
Seats:Check seat position controls such as
seat adjusters, seatback recliner, etc., to en-
sure they operate smoothly and all latches
lock securely in every position. Check that the
head restraints/headrests move up and
down smoothly and the locks (if so equipped)
hold securely in all latched positions.
Steering wheel: Check for changes in the
steering system, such as excessive free play,
hard steering or strange noises.
Warning lights and chimes: Make sure all
warning lights and chimes are operating
properly.
Windshield defroster: Check that the air
comes out of the defroster outlets properly
and in sufficient 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.
Battery (for maintenance free batteries)*:
This vehicle is equipped with a sealed main-
tenance free battery. It is recommended that
you visit an INFINITI dealer for service
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 fluid level*: Make sure that the brake
fluid level is between the MAX and MIN lines
on the reservoir.
Engine coolant level*: Check the coolant level
when the engine is cold. Engine drive belt*:
Make sure the drive belt is
not frayed, worn, cracked or oily.
Engine oil level*: Check the level after parking
the vehicle on a level spot and turning off the
engine. Wait more than 15 minutes for the oil
to drain back into the oil pan.
Exhaust system: Make sure there are no
loose supports, cracks or holes. If the sound
of the exhaust seems unusual or there is a
smell of exhaust fumes, immediately have the
exhaust system inspected. It is recommended
that you visit an INFINITI retailer for this
service. For additional information, refer to
“Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide)” in the
“Starting and driving” section of this manual.
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 en-
gine off. Check the lines for proper attach-
ment, leaks, cracks, etc.
9-4Maintenance and schedules

∙ Do not use a fuel containing more than15% ethanol in your vehicle. Your vehicle
is not designed to run on a fuel containing
more than 15% ethanol. Using a fuel con-
taining more than 15% ethanol in a ve-
hicle not specifically designed for a fuel
containing more than 15% ethanol can
adversely affect the emission control de-
vices 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 methylcyclopentadienyl manga-
nese tricarbonyl (MMT). Using fuel con-
taining MMT may adversely affect ve-
hicle performance and vehicle emissions.
Not all fuel dispensers are labeled to indi-
cate 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 reformu-
lated gasoline.
∙ U.S. government regulations require ethanol dispensing pumps to be identi-
fied by a small, square, orange and black
label with the common abbreviation or
the appropriate percentage 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 de-
veloped this specification to improve emis-
sion control system and vehicle performance.
Ask your service station manager if the gaso-
line meets the WWFC specifications.
Reformulated gasoline
Some fuel suppliers are now producing refor-
mulated gasolines. These gasolines are spe-
cially designed to reduce vehicle emissions.
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 recom-
mended for unleaded gasoline.
∙ If an oxygenate-blend other than
methanol blend is used, it should contain
no more than 15% oxygenate.
∙ If a methanol blend is used, it should con-
tain no more than 5% methanol (methyl
alcohol, wood alcohol). It should also
contain a suitable amount of appropri-
ate cosolvents and corrosion inhibitors.
If not properly formulated with appro-
priate cosolvents and corrosion inhibi-
tors, such methanol blends may cause
fuel system damage and/or vehicle per-
formance problems. At this time, suffi-
cient data is not available to ensure that
all methanol blends are suitable for use in
INFINITI vehicles.
If any driveability problems such as engine
stalling and difficult hot-starting are experi-
enced after using oxygenate-blend fuels, im-
mediately change to a non-oxygenate fuel or
a fuel with a low blend of MTBE.
10-4Technical and consumer information

Pre-towing tips
∙ Be certain your vehicle maintains a levelposition when a loaded and/or unloaded
trailer is hitched. Do not drive the vehicle
if it has an abnormal nose-up or nose-
down condition; check for improper
tongue load, overload, worn suspension
or other possible causes of either condi-
tion.
∙ Always secure items in the trailer to pre- vent load shift while driving.
∙ Keep the cargo load as low as possible in the trailer to keep the trailer center of
gravity low.
∙ Load the trailer so approximately 60% of the trailer load is in the front half and
40% is in the back half. Also make sure
the load is balanced side to side.
∙ Check your hitch, trailer tire pressure, ve- hicle tire pressure, trailer light operation,
and trailer wheel lug nuts every time you
attach a trailer to the vehicle.
∙ Be certain your rearview mirrors conform to all federal, state or local regulations. If
not, install any mirrors required for tow-
ing before driving the vehicle. ∙ Determine the overall height of the ve-
hicle and trailer so the required clearance
is known.
Trailer towing tips
In order to gain skill and an understanding of
the vehicle’s behavior, you should practice
turning, stopping and backing up in an area
which is free from traffic. Steering stability
and braking performance will be somewhat
different than under normal driving condi-
tions.
∙ Always secure items in the trailer to pre- vent load shift while driving.
∙ Lock the trailer hitch coupler with a pin or lock to prevent the coupler from inadver-
tently becoming unlatched.
∙ Avoid abrupt starts, acceleration or stops.
∙ Avoid sharp turns or lane changes.
∙ Always drive your vehicle at a moderate speed. ∙ When backing up, hold the bottom of the
steering wheel with one hand. Move your
hand in the direction in which you want
the trailer to go. Make small corrections
and back up slowly. If possible, have
someone guide you when you are back-
ing up.
Always block the wheels on both vehicle and
trailer when parking. Parking on a slope is not
recommended; however, if you must do so:
CAUTION
If you move the shift selector to the
P (Park) position before blocking the
wheels and applying the parking brake,
transmission damage could occur.
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Have someone place blocks on the downhill side of the vehicle and trailer
wheels.
3. After the wheel blocks are in place, slowly release the brake pedal until the
blocks absorb the vehicle load.
4. Apply the parking brake.
5. Shift the transmission into P (Park).
6. Turn off the engine.
10-26Technical and consumer information

∙ Increase your following distance to allowfor greater stopping distances while
towing a trailer. Anticipate stops and
brake gradually.
∙ INFINITI recommends that the cruise control not be used while towing a trailer.
∙ Some states or provinces have specific regulations and speed limits for vehicles
that are towing trailers. Obey the local
speed limits.
∙ Check your hitch, trailer wiring harness connections, and trailer wheel lug nuts
after 50 miles (80 km) of travel and at
every break.
∙ When launching a boat, don’t allow the water level to go over the exhaust tail
pipe or rear bumper.
∙ Make sure you disconnect the trailer lights before backing the trailer into the
water or the trailer lights may burn out.
When towing a trailer, final drive gear oil
should be replaced and transmission
oil/fluid should be changed more frequently.
For additional information, refer to the “Do-
it-yourself” section of this manual.FLAT TOWING FOR ALL–WHEEL
DRIVE VEHICLE (if so equipped)
Towing your vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground is sometimes called flat towing.
This method is sometimes used when towing
a vehicle behind a recreational vehicle, such
as a motor home.
CAUTION
∙ Failure to follow these guidelines can re- sult in severe transmission damage.
∙ Never flat tow your All-wheel drive (AWD) vehicle.
∙ DO NOT tow your All-wheel drive (AWD) vehicle with any wheels on the ground.
Doing so may cause serious and expen-
sive damage to the powertrain.
∙ For emergency towing procedures refer to “Towing recommended by INFINITI” in
the “In case of emergency” section of this
manual.
FLAT TOWING FOR FRONT
WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE
(if so equipped)
Towing your vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground is sometimes called flat towing.
This method is sometimes used when towing
a vehicle behind a recreational vehicle, such
as a motor home.
CAUTION
∙ Failure to follow these guidelines can re-sult in severe transmission damage.
∙ Whenever flat towing your vehicle, al- ways tow forward, never backward.
∙ Never tow your front wheel drive vehicle with the front tires on the ground. Doing
so may cause serious and expensive dam-
age to the powertrain.
∙ DO NOT tow your front wheel drive con- tinuously variable transmission vehicle
with all four wheels on the ground (flat
towing). Doing so WILL DAMAGE inter-
nal transmission parts due to lack of
transmission lubrication.
∙ For emergency towing procedures refer to “Towing recommended by INFINITI” in
the “In case of emergency” section of this
manual.
10-28Technical and consumer information