2021 INFINITI QX80 check engine

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.

10-28Technical and consumer information
down condition; check for improper
tongue load, overload, worn suspension
or other possible causes of either condi-
tion.
. Always secure items in the trailer to
prevent load shift while driving.
. Keep the cargo load as low as possible in
the trailer to keep the trailer center of
gravity low.
. Load the trailer so approximately 60% of
the trailer load is in the front half and
40% is in the back half. Also make sure
the load is balanced side to side.
. Check your hitch, trailer tire pressure,
vehicle tire pressure, trailer light opera-
tion, and trailer wheel lug nuts every time
you attach a trailer to the vehicle.
. Be certain your rearview mirrors conform
to all federal, state or local regulations. If
not, install any mirrors required for
towing before driving the vehicle.
. Determine the overall height of the
vehicle and trailer so the required clear-
ance is known.
Trailer towing tips
In order to gain skill and an understanding of
the vehicle’s behavior, you should practice
turning, stopping and backing up in an area
which is free from traffic. Steering stability,
and braking performance will be somewhat different than under normal driving condi-
tions.
.
Always secure items in the trailer to
prevent load shift while driving.
. Lock the trailer hitch coupler with a pin or
lock to prevent the coupler from inad-
vertently becoming unlatched.
. Avoid abrupt starts, acceleration or
stops.
. Avoid sharp turns or lane changes.
. Always drive your vehicle at a moderate
speed. Some states or provinces have
specific speed limits for vehicles that are
towing trailers. Obey the local speed
limits.
. When backing up, hold the bottom of the
steering wheel with one hand. Move
your hand in the direction in which you
want the trailer to go. Make small
corrections and back up slowly. If possi-
ble, have someone guide you when you
are backing up.
Always block the wheels on both vehicle and
trailer when parking. Parking on a slope is
not recommended; however, if you must do
so:
CAUTION
If you move the shift lever to the P
(Park) position before blocking the
wheels and applying the parking brake,
transmission damage could occur.
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Have someone place blocks on the downhill side of the vehicle and trailer
wheels.
3. After the wheel blocks are in place, slowly release the brake pedal until the
blocks absorb the vehicle load.
4. Apply the parking brake.
5. Shift the transmission into P (Park).
6. Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) models:
Make sure that the 4WD shift switch is
engaged in the AUTO, 4HI or 4LO
position and the Automatic Transmission
(AT) park warning light is turned off.
7. Turn off the engine.
To drive away:
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Shift the transmission into gear.

10-30Technical and consumer information
— the Forward Emergency Braking(FEB) with pedestrian detection sys-
tem
— the Predictive Forward Collision Warning (PFCW) system
. Some states or provinces have specific
regulations and speed limits for vehicles
that are towing trailers. Obey the local
speed limits.
. Check your hitch, trailer wiring harness
connections, and trailer wheel lug nuts
after 50 miles (80 km) of travel and at
every break.
. When launching a boat, do not allow the
water level to go over the exhaust tail
pipe or rear bumper.
. Make sure you disconnect the trailer
lights before backing the trailer into the
water or the trailer lights may burn out.
When towing a trailer, the transmission
fluid should be changed more frequently.
For additional information, see “9. Main-
tenance and schedules” section.
TOW mode
Using TOW mode is recommended when
pulling a heavy trailer or hauling a heavy
load. Push the TOW mode switch to activate
TOW mode. The TOW mode indicator light
in the meter illuminates when TOW mode is
selected. Push the TOW mode switch again to turn TOW mode off. TOW mode is
automatically cancelled when the ignition
switch is placed in the OFF position.
TOW mode includes the following features:
.
Grade logic — Adjusts transmission shifts
when pulling a trailer or hauling a load up
a grade.
. Downhill Speed Control (DSC) — auto-
matically downshifts when driving down
a grade with a trailer or heavy load to
help control vehicle speed.
Driving the vehicle in the TOW mode with no
trailer/load or light trailer/light load will not
cause any damage. However, fuel economy
may be reduced and the transmission/
engine driving characteristics may feel unu-
sual.
When towing a trailer, the transmission
fluid should be changed more frequently.
For additional information, see “9. Main-
tenance and schedules” section.
Trailer Sway Control
To minimize trailer sway, your vehicle may
apply braking to individual wheels based on
input from your vehicle sensors and vehicle
speed. Trailer Sway Control is a function of
the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system
and is active when the VDC function is
enabled.
CAUTION
If the VDC OFF switch is on (meaning
VDC system OFF), the Trailer Sway
Control is also disabled.
When Trailer Sway Control is in operation,
the VDC warning light blinks. When vehicle
control is regained, VDC warning light will
turn OFF.
For additional information about the VDC
system, see “Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
system” (P.5-125).
If Trailer Sway Control activates:
1. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal to allow the vehicle to coast and steer as
straight ahead as the road conditions
allow. This combination will help stabilize
the vehicle.
CAUTION
Do not try to correct trailer sway by
steering or applying the brakes.
2. When the trailer sway stops, gently apply the brakes and pull to the side of
the road in a safe area.

10-34Technical and consumer information
wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/7/
PCDB-BDPP/fc-cp.aspx?lang=fra
(French speakers).
Additional information concerning
motor vehicle safety may be obtained
from Transport Canada’s Road
Safety Information Centre at 1-
800-333-0371 or online at www.tc.
gc.ca/roadsafety (English speakers)
or www.tc.gc.ca/securiteroutiere
(French speakers).
To notify INFINITI of any safety
concerns please contact our Consu-
mer Information Centre toll free at 1-
800-361-4792.
WARNING
A vehicle equipped with Four-Wheel
Drive (4WD) should never be tested
using a two wheel dynamometer (such
as the dynamometers used by some
states for emissions testing), or similar
equipment. Make sure you inform test
facility personnel that your vehicle is
equipped with 4WD before it is placed
on a dynamometer. Using the wrong test
equipment may result in transmission
damage or unexpected vehicle move-
ment which could result in serious vehicle
damage or personal injury.
Due to legal requirements in some states and
Canadian Provinces, your vehicle may be
required to be in what is called the “ready
condition” for an Inspection/Maintenance
(I/M) test of the emission control system.
The vehicle is set to the “ready condition”
when it is driven through certain driving
patterns. Usually, the “ready condition” can
be obtained by ordinary usage of the vehicle.
If a powertrain system component is re-
paired or the battery is disconnected, the
vehicle may be reset to a “not ready condi-
tion”. Before taking the I/M test, check the
vehicle’s inspection/maintenance test readi- ness condition. Place the ignition switch in
the ON position without starting the engine.
If the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
comes on steady for 20 seconds and then
blinks for 10 seconds, the I/M test condition
is “not ready”. If the MIL does not blink after
20 seconds, the I/M test condition is
“ready”.
It is recommended you visit an INFINITI
retailer to set “ready condition” or to prepare
the vehicle for testing.
READINESS FOR INSPECTION/
MAINTENANCE (I/M) TEST

11 Index
A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) ................... 5-124
Adaptive front lighting system (AFS) ............ 2-45
Advanced air bag system .................................. 1-58
Aiming controlAdaptive front lighting system (AFS) ...... 2-45
Headlights ....................................................... 2-44
Air bag system
Advanced air bag system ............................ 1-58
Front passenger air bag and
status light ....................................................... 1-60
Front-seat mounted side-impact
supplemental air bag system ..................... 1-65
Roof-mounted curtain side-impact and
rollover supplemental air bag system ...... 1-65
Air bag warning labels ....................................... 1-68
Air bag warning light .............................. 1-69, 2-14
Air cleaner housing filter ................................... 8-14
Air conditioner Air conditioner service ................................. 4-37
Air conditioner specification label ......... 10-13
Air conditioning system refrigerant
and oil recommendations ................ 4-37, 10-7
Automatic air conditioner ........................... 4-29
Automatic climate control ......................... 4-28
DUAL mode setting ...................................... 4-32
In-cabin microfilter ........................................ 4-36
Alarm, How to stop alarm (see vehicle
security system) ................................................... 2-35 Alcohol, drugs and driving ................................ 5-10
Antenna .................................................................. 4-37
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ................... 5-124
Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
warning light ......................................................... 2-15
Appearance care
Exterior appearance care ............................... 7-2
Interior appearance care ................................ 7-5
Armrest ................................................................... 1-10
Around View
®Monitor ........................................ 4-3
Audible reminders ................................................ 2-19
Auto closure .......................................................... 3-25
Autolight system .................................................. 2-40
Automatic
Automatic air conditioner ........................... 4-29
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) ......... 8-8
Climate control .............................................. 4-28
Door locks .......................................................... 3-6
Drive positioner ............................................. 3-40
Driving with automatic transmission ....... 5-18
Seat positioner .............................................. 3-40
Average speed ...................................................... 2-31
Avoiding collision and rollover ........................... 5-8
B
Back door (See liftgate) ..................................... 3-22
Back-up Collision Intervention
(BCI) system .......................................................... 5-53 Battery .................................................................... 8-11
Battery saver system ........................ 2-44, 2-72
Intelligent Key ................................................. 8-21
Variable voltage control system ............... 8-13
Before starting the engine ................................ 5-15
Belts (See drive belts) ......................................... 8-13
Blind Spot Intervention
®(BSI) system .......... 5-41
Blind Spot Warning (BSW) system ................ 5-31
Booster seats ........................................................ 1-48
Brake
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ............ 5-124
Brake booster ................................................. 8-17
Brake fluid ......................................................... 8-9
Brake system ................................................ 5-123
Parking brake operation .............................. 5-22
Warning light .................................................. 2-12
Break-in schedule .............................................. 5-111
Brightness control Instrument panel ............................................ 2-46
Bulb check/instrument panel ........................... 2-12
Bulb replacement ................................................. 8-23
C
Cabin air filter ....................................................... 4-36
Camera aiding sonar function ......................... 4-17
Capacities and
recommended fluids/lubricants ....................... 10-2
Car phone or CB radio ....................................... 4-38
Cargo floor box .................................................... 2-66

11-2
Cargo light ............................................................. 2-75
Catalytic converter, Three way catalyst ......... 5-4
Center ventilators ................................................ 4-27
Child restraints ...................................................... 1-31Booster seats .................................................. 1-48
LATCH system ............................................... 1-33
Precautions on child restraints .................. 1-31
Top tether strap ............................................. 1-36
Child safety ........................................................... 1-29
Child safety rear door lock .................................. 3-6
Chimes Audible reminders .......................................... 2-19
Seat belt warning light and chime ............ 2-14
Circuit breaker, Fusible link .............................. 8-19
Cleaning exterior and interior .................... 7-2, 7-5
Climate control Automatic air conditioner ........................... 4-29
Automatic climate control ......................... 4-28
Clock ........................................................................\
2-33
Coat hooks ............................................................ 2-65
Cockpit ...................................................................... 2-3
Cold weather driving ........................................ 5-128
Console box ........................................................... 2-63
Console light ......................................................... 2-73
Coolant
Capacities and
recommended fluids/lubricants ................. 10-2
Changing engine coolant ............................... 8-5
Checking engine coolant level ...................... 8-5
Corrosion protection ............................................. 7-8 Cruise control ....................................................... 5-62
Fixed speed cruise control (on
ICC system) .................................................... 5-80
Intelligent cruise control (ICC) system .... 5-64
Cruise indicator .................................................... 2-26
Cup holders ........................................................... 2-60
Current fuel consumption ................................. 2-31
D
Daytime running light system .......................... 2-45
Dimensions ......................................................... 10-10
Distance Control Assist (DCA) system .......... 5-84
Drive belts .............................................................. 8-13
Drive positioner ................................................... 3-40
Driving Cold weather driving ................................. 5-128
Driving with automatic transmission ....... 5-18
On-pavement and off-road driving ........... 5-8
Precautions when starting and driving ..... 5-4
Safety precautions ........................................ 5-10
E
E-Call (SOS) Button ........................................... 2-59
Economy, Fuel .................................................... 5-113
Elapsed time ......................................................... 2-31
Elapsed time and trip odometer ..................... 2-31
Emission control information label ............... 10-12
Emission control system warranty .............. 10-32
EngineBefore starting the engine .......................... 5-15 Break-in schedule ........................................ 5-111
Capacities and
recommended fluids/lubricants ................. 10-2
Changing engine coolant ............................... 8-5
Changing engine oil and filter ...................... 8-6
Checking engine coolant level ...................... 8-5
Checking engine oil level ............................... 8-6
Coolant temperature gauge ......................... 2-8
Emergency engine shut off ......................... 5-14
Engine block heater .................................... 5-129
Engine compartment check locations ........ 8-3
Engine cooling system ................................... 8-4
Engine oil ........................................................... 8-6
Engine oil and oil
filter recommendation .................................. 10-6
Engine oil viscosity ........................................ 10-7
Engine serial number ................................. 10-12
Engine specifications ................................... 10-8
Engine start operation indicator ............... 2-24
If your vehicle overheats ............................. 6-14
Oil pressure gauge .......................................... 2-9
Protection mode ............................................ 5-17
Starting the engine ....................................... 5-15
Entry/exit function, Automatic
drive positioner ................................................... 3-40
Event Data Recorders (EDR) ........................ 10-35
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) ........................ 5-4
Explanation of scheduled
maintenance items ................................................. 9-5
Extended storage switch .................................. 8-20

Map lights .............................................................. 2-74
Master warning light .............................. 2-14, 2-18
Mechanical key (Intelligent Key system) .......... 3-3
Memory storage, Automatic
drive positioner ................................................... 3-40
MeterTrip computer ................................................. 2-31
Meters and gauges ................................................ 2-6 Instrument brightness control ................... 2-46
Mirror
Inside mirror ................................................... 3-30
Outside mirrors .............................................. 3-37
Smart Rearview Mirror ................................ 3-31
Vanity mirror ................................................... 3-39
Monitor
Around View
®Monitor .................................. 4-3
Moonroof ............................................................... 2-70
Moving Object Detection (MOD) ................... 4-22
N
New vehicle break-in ........................................ 5-111
O
Odometer .................................................................. 2-7
Off-road recovery .................................................. 5-9
Oil Capacities and
recommended fluids/lubricants ................. 10-2
Changing engine oil and filter ...................... 8-6
Checking engine oil level ............................... 8-6 Engine oil ........................................................... 8-6
Engine oil pressure gauge ............................. 2-9
Engine oil viscosity ........................................ 10-7
Operation, operational indicators ................... 2-24
Outside air temperature .................................... 2-33
Outside mirrors .................................................... 3-37
Overheat, If your vehicle overheats ............... 6-14
Owner’s Manual/Service Manual
order information ............................................. 10-35
P
Panic alarm ............................................................ 3-17
Parking Brake break-in .............................................. 5-123
Parking brake operation .............................. 5-22
Parking on hills ............................................. 5-121
Phone
Car phone or CB radio ................................ 4-38
Pocket ..................................................................... 2-65
Power Front seat adjustment ................................... 1-4
Moonroof ......................................................... 2-70
Power door lock ............................................... 3-4
Power outlet ................................................... 2-56
Power steering fluid ....................................... 8-8
Power steering system .............................. 5-123
Power windows ............................................. 2-68
Precautions Braking precautions .................................... 5-123
Child restraints ............................................... 1-31
Cruise control ................................................. 5-62 Driving safety ................................................. 5-10
Maintenance ..................................................... 8-2
On-pavement and off-road driving ........... 5-8
Seat belt usage .............................................. 1-18
Supplemental restraint system .................. 1-52
When starting and driving ............................ 5-4
Predictive Forward Collision
Warning (PFCW) .............................................. 5-103
Push starting ......................................................... 6-13
Push-button ignition switch ............................. 5-12R
Radio Car phone or CB radio ................................ 4-38
Rain-sensing auto wiper system ..................... 2-38
Rapid air pressure loss .......................................... 5-9
Readiness for inspection/maintenance
(I/M) test ............................................................ 10-34
Rear door alert ..................................................... 2-54
Rear door lock, Child safety rear door lock .... 3-6
Rear personal lights ............................................ 2-74
Rear ventilators .................................................... 4-27
Rear window wiper and washer switch ....... 2-39
Rear window wiper blades ............................... 8-16
Recorders, Event data .................................... 10-35
Registering your vehicle in
another country ................................................. 10-11
Remote engine start ................................ 3-17, 3-19
Remote keyless entry system .......................... 3-15
Reporting safety defects ................................ 10-33
Roadside assistance program ............................. 6-2
11-5