2016-2022 Infiniti Q60 Brake Fluid Type and Flush Interval

By Core Brake Parts Tech Team — Circleville, OH warehouse

The 2016-2022 Infiniti Q60 uses DOT 3 brake fluid. Infiniti's owner's manual calls for Genuine NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid or an equivalent DOT 3, and the factory maintenance schedule replaces the fluid every 20,000 miles or 24 months, whichever comes first. If you drive under severe conditions, that shortens to every 10,000 miles or 12 months.

What brake fluid the Q60 takes

Both the 2017 and 2020 Q60 owner's manuals list the same fluid in their capacities and recommended fluids table: Genuine NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid or equivalent DOT 3. That spec did not change across this generation of the coupe, whether you have the 2.0L turbo four or the 3.0L twin-turbo VR30DDTT V6. The brake fluid reservoir sits in the engine compartment on both engines, and the manual's check-location diagrams show it for each.

DOT 3 is a glycol ether based fluid built to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 116. Quality DOT 3 fluids are also made to SAE J1703. The industry minimum dry boiling point for DOT 3 is 401 degrees F. Any sealed bottle clearly labeled DOT 3 is the correct starting point for this car.

Can you use DOT 4 instead?

DOT 4 is also glycol ether based, with borate esters added, and it carries a higher minimum dry boiling point of 230 degrees C and a minimum wet boiling point of 155 degrees C. It mixes with other glycol fluids, and some fluid makers state their products are suitable wherever DOT 3 or DOT 4 is recommended. The trade-off is that DOT 4's boiling point can fall off faster than DOT 3's as it absorbs water, so if you move to DOT 4, keep to the flush schedule rather than stretching it. What you must never put in a Q60 is DOT 5. DOT 5 is silicone based, does not absorb water, and is not meant for a regular glycol-fluid ABS system like this one.

Why the Q60 needs a fluid flush every 20,000 miles

Glycol ether brake fluids are hygroscopic. They pull moisture out of the air through the reservoir vent, hoses and seals, a little at a time, every day the car sits. Water in the fluid does two things. It lowers the boiling point, and it promotes corrosion inside the calipers, the brake lines and the ABS hydraulic unit.

The boiling point matters more than most owners think. Fluid is rated with two numbers: a dry boiling point for fresh fluid and a wet boiling point measured after the fluid has absorbed water, and the gap between them is large. When fluid boils in a hot caliper during repeated hard stops, the vapor compresses and the pedal goes soft or sinks. On a turbocharged coupe that reaches highway speed quickly, that is exactly when you need a firm pedal.

Infiniti's schedule reflects this. On the 2020 standard maintenance table, brake fluid is marked R (replace) at 20, 40, 60, 80, 100 and 120 thousand miles. The 2017 chassis and body maintenance table shows the same 20,000-mile spacing through 60,000 miles.

What counts as severe driving

The manual moves brake fluid to every 10,000 miles or 12 months if the car is mainly driven in any of these conditions:

• Repeated short trips of less than 5 miles
• Repeated short trips of less than 10 miles with outside temperatures below freezing
• Hot weather in stop-and-go rush hour traffic
• Extensive idling or low-speed driving over long distances
• Dusty conditions, or rough, muddy or salt-spread roads
• Using a car-top carrier

A lot of commuter Q60s fall into the stop-and-go category. If yours does, the 12-month interval is the one to follow.

Symptoms that the fluid needs attention

• Red brake warning light with the parking brake released. On the Q60 this light doubles as the low brake fluid warning. Infiniti's instruction is to stop, check the level, and if fluid is needed, add it and have the system checked. If the level is correct, have the warning system checked.
• Brake warning light and ABS light on together. The manual warns the brake system may not be working properly in this case. Drive carefully to the nearest service location only if you judge it safe, otherwise have the car towed.
• Soft or sinking pedal, or longer pedal travel. This can be air, moisture-laden fluid, or a leak.
• Fluid level dropping between checks. Some drop is normal as pads wear, because the caliper pistons move out and hold more fluid. A steady drop with healthy pads points to a leak. Infiniti says if fluid must be added frequently, the system should be checked.
• Dark, cloudy fluid in the reservoir. Fresh DOT 3 is pale. Color alone is not a moisture test, but dark fluid on a car past its interval is due.

The manual is direct on one point: if the fluid level is below the MIN mark, do not drive until the brake system has been checked.

How to check and top off the fluid

1. Park on level ground with the engine off.
2. Find the brake fluid reservoir in the engine compartment and read the level against the MAX and MIN lines on the side of the tank.
3. Clean the filler cap and the area around it before opening it. Dirt that falls into the reservoir can reach the master cylinder and ABS valves.
4. If the level is below MIN, add Genuine NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid or equivalent DOT 3 up to MAX. Do not overfill.
5. Use only new fluid from a sealed container. Infiniti warns that old, inferior or contaminated fluid may damage the brake system.
6. Wipe up spills right away. Brake fluid damages paint; if any gets on the body, wash it off with water.

Keep the bottle capped between uses. An opened bottle on a shelf absorbs moisture the same way the reservoir does, which is why the manual insists on a sealed container.

Doing a full flush on the Q60

A top-off is not a flush. Replacing the fluid means pushing new fluid through every line and caliper until the old fluid is gone. The usual approach is to work from the wheel farthest from the master cylinder to the closest, opening each caliper bleeder while new fluid is added at the reservoir, and never letting the reservoir run dry. If air reaches the ABS hydraulic unit, the factory service manual's scan-tool bleed procedure may be needed, so keep the reservoir topped the entire time.

Torque the bleeder screws to the value in the factory service manual and do not overtighten them; they are small and snap easily. After the flush, confirm a firm pedal with the engine running before you drive, and road-test at low speed first.

For an experienced DIYer with a helper or a pressure bleeder, this is a moderate job. If the ABS light comes on afterward, or the pedal is not firm, stop and have it checked.

What to replace at the same time

The fluid interval lines up well with brake inspections. Infiniti's standard schedule inspects brake lines and cables and brake pads and rotors every 10,000 miles or 12 months, so every fluid change is also a chance to measure pad thickness and rotor condition with the wheels already off.

• Pads. If the fronts are getting thin, doing them during the flush saves a second bleed. We carry 2016-2022 Infiniti Q60 front ceramic brake pads, and you can compare other options in our ceramic brake pad collection.
• Rotors. Check for scoring, a raised lip and pedal pulsation. See our brake rotors.
• Hoses and hardware. Look for cracked or swollen rubber hoses and seized slide pins. Browse brake hoses and brake hardware kits.
• Calipers. A bleeder that will not open, or a caliper leaking at the piston seal, turns a flush into a caliper job. See brake calipers.

Always confirm your exact trim before ordering. Q60 brake packages differ by engine and trim, so match the part to your vehicle.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of brake fluid does a 2016-2022 Infiniti Q60 use?

DOT 3. Infiniti specifies Genuine NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid or an equivalent DOT 3 fluid in the owner's manual for this generation.

How often should I change the brake fluid on my Q60?

Every 20,000 miles or 24 months under normal conditions, and every 10,000 miles or 12 months under severe driving conditions such as short trips, stop-and-go heat, or dusty and salted roads.

Can I mix DOT 4 with the DOT 3 in my Q60?

DOT 3 and DOT 4 are both glycol based and can be mixed, and some fluid makers rate their products for use wherever DOT 3 or DOT 4 is recommended. Never add silicone DOT 5 fluid.

Why is my brake warning light on when the parking brake is off?

On the Q60 the same light warns of low brake fluid. Stop, check the reservoir level, add DOT 3 if needed and have the system inspected. If the level is correct, the warning system itself needs checking.

Is it normal for the brake fluid level to go down?

A slow drop as the pads wear is normal. If you have to add fluid often, or the level falls below MIN, have the system checked for leaks before driving.

Sources

1. 2017 Infiniti Q60 Owner's Manual and Maintenance Information - DOT 3 / Genuine NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid spec, reservoir check and cautions, brake warning light meaning, 20,000-mile schedule, severe-service 10,000 miles or 12 months
2. 2020 Infiniti Q60 Owner's Manual and Maintenance Information - same DOT 3 spec, brake fluid replacement every 20,000 miles through 120,000, pad/rotor and line inspection every 10,000 miles
3. TotalEnergies Lubricants - Brake fluid types - DOT 3/4/5/5.1 chemistry, DOT 4 minimum 230 C dry and 155 C wet boiling points, hygroscopic behavior, DOT 5 silicone
4. Lucas Oil Synthetic Brake Fluid DOT 3 product data sheet - DOT 3 industry minimum dry boiling point of 401 F, FMVSS 116 and SAE J1703, suitable wherever DOT 3 or DOT 4 is recommended