5-10Starting and driving
.If you decide that it is not safe to
return the vehicle to the road surface
based on vehicle, road or traffic
conditions, gradually slow the vehicle
to a stop in a safe place off the road.
RAPID AIR PRESSURE LOSS
Rapid air pressure loss or a “blow-out” can
occur if the tire is punctured or is damaged
due to hitting a curb or pothole. Rapid air
pressure loss can also be caused by driving
on under-inflated tires.
Rapid air pressure loss can affect the
handling and stability of the vehicle, espe-
cially at highway speeds.
Help prevent rapid air pressure loss by
maintaining the correct air pressure and
visually inspect the tires for wear and
damage. See “Wheels and tires” (P.8-25) of
this manual.
If a tire rapidly loses air pressure or “blows-
out” while driving maintain control of the
vehicle by following the procedure below.
Please note that this procedure is only a
general guide. The vehicle must be driven as
appropriate based on the conditions of the
vehicle, road and traffic.
WARNING
The following actions can increase the
chance of losing control of the vehicle if
there is a sudden loss of tire air pressure.
Losing control of the vehicle may cause a
collision and result in personal injury.
.The vehicle generally moves or pulls
in the direction of the flat tire.
.Do not rapidly apply the brakes.
.Do not rapidly release the accelerator
pedal.
.Do not rapidly turn the steering
wheel.
1. Remain calm and do not overreact.
2. Maintain a firm grip on the steering
wheel with both hands and try to hold
a straight course.
3. When appropriate, slowly release the
accelerator pedal to gradually slow the
vehicle.
4. Gradually steer the vehicle to a safe
location off the road and away from
traffic if possible.
5. Lightly apply the brake pedal to gradu-
ally stop the vehicle.6. Turn on the hazard warning flashers and
either contact a roadside emergency
service to change the tire or see “Jacking
up the vehicle and replacing tires” (P.8-
38) of this Owner’s Manual.
DRINKING ALCOHOL/DRUGS
AND DRIVING
WARNING
Never drive under the influence of alco-
hol or drugs. Alcohol in the bloodstream
reduces coordination, delays reaction
time and impairs judgement. Driving
after drinking alcohol increases the like-
lihood of being involved in an accident
injuring yourself and others. Addition-
ally, if you are injured in an accident,
alcohol can increase the severity of the
injury.
INFINITI is committed to safe driving. How-
ever, you must choose not to drive under the
influence of alcohol. Every year thousands of
people are injured or killed in alcohol-related
accidents. Although the local laws vary on
what is considered to be legally intoxicated,
the fact is that alcohol affects all people
differently and most people underestimate
the effects of alcohol.
8 Do-it-yourself
Maintenance precautions ............................................... 8-2
Engine compartment check locations ......................... 8-3
VR30DDTT engine ..................................................... 8-3
Engine cooling system ..................................................... 8-3
Checking engine coolant level ................................ 8-4
Changing engine coolant .......................................... 8-5
Intercooler cooling system ............................................. 8-5
Checking intercooler coolant level ......................... 8-6
Engine oil ............................................................................. 8-6
Checking engine oil level ........................................... 8-6
Changing engine oil and filter .................................. 8-7
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) .......................... 8-9
Brake fluid ........................................................................... 8-9
Window washer fluid ................................................... 8-10
Battery ............................................................................... 8-11
Checking battery fluid level .................................... 8-12
Jump starting ............................................................. 8-13
Variable voltage control system ................................. 8-13
Drive belts ......................................................................... 8-13
Spark plugs ....................................................................... 8-14
Replacing spark plugs .............................................. 8-14Air cleaner ........................................................................ 8-15
Windshield wiper blades .............................................. 8-15
Cleaning ..................................................................... 8-15
Replacing ................................................................... 8-16
Brakes ................................................................................ 8-16
Self-adjusting brakes ............................................. 8-16
Brake pad wear warning ....................................... 8-16
Fuses .................................................................................. 8-17
Engine compartment .............................................. 8-17
Passenger compartment ....................................... 8-18
Intelligent Key battery replacement ......................... 8-19
Lights ................................................................................. 8-22
Headlights ................................................................. 8-23
Exterior and interior lights .................................... 8-23
Wheels and tires ............................................................. 8-25
Tire pressure ............................................................. 8-25
Tire labeling ............................................................. 8-30
Types of tires ........................................................... 8-32
Tire chains ................................................................ 8-34
Changing wheels and tires .................................. 8-34
Jacking up the vehicle and replacing tires ...... 8-38
8-34Do-it-yourself
TIRE CHAINS
CAUTION
Tire chains/cables should not be in-
stalled on P255/40RF19,
P255/35R20, 255/35R20 and
275/30R20 tires. Doing so will cause
damage to the vehicle. If you plan to use
tire chains/cables, you should install
245/40RF19 run-flat tires or
245/40R19 non run-flat 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 they are the proper size
for the tires on your vehicle and are installed
according to the chain manufacturer’s sug-
gestions.Use only SAE Class S chains.Class
“S” chains are used on vehicles with re-
stricted tire to vehicle clearance. Vehicles
that can use Class “S” chains are designed to
meet the SAE standard minimum clearances
between the tire and the closest vehicle
suspension or body component required to
accommodate the use of a winter traction
device (tire chains or cables). The minimum
clearances are determined using the factory
equipped tire size. Other types may damageyour vehicle. Use chain tensioners when
recommended by the tire chain manufac-
turer to ensure a tight fit. Loose end links of
the tire chain 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 addition, 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
rear wheels and not on the front wheels.
Never install tire chains on a TEMPORARY
USE ONLY spare tire (if so equipped). Never
install tire chains on a punctured run-flat tire
(if so equipped), as this could damage your
vehicle.
Do not use tire chains on dry roads. Driving
with tire chains in such conditions can cause
damage to the various mechanisms of the
vehicle due to some overstress.
SDI1662
CHANGING WHEELS AND TIRES
Tire rotation (models equipped with
same size tires on all wheels)
INFINITI recommends rotating the
tires at the specified interval shown
in the maintenance schedule. (See the
"9. Maintenance and schedules" sec-
tion. For tire replacing procedure, see
“Jacking up the vehicle and replacing
tires” (P.8-38).)
As soon as possible, tighten the
wheel nuts to the specified torque
with a torque wrench.
8-38Do-it-yourself
Wheel balance
Unbalanced wheels may affect vehicle hand-
ling and tire life. Even with regular use,
wheels can get out of balance. Therefore,
they should be balanced as required.
Wheel balance service should be performed
with the wheels off the vehicle. Spin
balancing the wheels on the vehicle could
lead to mechanical damage.
For additional information regarding tires,
refer to “Important Tire Safety Information”
(US) or “Tire Safety Information” (Canada) in
the INFINITI Warranty Information Booklet.
Care of wheels
See “Cleaning exterior” (P.7-2) for details
about care of the wheels.
Emergency tire puncture repair kit
(if so equipped)
The emergency tire puncture repair kit
(Emergency Tire Sealant) is supplied with
the vehicle instead of a spare tire. It can be
used to temporarily repair minor tire punc-
tures. If possible, have the vehicle towed to a
facility that can repair or replace the flat tire.
Using the emergency tire puncture repair kit
may cause a malfunction of the tire pressure
sensor and cause the low tire pressure
warning light to illuminate.See “Flat tire” (P.6-3) for more details.
JACKING UP THE VEHICLE AND
REPLACING TIRES
This section contains the information about
the vehicle jack-up procedures and the tire
replacement.
NOTE:
Jacking tools are not equipped as standard
with this vehicle. It is recommended you
contact an INFINITI retailer about acquiring
the tools.
For models with run-flat tires, you can
continue driving to a safe location even if
they are punctured. (See “Run-flat tires”
(P.6-4) and “Run-flat tires” (P.8-32).)
For models with the emergency tire punc-
ture repair kit, you can temporarily fix a
minor tire puncture using it. (See “Repairing
a flat tire (for models with emergency tire
puncture repair kit)” (P.6-5).)
WARNING
.Make sure the parking brake is
securely applied and the transmission
into the P (Park) position.
.Never change tires when the vehicle
is on a slope, ice or slippery areas.This is hazardous.
.Never change tires if oncoming traf-
fic is close to your vehicle. Wait for
professional road assistance.
MCE0001A
Blocking wheels
Place suitable blocksat both the front and
back of the wheel diagonally opposite the
flat tire to prevent the vehicle from moving
when it is jacked up.
WARNING
Be sure to block the wheel as the vehicle
may move and result in personal injury.
Jacking up the vehicle and removing
a tire
WARNING
.Never get under the vehicle while it is
supported only by the jack. If it is
necessary to work under the vehicle,
support it with safety stands.
.Use the correct jack-up points. Never
use any other part of the vehicle for
jack support.
.Never jack up the vehicle more than
necessary.
.Never use blocks on or under the jack.
.Do not start or run the engine while
vehicle is on the jack, as it may cause
the vehicle to move. This is especially
true for vehicles with limited slip
differentials.
.Do not allow passengers to stay in
the vehicle while it is on the jack.
Carefully read the caution label attached to
the jack body and the following instruc-
tions.
JVE0346X
Jack-up point
1. Place the jack directly under the jack-up
point as illustrated so the top of the jack
contacts the vehicle at the jack-up point.
Align the jack head between the two
notches in the front or the rear as shown.
Also fit the groove of the jack head
between the notches as shown.
The jack should be used on level firm
ground.
Do-it-yourself8-39
8-40Do-it-yourself
SCE0504
2. Loosen each wheel nut one or two turns
by turning counterclockwise with the
wheel nut wrench.Do not remove the
wheel nuts until the tire is off the
ground.
3. Carefully raise the vehicle until the tire
clears the ground. To lift the vehicle,
securely hold the jack lever and rod with
both hands as shown above. Remove the
wheel nuts, and then remove the tire.
Installing a tire
1. Clean any mud or dirt from the surface
between the wheel and hub.
2. Carefully put the tire on and tighten the
wheel nuts finger tight.3. With the wheel nut wrench, tighten
wheel nuts alternately and evenly in the
sequence illustrated (
,,,,) until
they are tight.
4. Lower the vehicle slowly until the tire
touches the ground. Then, with the
wheel nut wrench, tighten the wheel
nuts securely in the sequence as illu-
strated. Lower the vehicle completely.
WARNING
.Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly
tightened wheel nuts can cause the
wheel to become loose or come off.This could cause an accident.
.Do not use oil or grease on the wheel
studs or nuts. This could cause the
nuts to become loose.
.As soon as possible, tighten the wheel
nuts to the specified torque with a
torque wrench.
Wheel nut tightening torque:
80 ft-lb (108 N·m)
The wheel nuts must be kept tigh-
tened to specification at all times. It
is recommended that wheel nuts be
tightened to specifications at each
lubrication interval.
.Adjust tire pressure to the COLD
pressure.
COLD pressure:
After the vehicle has been parked for
three hours or more or driven less
than 1 mile (1.6 km).
COLD tire pressures are shown on
the Tire and Loading Information
label affixed to the driver side center
pillar.
Securely store the jacking tools in the
vehicle.