recommended oil INFINITI QX50 2021 User Guide

When performing any inspection or mainte-
nance work on your vehicle, always take care
to prevent serious accidental injury to your-
self or damage to the vehicle. The following
are general precautions which should be
closely observed.
WARNING
• Park the vehicle on a level surface, apply
the parking brake securely and block the
wheels to prevent the vehicle from mov-
ing. Move the shift lever to P (Park).
• Be sure the ignition switch is in the OFF
or LOCK position when performing any
parts replacement or repairs.
• If you must work with the engine run-
ning, keep your hands, clothing, hair and
tools away from moving fans, belts and
any other moving parts.
• It is advisable to secure or remove any
loose clothing and remove any jewelry,
such as rings, watches, etc. before work-
ing on your vehicle.
• Always wear eye protection whenever
you work on your vehicle.
• Your vehicle is equipped with an auto-
matic engine cooling fan. It may come on
at any time without warning, even if the
ignition switch is in the OFF position and the engine is not running. To avoid injury,
always disconnect the negative battery
cable before working near the fan.
• If you must run the engine in an enclosed
space such as a garage, be sure there is
proper ventilation for exhaust gases to
escape.
• Never get under the vehicle while it is
supported only by a jack. If it is necessary
to work under the vehicle, support it
with safety stands.
•
Keep smoking materials, flame and sparks
away from the fuel tank and battery.
• Because the fuel lines on gasoline engine
models are under high pressure even
when the engine is off, it is recommended
that you visit an INFINITI retailer for ser-
vice of the fuel filter or fuel lines.
CAUTION
• Do not work under the hood while the
engine is hot. Turn the engine off and
wait until it cools down.
• Avoid contact with used engine oil and
coolant. Improperly disposed engine oil,
engine coolant and/or other vehicle flu-
ids can damage the environment. Always
conform to local regulations for disposal
of vehicle fluid. •
Never leave the engine or Continuously
Variable Transmission (CVT) related
component harnesses disconnected
while the ignition switch is in the ON
position.
• Never connect or disconnect the battery
or any transistorized component while
the ignition switch is in the ON position.
NOTE:
If the battery is completely drained the
transmission will not manually shift to other
positions.
This “Do-it-yourself” section gives instruc-
tions regarding only those items which are
relatively easy for an owner to perform.
A Genuine INFINITI service manual is also
available. For additional information, see
“Owner’s Manual/Service Manual order in-
formation” (P. 10-33).
You should be aware that incomplete or im-
proper servicing may result in operating diffi-
culties or excessive emissions, and could af-
fect warranty coverage. If in doubt about any
servicing, it is recommended that you have it
done by an INFINITI retailer.
MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS
8-2Do-it-yourself

CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface andapply the parking brake.
2. Start the engine and let it idle until it reaches operating temperature.
3. Turn off the engine. Wait more than 10
minutes for the oil to drain back into the
oil pan.
4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean. Reinsert it all the way. 5. Remove the dipstick again and check the
oil level. It should be between the H (High)
and L (Low) marksOB. This is the normal
operating oil level range. If the oil level is
below the L (Low) mark
OA, remove the oil
filler cap and pour recommended oil
through the opening. Do not fill oil level
above H (High) mark
OC.
6. Recheck the oil level with the dipstick.
It is normal to add some oil between oil main-
tenance intervals or during the break-in pe-
riod, depending on the severity of operating
conditions.
CAUTION
Oil level should be checked regularly. Oper-
ating the engine with an insufficient
amount of oil can damage the engine, and
such damage is not covered by warranty.
CHANGING ENGINE OIL AND OIL
FILTER
For additional information on engine oil and
oil filter change, refer to the instructions out-
lined in this section.
Vehicle set-up
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and apply the parking brake.
2. Run the engine until it reaches operating temperature.
3. Turn the engine off and wait for 15 minutes.
4. Raise and support the vehicle using a suit- able floor jack and safety jack stands.
• Place the safety jack stands under the ve- hicle jack-up points.
• A suitable adapter should be attached to the jack stand saddle.LDI3158LDI0371
ENGINE OIL
8-6Do-it-yourself

CAUTION
Be careful not to burn yourself, as the en-
gine oil is hot.
WARNING
• Prolonged and repeated contact with
used engine oil may cause skin cancer.
• 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.
• Keep used engine oil out of reach of
children.
4. Loosen the oil filter with an oil filter wrench by turning it counterclockwise.
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 gasket material
remaining on the sealing surface of the en-
gine. Failure to do so could lead to an oil
leak and engine damage. •
The dipstick must be inserted in place to
prevent oil spillage from the dipstick hole
when filling the engine with oil.
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 addi-
tionally more than 2/3 turn.
Oil filter tightening torque: 14.7 to 20.6 N·m (11 to 15 ft-lb)
8. Clean and re-install the drain plug with a new washer. Securely tighten the drain
plug with a wrench. Do not use excessive
force.
Drain plug tightening torque: 29.4 to 39.2 N·m (22 to 29 ft-lb)
9. Refill the engine with the recommended oil through the oil filler opening, and install
the oil filler cap securely.
For additional information about drain and
refill capacity, see “Recommended fluids/
lubricants and capacities” (P. 10-2). The drain
and refill capacity depends on the oil tem-
perature and drain time. Use these specifica-
tions for reference only. Always use the dip-
stick 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.
Correct as required. Turn the engine off
and wait more than 15 minutes. Check
the oil level with the dipstick. Add engine
oil if necessary.
After the operation
1. Reinstall engine protectors in reverse or-der of removal.
2. Lower the vehicle carefully to the ground.
3. Reset the oil control system. For addi- tional information, see “Vehicle informa-
tion display” (P. 2-19)
• Dispose of waste oil and filter properly.
• Check your local regulations.
Do-it-yourself8-9

Brakes:Check that the brakes do not pull the
vehicle to one side when applied.
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) P
(Park) position mechanism: On a fairly steep
hill check that the vehicle is held securely with
the shift lever in the P (Park) position without
applying any brakes.
Parking brake: Check the parking brake op-
eration regularly. The vehicle should be se-
curely held on a fairly steep hill with only the
parking brake applied. If the parking brake
does not securely hold the vehicle, it is recom-
mended that you visit an INFINITI retailer for
service.
Seat belts: Check that all parts of the seat
belt system (for example, buckles, anchors,
adjusters 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 en-
sure they operate smoothly and all latches
lock securely in every position. Check that the
head restraints/headrests move up and
down smoothly and the locks (if so equipped)
hold securely in all latched positions. Steering wheel:
Check for changes in the
steering system, such as excessive free play,
hard steering or strange noises.
Warning lights and chimes: Make sure 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 (for maintenance free batteries)*:
This vehicle is equipped with a sealed main-
tenance free battery. It is recommended that
you visit an INFINITI retailer for this service.
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 electronic
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.
Engine drive belt*: Make sure the drive belt is
not 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.
9-4Maintenance and schedules

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 recommended
that you visit an INFINITI retailer for this
service. For additional information, see “Ex-
haust gas (carbon monoxide)” (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 fuel 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, deformation, rot or
loose connections. Underbody:
The underbody is frequently ex-
posed to corrosive substances such as those
used on icy roads or to control dust. It is very
important to remove these substances, oth-
erwise rust may 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 accumulate. For additional informa-
tion, see “Cleaning exterior” (P. 7-2).
Windshield-washer fluid*: Check that there
is adequate fluid in the reservoir. The following descriptions are provided to
give you a better understanding of the sched-
uled maintenance items that should be regu-
larly checked or replaced. The maintenance
schedule indicates at which mileage/time in-
tervals each item requires service.
In addition to scheduled maintenance, your
vehicle requires that some items be checked
during normal day-to-day operation. For ad-
ditional information, see “General mainte-
nance” (P. 9-2).
Items marked with
“*”are recommended by
INFINITI for reliable vehicle operation. You
are not required to perform maintenance on
these items in order to maintain the warran-
ties which come with your INFINITI. Other
maintenance items and intervals are required.
When applicable, additional information can
be found in the “Do-it-yourself” section of
this manual.
EXPLANATION OF SCHEDULED
MAINTENANCE ITEMS
Maintenance and schedules9-5

NOTE:
INFINITI does not advocate the use of non-
OEM approved aftermarket flushing sys-
tems and strongly advises against perform-
ing these services on an INFINITI product.
Many of the aftermarket flushing systems
use non-OEM approved chemicals or sol-
vents, the use of which has not been vali-
dated by INFINITI.
For recommended fuel, lubricants, fluids,
grease, and refrigerant, see “Recommended
fluids/lubricants and capacities” (P. 10-2).
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
MAINTENANCE:
Drive belt*:Check engine drive belt for wear,
fraying or cracking and for proper tension.
Replace any damaged drive belt.
Engine air filter: Replace at specified inter-
vals. When driving for prolonged periods in
dusty conditions, check/replace the filter
more frequently.
Engine coolant*: Replace coolant at the
specified interval. When adding or replacing
coolant, be sure to use only Genuine NISSAN
Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) or
equivalent with the proper mixture. (For ad- ditional information on the proper mixture for
your area, see “Engine cooling system”
(P. 8-4).)
NOTE: Mixing any other type of coolant or
the use of non-distilled water may reduce
the recommended service interval of the
coolant.
Engine oil and oil filter:
Replace engine oil
and oil filter at the specified intervals. For
recommended oil grade and viscosity, see
“Recommended fluids/lubricants and capaci-
ties” (P. 10-2).
Engine valve clearance*: Inspect only if valve
noise increases. Adjust valve clearance if
necessary.
Evaporative emissions control vapor lines*:
Check vapor lines for leaks or looseness.
Tighten connections or replace parts as
necessary.
Fuel lines*: Check the fuel hoses, piping and
connections for leaks, looseness, or deterio-
ration. Tighten connections or replace parts
as necessary.
Spark plugs: Replace at specified intervals.
Install new plugs of the same type as origi-
nally equipped.
CHASSIS AND BODY
MAINTENANCE:
Brake lines and cables: Visually inspect for
proper installation. Check for chafing, cracks,
deterioration, and signs of leaking. Replace
any deteriorated or damaged parts
immediately.
Brake pads and rotors: Check for wear, de-
terioration and fluid leaks. Replace any dete-
riorated or damaged parts immediately.
Exhaust system: Visually inspect the exhaust
pipes, muffler and hangers for leaks, cracks,
deterioration, and damage. Tighten connec-
tions or replace parts as necessary.
In-cabin microfilter: Replace at specified in-
tervals. When driving for prolonged periods in
dusty conditions, replace the filter more
frequently.
Propeller shaft(s): Check for damage, loose-
ness, and grease leakage. (AWD)
Steering gear and linkage, axle and suspen-
sion parts, drive shaft boots: Check for dam-
age, looseness, and leakage of oil or grease.
Under severe driving conditions, inspect more
frequently.
9-6Maintenance and schedules

15,000 miles/(24,000 km)/
24 months
Perform at number of miles, kilometers or
months, whichever comes first.
Standard maintenance:
Inspections:
• Brake lines & cables
• Brake pads & rotors
• CVT transmission fluid
• Fuel tank vapor vent system*
• Fuel lines/connections*
• Exhaust system
• Propeller shaft (AWD models)
• Steering gear and linkage
• Axle & suspension parts
• Differential gear oil (AWD models) (1)
• Transfer case oil (AWD models) (1)
• Drive shaft boots
• Horn, lights, signals, wipers, rear hatch/hood lift supports
• All fluids inspected (engine, wiper, brake, power steering, coolant)
• Engine drive belts and hose inspections
• Engine air filter
• Suspension components (shocks, sub- frame, tie rods) • Drive shaft
• Differential and fluid (AWD models)
• Battery terminals and cables, battery test
• Tire pressure, treadwear and depth
Essentials:
• Replace engine oil & filter (2)
• Replace brake fluid
• Tire rotation
Severe maintenance:
Inspections:
• Brake pads & rotors
• Exhaust system
• Propeller shaft (AWD models)
• Drive shaft boots
• Steering gear & linkage
• Axle & suspension parts
Essentials:
• Replace brake fluid
(1) If towing a trailer, using a camper or a
car-top carrier, or driving on rough or muddy
roads, change (not just inspect) oil every
20,000 miles (32,000 km) or 24 months.
(2) If the oil replacement indicator is dis-
played, change the engine oil and filter within
two weeks or less than 500 miles (800 km).
* Maintenance items and intervals with“*”
are recommended by NISSAN for reliable ve-
hicle operation. The owner need not perform
such maintenance in order to maintain the
emission warranty or manufacturer recall li-
ability. Other maintenance items and inter-
vals are required.
Maintenance and schedules9-11

(2) If the oil replacement indicator is dis-
played, change the engine oil and filter within
two weeks or less than 500 miles (800 km).
(3) If operating mainly in dusty conditions,
more frequent maintenance may be required.
* Maintenance items and intervals with“*”
are recommended by NISSAN for reliable ve-
hicle operation. The owner need not perform
such maintenance in order to maintain the
emission warranty or manufacturer recall li-
ability. Other maintenance items and inter-
vals are required.33,750 miles/(54,000 km)/
54 months
Perform at number of miles, kilometers or
months, whichever comes first.
Standard maintenance:
Inspections:
• Horn, lights, signals, wipers, rear hatch/hood lift supports
• All fluids inspected (engine, wiper, brake, power steering, coolant)
• Engine drive belts and hose inspections
• Engine air filter
• Suspension components (shocks, sub- frame, tie rods)
• Differential and fluid (AWD models)
• Battery terminals and cables, battery test
• Tire pressure, treadwear and depth
Essentials:
• Replace in-cabin microfilter
• Replace intelligent key battery
Severe maintenance:
Inspections:
• Brake pads & rotors
• Exhaust system
• Propeller shaft (AWD models) • Drive shaft boots
• Steering gear & linkage
• Axle & suspension parts
9-14Maintenance and schedules

45,000 miles/(72,000 km)/
72 months
Perform at number of miles, kilometers or
months, whichever comes first.
Standard maintenance:
Inspections:
• Brake lines & cables
• Brake pads & rotors
• CVT transmission fluid
• Engine drive belts*
• Fuel tank vapor vent system*
• Fuel lines/connections*
• Exhaust system
• Propeller shaft (AWD models)
• Steering gear and linkage
• Axle & suspension parts
• Differential gear oil (AWD models) (1)
• Transfer case oil (AWD models) (1)
• Drive shaft boots
• Horn, lights, signals, wipers, rear hatch/hood lift supports
• All fluids inspected (engine, wiper, brake, power steering, coolant)
• Engine drive belt and hose inspections
• Engine air filter • Suspension components (shocks, sub-
frame, tie rods)
• Differential and fluid (AWD models)
• Battery terminals and cables, battery test
• Tire pressure, treadwear and depth
Essentials:
• Replace engine oil & filter (2)
• Tire rotation
• Replace in-cabin microfilter
• Replace brake fluid
• Replace intelligent key battery
Severe maintenance:
Inspections:
• Brake pads & rotors
• Exhaust system
• Propeller shaft (AWD models)
• Drive shaft boots
• Steering gear & linkage
• Axle & suspension parts
Essentials:
• Replace brake fluid
(1) If towing a trailer, using a camper or a
car-top carrier, or driving on rough or muddy
roads, change (not just inspect) oil every
20,000 miles (32,000 km) or 24 months. (2) If the oil replacement indicator is dis-
played, change the engine oil and filter within
two weeks or less than 500 miles (800 km).
* Maintenance items and intervals with“*”
are recommended by NISSAN for reliable ve-
hicle operation. The owner need not perform
such maintenance in order to maintain the
emission warranty or manufacturer recall li-
ability. Other maintenance items and inter-
vals are required.
9-16Maintenance and schedules

48,750 miles/(78,000 km)/
78 months
Perform at number of miles, kilometers or
months, whichever comes first.
Standard maintenance:
Not applicable. Proceed to next interval.
Severe maintenance:
Inspections:
• Brake pads & rotors
• Exhaust system
• Propeller shaft (AWD models)
• Drive shaft boots
• Steering gear & linkage
• Axle & suspension parts
• Horn, lights, signals, wipers, rear hatch/hood lift supports
• All fluids inspected (engine, wiper, brake, power steering, coolant)
• Engine drive belt and hose inspections
• Engine air filter
• Suspension components (shocks, sub- frame, tie rods)
• Differential and fluid (AWD models)
• Battery terminals and cables, battery test
• Tire pressure, treadwear and depth
52,500 miles/(84,000 km)/
84 months
Perform at number of miles, kilometers or
months, whichever comes first.
Standard maintenance:
Inspections:
• Brake lines & cables
• Brake pads & rotors
• CVT transmission fluid
• Engine drive belts*
• Propeller shaft (AWD models)
• Differential gear oil (AWD models) (1)
• Transfer case oil (AWD models) (1)
• Drive shaft boots
• Horn, lights, signals, wipers, rear hatch/ hood lift supports
• All fluids inspected (engine, wiper, brake, power steering, coolant)
• Engine drive belt and hose inspections
• Engine air filter
• Suspension components (shocks, sub- frame, tie rods)
• Differential and fluid (AWD models)
• Battery terminals and cables, battery test
• Tire pressure, treadwear and depth Essentials:
• Replace engine oil & filter (2)
• Tire rotation
Severe maintenance:
Inspections:
• Brake pads & rotors
• Exhaust system
• Propeller shaft (AWD models)
• Drive shaft boots
• Steering gear & linkage
• Axle & suspension parts
Essentials:
• Replace brake fluid
(1) If towing a trailer, using a camper or a
car-top carrier, or driving on rough or muddy
roads, change (not just inspect) oil every
20,000 miles (32,000 km) or 24 months.
(2) If the oil replacement indicator is dis-
played, change the engine oil and filter within
two weeks or less than 500 miles (800 km).
* Maintenance items and intervals with“*”
are recommended by NISSAN for reliable ve-
hicle operation. The owner need not perform
such maintenance in order to maintain the
emission warranty or manufacturer recall li-
ability. Other maintenance items and inter-
vals are required.
Maintenance and schedules9-17