1. Engine oil and filter replacement
indicator
This indicator appears when the customer
set time comes for changing the engine oil
and filter. You can set or reset the distance
for changing the engine oil and filter.
2. Tire replacement indicator
This indicator appears when the customer
set distance comes for replacing tires. You
can set or reset the distance for replacing
tires.
WARNING
The tire replacement indicator is not a
substitute for regular tire checks, includ-
ing tire pressure checks. See “Changing
wheels and tires” (P.8-34). Many fac-
tors including tire inflation, alignment,
driving habits and road conditions affect
tire wear and when tires should be
replaced. Setting the tire replacement
indicator for a certain driving distance
does not mean your tires will last that
long. Use the tire replacement indicator
as a guide only and always perform
regular tire checks. Failure to perform
regular tire checks, including tire pres-
sure checks could result in tire failure.Serious vehicle damage could occur and
may lead to a collision, which could result
in serious personal injury or death.
3. Other indicator
This indicator appears when the customer
set time comes for replacing items other
than the engine oil, oil filter and tires. You
can set or reset the distance for replacing
the items.
Instruments and controls2-27
normally.
The sensors
and, located on the
instrument panel, help maintain a constant
temperature. Do not put anything on or
around the sensors.
SERVICING AIR CONDITIONER
WARNING
The air conditioner contains refrigerant
under high pressure. To avoid personal
injury, any air conditioner service should
be done only by an experienced techni-
cian with the proper equipment.
The air conditioner system in your vehicle is
charged with a refrigerant designed with the
environment in mind.
This refrigerant will not harm the earth’s
ozone layer.However, it may contribute in a
small part to global warming.
Special charging equipment and lubricant
are required when servicing your vehicle’s air
conditioner. Using improper refrigerants or
lubricants will cause severe damage to the
air conditioner system. (See “Air conditioning
system refrigerant and oil recommenda-
tions” (P.10-7).)
An INFINITI retailer will be able to serviceyour environmentally friendly air conditioner
system.
In-cabin microfilter
With Advanced Climate Control system:
The air conditioning system is equipped with
a natural grape seed polyphenol filter which
collects and neutralizes dirt, pollen, dust, etc.
To make sure that the air conditioner heats,
defogs and ventilates efficiently, replace the
filter in accordance with the specified main-
tenance intervals shown in the "9. Main-
tenance and schedules" section. To replace
the filter, contact an INFINITI retailer.
The filter should be replaced if the air flow
decreases significantly or if windows fog up
easily when operating the heater or air
conditioner.
Without Advanced Climate Control system:
The air conditioning system is equipped with
an in-cabin microfilter that collects dirt,
pollen, dust, etc.
To make sure that the air conditioner heats,
defogs and ventilates efficiently, replace the
filter in accordance with the specified main-
tenance schedule shown in the "9. Main-
tenance and schedules" section. To replace
the filter, contact an INFINITI retailer.
The filter should be replaced if the air flow
decreases significantly or if windows fog upeasily when operating the heater or air
conditioner.
Monitor, climate, audio, phone and voice recognition systems4-41
4. Drive at economical speeds and dis-
tances.
.Observing the speed limit and not
exceeding 60 MPH (97 km/h) (where
legally allowed) can improve fuel
efficiency due to reduced aerody-
namic drag.
.Maintaining a safe following distance
behind other vehicles reduces unne-
cessary braking.
.Safely monitoring traffic to anticipate
changes in speed permits reduced
braking and smooth acceleration
changes.
.Select a gear range suitable to road
conditions.
5. Use cruise control.
.Using cruise control during highway
driving helps maintain a steady speed.
.Cruise control is particularly effective
in providing fuel savings when driving
on flat terrains.
6. Plan for the shortest route.
.Utilize a map or navigation system to
determine the best route to save time.
7. Avoid idling.
.Shutting off your engine when safe
for stops exceeding 30-60 seconds
saves fuel and reduces emissions.8. Buy an automated pass for toll roads.
.Automated passes permit drivers to
use special lanes to maintain cruising
speed through the toll and avoid
stopping and starting.
9. Winter warm up.
.Limit idling time to minimize impact to
fuel economy.
.Vehicles typically need no more than
30 seconds of idling at start-up to
effectively circulate the engine oil
before driving.
.Your vehicle will reach its ideal oper-
ating temperature more quickly while
driving versus idling.
10. Keeping your vehicle cool.
.Park your vehicle in a covered parking
area or in the shade whenever possi-
ble.
.When entering a hot vehicle, opening
the windows will help to reduce the
inside temperature faster, resulting in
reduced demand on your A/C system..Keep your engine tuned up.
.Follow the recommended scheduled
maintenance.
.Keep the tires inflated to the correct
pressure. Low tire pressure increases tire
wear and lowers fuel economy.
.Keep the wheels in correct alignment.
Improper alignment increases tire wear
and lowers fuel economy.
.Use the recommended viscosity engine
oil. (See “Engine oil and oil filter recom-
mendation” (P.10-6).)
Starting and driving5-123
INCREASING FUEL ECONOMY
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
8-2Do-it-yourself
When performing any inspection or main-
tenance work on your vehicle, always take
care to prevent serious accidental injury to
yourself or damage to the vehicle. The
following are general precautions which
should be closely observed.
WARNING
.Park the vehicle on a level surface,
apply the parking brake securely and
block the wheels to prevent the
vehicle from moving. Move the shift
lever to P (Park).
.Be sure the ignition switch is in the
OFF or LOCK position when per-
forming any parts replacement or
repairs.
.Never connect or disconnect the
battery or any transistorized compo-
nent while the ignition switch is in the
ON position.
.Never leave the engine or automatic
transmission related component har-
nesses disconnected while the igni-
tion switch is in the ON position.
.If you must work with the engine
running, keep your hands, clothing,
hair and tools away from moving
fans, belts and any other movingparts.
.It is advisable to secure or remove
any loose clothing and remove any
jewelry, such as rings, watches, etc.
before working on your vehicle.
.Always wear eye protection when-
ever you work on your vehicle.
.If you must run the engine in an
enclosed space such as a garage, be
sure there is proper ventilation for
exhaust gases to escape.
.Never get under the vehicle while it is
supported only by a jack. If it is
necessary to work under the vehicle,
support it with safety stands.
.Keep smoking materials, flame and
sparks away from fuel tank and the
battery.
.Your vehicle is equipped with an
automatic engine cooling fan. It may
come on at any time without warn-
ing, even if the ignition key is in the
OFF position and the engine is not
running. To avoid injury, always dis-
connect the negative battery cable
before working near the fan.
.Because the fuel lines are under high
pressure even when the engine is off,
it is recommended you visit an
INFINITI retailer for service of thefuel filter or fuel lines.
CAUTION
.Do not work under the hood while the
engine is hot. Turn the engine off and
wait until it cools down.
.Avoid direct contact with used en-
gine oil and coolant. Improperly dis-
posed engine oil, coolant, and/or
other vehicle fluids can damage the
environment. Always conform to lo-
cal regulations for disposal of vehicle
fluid.
This “8. Do-it-yourself” section gives in-
structions regarding only those items which
are relatively easy for an owner to perform.
A genuine INFINITI Service Manual is also
available. (See “Owner’s Manual/Service
Manual order information” (P.10-24).)
You should be aware that incomplete or
improper servicing may result in operating
difficulties or excessive emissions, and could
affect your warranty coverage.If in doubt
about any servicing, it is recommended you
have it done by an INFINITI retailer.
MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS
6. Recheck oil level with the dipstick.
It is normal to add some oil between oil
maintenance intervals or during the break-
in period, depending on the severity of
operating conditions.
CAUTION
Oil level should be checked regularly.
Operating the engine with an insuffi-
cient amount of oil can damage the
engine, and such damage is not covered
by warranty.
CHANGING ENGINE OIL AND
FILTER
Vehicle set-up
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
apply the parking brake.
2. Run the engine until it reaches operating
temperature.
3. Turn the engine off and wait more than
15 minutes.
4. Raise and support the vehicle using a
suitable floor jack and safety jack stands.
.Place the safety jack stands under the
vehicle jack-up points.
.A suitable adapter should be attached
to the jack stand saddle.
5. Remove the plastic engine undercover.
.Remove the small plastic clip at the
center point of the undercover.
.Then remove the other bolts that hold
the undercover in place.
CAUTION
Make sure the correct lifting and sup-
port points are used to avoid vehicle
damage.
JVM0668X
2WD models
JVM0669X
AWD models
Do-it-yourself8-7
8-8Do-it-yourself
Engine oil and filter
1. Place a large drain pan under the drain
plug.
2. Remove the oil filler cap.
3. Remove the drain plug
with a wrench
and completely drain the oil.
CAUTION
Be careful not to burn yourself, as the
engine oil is hot.
.Waste oil must be disposed of prop-
erly.
.Check your local regulations.
4. (Perform steps 4 to 7 only when the
engine oil filter change is needed.)
Loosen the oil filter
with an oil filter
wrench. Remove the oil filter by turning it
by hand.
5. Wipe the engine oil filter mounting sur-
face with a clean rag.
CAUTION
Be sure to remove any old rubber gasket
remaining on the mounting surface of
the engine. Failure to do so could lead toengine damage.
6. Coat the gasket on the new filter with
clean engine oil.
7. Screw in the oil filter clockwise until a
slight resistance is felt, then tighten
additionally more than 2/3 turn.
Oil filter tightening torque:
11 to 15 ft-lb
(14.7 to 20.6 N·m)
8. Clean and re-install the drain plug with a
new washer. Securely tighten the drain
plug with a wrench.
Drain plug tightening torque:
22 to 29 ft-lb
(29.4 to 39.2 N·m)
Do not use excessive force.
9. Refill engine with recommended oil and
install the oil filler cap securely.
See “Capacities and recommended
fluids/lubricants” (P.10-2) for drain and
refill capacity. The drain and refill capa-
city depends on the oil temperature and
drain time. Use these specifications for
reference only. Always use the dipstick
to determine the proper amount of oil in
the engine.10. Start the engine and check for leakage
around the drain plug and the oil filter.
Correct as required.
11. Turn the engine off and wait more than
15 minutes. Check the oil level with the
dipstick. Add engine oil if necessary.
After the operation
1. Install the engine undercover into posi-
tion as the following steps.
a. Pull the center of the small plastic clip
out.
b. Hold the engine undercover into posi-
tion.
c. Insert the clip through the undercover
into the hole in the frame, then push
the center of the clip in to lock the clip
in place.
d. Install the other bolts that hold the
undercover in place. Be careful not to
strip the bolts or over-tighten them.
2. Lower the vehicle carefully to the
ground.
3. Dispose of waste oil and filter properly.
WARNING
.Prolonged and repeated contact with
used engine oil may cause skin cancer.
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.8-3) 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.
Intercooler coolant:
Intercooler coolant is maintenance-free.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