WARNING
If the engine is not running or is turned
off while driving, the power assist for
the steering will not work. Steering will
be harder to operate.
The power assisted steering uses a hydraulic
pump, driven by the engine, to assist steer-
ing.
If the engine stops or the drive belt breaks,
you will still have control of the vehicle.
However, much greater steering effort is
needed, especially in sharp turns and at low
speeds.
BRAKING PRECAUTIONS
The brake system has two separate hydrau-
lic circuits. If one circuit malfunctions, you
will still have braking ability at two wheels.
You may feel a small click and hear a sound
when the brake pedal is fully depressed
slowly. This is not a malfunction and in-
dicates that the brake assist mechanism is
operating properly.
Hydraulically-assisted brakes
The hydraulically-assisted brake system is
designed to use a hydraulic pump driven
electrically, to assist braking. If the engine
stops, you can stop the vehicle by depressing
the foot brake pedal. However, greater foot
pressure on the foot brake pedal will be
required to stop the vehicle. The stopping
distance will be longer.
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 brakes, drive the vehicle at a safe
speed while lightly tapping the brake pedal
to heat-up the brakes. Do this until the
brakes return to normal. Avoid driving the
vehicle at high speeds until the brakes function correctly.
PARKING BRAKE BREAK-IN
Break in the parking brake shoes whenever
the stopping effect of the parking brake is
weakened or whenever the parking brake
shoes and/or drums/rotors are replaced, in
order to assure the best braking perfor-
mance.
This procedure is described in the vehicle
service manual. It is recommended you visit
an INFINITI retailer for this service.
Using the brakes
Avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal
while driving. This will cause overheating of
the brakes, wearing out the brake and pads
faster and reduce gas mileage.
To help save the brakes 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.
WARNING
.
While driving on a slippery surface,
be careful when braking, accelerating
or downshifting. Abrupt braking or
accelerating could cause the wheels
Starting and driving5-131
POWER STEERING BRAKE SYSTEM
5-134Starting and driving
.You may feel a pulsation in the brake
pedal and hear a noise or vibration from
under the hood. This is normal and
indicates that the VDC system is working
properly.
. Adjust your speed and driving to the road
conditions.
If a malfunction occurs in the system, the
VDC warning light
illuminates in the
instrument panel. The VDC system automa-
tically turns off.
The VDC OFF switch is used to turn off the
VDC system. The VDC off indicator
illuminates to indicate the VDC system is off.
When the VDC switch is used to turn off the
system, the VDC system still operates to
prevent one drive wheel from slipping by
transferring power to a non slipping drive
wheel. The VDC warning light
flashes if
this occurs. All other VDC functions are off,
and the VDC warning light
will not flash.
The VDC system is automatically reset to on
when the ignition switch is placed in the off
position then back to the on position.
When the 4L position is selected with the
4WD shift switch, the VDC system is
disabled and the VDC off indicator light
illuminates (for 4WD models).
See “Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) warn-
ing light” (P.2-18) and “Vehicle Dynamic
Control (VDC) off indicator light” (P.2-21). The computer has a built-in diagnostic
feature that tests the system each time you
start the engine and move the vehicle
forward or in reverse at a slow speed. When
the self-test occurs, you may hear a “clunk”
noise and/or feel a pulsation in the brake
pedal. This is normal and is not an indication
of a malfunction.
WARNING
.
The VDC system is designed to help
improve driving stability but does not
prevent accidents due to abrupt
steering operation at high speeds or
by careless or dangerous driving
techniques. Reduce vehicle speed
and be especially careful when driving
and cornering on slippery surfaces
and always drive carefully.
. Do not modify the vehicle’s suspen-
sion. If suspension parts such as
shock absorbers, struts, springs, sta-
bilizer bars, bushings and wheels are
not INFINITI recommended for your
vehicle or are extremely deteriorated,
the VDC system may not operate
properly. This could adversely affect
vehicle handling performance, and
the VDC warning light
may
illuminate. .
If brake related parts such as brake
pads, rotors and calipers are not
INFINITI recommended or are extre-
mely deteriorated, the VDC system
may not operate properly and the
VDC warning light
may illumi-
nate.
. If engine control related parts are not
INFINITI recommended or are extre-
mely deteriorated, the VDC warning
light
may illuminate.
. When driving on extremely inclined
surfaces such as higher banked cor-
ners, the VDC system may not oper-
ate properly and the VDC warning
light
may illuminate. Do not drive
on these types of roads.
. When driving on an unstable surface
such as a turntable, ferry, elevator or
ramp, the VDC warning light
may
illuminate. This is not a malfunction.
Restart the engine after driving onto
a stable surface.
. If wheels or tires other than the
INFINITI recommended ones are
used, the VDC system may not oper-
ate properly and the VDC warning
light
may illuminate.
. The VDC system is not a substitute
for winter tires or tire chains on a
9-6Maintenance and schedules
Brake pads and rotors:
Check for wear, deterioration and fluid
leaks. Replace any deteriorated or damaged
parts immediately.
Exhaust system:
Visually inspect the exhaust pipes, muffler
and hangers for leaks, cracks, deterioration,
and damage. Tighten connections or replace
parts as necessary.
In-cabin microfilter:
Replace at specified intervals. When driving
for prolonged periods in dusty conditions,
replace the filter more frequently.
Propeller shaft(s):
Check for damage, looseness, and grease
leakage. (4WD/RWD)
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 condi-
tions, inspect more frequently.
Tire rotation:
Tires should be rotated every 5,000 miles
(8,000 km) according to the instructions
under “Explanation of scheduled mainte-
nance items” (P.9-5). When rotating tires,
check for damage and uneven wear. Replace
if necessary.
Transmission fluid/oil, differential oil andtransfer case oil:
Visually inspect for signs of leakage at
specified intervals.
To help ensure smooth, 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 peo-
ple, 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 schedule.
After 120,000 miles (192,000 km)/144
months, continue maintenance at the same
mileage/time intervals.
ADDITIONAL MAINTENANCE
ITEMS FOR SEVERE OPERATING
CONDITIONS
Additional maintenance items for severe
operating conditions;
should be performed
on vehicles that are driven under especially
demanding conditions. Additional mainte-
nance items should be performed if you
primarily operate your vehicle under the
following conditions:
. Repeated short trips of less than 5 miles
(8 km).
. Repeated short trips of less than 10 miles
(16 km) with outside temperatures re-
maining below freezing.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
9-10Maintenance and schedules
CHASSIS AND BODY MAINTENANCE
Abbreviations: I = Inspect and correct or replace as necessary, R = Replace, L = Lubricate
MAINTENANCE OP-
ERATION
Perform at of miles,
kilometers or months,
whichever comes first.Miles × 1,000
(km × 1,000) Months MAINTENANCE INTERVAL
5
(8) 6 10
(16) 12 15
(24) 18 20
(32) 24 25
(40) 30 30
(48) 36 35
(56) 42 40
(64) 48 45
(72) 54 50
(80) 60 55
(88) 66 60
(96) 72
Brake lines and cables I I I I I I
Brake pads and rotors$ II I I I I
Brake fluid$ RR R
Automatic transmission
fluid See NOTE (1)
Transfer fluid and dif-
ferential gear oil See NOTE (2)
II I I I I
Steering gear and link-
age, axle and suspension
parts$ II I
Tire rotation See NOTE (3)
Propeller shaft and drive
shaft boots (4WD mod-
els)$ II I I I I
Propeller shaft grease
(4WD models) LL L L L L
Exhaust system$ II I
In-cabin microfilter RR R R
Intelligent Key battery RR R R
MAINTENANCE OP-
ERATION
Perform at of miles, kilo-
meters or months,
whichever comes first.Miles × 1,000
(km × 1,000) Months MAINTENANCE INTERVAL
65
(104) 78 70
(112) 84 75
(120) 90 80
(128) 96 85
(136) 102 90
(144) 108 95
(152) 114 100
(160) 120 105
(168) 126 110
(176) 132 115
(184) 138 120
(192) 144
Brake lines & cables IIII I I
Brake pads & rotors$ IIII I I
Brake fluid$ RR R
Automatic transmission
fluid See NOTE (1)
Transfer fluid & differen-
tial gear oil See NOTE (2)
IIII I I
Steering gear & linkage,
axle & suspension parts$ II I
Tire rotation See NOTE (3)
Propeller shaft & drive
shaft boots (4WD mod-
els)$ IIII I I
Propeller shaft grease
(4WD models) LLLL L L
Exhaust system$ II I
In-cabin microfilter RRR R
Intelligent Key battery RRR R
Maintenance and schedules9-11
The maintenance intervals shown on the
preceding pages are for normal operating
conditions. If the vehicle is mainly operated
under severe driving conditions as shown
below, more frequent maintenance must be
performed on the following items as shown
in the table.
Severe driving conditions
.Repeated short trips of less than 5 miles
(8 km).
. Repeated short trips of less than 10 miles
(16 km) with outside temperatures re-
maining below freezing.
. Operating in hot weather in stop-and-go
“rush hour” traffic.
. Extensive idling and/or low speed driving
for long distances, such as police, taxi or
door-to-door delivery use.
. Driving in dusty conditions.
. Driving on rough, muddy, or salt spread
roads.
. Towing a trailer, using a camper or car-
top carrier.
Maintenance operation: Inspect = Inspect
and correct or replace as necessary.Maintenance item Maintenance operation Maintenance interval
Brake fluid ReplaceEvery 10,000 miles (16,000 km) or 12
months
Brake pads & rotors InspectEvery 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or 6
months
Steering gear & linkage, axle &
suspension parts Inspect
Every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or 6
months
Propeller shaft & drive shaft
boots (4WD models) Inspect
Every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or 6
months
Exhaust system InspectEvery 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or 6
months
Maintenance and schedules9-13
MAINTENANCE UNDER SEVERE
DRIVING CONDITIONS