Infiniti QX56 Parts & Accessories

When I was driving the Infiniti QX56, the vehicle seemed wobbly. Upon checking, I then found out that I have a punctured tire. Can this be repaired? Will patching up the puncture work? How will I know if repair is a good option?

Punctured tires can still be fixed. However, you first have to consider the size of the puncture and other conditions. If the tear is over ¼ in. or 6 mm., then tire repair wouldn't be the best option. It would be safer and more practical to just replace the old tire. Punctures in the tread can be sealed using a patch for the inner liner. But if the damage is no longer on the repairable tread area, look for a tire replacement instead. Before you do any repair, inspect the punctured tire for pre-existing wear and for improper repair.

What would be the best way to check for a radiator leak? I'm having trouble finding the source of the leak on my Infiniti.

To trace the leak, you may use a UV light detection system or a pressure tester. Any of the two methods will work. Although some say that it's sure and easy, don't add dish detergent in the radiator and rely on the bubbles that would come out to find the source of the leak. This old trick isn't highly advised.

The CEL (check engine light) of my Infinity flashed. When I popped the hood to check, I found some trace of coolant sitting on top of the engine. There's obviously a leak. I just don't why the coolant is sprayed on top of the engine. What could possibly be the cause of this leak?

You're probably looking at a blown hose here, causing the antifreeze or coolant to leak on top of the engine. Other than the hose, you have to check for broken lines and see if the connections and attachments are still intact. You may have a frost plug. If something has popped out or has been detached, you have to fix the connection. The antifreeze leak could also be blamed on other things such as a blown head gasket, a busted cylinder head, or a cracked engine block. In which case, the vehicle should be properly diagnoses of its problems. Have the coolant leak fixed before you get the vehicle back on the road. Ignore the leak, and you may face a more serious problem as this can lead to severe engine damage.

What are the specs I have to consider for wheel fitment?

You have to determine the right offset and wheel diameter for the wheel fitment. Figure out how you want the wheels to sit inside the fender wells. Do you want to the tires and wheels to be as close as possible to the fender lips or are you just considering moderate alterations for the wheel fitment? This would most probably depend on how you want your vehicle to look and how the wheel modification could affect handling. Extreme flush fitment would require fenders, the suspension, and alignment to be modified.

The QX56 is part of the Infiniti QX family, a line of SUV from Nissan’s luxury division. This full-size SUV made its debut as a 2004 model. The earlier generation of the QX56 didn’t have as much cargo capacity and luxurious interior. Fortunately, in the redesign for the succeeding generation, Infiniti made sure that these deficiencies were addressed. The newer and better Infiniti QX56 gave other full-size luxury SUVs a run for their money. Equipped with a powerful V8 engine, it was highly rated for its excellent towing capabilities. It was designed with a spacious and comfortable cabin and was equipped with a good number of high-end features. The QX56 was conceived with urban recreation and towing in mind, more than off-roading. This brawny full-size SUV could survive most weathers and provide luxury in travel.

The QX56 was the first Infiniti model to be manufactured in the United States. This Infiniti SUV could seat up to seven passengers and was based on the Nissan Armada design. It had the same F-Alpha platform as the Nissan Titan pickup track. The chassis and other mechanical works were the same with the Nissan Armada and Titan. The earlier QX56 was powered by a 5.6L V8 engine that could churn out up to 320 hp and 393 lb.-ft. of torque, which was then mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel and four-wheel drive options were available for the previous generation.

There were just a few changes made on the Infiniti QX56, including the 60/40 split for third-row seating. It also came with a Bluetooth hands-free system and had better exterior mirrors for the 2006 model. The earlier QX56 could tow up to 9,000 pounds, but it came up a little short when pitted against the Cadillac Escalade and other more luxurious SUVs. The plastic trim felt a bit cheap. Fortunately, the interior was redesigned for 2008 to position it a notch higher as a more luxurious SUV. Better materials and a new instrument cluster design were used. There were more standard features in the vehicle, and it upgraded its audio and navigation systems. The SUV’s front and rear ends were revamped, along with other styling cues and performance features.

The newer generation QX56 was unveiled in 2010 at the New York International Auto Show. It was more of a luxury version of the Nissan Patrol and was equipped with a 5.6L VK56VD V8 engine that could generate more power—up to 400 hp and 413 lb.-ft. of torque. It was mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission. This resulted in improved off-roading capacity, towing ability, and fuel economy. It handled better, and it was more refined with standard features and equipment such as the tri-zone automatic control, top-view camera system, and 13-speaker Bose audio system. The newer QX56 had a change in appearance as well. It looked like it belonged to the pack of other large luxury SUVs such as the Cadillac Escalade, Range Rover, and Lexus LX.

Not much had changed for the 2013 Infiniti QX56 model. It was simply designed with a moving obstacle identification technology, found in side-view and rear cameras. For the 2014 model, the QX56 was rebadged as the QX80.