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MEMO
7-8Appearance and care
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8 Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Maintenance requirements.......................8-2
General maintenance .............................8-2
Explanation of general maintenance
items .........................................8-2
Maintenance precautions .........................8-5
Engine compartment check locations ..............8-6
Engine cooling system ........................... 8-8
Checking engine coolant level ................. 8-8
Changing engine coolant ......................8-9
Engine oil ........................................8-9
Checking engine oil level .......................8-9
Changing engine oil ......................... 8-10
Changing engine oil filter ....................8-12
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) fluid . . 8-13
Power steering fluid ............................ 8-13
Brake fluid ..................................... 8-14
Windshield-washer fluid ........................ 8-14
Windshield-washer fluid reservoir ............8-14
Battery ........................................ 8-16
Jump starting ............................... 8-18
Drive belt ...................................... 8-18
Spark plugs .................................... 8-19
Replacing spark plugs ....................... 8-19Air cleaner
..................................... 8-20
Air conditioner filter ......................... 8-20
Windshield wiper blades ........................ 8-21
Cleaning .................................... 8-21
Replacing ................................... 8-21
Parking brake and brake pedal ..................8-22
Checking parking brake ......................8-22
Checking brake pedal ........................ 8-23
Brake booster ............................... 8-23
Fuses .......................................... 8-24
Engine compartment ........................ 8-24
Passenger compartment .....................8-25
Battery replacement ............................ 8-25
INFINITI Intelligent Key ......................8-26
Lights ......................................... 8-28
Headlights .................................. 8-28
Fog
lights ................................... 8-28
Exterior and interior lights ...................8-29
Wheels and tires ............................... 8-31
Tire pressure ................................ 8-31
Types of tires ............................... 8-34
Tire chains .................................. 8-35
Changing wheels and tires ...................8-35
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Your INFINITI has been designed to have
minimum maintenance requirements with
long service intervals to save you both time
and money. However, some day-to-day and
regular maintenance is essential to maintain
your INFINITI’s good mechanical condition,
as well as its emissions and engine perfor-
mance.
It is the owner’s responsibility to make sure
that the scheduled maintenance, as well as
general maintenance, is performed.
As the vehicle owner, you are the only one
who can ensure that your vehicle receives
proper maintenance. You are a vital link in the
maintenance chain.
Scheduled maintenance
For your convenience, both required and op-
tional scheduled maintenance items are de-
scribed and listed in your “INFINITI Service
and Maintenance Guide”. You must refer to
that guide to ensure that necessary mainte-
nance is performed on your INFINITI at regu-
lar intervals.
General maintenance
General maintenance includes those items
which should be checked during normal day-
to-day operation. They are essential for
proper vehicle operation. It is your responsi-bility to perform these maintenance proce-
dures regularly as prescribed.
Performing general maintenance checks re-
quires minimal mechanical skill and only a few
general automotive tools.
These checks or inspections can be done by
you, a qualified technician, or, if you prefer, an
INFINITI retailer.
Where to go for service
If maintenance service is required or your
vehicle appears to malfunction, have the sys-
tems checked and corrected by an INFINITI
retailer.
INFINITI technicians are well-trained spe-
cialists who are kept up-to-date with the
latest service information through technical
bulletins, service tips, and in-retailer training
programs. They are completely qualified to
work on INFINITI vehicles
beforethey work
on your vehicle, rather than after they have
worked on it.
You can be confident that an INFINITI retail-
er’s service department performs the best job
to meet the maintenance requirements on
your vehicle — in a reliable and economical
way. During the normal day-to-day operation of
the vehicle, general maintenance should be
performed regularly as prescribed in this sec-
tion. If you detect any unusual sounds, vibra-
tions or smell, be sure to check for the cause,
or it is recommended that you visit an
INFINITI retailer to do it promptly. In addi-
tion, it is recommended that you visit an
INFINITI retailer if you think that repairs are
required.
When performing any checks or maintenance
work, closely observe the “Maintenance pre-
cautions” in this section.
EXPLANATION OF GENERAL
MAINTENANCE ITEMS
Additional information on the following
items with“*”isfound in this section.
MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
8-2Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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Outside the vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
performed from time to time unless other-
wise specified.
Doors and hoodCheck that all doors and the
hood operate smoothly as well as the back
door, trunk lid and hatch. Also make sure that
all latches lock securely. Lubricate if neces-
sary. Make sure that the secondary latch
keeps the hood from opening when the pri-
mary latch is released.
When driving in areas using road salt or other
corrosive materials, check lubrication fre-
quently.
Lights* Clean the headlights on a regular ba-
sis. Make sure that the headlights, stop lights,
tail lights, turn signal lights and other lights
are all operating properly and installed se-
curely. Also check the aim of the headlights.
Tires* Check the pressure with a gauge often
and always prior to long distance trips. Adjust
the pressure in all tires, including the spare, to
the pressure specified. Check carefully for
damage, cuts or excessive wear.
Tire rotation* In the case that Two-Wheel
Drive (2WD) and front and rear tires are same
size; tires should be rotated every 10,000 km
(6,000 miles). Tires marked with directional indicators can only be rotated between front
and rear. Make sure that the directional indi-
cators point in the direction of wheel rotation
after the tire rotation is completed.
In the case that Four-Wheel Drive and All
Wheel Drive (4WD/AWD) and front and rear
tires are the same size; tires should be rotated
every 5,000 km (3,000 miles). Tires marked
with directional indicators can only be ro-
tated between front and rear. Make sure that
the directional indicators point in the direc-
tion of wheel rotation after the tire rotation is
completed.
In the case that front tires are different size
from rear tires; tires cannot be rotated.
The timing for tire rotation may vary accord-
ing to your driving habits and the road sur-
face conditions.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
transmitter components (if so equipped)
Re-
place the TPMS transmitter grommet seal,
valve core and cap when the tires are re-
placed due to wear or age.
Wheel alignment and balance If the vehicle
should pull to either side while driving on a
straight and level road, or if you detect un-
even or abnormal tire wear, there may be a
need for wheel alignment. If the steering wheel or seat vibrates at normal highway
speeds, wheel balancing may be needed.
Windshield
Clean the windshield on a regular
basis. Check the windshield at least every six
months for cracks or other damage. Repair as
necessary.
Wiper blades* Check for cracks or wear if not
functioning correctly. Replace as necessary.
Inside the vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
checked on a regular basis, such as when
performing periodic maintenance, cleaning
the vehicle, etc.
Accelerator pedal Check the pedal for
smooth operation and make sure the pedal
does not catch or require uneven effort. Keep
the floor mat away from the pedal.
Brake pedal* Check the pedal for smooth
operation and make sure that it is the proper
distance from the floor mat when depressed
fully. Check the brake booster function. Be
sure to keep the floor mat away from the
pedal.
Parking brake* Check the parking brake op-
eration regularly. Check that the lever (if so
equipped) or the pedal (if so equipped) has
the proper travel. Also make sure that the
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-3
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vehicle is held securely on a fairly steep hill
when only the parking brake is applied.
Seat beltsCheck that all parts of the seat belt
system (for example, buckles, anchors, ad-
justers 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 play,
hard steering or strange noises.
Warning lights and chimes Make sure that all
warning lights and chimes are operating
properly.
Windshield defogger Check that the air
comes out of the defogger 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 bat-
teries)
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 (and clutch) fluid level(s)* For Manual
Transmission (M/T) model; make sure that
the brake and clutch fluid levels are between
the MAX and MIN lines on the reservoirs.
Except for Manual Transmission (M/T)
model; make sure that the brake fluid level is
between the MAX and MIN lines on the res-
ervoir. Engine coolant level*
Check the coolant level
when the engine is cold. Make sure that the
coolant level is between the MAX and MIN
lines on the reservoir.
Engine drive belt(s)* Make sure the drive
belt(s) is not frayed, worn, cracked or oily.
Engine oil level* Check the level after parking
the vehicle (on level ground) and turning off
the engine.
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 engine
off. Check the lines for proper attachment,
leaks, cracks, etc.
Windshield-washer fluid* Check that there is
adequate fluid in the reservoir.
8-4Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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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, applythe parking brake securely and block the
wheels to prevent the vehicle from mov-
ing. Move the shift lever to P (Park).
∙ Be sure the ignition switch is in the OFF or LOCK position when performing any
parts replacement or repairs.
∙ If you must work with the engine running, 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 remove any jewelry,
such as rings, watches, etc. before work-
ing on your vehicle.
∙ Always wear eye protection whenever you work on your vehicle. ∙ 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.
∙ 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 only by a jack. If it is necessary
to work under the vehicle, support it with
safety stands.
∙ Keep smoking materials, flame and sparks away from the fuel tank and
battery.
∙ The fuel filter or fuel lines should be ser- viced. It is recommended that you visit an
INFINITI retailer because the fuel lines
are under high pressure even when the
engine is off.
CAUTION
∙ Do not work under the hood while theengine is hot. Turn the engine off and
wait until it cools down.
∙ Avoid contact with used engine oil and coolant. Improperly disposed engine oil,
engine coolant and/or other vehicle flu-
ids can damage the environment. Always
conform to local regulations for disposal
of vehicle fluid.
∙ Never leave the engine or continuously variable transmission related component
harnesses disconnected while the igni-
tion switch is in the ON position.
∙ Never connect or disconnect the battery or any transistorized component while
the ignition switch is in the ON position.
This “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” sec-
tion gives instructions 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 warranty coverage. If in doubt about any
servicing, it is recommended that you visit an
INFINITI retailer for this service.
MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-5
Page 431 of 490
VQ35DE 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 Fuse/Fusible link box
11. Battery
12. Engine oil dipstick
13. Radiator cap
14. Windshield-washer fluid reservoir
LDI2498
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK
LOCATIONS
8-6Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Page 432 of 490
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 Fuse/Fusible link box
11. Battery
12. Engine oil dipstick
13. Radiator cap
14. Windshield-washer fluid reservoir
LDI3012
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-7