You may hear a noise under the following
conditions. However, this is not a malfunc-
tion.
• When the engine is started or stopped.
• When the steering wheel is turned in the fulllock position. The brake system has two separate hydraulic
circuits. If one circuit malfunctions, you will
still have braking at two wheels.
BRAKE PRECAUTIONS
Vacuum assisted brakes
The brake booster aids braking by using en-
gine vacuum. If the engine stops, you can
stop the vehicle by depressing the brake
pedal. However, greater foot pressure on the
brake pedal will be required to stop the ve-
hicle and stopping distance will be longer.
Using the brakes
Avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal
while driving. This will overheat the brakes,
wear out the brake pads faster, and reduce
gas mileage.
To help reduce brake wear and to prevent the
brakes from overheating, reduce speed and
downshift to a lower gear before going down
a slope or long grade. Overheated brakes
may reduce braking performance and could
result in loss of vehicle control.
WARNING
• While driving on a slippery surface, be
careful when braking, accelerating or
downshifting. Abrupt braking or accel-
erating could cause the wheels to skid
and result in an accident.
• If the engine is not running or is turned
off while driving, the power assist for the
brakes will not work. Braking will be
harder.
Wet brakes
When the vehicle is washed or driven through
water, the brakes may get wet. As a result,
your braking distance will be longer and the
vehicle may pull to one side during braking.
To dry the brakes, drive the vehicle at a safe
speed while lightly pressing the brake pedal
to heat up the brakes. Do this until the brakes
return to normal. Avoid driving the vehicle at
high speeds until the brakes function
correctly.
BRAKE SYSTEM
Starting and driving5-139
Radiator and hoses:Check the front of the
radiator and clean off any dirt, insects, leaves,
etc., that may have accumulated. Make sure
the hoses have no cracks, deformation, rot or
loose connections.
Underbody: The underbody is frequently ex-
posed to corrosive substances such as those
used on icy roads or to control dust. It is very
important to remove these substances, oth-
erwise rust may form on the floor pan, frame,
fuel lines and around the exhaust system. At
the end of winter, the underbody should be
thoroughly flushed with plain water, being
careful to clean those areas where mud and
dirt may accumulate. For additional informa-
tion, see “Cleaning exterior” (P. 7-2).
Windshield-washer fluid*: Check that there
is adequate fluid in the reservoir. The following descriptions are provided to
give you a better understanding of the sched-
uled maintenance items that should be regu-
larly checked or replaced. The maintenance
schedule indicates at which mileage/time in-
tervals each item requires service.
In addition to scheduled maintenance, your
vehicle requires that some items be checked
during normal day-to-day operation. For ad-
ditional information, see “General mainte-
nance” (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 INFINITI. Other
maintenance items and intervals are required.
When applicable, additional information can
be found in the “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 vali-
dated by INFINITI.
For recommended fuel, lubricants, fluids,
grease, and refrigerant, see “Recommended
fluids/lubricants and capacities” (P. 10-2).
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
MAINTENANCE:
Drive belt*: Check engine drive belt for wear,
fraying or cracking and for proper tension.
Replace any damaged drive belt.
Engine air filter: Replace at specified inter-
vals. When driving for prolonged periods in
dusty conditions, check/replace the filter
more frequently.
EXPLANATION OF SCHEDULED
MAINTENANCE ITEMS
Maintenance and schedules9-5
Engine coolant*:First replacement interval is
105,000 miles (168,000 km). After first re-
placement, replace every 75,000 miles
(120,000 km) or 60 months. When adding or
replacing coolant, be sure to use only Genuine
NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue)
or equivalent with the proper mixture. For
additional information on the proper mixture
for your area, see “Engine cooling system”
(P. 8-4).
NOTE: Mixing any other type of coolant or
the use of non-distilled water may reduce
the recommended service interval of the
coolant.
Engine oil and oil filter: Replace engine oil
and oil filter at the specified intervals. For
recommended oil grade and viscosity, see
“Recommended fluids/lubricants and capaci-
ties” (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 filter: Periodic maintenance is not re-
quired. (in-tank type filter) Fuel lines*:
Check the fuel hoses, piping and
connections for leaks, looseness, or deterio-
ration. Tighten connections or replace parts
as necessary.
Spark plugs: Replace every 105,000 miles
(168,000 km). Replace the spark plug when
the plug gap exceeds 0.045 in (1.25 mm)
even if within specified replacement mileage.
Install new plugs of the same type as origi-
nally equipped.
CHASSIS AND BODY
MAINTENANCE:
Brake lines and cables: Visually inspect for
proper installation. Check for chafing, cracks,
deterioration, and signs of leaking. Replace
any deteriorated or damaged parts
immediately.
Brake pads and rotors: Check for wear, de-
terioration and fluid leaks. Replace any dete-
riorated or damaged parts immediately.
Exhaust system: Visually inspect the exhaust
pipes, muffler and hangers for leaks, cracks,
deterioration, and damage. Tighten connec-
tions or replace parts as necessary.
In-cabin microfilter: Replace at specified in-
tervals. When driving for prolonged periods in
dusty conditions, replace the filter more
frequently. Propeller shaft(s):
Check for damage, loose-
ness, and grease leakage. (AWD)
Steering gear and linkage, axle and suspen-
sion parts, drive shaft boots: Check for dam-
age, looseness, and leakage of oil or grease.
Under severe driving conditions, inspect more
frequently.
Tire rotation: Rotate tires at the specified
interval shown in the maintenance schedule.
When rotating tires, check for damage and
uneven wear. Replace if necessary.
Transmission fluid/oil, differential oil and
transfer case oil: Visually inspect for signs of
leakage at specified intervals.
Replace at specified intervals.
9-6Maintenance and schedules
To help ensure smooth, safe and economical
driving, INFINITI provides two maintenance
schedules that may be used, depending upon
the conditions in which you usually drive.
These schedules contain both distance and
time intervals, up to 90,000 miles (144,000
km)/144 months. For most people, the
odometer reading will indicate when service
is needed. However, if you drive very little,
your vehicle should be serviced at the regular
time intervals shown in the schedule.
After 90,000 miles (144,000 km)/144
months, continue maintenance at the same
mileage/time intervals.ADDITIONAL MAINTENANCE
ITEMS FOR SEVERE OPERATING
CONDITIONS
Additional maintenance items for severe op-
erating conditionsshould be performed on
vehicles that are driven under especially de-
manding conditions. Additional maintenance
items should be performed if you primarily
operate your vehicle under the following
conditions:
• Repeated short trips of less than 5 miles (8 km).
• Repeated short trips of less than 10 miles (16 km) with outside temperatures remain-
ing below freezing.
• Operating in hot weather in stop-and-go “rush hour” traffic. • Extensive idling and/or low speed driving
for long distances, such as police, taxi or
door-to-door delivery use.
• Driving in dusty conditions.
• Driving on rough, muddy or salt spread roads.
• Using a car-top carrier.
If your vehicle is mostly operated under the
severe conditions, follow the severe use
maintenance intervals shown in the mainte-
nance schedule.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
Maintenance and schedules9-7
2.0L 4 CYLINDER (KR20DDET
engine model)
The following shows the maintenance
schedule.
Choose the maintenance schedule needed
based on your vehicle driving conditions.
After 90,000 miles (144,000 km)/144
months, continue maintenance at the same
mileage/time interval.
NOTE:
For information regarding coolant or spark
plug replacement, see “Additional informa-
tion” (P. 9-25).
3,750 miles/(6,000 km)/6 months
Perform at number of miles, kilometers or
months, whichever comes first.
Standard maintenance:
• Not applicable. Proceed to next interval.
Severe use maintenance:
Inspections:
• Brake pads & rotors
• Exhaust system
• Propeller shaft (AWD models)
• Drive shaft boots
• Steering gear and linkage
• Axle & suspension parts
• Horn, lights, signals, wipers, rear hatch/hood lift supports
• All fluids inspected (engine, wiper, brake, power steering, coolant)
• Engine drive belts
• Hose inspections
• Engine air filter
• Suspension components (shocks, sub- frame, tie rods)
• Battery terminals and cables, battery test
• Tire pressure, treadwear and depth
• Differential oil (AWD models)
7,500 miles/(12,000 km)/12 months
Perform at number of miles, kilometers or
months, whichever comes first.
Standard maintenance:
Inspections:
• Brake lines & cables
• Brake pads & rotors
• CVT fluid
• Propeller shaft (AWD models)
• Drive shaft boots
• Transfer case oil (AWD models)
• Differential oil (AWD models)
• Horn, lights, signals, wipers, rear hatch/ hood lift supports
• All fluids inspected (engine, wiper, brake, power steering, coolant)
• Engine drive belts
• Hose inspections
• Engine air filter
• Suspension components (shocks, sub- frame, tie rods)
• Battery terminals and cables, battery test
• Tire pressure, treadwear and depth
Essentials:
• Replace engine oil & filter (1)
• Tire rotation
Maintenance and schedules9-9
Additional information
NOTE FOR ENGINE COOLANT *:
(1) First replacement interval is 105,000
miles (168,000 km) or 84 months. After
first replacement, replace every 75,000
miles (120,000 km) or 60 months.
(2) Use only Genuine NISSAN Long Life
Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) or equivalent
with proper mixture ratio of 50%
antifreeze and 50% demineralized or
distilled water. Mixing any other type of
coolant or the use of non-distilled water
may reduce the life expectancy of the
factory fill coolant.
* Maintenance items and intervals with “ *
” are recommended by INFINITI for
reliable vehicle operation. The owner need
not perform such maintenance in order to
maintain the emission warranty or
manufacturer recall liability. Other
maintenance items and intervals are
required.
NOTE FOR SPARK PLUGS:
(1) Replace every 105,000 miles
(168,000 km)
(2) Replace spark plug when the plug gap
exceeds 0.045 in (1.25 mm) even if within
specified replacement mileage.
Maintenance and schedules9-25