating
to the tires to help reduce discoloration of the
rubber. If a tire dressing is applied to the tires,
it may react with the coating and form a
compound. This compound may come off the
tire while driving and stain the vehicle paint.
Appearance and care7-3
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
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface andapply the parking brake.
2. Start the engine and let it idle until it reaches the normal operating tempera-
ture, then turn it off.
3. Remove the oil filler cap by turning it counterclockwise.
4. Remove the engine undershield.
5. Place a large drain pan under the drain plug.
6. Remove the drain plug with a wrench by turning it counterclockwise and com-
pletely drain the oil. If the oil filter is to be
changed, remove and replace it at this
time. For additional information, refer to
"Changing engine oil filter" later in this
section.
•Waste oil must be disposed of prop-
erly.
•Check your local regulations.
7. Clean and reinstall the drain plug and a new washer. Securely tighten the drain
plug with a wrench. Do not use excessive
force.
Drain plug tightening torque: 22 ft-lb, 30
N•m
8. Refill engine with recommended oil through the oil filler opening, then install
the oil filler cap securely.
For additional information on drain and
refill capacity, refer to "Recommended
fluids/lubricants and capacities" in the "9.
Maintenance and Schedules" section.
The drain and refill capacity depends on
the oil temperature and drain time. Use
these specifications for reference only.
Always use the dipstick to determine
when the proper amount of oil is in the
engine.
9. Start the engine. Check for leakage around the drain plug and oil filter. Correct
as required.
10. Turn the engine off and wait more than 10 minutes. Check the oil level with the
dipstick. Add engine oil if necessary.
CHANGING ENGINE OIL FILTER
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface andapply the parking brake.
2. Turn the engine off.
3. Place a large drain pan under the oil filter
1.
4. Loosen the oil filter
1with an oil filter
wrench by turning it counterclockwise.
Then remove the oil filter by turning it by
hand.
CAUTION
Be careful not to burn yourself. The engine
oil may be hot.
5. Wipe the engine oil filter sealing surface with a clean rag.
NDI1622NDI1610
2.0L gasoline engine
8-6Do-it-yourself
9. Press on housing cover1and turn it to
the right.
10. Replace the cover in the front wheel arch
11. Reconnect the negative (—) battery cable and close the hood.
NOTE
Fog may temporarily form inside the lens of
the exterior lights in the rain or in a car wash.
The fog is caused by a temperature differ-
ence between the inside and the outside of
the lens. This is not a malfunction. If large
droplets can be seen, it is recommended that
you visit an INFINITI retailer.
Front turn signal light bulb
replacement (non-LED system only)
1. Open the hood. For details, see "Hood" in the "3. Pre-driving checks and adjust-
ments" section.
2. Disconnect the negative (—) battery cable.
3. Turn housing cover
1counterclockwise
and remove it.
4. Turn bulb holder
2counterclockwise and
pull out
5. Take the headlight bulb out of bulb holder
2. 6. Insert the new bulb into bulb holder
2.
7. Insert bulb holder
2and turn it clockwise.
8. Press on housing cover
1and turn it to
the right.
9. Reconnect the negative (—) battery cable and close the hood.
NDI1612
8-26Do-it-yourself
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