Infiniti G35 (2008 year). Manual

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 spe-

cifically for vehicle recovery. Always follow the

manufacturer’s instructions for the recovery de-

vice.
Securely install the vehicle recovery hook

stored 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.
Do not use the tie down hooks

for towing or

vehicle recovery.

CAUTION

● Tow chains or cables must be attached only

to the vehicle recovery hooks or main struc-

tural 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, steer-

ing, brake or cooling systems.

● Pulling devices such as ropes or canvas

straps are not recommended for use in ve-

hicle 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.

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3. Turn the steering wheel right and left to

clear an area around the front tires.

4. Slowly rock the vehicle forward and back-

ward.

● Shift back and forth between R (reverse)

and D (drive) (automatic transmission

models) or 1st (low) and R (reverse)

(manual transmission models).

● Apply the accelerator as little as possible

to maintain the rocking motion.

● Release the accelerator pedal before

shifting between R and D (automatic

transmission models) or 1st and R

(manual transmission models).

● 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 ser-

vice to remove the vehicle.

In case of emergency

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In order to maintain the appearance of your

vehicle, it is important to take proper care of it.
To protect the paint surface, wash your vehicle

as soon as you can:
● after a rainfall to prevent possible damage

from acid rain

● after driving on coastal roads
● when contaminants such as soot, bird drop-

pings, tree sap, metal particles or bugs get

on the paint surface

● when dust or mud builds up on the surface
Whenever possible, store or park your vehicle

inside a garage or in a covered area.
When it is necessary to park outside, park in a

shady area or protect the vehicle with a body

cover.
Be careful not to scratch the paint surface when

putting on or removing the body cover.

WASHING

Wash dirt off the vehicle with a wet sponge and

plenty of water. Clean the vehicle thoroughly

using a mild soap, a special vehicle soap or

general purpose dishwashing liquid mixed with

clean, lukewarm (never hot) water.

CAUTION

● Do not use car washes that use acid in the

detergent. Some car washes, especially

brushless ones, use some acid for cleaning.

The acid may react with some plastic vehicle

components, causing them to crack. This

could affect their appearance, and also could

cause them not to function properly. Always

check with your car wash to confirm that acid

is not used.

● Do not wash the vehicle with strong house-

hold soap, strong chemical detergents,

gasoline or solvents.

● Do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight or

while the vehicle body is hot, as the surface

may become water-spotted.

● Avoid using tight-napped or rough cloths,

such as washing mitts. Care must be taken

when removing caked-on dirt or other for-

eign substances so the paint surface is not

scratched or damaged.

Rinse the vehicle again with plenty of clean

water.
Inside flanges, seams and folds on the doors,

hatches and hood are particularly vulnerable to

the effects of road salt. Therefore, these areas

must be regularly cleaned. Make sure that the

drain holes in the lower edge of the door are

open. Spray water under the body and in the

wheel wells to loosen the dirt and wash away

road salt.
Avoid leaving water spots on the paint surface

by using a damp chamois to dry the vehicle.

WAXING

Regular waxing protects the paint surface and

helps retain new vehicle appearance. Polishing

is recommended to remove built-up wax residue

and to avoid a weathered appearance before

reapplying wax.
An INFINITI dealer can assist you in choosing

the proper product.
● Wax your vehicle only after a thorough wash-

ing. Follow the instructions supplied with

the wax.

● Do not use a wax containing any abrasives,

cutting compounds or cleaners that may

damage the vehicle finish.

Machine compound or aggressive polishing on

a base coat/clear coat paint finish may dull the

finish or leave swirl marks.

CLEANING EXTERIOR

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REMOVING SPOTS

Remove tar and oil spots, industrial dust, in-

sects, and tree sap as quickly as possible from

the paint surface to avoid lasting damage or

staining. Special cleaning products are avail-

able at an INFINITI dealer or any automotive

accessory stores.

UNDERBODY

In areas where road salt is used in winter, the

underbody must be cleaned regularly. This will

prevent dirt and salt from building up and

causing the acceleration of corrosion on the

underbody and suspension. Before the winter

period and again in the spring, the underseal

must be checked and, if necessary, re-treated.

GLASS

Use glass cleaner to remove smoke and dust

film from the glass surfaces. It is normal for

glass to become coated with a film after the

vehicle is parked in the hot sun. Glass cleaner

and a soft cloth will easily remove this film.

CAUTION

When cleaning the inside of the windows, do

not use sharp-edged tools, abrasive cleaners or

chlorine-based disinfectant cleaners. They

could damage the electrical conductors, radio

antenna elements or rear window defroster

elements.

ALUMINUM ALLOY WHEELS

Wash regularly with a sponge dampened in a

mild soap solution, especially during winter

months in areas where road salt is used. Salt

could discolor the wheels if not removed.

CAUTION

Follow the directions below to avoid staining or

discoloring the wheels:
● Do not use a cleaner that uses strong acid or

alkali contents to clean the wheels.

● Do not apply wheel cleaners to the wheels

when they are hot. The wheel temperature

should be the same as 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- abra-

sive 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 discoloration of the

rubber. If a tire dressing is applied to the tires,

it may react with the coating and form a com-

pound. This compound 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

from

entering

the

tire

tread/grooves (where it would be difficult to

remove).

● Wipe off excess tire dressing using a dry

towel. Make sure the tire dressing is com-

pletely removed from the tire tread/grooves.

● Allow the tire dressing to dry as recom-

mended by tire dressing manufacturer.

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Occasionally remove loose dust from the inte-

rior 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.

CAUTION

● Never use benzine, thinner, or any similar

material.

● Small dirt particles can be abrasive and dam-

aging to the leather surfaces and should be

removed promptly. Do not use saddle soap,

car waxes, polishes, oils, cleaning fluids,

solvents, detergents or ammonia-based

cleaners as they may damage the leather’s

natural finish.

● Only use fabric protectors approved by

INFINITI.

● Do not use glass or plastic cleaner on meter

or gauge lens covers. It may damage the lens

cover.

POWER WINDOW SWITCH FINISHER

(Sedan)

Wipe the power window switch finisher surfaces

with a clean soft cloth dampened in a mild soap

solution, then wipe it clean with a dry, soft

cloth.
Some cleaners contain chemicals that may

stain or peel off the surface. Before using any

cleaner, contact an INFINITI dealer for recom-

mendations.
Regular care and cleaning is required in order to

maintain the appearance of the power finisher

surfaces.

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CLEANING INTERIOR

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FLOOR MATS

The use of INFINITI floor mats can extend the life

of your vehicle carpet and make it easier to

clean the interior.

No matter what mats are

used, be sure they are fitted for your vehicle and

are properly positioned in the footwell to pre-

vent interference with pedal operation. Mats

should be maintained with regular cleaning and

replaced if they become excessively worn.

Floor mat positioning aid

This model includes front floor mat brackets to

act as floor mat positioning aid. INFINITI floor

mats have been specially designed for your

vehicle model. The front floor mats have grom-

met holes in them. To install, simply position

the mat by placing the floor mat bracket

through the floor mat grommet hole while cen-

tering the mat in the floor pan contour.

Periodically check to make certain that the mats

are properly positioned.

SEAT BELTS

The seat belts can be cleaned by wiping them

with a sponge dampened in a mild soap solu-

tion. Allow the belts to dry completely before

using them.
See “SEAT BELTS” in the “1. Safety — Seats,

seat belts and supplemental restraint system”

section.

WARNING

Do not allow wet seat belts to roll up in the

retractor. NEVER use bleach, dye, or chemical

solvents to clean the seat belts, since these

materials may severely weaken the seat belt

webbing.

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MOST COMMON FACTORS

CONTRIBUTING TO VEHICLE

CORROSION

● The accumulation of moisture-retaining dirt

and debris in body panel sections, cavities,

and other areas.

● Damage to paint and other protective coat-

ings caused by gravel and stone chips or

minor traffic accidents.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS INFLUENCE

THE RATE OF CORROSION
Moisture

Accumulation of sand, dirt and water on the

vehicle body underside can accelerate corro-

sion. Wet floor coverings will not dry completely

inside the vehicle, and should be removed for

drying to avoid floor panel corrosion.

Relative humidity

Corrosion will be accelerated in areas of high

relative humidity, especially those areas where

the temperatures stay above freezing where

atmospheric pollution exists, or where road salt

is used.

Temperature

A temperature increase will accelerate the rate

of corrosion to those parts which are not well

ventilated.

Air pollution

Industrial pollution, the presence of salt in the

air in coastal areas, or heavy road salt use will

accelerate the corrosion process. Road salt will

also accelerate the disintegration of paint sur-

faces.

TO PROTECT YOUR VEHICLE FROM

CORROSION

● Wash and wax your vehicle often to keep the

vehicle clean.

● Always check for minor damage to the paint

and repair it as soon as possible.

● Keep drain holes at the bottom of the doors

open to avoid water accumulation.

● Check the underbody for accumulation of

sand, dirt or salt. If present, wash with water

as soon as possible.

CAUTION

● NEVER remove dirt, sand or other debris from

the passenger compartment by washing it

out with a hose. Remove dirt with a vacuum

cleaner or broom.

● Never allow water or other liquids to come in

contact with electronic components inside

the vehicle as this may damage them.

Chemicals used for road surface deicing are

extremely corrosive. They accelerate corrosion

and deterioration of underbody components

such as the exhaust system, fuel and brake

lines, brake cables, floor pan and fenders.
In winter, the underbody must be cleaned peri-

odically.
For additional protection against rust and cor-

rosion, which may be required in some areas,

consult an INFINITI dealer.

CORROSION PROTECTION

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Your new INFINITI has been designed to have

minimum maintenance requirements with long

service intervals to save you both time and

money. However, some day-to-day and regular

maintenance is essential to maintain your IN-

FINITI’s fine mechanical condition, as well as its

emission and engine performance.
It is the owner’s responsibility to make sure that

the scheduled maintenance, as well as general

maintenance, is performed.
As the vehicle owner, you are the only one who

can ensure that your vehicle receives the proper

maintenance care. You are a vital link in the

maintenance chain.

SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE

For your convenience, both required and op-

tional scheduled maintenance items are de-

scribed and listed in your “INFINITI Service and

Maintenance Guide”. You must refer to that

guide to ensure that necessary maintenance is

performed on your INFINITI at regular intervals.

GENERAL MAINTENANCE

General maintenance includes those items

which should be checked during normal day-to-

day operation. They are essential for proper

vehicle operation. It is your responsibility to

perform these procedures regularly as pre-

scribed.
Performing general maintenance checks re-

quires minimal mechanical skill and only a few

general automotive tools.
These checks or inspections can be done by

yourself, a qualified technician or, if you prefer,

an INFINITI dealer.

WHERE TO GO FOR SERVICE

If maintenance service is required or your ve-

hicle appears to malfunction, have the systems

checked and serviced by an INFINITI dealer.
INFINITI technicians are well-trained specialists

and are kept up to date with the latest service

information through technical bulletins, service

tips, and in-dealership information systems.

They are completely qualified to work on

INFINITI vehicles

before work begins.

You can be confident that an INFINITI dealer’s

service department performs the best job to

meet the maintenance requirements on your

vehicle — in a reliable and economical way.

During the normal day-to-day operation of the

vehicle, general maintenance should be per-

formed regularly as prescribed in this section. If

you detect any unusual sounds, vibrations or

smell, be sure to check for the cause or have an

INFINITI dealer do it promptly. In addition, you

should notify an INFINITI dealer if you think that

repairs are required.
When performing any checks or maintenance

work, see “MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS” later

in this section.

EXPLANATION OF MAINTENANCE

ITEMS

Additional information on the following items

with “*” is found later in this section.

Outside the vehicle

The maintenance items listed here should be

performed from time to time, unless otherwise

specified.
Doors and engine hood: Check that all doors

and the engine hood, operate properly. Also

ensure that all latches lock securely. Lubricate

hinges, latches, latch pins, rollers and links if

necessary. Make sure that the secondary latch

keeps the hood from opening when the primary

latch is released.

MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENT

GENERAL MAINTENANCE

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When driving in areas using road salt or other

corrosive materials, check lubrication fre-

quently.
Lights*: Clean the headlights on a regular

basis. Make sure that the headlights, stop

lights, tail lights, turn signal lights, and other

lights are all operating properly and installed

securely. Also check headlight aim.
Road wheel nuts (lug nuts)*: When checking the

tires, make sure no wheel nuts are missing, and

check for any loose wheel nuts. Tighten if

necessary.
Tire rotation*: Tires should be rotated every

7,500 miles (12,000 km). If your vehicle is

equipped with different sized tires in the front

and rear, tires cannot be rotated.
Tires*: Check the pressure with a gauge often

and always prior to long distance trips. If nec-

essary, adjust the pressure in all tires, includ-

ing the spare, to the pressure specified. Check

carefully for damage, cuts or excessive wear.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) trans-

mitter components: Replace the TPMS transmit-

ter grommet seal, valve core and cap when the

tires are replaced due to wear or age.
Tire, wheel alignment and balance: If the vehicle

should pull to either side while driving on a

straight and level road, or if you detect uneven

or abnormal tire wear, there may be a need for

wheel alignment.
If the steering wheel or seat vibrates at normal

highway speeds, wheel balancing may be

needed.
For additional information regarding tires, refer

to “Important Tire Safety Information” (US) or

“Tire Safety Information” (Canada) in the

INFINITI Warranty Information Booklet.
Windshield: Clean the windshield on a regular

basis. Check the windshield at least every six

months for cracks or other damage. Have a

damaged windshield repaired by a qualified

repair facility.
Windshield wiper blades*: Check for cracks or

wear if they do not wipe properly.

Inside the vehicle

The maintenance items listed here should be

checked on a regular basis, such as when

performing periodic maintenance, cleaning the

vehicle, etc.
Accelerator pedal: Check the pedal for smooth

operation and make sure the pedal does not

catch or require uneven effort. Keep the floor

mat away from the pedal.

Automatic transmission P (Park) mechanism: On

a fairly steep hill, check that your vehicle is held

securely with the selector lever in the P (Park)

position without applying any brakes.
Brake pedal: Check the pedal for smooth opera-

tion. If the brake pedal suddenly goes down

further than normal, the pedal feels spongy or

the vehicle seems to take longer to stop, see an

INFINITI dealer immediately. Keep the floor mat

away from the pedal.
Brakes: Check that the brakes do not pull the

vehicle to one side when applied.
Parking brake: Check the parking brake opera-

tion regularly. The vehicle should be securely

held on a fairly steep hill with only the parking

brake applied. If the parking brake needs ad-

justed, see an INFINITI dealer.
Seat belts: Check that all parts of the seat belt

system (for example, buckles, anchors, adjuster

and retractors) operate properly and smoothly,

and are installed securely. Check the belt web-

bing for cuts, fraying, wear or damage.
Seats: Check seat position controls such as

seat adjusters, seatback recliner, etc. to ensure

they operate smoothly and that all latches lock

securely in every position. Check that the head

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restraints move up and down smoothly and that

the locks (if so equipped) hold securely in all

latched positions.
Steering wheel: Check for changes in the steer-

ing 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 prop-

erly.
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 un-

der severe condition require frequent checks of

the battery fluid level.

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 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 by an INFINITI dealer. (See

“PRECAUTIONS WHEN STARTING AND DRIVING”

in the “5. Starting and driving” section for

exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide).)
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 cor-

rected immediately.

Power steering fluid level* and lines: Check the

level when the fluid is cold, with the engine off.

Check the lines for proper attachment, leaks,

cracks, etc.
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, other-

wise rust will form on the floor pan, frame, fuel

lines and around the exhaust system. At the

end of winter, the underbody should be thor-

oughly flushed with plain water, being careful

to clean those areas where mud and dirt may

accumulate. For additional information, see

“CLEANING EXTERIOR” in the “7. Appearance

and care” section.
Windshield washer fluid*: Check that there is

adequate fluid in the reservoir.

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When performing any inspection or mainte-

nance work on your vehicle, always take care to

prevent serious accidental injury to yourself or

damage to the vehicle. The following are gen-

eral precautions which should be closely ob-

served.

WARNING

● Park the vehicle on a level surface, apply the

parking brake securely and block the wheels

to prevent the vehicle from moving. For

manual transmission models, move the shift

lever to N (Neutral). For automatic transmis-

sion models, move the selector lever to P

(Park).

● Be sure the ignition switch is in the OFF or

LOCK position when performing any parts

replacement or repairs.

● Never connect or disconnect the battery or

any transistorized component while the ig-

nition switch is in the ON position.

● Never leave the engine or automatic trans-

mission related component harnesses dis-

connected while the ignition switch is in the

ON position.

● If you must work with the engine running,

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 working on your

vehicle.

● Always wear eye protection whenever you

work on your vehicle.

● 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 sup-

ported 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 fuel tank and the battery.

● Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic

engine cooling fan. It may come on at any

time without warning, even if the ignition

key is in the OFF position and the engine is

not running. To avoid injury, always discon-

nect the negative battery cable before work-

ing near the fan.

● The fuel filter or fuel lines should be serviced

by an INFINITI dealer because the fuel lines

are under high pressure even when the en-

gine is off.

CAUTION

● Do not work under the hood while the engine

is hot. Turn the engine off and wait until it

cools down.

● Avoid direct contact with used engine oil and

coolant. Improperly disposed engine oil,

coolant, and/or other vehicle fluids can dam-

age the environment. Always conform to lo-

cal regulations for disposal of vehicle fluid.

This “8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself” sec-

tion gives instructions regarding only those

items which are relatively easy for an owner to

perform.
A genuine INFINITI Service Manual is also avail-

able.

(See

“OWNER’S

MANUAL/SERVICE

MANUAL ORDER INFORMATION” in the “9. Tech-

nical and consumer information” section.)
You should be aware that incomplete or im-

proper servicing may result in operating diffi-

culties or excessive emissions, and could affect

MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS

Maintenance and do-it-yourself

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Infiniti G35 (2008 year). Manual - part 21