Vehicle Fluids
For all vehicle fluid checks, you'll need to make sure the vehicle is parked on a level surface. Then, pop the hood using the interior hood release located below your steering wheel.
Check the Brake Fluid
Stopping your 3,000-pound vehicle takes a lot more than just the force of your foot on the pedal! Your brake system uses hydraulic force — the use of a relatively small amount of pressurized fluid (your brake fluid) to transfer the force from your foot into the power required to stop your car.
Brake fluid needs to have several chemical properties to work properly as a hydraulic fluid (namely, it must be incompressible and able to withstand extreme temperatures). However, your brake fluid is susceptible to leaks and contamination, which can compromise its effectiveness and your ability to stop your car. That's why many vehicle manufacturers recommend that you check and top off your brake fluid as often as you check the other vital fluids in your car, and get it professionally “flushed” or exchanged at regular intervals.
How to Top Off the Brake Fluid
Locate the brake fluid reservoir under the hood, usually in the top right corner. On the side of the reservoir, you'll see embossed maximum and minimum fill lines indicating an ideal level for the vehicle. If your INFINITI vehicle is below the minimum fill line, add brake fluid until it's within your max and min fill line range. Wipe the reservoir clean with a shop towel, paper towel, or rag before removing the cap. This will ensure any contaminants on the exterior of the tank will not fall into the fluid when the cap is removed.
Pro Tip! It is important that you do not mix different brake fluids. Consult your owner's manual or a qualified technician at an authorized service center for brake fluid recommendations. Also, if your brake fluid level is near the minimum mark, check your brake pads. There's a good chance that they're worn.
Check the Motor Oil
Oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle. It helps reduce friction between the engine's many moving parts, regulate the engine's temperature, and support smooth engine operations. If motor oil gets too low, it could spell disaster! Keeping your motor oil at the right level is important — and it's easy to check.
Make sure your INFINITI is parked on a level surface to get the most accurate reading. If the engine has been running for a while, it's best to let things cool down a bit before you check the oil — about 5 to 10 minutes. However, checking motor oil on an entirely cold engine may give you an inaccurate reading. If your engine is cold, start your INFINITI and let things run for about 30 seconds to make sure the oil that's in your engine has circulated.
Pop the hood, and locate the oil dipstick on your engine. Pull the dipstick out and, using a clean rag, wipe the oil off the dipstick. Reinsert the oil dipstick all the way until it stops, then pull it back out. The oil level should be between the two dots or close to the maximum fill line. If the oil level is below the first dot or close to the minimum fill line, it's time to top off the motor oil.
How to Top Off Motor Oil
Park your INFINITI on a level surface, and make sure the engine is cool. Remove the oil cap on the engine and, using a funnel, slowly add new motor oil in small amounts. Check your owner's manual to ensure you're using the right engine oil type for your vehicle.
Check the dipstick frequently to ensure you're getting the proper oil level. It's important not to overfill the engine oil. Once you've reached the proper oil level, remove the funnel and replace the oil cap, making sure it's locked in place.
It's important to note that your INFINITI's motor oil normally shouldn't need to be topped off. Routine oil changes will help keep the proper amount of fresh oil in your vehicle. However, frequently low oil levels could indicate a more serious issue, such as an oil leak. Before topping off the motor oil, check to see if it's time to change the oil, and ensure there are no leaks.
Check the Windshield Wiper Fluid
Your INFINITI'S windshield wiper fluid is exactly what it sounds like — a specially engineered solution that helps your wiper blades keep your windshields free of dust, debris, pollen, and bugs! Additionally, it performs the secondary function of lubricating your windshield wiper assembly's parts and pieces, helping to prevent rust, corrosion, and cracks.
But windshield wiper fluid is more complex than your household window cleaner. It must have a low freezing point to withstand extreme winter conditions, particularly if you live in a state with a harsh cold season. Unlike brake and transmission fluid, windshield wiper fluid is actually ejected out of the car whenever you need to use it, so you may find yourself running low more frequently. Accordingly, many vehicle manufacturers recommend topping yours off every time you get an oil change!
How to Top Off Your Windshield Wiper Fluid
Locate the windshield wiper fluid reservoir. The reservoir cap will have a windshield wiper icon on it, making it easier to find. Windshield wiper fluid cannot be overfilled, so remove the reservoir cap and fill until the fluid is visible and approaching the top of the reservoir.
Securely replace the cap, and clean the wiper blades before testing. Use a clean rag soaked in hot, soapy water to wipe the windshield wiper blades, then rinse the blades and wipe the inside edge with rubbing alcohol. Test the wiper fluid to make sure it's spraying and your wipers aren't leaving streaks.
Tires
Check the Tire Tread
Your tires are one of the unsung heroes of your vehicle's performance and road handling, and their tread — the unique pattern of grooves and sipes carved into the rubber — is vital to their effectiveness.
Depending on the type of tires you have, the tread might be designed for different functions, from highway driving to off-roading. However, all tire tread helps your car accelerate and brake smoothly by providing adequate traction for the conditions you drive in. Likewise, tire tread is subject to wear due to age, mileage, and usage.
As tread wears down, the integrity of your tires and their ability to provide much-needed traction decreases, leaving you more vulnerable to tailspins, hydroplaning, and even blowouts. You should change your tires according to the recommendations on your owner's manual, or sooner if the tread doesn't pass the visual inspection detailed below.
How to Check the Tire Tread
Using a penny, turn Abraham Lincoln's face upside-down and facing you, then insert the coin between the tread of your tires. If the tread touches or obscures Lincoln's face, your tire tread is okay. If the tread is low enough you can see all of Lincoln's face and hair, your tire tread is low and your tires need replacement.
Wiper Blades
Check the Wiper Blades
It's easy to forget about your wiper blades...up until a surprise flash flood warning sends you a stark reminder! Wiper blades work in conjunction with wiper fluid to clear your windshield of debris, rain, or even dust and help ensure you can see the road ahead.
With time, age, and use, the rubber blades on your wipers can become cracked or brittle, rendering them less efficient. In turn, the metallic wiper frame or “arm” can come into contact with your windshield leading to a spine-chilling grinding noise and leaving scratches on the glass surface! Typically, it is recommended that you replace your wiper blades at least once every twelve months or anytime you notice a decrease in their performance — like providing a “streaky” clean or making “scraping” sounds.
How to Change Your Wiper Blades
The first (and perhaps most important) step in the process of changing your wiper blades is finding ones that fit your INFINITI model and year. Then, pull the wiper assembly up and away from your windshield.
Locate the release tab or unlatching mechanism and press (or pull, depending on how yours works) to release the faulty blade, you may have to jiggle it loose! Once you've removed the old blade, latch the new wiper blade onto the assembly by doing the inverse of what you did in the previous step.
Battery
Test the Battery
Your car battery gives the starter motor and ignition system the power required to start your car. Once your car is running, the battery takes the backseat and the alternator takes charge of running your car's electronic components while also re-charging the battery (this is why it's recommended that you keep your car running after jump-starting a dead battery).
Car batteries are not meant to last forever, depending on the battery and car that you have, you may have to change yours every few years. Your car battery's life may also be shortened if the vehicle is parked for prolonged periods, subjected to extreme temperatures, or if you leave certain accessories powered overnight (like the dome lights!). Additionally, the fluid in your battery can leak, causing corrosion which can also reduce its effectiveness.
How to Test the Car Battery
Using a multimeter or voltmeter, you can test the charge of your battery. Remove the battery's positive terminal cover and clean any corrosion with a wire brush. Set your voltmeter to the lowest setting (still above 15 volts) and connect the negative lead to the negative battery terminal and the red lead to the positive terminal.
A fully charged battery should measure 12.6 volts or more. Anything lower means your battery needs to be charged or replaced in the near future. If you don't have the right tools or you're unsure if it's time for a new battery, stop by your nearest INFINITI service center for a battery test.
Simple Car Care Starts with the Right Parts
Simple car care starts with the right parts, and the right parts come from INFINITI Parts! Find what you need from INFINITI Parts to get started on simple (but important) car care you can do right at home. Search by your INFINITI's model and year to find the part you need and ensure it's just the right fit.