transmission INFINITI M 2010 Owner's Manual
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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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WARNING
cProlonged and repeated contact with used
engine oil may cause skin cancer.
c 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.
c Keep used engine oil out of reach of children.
5-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
When checking or replacement is required, we
recommend an INFINITI retailer for servicing.
CAUTION
cUse Genuine NISSAN Matic S ATF. If Genuine
NISSAN Matic S ATF is not available, Genuine
NISSAN Matic J ATF may also be used.
c Using automatic transmission fluid other
than Genuine NISSAN Matic S ATF or Matic J
ATF will cause deterioration in driveability
and automatic transmission durability, and
may damage the automatic transmission,
which is not covered by the INFINITI new ve-
hicle limited warranty.
7-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Contact an INFINITI retailer if replacement is
required.
CAUTION
cUse only Genuine NISSAN Matic S ATF. Do
not mix with other fluids.
c 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.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-15
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cFor additional information regarding tires,
refer to ªImportant Tire Safety Informationº
(US) or ªTire Safety Informationº (Canada) in
the Warranty Information Booklet.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) models
CAUTION
cAlways use tires of the same type, size,
brand, construction (bias, bias-belted or ra-
dial), and tread pattern on all four wheels.
Failure to do so may result in a circumference
difference between tires on the front and
rear axles which will cause excessive tire
wear and may damage the transmission,
transfer case and differential gears.
c ONLY use spare tires specified for the AWD
model.
If excessive tire wear is found, it is recom-
mended that all four tires be replaced with tires
of the same size, brand, construction and tread
pattern. The tire pressure and wheel alignment
should also be checked and corrected as nec-
essary. Contact an INFINITI retailer.
Wheel balance
Unbalanced wheels may affect vehicle handling
and tire life. Even with regular use, wheels can
get out of balance. Therefore, they should be
balanced as required.
Wheel balance service should be performed with
the wheels off the vehicle. Spin balancing the
wheels on the vehicle could lead to mechanical
damage.
For additional information regarding tires, refer
to ªImportant Tire Safety Informationº (US) or
ªTire Safety Informationº (Canada) in the
INFINITI Warranty Information Booklet.
Care of wheels
c Wash the wheels when washing the vehicle
to maintain their appearance.
c Clean the inner side of the wheels when the
wheel is changed or the underside of the
vehicle is washed.
c Do not use abrasive cleaners when washing
the wheels.
c Inspect wheel rims regularly for dents or
corrosion. Such damage may cause loss of
pressure or poor seal at the tire bead. c
INFINITI recommends that the road wheels
be waxed to protect against road salt in
areas where it is used during winter.
Spare tire (TEMPORARY USE ONLY
spare tire)
Observe the following precautions if the TEM-
PORARY USE ONLY spare tire must be used,
otherwise your vehicle could be damaged or
involved in an accident.
WARNING
cThe TEMPORARY USE ONLY spare tire should
be used for emergency use. It should be re-
placed with the standard tire at the first op-
portunity to avoid possible tire or differen-
tial damage.
c Drive carefully while the TEMPORARY USE
ONLY spare tire is installed. Avoid sharp
turns and abrupt braking while driving.
c Periodically check spare tire inflation pres-
sure. Always keep the pressure of the TEM-
PORARY USE ONLY spare tire at 60 psi
(420 kPa, 4.2 bar). Always keep the pressure
of the full size spare tire (if so equipped) at
the recommended pressure for standard
tires, as indicated on the Tire and Loading
Information label.
8-44Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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9 Technical and consumer information
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants........ 9-2
Fuel recommendation ........................... 9-4
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation ......... 9-6
Air conditioning system refrigerant and
lubricant recommendations ..................... 9-7
Specifications ..................................... 9-8
Engine ........................................ 9-8
Wheels and tires ............................... 9-9
Dimensions and weights ....................... 9-10
When traveling or registering your vehicle in
another country .................................. 9-10
Vehicle identification .............................. 9-11
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) plate......... 9-11
Vehicle identification number
(chassis number) ............................... 9-11
Engine serial number .......................... 9-12
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label .........9-12
Emission control information label ..............9-12
Tire and loading information label ..............9-13
Air conditioner specification label ...............9-13Installing front license plate
.......................9-14
Vehicle loading information ........................9-15
Terms ......................................... 9-15
Vehicle load capacity .......................... 9-16
Loading tips .................................. 9-17
Measurement of weights ....................... 9-18
Towing a trailer .................................. 9-18
Flat towing ...................................... 9-19
Automatic transmission ........................ 9-19
Uniform tire quality grading .......................9-19
Treadwear .................................... 9-19
Traction AA, A, B and C ........................ 9-20
Temperature A, B and C ....................... 9-20
Emission control system warranty .................9-20
Reporting safety defects (US only) .................9-21
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test ....9-22
Event Data Recorders (EDR) .......................9-23
Owner's Manual/Service Manual order
information ...................................... 9-23
In the event of a collision ......................9-24
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The following are approximate capacities. The actual refill capacities may be a little different. When refilling, follow the procedure instructed in the ª8.
Maintenance and do-it-yourselfº section to determine the proper refill capacity.
Capacity (Approximate)Recommended specifications
US measure
Imp measureLiter
Fuel 20 gal 16-5/8 gal 76 See ªFUEL RECOMMENDATIONº later in this section.
Engine oil*1
Drain and refill With oil filter change VK45DE AWD 6-1/8 qt 5-1/8 qt 5.8 ·Engine oil with API Certification Mark*2, *3
·Viscosity SAE 5W-30*2, *3
2WD 5-7/8 qt 4-7/8 qt 5.5
VQ35HR AWD/2WD 5-1/8 qt 4-3/8 qt 4.9
Without oil filter change VK45DE AWD 5-1/2 qt 4-5/8 qt 5.2
2WD 5-1/8 qt 4-3/8 qt 4.9
VQ35HR AWD/2WD 4-7/8 qt 4 qt 4.6
Cooling system With reservoir VK45DE 11 qt 9-1/8 qt 10.4 50% Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant or equivalent
50% Demineralized or distilled water
VQ35HR 9-3/4 qt 8-1/8 qt 9.2
Reservoir 7/8 qt 3/4 qt 0.8
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) ÐÐÐ Genuine NISSAN Matic S ATF*4
Differential gear oil ÐÐÐ Genuine NISSAN Differential Oil Hypoid Super GL-5, 80W-90 or API
GL-5, Viscosity SAE 80W-90*5
Transfer fluid ÐÐÐ Genuine NISSAN Matic J ATF*6
Power Steering Fluid (PSF) Refill to the proper oil level according to
the instructions in the ª8. Maintenance
and do-it-yourselfº section. Genuine NISSAN PSF or equivalent*7
Brake fluid Genuine NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid*8 or equivalent DOT 3
CAPACITIES AND RECOMMENDED
FUEL/LUBRICANTS
9-2Technical and consumer information
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Capacity (Approximate)Recommended specifications
US measure
Imp measureLiter
Multi-purpose grease NLGI No. 2 (Lithium soap base)
Air conditioning system refrigerant ÐÐÐ HFC-134a (R-134a)*9
Air conditioning system lubricants ÐÐÐ NISSAN A/C System Oil Type S or exact equivalent
Window washer fluid ÐÐÐ Genuine NISSAN Windshield Washer Concentrate Cleaner & Anti-
freeze or equivalent
*1:For additional information, see ªENGINE OILº in the ª8. Maintenance and do-it-yourselfº section for changing engine oil.
*2: For additional information, see ªENGINE OIL AND OIL FILTER RECOMMENDATIONº later in this section.
*3: INFINITI recommends Genuine NISSAN Ester Oil available at your INFINITI retailer.
*4: For 5-speed AT: If Genuine NISSAN Matic S ATF is not available, Genuine NISSAN Matic J ATF may also be used. Using automatic transmission fluid other than Genuine NISSAN Matic
S ATF or Matic J 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.
For 7-speed AT: 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: For hot climates, viscosity SAE 90 is suitable for ambient temperatures above 32ÉF (0ÉC).
*6:
If Genuine NISSAN Matic J ATF is not available, Genuine NISSAN Matic D ATF or Canada NISSAN Automatic Transmission Fluid or equivalent (if
available) may also be used.
*7:
DEXRONTMVI type ATF or Canada NISSAN Automatic Transmission Fluid may also be used.
*8: Available in mainland US through an INFINITI retailer.
*9: For additional information, see ªVEHICLE IDENTIFICATIONº later in this section for air conditioner specification label.
Technical and consumer information9-3
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Towing your vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground is sometimes called flat towing. This
method is sometimes used when towing a
vehicle behind a recreational vehicle, such as a
motor home.
CAUTION
cFailure to follow these guidelines can result
in severe transmission damage.
c Whenever flat towing your vehicle, always
tow forward, never backward.
c DO NOT tow any automatic transmission ve-
hicle with all four wheels on the ground (flat
towing). Doing so WILL DAMAGE internal
transmission parts due to lack of transmis-
sion lubrication.
c DO NOT tow an All-Wheel Drive (AWD) ve-
hicle with any of the wheels on the ground.
Doing so may cause serious and expensive
damage to the powertrain.
c For emergency towing procedures refer to
ªTOWING RECOMMENDED BY INFINITIº in the
ª6. In case of emergencyº section of this
manual.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) models
Do not tow an AWD vehicle with any of the
wheels on the ground.
Two-Wheel Drive (2WD) models
To tow a vehicle equipped with an automatic
transmission, an appropriate vehicle dolly
MUST be placed under the towed vehicle's drive
wheels. Alwaysfollow the dolly manufacturer's
recommendations when using their product. DOT (Department Of Transportation) Quality
Grades: All passenger car tires must conform to
federal safety requirements in addition to these
grades.
Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
TREADWEAR
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half (1 1/2) times
as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteristics
and climate.
FLAT TOWING
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
Technical and consumer information9-19
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A vehicle equipped with All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
should never be tested using a two wheel
dynamometer (such as the dynamometers used
by some states for emissions testing), or similar
equipment. Make sure you inform 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
transmission damage or unexpected vehicle
movement which could result in serious vehicle
damage or personal injury.
Due to legal requirements in some states/ areas
or provinces, your vehicle may be required to be
in what is called the ªready conditionº for an
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test of the emis-
sion control system.
The vehicle is set to the ªready conditionº when
it is driven through certain driving patterns.
Usually, the ªready conditionº can be obtained
by ordinary usage of the vehicle.
If a powertrain system component is repaired or
the battery is disconnected, the vehicle may be
reset to a ªnot ready conditionº. Before taking
the I/M test, check the vehicle's
inspection/maintenance test readiness condi-
tion. Push the ignition switch to the ON position
without starting the engine. If the Malfunction
Indicator Light (MIL) comes on steady for 20
seconds and then blinks for 10 seconds, the I/Mtest condition is ªnot readyº. If the MIL does not
blink after 20 seconds, the I/M test condition is
ªreadyº.
If the MIL indicates the vehicle is in a ªnot
readyº condition, drive the vehicle through the
following pattern to set the vehicle to the
ªready conditionº. If you cannot or do not want
to perform the driving pattern, an INFINITI re-
tailer can conduct it for you.
WARNING
Always drive the vehicle in a safe and prudent
manner according to traffic conditions and
obey all traffic laws.
1. Start the engine. Allow the engine to idle
until the engine coolant temperature
gauge needle points between the C and H
(normal operating temperature).
2. Accelerate the vehicle to 55 MPH (88 km/h), then quickly release the accelera-
tor pedal completely and keep it released
for at least 10 seconds.
3. Quickly depress the accelerator pedal for a moment, then drive the vehicle at a
speed of 53 to 60 MPH (86 to 96 km/h) for
at least 9 minutes.
4. Stop the vehicle. Leave the engine run- ning. 5. Accelerate the vehicle to 35 MPH (55
km/h) and maintain the speed for 20
seconds.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 at least 10 times.
7. Accelerate the vehicle to 55 MPH (88 km/h) and maintain the speed for at least
3 minutes.
8. Stop the vehicle. Place the transmission selector lever in the P (Park) or N (Neutral)
position.
9. Turn the engine off.
10. Repeat steps 1 through 8 at least one more time.
If step 1 through 7 is interrupted, repeat the
preceding step. Any safe driving mode is ac-
ceptable between steps. Do not stop the engine
until step 7 is completed.
READINESS FOR INSPECTION/
MAINTENANCE (I/M) TEST
9-22Technical and consumer information
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10 Index
A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) ........5-53
Adaptive front lighting system (AFS) .....2-31
Advanced air bag system ...........1-45
Aiming control, Adaptive front lighting system
(AFS) .......................2-31
Air bag system Advanced air bag system .........1-45
Front passenger air bag and status
light ..................... 1-47
Front-seat mounted side-impact
supplemental air bag system .......1-50
Roof-mounted curtain side-impact
supplemental air bag system .......1-50
Air bag warning labels .............1-52
Air bag warning light ..........1-53 , 2-17
Air cleaner housing filter ...........8-21
Air conditioner Air conditioner service ...........4-33
Air conditioner specification label ....9-13
Air conditioning system refrigerant and
lubricant recommendations .......4-33
Automatic climate control ........4-29
In-cabin microfilter ............4-33
Operation (See automatic climate
control) ................... 4-29
Alarm, How to stop alarm (see vehicle
security system) ................2-25
Alcohol, drugs and driving ...........5-7
All-wheel drive (AWD) .............5-47 All-wheel drive (AWD) warning light
.....2-13
Ambient temperature, Air conditioner . . . .4-32
Antenna .....................4-61
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ........5-53
Anti-lock braking system (ABS) warning
light .......................2-13
Appearance care Exterior appearance care ..........7-2
Interior appearance care ..........7-4
Armrest ......................1-11
Ashtrays (See cigarette lighter and
ashtrays) ....................2-39
Audible reminders ...............2-20
Audio control rear switch ...........4-60
Audio operation precautions .........4-34
Audio system ..................4-34
Audio system, Steering wheel
audio controls .................4-58
Audion system, Hard-disk drive audio system
(Music Box) ...................4-50
Autolight system ................2-30
Automatic Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) . . . .8-15
Climate control .............. 4-29
Driving with automatic transmission . . . 5-11
Automatic door locks ..............3-5
Automatic drive positioner ..........3-26
Automatic seat positioner ...........3-26
AUX button ...................4-21
Avoiding collision and rollover .........5-5 B
Battery ......................8-17
Battery Battery saver system ............2-31
Keyfob battery replacement .......8-28
Variable voltage control system .....8-19
Battery, Battery replacement, Intelligent
Key .......................8-28
Before starting the engine ...........5-10
Belts (See drive belts) .............8-19
BluetoothT Hands-Free Phone System
(with navigation system) ...........4-74
BluetoothT Hands-Free Phone System
(without navigation system) .........4-84
Booster seats ..................1-35
Brake Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ......5-53
Brake fluid ................. 8-16
Brake system ............... 5-49
Parking brake operation .........5-16
Brake warning light ..............2-14
Break-in schedule ...............5-46
Brightness control and display ON/OFF
button .......................4-7
Brightness control, Instrument panel . . . .2-32
Bulb check/instrument panel .........2-13
Bulb replacement ...............8-30
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