maintenance INFINITI QX 2011 Owners Manual

Your INFINITI represents a new way of thinking
about vehicle design. It integrates advanced
engineering and superior craftsmanship with a
simple, refined aesthetic sensitivity associated
with traditional Japanese culture.
The result is a different notion of luxury and
beauty. The car itself is important, but so is the
sense of harmony that the vehicle evokes in its
driver, and the sense of satisfaction you feel
with the INFINITI — from the way it looks and
drives to the high level of retailer service.
To ensure that you enjoy your INFINITI to the
fullest, we encourage you to read this Owner’s
Manual immediately. It explains all of the fea-
tures, controls and performance characteristics
of your INFINITI; it also provides important
instructions and safety information.
A separate Warranty Information Booklet is in-
cluded in your Owner’s literature portfolio. The
INFINITI Service and Maintenance Guide ex-
plains details about maintaining and servicing
your vehicle. Always carry it with you when you
take your vehicle to an INFINITI retailer. The War-
ranty Information Booklet contents provide
complete information about all warranties cov-
ering this vehicle, the requirements to keep the
warranties in effect as well as the INFINITI Road-
side Assistance program.Additionally, a separate Customer Care and
Lemon Law Information Booklet will explain how
to resolve any concerns you may have with your
vehicle, as well as clarify your rights under your
state’s lemon law.
READ FIRST — THEN DRIVE SAFELY
Before driving your vehicle, read your Owner’s
Manual carefully. This will ensure familiarity
with controls and maintenance requirements,
assisting you in the safe operation of your
vehicle.
WARNING
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION REMINDERS
FOR SAFETY!
Follow these important driving rules to help
ensure a safe and comfortable trip for you and
your passengers!
●
NEVER drive under the influence of alcohol or
drugs.
● ALWAYS observe posted speed limits and
never drive too fast for conditions.
● ALWAYS give your full attention to driving
and avoid using vehicle features or taking
other actions that could distract you.
● ALWAYS use your seat belts and appropriate
child restraint systems. Pre-teen children
should be seated in the rear seat.
● ALWAYS provide information about the
proper use of vehicle safety features to all
occupants of the vehicle.
● ALWAYS review this Owner’s Manual for im-
portant safety information.
FOREWORD

Table of
ContentsIllustrated table of contents
Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
Instruments and controls
Pre-driving checks and adjustments
Monitor, climate, audio, phone and voice recognition systems
Starting and driving
In case of emergency
Appearance and care
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Technical and consumer information
Index
01
2 3
4 5
6 7
8 9
10

1 Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental
restraint system
Seats.............................................1-2
Front seats .....................................1-2
2nd row seats ..................................1-4
3rd row seats ...................................1-6
Head restraints ................................ 1-8
Headrest ...................................... 1-12
Headrest (2nd row center seat) ..................1-15
Armrest (if so equipped) ........................ 1-16
Flexible seating ................................ 1-16
Seat belts ........................................ 1-18
Precautions on seat belt usage ..................1-18
Pregnant women ............................... 1-21
Injured persons ................................ 1-21
Pre-crash seat belts with comfort function
(if so equipped for front seats) ..................1-21
Three-point type seat belt ......................1-22
Seat belt extenders ............................. 1-27
Seat belt maintenance ......................... 1-28
Child safety ...................................... 1-28
Infants ....................................... 1-29
Small children ................................ 1-29
Larger children ................................ 1-29
Child restraints .................................. 1-30
Precautions on child restraints .................1-30Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren
System (LATCH)
............................... 1-32
Top tether strap child restraint .................1-34
Rear-facing Child restraint installation
using LATCH ................................... 1-35
Rear-facing child restraint installation using
the seat belts .................................. 1-37
Forward-facing Child restraint installation
using LATCH .................................. 1-40
Forward-facing child restraint installation
using the seat belts ........................... 1-42
Installing top tether strap (2nd row
captain’s seats or 2nd row bench seat) .........1-46
Installing top tether strap
(3rd row bench seat) .......................... 1-46
Booster seats ................................. 1-47
Supplemental restraint system ....................1-50
Precautions

on supplemental restraint
system ....................................... 1-50
INFINITI Advanced Air Bag System
(front seats) ................................... 1-55
Front seat-mounted side-impact
supplemental air bag and roof-mounted
curtain side-impact and rollover
supplemental air bag systems ..................1-60

WARNING
●Only INFINITI seat belt extenders, made by
the same company which made the original
equipment seat belts, should be used with
the INFINITI seat belts.
● Adults and children who can use the stan-
dard seat belt should not use an extender.
Such unnecessary use could result in seri-
ous personal injury in the event of an
accident.
● Never use seat belt extenders to install child
restraints. If the child restraint is not se-
cured properly, the child could be seriously
injured in a collision or a sudden stop.
SEAT BELT MAINTENANCE
● To clean the seat belt webbing, apply a mild
soap solution or any solution recommended
for cleaning upholstery or carpets. Then,
wipe with a cloth and allow the seat belts to
dry in the shade. Do not allow the seat belts
to retract until they are completely dry.
● If dirt builds up in the shoulder belt guide of
the seat belt anchors, the seat belts may
retract slowly. Wipe the shoulder belt guide
with a clean, dry cloth.
● Periodically check to see that the seat belt
and the metal components such as buckles,
tongues, retractors, flexible wires and an-
chors work properly. If loose parts, deterio-
ration, cuts or other damage on the webbing
is found, the entire seat belt assembly
should be replaced. Children need adults to help protect them.
They need to be properly restrained.
In addition to the general information in this
manual, child safety information is available
from many other sources, including doctors,
teachers, government traffic safety offices, and
community organizations. Every child is differ-
ent, so be sure to learn the best way to trans-
port your child.
There are three basic types of child restraint
systems:
●
Rear-facing child restraint
● Forward-facing child restraint
● Booster seat
The proper restraint depends on the child’s
size. Generally, infants up to about 1 year and
less than 20 lbs (9 kg) should be placed in
rear-facing child restraints. Forward-facing child
restraints are available for children who out-
grow rear-facing child restraints and are at least
1 year old. Booster seats are used to help
position a vehicle lap/shoulder belt on a child
who can no longer use a forward-facing child
restraint.
CHILD SAFETY
1-28Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

When the ignition switch is in the ON position,
the supplemental air bag warning light illumi-
nates for about 7 seconds and then turns off.
This means the system is operational.
If any of the following conditions occur, the
front air bag, side air bag, curtain and rollover
air bag and pretensioner systems need servic-
ing:
●The supplemental air bag warning light re-
mains on approximately 7 seconds after the
ignition switch is pushed to the ON position.
● The supplemental air bag warning light
flashes intermittently.
● The supplemental air bag warning light does
not come on at all.
Under these conditions, the front air bag, side
air bags, and curtain and rollover air bags or
pretensioner systems may not operate properly.
They must be checked and repaired. Take your
vehicle to the nearest INFINITI retailer.WARNING
If the supplemental air bag warning light is on,
it could mean that the front air bag, side air
bag, curtain and rollover air bag and/or preten-
sioner systems will not operate in an accident.
To help avoid injury to yourself or others, have
your vehicle checked by a retailer as soon as
possible.
REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT
PROCEDURE
The front air bags, side air bags, curtain and
rollover air bags and pretensioners are de-
signed to activate on a one-time-only basis. As
a reminder, unless it is damaged, the supple-
mental air bag warning light will remain illumi-
nated after inflation has occurred. Repair and
replacement of these systems should be done
only by an INFINITI retailer.
When maintenance work is required on the
vehicle, the front air bags, side air bags, curtain
and rollover air bags, pretensioners and related
parts should be pointed out to the person
conducting the maintenance. The ignition
switch should always be in the LOCK position
when working under the hood or inside the
vehicle.
WARNING
● Once a front air bag, side air bag or curtain
and rollover air bag has inflated, the air bag
module will not function again and must be
replaced. Additionally, the activated preten-
sioner must also be replaced. The air bag
module and pretensioner should be replaced
by an INFINITI retailer. The air bag module
and pretensioner system cannot be
repaired.
● The front air bag, side air bag, curtain and
rollover air bag and the pretensioner should
be inspected by an INFINITI retailer if there is
any damage to the front end or side portion
of the vehicle.
● If you need to dispose of a supplemental air
bag or pretensioner or scrap the vehicle,
contact an INFINITI retailer. Correct supple-
mental air bag and pretensioner system dis-
posal procedures are set forth in the appro-
priate INFINITI Service Manual. Incorrect
disposal procedures could cause personal
injury.
1-64Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

2 Instruments and controls
Cockpit........................................... 2-2
Instrument panel .................................. 2-4
Meters and gauges ................................ 2-5
Speedometer and odometer ..................... 2-6
Tachometer .................................... 2-7
Engine coolant temperature gauge ............... 2-7
Fuel gauge ..................................... 2-8
Engine oil pressure gauge ...................... 2-8
Voltmeter ...................................... 2-9
Meter/ring illumination and needle sweep ........ 2-9
Warning/indicator lights and audible reminders .....2-10
Checking bulbs ................................ 2-11
Warning lights ................................. 2-11
Indicator lights ................................. 2-17
Audible reminders ............................. 2-20
Dot matrix liquid crystal display ...................2-21
Indicators for operation ........................ 2-23
Indicators for maintenance .....................2-25
Trip computer ................................. 2-27
Security systems ................................. 2-29
Vehicle security system ........................ 2-29
INFINITI Vehicle Immobilizer System ............2-31
Windshield wiper and washer switch ...............2-32Washer operation
............................. 2-33
Rain-sensing auto wiper system ................2-33
Rear window wiper and washer switch .............2-34
Rear window and outside mirror defroster/
windshield deicer (if so equipped) switch ..........2-35
Rear window and outside mirror defroster .......2-35
Windshield deicer (if so equipped) ..............2-36
Headlight and turn signal switch ..................2-36
Xenon headlights ............................. 2-36
Headlight switch .............................. 2-37
Headlight washer (if so equipped) ..............2-41
Turn signal switch ............................. 2-42
Fog light switch ............................... 2-42
Hazard warning flasher switch .....................2-43
Heated steering wheel ............................ 2-43
Horn ............................................ 2-44
Heated

seats (if so equipped) ..................... 2-44
Front ......................................... 2-45
Rear ......................................... 2-46
Climate controlled seats (if so equipped) ...........2-46
Warning systems switch (Type A) (if so equipped) . . . 2-47
Warning systems switch (Type B) (if so equipped) . . . 2-48
SNOW mode switch .............................. 2-49

FUEL GAUGE
The gauge indicates theapproximatefuel level
in the tank.
The gauge may move slightly during braking,
turning, acceleration, or going up or down hills.
The gauge needle returns to 0 (Empty) after the
ignition switch is pushed to the OFF position.
Refill the fuel tank before the gauge registers
“0” (Empty).
The low fuel warning
appears on the dot
matrix liquid crystal display when the fuel tank
is getting low. Refuel as soon as it is conve-
nient, preferably before the gauge reaches “0”. There will be a small reserve of fuel in the tank
when the fuel gauge needle reaches “0”.
The
indicates that the fuel-filler door is
located on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
CAUTION
● If the vehicle runs out of fuel, themalfunction indicator light (MIL) may come
on. Refuel as soon as possible. After a few
driving trips, the
light should turn off.
If the light remains on after a few driving
trips, have the vehicle inspected by an
INFINITI retailer.
● For additional information, see “Malfunction
Indicator Light (MIL)” later in this section.
ENGINE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE
The gauge indicates the engine lubrication sys-
tem oil pressure while the engine is running.
When the engine speed is high, the engine oil
pressure is also high. When it is low, the gauge
indicates the low (L) oil pressure.
The engine oil pressure is normal when the
gauge needle points within the zone
1shown
in the illustration.
CAUTION
● This gauge is not designed to indicate low
engine oil level. Use the dipstick to check
the oil level. (See “ENGINE OIL” in the “8.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section.)
SIC4374SIC4375
2-8Instruments and controls

CAUTION
Continued vehicle operation when the AT oil
temperature warning light is on may damage
the AT.
orBrake warning
light
This light functions for both the parking brake
and the foot brake systems.
Parking brake indicator :
When the ignition switch is in the ON position,
the light comes on when the parking brake is
applied.
Low brake fluid warning light :
When the ignition switch is in the ON position,
the light warns of a low brake fluid level. If the
light comes on while the engine is running with
the parking brake not applied, stop the vehicle
and perform the following:
1. Check the brake fluid level. If brake fluid isnecessary, add fluid and have the system
checked by your INFINITI retailer. (See
“BRAKE FLUID” in the “8. Maintenance
and do-it-yourself” section.) 2. If the brake fluid level is correct, have the
warning system checked by an INFINITI
retailer.
Low hydraulic pressure warning indicator :
If the brake warning light illuminates when the
engine is running, or while driving with the
parking brake is released, check the brake fluid
level. If the brake fluid level is sufficient, it may
indicate low hydraulic pressure in the brake
booster. Have the brake system checked by an
INFINITI retailer promptly.
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning indica-
tor :
When the parking brake is released and the
brake fluid level is sufficient, if both the brake
warning light and the Anti-lock Braking System
(ABS) warning light illuminate, it may indicate
the ABS is not functioning properly. Have the
brake system checked, and if necessary re-
paired, by an INFINITI retailer promptly. (See
“Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning light”
earlier in this section.)
WARNING
●Your brake system may not be working prop-
erly if the warning light is on. Driving could
be dangerous. If you judge it to be safe, drive
carefully to the nearest service station for
repairs. Otherwise, have your vehicle towed
because driving it could be dangerous.
● Pressing the brake pedal with the engine
stopped and/or low brake fluid level may
increase your stopping distance and braking
will require greater pedal effort as well as
pedal travel.
● If the brake fluid level is below the minimum
or MIN mark on the brake fluid reservoir, do
not drive until the brake system has been
checked at an INFINITI retailer.
Blind Spot Warning (BSW)
system warning light
(orange; if so equipped)
If the light comes on in orange and remains on,
it may indicate that the BSW system is not
functioning properly. Although the vehicle is
still driveable, have the system checked by an
INFINITI retailer. See “BLIND SPOT WARNING
(BSW) SYSTEM” in the “5. Starting and driving”
section.
2-12Instruments and controls

Charge warning light
If the light comes on while the engine is run-
ning, it may indicate the charging system is not
functioning properly. Turn the engine off and
check the alternator belt. If the belt is loose,
broken, missing or if the light remains on, see
an INFINITI retailer immediately.
CAUTION
Do not continue driving if the alternator belt is
loose, broken or missing.
Distance Control Assist (DCA)
system warning light
(orange; if so equipped)
This light comes on if there is a malfunction in
the Distance Control Assist (DCA) system.
If the warning light illuminates, park the vehicle
in a safe place. Turn the engine off, restart the
engine, resume driving and turn on the DCA
system again.
If it is not possible to turn on the system or the
warning light stays on, it may indicate that the
system is malfunctioning. Although the vehicle
is still driveable under normal conditions, have
the vehicle checked at an INFINITI retailer.See “DISTANCE CONTROL ASSIST (DCA) SYS-
TEM” in the “5. Starting and driving” section.
Engine oil pressure warning
light
This light warns of low engine oil pressure. If
the light flickers or comes on during normal
driving, pull off the road in a safe area, stop the
engine
immediately and call an INFINITI retailer
or other authorized repair shop.
The engine oil pressure warning light is not de-
signed to indicate a low oil level. Use the dip-
stick to check the oil level. (See “ENGINE OIL” in
the “8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself” sec-
tion.)
CAUTION
Running the engine with the engine oil pres-
sure warning light on could cause serious dam-
age to the engine almost immediately. Such
damage is not covered by warranty. Turn off the
engine as soon as it is safe to do so.
Four-Wheel Drive (4WD)
warning light (4WD models)
Thewarning light comes on when the
ignition switch is pushed to ON. It turns off
soon after the engine is started.
If the 4WD system malfunctions, or the diam-
eter of the front and the rear wheels are differ-
ent, the warning light will either remain illumi-
nated or blink. (See “INFINITI ALL-MODE 4WD”
in the “5. Starting and driving” section.)
CAUTION
● If the warning light comes on while driving
there may be a malfunction in the 4WD sys-
tem. Reduce the vehicle speed and have your
vehicle checked by an INFINITI retailer as
soon as possible.
● If the 4WD warning light turns on when driv-
ing on dry or hard surfaced roads:
– in the 4H(I) position, shift the 4WD shift switch to AUTO
– in the 4L(O) position, stop the vehicle and shift the transmission selector lever to
the “N” (Neutral) position and shift the
4WD shift switch to AUTO
Instruments and controls2-13

Lane Departure Prevention
(LDP) ON indicator light
(green; if so equipped)
The light comes on in green when the Lane
Departure Prevention (LDP) system is turned on.
The light turns off when the system is turned off.
NOTE:
This light is common with the lane departure
warning light (orange). (See “Lane departure
warning light” earlier in this section.)
For more details, see “LANE DEPARTURE WARN-
ING (LDW)/PREVENTION (LDP) SYSTEM” in the
“5. Starting and driving” section.
Low beam indicator light
The light illuminates when the front park, side
marker, tail and license plate lights are on.
Malfunction Indicator Light
(MIL)
If the malfunction indicator light comes on
steady or blinks while the engine is running, it
may indicate a potential emission control mal-
function.
The malfunction indicator light may also come
on steady if the fuel-filler cap is loose ormissing, or if the vehicle runs out of fuel. Check
to make sure the fuel-filler cap is installed and
closed tightly, and that the vehicle has at least
3 US gallons (14 liters) of fuel in the fuel tank.
After a few driving trips, the
light should
turn off if no other potential emission control
system malfunction exists.
If this indicator light remains on for 20 seconds
and then blinks for 10 seconds when the engine
is not running, it indicates that the vehicle is
not ready for an emission control system
inspection/maintenance test. (See “READINESS
FOR INSPECTION/MAINTENANCE (I/M) TEST” in
the “9. Technical and consumer information”
section.)
Operation :
The malfunction indicator light will come on in
one of two ways:
● Malfunction indicator light on steady — An
emission control system malfunction has
been detected. Check the fuel-filler cap if the
LOOSE FUEL CAP warning (if so equipped)
appears in the dot matrix liquid crystal dis-
play. If the fuel-filler cap is loose or missing,
tighten or install the cap and continue to
drive the vehicle. The
light should
turn off after a few driving trips. If the
light does not turn off after a few driving trips, have the vehicle inspected by an
INFINITI retailer. You do not need to have
your vehicle towed to the retailer.
● Malfunction indicator light blinking — An
engine misfire has been detected which may
damage the emission control system.
To reduce or avoid emission control system
damage:
a) Do not drive at speeds above 45 MPH (72 km/h).
b) Avoid hard acceleration or deceleration.
c) Avoid steep uphill grades.
d) If possible, reduce the amount of cargo being hauled or towed.
The malfunction indicator light may stop
blinking and remain on.
Have the vehicle inspected by an INFINITI
retailer. You do not need to have your vehicle
towed to the retailer.
Instruments and controls2-19