2008-2013 Infiniti EX35 Brake Fluid Type and Flush Interval

By Core Brake Parts Tech Team — Circleville, OH warehouse

The 2008-2013 Infiniti EX35 takes DOT 3 brake fluid. The owner's manual calls for Genuine NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid or an equivalent DOT 3, and Infiniti's published maintenance schedule for the EX35 says to replace the fluid every 30,000 miles or 24 months under standard driving, and every 15,000 miles or 12 months under severe driving.

Below is what that spec means, why the interval matters on a heavy luxury crossover, how to tell your fluid is overdue, and what to service at the same time.

What Brake Fluid the EX35 Uses

The fluids and capacities table in the EX35 owner's manual lists brake fluid as Genuine NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid or equivalent DOT 3. The same manual, in its maintenance section, tells you to add that fluid up to the MAX line if the level is below MIN or the brake warning light comes on. The factory fluid is sold through Infiniti retailers, but any fluid that meets the federal DOT 3 standard qualifies as the equivalent the manual allows.

DOT 3 is a glycol-based fluid defined by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 116. That standard sets minimum boiling points for each grade, and it is the easiest way to see how the grades compare:

The "wet" figure is the boiling point after the fluid has absorbed moisture, and it is the number that actually describes an old fluid. Because FMVSS 116 requires silicone DOT 5 to be dyed purple, purple fluid in an EX35 reservoir means someone added the wrong thing. Silicone fluid does not mix with glycol fluid and has no place in the EX35's ABS hydraulics.

How Often to Flush EX35 Brake Fluid

Infiniti's maintenance schedule for the EX35 lists brake fluid replacement at:

• Standard driving: every 30,000 miles or 24 months, whichever comes first.
• Severe driving: every 15,000 miles or 12 months.
• Premium maintenance: every 15,000 miles or 12 months.

Severe service generally covers short trips, stop-and-go city driving, towing, dusty or mountainous roads, and hot or humid climates. Many EX35s live a commuter life that fits at least part of that description, so a lot of owners are better served by the shorter interval. The replacement figures above come from Infiniti's published schedule for the 2012 EX35; confirm the schedule for your exact model year on Infiniti's maintenance site or in your Service and Maintenance Guide. In between flushes, the owner's manual has you check that the fluid sits between the MAX and MIN lines on the reservoir.

The time limit matters as much as the mileage. Glycol brake fluid pulls moisture out of the air through hoses and seals whether the car is driven or not. A low-mileage EX35 that sat in a garage for three years still has old fluid.

Why Old Fluid Is a Problem on This Vehicle

The EX35 is a V6-powered luxury crossover with disc brakes front and rear and ABS. Hard stops and long downhill runs push a lot of heat through the calipers into the fluid. Moisture-laden fluid boils at a lower temperature, and once it boils it forms vapor bubbles that compress. You feel that as a pedal that goes soft or sinks during repeated hard braking.

Water in the fluid also corrodes the parts it touches: caliper pistons and bores, steel lines, and the valves inside the ABS hydraulic unit. The ABS unit is by far the most expensive part on that list. A flush on schedule is cheap insurance against sticky calipers and ABS faults later.

The owner's manual is blunt about what goes in: use only new fluid from a sealed container, because old, inferior or contaminated fluid can damage the brake system and affect stopping ability. Clean the filler cap before you open the reservoir, and do not reuse fluid from a bottle that has been sitting open in the garage.

Signs Your EX35 Fluid Is Overdue

• Dark fluid. New DOT 3 is clear to light amber. Fluid that has turned brown or dark is old and loaded with moisture and debris.
• Soft or sinking pedal, especially after several hard stops or a long grade.
• Brake warning light. On the EX35 the same red light covers the parking brake and low fluid. The manual says if it comes on while driving with the parking brake released, stop, check the fluid level and add fluid as needed; if the level is correct, have the warning system checked.
• Fluid you have to top off repeatedly. The manual notes that if fluid must be added frequently, the system should be checked. Brake fluid does not get used up, so a dropping level means worn pads or a leak.
• Brake and ABS lights on together. The manual says both lights on with the parking brake released and the fluid level correct may mean the ABS is not working properly. Have it checked promptly.

A falling level is often just pad wear: as the pads get thinner, the caliper pistons move out and the level in the reservoir drops. The EX35's pads also have audible wear warnings that make a high-pitched scraping sound, first only under braking and later all the time. If you hear that and your level is low, new pads are the fix, not more fluid.

Doing the Flush: How Hard Is It?

A basic flush is a moderate DIY job with a helper or a pressure bleeder. You draw the old fluid out of the reservoir, refill with fresh DOT 3, and bleed each wheel in the sequence and procedure the factory service manual gives until clean fluid comes out. Keep the reservoir from running dry during the process; if air gets into the ABS hydraulic unit, many vehicles need a scan tool to cycle the ABS pump and purge it, and a shop is the better choice.

A few habits keep the job clean:

• Cover painted surfaces. The manual warns brake fluid damages paint; rinse any spill with water right away.
• Use fluid from a freshly opened, sealed bottle.
• Tighten bleeder screws to the value in the factory service manual; they are small and strip easily.
• Dispose of the old fluid properly. The manual notes brake fluid is poisonous and must be stored away from children.

What to Service at the Same Time

A fluid flush is a good moment to look at the rest of the brake system, because the wheels are already off. Check pad thickness and rotor condition at all four corners. If the pads are near the wear warnings or the rotors are grooved or pulsing, doing them together with the flush means the system gets fresh fluid and fresh friction at once.

For the 2008-2013 EX35 we carry fitment-matched parts including EBC Redstuff ceramic low-dust front brake pads, EBC Greenstuff front pads, EBC Redstuff ceramic rear pads, and Hawk HPS 5.0 rear pads for 2010-2013 models. On the rotor side, the EBC GD Sport slotted front rotor set and EBC USR slotted rear rotors fit this generation. You can also browse all brake pads, brake rotors and brake hoses; cracked or swollen rubber hoses are worth replacing while the system is open anyway.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use DOT 4 brake fluid in my Infiniti EX35?

The manual specifies DOT 3. DOT 4 is also a non-silicone fluid and exceeds DOT 3's minimum boiling points, so it is widely used as an upgrade. If you switch, flush the whole system rather than topping off so you get the full benefit. Never use silicone DOT 5.

How often should I change the brake fluid on a 2008-2013 EX35?

Infiniti's schedule lists every 30,000 miles or 24 months for standard driving and every 15,000 miles or 12 months for severe or premium maintenance, whichever comes first. Check the schedule for your model year to confirm.

Where is the brake fluid reservoir on the EX35?

It is in the engine compartment on top of the brake master cylinder. The engine compartment diagram in the owner's manual marks it, and the reservoir has MAX and MIN lines for checking the level.

Why is my EX35 brake fluid level going down?

The most common reason is pad wear: as pads thin, the caliper pistons extend and draw fluid from the reservoir. If the pads are fine and the level keeps dropping, look for a leak at the calipers, hoses, lines or master cylinder and have it checked before driving further.

Is a brake fluid flush the same as bleeding the brakes?

They use the same bleeder screws, but a bleed removes air from the system while a flush pushes all of the old fluid out and replaces it. The maintenance item on the EX35 schedule is a full replacement.

Sources

1. 2011 INFINITI EX Owner's Manual - DOT 3 / Genuine NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid spec, sealed-container and paint warnings, brake warning light behavior, audible pad wear warning
2. INFINITI USA - 2012 EX35 Brake Fluid Service and Maintenance Guide - replace every 30,000 miles / 24 months standard, 15,000 miles / 12 months severe and premium
3. INFINITI USA - 2008 EX35 Brake Fluid Service and Maintenance Guide - brake fluid inspection schedule for the first model year
4. 49 CFR 571.116 - FMVSS No. 116, Motor Vehicle Brake Fluids - DOT 3, DOT 4 and DOT 5 dry and wet boiling point minimums and color requirements