The following descriptions are provided to
give you a better understanding of the
scheduled maintenance items that should
be regularly checked or replaced. The main-
tenance schedule indicates at which mile-
age/time intervals each item requires
service.
In addition to scheduled maintenance, your
vehicle requires that some items be checked
during normal day-to-day operation. Refer
to “General maintenance” (P.9-2).
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 vehicle. Other
maintenance items and intervals are re-
quired.
When applicable, additional information can
be found in the “8. 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
validated by INFINITI.
For recommended fuel, lubricants, fluids,grease, and refrigerant, refer to “Capacities
and recommended fluids/lubricants” (P.10-
2) of this manual.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
MAINTENANCE
Drive belts*:
Check engine drive belts for wear, fraying or
cracking and for proper tension. Replace any
damaged drive belts.
Engine air filter:
Replace at specified intervals. 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 Anti-
freeze/Coolant (blue) or equivalent with the
proper mixture. (Refer to “Engine cooling
system” (P.8-8) to determine the proper
mixture for your area.)
NOTE:
Mixing any other type of coolant or the use
of non-distilled water may reduce the
recommended service interval of the cool-
ant.
Engine oil and oil filter:
Replace engine oil and oil filter at the
specified intervals. For recommended oil
grade and viscosity refer to “Capacities and
recommended fluids/lubricants” (P.10-2).
Engine valve clearance*:
Inspect only if valve noise increases. Adjust
valve clearance if necessary.
Evaporative emissions control vapor lines*:
Check vapor lines for leaks or looseness.
Tighten connections or replace parts as
necessary.
Fuel lines*:
Check the fuel hoses, piping and connections
for leaks, looseness, or deterioration. Tight-
en connections or replace parts as necessary.
Spark plugs:
Replace at specified intervals. Install new
plugs of the type as originally equipped.
CHASSIS AND BODY MAINTE-
NANCE
Brake lines and cables:
Visually inspect for proper installation.
Check for chafing, cracks, deterioration,
and signs of leaking. Replace any deterio-
rated or damaged parts immediately.
Maintenance and schedules9-5
EXPLANATION OF SCHEDULED
MAINTENANCE ITEMS
9-6Maintenance and schedules
Brake pads, rotors, drums and linings:
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/AWD/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 general maintenance
items” (P.9-2). When rotating tires, check for
damage and uneven wear. Replace if neces-
sary.Transmission fluid/oil, differential oil and
transfer 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
10 Technical and consumer information
Capacities and recommended fluids/lubricants ..... 10-2Fuel information (for VQ37VHR
engine model) ............................................................ 10-4
Fuel information (for VK56VD
engine model) ............................................................. 10-6
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation ........... 10-9
Air conditioning system refrigerant and
lubricant recommendations ................................. 10-10
Specifications ................................................................. 10-11 Engine ........................................................................\
. 10-11
Wheels and tires ..................................................... 10-12
Dimensions ............................................................... 10-13
When traveling or registering in
another country ............................................................ 10-14
Vehicle identification .................................................. 10-14 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) plate ...... 10-14
Vehicle identification number
(chassis number) ..................................................... 10-14
Engine serial number ............................................. 10-15
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label ........ 10-15
Emission control information label ................... 10-16 Tire and loading information label .................. 10-16
Air conditioner specification label ................... 10-16
Installing front license plate ...................................... 10-17
Vehicle loading information ..................................... 10-18 Terms ....................................................................... 10-18
Vehicle load capacity .......................................... 10-20
Loading tips ........................................................... 10-21
Measurement of weights ................................... 10-21
Towing a trailer ........................................................... 10-22 Flat towing ............................................................. 10-22
Uniform tire quality grading .................................... 10-22 Treadwear .............................................................. 10-22
Traction AA, A, B and C ..................................... 10-23
Temperature A, B and C .................................... 10-23
Emission control system warranty ......................... 10-23
Reporting safety defects .......................................... 10-24
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M)
test (US only) ................................................................ 10-25
Event Data Recorders (EDR) ................................... 10-25
Owner’s Manual/Service Manual
order information ........................................................ 10-26
10-4Technical and consumer information
FUEL INFORMATION (for
VQ37VHR engine model)
Use unleaded premium gasoline with an
octane rating of at least 91 AKI (Anti-Knock
Index) number (Research octane number 96).
If unleaded premium gasoline is not avail-
able, unleaded regular gasoline with an
octane rating of at least 87 AKI number
(Research octane number 91) may be tem-
porarily used, but only under the following
precautions:
.Have the fuel tank filled only partially
with unleaded regular gasoline, and fill
up with unleaded premium gasoline as
soon as possible.
. Avoid full throttle driving and abrupt
acceleration.
Use unleaded premium gasoline for max-
imum vehicle performance.
CAUTION
. Using a fuel other than that specified
could adversely affect the emission
control system, and may also affect
warranty coverage.
. Under no circumstances should a
leaded gasoline be used, because this
will damage 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 containing more
than 15% ethanol in a vehicle not
specifically designed for a fuel con-
taining more than 15% ethanol can
adversely affect the emission control
devices and systems of the vehicle.
Damage caused by such fuel is not
covered by the INFINITI new vehicle
limited warranty.
. Do not use fuel that contains the
octane booster methylcyclopentadie-
nyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT).
Using fuel containing MMT may
adversely affect vehicle performance
and vehicle emissions. Not all fuel
dispensers are labeled to indicate
MMT content, so you may have to
consult your gasoline retailer for
more details. Note that Federal and
California laws prohibit the use of
MMT in reformulated gasoline.
. U.S. government regulations require
ethanol dispensing pumps to be iden-
tified by a small, square, orange and
black label with the common abbre-
viation or the appropriate percen-
tage for that region.
Gasoline specifications
INFINITI recommends using gasoline that
meets the World-Wide Fuel Charter
(WWFC) specifications where it is available.
Many of the automobile manufacturers
developed this specification to improve
emission system and vehicle performance.
Ask your service station manager if the
gasoline meets the World-Wide Fuel Char-
ter (WWFC) specifications.
Reformulated gasoline
Some fuel suppliers are now producing
reformulated gasolines. These gasolines are
specially designed to reduce vehicle emis-
sions. INFINITI supports efforts towards
cleaner air and suggests that you use
reformulated gasoline when available.
Gasoline containing oxygenates
Some fuel suppliers sell gasoline containing
oxygenates such as ethanol, MTBE and
methanol with or without advertising their
presence. INFINITI does not recommend the
use of fuels of which the oxygenate content
and the fuel compatibility for your INFINITI
cannot be readily determined. If in doubt, ask
your service station manager.
If you use oxygenate-blend gasoline, please
take the following precautions as the usage
of such fuels may cause vehicle performance
10-6Technical and consumer information
damage to the engine. If any of the above
symptoms are encountered, have your ve-
hicle checked. It is recommended you visit an
INFINITI retailer for this service or other
competent service facility.
However, now and then you may notice
light spark knock for a short time while
accelerating or driving up hills. This is no
cause for concern, because you get the
greatest fuel benefit when there is light
spark knock for a short time under heavy
engine load.
FUEL INFORMATION (for
VK56VD engine model)
Use unleaded premium gasoline with an
octane rating of at least 91 AKI (Anti-Knock
Index) number (Research octane number 96).
If unleaded premium gasoline is not avail-
able, unleaded regular gasoline with an
octane rating of at least 87 AKI number
(Research octane number 91) may be tem-
porarily used, but only under the following
precautions:
.Have the fuel tank filled only partially
with unleaded regular gasoline, and fill
up with unleaded premium gasoline as
soon as possible.
. Avoid full throttle driving and abrupt
acceleration. Use unleaded premium gasoline for max-
imum vehicle performance.
CAUTION
.
Using a fuel other than that specified
could adversely affect the emission
control system, and may also affect
warranty coverage.
. Under no circumstances should a
leaded gasoline be used, because this
will damage the three-way catalyst.
. Do not use E-15 or E-85 fuel in your
vehicle. Your vehicle is not designed
to run on E-15 or E-85 fuel. Using E-
15 or E-85 fuel in a vehicle not
specifically designed for E-15 or E-
85 fuel can adversely affect the
emission control devices and systems
of the vehicle. Damage caused by
such fuel is not covered by the
INFINITI new vehicle limited war-
ranty.
. Do not use fuel that contains the
octane booster methylcyclopentadie-
nyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT).
Using fuel containing MMT may
adversely affect vehicle performance
and vehicle emissions. Not all fuel
dispensers are labeled to indicate
MMT content, so you may have to consult your gasoline retailer for
more details. Note that Federal and
California laws prohibit the use of
MMT in reformulated gasoline.
. U.S. government regulations require
ethanol dispensing pumps to be iden-
tified by a small, square, orange and
black label with the common abbre-
viation or the appropriate percen-
tage for that region.
Gasoline specifications
INFINITI recommends using gasoline that
meets the World-Wide Fuel Charter
(WWFC) specifications where it is available.
Many of the automobile manufacturers
developed this specification to improve
emission system and vehicle performance.
Ask your service station manager if the
gasoline meets the World-Wide Fuel Char-
ter (WWFC) specifications.
Reformulated gasoline
Some fuel suppliers are now producing
reformulated gasolines. These gasolines are
specially designed to reduce vehicle emis-
sions. INFINITI supports efforts towards
cleaner air and suggests that you use
reformulated gasoline when available.
Gasoline containing oxygenates
Some fuel suppliers sell gasoline containing
oxygenates such as ethanol, MTBE and
methanol with or without advertising their
presence. INFINITI does not recommend the
use of fuels of which the oxygenate content
and the fuel compatibility for your INFINITI
cannot be readily determined. If in doubt, ask
your service station manager.
If you use oxygenate-blend gasoline, please
take the following precautions as the usage
of such fuels may cause vehicle performance
problems and/or fuel system damage.
.The fuel should be unleaded and have an
octane rating no lower than that re-
commended for unleaded gasoline.
. If an oxygenate-blend, excepting a
methanol blend, is used, it should con-
tain no more than 10% oxygenate.
(MTBE may, however, be added up to
15%.)
. E-15 fuel contains more than 10%
oxygenate. E-15 fuel will adversely
affect the emission control devices and
systems of the vehicle and should not be
used. Damage caused by such fuel is not
covered by the INFINITI New Vehicle
Limited Warranty.
. If a methanol blend is used, it should
contain no more than 5% methanol
(methyl alcohol, wood alcohol). It should also contain a suitable amount of ap-
propriate cosolvents and corrosion in-
hibitors. If not properly formulated with
appropriate cosolvents and corrosion
inhibitors, such methanol blends may
cause fuel system damage and/or vehi-
cle performance problems. At this time,
sufficient data is not available to ensure
that all methanol blends are suitable for
use in INFINITI vehicles.
If any undesirable driveability problems such
as engine stalling or hard hot starting are
experienced after using oxygenate-blend
fuels, immediately change to a non-oxyge-
nate fuel or a fuel with a low blend of MTBE.
Take care not to spill gasoline during
refueling. Gasoline containing oxygenates
can cause paint damage.
E-15 fuel
E-15 fuel is a mixture of approximately 15%
fuel ethanol and 85% unleaded gasoline. E-
15 can only be used in vehicles designed to
run on E-15 fuel. Do not use E-15 in your
vehicle. U.S. government regulations require
fuel ethanol dispensing pumps to be identi-
fied with small, square, orange and black
label with the common abbreviation or the
appropriate percentage for that region.
E-85 fuel
E-85 fuel is a mixture of approximately 85%
fuel ethanol and 15% unleaded gasoline. E-
85 can only be used in a Flexible Fuel Vehicle
(FFV). Do not use E-85 fuel in your vehicle.
U.S. government regulations require fuel
ethanol dispensing pumps to be identified
by a small, square, orange and black label
with the common abbreviation or the appro-
priate percentage for that region.
Fuel containing MMT
MMT, or methylcyclopentadienyl manga-
nese tricarbonyl, is an octane boosting
additive. INFINITI does not recommend the
use of fuel containing MMT. Such fuel may
adversely affect vehicle performance, in-
cluding the emissions control system. Note
that while some fuel pumps label MMT
content, not all do, so you may have to
consult your gasoline retailer for more de-
tails.
Aftermarket fuel additives
INFINITI does not recommend the use of any
aftermarket fuel additives (Example: fuel
injector cleaner, octane booster, intake valve
deposit removers, etc.) which are sold com-
mercially. Many of these additives intended
for gum, varnish or deposit removal may
contain active solvent or similar ingredients
Technical and consumer information10-7
10-8Technical and consumer information
that can be harmful to the fuel system and
engine.
Octane rating tips
Using unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating lower than recommended above can
cause persistent, heavy spark knock. (Spark
knock is a metallic rapping noise.) If severe,
this can lead to engine damage. If you
detect a persistent heavy spark knock even
when using gasoline of the stated octane
rating, or if you hear steady spark knock
while holding a steady speed on level roads,
it is recommended you have an INFINITI
retailer correct the condition. Failure to
correct the condition is misuse of the
vehicle, for which INFINITI is not respon-
sible.
Incorrect ignition timing will result in knock-
ing, after-run or overheating. This in turn
may cause excessive fuel consumption or
damage to the engine. If any of the above
symptoms are encountered, have your ve-
hicle checked. It is recommended you visit an
INFINITI retailer for this service or other
competent service facility.
However, now and then you may notice
light spark knock for a short time while
accelerating or driving up hills. This is no
cause for concern, because you get the
greatest fuel benefit when there is light
spark knock for a short time under heavyengine load.
JVT0159X
API certification mark
API service symbol
ENGINE OIL AND OIL FILTER
RECOMMENDATION
Selecting the correct oil
It is essential to choose the correct grade,
quality, and viscosity engine oil to ensure
satisfactory engine life and performance,
see “Capacities and recommended fluids/
lubricants” (P.10-2). INFINITI recommends
the use of an energy conserving oil in order
to improve fuel economy.
Select only engine oils that meet the Amer-
ican Petroleum Institute (API) certificationor International Lubricant Standardization
and Approval Committee (ILSAC) certifica-
tion and SAE viscosity standard. These oils
have the API certification mark on the front
of the container. Oils which do not have the
specified quality label should not be used as
they could cause engine damage.Oil additives
INFINITI does not recommend the use of oil
additives. The use of an oil additive is not
necessary when the proper oil type is used
and maintenance intervals are followed.
Oil which may contain foreign matter or has
been previously used should not be used.
Oil viscosity
The engine oil viscosity or thickness changes
with temperature. Because of this, it is
important that the engine oil viscosity be
selected based on the temperatures at which
the vehicle will be operated before the next
oil change. Choosing an oil viscosity other
than that recommended could cause serious
engine damage.
Selecting the correct oil filter
Your new vehicle is equipped with a high-
quality genuine NISSAN oil filter. When
replacing, use the genuine oil filter or its
equivalent for the reason described in
change intervals.
Change intervals
The oil and oil filter change intervals for your
engine are based on the use of the specified
quality oils and filters. Oil and filter other
than the specified quality, or oil and filter
change intervals longer than recommended
could reduce engine life. Damage to engines
caused by improper maintenance or use of
incorrect oil and filter quality and/or vis-
cosity is not covered by the new INFINITI
vehicle limited warranties.
Your engine was filled with a high quality
engine oil when it was built. You do not have
to change the oil before the first recom-
Technical and consumer information10-9