8 Do-it-yourself
Maintenance precautions........................8-2
Engine compartment check locations .............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 oil filter ...............8-6
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) fluid . 8-10
Brake fluid ..................................... 8-10
Windshield-washer fluid ......................... 8-11
Windshield-washer fluid reservoir .............8-11
Battery ........................................ 8-12
Jump starting ............................... 8-14
Variable voltage control system ................8-14
Drive belt ...................................... 8-15
Spark plugs .................................... 8-15
Replacing spark plugs ....................... 8-15
Air cleaner ..................................... 8-16
In-cabin microfilter .......................... 8-17Windshield wiper blades
........................ 8-17
Cleaning .................................... 8-17
Replacing ................................... 8-17
Brakes ......................................... 8-19
Fuses .......................................... 8-20
Engine compartment ........................ 8-20
Passenger compartment ....................8-21
Battery replacement ........................... 8-22
INFINITI Intelligent Key .....................8-22
Lights ......................................... 8-24
Headlights .................................. 8-24
Fog lights ................................... 8-24
Exterior and interior lights ...................8-25
Wheels and tires ............................... 8-27
Tire pressure ................................ 8-27
Tire labeling ................................ 8-31
Types of tires ............................... 8-35
Tire chains .................................. 8-37
Changing
wheels and tires ................... 8-38
If you have a flat tire, see “Flat tire” (P. 6-3).
TIRE PRESSURE
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)
WARNING
Radio waves could adversely affect
electric medical equipment. Those
who use a pacemaker should contact
the electric medical equipment
manufacturer for the possible influ-
ences before use.
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 information dis-
play, one or more of your tires is sig-
nificantly under-inflated. If equipped,
the system also displays pressure of all
tires (except the spare tire) on the dis- play screen by sending a signal from a
sensor that is installed in each wheel.
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 pres-
sure (for example a flat tire while
driving).
For additional information, see “Low
tire pressure warning light” (P. 2-13),
“Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)” (P. 5-5) and “Flat tire” (P. 6-3).
Tire inflation pressure
Check the tire pressures (including the
spare) often and always prior to long
distance trips. The recommended tire
pressure specifications are shown on
the F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certifica-
tion label or the Tire and Loading In-
formation label under the “Cold Tire
Pressure” heading. The Tire and Load-
ing 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 objects
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 mod-
erate speeds.
TPMS with Tire Inflation Indicator
provides visual and audible signals
outside the vehicle for inflating the
tires to the recommended COLD tire
pressure. For additional information,
see “TPMS with tire inflation indicator”
(P. 5-7).
WHEELS AND TIRES
Do-it-yourself8-27
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 Rating
(GVWR) is located on the
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certifica-
tion label. The vehicle weight ca-
pacity is indicated on the Tire and
Loading Information label. Do not
load your vehicle beyond this ca-
pacity. Overloading your vehicle
may result in reduced tire life, un-
safe operating conditions due to
premature tire failure, or unfavor-
able handling characteristics and
could also lead to a serious acci-
dent. Loading beyond the specified
capacity may also result in failure
of other vehicle components.
• Before taking a long trip, or when-
ever you heavily load your vehicle,
use a tire pressure gauge to ensure
that the tire pressures are at the
specified level.
• For additional information re-
garding tires, refer to “Important
Tire Safety Information” (US) or
“Tire Safety Information”
(Canada) in the Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet.
8-28
Do-it-yourself
Tire and Loading Information label
1Seating capacity: The maximum
number of occupants that can be
seated in the vehicle.
2Original tire size: The size of the
tires originally installed on the ve-
hicle at the factory.
3Cold tire pressure: Inflate the tires
to this pressure when the tires are
cold. 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. The recommended cold
tire inflation is set by the manufac-
turer to provide the best balance
of tire wear, vehicle handling,
driveability, tire noise, etc., up to
the vehicle's GVWR.4Tire size - see “Tire labeling”
(P. 8-31).
5Spare tire size.
6Vehicle load limit: see “Vehicle
loading information” (P. 10-15).
LDI3172
Do-it-yourself8-29
Checking tire pressure
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 fail-
ure causing loss of control, crash,
injuries or even death. •
Some high-speed rated tires re-
quire inflation pressure adjust-
ment for high-speed operation.
When speed limits and road condi-
tions allow vehicle 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.
• If your vehicle is equipped with
P235/55RF19 or P255/45RF20
tire sizes, tires require adjustment
to the inflation pressure when
driving the vehicle at speeds of
100 mph (160 km/h) or higher
where it is legal to do so. Set the
cold inflation pressure to 36 psi
(250 kPa). •
After vehicle high speed operation
has ended, readjust the tire pres-
sure to the recommended cold in-
flation pressure. For additional in-
formation, see "Checking tire
pressure" (P. 8-30).
1. Remove the valve stem cap from the 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 to the
specification shown on the Tire
and Loading Information label.
LDI0393
8-30Do-it-yourself
5. Add air to the tire as needed. If toomuch air is added, press the core of
the valve stem briefly with the tip
of the gauge stem to release pres-
sure. 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.
Size Cold Tire Inflation
Pressure
psi kPa
Front and Rear
Original Tire:
P255/45RF20 33 230
Spare Tire: noneRecommended tire inflation pres-
sures at speeds of 100 mph (160
km/h) or higher where it is legal to do
so.
Size
Cold Tire Inflation
Pressure
psi kPa
Front and Rear
Original Tire:
P255/45RF20 36 250
Spare Tire: none
TIRE LABELING
Federal law requires tire manufactur-
ers to place standardized information
on the sidewall of all tires. This infor-
mation identifies and describes the
fundamental characteristics of the tire
and also provides the Tire Identifica-
tion Number (TIN) for safety standard
certification. The TIN can be used to
identify the tire in case of a recall.
WDI0394
Example
Do-it-yourself8-31
O2TIN (Tire Identification Number)
for a new tire (example: DOT XXX
XXXXXX XXXX)
1. DOT: Abbreviation for the “Depart- ment Of Transportation”. The sym-
bol can be placed above, below or
to the left of the Tire Identification
Number.
2. Three-digit code: Manufacturer's identification mark. 3. Six-digit code: Descriptive code
used to identify significant charac-
teristics of the tire.
4. Four numbers represent the week and year the tire was built. For ex-
ample, the numbers 3103 means
the 31st week of 2003.
O3Tire ply composition and material
The number of layers or plies of
rubber-coated fabric in the tire. Tire manufacturers also must indicate the
materials in the tire, which include
steel, nylon, polyester and others.
O4Maximum permissible inflation
pressure
This number is the greatest amount of
air pressure that should be put in the
tire. Do not exceed the maximum per-
missible inflation pressure.
O5Maximum load rating
This number indicates the maximum
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.
O6Term of “tubeless” or “tube type”
Indicates whether the tire requires an
inner tube (“tube type”) or not
(“tubeless”).
LDI3639
Example (Type B) (if so equipped)
8-34Do-it-yourself
O7The word “radial”
The word “radial” is shown if the tire
has radial structure.
O8Manufacturer 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 (i.e.,
Summer, All Season or Snow) and con-
struction. 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 originally
specified by INFINITI could affect the
proper operation of the low tire pressure
warning system.
• Always use tires of the same type, size,
brand, construction and tread pattern on
all four wheels. Failure to do so may re-
sult in a circumference difference be-
tween tires on the front and rear axles
which can cause the Vehicle Dynamic
Control (VDC) system to malfunction re-
sulting in personal injury or death, exces-
sive tire wear and may damage the
transmission, transfer case and differen-
tial gears. •
For additional information regarding
tires, refer to “Important Tire Safety In-
formation” (US) or “Tire Safety Informa-
tion” (Canada) in the Warranty Informa-
tion Booklet.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) models
CAUTION
• ONLY use spare tires specified for the
AWD model.
If excessive tire wear is found, it is recom-
mended that all four tires be replaced with
tires of the same size, brand, construction
and tread pattern. The tire pressure and
wheel alignment should also be checked and
corrected as necessary. It is recommended
that you visit an INFINITI retailer for this
service.
All season tires
INFINITI specifies All Season tires on some
models to provide good performance all year,
including snowy and icy road conditions. All
Season tires are identified by ALL SEASON
and/or M&S on the tire sidewall. Snow tires
have better snow traction than All Season
tires and may be more appropriate in some
areas.
Do-it-yourself8-35