Infiniti QX80 (2018 year). Manual

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7-2

Appearance and care

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 da-

mage from acid rain

. after driving on coastal roads

. when contaminants such as soot, bird

droppings, 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 compo-
nents, 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

household soap, strong chemical de-
tergents, 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 foreign substances so
the paint surface is not scratched or
damaged.

. Lock all doors before going through

automatic car wash. Locking doors
helps prevent fuel-filler door from
opening and becoming 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 retailer can assist you in choos-
ing the proper product.

CLEANING EXTERIOR

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. Wax your vehicle only after a thorough

washing. Follow the instructions sup-
plied with the wax.

. Do not use a wax containing any abra-

sives, 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.

REMOVING SPOTS

Remove tar and oil spots, industrial dust,
insects, and tree sap as quickly as possible
from the paint surface to avoid lasting
damage or staining. Special cleaning pro-
ducts are available at an INFINITI retailer 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 win-
dows, do not use sharp-edged tools,
abrasive cleaners or chlorine-based dis-
infectant cleaners. They could damage
the electrical conductors, radio antenna
elements or rear window defroster ele-
ments.

WHEELS

Wash the wheels when washing the vehicle
to maintain their appearance.
. Clean the inner side of the wheels when

the wheel is changed or the underside of
the vehicle is washed.

. Inspect wheel rims regularly for dents or

corrosion. Such damage may cause loss
of pressure or poor seal at the tire bead.

. INFINITI recommends that the road

wheels be waxed to protect against road
salt in areas where it is used during

winter.

CAUTION

Do not use abrasive cleaners when
washing the wheels.

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 re-

move the cleaner within 15 minutes
after the cleaner is applied.

Appearance and care

7-3

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7-4

Appearance and care

Bright wheels (if so equipped)

The bright wheels use a different coating
process than typical aluminum alloy wheel
and they are not plated wheels. These
wheels are clear-coated and require the
following special cleaning. They should be
regularly washed with a soft sponge soaked
in a lot of water. After washing with water,
wipe clean with a dry, soft cloth and dry
completely. When there is chemical or tire
wax, or dirt such as an antifreeze agent on
the surface, wash them with water as soon
as possible.

CAUTION

. The surfaces of the wheels use a

different coating process than typical
aluminum alloy wheels. Do not use
aluminum alloy wheel cleaners or
abrasive cleaners to clean the wheels.
Using such cleaners could damage the
wheel surfaces.

. Do not use an automatic car wash if

the vehicle is equipped with bright
wheels. The wheel coating may be
damaged.

. Do not use a brush to wash the

wheels if the vehicle is equipped with
bright wheels. The wheel coating may

be damaged.

CHROME PARTS

Clean chrome parts regularly with a non-
abrasive chrome polish to maintain the
finish.

TIRE DRESSING

INFINITI does not recommend the use of tire
dressings. Tire manufacturers apply a coat-
ing 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 compound. 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 it 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
completely 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
interior 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.

WARNING

Do not use water or acidic cleaners (hot
steam cleaners) on the seat. This can
damage the seat or occupant classifica-
tion sensors. This can also affect the
operation of the air bag system and
result in serious personal injury.

CAUTION

. Never use benzine, thinner, or any

similar material.

. For cleaning, use a soft cloth, dam-

pened with water. Never use a rough
cloth, alcohol, benzine, thinner or any
kind of solvent or paper towel with a
chemical cleaning agent. They will
scratch or cause discoloration to the
lens.

. Do not spray any liquid such as water

on the meter lens. Spraying liquid
may cause the system to malfunction.

. Small dirt particles can be abrasive

and damaging to the leather surfaces
and should be removed promptly. Do
not use saddle soap, car waxes,
polishes, oils, cleaning fluids, sol-
vents, 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.

AIR FRESHENERS

Most air fresheners use a solvent that could
affect the vehicle interior. If you use an air
freshener, take the following precautions:
. Hanging-type air fresheners can cause

permanent discoloration when they con-
tact vehicle interior surfaces. Place the
air freshener in a location that allows it
to hang free and not contact an interior
surface.

. Liquid-type air fresheners typically clip

on the vents. These products can cause
immediate damage and discoloration
when spilled on interior surfaces.

Carefully read and follow the manufac-
turer’s instructions before using air fresh-
eners.

SUEDE MATERIAL (LIMITED
models)

The ceiling, moonroof sunshade and pillar
trim are made from a suede material.
Clean the suede material as follows:

CAUTION

To help prevent damaging the suede
material parts while cleaning:

Appearance and care

7-5

CLEANING INTERIOR

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7-6

Appearance and care

. Do not rub the material with a cloth.

Doing so can damage the surface of
the material or cause a stain to
spread.

. Never use benzine, thinner or any

similar chemical to clean the suede.
This may discolor the material and
damage the surface.

. Clean water or oil based stains by

patting the surface with a clean soft
cloth dampened in warm water. Press
a clean dry cloth onto the surface to
remove as much dampness as possi-
ble and then let air dry.

OPEN PORE MATTE FINISH
WOOD TRIM (LIMITED models)

The wood trim on the LIMITED models uses
a different coating process than a typical
wood trim. Improper care can affect the
appearance of the wood trim and cause
damage to it.

CAUTION

. Do not hit the wood trim with a hard

or sharp object.

. Do not rub the wood trim surface

hard.

. When cleaning, use a soft, dampened

cloth (such as a microfiber cloth). Dry
with a clean soft cloth.

. Do not use waxes, polishes, com-

pounds or solvents to clean the wood
trim.

FLOOR MATS

WARNING

To avoid potential pedal interference
that may result in a collision, injury or
death:
. NEVER place a floor mat on top of

another floor mat in the driver front
position or install them upside down
or backwards.

. Use only genuine INFINITI floor mats

or equivalent floor mats that are
specifically designed for use in your
vehicle model and model year.

. Properly position the mats in the

floorwell using the floor mat posi-
tioning hooks. See “Floor mat instal-
lation” (P.7-7).

. Make sure the floor mat does not

interfere with pedal operation.

. Periodically check the floor mats to

make sure they are properly installed.

. After cleaning the vehicle interior,

check the floor mats to make sure
they are properly installed.

The use of genuine INFINITI floor mats can
extend the life of your vehicle carpet and
make it easier to clean the interior. Mats
should be maintained with regular cleaning
and replaced if they become excessively
worn.

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SAI0038

Front (example)

Floor mat installation

Your vehicle is equipped with floor mat
positioning hook(s). The number and shape
of the floor mat positioning hooks for each
seating position varies depending on the
vehicle.
When installing genuine INFINITI floor mats,
follow the installation instructions provided
with the floor mat and the following:
1. Position the floor mat in the floorwell so

that the mat grommet holes are aligned
with the hook(s).

2. Secure the grommet holes into the hook

(s) and ensure that the floor mat is

properly positioned.

3. Make sure the floor mat does not

interfere with pedal operation. With the
ignition in the OFF position and the shift
lever in the P (Park) position, fully apply
and release all pedals. The floor mat
must not interfere with pedal operation
or prevent the pedal from returning to its
normal position. It is recommended you
see an INFINITI retailer for details about
installing the floor mats in your vehicle.

SAI0052

Bracket positions

The illustration shows the location of the
floor mat positioning hooks.

SEAT BELTS

The seat belts can be cleaned by wiping
them with a sponge dampened in a mild soap
solution. Allow the belts to dry completely
before using them.
See “Seat belts” (P.1-18).

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,

Appearance and care

7-7

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7-8

Appearance and care

since these materials may severely
weaken the seat belt webbing.

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

coatings caused by gravel and stone
chips or minor traffic accidents.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS IN-
FLUENCE THE RATE OF COR-
ROSION

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 disintegra-
tion of paint surfaces.

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 compart-
ment by washing it out with a hose.
Remove dirt with a vacuum cleaner.

CORROSION PROTECTION

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8-2

Do-it-yourself

When performing any inspection or main-
tenance work on your vehicle, always take
care to prevent serious accidental injury to
yourself 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 moving. Move the shift
lever to P (Park).

. Be sure the ignition switch is in the

OFF or LOCK position when per-
forming any parts replacement or
repairs.

. Never connect or disconnect the

battery or any transistorized compo-
nent while the ignition switch is in the
ON position.

. Never leave the engine or automatic

transmission related component har-
nesses disconnected while the igni-
tion 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 when-

ever 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

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 fuel tank and the
battery.

. Your vehicle is equipped with an

automatic engine cooling fan. It may
come on at any time without warn-
ing, even if the ignition key is in the
OFF position and the engine is not
running. To avoid injury, always dis-
connect the negative battery cable
before working near the fan.

. On gasoline engine models, the fuel

filter or fuel lines should be serviced
because the fuel lines are under high
pressure even when the engine is off.

It is recommended you visit an
INFINITI retailer for this service.

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 en-

gine oil and coolant. Improperly dis-
posed engine oil, coolant, and/or
other vehicle fluids can damage the
environment. Always conform to lo-
cal regulations for disposal of vehicle
fluid.

This “8. Do-it-yourself” section gives in-
structions regarding only those items which
are relatively easy for an owner to perform.
A genuine INFINITI Service Manual is also
available. (See “Owner’s Manual/Service
Manual order information” (P.10-34).)
You should be aware that incomplete or
improper servicing may result in operating
difficulties or excessive emissions, and could
affect your warranty coverage. If in doubt
about any servicing, it is recommended you
have it done by an INFINITI retailer.

MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS

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JVC0976X

VK56VD ENGINE MODEL

Window washer fluid reservoir

Fuse/fusible link holder

Engine oil dipstick

Power steering fluid reservoir

Engine oil filler cap

Brake fluid reservoir

Fuse/fusible link holder

Battery

Radiator filler cap

10. Engine coolant reservoir
11. Drive belts

12. Air cleaner

Do-it-yourself

8-3

ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK
LOCATIONS

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8-4

Do-it-yourself

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 anti-freeze and coolant protec-
tion. The antifreeze solution contains rust
and corrosion inhibitors. Additional engine
cooling system additives are not necessary.

WARNING

. Never remove the radiator or 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 escap-
ing from the radiator. See precau-
tions in “If your vehicle overheats”
(P.6-14).

. The radiator is equipped with a

pressure type radiator cap. To pre-
vent engine damage, use only a
genuine NISSAN radiator cap.

CAUTION

. Never use any cooling system addi-

tives such as radiator sealer. Addi-
tives may clog the cooling system and
cause damage to the engine, trans-

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-
turer’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), including Genuine NISSAN
L o n g L i f e A n t i f r e e z e / C o o l a n t
(green), or the use of non-distilled

water will reduce the life expectancy
of the factory-fill coolant. Refer to
the "9. Maintenance and schedules"
section for more details.

ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM

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JVM0744X

CHECKING ENGINE COOLANT
LEVEL

Check the coolant level in the reservoir
when the engine is cold. If the coolant level
is below MIN

, open the reservoir tank cap

and 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
opening and also add it to the reservoir tank
up to the MAX level

Tighten the cap securely after adding engine
coolant.
If the cooling system requires coolant fre-

quently, have it checked. It is recommended
you visit an INFINITI retailer for this
service.

CHANGING ENGINE COOLANT

It is recommended that major cooling system
repairs be performed by an INFINITI retailer.
The service procedures can be found in the
appropriate INFINITI Service Manual.
Improper servicing can result in reduced
heater performance and engine overheat-
ing.

WARNING

. To avoid the danger of being scalded,

never change the coolant when the
engine is hot.

. Never remove the radiator cap or

coolant reservoir cap when the en-
gine is hot. Serious burns could be
caused by high pressure fluid escap-
ing from the radiator.

. Avoid direct skin contact with used

coolant. If skin contact is made, wash
thoroughly with soap or hand cleaner
as soon as possible.

. Keep coolant out of reach of children

and pets.

Engine coolant must be disposed of prop-
erly. Check your local regulations.

Do-it-yourself

8-5

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Infiniti QX80 (2018 year). Manual - part 26