tires INFINITI M 2010 Owner's Manual

Every new INFINITI comes with a 4 year, unlim-
ited mileage Roadside Assistance plan. In the
event of a roadside emergency, Roadside Assis-
tance Service is available to you. Please refer to
your Warranty Information Booklet (U.S.) or
Warranty & Roadside Assistance Information
Booklet (Canada) for details. Both the Warranty
Information Booklet and Roadside Assistance
Calling Card in your Owner's Literature Portfolio
provide the Toll-Free Number to call for assis-
tance. Roadside Assistance is provided 24
hours a day, 365 days a year, for 4 years from
the date sold to give emergency roadside help,
in the event of mechanical or nonmechanical
trouble(s) such as flat tires, out-of-gas, dead
battery, lost keys, mechanical breakdown, acci-
dent, etc.TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM
(TPMS)
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, 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
(in the instrument panel) or the LOW PRESSURE
information screen (on the display). This system
will activate only when the vehicle is driven at
speeds above 16 MPH (25 km/h). For more
details, see ªWARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS AND
AUDIBLE REMINDERSº in the ª2. Instruments
and controlsº section and ªTIRE PRESSURE
MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS)º in the ª5. Start-
ing and drivingº section.
For information about the tire pressure informa-
tion display, see ªHOW TO USE INFO BUTTONº
in the ª4. Monitor, climate, audio, phone and
voice recognition systemsº section.
WARNING
cIf the low tire pressure warning light illumi-
nates or LOW PRESSURE information is dis-
played on the monitor screen 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 damage the
tires and increase the likelihood of tire fail-
ure. Serious vehicle damage could occur and
may lead to an accident and could result in
serious personal injury. Check the tire pres-
sure 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.
c When a spare tire is mounted or a wheel is
replaced, tire pressure will not be indicated,
the TPMS will not function and the low tire
pressure warning light will flash for approxi-
mately 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.
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FLAT TIRE
6-2In case of emergency
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cReplacing tires with those not originally
specified by INFINITI could affect the proper
operation of the TPMS.
c 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
If you have a flat tire, follow the instructions
below.
Stopping the vehicle
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.
4. Turn off the engine.
5. Raise the hood to warn other traffic, and to signal professional road assistance
personnel that you need assistance.
6. Have all passengers get out of the vehicle and stand in a safe place, away from
traffic and clear of the vehicle.
WARNING
cMake sure the parking brake is securely ap-
plied and the transmission is shifted into the
P (Park) position.
c Never change tires when the vehicle is on a
slope, ice or slippery areas. This is
hazardous.
c Never change tires if oncoming traffic is
close to your vehicle. Wait for professional
road assistance.
Blocking wheels
Place suitable blockss1at both the front and
back of the wheel diagonally opposite the flat
tire to prevent the vehicle from moving when it
is jacked up.
WARNING
Be sure to block the wheel as the vehicle may
move and result in personal injury.
MCE0001A
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Installing the spare tire
The spare tire is designed for emergency use.
(See specific instructions under the heading
ªWHEELS AND TIRESº in the ª8. Maintenance
and do-it-yourselfº section.)
1. Clean any mud or dirt from the surfacebetween the wheel and hub.
2. Carefully put the spare tire on and tighten the wheel nuts finger tight. Check that all
the wheel nuts contact the wheel surface
horizontally.
3. With the wheel nut wrench, tighten wheel nuts alternately and evenly in the se-
quence as illustrated (
s1,s2,s3,s4,s5),
more than 2 times, until they are tight. 4. Lower the vehicle slowly until the tire
touches the ground. Then, with the wheel
nut wrench, tighten the wheel nuts se-
curely in the sequence as illustrated.
Lower the vehicle completely.
WARNING
cIncorrect wheel nuts or improperly tightened
wheel nuts can cause the wheel to become
loose or come off. This could cause an
accident.
c Do not use oil or grease on the wheel studs or
nuts. This could cause the nuts to become
loose.
c Retighten the wheel nuts when the vehicle
has been driven for 600 miles (1,000 km)
(also in cases of a flat tire, etc.). c
As soon as possible, tighten the wheel nuts
to the specified torque with a torque wrench.
Wheel nut tightening torque: 80 ft-lb (108 N´m)
The wheel nuts must be kept tightened to speci-
fication at all times. It is recommended that
wheel nuts be tightened to specifications at
each lubrication interval.
c Adjust tire pressure to the COLD pressure.
COLD pressure:
After the vehicle has been parked for three
hours or more or driven less than 1 mile
(1.6 km).
COLD tire pressures are shown on the Tire
and Loading Information label affixed to the
driver side center pillar.
After adjusting tire pressure to the COLD tire
pressure, the display of the tire pressure infor-
mation may show higher pressure than the
COLD tire pressure after the vehicle has been
driven more than 1 mile (1.6 km). This is be-
cause the tire pressurizes as the tire tempera-
ture rises. This does not indicate a system
malfunction.
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6-6In case of emergency
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5. Securely store the flat tire and jackingequipment in the vehicle.
6. Place the spare tire cover and the trunk floor carpeting over the damaged tire.
7. Close the trunk.
WARNING
c Always make sure that the spare tire and
jacking equipment are properly secured af-
ter use. Such items can become dangerous
projectiles in an accident or sudden stop. c
The T-type spare tire and small size spare
tire are designed for emergency use. See
specific instructions under the heading
ªWHEELS AND TIRESº in the ª8. Maintenance
and do-it-yourselfº section.
If needed, Roadside Assistance is available.
Please see your Warranty Information Booklet
or Roadside Assistance I.D. Card for the toll-free
number to call (U.S.) or Warranty Information
Booklet (Canada). To start your engine with a booster battery, the
instructions and precautions below must be
followed.
WARNING
c
If done incorrectly, jump starting can lead to
a battery explosion, resulting in severe in-
jury or death. It could also damage your
vehicle.
c Explosive hydrogen gas is always present in
the vicinity of the battery. Keep all sparks
and flames away from the battery.
c Do not allow battery fluid to come into con-
tact with eyes, skin, clothing or painted sur-
faces. Battery fluid is a corrosive sulfuric
acid solution which can cause severe burns.
If the fluid should come into contact with
anything, immediately flush the contacted
area with water.
c Keep the battery out of the reach of children.
c The booster battery must be rated at 12
volts. Use of an improperly rated battery can
damage your vehicle.
SCE0505
JUMP STARTING
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VEHICLE RECOVERY (freeing a stuck
vehicle)
WARNING
cStand clear of a stuck vehicle.
c Do not spin your tires at high speed. This
could cause them to explode and result in
serious injury. Parts of your vehicle could
also overheat and be damaged.
Pulling a stuck vehicle
If your vehicle is stuck in sand, snow, mud, etc.,
use a tow strap or other device designed spe-
cifically for vehicle recovery. Always follow the
manufacturer's instructions for the recovery de-
vice.
Do not use the tie down hooks for towing or
vehicle recovery.
Front :
Open the hook cover on the front bumper.
Securely install the vehicle recovery hook
s1
stored with jacking tools as illustrated. Attach
the tow strap to the recovery hook. Make sure
that the hook is properly secured in the original
place after use. Rear :
Do not use the tie down hook
s2to pull the
vehicle.
CAUTION
c Tow chains or cables must be attached only
to the vehicle recovery hooks or main struc-
tural members of the vehicle. Otherwise, the
vehicle body will be damaged.
c Do not use the vehicle tie down hooks to free
a vehicle stuck in sand, snow, mud, etc.
Never tow a vehicle using the vehicle tie
down hooks.
c Always pull the cable straight out from the
front of the vehicle. Never pull on the vehicle
at an angle.
c Pulling devices should be routed so they do
not touch any part of the suspension, steer-
ing, brake or cooling systems.
c Pulling devices such as ropes or canvas
straps are not recommended for use in ve-
hicle towing or recovery.
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Rocking a stuck vehicle
If your vehicle is stuck in sand, snow, mud, etc.,
use the following procedure:
1. Turn off the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)system.
2. Make sure the area in front and behind the vehicle is clear of obstructions.
3. Turn the steering wheel right and left to clear an area around the front tires.
4. Slowly rock the vehicle forward and back- ward.
cShift back and forth between R (Reverse)
and D (Drive).
c Apply the accelerator as little as possible
to maintain the rocking motion.
c Release the accelerator pedal before
shifting between R and D.
c Do not spin the tires above 35 MPH
(55 km/h).
5. If the vehicle cannot be freed after a few
tries, contact a professional towing ser-
vice to remove the vehicle.
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REMOVING SPOTS
Remove tar and oil spots, industrial dust, in-
sects, and tree sap as quickly as possible from
the paint surface to avoid lasting damage or
staining. Special cleaning products are avail-
able at an INFINITI retailer or any automotive
accessory stores.
UNDERBODY
In areas where road salt is used in winter, the
underbody must be cleaned regularly. This will
prevent dirt and salt from building up and
causing the acceleration of corrosion on the
underbody and suspension. Before the winter
period and again in the spring, the underseal
must be checked and, if necessary, re-treated.
GLASS
Use glass cleaner to remove smoke and dust
film from the glass surfaces. It is normal for
glass to become coated with a film after the
vehicle is parked in the hot sun. Glass cleaner
and a soft cloth will easily remove this film.
CAUTION
When cleaning the inside of the windows, do
not use sharp-edged tools, abrasive cleaners or
chlorine-based disinfectant cleaners. They
could damage the electrical conductors, radio
antenna elements or rear window defroster
elements.
ALUMINUM ALLOY WHEELS
Wash regularly with a sponge dampened in a
mild soap solution, especially during winter
months in areas where road salt is used. Salt
could discolor the wheels if not removed.
CAUTION
Follow the directions below to avoid staining or
discoloring the wheels:
cDo not use a cleaner that uses strong acid or
alkali contents to clean the wheels.
c Do not apply wheel cleaners to the wheels
when they are hot. The wheel temperature
should be the same as ambient temperature.
c Rinse the wheel to completely remove the
cleaner within 15 minutes after the cleaner is
applied.
CHROME PARTS
Clean chrome parts regularly with a non- abra-
sive chrome polish to maintain the finish.
TIRE DRESSING
INFINITI does not recommend the use of tire
dressings. Tire manufacturers apply a coating
to the tires to help reduce discoloration of the
rubber. If a tire dressing is applied to the tires,
it may react with the coating and form a com-
pound. This compound may come off the tire
while driving and stain the vehicle paint.
If you choose to use a tire dressing, take the
following precautions:
c Use a water-based tire dressing. The coating
on the tire dissolves more easily with an
oil-based tire dressing.
c Apply a light coat of tire dressing to help
prevent it from entering the tire
tread/grooves (where it would be difficult to
remove).
c Wipe off excess tire dressing using a dry
towel. Make sure the tire dressing is com-
pletely removed from the tire tread/grooves.
c Allow the tire dressing to dry as recom-
mended by tire dressing manufacturer.
Appearance and care7-3
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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 .............................. 8-2
Explanation of maintenance items ............... 8-2
Maintenance precautions .......................... 8-5
Engine compartment check locations ................ 8-6
VK45DE engine ................................. 8-6
VQ35HR engine ................................ 8-8
Engine cooling system ............................ 8-10
Checking engine coolant level ...................8-11
Changing engine coolant ........................ 8-11
Engine oil ....................................... 8-12
Checking engine oil level ......................8-12
Changing engine oil and filter ..................8-12
Automatic transmission fluid ......................8-15
5-speed automatic transmission ................8-15
7-speed automatic transmission ................8-15
Power steering fluid .............................. 8-16
Brake fluid ...................................... 8-16
Brake fluid ................................... 8-16
Window washer fluid ............................. 8-17
Battery .......................................... 8-17
Jump starting ................................. 8-19Variable voltage control system (if so equipped)
....8-19
Drive belts ....................................... 8-19
Spark plugs ..................................... 8-20
Replacing spark plugs ......................... 8-21
Air cleaner ....................................... 8-21
Windshield wiper blades .......................... 8-22
Cleaning ...................................... 8-22
Replacing ..................................... 8-23
Brakes .......................................... 8-24
Self-adjusting brakes .......................... 8-24
Brake pad wear warnings ......................8-24
Fuses ........................................... 8-25
Engine compartment ........................... 8-25
Passenger compartment ....................... 8-27
Battery replacement .............................. 8-28
Intelligent Key ................................ 8-28
Lights ........................................... 8-30
Headlights .................................... 8-31
Exterior and interior lights .....................8-32
Wheels and tires ................................. 8-34
Tire pressure .................................. 8-34
Tire labeling .................................. 8-38
Types of tires ................................. 8-40
Tire chains ................................... 8-41
Changing wheels and tires..................... 8-41
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When driving in areas using road salt or other
corrosive materials, check lubrication fre-
quently.
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 checking 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).
Tires*: Check the pressure with a gauge often
and always prior to long distance trips. If nec-
essary, adjust the pressure in all tires, includ-
ing the spare, to the pressure specified. Check
carefully for damage, cuts or excessive wear.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) trans-
mitter components: Replace the TPMS transmit-
ter grommet seal, valve core and cap when the
tires are replaced due to wear or age.
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 ªImportant Tire Safety Informationº (US) or
ªTire Safety Informationº (Canada) in the
INFINITI Warranty Information Booklet.
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
The maintenance items listed here should be
checked on a regular basis, such as when
performing scheduled maintenance, cleaning
the vehicle, etc.
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) position
mechanism: 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 opera-
tion. 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 opera-
tion regularly. The vehicle should be securely
held on a fairly steep hill with only the parking
brake applied. If the parking brake needs ad-
justment, see an INFINITI retailer.
Seat belts: Check that all parts of the seat belt
system (for example, buckles, anchors, adjust-
ers 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.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-3
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If you have a flat tire, see ªFLAT TIREº in the ª6. In
case of emergencyº section.
TIRE PRESSURE
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)
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, one or
more of your tires is significantly under-
inflated.
The TPMS will activate only when the vehicle is
driven at speeds above 16 MPH (25 km/h). Also,
this system may not detect a sudden drop in tire
pressure (for example a flat tire while driving).
For more details, see ªLow tire pressure warn-
ing lightº in the ª2. Instruments and controlsº
section, ªTire Pressure informationº in the ª4.
Monitor, climate, audio, phone and voice rec-
ognition systemsº section, ªTIRE PRESSURE
MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS)º in the ª5. Start-
ing and drivingº section and ªTIRE PRESSURE
MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS)º in the ª6. In case
of emergencyº section.
Tire inflation pressure
Check the pressure of the tires (includ-
ing the spare) often and always prior to
long distance trips. The recommended
tire pressure specifications are shown
on the Tire and Loading Information
label under the ªCold Tire Pressureº
heading. The Tire and Loading Informa-
tion label is affixed to the driver side
center pillar. Tire pressures should be
checked regularly because:
cMost tires naturally lose air over time.
cTires can lose air suddenly when
driven over potholes or other objects
or if the vehicle strikes a curb while
parking.
The tire pressures should be checked
when the tires are cold. The tires are
considered COLD after the vehicle has
been parked for 3 or more hours, or
driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km) at mod-
erate speeds. Incorrect tire pressure, including under
inflation, may adversely affect tire life
and vehicle handling.
WARNING
cImproperly inflated tires can fail sud-
denly and cause an accident.
cThe Gross Vehicle Weight rating
(GVWR) is located on the F.M.V.S.S./
C.M.V.S.S. certification label. The ve-
hicle weight capacity is indicated on
the Tire and Loading Information la-
bel. Do not load your vehicle beyond
this capacity. Overloading your ve-
hicle may result in reduced tire life,
unsafe operating conditions due to
premature tire failure, or unfavorable
handling characteristics and could
also lead to a serious accident. Load-
ing beyond the specified capacity
may also result in failure of other ve-
hicle components.
WHEELS AND TIRES
8-34Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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