engine coolant INFINITI G-CONVERTIBLE 2012 User Guide

SPECIAL WINTER EQUIPMENTGUID-9E63915B-AEEB-4DF7-AE59-93BA4A80CE83It is recommended that the following items
be carried in the vehicle during winter:
.A scraper and stiff-bristled brush to
remove ice and snow from the windows
and wiper blades.
. A sturdy, flat board to be placed under
the jack to give it firm support.
. A shovel to dig the vehicle out of
snowdrifts.
. Extra window washer fluid to refill the
reservoir tank.
DRIVING ON SNOW OR ICEGUID-B958E8BB-93DC-4740-87FE-FFE84942F1FF
WARNING
. Wet ice (328F, 08C and freezing rain),
very cold snow or ice can be slick and
very hard to drive on. The vehicle will
have much less traction or “grip”under
these conditions. Try to avoid driving on
wet ice until the road is salted or
sanded.
. Whatever the condition, drive with cau-
tion. Accelerate and slow down with
care. If accelerating or downshifting too
fast, the drive wheels will lose even more traction.
. Allow more stopping distance under
these conditions. Braking should be
started sooner than on dry pavement.
. Allow greater following distances on
slippery roads.
. Watch for slippery spots (glare ice).
These may appear on an otherwise clear
road in shaded areas. If a patch of ice is
seen ahead, brake before reaching it. Try
not to brake while on the ice, and avoid
any sudden steering maneuvers.
. Do not use the cruise control on slippery
roads.
. Snow can trap dangerous exhaust gases
under your vehicle. Keep snow clear of
the exhaust pipe and from around your
vehicle.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER (if so
equipped)
GUID-225659C5-E0EC-4FA3-AF40-10B3DE04F272Engine block heaters are used to assist in
cold temperature starting.
The engine block heater should be used
when the outside temperature is 208F
(−78C) or lower.
To use the engine block heaterGUID-403EC22E-E30C-4DE3-AC84-7E1C9EDC9E2B1. Turn the engine off.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the engine
block heater cord.
3. Plug the engine block heater cord into a grounded 3-wire, 3-pronged extension
cord.
4. Plug the extension cord into a Ground Fault Interrupt (GFI) protected,
grounded 110-volt AC (VAC) outlet.
5. The engine block heater must be
plugged in for at least 2 - 4 hours,
depending on outside temperatures, to
properly warm the engine coolant. Use
an appropriate timer to turn the engine
block heater on.
6. Before starting the engine, unplug and properly store the cord to keep it away
from moving parts.
Starting and driving5-57

6-16In case of emergency
GUID-ACE17335-4E03-448D-9AFB-B5A07B6F0C0C
CAUTION
.Do not continue to drive if your vehicle
overheats. Doing so could cause engine
damage or a vehicle fire.
. To avoid the danger of being scalded,
never remove the radiator cap while the
engine is still hot. When the radiator cap
is removed, pressurized hot water will
spurt out, possibly causing serious
injury.
. Do not open the hood if steam is coming
out.
If your vehicle is overheating (indicated by
an extremely high temperature gauge
reading), or if you feel a lack of engine
power, detect abnormal noise, etc., take
the following steps:
1. Move the vehicle safely off the road,
apply the parking brake.
2. Automatic Transmission model:
Move the selector lever to the P (Park)
position.
Manual Transmission model:
Move the shift lever to the N (Neutral)
position. Do not stop the engine.
3. Turn off the air conditioner. Open all the windows, move the heater or air condi-
tioner temperature control to maximum
hot and fan control to high speed.
4. If engine overheating is caused by
climbing a long hill on a hot day, run
the engine at a fast idle (approximately
1,500 rpm) until the temperature gauge
indication returns to normal.
5. Get out of the vehicle. Look and listen for steam or coolant escaping from the
radiator before opening the hood. (If
steam or coolant is escaping, turn off
the engine.) Do not open the hood
further until no steam or coolant can be
seen.
6. Open the engine hood.
WARNING
If steam or water is coming from the engine,
stand clear to prevent getting burned.
7. Visually check the drive belt for damage or looseness. Also check if the cooling
fan is running. The radiator hoses and
radiator should not leak water. If cool- ant is leaking or the cooling fan does
not run, stop the engine.
WARNING
Be careful not to allow your hands, hair,
jewelry or clothing to come into contact
with, or get caught in, engine belts or the
engine cooling fan. The engine cooling fan
can start at any time.
8. After the engine cools down, check the
coolant level in the reservoir with the
engine running. Add coolant to the
reservoir if necessary. Have your vehi-
cle repaired at the nearest INFINITI
retailer.
If needed, Roadside Assistance is avail-
able. Please see your Warranty Information
Booklet or Roadside Assistance I.D. Card
for the toll-free number to call (U.S.) or
Warranty & Roadside Assistance Informa-
tion Booklet (Canada).
IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS

8 Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Maintenance requirement...
.................................... 8-2
Scheduled maintenance ...
.................................. 8-2
General maintenance ...
....................................... 8-2
Where to go for service ...
................................... 8-2
General maintenance ...
........................................... 8-3
Explanation of maintenance items ...
................... 8-3
Maintenance precautions ...
..................................... 8-5
Engine compartment check locations ...
................... 8-7
VQ37VHR engine ...
............................................. 8-7
Engine cooling system ...
......................................... 8-8
Checking engine coolant level ...
......................... 8-9
Changing engine coolant ...
................................. 8-9
Engine oil ...
.......................................................... 8-10
Checking engine oil level ...
............................... 8-10
Changing engine oil and filter ...
....................... 8-10
Automatic transmission fluid ...
............................. 8-12
Power steering fluid ...
........................................... 8-13
Brake and clutch fluid ...
....................................... 8-13
Brake fluid ...
.................................................... 8-14
Clutch fluid (if so equipped) ...
.......................... 8-14
Window washer fluid ...
......................................... 8-14
Battery ...
.............................................................. 8-15
Jump starting ...
................................................ 8-17
Variable voltage control system ...
......................... 8-17 Drive belt
...
.......................................................... 8-17
Spark plugs ...
...................................................... 8-18
Replacing spark plugs ...
................................. 8-18
Air cleaner ...
........................................................ 8-19
Windshield wiper blades ...
................................... 8-20
Cleaning ...
...................................................... 8-20
Replacing ...
..................................................... 8-20
Brakes ...
.............................................................. 8-21
Self-adjusting brakes ...
................................... 8-21
Brake pad wear warning ...
.............................. 8-21
Fuses ...
................................................................ 8-22
Engine compartment ...
.................................... 8-22
Passenger compartment ...
............................... 8-23
Intelligent Key battery replacement ...
................... 8-24
Lights ...
................................................................ 8-26
Headlights ...
................................................... 8-26
Exterior and interior lights ...
........................... 8-27
Wheels and tires ...
............................................... 8-29
Tire pressure ...
............................................... 8-29
Tire labeling ...
................................................ 8-32
Types of tires ...
............................................... 8-34
Tire chains ...
................................................... 8-35
Changing wheels and tires ...
........................... 8-35

8-4Maintenance and do-it-yourself
smooth operation and make sure the pedal
does not catch or require uneven effort.
Keep the floor mat away from the pedal.
Automatic transmission P (Park) mechan-
ism:On a fairly steep hill, check that the
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, adjusters 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 recliners, etc. to
ensure they operate smoothly and that all
latches lock securely in every position.
Check that the head restraints 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 washers operate properly
and that the wipers do not streak.
Under the hood and vehicleGUID-6687B186-528E-4C5C-A54D-1DCA274537D4The 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 and clutch fluid levels*:
Make sure
that the brake and clutch fluid levels are
between the MAX and MIN lines on the
reservoir.
Engine coolant level*: Check the coolant
level when the engine is cold.
Engine drive belt*: Make sure that the
drive belt is not frayed, worn, cracked or
oily.
Engine oil level*: Check the level after
parking the vehicle on a level surface 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”
(P.5-3) for exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide).)
Fluid leaks: Check under the vehicle for
fuel, oil, water or other fluid leaks after the

8-6Maintenance and do-it-yourself
.The fuel filter or fuel lines should be
serviced by an INFINITI retailer because
the fuel lines 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” (P.9-24).)
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.

GUID-525850E4-370C-413C-8AEB-A266E40A1898
SSI0345
VQ37VHR ENGINEGUID-A979648E-87A1-4FAB-A735-8E8F3227852A1. Fuse/fusible link holder
2. Battery
3. Engine oil filler cap
4. Brake fluid reservoir
5. Clutch fluid reservoir (Manual Trans-mission models)
6. Window washer fluid reservoir
7. Power steering fluid reservoir
8. Air cleaner
9. Radiator filler cap 10. Drive belt location
11. Engine coolant reservoir
12. Engine oil dipstick
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-7
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK LOCATIONS

8-8Maintenance and do-it-yourself
GUID-EE54D4F6-5F4A-4B0F-A147-7A9330E7ABCFThe 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” (P.6-16) of this man-
ual.
. 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

SDI2043
CHECKING ENGINE COOLANT LEVELGUID-DA7D7105-DC17-4713-B231-B4FA68BFD877Check the coolant levelin the reservoir
tank when the engine is cold. If the coolant
level is below the MIN level
*2, open the
reservoir tank cap and add coolant up to
the MAX level
*1. 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. If the cooling system frequently requires
coolant, have it checked by an INFINITI
retailer.
CHANGING ENGINE COOLANTGUID-448B6596-5480-4B35-8757-8FBCB36BF623Major 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 when the
engine is hot. Serious burns could be
caused by high pressure fluid escaping
from the radiator.
. 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 the reach of children
and pets.
Engine coolant must be disposed of
properly. Check your local regulations.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-9

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.
GUID-8579C36F-FFF9-4B84-AE07-383645D32C18.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.
CAUTION
When the battery cable is removed from the
battery terminal, do not close either of front
doors. The automatic window adjusting
function will not work, and the side roof
panel may be damaged.
To disconnect the negative (−) battery
terminal, perform the procedure in the
following order. Otherwise, the window
and the side roof panel may contact and
be damaged.
1. Close the windows.
2. Open the hood.
3. Close and lock all the doors.
4. Disconnect the negative (−) battery
terminal. 5. Securely close the hood.
To connect the negative (−) battery term-
inal, perform the procedure in the follow-
ing order. Otherwise, the window and the
side roof panel may contact and be
damaged.
1. Unlock and open the driver side door.
Do not close the door.
2. Open the hood.
3. Connect the negative (−) battery term- inal. Then close the hood.
4. Fully open the driver side door window.
5. Close the driver side door and the window.
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
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-15
BATTERY

9-2Technical and consumer information
GUID-5C50C075-20DD-4C3C-BC1F-8D4154A4AB7AThe following are approximate capacities. The actual refill capacities may be a little different. When refilling, follow the procedure
instructed in the“8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section to determine the proper refill capacity.
Capacity (Approximate)
Recommended specifications
US measure Imp measure Liter
Fuel 20 gal16-5/8 gal 76 See“Fuel recommendation” (P.9-4).
Engine oil*1
Drain and refill With oil filter change 5-1/8 qt4-3/8 qt 4.9
.Engine oil with API Certification Mark*2, *3
. Viscosity SAE 5W-30
Without oil filter change 4-7/8 qt4 qt4.6
Cooling system
Automatic transmission
model With reservoir
9 qt7-1/2 qt 8.5
Pre-diluted Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) or equivalent
Reservoir
7/8 qt3/4 qt 0.8
Manual transmission model With reservoir
9-1/8 qt7-5/8 qt 8.6
Reservoir 7/8 qt3/4 qt 0.8
Automatic transmission fluid ———Genuine NISSAN Matic S ATF*4
Manual transmission gear oil ———Genuine NISSAN Manual Transmission Fluid (MTF) HQ Multi 75W-85 or API GL-4,
Viscosity SAE 75W-85
Differential gear oil ———API GL-5 Synthetic Gear Oil, Viscosity SAE 75W-90*5
Power steering fluid (PSF) Refill to the proper oil level according to the instructions in the “8.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section. Genuine NISSAN PSF or equivalent*6
Brake and clutch fluid Genuine NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid*7 or equivalent DOT 3
Multi-purpose grease Without limited slip differential ———
NLGI No. 2 (Lithium soap base)
With limited slip differential ———
Air conditioning system refrigerant ———HFC-134a (R-134a)*8
Air conditioning system lubricants ———NISSAN A/C System Oil Type S or exact equivalent
Window washer fluid ———Genuine NISSAN Windshield Washer Concentrate Cleaner & Antifreeze or equivalent
*1:
For additional information, see “Engine oil”(P.8-10) for changing engine oil.*2:For additional information, see “Engine oil and oil filter recommendation” (P.9-6).*3:INFINITI recommends Genuine NISSAN Ester Engine Oil available at your INFINITI retailer.*4: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
transmission, which is not covered by the INFINITI new vehicle limited warranty.
*5:See an INFINITI retailer for service for synthetic oil.*6:DEXRONTMVI type ATF may also be used.
CAPACITIES AND RECOMMENDED FUEL/
LUBRICANTS