2021 INFINITI QX80 suspension

For additional information, see “Supplemen-
tal restraint system” (P.1-52).
WARNING
If the supplemental air bag warning light
is on, it could mean that the front air
bag, side air bag, curtain air bag systems
and/or pretensioner systems will not
operate in an accident. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have your
vehicle checked by a retailer as soon as
possible.
WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS
(yellow)
See “Vehicle information display” (P.2-20).
Adaptive Front lighting Sys-
tem (AFS) indicator light (if so
equipped)
When the ignition switch is pushed to the
ON position, the Adaptive Front lighting
System (AFS) indicator light will illuminate.
The light will turn off in about 1 second if the
AFS is operational.
If the AFS indicator light blinks, it may
indicate the AFS is not functioning properly. Have the system checked. It is recommended
you visit an INFINITI retailer for this service.
See “Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS)”
(P.2-45).
orAnti-lock Braking
System (ABS) warning light
When the ignition switch is in the ON
position, the Anti-lock Braking System
(ABS) warning light illuminates and then
turns off. This indicates the ABS is opera-
tional.
If the ABS warning light illuminates while the
engine is running, or while driving, it may
indicate the ABS is not functioning properly.
Have the system checked. It is recommended
you visit an INFINITI retailer for this service.
If an ABS malfunction occurs, the anti-lock
function is turned off. The brake system then
operates normally, but without anti-lock
assistance. (See “Brake system” (P.5-123).)
Automatic transmission check
warning light
When the ignition switch is pushed to the
ON position, the light comes on for 2
seconds. If the light comes on at any other
time, it may indicate the transmission is not
functioning properly. It is recommend you visit an INFINITI retailer to check and repair
the transmission.
Check suspension indicator
light
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the light comes on for 2 seconds.
Four-Wheel Drive (4WD)
warning light (4WD models)
Thewarning light comes on when the
ignition switch is pushed to ON. It turns off
soon after the engine is started.
If the 4WD system malfunctions, or the
diameter of the front and the rear wheels are
different, the warning light will either remain
illuminated or blink. (See “INFINITI all-mode
4WD
®” (P.5-113).)
CAUTION
. If the warning light comes on while
driving there may be a malfunction in
the 4WD system. Reduce the vehicle
speed and have your vehicle checked
as soon as possible. It is recom-
mended you visit an INFINITI retailer
for this service.
Instruments and controls2-15

5-126Starting and driving
.You may feel a pulsation in the brake
pedal and hear a noise or vibration from
under the hood. This is normal and
indicates that the VDC system is working
properly.
. Adjust your speed and driving to the road
conditions.
If a malfunction occurs in the system, the
VDC warning light
illuminates in the
instrument panel. The VDC system automa-
tically turns off.
The VDC OFF switch is used to turn off the
VDC system. The VDC off indicator
illuminates to indicate the VDC system is off.
When the VDC switch is used to turn off the
system, the VDC system still operates to
prevent one drive wheel from slipping by
transferring power to a non slipping drive
wheel. The VDC warning light
flashes if
this occurs. All other VDC functions are off,
and the VDC warning light
will not flash.
The VDC system is automatically reset to on
when the ignition switch is placed in the off
position then back to the on position.
When the 4L position is selected with the
4WD shift switch, the VDC system is
disabled and the VDC off indicator light
illuminates (for 4WD models).
See “Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) warn-
ing light” (P.2-18) and “Vehicle Dynamic
Control (VDC) off indicator light” (P.2-18). The computer has a built-in diagnostic
feature that tests the system each time you
start the engine and move the vehicle
forward or in reverse at a slow speed. When
the self-test occurs, you may hear a “clunk”
noise and/or feel a pulsation in the brake
pedal. This is normal and is not an indication
of a malfunction.
WARNING
.
The VDC system is designed to help
improve driving stability but does not
prevent accidents due to abrupt
steering operation at high speeds or
by careless or dangerous driving
techniques. Reduce vehicle speed
and be especially careful when driving
and cornering on slippery surfaces
and always drive carefully.
. Do not modify the vehicle’s suspen-
sion. If suspension parts such as
shock absorbers, struts, springs, sta-
bilizer bars, bushings and wheels are
not INFINITI recommended for your
vehicle or are extremely deteriorated,
the VDC system may not operate
properly. This could adversely affect
vehicle handling performance, and
the VDC warning light
may
illuminate. .
If brake related parts such as brake
pads, rotors and calipers are not
INFINITI recommended or are extre-
mely deteriorated, the VDC system
may not operate properly and the
VDC warning light
may illumi-
nate.
. If engine control related parts are not
INFINITI recommended or are extre-
mely deteriorated, the VDC warning
light
may illuminate.
. When driving on extremely inclined
surfaces such as higher banked cor-
ners, the VDC system may not oper-
ate properly and the VDC warning
light
may illuminate. Do not drive
on these types of roads.
. When driving on an unstable surface
such as a turntable, ferry, elevator or
ramp, the VDC warning light
may
illuminate. This is not a malfunction.
Restart the engine after driving onto
a stable surface.
. If wheels or tires other than the
INFINITI recommended ones are
used, the VDC system may not oper-
ate properly and the VDC warning
light
may illuminate.
. The VDC system is not a substitute
for winter tires or tire chains on a

SCE0876
2. Loosen each wheel nut one or two turnsby turning counterclockwise with the
wheel nut wrench. Do not remove the
wheel nuts until the tire is off the
ground.
NCE130
3. Install the assembled jack rod into the
jack as shown.
4. Carefully raise the vehicle until the clearance between the tire and ground
is achieved.
5. To lift the vehicle, securely hold the jack lever and rod with both hands and turn
the jack lever.
NOTE:
Before jacking up the vehicle, make sure the
ignition switch is placed in the OFF position.
If the vehicle is lifted up with the engine
running, the auto-leveling suspension will
become disabled after 120 seconds. To
reset the auto-leveling suspension, cycle
In case of emergency6-9

6-18In case of emergency
JVE0433X
Front
JVE0434X
Rear
VEHICLE RECOVERY (freeing a
stuck vehicle)
WARNING
.Stand clear of a stuck vehicle.
. Do not spin your tires at high speed.
This could cause them to explode and
result in serious injury. Parts of your
vehicle could also overheat and be
damaged.
Pulling a stuck vehicle
If your vehicle is stuck in sand, snow, mud,
etc., use a tow strap or other device
designed specifically for vehicle recovery.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instruc-
tions for the recovery device.
Attach the tow strap to the towing hook.
CAUTION
.Tow chains or cables must be at-
tached only to the main structural
members of the vehicle or the towing
hooks. Otherwise, the vehicle body
will be damaged. .
Use the towing hook only to free a
vehicle stuck in sand, snow, mud, etc.
Never tow the vehicle for a long
distance using only the towing hook.
. The towing hook is under tremendous
force when used to free a stuck
vehicle. Never pull the hook at an
angle.
. Always pull the cable straight out
from the front or rear of the vehicle.
. Pulling devices should be routed so
they do not touch any part of the
suspension, steering, brake or cooling
systems.
. Pulling devices such as ropes or
canvas straps are not recommended
for use in vehicle towing or recovery.
Rocking a stuck vehicle
If your vehicle is stuck in sand, snow, mud,
etc., use the following procedure:
1. Turn off the Vehicle Dynamic Control
(VDC) system.
2. Make sure the area in front and behind the vehicle is clear of obstructions.
3. Turn the steering wheel right and left to clear an area around the front tires.
4. Slowly rock the vehicle forward and backward.

WAXING
Regular waxing protects the paint surface
and helps retain new vehicle appearance.
Polishing is recommended to remove built-
up wax residue and to avoid a weathered
appearance before reapplying wax.
An INFINITI retailer can assist you in choos-
ing the proper product.
.Wax your vehicle only after a thorough
washing. Follow the instructions sup-
plied with the wax.
. Do not use a wax containing any abra-
sives, cutting compounds or cleaners
that may damage the vehicle finish.
Machine compound or aggressive polishing
on a base coat/clear coat paint finish may
dull the finish or leave swirl marks.
REMOVING SPOTS
Remove tar and oil spots, industrial dust,
insects, and tree sap as quickly as possible
from the paint surface to avoid lasting
damage or staining. Special cleaning pro-
ducts are available at an INFINITI retailer or
any automotive accessory stores.
UNDERBODY
In areas where road salt is used in winter, the
underbody must be cleaned regularly. This
will prevent dirt and salt from building up
and causing the acceleration of corrosion on
the underbody and suspension. Before the
winter period and again in the spring, the
underseal must be checked and, if necessary,
re-treated.
GLASS
Use glass cleaner to remove smoke and dust
film from the glass surfaces. It is normal for
glass to become coated with a film after the
vehicle is parked in the hot sun. Glass cleaner
and a soft cloth will easily remove this film.
CAUTION
When cleaning the inside of the win-
dows, do not use sharp-edged tools,
abrasive cleaners or chlorine-based dis-
infectant cleaners. They could damage
the electrical conductors, radio antenna
elements or rear window defroster ele-
ments.
WHEELS
Wash the wheels when washing the vehicle
to maintain their appearance.
. Clean the inner side of the wheels when
the wheel is changed or the underside of
the vehicle is washed.
. Inspect wheel rims regularly for dents or
corrosion. Such damage may cause loss
of pressure or poor seal at the tire bead.
. INFINITI recommends that the road
wheels be waxed to protect against road
salt in areas where it is used during
winter.
CAUTION
Do not use abrasive cleaners when
washing the wheels.
Aluminum alloy wheels
Wash regularly with a sponge dampened in a
mild soap solution, especially during winter
months in areas where road salt is used. Salt
could discolor the wheels if not removed.
Appearance and care7-3

8-34Do-it-yourself
year, including snowy and icy road condi-
tions. All Season tires are identified by ALL
SEASON and/or M&S (Mud and Snow) on
the tire sidewall. Snow tires have better
snow traction than All Season tires 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
substantially reduced in snow and ice. Sum-
mer 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 tires 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
handling of your vehicle.
Generally, snow tires will have lower speed
ratings 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 thesame 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 installing studded tires. Skid and
traction capabilities of studded snow tires,
on wet or dry surfaces, may be poorer than
that of non-studded snow tires.
TIRE CHAINS
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 damage
your 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 the full-size
temporary use only spare tire (if so
equipped).
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.

The following shows the maintenance schedule.
Choose the maintenance schedule needed based on your vehicle driving conditions.
After 120,000 miles (192,000 km)/96 months, continue maintenance at the same mileage/time interval.
5,000 Miles/6 Months/8,000 KmStandard maintenance:
Not Applicable. Proceed to next interval.
Severe maintenance:
.Inspect brake pads and rotors.Inspect steering gear and linkage.Inspect axle and suspension parts.Inspect propeller shaft (4WD models).Inspect drive shaft boots (4WD models).Inspect exhaust system.Replace engine oil and filter
7,500 Miles/6 Months/12,000 KmStandard maintenance:.Replace engine oil and filter.Perform tire rotation
Severe maintenance:
Not Applicable. Proceed to next interval.
10,000 Miles/12 Months/16,000
Km
Standard maintenance:
Not Applicable. Proceed to next interval.
Severe maintenance:
.Inspect brake pads and rotors.Inspect steering gear and linkage.Inspect axle and suspension parts.Inspect propeller shaft (4WD models).Inspect drive shaft boots (4WD models).Inspect exhaust system.Replace engine oil and filter.Replace brake fluid
Maintenance and schedules9-7
STANDARD MAINTENANCE

9-8Maintenance and schedules
15,000 Miles/12 Months/24,000
Km
Standard maintenance:.Inspect brake lines and cables.Inspect brake pads and rotors.Replace differential gear oil.Inspect propeller shaft (4WD models).Inspect transfer case oil (4WD models).Inspect drive shaft boots (4WD models).Replace engine oil and filter.Replace in-cabin microfilter.Perform tire rotation.Lubricate propeller shaft grease (4WD models)
Severe maintenance:
Not Applicable. Proceed to next interval.
15,000 Miles/18 Months/24,000
Km
Standard maintenance:
Not Applicable. Proceed to next interval.
Severe maintenance:
.Inspect brake pads and rotors.Inspect steering gear and linkage.Inspect axle and suspension parts.Inspect propeller shaft (4WD models).Inspect drive shaft boots (4WD models).Inspect exhaust system.Replace engine oil and filter
20,000 Miles/24 Months/32,000
Km
Standard maintenance:
Not Applicable. Proceed to next interval.
Severe maintenance:
.Inspect brake pads and rotors.Inspect steering gear and linkage.Inspect axle and suspension parts.Inspect propeller shaft (4WD models).Inspect drive shaft boots (4WD models).Inspect exhaust system.Replace engine oil and filter.Replace brake fluid.Replace differential gear oil.Replace transfer case oil (4WD models)