7-4Appearance and care
CAUTION
Follow the directions below to avoid
staining or discoloring the wheels:
.Do not use a cleaner that uses strong
acid or alkali contents to clean the
wheels.
. Do not apply wheel cleaners to the
wheels when they are hot. The wheel
temperature should be the same as
ambient temperature.
. Rinse the wheel to completely re-
move the cleaner within 15 minutes
after the cleaner is applied.
Bright wheels (if so equipped)
The bright wheels use a different coating
process than typical aluminum alloy wheel
and they are not plated wheels. These
wheels are clear-coated and require the
following special cleaning. They should be
regularly washed with a soft sponge soaked
in a lot of water. After washing with water,
wipe clean with a dry, soft cloth and dry
completely. When there is chemical or tire
wax, or dirt such as an antifreeze agent on
the surface, wash them with water as soon
as possible.
CAUTION
.The surfaces of the wheels use a
different coating process than typical
aluminum alloy wheels. Do not use
aluminum alloy wheel cleaners or
abrasive cleaners to clean the wheels.
Using such cleaners could damage the
wheel surfaces.
. Do not use an automatic car wash if
the vehicle is equipped with bright
wheels. The wheel coating may be
damaged.
. Do not use a brush to wash the
wheels if the vehicle is equipped with
bright wheels. The wheel coating may
be damaged.
CHROME PARTS
Clean chrome parts regularly with a non-
abrasive chrome polish to maintain the
finish.
TIRE DRESSING
INFINITI does not recommend the use of tire
dressings. Tire manufacturers apply a coat-
ing to the tires to help reduce discoloration
of the rubber. If a tire dressing is applied to
the tires, it may react with the coating and form a compound. This compound may come
off the tire while driving and stain the vehicle
paint.
If you choose to use a tire dressing, take the
following precautions:
.
Use a water-based tire dressing. The
coating on the tire dissolves more easily
with an oil-based tire dressing.
. Apply a light coat of tire dressing to help
prevent it from entering the tire tread/
grooves (where it would be difficult to
remove).
. Wipe off excess tire dressing using a dry
towel. Make sure the tire dressing is
completely removed from the tire tread/
grooves.
. Allow the tire dressing to dry as recom-
mended by tire dressing manufacturer.
8 Do-it-yourself
Maintenance precautions ............................................... 8-2
Engine compartment check locations ......................... 8-3VK56VD engine model .............................................. 8-3
Engine cooling system ..................................................... 8-4 Checking engine coolant level ................................. 8-5
Changing engine coolant .......................................... 8-5
Engine oil ........................................................................\
..... 8-6 Checking engine oil level ........................................... 8-6
Changing engine oil and filter .................................. 8-6
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) .......................... 8-8
Power steering fluid ......................................................... 8-8
Brake fluid ........................................................................\
... 8-9 Brake fluid ..................................................................... 8-9
Window washer fluid ................................................... 8-10
Battery ........................................................................\
....... 8-11 Jump starting ............................................................. 8-12
Variable voltage control system ................................. 8-13
Drive belts ........................................................................\
. 8-13
Spark plugs ....................................................................... 8-14 Replacing spark plugs .............................................. 8-14
Air cleaner ........................................................................\
. 8-14 Windshield wiper blades .............................................. 8-15
Cleaning ..................................................................... 8-15
Replacing ................................................................... 8-16
Rear window wiper blades .......................................... 8-16
Brakes ........................................................................\
........ 8-17 Self-adjusting brakes ............................................. 8-17
Brake pad wear warning ....................................... 8-17
Brake booster ........................................................... 8-17
Fuses ........................................................................\
.......... 8-18 Engine compartment .............................................. 8-18
Passenger compartment ...................................... 8-20
Intelligent Key battery replacement ......................... 8-21
Lights ........................................................................\
......... 8-23
Headlights ................................................................ 8-24
Exterior and interior lights ................................... 8-24
Wheels and tires ............................................................. 8-27
Tire pressure ............................................................. 8-27
Tire labeling .............................................................. 8-31
Types of tires ........................................................... 8-33
Tire chains ................................................................ 8-34
Changing wheels and tires ................................... 8-35
If you have a flat tire, see “Flat tire” (P.6-3).
TIRE PRESSURE
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)
This vehicle is equipped with the Tire
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). It
monitors tire pressure of all tires except the
spare. When the low tire pressure warning
light is lit and the “Tire Pressure Low Add
Air” warning appears in the vehicle informa-
tion display, one or more of your tires is
significantly under-inflated.
The TPMS will activate only when the
vehicle is driven at speeds above 16 MPH
(25 km/h). Also, this system may not detect
a sudden drop in tire pressure (for example, a
flat tire while driving).
For more details, see “Low tire pressure
warning light” (P.2-16), “Tire Pressure Mon-
itoring System (TPMS)” (P.5-5) and “Tire
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ” (P.6-
3).
Tire inflation pressure
Check the pressure of the tires (in-
cluding the spare) often and always
prior to long distance trips. The
recommended tire pressure specifica-
tions are shown on the Tire andLoading Information label under the
“Cold Tire Pressure” heading. The Tire
and Loading Information label is
affixed to the driver side center pillar.
Tire pressures should be checked
regularly because:
.
Most tires naturally lose air over
time.
. Tires can lose air suddenly when
driven over potholes or other ob-
jects or if the vehicle strikes a curb
while parking.
The tire pressures should be checked
when the tires are cold. The tires are
considered COLD after the vehicle
has been parked for 3 or more hours,
or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km) at
moderate speeds.
TPMS with Tire Inflation Indicator
provides visual and audible signals
outside the vehicle for inflating the
tires to the recommended COLD tire
pressure. (See “TPMS with Tire Infla-
tion Indicator” (P.5-7) about the
TPMS with Tire Inflation Indicator.)
Incorrect tire pressure, including un-
der inflation, may adversely affect tire life and vehicle handling.
WARNING
.
Improperly inflated tires can fail
suddenly and cause an accident.
. The Gross Vehicle Weight rat-
ing (GVWR) is located on the F.
M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certifica-
tion label. The vehicle weight
capacity is indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information label.
Do not load your vehicle beyond
this capacity. Overloading your
vehicle may result in reduced
tire life, unsafe operating con-
ditions due to premature tire
failure, or unfavorable handling
characteristics and could also
lead to a serious accident.
Loading beyond the specified
capacity may also result in fail-
ure of other vehicle compo-
nents.
. Before taking a long trip, or
whenever you heavily load your
vehicle, use a tire pressure
Do-it-yourself8-27
WHEELS AND TIRES
8-28Do-it-yourself
gauge to ensure that the tire
pressures are at the specified
level.
. For additional information re-
garding tires, refer to “Impor-
tant Tire Safety Information”
(US) or “Tire Safety Informa-
tion” (Canada) in the Warranty
Information Booklet.
SDI2496
Tire and Loading Information label
Seating capacity: The maximum
number of occupants that can be
seated in the vehicle.
Vehicle load limit: See “Vehicle
loading information” (P.10-15).
Original size: The size of the tires
originally installed on the vehicle
at the factory.
Cold tire pressure: Inflate the
tires to this pressure when the
tires are cold. Tires are consid-
ered COLD after the vehicle has
8-30Do-it-yourself
SDI1949
Checking the tire pressure
1. Remove the valve stem cap fromthe tire.
2. Press the pressure gauge squarely onto the valve stem. Do not press
too hard or force the valve stem
sideways, or air will escape. If the
hissing sound of air escaping from
the tire is heard while checking the
pressure, reposition the gauge to
eliminate this leakage.
3. Remove the gauge. 4. Read the tire pressure on the
gauge stem and compare it to the
specification shown on the Tire
and Loading Information label.
5. Add air to the tire as needed. If too much air is added, press the core of
the valve stem briefly with the tip
of the gauge stem to release
pressure. Recheck the pressure
and add or release air as needed.
6. Install the valve stem cap.
7. Check the pressure of all other tires, including the spare.
8. Check the pressure when driving the vehicle at speeds of 100 mph
(160 km/h) or higher where it is
legal to do so.
WARNING
. Driving at high speeds, 100 mph (160
km/h) or higher sustained where it is
legal to do so, can cause tires to have
excessive heat build up, which may
result in a tire failure causing loss of
control, crash, injuries or even death.
Some high-speed rated tires require inflation pressure adjustment for
high-speed operation. When speed
limits and road conditions allow ve-
hicle driving at high speeds, make
sure tires are rated to support high
speed operation, tires are in optimal
conditions and pressure is adjusted to
correct cold inflation pressure for
high speed operation.
. Tires require adjustment to the infla-
tion pressure when driving the vehicle
at speeds of 100 mph (160 km/h) or
higher where it is legal to do so. See
recommended tire inflation chart for
correct operating pressure.
. After vehicle high speed operation
has ended, readjust the tire pressure
to the recommended cold inflation
pressure. (See “Checking the tire
pressure” (P.8-30).)
SizeCold Tire In-
flation Pres- sure
Front Original Tire:
P275/50R22 111H 35 psi, 240
kPa
Front Original Tire:
P275/60R20 114H 35 psi, 240
kPa
Rear Original Tire:
P275/50R22 111H 35 psi, 240
kPa
Rear Original Tire:
P275/60R20 114H 35 psi, 240
kPa
Spare Tire:
275/60R20 115M 35 psi, 240
kPa
Spare Tire:
265/70R18 116M 51 psi, 350
kPa
Recommended tire inflation pressures at
speeds of 100 mph (160 km/h) or higher
where it is legal to do so.
SizeCold Tire In-
flation Pres- sure
Front Original Tire:
P275/50R22 111H 41 psi, 280
kPa
Front Original Tire:
P275/60R20 114H 36 psi, 250
kPa
Rear Original Tire:
P275/50R22 111H 41 psi, 280
kPa
Rear Original Tire:
P275/60R20 114H 36 psi, 250
kPa
SDI1575
Example
TIRE LABELING
Federal law requires tire manufac-
turers to place standardized informa-
tion on the sidewall of all tires. This
information identifies and describes
the fundamental characteristics of
the tire and also provides the tire
identification number (TIN) for safety
standard certification. The TIN can be
used to identify the tire in case of a
recall.
Do-it-yourself8-31
8-32Do-it-yourself
SDI1606
Example
Tire size (example: P215/60R16
94H)
1. P: The “P” indicates the tire is designed for passenger vehicles.
(Not all tires have this informa-
tion.)
2. Three-digit number (215): This number gives the width in milli-
meters of the tire from sidewall
edge to sidewall edge.
3. Two-digit number (60): This num- ber, known as the aspect ratio,
gives the tire’s ratio of height to width.
4. R: The “R” stands for radial.
5. Two-digit number (16): This num- ber is the wheel or rim diameter in
inches.
6. Two- or three-digit number (94): This number is the tire’s load index.
It is a measurement of how much
weight each tire can support. You
may not find this information on all
tires because it is not required by
law.
7. H: Tire speed rating. You should not drive the vehicle faster than
the tire speed rating.
JVM0694X
Example
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
for a new tire (example: DOT XX
XX XXX XXXX)
1. DOT: Abbreviation for the “De- partment of Transportation”. The
symbol can be placed above, be-
low or to the left or right of the
Tire Identification Number.
2. Two-digit code: Manufacturer’s identification mark
3. Two-digit code: Tire size
4. Three-digit code: Date of Manu- facture
5. Four numbers represent the weekand year the tire was built. For
example, the numbers 3103
means the 31st week of 2003. If
these numbers are missing, then
look on the other sidewall of the
tire.
Tire ply composition and material
The number of layers or plies of
rubber-coated fabric in the tire.
Tire manufacturers also must in-
dicate the materials in the tire,
which include steel, nylon, polye-
ster, and others.
Maximum permissible inflation
pressure
This number is the greatest
amount of air pressure that
should be put in the tire. Do not
exceed the maximum permissible
inflation pressure.
Maximum load rating
This number indicates the max-
imum load in kilograms and
pounds that can be carried by
the tire. When replacing the tires
on the vehicle, always use a tire that has the same load rating as
the factory installed tire.
Term of “tubeless” or “tube type”
Indicates whether the tire re-
quires an inner tube (“tube type”)
or not (“tubeless”).
The word “radial”
The word “radial” is shown, if the
tire has radial structure.
Manufacturer or brand name
Manufacturer or brand name is
shown.
Other tire-related terminology:
In addition to the many terms that are
defined throughout this section, In-
tended Outboard Sidewall is (1) the
sidewall that contains a whitewall,
bears white lettering or bears manu-
facturer, brand and/or model name
molding that is higher or deeper than
the same molding on the other side-
wall of the tire, or (2) the outward
facing sidewall of an asymmetrical
tire that has a particular side that
must always face outward when
mounted on a vehicle.
TYPES OF TIRES
WARNING
. When changing or replacing tires, be
sure all four tires are of the same type
(Example: Summer, All Season or
Snow) and construction. An INFINITI
retailer may be able to help you with
information about tire type, size,
speed rating and availability.
. Replacement tires may have a lower
speed rating than the factory
equipped tires, and may not match
the potential maximum vehicle speed.
Never exceed the maximum speed
rating of the tire.
. Replacing tires with those not origin-
ally specified by INFINITI could affect
the proper operation of the TPMS.
. For additional information regarding
tires, refer to “Important Tire Safety
Information” (US) or “Tire Safety
Information” (Canada) in the War-
ranty Information Booklet.
All season tires
INFINITI specifies all season tires on some
models to provide good performance all
Do-it-yourself8-33