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 .......................................................... 8-34
Tire chains ................................................................. 8-35
Changing wheels and tires ................................... 8-35
8-2Do-it-yourself
When performing any inspection or main-
tenance work on your vehicle, always take
care to prevent serious accidental injury to
yourself or damage to the vehicle. The
following are general precautions which
should be closely observed.
WARNING
.Park the vehicle on a level surface,
apply the parking brake securely and
block the wheels to prevent the
vehicle from moving. Move the shift
lever to P (Park).
. Be sure the ignition switch is in the
OFF or LOCK position when per-
forming any parts replacement or
repairs.
. Never connect or disconnect the
battery or any transistorized compo-
nent while the ignition switch is in the
ON position.
. Never leave the engine or automatic
transmission related component har-
nesses disconnected while the igni-
tion switch is in the ON position.
. If you must work with the engine
running, keep your hands, clothing,
hair and tools away from moving
fans, belts and any other moving parts.
. It is advisable to secure or remove
any loose clothing and remove any
jewelry, such as rings, watches, etc.
before working on your vehicle.
. Always wear eye protection when-
ever you work on your vehicle.
. If you must run the engine in an
enclosed space such as a garage, be
sure there is proper ventilation for
exhaust gases to escape.
. Never get under the vehicle while it is
supported only by a jack. If it is
necessary to work under the vehicle,
support it with safety stands.
. Keep smoking materials, flame and
sparks away from fuel tank and the
battery.
. Your vehicle is equipped with an
automatic engine cooling fan. It may
come on at any time without warn-
ing, even if the ignition key is in the
OFF position and the engine is not
running. To avoid injury, always dis-
connect the negative battery cable
before working near the fan.
. On gasoline engine models, the fuel
filter or fuel lines should be serviced
because the fuel lines are under high
pressure even when the engine is off. It is recommended you visit an
INFINITI retailer for this service.
CAUTION
.
Do not work under the hood while the
engine is hot. Turn the engine off and
wait until it cools down.
. Avoid direct contact with used en-
gine oil and coolant. Improperly dis-
posed engine oil, coolant, and/or
other vehicle fluids can damage the
environment. Always conform to lo-
cal regulations for disposal of vehicle
fluid.
This “8. Do-it-yourself” section gives in-
structions regarding only those items which
are relatively easy for an owner to perform.
A genuine INFINITI Service Manual is also
available. (See “Owner’s Manual/Service
Manual order information” (P.10-35).)
You should be aware that incomplete or
improper servicing may result in operating
difficulties or excessive emissions, and could
affect your warranty coverage. If in doubt
about any servicing, it is recommended you
have it done by an INFINITI retailer.
MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS
WAA0134X
VK56VD ENGINE MODEL
1. Window washer fluid reservoir
2. Fuse/fusible link holder
3. Engine oil dipstick
4. Power steering fluid reservoir
5. Engine oil filler cap6. Brake fluid reservoir
7. Fuse/fusible link holder
8. Battery
9. Radiator filler cap
10. Engine coolant reservoir
11. Drive belts12. Air cleaner
Do-it-yourself8-3
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK
LOCATIONS
washer fluid concentrate and water..Keep the battery surface clean and dry.
Clean the battery with a solution of
baking soda and water.
. Make certain the terminal connections
are clean and securely tightened.
. If the vehicle is not to be used for 30 days
or longer, disconnect the negative (−)
battery terminal cable to prevent dis-
charging it.
NOTE:
Care should be taken to avoid situations
that can lead to potential battery discharge
and potential no-start conditions such as:
1. Installation or extended use of electro-
nic accessories that consume battery
power when the engine is not running
(Phone chargers, GPS, DVD players,
etc.)
2. Vehicle is not driven regularly and/or
only driven short distances.
In these cases, the battery may need to be
charged to maintain battery health.
WARNING
. Do not expose the battery to flames
or electrical sparks. Hydrogen gas
generated by the battery is explosive.
Do not allow battery fluid to contact
your skin, eyes, fabrics, or painted surfaces. After touching a battery or
battery cap, do not touch or rub your
eyes. Thoroughly wash your hands. If
the acid contacts your eyes, skin or
clothing, immediately flush with
water for at least 15 minutes and
seek medical attention.
. Do not operate the vehicle if the fluid
in the battery is low. Low battery
fluid can cause a higher load on the
battery which can generate heat,
reduce battery life, and in some cases
lead to an explosion.
. When working on or near a battery,
always wear suitable eye protection
and remove all jewelry.
. Battery posts, terminals and related
accessories contain lead and lead
compounds. Wash hands after hand-
ling.
. Keep the battery out of the reach of
children.
Do-it-yourself8-11
BATTERY
8-12Do-it-yourself
DI0137MA
Check the fluid level in each cell (Remove the
battery cover if it is necessary). It should be
between the UPPER LEVEL
and LOWER
LEVELlines.
If it is necessary to add fluid, add only
distilled water to bring the level to the
indicator in each filler opening. Do not
overfill.
SDI1480C
1. Remove the cell plugs.
2. Add distilled water up to the UPPER LEVEL
line.
If the side of the battery is not clear,
check the distilled water level by looking
directly above the cell; the condition
indicates OK and the conditionsneeds
more to be added.
3. Tighten cell plugs
.
Vehicles operated in high temperatures or
under severe conditions require frequent
checks of the battery fluid level.
JUMP STARTING
If jump starting is necessary, see “Jump
starting” (P.6-11). If the engine does not
start by jump starting, the battery may have
to be replaced. It is recommended you visit
an INFINITI retailer for this service.
CAUTION
.Do not ground accessories directly to
the battery terminal. Doing so will
bypass the variable voltage control
system and the vehicle battery may
not charge completely.
. Use electrical accessories with the
engine running to avoid discharging
the vehicle battery.
The variable voltage control system mea-
sures the amount of electrical discharge
from the battery and controls voltage gen-
erated by the generator.
SDI2533
1. Power steering fluid pump
2. Water pump
3. Alternator
4. Crankshaft pulley
5. Air conditioner compressor
WARNING
Be sure the ignition switch is in the OFF
or LOCK position before servicing drive
belts. The engine could rotate unexpect-
edly.
1. Visually inspect each belt for signs of unusual wear, cuts, fraying or looseness. If the belt is in poor condition or loose,
have it replaced or adjusted. It is recom-
mended you visit an INFINITI retailer for
this service.
2. Have the belts checked regularly for condition and tension in accordance with
the maintenance schedule shown in the
“9. Maintenance and schedules” section.
Do-it-yourself8-13
VARIABLE VOLTAGE CONTROL SYSTEMDRIVE BELTS
8-18Do-it-yourself
SDI2518
SDI2532
WAI0113X
ENGINE COMPARTMENT
WARNING
Never use a fuse of a higher or lower
amperage rating than that specified on
the fuse box cover. This could damage
the electrical system or electronic con-
trol units or cause a fire.
If any electrical equipment does not operate,
check for an open fuse.
1. Be sure the ignition switch is pushed to the OFF or LOCK position and the
headlights are off. (See “Headlight switch” (P.2-44) or “Autolight system”
(P.2-44).)
2. Open the engine hood and remove the cover on the battery.
3. Remove the fuse/fusible link holder cover
,,or.
4. Remove the fuse with the fuse puller.
FUSES
8-20Do-it-yourself
JVM0200X
PASSENGER COMPARTMENT
WARNING
Never use a fuse of a higher or lower
amperage rating than that specified on
the fuse box cover. This could damage
the electrical system or electronic con-
trol units or cause a fire.
If any electrical equipment does not operate,
check for an open fuse.
1. Be sure the ignition switch is pushed to the OFF or LOCK position and the
headlights are off. 2. Open the fuse box lid.
3. Remove the fuse with the fuse puller
.
4. If the fuse is open, replace it with a new fuse.
5. If a new fuse also opens, have the electrical system checked and repaired.
It is recommended you visit an INFINITI
retailer for this service. Spare fuses are
stored in the fuse box.
SDI2704
Extended storage fuse switch (if so
equipped)
To reduce battery drain, the extended
storage fuse switch comes from the factory
switched off. Prior to delivery of your
vehicle, the switch is pushed in (switched
on) and should always remain on.
If the extended storage fuse switch is not
pushed in (switched on), the “Shipping Mode
On, Push Storage Fuse” warning may appear
on the vehicle information display. See
“Vehicle information display” (P.2-20).
If any electrical equipment does not operate,
remove the extended storage fuse switch
and check for an open fuse.