tow INFINITI M 2012 Owner's Manual

6-14In case of emergency
SCE0488
All-wheel drive models
Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
models
INFINITI recommends that towing dollies be
used when towing your vehicle or the
vehicle be placed on a flat bed truck as
illustrated.
CAUTION
Never tow Intelligent AWD models with any
of the wheels on the ground as this may
cause serious and expensive damage to the
powertrain.SCE0885

VEHICLE RECOVERY (freeing a stuck
vehicle)
WARNING
.Stand clear of a stuck vehicle.
. 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 specifically for vehicle recovery.
Always follow the manufacturer ’s instruc-
tions for the recovery device.
Front:
1. Remove the cover with a suitable tool.
2. Securely install the vehicle recovery hook
*1stored 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
*2for
towing or vehicle recovery.
CAUTION
. Tow chains or cables must be attached
only to the vehicle recovery hooks or
main structural members of the vehicle.
Otherwise, the vehicle body will be
damaged.
. Do not use the vehicle tie downs to free
a vehicle stuck in sand, snow, mud, etc.
. Never tow a vehicle using the vehicle tie
downs or recovery hooks.
. Always pull the cable straight out from
the front of the vehicle. Never pull on the
vehicle at an angle.
. Pulling devices should be routed so they
do not touch any part of the suspension,
steering, brake or cooling systems.
. Pulling devices such as ropes or canvas
straps are not recommended for use in
vehicle towing or recovery.
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 backward.
.Shift back and forth between R(reverse) and D (drive).
.Apply the accelerator as little as possible to maintain the rocking
motion.
.Release the accelerator pedal beforeshifting between R and D.
.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
service to remove the vehicle.
In case of emergency6-15

7-4Appearance and care
ambient temperature.
. 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-
abrasive 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 dis-
coloration of the rubber. If a tire dressing is
applied to the tires, it may react with the
coating and form a compound. This com-
pound may come off the tire while driving
and stain the vehicle paint.
If you choose to use a tire dressing, take
the following precautions:
.Use a water-based tire dressing. The
coating on the tire dissolves more
easily with an oil-based tire dressing.
. Apply a light coat of tire dressing to
help prevent it from entering the tire
tread/grooves (where it would be diffi-
cult to remove). .
Wipe off excess tire dressing using a
dry towel. Make sure the tire dressing
is completely removed from the tire
tread/grooves.
. Allow the tire dressing to dry as
recommended by tire dressing manu-
facturer. Occasionally remove loose dust from the
interior trim, plastic parts and seats using
a vacuum cleaner or soft bristled brush.
Wipe the vinyl and leather surfaces with a
clean, soft cloth dampened in mild soap
solution, then wipe clean with a dry soft
cloth.
Regular care and cleaning is required in
order to maintain the appearance of the
leather.
Before using any fabric protector, read the
manufacturer
’s recommendations. Some
fabric protectors contain chemicals that
may stain or bleach the seat material.
Use a cloth dampened only with water, to
clean the meter and gauge lens.
WARNING
Do not use water or acidic cleaners (hot
steam cleaners) on the seat. This can
damage the seat or occupant classification
sensors. This can also affect the operation
of the air bag system and result in serious
personal injury.
CLEANING INTERIOR

9 Technical and consumer information
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants....... 9-2Fuel 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 ................................................... 9-10
When traveling or registering your vehicle in
another country ................................................. 9-11
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 ................ 9-13
Tire and loading information label ................. 9-13
Air conditioner specification label.................. 9-13 Installing front license plate .............................. 9-14
Vehicle loading information............................... 9-15
Terms .......................................................... 9-15
Vehicle load capacity ................................... 9-17
Loading tips................................................. 9-18
Measurement of weights.............................. 9-18
Towing a trailer ................................................. 9-19 Flat towing................................................... 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.................................... 9-21
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test
(US only)........................................................... 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

9-16Technical and consumer information
weightdoes not include passen-
gers and cargo.
.GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) - curb weight plus the combined weight
of passengers and cargo.
.GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rat-ing) - maximum total combined
weight of the unloaded vehicle,
passengers, luggage, hitch, trailer
tongue load and any other op-
tional equipment. This informa-
tion is located on the F.M.V.S.S./
C.M.V.S.S. label.
.GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) -maximum weight (load) limit spe-
cified for the front or rear axle.
This information is located on the
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. label.
.GCWR (Gross Combined WeightRating) - The maximum total
weight rating of the vehicle, pas-
sengers, cargo, and trailer.
.Vehicle Capacity Weight, Loadlimit, Total load capacity - max-
imum total weight limit specified of the load (passengers and car-
go) for the vehicle. This is the
maximum combined weight of
occupants and cargo that can be
loaded into the vehicle. If the
vehicle is used to tow a trailer,
the trailer tongue weight must be
included as part of the cargo load.
This information is located on the
Tire and Loading Information la-
bel.
.Cargo capacity - permissible
weight of cargo, the weight of
total occupants weight subtracted
from the load limit.

STI0365
VEHICLE LOAD CAPACITY
Do not exceed the load limit of your
vehicle shown as“The combined
weight of occupants and cargo ”on
theTireandLoadingInformation
label. Do not exceed the number of
occupants shown as “Seating Capa-
city ”on the Tire and Loading In-
formation label.
To get “the combined weight of
occupants and cargo ”,addthe
weight of all occupants, then add the total luggage weight. Examples
are shown in the illustration.
Steps for determining correct load
limit
1.Locate the statement
“The com-
bined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX kg
or XXX lbs” on your vehicle ’s
placard.
2.Determine the combined weight of
the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers from
XXX kg or XXX lbs.
4.The resulting figure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For exam-
ple, if the XXX amount equals
1400 lbs. and there will be five
150 lb. passengers in your vehi-
cle, the amount of available cargo
and luggage load capacity is 650
lbs. (1400 −750 (5 x 150) = 650
lbs or 640 −340 (5 x 70) = 300
kg.)
5.Determine the combined weight of
luggage and cargo being loaded
on the vehicle. That weight may
not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, load from your trailer will
be transferred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available
Technical and consumer information9-17

Do not tow a trailer with your
vehicle.
FLAT TOWING
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
.Failure to follow these guidelines can
result in severe transmission damage.
. Whenever flat towing your vehicle, al-
ways tow forward, never backward.
. DO NOT tow any automatic transmission
vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground (flat towing). Doing so WILL
DAMAGE internal transmission parts
due to lack of transmission lubrication.
. For emergency towing procedures refer
to“Towing recommended by INFINITI ”in
the “6. In case of emergency ”section of
this manual.
Automatic transmission
To tow a vehicle equipped with an auto-
matic 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) Qual-
ity Grades: All passenger car tires must
conform to federal safety requirements in
addition to these grades.
Quality grades can be found where applic-
able 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 government 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, how-
ever, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Technical and consumer information9-19
TOWING A TRAILER
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING

Engine oil and oil filter recommendation ........ 9-6
Engine oil replacement indicator .................. 2-25
Engine oil viscosity ........................................ 9-6
Engine serial number ................................... 9-12
Engine specifications ..................................... 9-8
Engine start operation indicator ................... 2-22
If your vehicle overheats .............................. 6-11
Starting the engine ...................................... 5-13
Engine coolant temperature gauge ...................... 2-8
Entry/exit function
Automatic drive positioner ........................... 3-28
Event Data Recorders (EDR) ............................... 9-23
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) .......................... 5-3
F
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label ............. 9-12
Filter Air cleaner housing filter .............................. 8-22
Changing engine oil and filter ...................... 8-13
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher switch) .... 2-40
Flat tire ............................................................... 6-2
Flat towing ........................................................ 9-19
Floor mat cleaning .............................................. 7-5
Floor mat positioning aid .................................... 7-6
Fluid Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ............... 8-16
Brake fluid ................................................... 8-17
Capacities and
recommended fuel/lubricants ........................ 9-2
Engine coolant ............................................. 8-11
Engine oil .................................................... 8-13 Power steering fluid ..................................... 8-16
Window washer fluid ................................... 8-18
FM-AM-SAT radio with Compact Disc
(CD) player ........................................................ 4-61
Fog light switch ................................................ 2-39
Forest Air
TM....................................................... 4-42
Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system ........... 5-82
Front passenger air bag and status light ........... 1-46
Front power seat adjustment ............................... 1-3
Front seat
Front seat adjustment .................................... 1-3
Front-seat active head restraints ......................... 1-7
Fuel
Capacities and
recommended fuel/lubricants ........................ 9-2
Fuel economy............................................... 5-90
Fuel economy information (display) .............. 4-12
Fuel octane rating .......................................... 9-4
Fuel recommendation ..................................... 9-4
Fuel-filler cap ............................................... 3-21
Fuel-filler door ............................................. 3-21
Gauge ............................................................ 2-9
Fuses ................................................................ 8-26
Fusible links ..................................................... 8-27
G
Garage door opener HomeLink®Universal Transceiver ................. 2-61
Gas cap ............................................................ 3-21
Gauge .......................................................... 0-9, 2-6
Engine coolant temperature gauge ................. 2-8 Fuel gauge ..................................................... 2-9
Odometer....................................................... 2-6
Speedometer ................................................. 2-6
Tachometer .................................................... 2-7
Trip computer .............................................. 2-26
General maintenance .......................................... 8-3
Glove box ......................................................... 2-50
H
Hands-free phone system Bluetooth®(models with
navigation system) ....................................... 4-89
Bluetooth
®(models without
navigation system) ..................................... 4-100
Hazard warning flasher switch .......................... 2-40
Head restraints ................................................... 1-4
Headlights Aiming control (See adaptive front lighting
system (AFS)) ............................................... 2-37
Bulb replacement ......................................... 8-31
Headlight switch .......................................... 2-35
Xenon headlights ......................................... 2-34
Headrest Adjustable headrests ..................................... 1-8
Heated seats .................................................... 2-41
Heated steering wheel ...................................... 2-40
Heater Automatic climate control ............................ 4-33
Engine block heater ................................... 5-102
Hill start assist system ................................... 5-100
HomeLink
®Universal Transceiver ...................... 2-61
10-3

Speedometer ...................................................... 2-6
SPORT mode ..................................................... 5-19
STANDARD mode ............................................... 5-19
StartingBefore starting the engine ........................... 5-13
Jump starting ............................................... 8-20
Precautions when starting and driving ........... 5-3
Push starting ............................................... 6-10
Starting the engine ...................................... 5-13
STATUS button .................................................. 4-10
Status light, Front passenger air bag ................ 1-46
Steering Heated steering wheel ................................. 2-40
Power steering fluid ..................................... 8-16
Power steering system ................................. 5-93
Steering lock release malfunction indicator
(if so equipped) ........................................... 2-22
Steering-wheel-mounted controls
for audio ...................................................... 4-87
Tilt/telescopic steering ................................. 3-23
Steering lock (if so equipped) ........................... 5-11
Storage ............................................................. 2-48
Sun visors ........................................................ 3-24
Sunglasses holder ............................................ 2-49
Sunshade (rear) ................................................ 2-57
Supplemental air bag warning labels ................ 1-52
Supplemental air bag warning light ......... 1-52, 2-16
Supplemental restraint system .......................... 1-39
Precautions on supplemental
restraint system ........................................... 1-39 Switch
Autolight switch ........................................... 2-35
Fog light switch ........................................... 2-39
Hazard warning flasher switch ..................... 2-40
Headlight switch .......................................... 2-35
Ignition switch ............................................. 5-14
Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA) OFF switch ...... 2-44
Power door lock switch .................................. 3-5
Rear window and outside mirror
defroster switch ........................................... 2-34
Turn signal switch ........................................ 2-39
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off switch ...... 2-45
Warning systems switch ............................... 2-44
T
Tachometer ......................................................... 2-7
Temperature gaugeEngine coolant temperature gauge ................. 2-8
Theft (INFINITI Vehicle Immobilizer System) Engine start ................................................. 2-30
Three-way catalyst .............................................. 5-3
Tilt/telescopic steering ...................................... 3-23
“ TIMER ”indicator.............................................. 2-23
Tire
Tire replacement indicator............................ 2-25
Tire rotation ................................................. 8-41
Tire pressure
Low tire pressure warning light .................... 2-14
Tires Flat tire .......................................................... 6-2
Low tire pressure warning system ... 5-4, 6-2, 8-34 Spare tire .................................................... 8-44
Tire and Loading information label ...... 8-36, 9-13
Tire chains ................................................... 8-41
Tire dressing .................................................. 7-4
Tire pressure................................................ 8-34
Tire pressure information (display) ............... 4-12
Tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS) .......................................... 5-4, 6-2, 8-34
Types of tires ............................................... 8-40
Uniform tire quality grading ......................... 9-19
Wheel/tire size .............................................. 9-9
Wheels and tires .......................................... 8-34
Touch screen system ........................................... 4-6
Towing Flat towing ................................................... 9-19
Tow truck towing.......................................... 6-12
Towing a trailer ............................................ 9-19
TPMS Tire pressure monitoring system ... 5-4, 6-2, 8-34
Tire pressure warning system ....... 5-4, 6-2, 8-34
Trailer towing .................................................... 9-19
Transceiver
HomeLink
®Universal Transceiver ................. 2-61
Transmission Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ............... 8-16
Driving with automatic transmission ............ 5-14
Transmission selector lever lock release ...... 5-18
Transmitter (See remote keyless entry system) ... 3-14
Traveling or registering your vehicle in
another country ................................................ 9-11
Trip computer ................................................... 2-26
10-7