check engine light INFINITI G37 2012 Owner's Manual

Black plate (366,1)
[ Edit: 2012/ 1/ 17 Model: V36-D ]5-46 Starting and drivingIf any malfunction occurs in the AWD
system while the engine is running, the
warning light will come on.
The warning light may blink rapidly (about
twice per second) while trying to free a
stuck vehicle due to high power train oil
temperature. The driving mode may change
to two-wheel drive. If the warning light
blinks rapidly during operation, stop the
vehicle with the engine idling in a safe
place immediately. Then if the light goes
off after a while, you can continue driving.
A large difference between the diameters
of front and rear wheels will make the
warning light blink slowly (about once per
two seconds). Pull off the road in a safe
area, and idle the engine. Check that all
tire sizes are the same, tire pressure is
correct and tires are not worn.
If the warning light is blinking after the
above operation, have your vehicle
checked by an INFINITI retailer as soon as
possible.
WARNING. For AWD equipped vehicles, do not
attempt to raise two wheels off the ground and shift the transmission to
any drive or reverse position with the
engine running. Doing so may result in
drivetrain damage or unexpected vehicle
movement which could result in serious
vehicle damage or personal injury.
. Do not attempt to test an AWD equipped
vehicle on a 2-wheel dynamometer (such
as the dynamometers used by some
states for emissions testing) or similar
equipment even if the other two wheels
are raised off the ground. Make sure that
you inform the test facility personnel
that your vehicle is equipped with AWD
before it is placed on a dynamometer.
Using the wrong test equipment may
result in drivetrain damage or unex-
pected vehicle movement which could
result in serious vehicle damage or
personal injury.
CAUTION . Do not operate the engine on a free
roller when any of the wheels are raised.
. If the warning light comes on while
driving there may be a malfunction in the AWD system. Reduce the vehicle
speed and have your vehicle checked by
an INFINITI retailer as soon as possible.
. If the warning light remains on after the
above operation, have your vehicle
checked by an INFINITI retailer as soon
as possible.
. The power train may be damaged if you
continue driving with the warning light
blinking.

Black plate (373,1)
[ Edit: 2012/ 1/ 17 Model: V36-D ]all times.
. As there is a performance limit to the
Preview Function, never rely solely on
this system. This system does not
correct careless inattentive or absent-
minded driving, or overcome poor visi-
bility in rain, fog, or other bad weather.
Reduce vehicle speed by depressing the
brake pedal, in order to maintain a safe
distance between vehicles.
. The system may not detect the vehicle in
front of you in certain road or weather
conditions. The Preview Function may
not operate properly under the following
conditions. The vehicle is still driveable
under normal conditions and the Brake
Assist will operate.
— When rain, snow or dirt adhere to
the system sensor
— When strong light (for example, at
sunrise or sunset) is directly shining
on the front of the vehicle
— Winding or hilly roads may cause
the sensor to temporarily not detect
a vehicle in the same lane or may
detect objects or vehicles in other
lanes. — Vehicle position in the lane may
cause the sensor to temporarily not
detect a vehicle in the same lane or
may detect objects or vehicles in
other lanes.
SSD0471
Warning light and display GUID-A2927947-1E33-4EB3-9D1D-6799F67E6AB2
When the Preview Function is not operating
properly, a chime sounds and the system
warning light (orange) will come on.
Action to take: GUID-D73A39BF-43C8-459F-9C24-47B7F579C407
If the warning light comes on, park the
vehicle in a safe place. Turn the engine off,
restart the engine and resume driving.
If the indicator stays on, it may indicate
that the Preview Function is malfunction-
ing (the brake is operative). Although the
Vehicle is still driveable under normal
conditions, have the vehicle checked at
an INFINITI retailer.
Starting and driving
5-53

Black plate (375,1)
[ Edit: 2012/ 1/ 17 Model: V36-D ]WARNINGDo not pump the brake pedal. Doing so may
result in increased stopping distances.
Self-test feature GUID-EC96AE96-D9F6-4F19-A5A9-937C4D6337A4
The ABS includes electronic sensors, elec-
tric pumps, hydraulic solenoids and a
computer. The computer has a built-in
diagnostic feature that tests the system
each time you start the engine and move
the vehicle at a low speed in forward or
reverse. When the self-test occurs, you may
hear a “ clunk ” noise and/or feel a pulsa-
tion in the brake pedal. This is normal and
does not indicate a malfunction. If the
computer senses a malfunction, it switches
the ABS off and illuminates the ABS
warning light on the instrument panel.
The brake system then operates normally,
but without anti-lock assistance.
If the ABS warning light illuminates during
the self-test or while driving, have the
vehicle checked by an INFINITI retailer. Normal operation GUID-36C3BA08-72B5-4E9B-96CF-93CCD7FE6655
The ABS operates at speeds above 3 to 6
MPH (5 to 10 km/h).
When the ABS senses that one or more
wheels are close to locking up, the actuator
rapidly applies and releases hydraulic
pressure. This action is similar to pumping
the brakes very quickly. You may feel a
pulsation in the brake pedal and hear a
noise from under the hood or feel a
vibration from the actuator when it is
operating. This is normal and indicates
that the ABS is operating properly. How-
ever, the pulsation may indicate that road
conditions are hazardous and extra care is
required while driving. GUID-B2222C83-77D9-46CF-971F-591ADE2397C3
The Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system
uses various sensors to monitor driver
inputs and vehicle motion. Under certain
driving conditions, the VDC system helps
to perform the following functions.
. Controls brake pressure to reduce
wheel slip on one slipping drive wheel
so power is transferred to a non
slipping drive wheel on the same axle.
. Controls brake pressure and engine
output to reduce drive wheel slip based
on vehicle speed (traction control func-
tion).
. Controls brake pressure at individual
wheels and engine output to help the
driver maintain control of the vehicle in
the following conditions:
— understeer (vehicle tends to not
follow the steered path despite
increased steering input)
— oversteer (vehicle tends to spin due
to certain road or driving condi-
tions).
The VDC system can help the driver to
maintain control of the vehicle, but it
cannot prevent loss of vehicle control in
all driving situations.
When the VDC system operates, the VDC
warning light
in the instrument panel
Starting and driving
5-55VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC) SYSTEM

Black plate (382,1)
[ Edit: 2012/ 1/ 17 Model: V36-D ]6-2 In case of emergency GUID-B26201B1-5E14-45EB-9707-DC8F1E4219FD
In the event of a roadside emergency,
Roadside Assistance Service is available to
you. Please refer to your Warranty Informa-
tion Booklet (U.S.) or Warranty & Roadside
Assistance Information Booklet (Canada)
for details. GUID-FB799410-A0CC-4EDA-A522-6DA1F88B3F1E
To shut off the engine in an emergency
situation while driving, perform the follow-
ing procedure:
. Rapidly push the push-button ignition
switch 3 consecutive times in less than
1.5 seconds, or
. Push and hold the push-button ignition
switch for more than 2 seconds. GUID-17D7421B-973E-4FF8-B56B-831261C859DB
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYS-
TEM (TPMS) GUID-EFDE8E6D-AFA0-4243-A90D-0D01CCEE6814
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 CHECK TIRE
PRESSURE warning appears on the dot
matrix liquid crystal display, one or more
of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
If the vehicle is being driven with low tire
pressure, the TPMS will activate and warn
you of it by the low tire pressure warning
light. This system will activate only when
the vehicle is driven at speeds above 16
MPH (25 km/h). For more details, see
“ Warning/indicator lights and audible re-
minders ” (P.2-12) and “ Tire Pressure Mon-
itoring System (TPMS) ” (P.5-4).
WARNING . If the low tire pressure warning light
illuminates while driving, avoid sudden
steering maneuvers or abrupt braking,
reduce vehicle speed, pull off the road to
a safe location and stop the vehicle as
soon as possible. Driving with under-
inflated tires may permanently damageROADSIDE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM EMERGENCY ENGINE SHUT OFF FLAT TIRE

Black plate (383,1)
[ Edit: 2012/ 1/ 17 Model: V36-D ]the tires and increase the likelihood of
tire failure. Serious vehicle damage
could occur and may lead to an accident
and could result in serious personal
injury. Check the tire pressure for all
four tires. Adjust the tire pressure to the
recommended COLD tire pressure shown
on the Tire and Loading Information
label to turn the low tire pressure
warning light OFF. If the light still
illuminates while driving after adjusting
the tire pressure, a tire may be flat. If
you have a flat tire, replace it with a
spare tire as soon as possible.
. When a spare tire is mounted or a wheel
is replaced, the TPMS will not function
and the low tire pressure warning light
will flash for approximately 1 minute.
The light will remain on after 1 minute.
Contact your INFINITI retailer as soon as
possible for tire replacement and/or
system resetting.
. Replacing tires with those not originally
specified by INFINITI could affect the
proper operation of the TPMS.
. Do not inject any tire liquid or aerosol
tire sealant into the tires, as this may
cause a malfunction of the tire pressure sensors.
CHANGING A FLAT TIRE GUID-17392640-59D1-4ABE-91EE-2C0B6371262B
If you have a flat tire, follow the instruc-
tions below.
Stopping the vehicle GUID-D581A789-AFAC-489C-91F1-2711C20E7205
1. Safely move the vehicle off the road
and away from traffic.
2. Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
3. Park on a level surface and apply the
parking brake. Move the selector lever
to the P (Park) position (Automatic
transmission models). Move the shift
lever to the R (Reverse) gear (Manual
transmission models).
4. Turn off the engine.
5. Raise the hood to warn other traffic,
and to signal professional road assis-
tance personnel that you need assis-
tance.
6. Have all passengers get out of the
vehicle and stand in a safe place, away
from traffic and clear of the vehicle. WARNING . Make sure the parking brake is securely
applied and the manual transmission is
shifted into R (Reverse), or the automatic
transmission into P (Park).
. Never change tires when the vehicle is
on a slope, ice or slippery areas. This is
hazardous.
. Never change tires if oncoming traffic is
close to your vehicle. Wait for profes-
sional road assistance.
In case of emergency
6-3

Black plate (410,1)
[ Edit: 2012/ 1/ 17 Model: V36-D ]8-4 Maintenance and do-it-yourself GUID-D9BF222E-C089-4501-8A50-955A33E8DF3B
During the normal day-to-day operation of
the vehicle, general maintenance should
be performed regularly as prescribed in
this section. If you detect any unusual
sounds, vibrations or smell, be sure to
check for the cause or have an INFINITI
retailer do it promptly. In addition, you
should notify an INFINITI retailer if you
think that repairs are required.
When performing any checks or mainte-
nance work, see “ Maintenance precau-
tions ” (P.8-6).
EXPLANATION OF MAINTENANCE
ITEMS GUID-464D8334-4B6E-4650-8810-2AA00D8EFD2D
Additional information on the following
items with “ * ” is found later in this
section.
Outside the vehicle GUID-D21012E2-ED85-45D5-B3C1-02A03AE3EF12
The maintenance items listed here should
be performed from time to time, unless
otherwise specified.
Doors and engine hood: Check that all
doors and the engine hood, operate
properly. Also ensure that all latches lock
securely. Lubricate hinges, latches, latch
pins, rollers and links if necessary. Make
sure that the secondary latch keeps the
hood from opening when the primary latch is released.
When driving in areas using road salt or
other corrosive materials, check lubrication
frequently.
Lights*: Clean the headlights on a regular
basis. Make sure that the headlights, stop
lights, tail lights, turn signal lights, and
other lights are all operating properly and
installed securely. Also check headlight
aim.
Road wheel nuts (lug nuts)*: When check-
ing the tires, make sure no wheel nuts are
missing, and check for any loose wheel
nuts. Tighten if necessary.
Tire rotation*: Tires should be rotated
every 7,500 miles (12,000 km). If your
vehicle is equipped with different sized
tires in the front and rear, tires cannot be
rotated.
Tires*: Check the pressure with a gauge
often and always prior to long distance
trips. If necessary, adjust the pressure in
all tires, including the spare, to the
pressure specified. Check carefully for
damage, cuts or excessive wear.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
transmitter components: Replace the TPMS
transmitter grommet seal, valve core and cap when the tires are replaced due to
wear or age.
Tire, wheel alignment and balance: If the
vehicle should pull to either side while
driving on a straight and level road, or if
you detect uneven or abnormal tire wear,
there may be a need for wheel alignment.
If the steering wheel or seat vibrates at
normal highway speeds, wheel balancing
may be needed.
For additional information regarding tires,
refer to “ Important Tire Safety Information ”
(US) or “ Tire Safety Information ” (Canada)
in the INFINITI Warranty Information Book-
let.
Windshield: Clean the windshield on a
regular basis. Check the windshield at
least every six months for cracks or other
damage. Have a damaged windshield
repaired by a qualified repair facility.
Windshield wiper blades*: Check for
cracks or wear if they do not wipe properly.
Inside the vehicle GUID-9BC72144-3F74-486E-818A-C3F8D037D67D
The maintenance items listed here should
be checked on a regular basis, such as
when performing periodic maintenance,
cleaning the vehicle, etc.GENERAL MAINTENANCE

Black plate (411,1)
[ Edit: 2012/ 1/ 17 Model: V36-D ]Accelerator pedal: Check the pedal for
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 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 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 GUID-29B64B94-E77F-40DC-A4B2-6B5D542860ED
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 ”
(P.5-3) 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
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
8-5

Black plate (419,1)
[ Edit: 2012/ 1/ 17 Model: V36-D ]CAUTIONBe 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
(14.7 to 20.5 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.
See “ Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants ” (P.9-2) for drain and refill capacity. The drain and refill
capacity depends on the oil tempera-
ture and drain time. Use these specifi-
cations for reference only. Always 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
dipstick. Add engine oil if necessary.
After the operation GUID-28B45484-D2E9-4712-897E-4EBAD29B4BC7
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.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
8-13

Black plate (430,1)
[ Edit: 2012/ 1/ 17 Model: V36-D ]8-24 Maintenance and do-it-yourself GUID-41D7E39E-6F5A-404E-A0B5-F23908CDD33C
SDI1479A
ENGINE COMPARTMENT GUID-1BD473A4-2C19-4D87-ADC3-1791751AF8EF
CAUTIONNever 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 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
headlight switch is turned to OFF. 2. Open the engine hood and remove the
cover on the battery and the fuse/
fusible link holder.
3. Remove the fuse/fusible link holder
cover.
4. Remove the fuse with the fuse puller.
SDI1754
5. If the fuse is open
* A
, replace it with a
new fuse
* B
. Spare fuses are stored in
the passenger compartment fuse box.
6. If a new fuse also opens, have the
electrical system checked and repaired
by an INFINITI retailer.
Fusible links GUID-E9133FFB-99A7-4084-8BC3-32BBC0B20EAC
If any electrical equipment does not
operate and fuses are in good condition,
check the fusible links. If any of these
fusible links are melted, replace only with
genuine INFINITI parts.FUSES

Black plate (455,1)
[ Edit: 2012/ 1/ 17 Model: V36-D ]. If an oxygenate-blend, excepting a
methanol blend, is used, it should
contain no more than 10% oxygenate.
(MTBE may, however, be added up to
15%.)
. If a methanol blend is used, it should
contain no more than 5% methanol
(methyl alcohol, wood alcohol). It
should also contain a suitable amount
of appropriate cosolvents and corro-
sion inhibitors. If not properly formu-
lated with appropriate cosolvents and
corrosion inhibitors, such methanol
blends may cause fuel system damage
and/or vehicle performance problems.
At this time, sufficient data is not
available to ensure that all methanol
blends are suitable for use in INFINITI
vehicles.
If any undesirable driveability problems
such as engine stalling or hard hot starting
are experienced after using oxygenate-
blend fuels, immediately change to a
non-oxygenate fuel or a fuel with a low
blend of MTBE.
Take care not to spill gasoline during
refueling. Gasoline containing oxygenates
can cause paint damage. E-85 fuel GUID-BE764F0C-6A10-497C-B4F9-CD1D0E122DA3
E-85 fuel is a mixture of approximately
85% fuel ethanol and 15% unleaded
gasoline. E-85 can only be used in a
Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV). Do not use E-
85 fuel in your vehicle. U.S. government
regulations require fuel ethanol dispensing
pumps to be identified by a small, square,
orange and black label with the common
abbreviation or the appropriate percentage
for that region.
Aftermarket fuel additives GUID-663D952D-0F24-4D6E-ABBF-21302053695C
INFINITI does not recommend the use of
any aftermarket fuel additives (Example:
fuel injector cleaner, octane booster, intake
valve deposit removers, etc.) which are
sold commercially. Many of these additives
intended for gum, varnish or deposit
removal may contain active solvent or
similar ingredients that can be harmful to
the fuel system and engine.
Octane rating tips GUID-527A0AB1-299D-45DA-9B92-4DDA2444B93C
Using unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating lower than recommended above can
cause persistent, heavy spark knock.
(Spark knock is a metallic rapping noise.)
If severe, this can lead to engine damage.
If you detect a persistent heavy spark knock even when using gasoline of the
stated octane rating, or if you hear steady
spark knock while holding a steady speed
on level roads, have an INFINITI retailer
correct the condition. Failure to correct the
condition is misuse of the vehicle, for
which INFINITI is not responsible.
Incorrect ignition timing will result in
knocking, after-run or overheating. This in
turn may cause excessive fuel consumption
or damage to the engine. If any of the
above symptoms are encountered, have
your vehicle checked at an INFINITI retailer
or other competent service facility.
However, now and then you may notice
light spark knock for a short time while
accelerating or driving up hills. This is no
cause for concern, because you get the
greatest fuel benefit when there is light
spark knock for a short time under heavy
engine load.
CAUTION . Your vehicle is not designed to run on E-
85 fuel. Using E-85 fuel in a vehicle not
specifically designed for E-85 fuel can
damage fuel system components and is
not covered by the INFINITI new vehicle
Technical and consumer information
9-5