engine overheat INFINITI QX50 2023 User Guide

6 In case of emergency
Hazard warning flasher switch...................6-2
Roadside assistance program .....................6-2
Emergency engine shut off .......................6-3
Flat tire ..........................................6-3
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ......6-3
Run-flat tires .................................6-4 Jump starting
....................................6-5
Push starting ....................................6-7
If your vehicle overheats .........................6-7
Towing your vehicle ..............................6-8
Towing recommended by INFINITI ............6-8
Vehicle recovery (freeing a stuck vehicle) ......6-11

CAUTION
• Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) models cannot be push-started or
tow-started. Attempting to do so may
cause transmission damage.
• Do not push start this vehicle. The three-
way catalyst may be damaged.WARNING
• Do not continue to drive if your vehicle
overheats. Doing so could cause engine
damage or a vehicle fire.
• To avoid the danger of being scalded,
never remove the coolant reservoir cap
while the engine is still hot. When the
coolant reservoir cap is removed, pres-
surized hot water will spurt out, possibly
causing serious injury.
• Do not open the hood if steam is coming
out.
If your vehicle is overheating (indicated by an
extremely high temperature gauge reading),
or if you feel a lack of engine power, detect
abnormal noise, etc. take the following steps.
1. Move the vehicle safely off the road, apply the parking brake.
2. Push the park button to shift to the P (Park) position.
Do not stop the engine.
3. Turn off the air conditioner. Open all the windows, move the heater or air condi-
tioner temperature control to maximum
hot and fan control to high speed. 4. Get out of the vehicle. Look and listen for
steam or coolant escaping from the radia-
tor 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 en-
gine, 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,
the water pump belt is missing or loose, 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.
PUSH STARTING IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS
In case of emergency6-7

8. Engine oil filler cap
9. Engine oil dipstick
NOTE:
Your vehicle may not be equipped with
an engine cover.
The engine cooling system is filled at the
factory with a pre-diluted mixture of 50%
Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/
Coolant (blue) and 50% water to provide
year-round antifreeze and coolant protec-
tion. The antifreeze solution contains rust
and corrosion inhibitors. Additional engine
cooling system additives are not necessary.
WARNING
• Never remove the coolant reservoir cap
when the engine is hot. Wait until the
engine and radiator cool down. Serious
burns could be caused by high pressure
fluid escaping from the radiator. For ad-
ditional information on precautions, see
“If your vehicle overheats” (P. 6-7).
• The coolant reservoir is equipped with a
pressure type coolant reservoir cap. To
prevent engine damage, use only a
Genuine NISSAN coolant reservoir cap.
CAUTION
• Never use any cooling system additives
such as radiator sealer. Additives may
clog the cooling system and cause dam-
age to the engine, transmission 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 protection to -34°
F (-37° C). If additional freeze protection
is needed due to weather where you op-
erate your vehicle, add Genuine NISSAN
Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue)
concentrate following the directions on
the container. If an equivalent coolant
other than Genuine NISSAN Long Life
Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) is used, fol-
low the coolant manufacturer’s instruc-
tions to maintain minimum antifreeze
protection to -34° F (-37° C). The use of
other types of coolant solutions other
than Genuine NISSAN Long Life
Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) or equivalent
may damage the engine cooling system.
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
8-4Do-it-yourself

•The life expectancy of the factory-fill
coolant is 105,000 miles (168,000 km)
or 7 years. Mixing any other type of cool-
ant other than Genuine NISSAN Long
Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) (or
equivalent coolant), including Genuine
NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant
(green), or the use of non-distilled water
may reduce the life expectancy of the
factory-fill coolant. For additional infor-
mation, see the “Maintenance and
schedules” section of this manual.
CHECKING ENGINE COOLANT
LEVEL
Check the coolant level in the reservoir when
the engine is cold. If the coolant level is below
the MIN level
OB, add coolant to the MAX
level
OA.
This vehicle contains Genuine NISSAN
Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue). The life
expectancy of the factory-fill coolant is
105,000 miles (168,000 km) or 7 years.
Mixing any other type of coolant or the use of
non-distilled water will reduce the life expec- tancy of the factory-fill coolant. For addi-
tional information, see the “Maintenance and
schedules” section of this manual.
If the cooling system frequently requires
coolant, have it checked. It is recommended
that you visit an INFINITI retailer for this
service.
For additional information on the location of
the engine coolant reservoir, see “Engine
compartment check locations” (P. 8-3).
CHANGING ENGINE COOLANT
An INFINITI retailer can change the engine
coolant. The service procedure can be found
in the INFINITI Service Manual.
Improper servicing can result in reduced
heater performance and engine overheating.
WARNING
• To avoid the danger of being scalded,
never change the coolant when the en-
gine is hot.
• Never remove the coolant reservoir cap
when the engine is hot. Serious burns
could be caused by high pressure fluid
escaping from the radiator.
LDI3157
Do-it-yourself8-5

Incorrect ignition timing may result in spark
knock, after-run and/or overheating, which
may cause excessive fuel consumption or en-
gine damage. If any of the above symptoms
are encountered, have your vehicle checked.
It is recommended that you visit an INFINITI
retailer.
However, now and then you may notice light
spark knock for a short time while accelerat-
ing or driving up hills. This is not a cause for
concern, because you get the greatest fuel
benefit when there is light spark knock for a
short time under heavy engine load.
ENGINE OIL AND OIL FILTER
RECOMMENDATIONS
Selecting the correct oil
It is essential to choose the correct grade, qual-
ity and viscosity engine oil to ensure satisfac-
tory engine life and performance. For addi-
tional information, see "Recommended fluids/
lubricants and capacities" (P. 10-2). INFINITI
recommends the use of an energy conserving
oil in order to improve fuel economy.
Select only engine oils that meet the Ameri-
can Petroleum Institute (API) certification or
International Lubricant Standardization andApproval Committee (ILSAC) certification
and SAE viscosity standard. These oils have
the API certification mark on the front of the
container. Oils which do not have the speci-
fied quality label should not be used as they
could cause engine damage.
Oil additives
INFINITI does not recommend the use of oil
additives. The use of an oil additive is not
necessary when the proper oil type is used
and maintenance intervals are followed.
Oil which may contain foreign matter or has
been previously used should not be used.
LTI2587
10-6Technical and consumer information

CAUTION
If your vehicle is equipped with the Life-
style Receiver to avoid damage to your ve-
hicle do not tow a trailer with your vehicle.
Do not tow a trailer with your vehicle with the
Lifestyle Receiver (if so equipped). The Life-
style Receiver should be used for receiver-
mounted accessories only. The Lifestyle
Receiver is designed for carrying bikes, snow
boards/skis, camping gear and various other
bulky items.
MAXIMUM LOAD LIMITS
Maximum trailer loads
Never allow the total trailer load to exceed
the value specified in the following Towing
Load/Specification Chart found in this sec-
tion. The total trailer load equals trailer
weight plus its cargo weight.
The maximum Gross Combined Weight Rat-
ing (GCWR) should not exceed the value
specified in the following Towing Load/
Specification Chart. The GCWR equals the combined weight of
the towing vehicle (including passengers and
cargo) plus the total trailer load. Towing
loads greater than these or using improper
towing equipment could adversely affect
vehicle handling, braking and performance.
The ability of your vehicle to tow a trailer is
not only related to the maximum trailer loads,
but also the places you plan to tow. Tow
weights appropriate for level highway driving
may have to be reduced for low traction situ-
ations (for example, on slippery boat ramps).Temperature conditions can also affect tow-
ing. For example, towing a heavy trailer in
high outside temperatures on graded roads
can affect engine performance and cause
overheating. Vehicle speed may decrease un-
der high load. Plan your trip carefully to ac-
count for trailer and vehicle load, weather
and road conditions.
WARNING
Overheating can result in reduced engine
power and vehicle speed. The reduced
speed may be lower than other traffic,
which could increase the chance of a colli-
sion. Be especially careful when driving.
If the vehicle cannot maintain a safe driving
speed, pull to the side of the road in a safe
area. Allow the engine to cool and return
to normal operation. For additional infor-
mation, see “If your vehicle overheats”
(P. 6-7)
CAUTION
Vehicle damage resulting from improper
towing procedures is not covered by
INFINITI warranties.
LTI2030
Technical and consumer information10-23

• Determine the overall height of the vehicleand trailer so the required clearance is
known.
Trailer towing tips
In order to gain skill and an understanding of
the vehicle's behavior, you should practice
turning, stopping and backing up in an area
which is free from traffic. Steering stability
and braking performance will be some-
what different than under normal driving
conditions.
• Always secure items in the trailer to preventload shift while driving.
• Lock the trailer hitch coupler with a pin or lock to prevent the coupler from inadver-
tently becoming unlatched.
• Avoid abrupt starts, acceleration or stops.
• Avoid sharp turns or lane changes.
• Always drive your vehicle at a moderate speed.
• When backing up, hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand. Move your
hand in the direction in which you want the
trailer to go. Make small corrections and
back up slowly. If possible, have someone
guide you when you are backing up. Always block the wheels on both vehicle and
trailer when parking. Parking on a slope is not
recommended; however, if you must do so:
CAUTION
If you move the shift position to the P
(Park) position before blocking the wheels
and applying the parking brake, transmis-
sion damage could occur.
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Have someone place blocks on the down- hill side of the vehicle and trailer wheels.
3. After the wheel blocks are in place, slowly release the brake pedal until the blocks
absorb the vehicle load.
4. Apply the parking brake.
5. Shift the transmission into P (Park).
6. Turn off the engine.
To drive away:
1. Start the vehicle.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
3. Shift the transmission into gear.
4. Release the parking brake. 5. Drive slowly until the vehicle and trailer
are clear from the blocks.
6. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
7. Have someone retrieve and store the blocks.
• While going downhill, the weight of the trailer pushing on the tow vehicle may de-
crease overall stability. Therefore, to main-
tain adequate control, reduce your speed
and shift to a lower gear. Avoid long or
repeated use of the brakes when descend-
ing a hill, as this reduces their effectiveness
and could cause overheating. Shifting to a
lower gear instead provides “engine brak-
ing” and reduces the need to brake as
frequently.
• If the engine coolant temperature rises to a high temperature, see “If your vehicle over-
heats” (P. 6-7).
• Trailer towing requires more fuel than nor- mal circumstances.
• Avoid towing a trailer for your vehicle's first 500 miles (805 km).
•
For the first 500 miles (805 km) that you do
tow, do not drive over 50 mph (80 km/h).
10-30Technical and consumer information

• Have your vehicle serviced more often thanat intervals specified in the recommended
maintenance schedule in “Maintenance and
schedules” (P. 9-2).
• When making a turn, your trailer wheels will be closer to the inside of the turn than your
vehicle wheels. To compensate for this,
make a larger than normal turning radius
during the turn.
• Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely affect vehicle/trailer handling, possibly
causing vehicle sway. When being passed
by larger vehicles, be prepared for possible
changes in crosswinds that could affect
vehicle handling.
Do the following if the trailer begins to sway:
1. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal to allow the vehicle to coast and steer as
straight ahead as the road conditions al-
low. This combination will help stabilize
the vehicle
– Do not correct trailer sway by steering or applying the brakes.
2. When the trailer sway stops, gently apply the brakes and pull to the side of the road
in a safe area.
3. Try to rearrange the trailer load so it is balanced as described in this section. • Be careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires con-
siderably more distance than normal pass-
ing. Remember, the length of the trailer
must also pass the other vehicle before you
can safely change lanes.
• Downshift the transmission to a lower gear for engine braking when driving down
steep or long hills. This will help slow the
vehicle without applying the brakes.
• Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or too frequently. This could cause the
brakes to overheat, resulting in reduced
braking efficiency.
• Increase your following distance to allow for greater stopping distances while tow-
ing a trailer. Anticipate stops and brake
gradually.
• INFINITI recommends that the cruise con- trol not be used while towing a trailer.
• Some states or provinces have specific regulations and speed limits for vehicles
that are towing trailers. Obey the local
speed limits.
• Check your hitch, trailer wiring harness connections, and trailer wheel lug nuts af-
ter 50 miles (80 km) of travel and at every
break. • When launching a boat, don't allow the
water level to go over the exhaust tail pipe
or rear bumper.
• Make sure you disconnect the trailer lights before backing the trailer into the water or
the trailer lights may burn out.
When towing a trailer, final drive gear oil
should be replaced and transmission oil/
fluid should be changed more frequently. For
additional information, see“ Do-it-yourself”
(P. 8-2).
FLAT TOWING FOR ALL–WHEEL
DRIVE VEHICLE (if so equipped)
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 re-
sult in severe transmission damage.
•
Never flat tow your All-wheel drive (AWD)
vehicle.
Technical and consumer information10-31

Mirrors..........................3-34
Moonroof ........................2-75
Moving Object Detection (MOD) .......4-29
O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating) . . .10-5
Odometer.........................2-5
Oil.............................10-2 Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants ..................10-2
Changing engine oil filter ............8-7
Changing engine oil ................8-7
Checking engine oil level ............8-6
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation .................10-6
Engine oil viscosity ...............10-7
Engine oil .......................8-6
Outside mirrors ....................3-35
Overhead sunglasses holder ..........2-63
Overheat .........................6-7
If your vehicle overheats ............6-7
Owner's manual order form ..........10-37
Owner's manual/service manual order
information......................10-37
P
Parking brake .....................2-11
Parking .........................5-136
Parking/parking on hills ...........5-136
Personal lights ....................2-79
Power outlet .....................2-59 Power steering
...................5-137
Power ...........................3-5
Power door locks .................3-5
Power outlet ...................2-59
Power rear windows ..............2-74
Power steering system ......5-137, 5-138
Power windows .................2-72
Rear power windows .............2-74
Precautions .......................8-2 Maintenance precautions ...........8-2
On-pavement and off-road driving
precautions .....................5-8
Precautions on booster
seats............1-22,1-29,1-34,1-38
Precautions on child
restraints .........1-22,1-29,1-34,1-38
Precautionsonseatbeltusage.......1-12
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ........................1-41
Precautions when starting and
driving .....................5-4,5-10
Predictive Forward Collision Warning
(PFCW)........................5-120
ProPILOT Assist ...................5-73
Push starting ......................6-7
R
Radio...........................4-44
Car phone or CB radio ............4-44
Rainsensor.......................2-37
Readiness for inspection maintenance
(I/M)test.......................10-35 Rear Automatic Braking (RAB)
.........2-17
Rear bench seat adjustment ............1-5
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) ........5-66
Rear Door Alert ...................2-25
Rear power sunshade ...............2-75
Rear power windows ...............2-74
Rear window defroster, outside mirror
defroster,andwiperdeicerswitch......2-39
Rear window wiper and washer
switches.........................2-38
RearView Monitor ..................4-3
Recommended Fluids ...............10-2
Recorders.......................10-36 EventData....................10-36
Refrigerant recommendation ..........10-7
Registering a vehicle in another
country.........................10-11
Remote Engine Start ................3-18
Reporting safety defects (US only) .....10-34
Roadside assistance program ...........6-2
Roof rack ........................2-66
S
Safety ...........................3-6
Child safety rear door lock ...........3-6
Childseatbelts ....1-22,1 -29, 1-34, 1-38
Reporting safety defects (US only) . . .10-34
Seat adjustment ....................1-3
Front power seat adjustment .........1-3
Rear bench seats ..................1-5
Seat belt extenders .................1-19
Seat belt warning light ...............1-15
11-5