On star INFINITI Q50 2021 Owner's Manual

6-8In case of emergency
at a fast idle (approximately 1,500 rpm)
until the temperature gauge indication
returns to normal.
4. Get out of the vehicle. Look and listen for steam or coolant escaping from the
radiator before opening the hood. (If
steam or coolant is escaping, turn off the
engine.) Do not open the hood further
until no steam or coolant can be seen.
5. Open the engine hood.
WARNING
If steam or water is coming from the
engine, stand clear to prevent getting
burned.
6. Visually check drive belts for damage or looseness. Also check if the cooling fan is
running. The radiator hoses and radiator
should not leak water. If coolant is
leaking or the cooling fan does not run,
stop the engine.
WARNING
Be careful not to allow your hands, hair,
jewelry or clothing to come into contact
with, or get caught in, engine belts or the
engine cooling fan. The engine cooling fan can start at any time.
7. After the engine cools down, check the coolant level in the reservoir tank with
the engine running. Add coolant to the
reservoir tank if necessary. Have your
vehicle repaired. It is recommended you
visit an INFINITI retailer for this service. When towing your vehicle, all State (Pro-
vincial in Canada) and local regulations for
towing must be followed. Incorrect towing
equipment could damage your vehicle. Tow-
ing instructions are available from an
INFINITI retailer. Local service operators
are familiar with the applicable laws and
procedures for towing. To assure proper
towing and to prevent accidental damage to
your vehicle, INFINITI recommends that you
have a service operator tow your vehicle. It is
advisable to have the service operator care-
fully read the following precautions.
WARNING
.
Never ride in a vehicle that is being
towed.
. Never get under your vehicle after it
has been lifted by a tow truck.
CAUTION
.When towing, make sure that the
transmission, axles, steering system
and powertrain are in working con-
dition. If any unit is damaged, dollies
must be used.
TOWING YOUR VEHICLE

8 Do-it-yourself
Maintenance precautions ............................................... 8-2
Engine compartment check locations ......................... 8-3VR30DDTT engine ..................................................... 8-3
Engine cooling system ..................................................... 8-3 Checking engine coolant level ................................ 8-4
Changing engine coolant .......................................... 8-5
Intercooler cooling system ............................................. 8-5 Checking intercooler coolant level ......................... 8-6
Changing intercooler coolant .................................. 8-6
Engine oil ........................................................................\
..... 8-7
Checking engine oil level ........................................... 8-7
Changing engine oil and filter .................................. 8-7
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) .......................... 8-9
Brake fluid ........................................................................\
8-10
Window washer fluid ................................................... 8-10
Battery ........................................................................\
....... 8-11
Checking battery fluid level .................................... 8-12
Jump starting ............................................................. 8-13
Variable voltage control system ................................. 8-13
Drive belts ........................................................................\
. 8-13
Spark plugs ....................................................................... 8-14 Replacing spark plugs .............................................. 8-14 Air cleaner ........................................................................\
8-15
Windshield wiper blades .............................................. 8-15
Cleaning ..................................................................... 8-15
Replacing ................................................................... 8-16
Brakes ........................................................................\
........ 8-16 Self-adjusting brakes ............................................. 8-16
Brake pad wear warning ....................................... 8-16
Fuses ........................................................................\
.......... 8-17 Engine compartment .............................................. 8-17
Passenger compartment ....................................... 8-18
Intelligent Key battery replacement ......................... 8-19
Lights ........................................................................\
......... 8-22 Headlights ................................................................. 8-23
Exterior and interior lights .................................... 8-23
Wheels and tires ............................................................. 8-25 Tire pressure ............................................................. 8-25
Tire labeling .............................................................. 8-29
Types of tires ........................................................... 8-31
Tire chains ................................................................. 8-33
Changing wheels and tires .................................. 8-34
Jacking up the vehicle and replacing tires ....... 8-37

8-4Do-it-yourself
mission and/or cooling system.
. When adding or replacing coolant, be
sure to use only Genuine NISSAN
Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue)
or equivalent. Genuine NISSAN Long
Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) is pre-
diluted to provide antifreeze protec-
tion to −34°F (−37°C). If additional
freeze protection is needed due to
weather where you operate your
vehicle, add Genuine NISSAN Long
Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) con-
centrate following the directions on
the container. If an equivalent cool-
ant other than Genuine NISSAN Long
Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) is
used, follow the coolant manufac-
ture’s instructions to maintain mini-
mum antifreeze protection to −34°F
(−37°C). The use of other types of
coolant solutions other than Genuine
NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Cool-
ant (blue) or equivalent may damage
the engine cooling system.
. The life expectancy of the factory-fill
coolant is 105,000 miles (168,000
km) or 7 years. Mixing any other type
of coolant other than Genuine
NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Cool-
ant (blue) (or equivalent coolant),
including Genuine NISSAN Long Life
Antifreeze/ Coolant (green), or the use of non-distilled water will reduce
the life expectancy of the factory-fill
coolant. Refer to the “9. Mainte-
nance and schedules” section of this
manual for more details.
JVM0652X
CHECKING ENGINE COOLANT
LEVEL
Check the coolant level in the reservoir tank
when the engine is running and after it
reaches normal operating temperature. If
the coolant level is below MIN level
, add
coolant up to the MAX level. If the
reservoir tank is empty, check the coolant
level in the radiator when the engine is cold.
If there is insufficient coolant in the radiator,
fill the radiator with coolant up to the filler
cap above the radiator upper hose opening
and also add it to the reservoir tank up to the
MAX level
. Put on the filler cap above the
radiator upper hose and with the reservoir
cap open, start the engine. Run the engine

8-8Do-it-yourself
JVM0668X
2WD models
JVM0669X
AWD models
Engine oil and filter
1. Place a large drain pan under the drainplug.
2. Remove the oil filler cap.
3. Remove the drain plug
with a wrench
and completely drain the oil.
CAUTION
Be careful not to burn yourself, as the
engine oil is hot.
.Waste oil must be disposed of prop-
erly.
.Check your local regulations.
4. (Perform steps 4 to 7 only when the engine oil filter change is needed.)
Loosen the oil filter
with an oil filter
wrench. Remove the oil filter by turning it
by hand.
5. Wipe the engine oil filter mounting sur- face with a clean rag.
CAUTION
Be 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 20.6 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
(29.4 to 39.2 N·m)
Do not use excessive force.
9. Refill engine with recommended oil and install the oil filler cap securely.
See “Capacities and recommended
fluids/lubricants” (P.10-2) for drain and
refill capacity. The drain and refill capa-
city depends on the oil temperature and
drain time. Use these specifications 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.

To check the window washer fluid level, use
your finger to plug the holeof the cap/
tube assembly, then remove it from the
reservoir. If there is no fluid in the tube,
add fluid.
Add a washer solvent to the washer for
better cleaning. In the winter season, add a
windshield washer antifreeze. Follow the
manufacturer’s instructions for the mixture
ratio.
Refill the reservoir more frequently when
driving conditions require an increased
amount of window washer fluid.
Recommended fluid is Genuine NISSAN
Windshield Washer Concentrate Cleaner &
Antifreeze or equivalent.
CAUTION
. Do not substitute engine anti-freeze
coolant for window washer solution.
This may result in damage to the
paint.
. Do not fill the window washer re-
servoir with washer fluid concen-
trates at full strength. Some methyl
alcohol based washer fluid concen-
trates may permanently stain the
grille if spilled while filling the win-
dow washer reservoir. .
Pre-mix washer fluid concentrates
with water to the manufacturer’s
recommended levels before pouring
the fluid into the window washer
reservoir. Do not use the window
washer reservoir to mix the washer
fluid concentrate and water. .
Keep the battery surface clean and dry.
Clean the battery with a solution of
baking soda and water.
. Make certain the terminal connections
are clean and securely tightened.
. If the vehicle is not to be used for 30 days
or longer, disconnect the negative (−)
battery terminal cable to prevent dis-
charging it.
NOTE:
Care should be taken to avoid situations
that can lead to potential battery discharge
and potential no-start conditions such as:
1. Installation or extended use of electro-
nic accessories that consume battery
power when the engine is not running
(Phone chargers, GPS, DVD players,
etc.)
2. Vehicle is not driven regularly and/or
only driven short distances.
In these cases, the battery may need to be
charged to maintain battery health.
WARNING
. Do not expose the battery to flames
or electrical sparks. Hydrogen gas
generated by the battery is explosive.
Do not allow battery fluid to contact
your skin, eyes, fabrics, or painted
Do-it-yourself8-11
BATTERY

JUMP STARTING
If jump starting is necessary, see “Jump
starting” (P.6-5). If the engine does not start
by jump starting, the battery may have to be
replaced. It is recommended you visit an
INFINITI retailer for this service.CAUTION
.Do not ground accessories directly to
the battery terminal. Doing so will
bypass the variable voltage control
system and the vehicle battery may
not charge completely.
. Use electrical accessories with the
engine running to avoid discharging
the vehicle battery.
The variable voltage control system mea-
sures the amount of electrical discharge
from the battery and controls voltage gen-
erated by the generator.
JVM0655X
1. Water pump
2. Alternator
3. Drive belt auto-tensioner
4. Crankshaft pulley
5. Air conditioner compressor
WARNING
Be sure the ignition switch is in the OFF
or LOCK position before servicing drive
belts. The engine could rotate unexpect-
edly.
1. Visually inspect each belt for signs of unusual wear, cuts, fraying or looseness.
Do-it-yourself8-13
VARIABLE VOLTAGE CONTROL SYSTEMDRIVE BELTS

WARNING
.Operating the engine with the air
cleaner removed can cause you or
others to be burned. The air cleaner
not only cleans the air, it stops flame
if the engine backfires. If it isn’t
there, and the engine backfires, you
could be burned. Do not drive with
the air cleaner removed, and be care-
ful when working on the engine with
the air cleaner removed.
. Never pour fuel into the throttle body
or attempt to start the engine with
the air cleaner removed. Doing so
could result in serious injury.
The filter element should not be cleaned and
reused. Replace it according to the main-
tenance schedule shown in the “9. Main-
tenance and schedules” section. When
replacing the filter, wipe the inside of the
air cleaner housing and the cover with a
damp cloth.
When maintenance is required, it is recom-
mended you contact an INFINITI retailer for
servicing.
CLEANING
If your windshield is not clear after using the
windshield washer or if a wiper blade
chatters when running, wax or other materi-
al may be on the blade or windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with a
washer solution or a mild detergent. Your
windshield is clean if beads do not form
when rinsing with clear water.
Clean each blade by wiping it with a cloth
soaked in a washer solution or a mild
detergent. Then rinse the blade with clear
water. If your windshield is still not clear
after cleaning the blades and using the
wiper, replace the blades.
Worn windshield wiper blades can damage
the windshield and impair driver vision.
When a washer nozzle is clogged
It is recommended you see an INFINITI
retailer if a washer nozzle is clogged or any
malfunction occurs. Do not attempt to clean
the nozzle using a needle or a pin. Doing so
may damage the nozzle.
Do-it-yourself8-15
AIR CLEANER WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES

8-38Do-it-yourself
NOTE:
Jacking tools are not equipped as standard
with this vehicle. It is recommended you
contact an INFINITI retailer about acquiring
the tools.
WARNING
.Make sure the parking brake is
securely applied and the transmission
into the P (Park) position.
. Never change tires when the vehicle
is on a slope, ice or slippery areas.
This is hazardous.
. Never change tires if oncoming traf-
fic is close to your vehicle. Wait for
professional road assistance.
MCE0001A
Blocking wheels
Place suitable blocksat 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.
Jacking up the vehicle and removing
a tire
WARNING
. Never get under the vehicle while it is
supported only by the jack. If it is
necessary to work under the vehicle,
support it with safety stands.
. Use the correct jack-up points. Never
use any other part of the vehicle for
jack support.
. Never jack up the vehicle more than
necessary.
. Never use blocks on or under the jack.
. Do not start or run the engine while
vehicle is on the jack, as it may cause
the vehicle to move. This is especially
true for vehicles with limited slip
differentials.
. Do not allow passengers to stay in
the vehicle while it is on the jack.
Carefully read the caution label attached to
the jack body and the following instruc-
tions.

9-4Maintenance and schedules
and smoothly, and are installed securely.
Check the belt webbing for cuts, fraying,
wear or damage.
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
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 temperatures or
under severe condition require frequent
checks of the battery fluid level.
NOTE:
Care should be taken to avoid situations
that can lead to potential battery discharge
and potential no-start conditions such as: 1.
Installation or extended use of electro-
nic accessories that consume battery
power when the engine is not running
(Phone chargers, GPS, DVD players,
etc.)
2. Vehicle is not driven regularly and/or
only driven short distances.
In these cases, the battery may need to be
charged to maintain battery health.
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.
Intercooler 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, immediately have
the exhaust system inspected. It is recom-
mended you visit an INFINITI retailer for this
service. (See “Precautions when starting and driving” (P.5-4).)
Fluid leaks:
Check under the vehicle for fuel,
oil, water or other fluid leaks after the
vehicle has been parked for a while. Water
dripping from the air conditioner after use is
normal. If you should notice any leaks or if
gasoline fumes are evident, check for the
cause and have it corrected immediately.
Radiator and hoses: Check the front of the
radiator and clean off any dirt, insects,
leaves, etc., that may have accumulated.
Make sure the hoses have no cracks, defor-
mation, rot or loose connections.
Underbody: The underbody is frequently
exposed to corrosive substances such as
those used on icy roads or to control dust. It
is very important to remove these sub-
stances, otherwise rust will form on the
floor pan, frame, fuel lines and around the
exhaust system. At the end of winter, the
underbody should be thoroughly flushed
with plain water, being careful to clean
those areas where mud and dirt may accu-
mulate. For additional information, see
“Cleaning exterior” (P.7-2).
Windshield washer fluid*: Check that there
is adequate fluid in the reservoir.

your service station manager.
If you use oxygenate-blend gasoline, please
take the following precautions as the usage
of such fuels may cause vehicle performance
problems and/or fuel system damage.
.The fuel should be unleaded and have an
octane rating no lower than that re-
commended for unleaded gasoline.
. If an oxygenate-blend, excepting a
methanol blend, is used, it should con-
tain no more than 15% oxygenate.
. 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 ap-
propriate cosolvents and corrosion in-
hibitors. If not properly formulated with
appropriate cosolvents and corrosion
inhibitors, such methanol blends may
cause fuel system damage and/or vehi-
cle 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-oxyge-
nate 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-15 fuel
E-15 fuel is a mixture of approximately 15%
fuel ethanol and 85% unleaded gasoline. E-
15 can only be used in vehicles designed to
run on E-15 fuel. Do not use E-15 in your
vehicle. U.S. government regulations require
fuel ethanol dispensing pumps to be identi-
fied with small, square, orange and black
label with the common abbreviation or the
appropriate percentage for that region.
E-85 fuel
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 appro-
priate percentage for that region.
Fuel containing MMT
MMT, or methylcyclopentadienyl manga-
nese tricarbonyl, is an octane boosting
additive. INFINITI does not recommend the
use of fuel containing MMT. Such fuel may
adversely affect vehicle performance, in-
cluding the emissions control system. Note
that while some fuel pumps label MMTcontent, not all do, so you may have to
consult your gasoline retailer for more de-
tails.
Aftermarket fuel additives
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 com-
mercially. 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
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,
it is recommended you have an INFINITI
retailer correct the condition. Failure to
correct the condition is misuse of the
vehicle, for which INFINITI is not respon-
sible.
Incorrect ignition timing will result in knock-
ing, after-run or overheating. This in turn
Technical and consumer information10-5