Infiniti QX56 (2012 year). Manual — part 30

8-4

Maintenance and do-it-yourself

Keep the floor mat away from the pedal.

Automatic transmission P (Park) mechan-
ism: On a fairly steep hill, check that your
vehicle is held securely with the selector
lever in the P (Park) position without
applying any brakes.

Brake pedal: Check the pedal for smooth
operation. If the brake pedal suddenly
goes down further than normal, the pedal
feels spongy or the vehicle seems to take
longer to stop, see an INFINITI retailer
immediately. Keep the floor mat away from
the pedal.

Brakes: Check that the brakes do not pull
the vehicle to one side when applied.

Parking brake: Check the parking brake
operation regularly. The vehicle should be
securely held on a fairly steep hill with only
the parking brake applied. If the parking
brake needs adjusted, see an INFINITI
retailer.

Seat belts: Check that all parts of the seat
belt system (for example, buckles, an-
chors, adjuster and retractors) operate
properly and smoothly, and are installed
securely. Check the belt webbing for cuts,
fraying, wear or damage.

Seats: Check seat position controls such as

seat adjusters, seatback recliner, etc. to
ensure they operate smoothly and that all
latches lock securely in every position.
Check that the head restraints/headrests
move up and down smoothly and that the
locks (if so equipped) hold securely in all
latched positions.

Steering wheel: Check for changes in the
steering conditions, such as excessive free
play, hard steering or strange noises.

Warning lights and chimes: Make sure that
all warning lights and chimes are operating
properly.

Windshield defroster: Check that the air
comes out of the defroster outlets properly
and in sufficient quantity when operating
the heater or air conditioner.

Windshield wiper and washer*: Check that
the wipers and washer operate properly
and that the wipers do not streak.

Under the hood and vehicle

The maintenance items listed here should
be checked periodically (for example, each
time you check the engine oil or refuel).

Battery*: Check the fluid level in each cell.
It should be between the MAX and MIN
lines. Vehicles operated in high tempera-

tures or under severe condition require
frequent checks of the battery fluid level.

Brake fluid level*: Make sure that the
brake fluid level is between the MAX and
MIN lines on the reservoir.

Engine coolant level*: Check the coolant
level when the engine is cold.

Engine drive belts*: Make sure that no belt
is frayed, worn, cracked or oily.

Engine oil level*: Check the level after
parking the vehicle on a level spot and
turning off the engine. Wait more than 15
minutes for the oil to drain back into the oil
pan.

Exhaust system: Make sure there are no
loose supports, cracks or holes. If the
sound of the exhaust seems unusual or
there is a smell of exhaust fumes, im-
mediately have the exhaust system in-
spected by an INFINITI retailer. (See
“Precautions when starting and driving”
in the

“5. Starting and driving” section for

exhaust gas (carbon monoxide).)

Fluid leaks: Check under the vehicle for
fuel, oil, water or other fluid leaks after the
vehicle has been parked for a while. Water
dripping from the air conditioner after use
is normal. If you should notice any leaks or

if gasoline fumes are evident, check for the
cause and have it corrected immediately.

Power steering fluid level* and lines:
Check the level when the fluid is cold,
with the engine off. Check the lines for
proper attachment, leaks, cracks, etc.

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
exposed to corrosive substances such as
those used on icy roads or to control dust.
It is very important to remove these
substances, otherwise rust will 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 information,
see

“Cleaning exterior” in the “7. Appear-

ance and care

” section.

Windshield washer fluid*: Check that there
is adequate fluid in the reservoir.

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 selector lever to P
(Park).

. Be sure the ignition switch is in the OFF

or LOCK position when performing any
parts replacement or repairs.

. Never connect or disconnect the battery

or any transistorized component while
the ignition switch is in the ON position.

. Never leave the engine or automatic

transmission related component har-
nesses disconnected while the ignition
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 whenever

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 auto-

matic engine cooling fan. It may come on
at any time without warning, even if the
ignition key is in the OFF position and
the engine is not running. To avoid
injury, always disconnect the negative
battery cable before working near the
fan.

. On gasoline engine models, the fuel

filter or fuel lines should be serviced by
an INFINITI retailer because the fuel lines

Maintenance and do-it-yourself

8-5

MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS

8-6

Maintenance and do-it-yourself

are under high pressure even when the
engine is off.

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 engine oil

and coolant. Improperly disposed engine
oil, coolant, and/or other vehicle fluids
can damage the environment. Always
conform to local regulations for disposal
of vehicle fluid.

This

“8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself”

section gives instructions 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

” in the “9.

Technical and consumer information

” sec-

tion.)

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, we recommend
that it be done by an INFINITI retailer.

SDI2585

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 cap

6.

Brake fluid reservoir

7.

Fuse/fusible link holder

8.

Battery

9.

Radiator filler cap

10. Engine coolant reservoir

11. Drive belts
12. Air cleaner

Maintenance and do-it-yourself

8-7

ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK LOCATIONS

8-8

Maintenance and do-it-yourself

The engine cooling system is filled at the
factory with a pre-diluted mixture of 50%
Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Cool-
ant (blue) and 50% water to provide year-
round anti-freeze and coolant protection.
The antifreeze solution contains rust and
corrosion inhibitors. Additional engine
cooling system additives are not neces-
sary.

WARNING

. Never remove the radiator or coolant

reservoir cap when the engine is hot.
Wait until the engine and radiator cool
down. Serious burns could be caused by
high pressure fluid escaping from the
radiator. See precautions in

“If your

vehicle overheats

” in the “6. In case of

emergency

” section of this manual.

. The radiator is equipped with a pressure

type radiator cap. To prevent engine
damage, use only a genuine NISSAN
radiator cap.

CAUTION

. Never use any cooling system additives

such as radiator sealer. Additives may
clog the cooling system and cause
damage to the engine, transmission
and/or cooling system.

. When adding or replacing coolant, be

sure to use only Genuine NISSAN Long
Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) or equiva-
lent. Genuine NISSAN Long Life Anti-
freeze/Coolant (blue) is pre-diluted to
provide antifreeze protection to

−348F

(

−378C). If additional freeze protection is

needed due to weather where you
operate your vehicle, add Genuine
NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant
(blue) concentrate following the direc-
tions on the container. If an equivalent
coolant other than Genuine NISSAN Long
Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) is used,
follow the coolant manufacturer

’s in-

structions to maintain minimum anti-
freeze protection to

−348F (−378C). The

use of other types of coolant solutions
other than Genuine NISSAN Long Life
Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) or equivalent
may damage the engine cooling system.

. The life expectancy of the factory-fill

coolant is 105,000 miles (168,000 km)
or 7 years. Mixing any other type of
coolant other than Genuine NISSAN Long
Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue), including
Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/
Coolant (green), or the use of non-
distilled water will reduce the life
expectancy of the factory-fill coolant.
Refer to the INFINITI Service and Main-
tenance Guide for more details.

ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM

SDI2511

CHECKING ENGINE COOLANT LEVEL

Check the coolant level

in the reservoir

when the engine is cold. If the coolant
level is below MIN

*

2

, open the reservoir

tank cap and add coolant up to the MAX

*

1

level. If the reservoir tank is empty, check
the coolant level in the radiator

when the

engine is cold. If there is insufficient
coolant in the radiator, fill the radiator
with coolant up to the filler opening and
also add it to the reservoir tank up to the
MAX level

*

1

.

Tighten the cap securely after adding
engine coolant.

This vehicle contains Genuine NISSAN Long
Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue). The life
expectancy of the factory-fill coolant is
105,000 miles (168,000 km) or 7 years.
Mixing any other type of coolant or the use
of non-distilled water will reduce the life
expectancy of the factory-fill coolant. Refer
to the INFINITI Service and Maintenance
Guide for more details.

If the cooling system requires coolant
frequently, have it checked by an INFINITI
retailer.

CHANGING ENGINE COOLANT

Major cooling system repairs should be
performed by an INFINITI retailer. The
service procedures can be found in the
appropriate INFINITI Service Manual.

Improper servicing can result in reduced
heater performance and engine overheat-
ing.

WARNING

. To avoid the danger of being scalded,

never change the coolant when the
engine is hot.

. Never remove the radiator cap or coolant

reservoir cap when the engine is hot.
Serious burns could be caused by high
pressure fluid escaping from the radia-
tor.

. Avoid direct skin contact with used

coolant. If skin contact is made, wash
thoroughly with soap or hand cleaner as
soon as possible.

. Keep coolant out of reach of children and

pets.

Engine coolant must be disposed of
properly. Check your local regulations.

Maintenance and do-it-yourself

8-9

8-10

Maintenance and do-it-yourself

SDI2531

CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL

1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and

apply the parking brake.

2. Run the engine until it reaches operat-

ing temperature.

3. Turn off the engine.

Wait more than 15

minutes for the oil to drain back into
the oil pan.

4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean.

Reinsert it all the way.

5. Remove the dipstick again and check

the oil level. It should be within the
range

*

1

. If the oil level is below

*

2

,

remove the oil filler cap and pour

recommended oil through the opening.
Do not overfill

*

3

.

6. Recheck oil level with the dipstick.

It is normal to add some oil between oil
maintenance intervals or during the break-
in period, depending on the severity of
operating conditions.

CAUTION

Oil level should be checked regularly.
Operating the engine with an insufficient
amount of oil can damage the engine, and
such damage is not covered by warranty.

CHANGING ENGINE OIL AND FILTER

Vehicle set-up

1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and

apply the parking brake.

2. Run the engine until it reaches operat-

ing temperature.

3. Turn the engine off and wait more than

15 minutes.

4. Raise and support the vehicle using a

suitable floor jack and safety jack
stands.

.

Place the safety jack stands under
the vehicle jack-up points.

.

A suitable adapter should be at-
tached to the jack stand saddle.

5. Remove the engine undercover.

.

Remove the bolts that hold the
undercover in place.

CAUTION

Make sure the correct lifting and support
points are used to avoid vehicle damage.

ENGINE OIL

SDI2528

Engine oil and filter

1. Place a large drain pan under the drain

plug.

2. Remove the oil filler cap.

3. Remove the drain plug

*

1

with a

wrench and completely drain the oil.

CAUTION

Be careful not to burn yourself, as the
engine oil is hot.

.

Waste oil must be disposed of
properly.

.

Check your local regulations.

4. (Perform steps 4 to 7 only when the

engine oil filter change is needed.)

Loosen the oil filter

*

2

with an oil filter

wrench. Remove the oil filter by turning
it by hand.

5. Wipe the engine oil filter mounting

surface with a clean rag.

CAUTION

Be sure to remove any old rubber gasket
remaining on the mounting surface of the
engine. Failure to do so could lead to engine
damage.

6. Coat the gasket on the new filter with

clean engine oil.

7. Screw in the oil filter clockwise until a

slight resistance is felt, then tighten
additionally more than 2/3 turn.
Oil filter tightening torque:

11 to 15 ft-lb
(15 to 21 N·m)

8. Clean and re-install the drain plug with

a new washer. Securely tighten the
drain plug with a wrench.

Drain plug tightening torque:

22 to 29 ft-lb
(29 to 39 N·m)

Do not use excessive force.

9. Refill engine with recommended oil and

install the oil filler cap securely.

CAUTION

The dipstick must be inserted in place to
prevent oil spillage from the dipstick hole
while filling the engine with oil.

See

“Capacities and recommended

fuel/lubricants

” in the “9. Technical

and consumer information

” section for

drain and refill capacity. The drain and
refill capacity depends on the oil
temperature and drain time. Use these
specifications for reference only. Al-
ways use the dipstick to determine the
proper amount of oil in the engine.

10. Start the engine and check for leakage

around the drain plug and the oil filter.
Correct as required.

11. Turn the engine off and wait more than

15 minutes. Check the oil level with the

Maintenance and do-it-yourself

8-11

8-12

Maintenance and do-it-yourself

dipstick. Add engine oil if necessary.

After the operation

1. Install the engine undercover into

position as the following steps.

a. Pull the center of the small plastic

clip out.

b. Hold the engine undercover into

position.

c. Insert the clip through the under-

cover into the hole in the frame, then
push the center of the clip in to lock
the clip in place.

d. Install the other bolts that hold the

undercover in place. Be careful not
to strip the bolts or over-tighten
them.

2. Lower the vehicle carefully to the

ground.

3. Dispose of waste oil and filter properly.

WARNING

. Prolonged and repeated contact with

used engine oil may cause skin cancer.

. Try to avoid direct skin contact with used

oil. If skin contact is made, wash

thoroughly with soap or hand cleaner
as soon as possible.

. Keep used engine oil out of reach of

children.

Contact an INFINITI retailer if replacement
is required.

CAUTION

. Use only Genuine NISSAN Matic S ATF.

Do not mix with other fluids.

. Using automatic transmission fluid other

than Genuine NISSAN Matic S ATF will
cause deterioration in driveability and
automatic transmission durability, and
may damage the automatic transmis-
sion, which is not covered by the INFINITI
new vehicle limited warranty.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID

SDI1765A

Check the fluid level in the reservoir.

The fluid level should be checked using the
HOT range (

*

1

: HOT MAX.,

*

2

: HOT MIN.)

at fluid temperatures of 122 to 176

8F (50

to 80

8C) or using the COLD range (

*

3

:

COLD MAX.,

*

4

: COLD MIN.) at fluid

temperatures of 32 to 86

8F (0 to 308C).

If the fluid is below the MIN line, add
Genuine NISSAN PSF or equivalent. Re-
move the cap and fill through the opening.

CAUTION

. Do not overfill.
. Use Genuine NISSAN PSF or equivalent.

For further brake fluid specification infor-
mation, see

“Capacities and recommended

fuel/lubricants

” in the “9. Technical and

consumer information

” section of this

manual.

WARNING

. Use only new fluid from a sealed

container. Old, inferior or contaminated
fluid may damage the brake system. The
use of improper fluids can damage the
brake system and affect the vehicle

’s

stopping ability.

. Be sure to clean the filler cap before

removing.

. Brake fluid is poisonous and should be

stored carefully in marked containers out
of the reach of children.

CAUTION

. Do not add brake fluid with the ignition

switch in the

“ON” position or the

engine running. Doing so could make
the brake fluid overfill when the ignition
switch is turned off.

Maintenance and do-it-yourself

8-13

POWER STEERING FLUID

BRAKE FLUID

8-14

Maintenance and do-it-yourself

. Do not spill the fluid on painted

surfaces. This will damage the paint. If
fluid is spilled, wash the surface with
water.

SDI2513

BRAKE FLUID

Check the fluid level in the reservoir. If the
fluid is below the MIN line

*

1

or the brake

warning light comes on, add Genuine
NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid or
equivalent

DOT 3 fluid up to the MAX line

*

2

.

To add brake fluid:

1. Be sure the ignition switch is in the OFF

or LOCK position.

2. Depress and release the foot brake

pedal more than 40 times.

3. Open the reservoir filler cap and add

brake fluid up to the MAX line

*

2

. (See

“Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants

” in the “9. Technical and

consumer information

” section for the

recommended types of brake fluid.)

NOTE:

When the ignition switch is placed in the
“ON” position after adding brake fluid up
to the MAX line

*

2

in the reservoir, the

brake fluid decreases below the MAX line

*

2

. This is normal.

If fluid must be added frequently, the
system should be checked by an INFINITI
retailer.

SDI2517

WARNING

Antifreeze is poisonous and should be
stored carefully in marked containers out
of the reach of children.

Fill the window washer fluid reservoir
periodically. Add window washer fluid
when the low window washer fluid warning
illuminates.

To fill the window washer fluid reservoir,
lift the cap off the reservoir tank and pour
the window washer fluid into the tank
opening.

Add a washer solvent to the washer for
better cleaning. In the winter season, add a
windshield washer antifreeze. Follow the
manufacturer

’s instructions for the mixture

ratio.

Refill the reservoir more frequently when
driving conditions require an increased
amount of window washer fluid.

Recommended fluid is Genuine NISSAN
Windshield Washer Concentrate Cleaner &
Antifreeze or equivalent.

CAUTION

. Do not substitute engine anti-freeze

coolant for window washer solution. This
may result in damage to the paint.

. Do not fill the window washer reservoir

tank with washer fluid concentrates at
full strength. Some methyl alcohol
based washer fluid concentrates may
permanently stain the grille if spilled
while filling the window washer reser-
voir tank.

. Pre-mix washer fluid concentrates with

water to the manufacturer

’s recom-

mended levels before pouring the fluid
into the window washer reservoir tank.

Do not use the window washer reservoir
tank to mix the washer fluid concentrate
and water.

Maintenance and do-it-yourself

8-15

WINDOW WASHER FLUID

8-16

Maintenance and do-it-yourself

. 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

discharging it.

WARNING

. Do not expose the battery to flames or

electrical sparks. Hydrogen gas gener-
ated 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 com-
pounds. Wash hands after handling.

. Keep the battery out of the reach of

children.

DI0137MA

Check the fluid level in each cell (Remove
the battery cover if it is necessary). It
should be between the UPPER LEVEL

*

1

and LOWER LEVEL

*

2

lines.

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.

BATTERY

SDI1480C

1. Remove the cell plugs

*

A

.

2. Add distilled water up to the UPPER

LEVEL

*

1

line.

If the side of the battery is not clear,
check the distilled water level by
looking directly above the cell; the
condition

*

1

indicates OK and the

conditions

*

2

needs more to be added.

3. Tighten cell plugs

*

A

.

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

” in the “6. In case of emergency”

section. If the engine does not start by
jump starting, the battery may have to be
replaced. Contact an INFINITI retailer.

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 en-

gine 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
generated by the generator.

Maintenance and do-it-yourself

8-17

VARIABLE VOLTAGE CONTROL SYSTEM

8-18

Maintenance and do-it-yourself

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 unexpectedly.

1. Visually inspect each belt for signs of

unusual wear, cuts, fraying or loosen-

ess. If the belt is in poor condition or
loose, have it replaced or adjusted by
an INFINITI retailer.

2. Have the belts checked regularly for

condition and tension in accordance
with the maintenance schedule in your
“INFINITI Service and Maintenance
Guide

”.

WARNING

Be sure the engine and the ignition switch
are off and that the parking brake is
engaged securely.

CAUTION

Be sure to use the correct socket to remove
the spark plugs. An incorrect socket can
damage the spark plugs.

DRIVE BELTS

SPARK PLUGS

SDI2020

REPLACING SPARK PLUGS

If replacement is required, see an INFINITI
retailer for servicing.

Iridium-tipped spark plugs

It is not necessary to replace the iridium-
tipped spark plugs as frequently as the
conventional type spark plugs since they
will last much longer. Follow the main-
tenance schedule in

“INFINITI Service and

Maintenance Guide

”, but do not reuse

them by cleaning or regapping.

Always replace spark plugs with recom-
mended or equivalent ones.

SDI2515

To remove the filter, release the lock pins

*

1

and pull the unit upward

*

2

.

The filter element should not be cleaned
and reused. Replace it according to the
maintenance intervals. See

“INFINITI Ser-

vice and Maintenance Guide

” for mainte-

nance intervals. When replacing the filter,
wipe the inside of the air cleaner housing
and the cover with a damp cloth.

WARNING

. Operating the engine with the air

cleaner removed can cause you or others

to be burned. The air cleaner not only
cleans the air, it stops flame if the
engine backfires. If it isn

’t there, and the

engine backfires, you could be burned.
Do not drive with the air cleaner
removed, and be careful when working
on the engine with the air cleaner
removed.

. Never pour fuel into the throttle body or

attempt to start the engine with the air
cleaner removed. Doing so could result
in serious injury.

Maintenance and do-it-yourself

8-19

AIR CLEANER