10-4Technical and consumer information
FUEL INFORMATION
VK56VD engine
INFINITI recommends the use of 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, you may use unleaded regular gasoline
with an octane rating of at least 87 AKI
number (Research octane number 91), but
you may notice a decrease in 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
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
Technical and consumer information10-5
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 servicing.
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.
JVT0342X
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-mended change interval. Oil and filter
change intervals depend upon how you use
your vehicle.
AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM RE-
FRIGERANT AND LUBRICANT
RECOMMENDATIONS
The air conditioning system in your INFINITI
vehicle must be charged with the refriger-
ant HFC-134a (R-134a) and the lubricant,
NISSAN A/C system oil Type S or the exact
equivalents.
CAUTION
The use of any other refrigerant or
lubricant may cause severe damage to
the air conditioning system and may
require the replacement of all air condi-
tioner system components.
The refrigerant HFC-134a (R-134a) in your
INFINITI vehicle will not harm the earth’s
ozone layer. Although this refrigerant does
not affect the earth’s atmosphere, certain
governmental regulations require the recov-
ery and recycling of any refrigerant during
automotive air conditioning system service.
Your INFINITI retailer has the trained tech-
nicians and equipment needed to recover and recycle your air conditioning system
refrigerant.
It is recommended you visit an INFINITI
retailer when servicing your air conditioning
system.
Technical and consumer information10-7
10-8Technical and consumer information
ENGINE
ModelVK56VD
Type Gasoline, 4-cycle
Cylinder arrangement 8-cylinder, V-slanted at 90°
Bore × Stroke in (mm)3.858 × 3.622 (98 × 92)
Displacement cu in (cm
3)338.78 (5,552)
Firing order 1-8-7-3-6-5-4-2
Idle speed rpm
See the emission control information label
on the underside of the hood.
Ignition timing (B.T.D.C.) degree/rpm
Spark plug StandardDILKAR7B11
Spark plug gap (Normal) in (mm) 0.043 (1.1)
Camshaft operation Timing chain
This spark ignition system complies with the Canadian standard ICES-002.
STI0397B
SPECIFICATIONS
If you plan to travel in another country,you
should first find out if the fuel available is
suitable for your vehicle’s engine.
Using fuel with too low an octane rating may
cause engine damage. All gasoline vehicles
must be operated with unleaded gasoline.
Therefore, avoid taking your vehicle to areas
where appropriate fuel is not available.
When transferring the registration of your
vehicle to another country, state, province
or district, it may be necessary to modify the
vehicle to meet local laws and regulations.
The laws and regulations for motor vehicle
emission control and safety standards vary
according to the country, state, province or
district; therefore, vehicle specifications may
differ.
When any vehicle is to be taken into
another country, state, province or district
and registered, its modifications, transpor-
tation, and registration are the responsi-
bility of the user. INFINITI is not responsible
for any inconvenience that may result.
STI0431
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUM-
BER (VIN) PLATE
The vehicle identification number plate is
attached as shown. This number is the
identification for your vehicle and is used in
the vehicle registration.
STI0708
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUM-
BER (chassis number)
The number is stamped as shown.
Technical and consumer information10-11
WHEN TRAVELING OR REGISTERING
IN ANOTHER COUNTRYVEHICLE IDENTIFICATION
10-12Technical and consumer information
STI0709
ENGINE SERIAL NUMBER
The number is stamped on the engine as
shown.
STI0448
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. CERTIFICA-
TION LABEL
The Federal/Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards (F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S.) certifica-
tion label is affixed as shown. This label
contains valuable vehicle information, such
as: Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings (GVWR),
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR), month
and year of manufacture, Vehicle Identifica-
tion Number (VIN), etc. Review it carefully.
JVT0541X
EMISSION CONTROL INFORMA-
TION LABEL
The emission control information label is
attached as shown.
10-18Technical and consumer information
WARNING
Overloading or improper loading of a
trailer and its cargo can adversely affect
vehicle handling, braking and perfor-
mance and may lead to accidents.
CAUTION
.Do not tow a trailer or haul a heavy
load for the first 500 miles (800 km).
Your engine, axle or other parts could
be damaged.
. For the first 500 miles (800 km) that
you tow a trailer, do not drive over
50 MPH (80 km/h) and do not make
starts at full throttle. This helps the
engine and other parts of your vehicle
wear in at the heavier loads.
Your new vehicle was designed to be used
primarily to carry passengers and cargo.
Remember that towing a trailer places
additional loads on your vehicle’s engine,
drivetrain, steering, braking and other sys-
tems.
An INFINITI Towing Guide (U.S. only) is
available on the website at www.InfinitiUSA.com. This guide includes
information on trailer towing capability and
the special equipment required for proper
towing.
MAXIMUM LOAD LIMITS
Maximum trailer loads
Never allow the total trailer load to exceed
the value specified in the “Towing load/
specification” (P.10-21). The total trailer
load equals trailer weight plus its cargo
weight.
.
When towing a trailer load of 3,500 lbs
(1,587 kg) or more, trailers with a brake
system MUST be used.
The maximum Gross Combined Weight
Rating (GCWR) should not exceed the value
specified in the following “Towing Load/
Specification” chart.
STI0541
The GCWR equals the combined weight of
the towing vehicle (including passengers and
cargo) plus the total trailer load. Towing
loads greater than these or using improper
towing equipment could adversely affect
vehicle handling, braking and performance.
The ability of your vehicle to tow a trailer is
not only related to the maximum trailer
loads, but also the places you plan to tow.
Tow weights appropriate for level highway
driving may have to be reduced on very steep
grades or for low traction situations (for
example, on slippery boat ramps).
Temperature conditions can also affect
towing. For example, towing a heavy trailer
in high outside temperatures on graded
TOWING A TRAILER