September 16, 2021

Boost Your DIY Repair Skills with These Two Maintenance Tasks

You've checked the oil, inspected the cabin air filter, and aired up your tires, but you can't help but feel like there's more at-home maintenance you could be doing. After all, your INFINITI always goes the extra mile for you, so shouldn't you return the favor with some extra TLC?

If you're looking to take your DIY maintenance skills to the next level, check out these entry-level maintenance tasks that'll help upgrade your skill set and your vehicle!

1. Clean, test, and change the battery.

Your INFINITI relies on a “ZAP” of energy from the battery to provide the power required to start its engine and electrical accessories. Once the battery zaps the engine to life, the battery takes a back seat while the alternator recharges it, and the internal combustion engine keeps your vehicle going.

If your INFINITI's engine no longer cranks to life the way it did when you first drove it off the lot, it may be time for a new battery! However, before you jump to any conclusions, try testing and cleaning your battery before replacing it.

What you'll need:

• Work gloves
• Voltmeter (also known as a multimeter)
• Corrosion cleaning solution (you can make your own with baking soda and water)
• Wire brush
• Rag
• Socket wrench
• Anti-corrosion solution
• Replacement INFINITI battery

What you'll do:

Clean and test the battery:

1. Pop the hood and turn your INFINITI off and ensure that the accessories are off, the doors are locked, the parking brake is on, and the keys are out of the ignition.
2. Let the engine cool down.
3. Locate your INFINITI's battery, if the terminal posts have covers, move the covers off to the side.
4. Visually inspect your battery, if you notice green or white corrosion on the battery posts, use your home-made corrosion remover, a soft brush, and a clean rag to scrub the grime away and dry the posts.
5. Once your battery is clean and dry, set your voltmeter to 20V DC.
6. Identify your battery's positive and negative terminals.
7. Touch the voltmeter's red lead to the positive terminal, and the black lead to the battery's negative post.
8. Check the reading on your voltmeter, if it's lower than 12.6 volts, you're due for a new battery.

Replace the battery (if needed):

1. If your voltmeter reading is below 12.6 volts, secure an authentic replacement battery made to fit your specific INFINITI model and year.
2. Use a wrench to loosen the nut on the negative terminal, detaching the corresponding cable and setting it aside. Note that on newer vehicles, you might need to reset electronics like windows, sunroofs, and presets (seats, radio, etc.) after disconnecting the battery.
3. Repeat the previous step on the positive terminal.
4. Remove or set aside any brackets or holds keeping the current battery in place.
5. Take out the old battery.
6. Use your brush and a bit of corrosion-cleaning solution to remove any build-up on the battery cable connectors. Use a rag to dry them thoroughly before moving forward.
7. Slide new INFINITI battery into the corresponding compartment, securing it with the holds and brackets you removed in step four.
8. Remove the covers from the new battery's terminals, cover the terminals with a light corrosion-preventing gel or spray.
9. Reattach and secure the cable to the positive terminal. Use the socket wrench to re-tighten the corresponding nut.
10. Repeat step nine with the negative terminal and cables.
11. Replace the covers and test the battery by turning your vehicle on.
12. Check local regulations to properly dispose of or recycle your old battery.

2. Inspect and replace your cabin air filter.

If the first thing you think when you start driving is, “what's that smell?” your cabin air filter may be to blame. The cabin air filter weeds out pollutants like pollen and dust, preventing them from reaching your INFINITI's A/C vents and blasting into your cabin.

Cabin air filters can become clogged or worn with time, which is why it's advisable to replace yours at the intervals listed on your INFINITI owner manual. In some cases, your cabin air filter may deteriorate faster than expected due to the climate and conditions you drive in, in which case you may need to replace yours more frequently. Learn more about how to tell if your cabin air filter needs replacing, and how to install a new one yourself.

What you'll need:

• Work gloves
• Screwdriver
• Handheld vacuum or vacuum with hose attachment
• Authentic INFINITI cabin air filter

What you'll do:

Determine whether you need a new cabin air filter.

1. Check your INFINITI owner's manual to check the manufacturer's recommended timeline for cabin air filter replacements. Additionally, use the manual to determine where your cabin air filter is located (usually behind the glove compartment). On some vehicles removing the glovebox can be difficult. If you are struggling to remove the compartment, please consider bringing your vehicle in to get serviced by a professional instead.
2. If you determine that you're overdue for a new filter based on the recommendations in your owner's manual, move on to the next section.
3. If you're unsure of how long it's been since your most recent cabin air filter replacement, consider whether you've noticed any signs of a dirty filter, such as weak air flow or a mildewy or vinegary smell coming from the air vents. If so, replacing your filter is probably a good idea.

Replace your dirty filter and install a new one.

1. Start with your car powered off and parked in a safe and flat location.
2. Open the glove box and empty it of all its contents, taking special care to put any documents and valuables in a safe spot.
3. Locate a pin or band on the outside edge of your glove box, this pin or band secures your glove box to the “limiting arm,” which is the hinge that “limits” the glove box's range of motion. If you can't find a “limiting arm,” your glove box may not have one, in which case you can skip to step five.
4. Release the glove box from the limiting arm by detaching the band or pin you located in step three. If there are screws affixing the limiting arm to the glove box, use a screwdriver to unfasten them. Set the band or pin (and any corresponding screws) aside.
5. Apply pressure to either side of the glovebox, when you hear or feel a click, allow it to lower without pushing it down.
6. Now that the glovebox is all the way down, you should be able to see the cabin air filter housing right behind it. If you can't see the filter, it may be behind a rectangular black cover that can easily be removed.
7. If applicable, remove the cabin air filter cover.
8. Slide the filter out carefully — like you're pulling pizza out of the oven — shifting or shaking it may cause its content to spill onto your passenger seat!
9. Once the old filter is out, use a vacuum to clean off any remaining contaminants such as crumbled leaves, dirt, and pollen.
10. Insert your new cabin air filter, using the arrows and directions printed on it to ensure it's facing the right direction.
11. Replace the cabin air filter cover.
12. Return your glove box to its original position, reattaching it to the glovebox using the pin or band you removed in step four.
13. Return all essentials to your glove box and get ready to enjoy some fresh air conditioning on your next drive.

Get the Right Parts for The Job

Keeping your INFINITI maintained is rewarding for you and good for your vehicle! Before you start your next at-home INFINITI maintenance task, ensure you have the right parts for the job.

Visit INFINITI Parts online and enter your INFINITI model, year, and trim to browse a selection of authentic parts and accessories guaranteed to fit your ride!