8 Do-it-yourself
Maintenance precautions.........................8-2
Engine compartment check locations ..............8-3
Engine cooling system ........................... 8-4
Checking engine coolant level ..................8-5
Changing engine coolant ......................8-5
Engine oil ........................................8-6
Checking engine oil level .......................8-6
Changing engine oil ...........................8-7
Changing engine oil filter ..................... 8-8
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) fluid ....8-9
Power steering fluid ..............................8-9
Brake fluid ..................................... 8-10
Windshield-washer fluid ......................... 8-11
Windshield-washer fluid reservoir .............8-11
Battery ........................................ 8-12
Jump starting ............................... 8-14
Drive belt ...................................... 8-15
Spark plugs .................................... 8-15
Replacing spark plugs ....................... 8-15
Air cleaner ..................................... 8-16In-cabin microfilter
.......................... 8-16
Windshield wiper blades ........................ 8-17
Cleaning .................................... 8-17
Replacing ................................... 8-17
Brakes ......................................... 8-19
Fuses .......................................... 8-20
Engine compartment ........................ 8-20
Passenger compartment .....................8-21
Battery replacement ............................ 8-22
INFINITI Intelligent Key ......................8-22
Lights ......................................... 8-24
Headlights .................................. 8-24
Fog lights ................................... 8-24
Exterior and interior lights ...................8-25
Wheels and tires ............................... 8-28
Tire pressure ................................ 8-28
Tire labeling ................................. 8-32
Types of tires ............................... 8-34
Tire
chains .................................. 8-35
Changing wheels and tires ...................8-36
VQ35DD engine
1. Power steering fluid reservoir
2. Engine coolant reservoir
3. Drive belt location
4. Fuse box
5. Engine oil filler cap
6. Brake fluid reservoir
7. Air cleaner
8. Fuse box
9. Fuse/Fusible link box
10. Battery
11. Engine oil dipstick
12. Radiator cap
13. Windshield-washer fluid reservoir
NOTE:
Some engine covers removed for clarity.
LDI3131
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK
LOCATIONS
Do-it-yourself8-3
CHANGING ENGINE OIL
WARNING
∙ Prolonged and repeated contact withused engine oil may cause skin cancer. ∙ Try to avoid direct skin contact with used
oil. If skin contact is made, wash thor-
oughly with soap or hand cleaner as soon
as possible.
∙ Keep used engine oil out of reach of children.
CAUTION
Be careful not to burn yourself. The engine
oil may be hot.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and apply the parking brake.
2. Start the engine and let it idle until it reaches operating temperature, then
turn it off.
3. Remove the oil filler cap
Aby turning it
counterclockwise.
4. Place a large drain pan under the drain plug
B.
5. Remove the drain plug
Bwith 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” in this section. ∙
Waste oil must be disposed of properly.
∙ Check your local regulations.
6. 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: 25 ft-lb (34 N·m)
7. 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
“Technical and consumer information”
section of this manual.
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.
8. Start the engine. Check for leakage around the drain plug and oil filter. Cor-
rect as required.LDI3013
Do-it-yourself8-7
WINDSHIELD-WASHER FLUID
RESERVOIR
Fill the windshield-washer fluid reservoir pe-
riodically. Add windshield-washer fluid when
the “Low Washer Fluid” warning message
shows on the vehicle information display.
To fill the windshield-washer fluid reservoir,
lift the cap off the reservoir and pour the
windshield-washer fluid into the reservoir
opening.Add a washer solvent to the washer for bet-
ter 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 windshield-washer fluid.
Recommended fluid is Genuine NISSAN
Windshield Washer Concentrate Cleaner &
Antifreeze or equivalent.
CAUTION
∙ Do not substitute engine antifreeze cool-
ant for windshield-washer fluid. This
may result in damage to the paint.
∙ Do not fill the windshield-washer fluid reservoir with washer fluid concentrates
at full strength. Some methyl alcohol
based washer fluid concentrates may
permanently stain the grille if spilled
while filling the windshield-washer fluid
reservoir. ∙ Pre-mix washer fluid concentrates with
water to the manufacturer’s recom-
mended levels before pouring the fluid
into the windshield-washer fluid reser-
voir. Do not use the windshield-washer
fluid reservoir to mix the washer fluid
concentrate and water.LDI2583
WINDSHIELD-WASHER FLUID
Do-it-yourself8-11
Seats:Check seat position controls such as
seat adjusters, seatback recliner, etc., to en-
sure they operate smoothly and all latches
lock securely in every position. Check that the
head restraints/headrests move up and
down smoothly and the locks (if so equipped)
hold securely in all latched positions.
Steering wheel: Check for changes in the
steering system, such as excessive free play,
hard steering or strange noises.
Warning lights and chimes: Make sure all
warning lights and chimes are operating
properly.
Windshield defroster: Check that the air
comes out of the defroster outlets properly
and in sufficient 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*:
Check the fluid level in each cell.
The fluid should be at the bottom of the filler
opening. Vehicles operated in high tempera-
tures or under severe conditions require fre-
quent 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 elec-
tronic 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 between the MAX and MIN lines
on the reservoir.
Engine coolant level*: Check the coolant level
when the engine is cold.
Engine drive belt*: Make sure the drive belt is
not 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
that you visit an INFINITI retailer for this
service. For additional information, refer to
“Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide)” in the
“Starting and driving” section of this manual.
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 fuel fumes
are evident, check for the cause and have it
corrected immediately.
Power steering fluid level* and lines: Check
the level when the fluid is cold, with the en-
gine off. Check the lines for proper attach-
ment, leaks, cracks, etc.
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 connections.
9-4Maintenance and schedules
Underbody:The underbody is frequently ex-
posed to corrosive substances such as those
used on icy roads or to control dust. It is very
important to remove these substances, oth-
erwise rust may 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 informa-
tion, refer to the “Appearance and care” sec-
tion of this manual.
Windshield-washer fluid*: Check that there
is adequate fluid in the reservoir. 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. For ad-
ditional information, refer to “General main-
tenance” 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 INFINITI. Other
maintenance items and intervals are required.
When applicable, additional information can
be found in the “Do-it-yourself” section of
this manual. 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.
For recommended fuel, lubricants, fluids,
grease, and refrigerant, refer to “Recom-
mended fluids/lubricants and capacities” in
the “Technical and consumer information”
section of this manual.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
MAINTENANCE:
Drive belt*:
Check engine drive belt for wear,
fraying or cracking and for proper tension.
Replace any damaged drive belt.
Engine air filter: Replace at specified inter-
vals. When driving for prolonged periods in
dusty conditions, check/replace the filter
more frequently.
Engine coolant*: Replace coolant at the
specified interval. When adding or replacing
coolant, be sure to use only Genuine NISSAN
Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) or
EXPLANATION OF SCHEDULED
MAINTENANCE ITEMS
Maintenance and schedules9-5
Fluid typeCapacity (approximate) Recommended Fluids/Lubricants
Metric
Measure US
Measure Imperial
Measure
Brake fluid ———• Genuine NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid*2 or equivalent DOT
3
*2: Available in mainland USA through an INFINITI retailer.
Multi-purpose grease ——— • NLGI No. 2 (Lithium Soap base)
Air conditioning system refrigerant ———• HFC-134a (R-134a)
• For additional information, refer to “Air conditioner system refrigerant
and oil recommendations” in this section.
Air conditioning system oil ———• Genuine NISSAN A/C System Oil Type PAG or equivalent
• For additional information, refer to “Air conditioner system refrigerant
and oil recommendations” in this section.
Windshield-washer fluid 5 L 1-3/8 gal 1-1/8 gal• Genuine NISSAN Windshield Washer Concentrate Cleaner & Anti-
freeze fluid or equivalent
FUEL RECOMMENDATION
INFINITI recommends the use of unleaded
premium gasoline with an octane rating of at
least 91 AKI (Anti-Knock Index) number (Re-
search octane number 96). If unleaded pre-
mium gasoline is not available, you may use
unleaded regular gasoline with an octane rat-
ing of at least 87 AKI number (Research oc-
tane number 91), but you may notice a de-
crease in performance.
CAUTION
∙ Only vehicles with the E-85 filler door
label can operate on E-85. Fuel system or
other damage can occur if E-85 is used in
vehicles that are not designed to run on
E-85.
∙ Using a fuel other than that specified could adversely affect the emission con-
trol system, and may also affect the war-
ranty coverage.
∙ Under no circumstances should a leaded gasoline be used, because this will dam-
age the three-way catalyst. ∙ Do not use a fuel containing more than
15% ethanol in your vehicle. Your vehicle
is not designed to run on a fuel containing
more than 15% ethanol. Using a fuel con-
taining more than 15% ethanol in a ve-
hicle not specifically designed for a fuel
containing more than 15% ethanol can
adversely affect the emission control de-
vices and systems of the vehicle. Damage
caused by such fuel is not covered by the
INFINITI New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Technical and consumer information10-3
Child safety rear door lock...........3-6
Chimes, audible reminders ..........2-15
Cleaning exterior and interior ......7-2,7-4
Climate control seat switch .........2-46
C.M.V.S.S. certification label ........10-11
Cold weather driving ............5-144
Console box ..................2-59
Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) .......................5-19
Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) fluid ..................8-9
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT) ............5-19
Controls Heater and air conditioner controls . . .4-35
Coolant Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants...............10-2
Changing engine coolant ..........8-5
Checking engine coolant level .......8-5
Engine coolant temperature gauge ....2-6
Corrosion protection ..............7-7
Cruisecontrol..............5-76,5-77
Cupholders...................2-60
D
Daytime Running Light System .......2-44
Defroster switch Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch ....................2-39
Dimensionsandweights...........10-9
Dimmer switch for instrument panel ....2-45
Distance Control Assist (DCA) system . . .5-98
Door locks .................3-4,3-5 Drivebelt....................8-15
Drive positioner, Automatic
.....3-39,3-41
Driving Cold weather driving ..........5-144
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT) ............5-19
Precautions when starting and
driving .................5-4,5-11
Driving the vehicle ...............5-19
Dual panel moonroof .............2-68
Dual power moonroof ........2-68,2-68
E
Economy - fuel ................5-130
Emergency engine shutoff .......5-16,6-3
Emission control information label ....10-11
Emission control system warranty ....10-31
Engine Before starting the engine ........5-17
Block heater ................5-145
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants...............10-2
Changing engine coolant ..........8-5
Changing engine oil .............8-7
Changing engine oil filter .........8-8
Checking engine coolant level .......8-5
Checking engine oil level ..........8-6
Engine compartment check locations . .8-3
Engine coolant temperature gauge ....2-6
Engine cooling system ...........8-4
Engine oil ...................8-6
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation ..............10-6
Engine oil viscosity ............10-6 Engine serial number
..........10-11
Engine specifications ...........10-8
Starting the engine ............5-17
Engine coolant temperature gauge ......2-6
Event Data recorders ............
10-33
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) .......5-4
Explanation of maintenance items ......9-2
Explanation of scheduled maintenance
items........................9-5
Extended storage switch ...........2-56
F
Flashers
(See hazard warning flasher switch) .....6-2
Flat tire ......................6-3
Floor mat positioning aid ............7-5
Fluid Brakefluid .................8-10
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants............... 10-2
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
fluid......................8-9
Engine coolant ................8-4
Engine oil ...................8-6
Power steering fluid ............8-9
Windshield-washerfluid.........8-11
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ........10-11
Fog light switch ................2-46
Forward Emergency Braking (FEB) with
Pedestrian Detection system ....2-10,5-109
Front air bag system
(See supplemental restraint system) ....1-57
Front and rear sonar system ........5-140
Front power seat adjustment .........1-3
11-2