8 Do-it-yourself
Maintenance precautions ............................................... 8-3
Engine compartment check locations ......................... 8-4VR30DDTT engine ..................................................... 8-4
2.0L turbo gasoline engine ...................................... 8-5
Engine cooling system (for VR30DDTT
engine models) ................................................................... 8-6
Checking engine coolant level ................................ 8-7
Changing engine coolant .......................................... 8-7
Engine cooling system (for 2.0L turbo gasoline
engine models) ................................................................... 8-8
Checking engine coolant level ................................. 8-8
Changing engine coolant .......................................... 8-9
Intercooler cooling system (for VR30DDTT
engine models) ................................................................... 8-9 Checking intercooler coolant level ...................... 8-10
Changing intercooler coolant ............................... 8-10
Engine oil ........................................................................\
.. 8-10 Checking engine oil level ......................................... 8-11
Changing engine oil and filter ................................ 8-11
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) ........................ 8-14
Power steering fluid (models with hydraulic pump
electric power steering) ................................................ 8-14
Brake fluid ........................................................................\
. 8-15
Window washer fluid .................................................... 8-15 Battery ........................................................................\
...... 8-16
Main battery location ............................................ 8-17
Auxiliary battery location (for 2.0L turbo
gasoline engine models) ........................................ 8-18
Checking battery fluid level .................................. 8-18
Jump starting ........................................................... 8-19
Variable voltage control system ............................... 8-20
Drive belts ....................................................................... 8-20
Spark plugs ...................................................................... 8-21 Replacing spark plugs ............................................ 8-21
Air cleaner ........................................................................\
8-22
Windshield wiper blades .............................................. 8-22 Cleaning ..................................................................... 8-22
Replacing ................................................................... 8-23
Brakes ........................................................................\
........ 8-23 Self-adjusting brakes ............................................. 8-23
Brake pad wear warning ....................................... 8-23
Fuses ........................................................................\
......... 8-24 Engine compartment .............................................. 8-25
Passenger compartment ....................................... 8-26
Intelligent Key battery replacement ......................... 8-27
Lights ........................................................................\
......... 8-29 Headlights ................................................................ 8-30
Exterior and interior lights ................................... 8-30
When performing any inspection or main-
tenance work on your vehicle, always take
care to prevent serious accidental injury to
yourself or damage to the vehicle. The
following are general precautions which
should be closely observed.
WARNING
.Park the vehicle on a level surface,
apply the parking brake securely and
block the wheels to prevent the
vehicle from moving. Move the shift
lever to P (Park).
. Be sure the ignition switch is in the
OFF or LOCK position when per-
forming any parts replacement or
repairs.
. Never connect or disconnect the
battery or any transistorized compo-
nent while the ignition switch is in the
ON position.
. Never leave the engine or automatic
transmission related component har-
nesses disconnected while the igni-
tion switch is in the ON position.
. 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 working on your vehicle.
. Always wear eye protection when-
ever you work on your vehicle.
. 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 fuel tank and the
battery.
. Your vehicle is equipped with an
automatic engine cooling fan. It may
come on at any time without warn-
ing, even if the ignition key is in the
OFF position and the engine is not
running. To avoid injury, always dis-
connect the negative battery cable
before working near the fan.
. Because the fuel lines are under high
pressure even when the engine is off,
it is recommended you visit an
INFINITI retailer for service of the fuel filter or fuel lines.
CAUTION
.
Do not work under the hood while the
engine is hot. Turn the engine off and
wait until it cools down.
. Avoid direct contact with used en-
gine oil and coolant. Improperly dis-
posed engine oil, coolant, and/or
other vehicle fluids can damage the
environment. Always conform to lo-
cal regulations for disposal of vehicle
fluid.
This “8. Do-it-yourself” section gives in-
structions regarding only those items which
are relatively easy for an owner to perform.
A genuine INFINITI Service Manual is also
available. (See “Owner’s Manual/Service
Manual order information” (P.10-26).)
You should be aware that incomplete or
improper servicing may result in operating
difficulties or excessive emissions, and could
affect your warranty coverage. If in doubt
about any servicing, it is recommended you
have it done by an INFINITI retailer.
Do-it-yourself8-3
MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS
8-6Do-it-yourself
The engine cooling system is filled at the
factory with a pre-diluted mixture of 50%
Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/
Coolant (blue) and 50% water to provide
year-round anti-freeze and coolant protec-
tion. The anti-freeze solution contains rust
and corrosion inhibitors. Additional engine
cooling system additives are not necessary.
WARNING
.Never remove the radiator cap when
the engine is hot. Wait until the
engine and radiator cool down. Ser-
ious burns could be caused by high
pressure fluid escaping from the
radiator. See precautions in “If your
vehicle overheats” (P.6-21) of this
manual.
. The radiator is equipped with a
pressure type radiator cap. To pre-
vent engine damage, use only a
genuine NISSAN radiator cap.
CAUTION
.Never use any cooling system addi-
tives such as radiator sealer. Addi-
tives may clog the cooling system and
cause damage to the engine, trans- mission and/or cooling system.
. When adding or replacing coolant, be
sure to use only Genuine NISSAN
Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue)
or equivalent. Genuine NISSAN Long
Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) is pre-
diluted to provide antifreeze protec-
tion to −34°F (−37°C). If additional
freeze protection is needed due to
weather where you operate your
vehicle, add Genuine NISSAN Long
Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) con-
centrate following the directions on
the container. If an equivalent cool-
ant other than Genuine NISSAN Long
Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) is
used, follow the coolant manufac-
ture’s instructions to maintain mini-
mum antifreeze protection to −34°F
(−37°C). The use of other types of
coolant solutions other than Genuine
NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Cool-
ant (blue) or equivalent may damage
the engine cooling system.
. The life expectancy of the factory-fill
coolant is 105,000 miles (168,000
km) or 7 years. Mixing any other type
of coolant other than Genuine
NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Cool-
ant (blue), including Genuine NISSAN
Long Life Antifreeze/ Coolant
(green), or the use of non-distilled water will reduce the life expectancy
of the factory-fill coolant. Refer to
the “9. Maintenance and schedules”
section of this manual for more de-
tails.
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM (for
VR30DDTT engine models)
8-8Do-it-yourself
The engine cooling system is filled at the
factory with a pre-diluted mixture of 50%
BASF Glysantin
®G48®and 50% water to
provide year-round anti-freeze and coolant
protection. The anti-freeze solution contains
rust and corrosion inhibitors. Additional
engine cooling system additives are not
necessary.
WARNING
Never remove the radiator cap when the
engine is hot. Wait until the engine and
radiator cool down. Serious burns could
be caused by high pressure fluid escaping
from the radiator. See precautions in “If
your vehicle overheats” (P.6-21) of this
manual.
CAUTION
. Never use any cooling system addi-
tives such as radiator sealer. Addi-
tives may clog the cooling system and
cause damage to the engine, trans-
mission and/or cooling system.
. When adding or replacing coolant, be
sure to use only BASF Glysantin
®
G48®or equivalent. BASF Glysantin®
G48®is pre-diluted to provide anti-
freeze protection to −34°F (−37°C). If
additional freeze protection is
needed due to weather where you
operate your vehicle, add BASF Gly-
santin
®G48®concentrate following
the directions on the container. If an
equivalent coolant other than BASF
Glysantin
®G48®is used, follow the
coolant manufacture’s instructions to
maintain minimum antifreeze protec-
tion to −34°F (−37°C). The use of
other types of coolant solutions
other than BASF Glysantin
®G48®
or equivalent may damage the engine
cooling system.
. The life expectancy of the factory-fill
coolant is 120,000 miles (192,000
km) or 10 years. Mixing any other
type of coolant other than BASF
Glysantin
®G48®, or the use of non-
distilled water will reduce the life
expectancy of the factory-fill cool-
ant. Refer to the “9. Maintenance
and schedules” section of this manual
for more details.
JVM0303X
CHECKING ENGINE COOLANT
LEVEL
Check the coolant level in the reservoir when
the engine is running and after it reaches
normal operating temperature. If the coolant
level is below MIN level
, add coolant up to
the MAX level. Tighten the cap securely
after adding engine coolant.
If the cooling system frequently requires
coolant, have it checked. It is recommended
you visit an INFINITI retailer for this
service.
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM (for
2.0L turbo gasoline engine models)
8-10Do-it-yourself
JVM0653X
CHECKING INTERCOOLER
COOLANT LEVEL
Check the coolant level in the reservoir when
the engine is cold. If the coolant level is
below the MIN level
, add coolant to the
MAX level.
If the intercooler cooling system frequently
requires coolant, have it checked. It is
recommended you visit an INFINITI retailer
for this service.
CHANGING INTERCOOLER
COOLANT
Intercooler coolant is maintenance-free.
If replacement is required, it is recommended
you visit an INFINITI retailer for this service.
Improper servicing can result in intercooler
overheating.
WARNING
. To avoid the danger of being scalded,
never change the coolant when the
engine is hot.
. Never remove the cap when the
engine is hot. Serious burns could be
caused by high pressure fluid escap-
ing from the intercooler cooling re-
servoir.
. Avoid direct skin contact with used
coolant. If skin contact is made, wash
thoroughly with soap or hand cleaner
as soon as possible.
. Keep coolant out of the reach of
children and pets.
Intercooler coolant must be disposed of
properly. Check your local regulations.
JVM0654X
VR30DDTT engine
JVM0429X
2.0L turbo gasoline engine
ENGINE OIL
CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface andapply the parking brake.
2. Run the engine until it reaches operating temperature.
3. Turn off the engine. Wait more than 15
minutes for the oil to drain back into the
oil pan.
4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean. Reinsert it all the way.
5. Remove the dipstick again and check the oil level. It should be within the range
.
If the oil level is below, remove the oil
filler cap and pour recommended oil
through the opening. Do not overfill
.
6. Recheck oil level with the dipstick.
It is normal to add some oil between oil
maintenance intervals or during the break-
in period, depending on the severity of
operating conditions.
CAUTION
Oil level should be checked regularly.
Operating the engine with an insuffi-
cient amount of oil can damage the
engine, and such damage is not covered
by warranty.
CHANGING ENGINE OIL AND
FILTER
Vehicle set-up
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and apply the parking brake.
2. Run the engine until it reaches operating temperature.
3. Turn the engine off and wait more than 15 minutes.
4. Raise and support the vehicle using a suitable floor jack and safety jack stands.
.Place the safety jack stands under thevehicle jack-up points.
.A suitable adapter should be attachedto the jack stand saddle.
5. For VR30DDTT engine models: Remove the plastic engine undercover.
.Remove the small plastic clip at thecenter point of the undercover.
.Then remove the other bolts that hold
the undercover in place.
CAUTION
Make sure the correct lifting and sup-
port points are used to avoid vehicle
damage.
JVM0668X
VR30DDTT engine (2WD models)
JVM0669X
VR30DDTT engine (AWD models)
Do-it-yourself8-11
1. Visually inspect each belt for signs ofunusual wear, cuts, fraying or looseness.
If the belt is in poor condition or loose,
have it replaced or adjusted. It is recom-
mended you visit an INFINITI retailer for
this service.
2. Have the belts checked regularly for condition and tension in accordance with
the maintenance schedule shown in the
“9. Maintenance and schedules” section.
WARNING
Be sure the engine and the ignition
switch are off and that the parking
brake is engaged securely.
CAUTION
Be sure to use the correct socket to
remove the spark plugs. An incorrect
socket can damage the spark plugs.
SDI2020
REPLACING SPARK PLUGS
If replacement is required, it is recommended
you visit an INFINITI retailer for this service.
Iridium-tipped spark plugs
It is not necessary to replace the iridium-
tipped spark plugs as frequently as the
conventional type spark plugs since they will
last much longer. Follow the maintenance
schedule shown in the “9. Maintenance and
schedules” section, but do not reuse them by
cleaning or regapping.
Always replace spark plugs with recom-
mended or equivalent ones.
Do-it-yourself8-21
SPARK PLUGS
8-22Do-it-yourself
WARNING
.Operating the engine with the air
cleaner removed can cause you or
others to be burned. The air cleaner
not only cleans the air, it stops flame
if the engine backfires. If it is not
there, and the engine backfires, you
could be burned. Do not drive with
the air cleaner removed, and be care-
ful when working on the engine with
the air cleaner removed.
. Never pour fuel into the throttle body
or attempt to start the engine with
the air cleaner removed. Doing so
could result in serious injury.
The filter element should not be cleaned and
reused. Replace it according to the main-
tenance schedule shown in the “9. Main-
tenance and schedules” section. When
replacing the filter, wipe the inside of the
air cleaner housing and the cover with a
damp cloth.
When maintenance is required, it is recom-
mended you contact an INFINITI retailer for
servicing.
CLEANING
If your windshield is not clear after using the
windshield washer or if a wiper blade
chatters when running, wax or other materi-
al may be on the blade or windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with a
washer solution or a mild detergent. Your
windshield is clean if beads do not form
when rinsing with clear water.
Clean each blade by wiping it with a cloth
soaked in a washer solution or a mild
detergent. Then rinse the blade with clear
water. If your windshield is still not clear
after cleaning the blades and using the
wiper, replace the blades.
Worn windshield wiper blades can damage
the windshield and impair driver vision.
When a washer nozzle is clogged
If a washer nozzle is clogged or any
malfunction occurs, have it checked. It is
recommended you visit an INFINITI retailer
for this service. Do not attempt to clean the
nozzle using a needle or a pin. Doing so may
damage the nozzle.
AIR CLEANER WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES