3. Tire chains may be used if desired. Make
sure they are the proper size for the tires
on your vehicle and are installed according
to the chain manufacturer’s instructions.
Use chain tensioners when recommended
by the tire chain manufacturer to ensure a
tight fit. Loose end links of the tire chains
must be secured or removed to prevent
the possibility of whipping action damage
to the fenders or underbody. In addition,
drive at a reduced speed, otherwise, your
vehicle may be damaged and/or vehicle
handling and performance may be ad-
versely affected.
SPECIAL WINTER EQUIPMENT
It is recommended that the following items
be carried in the vehicle during the winter:
•A scraper and stiff-bristled brush to re-
move ice and snow from the windows.
•A sturdy, flat board to be placed under the
jack to give it firm support.
•A shovel to dig the vehicle out of snow-
drifts.
•Extra washer fluid to refill the windshield
washer fluid reservoir.
DRIVING ON SNOW OR ICE
WARNING
•Wet ice (32°F, 0°C and freezing rain),
very cold snow or ice can be slick and
very hard to drive on. The vehicle will
have much less traction or “grip” under
these conditions. Try to avoid driving on
wet ice until the road is salted or sanded.
•Whatever the condition, drive with cau-
tion. Accelerate and slow down with
care. If accelerating or downshifting too
fast, the drive wheels will lose even more
traction.
•Allow more stopping distance under
these conditions. Braking should be
started sooner than on dry pavement.
•Allow greater following distances on
slippery roads.
•Watch for slippery spots (glare ice).
These may appear on an otherwise clear
road in shaded areas. If a patch of ice is
seen ahead, brake before reaching it. Try
not to brake while on the ice, and avoid
any sudden steering maneuvers.
•Do not use cruise control on slippery
roads.
•Snow can trap dangerous exhaust gas
under your vehicle. Keep snow clear of
the exhaust pipe and from around your
vehicle.
Starting and driving5-97
name molding that is higher or deeper than
the same molding on the other sidewall of the
tire, or (2) the outward facing sidewall of an
asymmetrical tire that has a particular side
that must always face outward when
mounted on a vehicle.
TYPES OF TIRES
WARNING
•When changing or replacing tires, be
sure all four tires are of the same type
(i.e, summer, all season or snow) and
construction. An INFINITI retailer may
be able to help you with information
about tire type, size, speed rating and
availability.
•Replacement tires may have a lower
speed rating than the factory equipped
tires, and they may not match the po-
tential maximum vehicle speed. Never
exceed the maximum speed rating of the
tire.
•Always use tires of the same type, size,
brand, construction and tread pattern
on all four wheels. Failure to do so may
result in a circumference difference be-
tween tires on the front and rear axles
which can cause the Vehicle Dynamic
Control (VDC) system to malfunctionresulting in personal injury or death, ex-
cessive tire wear and may damage the
transmission, transfer case and differ-
ential gears.
•For additional information regarding
tires, refer to “Important Tire Safety In-
formation” (US) or “Tire Safety Infor-
mation“ (Canada) in the Warranty In-
formation Booklet.
CAUTION
ONLY use spare tires specified for the
model.
If excessive tire wear is found, it is recom-
mended that all four tires be replaced with
tires of the same size, brand, construction
and tread pattern. The tire pressure and
wheel alignment should also be checked and
corrected as necessary. It is recommended
that you visit an INFINITI retailer for this
service.
All season tires
INFINITI specifies all season tires on some
models to provide good performance all year,
including snowy and icy road conditions. All
season tires are identified by ALL SEASON
and/or M&S on the tire sidewall. Snow tires
have better snow traction than all seasontires and may be more appropriate in some
areas.
Summer tires
INFINITI specifies summer tires on some
models to provide superior performance on
dry roads. Summer tire performance is sub-
stantially reduced in snow and ice. Summer
tires do not have the tire traction rating M&S
on the tire sidewall.
If you plan to operate your vehicle in snowy or
icy conditions, INFINITI recommends the use
of snow or all season tires on all four wheels.
Snow tires
If snow tires are needed, it is necessary to
select tires equivalent in size and load rating
to the original equipment tires. If you do not,
it can adversely affect the safety and han-
dling of your vehicle.
Generally, snow tires have lower speed rat-
ings than factory equipped tires and may not
match the potential maximum vehicle speed.
Never exceed the maximum speed rating of
the tire. If you install snow tires, they must be
the same size, brand, construction and tread
pattern on all four wheels.
For additional traction on icy roads, studded
tires may be used. However, some U.S. states
and Canadian provinces prohibit their use.
Check local, state and provincial laws before
8-32Do-it-yourself
installing studded tires. Skid and traction ca-
pabilities of studded snow tires on wet or dry
surfaces may be poorer than that of non-
studded snow tires.
Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) models
If excessive tire wear is found, it is recom-
mended that all four tires be replaced with
tires of the same size, brand, construction
and tread pattern. The tire pressure and
wheel alignment should also be checked and
corrected as necessary. It is recommended
that you visit an INFINITI retailer.
TIRE CHAINS
CAUTION
Tire chains/cables should not be installed
on 235/45 R19 or 235/50 R18 size tires.
Installation of the tire chains/cables on
235/45 R19 or 235/50 R18 size tires will
cause damage to the vehicle. If you plan to
use tire chains/cables, you should install
215/60 R17 size tires on your vehicle.
Use of tire chains may be prohibited accord-
ing to location. Check the local laws before
installing tire chains. When installing tire
chains, make sure that they are of proper size
for the tires on your vehicle and are installed
according to the chain manufacturer’s in-
structions.Use chain tensioners when recommended by
the tire chain manufacturer to ensure a tight
fit. Loose end links of the tire chains must be
secured or removed to prevent the possibility
of whipping action damage to the fenders or
underbody. If possible, avoid fully loading
your vehicle when using tire chains. In addi-
tion, drive at a reduced speed. Otherwise,
your vehicle may be damaged and/or vehicle
handling and performance may be adversely
affected.
Tire chains must be installed only on the
front wheels and not on the rear wheels.
Never install tire chains on a T-type spare tire
(TEMPORARY USE ONLY).
Do not drive with tire chains on paved roads
which are clear of snow. Driving with chains
in such conditions can cause damage to the
various mechanisms of the vehicle due to
some overstress.
1: Wear indicator
2: Location mark
TIRE WEAR AND DAMAGE
WARNING
•Tires should be periodically inspected
for wear, cracking, bulging or objects
caught in the tread. If excessive wear,
cracks, bulging or deep cuts are found,
the tire should be replaced immediately.
•The original tires have a built-in tread
wear indicator. When the wear indicator
is visible, the tire should be replaced.
SDI1663Z
Do-it-yourself8-33
10 Technical information
Recommended fluids/lubricants and capacities . .10-2
Fuel recommendation................10-3
Engine oil and oil filter recommendations. . . .10-5
Air conditioner system refrigerant and oil
recommendations...................10-6
Engine specifications...................10-7
Wheels and Tires.....................10-8
Dimensions.........................10-8
When traveling or registering in another
country...........................10-9
Vehicle identification...................10-9
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate. . . .10-9
Vehicle identification number (chassis
number)........................10-10
Engine serial number................10-10
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. Certification label . . .10-10
Emission control information label.......10-11
Tire and loading information label........10-11
Air conditioner specification label........10-11Installing front license plate..............10-12
Vehicle loading information..............10-13
TERMS........................10-13
Vehicle load capacity................10-14
Loading tips......................10-15
Measurement of weights.............10-15
Trailer towing......................10-15
Uniform tire quality grading..............10-16
Treadwear......................10-16
Traction AA, A, B and C..............10-16
Temperature A, B and C..............10-16
Emission control system warranty..........10-17
Reporting safety defects................10-17
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M)
test.............................10-18
Event data recorders (EDR) (if so equipped) . . .10-19
Owner's manual/service manual order
information........................10-19
DOT (Department Of Transportation) Qual-
ity Grades: All passenger car tires must con-
form to federal safety requirements in addi-
tion to these grades.
Quality grades can be found where appli-
cable on the tire sidewall between tread
shoulder and maximum section width. For
example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
TREADWEAR
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when
tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For ex-
ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one and
one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the govern-
ment course as a tire graded 100. The rela-
tive performance of tires depends upon ac-
tual conditions of their use, however, and
may depart significantly from the norm due
to variations in driving habits, service prac-
tices and differences in road characteristics
and climate.
TRACTION AA, A, B AND C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest,
are AA, A, B and C. Those grades represent
the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as
measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of as-
phalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have
poor traction performance.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
TEMPERATURE A, B AND C
The temperature grades A (the highest), B,
and C, representing the tire’s resistance to
the generation of heat and its ability to dissi-
pate heat when tested under controlled con-
ditions on a specified indoor laboratory test
wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause
the material of the tire to degenerate and
reduce tire life, and excessive temperature
can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C
corresponds to a level of performance which
all passenger car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No.
109. Grades B and A represent higher levels
of performance on the laboratory test wheel
than the minimum required by law.
WARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is estab-
lished for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, under-
inflation, or excessive loading, either sepa-
rately or in combination, can cause heat
build-up and possible tire failure.
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
10-16Technical information