Classification:

Reference:

Date:

EL09-005g

ITB09-015g

November 20, 2015

12 VOLT BATTERY STORAGE AND MAINTENANCE
FOR NEW VEHICLES IN DEALER INVENTORY
This bulletin has been amended to include a statement on page 3 for an Infrared (IR) sensor on the back of the
GR8 head unit. Please discard all previous versions of this bulletin.

APPLIED VEHICLES: All new (unsold) Infiniti vehicles in dealer inventory

SERVICE INFORMATION
Design and process changes have been made to improve battery voltage at dealer receipt. Our goal is to
deliver vehicles to customers with a 12 volt battery in excellent condition. Proper dealership storage and
maintenance of vehicle 12 volt batteries is essential to insuring good battery operating life and customer
satisfaction.

Dealers are responsible for maintaining vehicles in their inventory. 12 volt batteries in vehicle inventory should
always be kept at a full charge to prevent excessive discharge during storage and so they are ready for delivery
to customers at any time.

If 12 volt batteries in new vehicles are allowed to discharge for a prolonged period of time, battery life may be
drastically reduced which can lead to premature replacement and customer dissatisfaction.

It is expected that each dealer will have a process to monitor and maintain battery State Of Charge (SOC) for
vehicles in dealer inventory. NNA field representatives may request dealers to demonstrate their battery
maintenance process and confirm its effectiveness.

Infiniti Bulletins are intended for use by qualified technicians, not 'do-it-yourselfers'. Qualified technicians are properly trained
individuals who have the equipment, tools, safety instruction, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. NOTE: If you believe that
a described condition may apply to a particular vehicle, DO NOT assume that it does. See your Infiniti dealer to determine if this
applies to your vehicle.
1/15

Required 12 Volt Battery Maintenance for Dealer’s New Vehicle Inventory
NOTE: See page 4 for additional information regarding Enhanced Flooded Batteries.
For unsold vehicles:
 Maintain vehicles with transit mode and storage switch in inventory condition (storage-mode) to reduce
battery drain.
 Have a process in place to test and maintain battery SOC for vehicles in dealer inventory.
 Have in place a robust pre-delivery inspection process to ensure the vehicle is not sold or delivered in
storage-mode.
 Test each vehicle’s 12 volt battery during vehicle Check-In (within 72 hours if delivered from NNA or
upon receipt if dealer trade) and retain the Check-In battery tester printout in the vehicle folder. This is
the PDI battery test.

Perform PDI battery test
within 72 hrs of delivery
from NNA
or when received
through dealer trade

Vehicle IGN OFF for at
least 4 hrs with all doors
closed

Battery temperature
is above freezing (above
0°C/32°F)

No

Bring vehicle/battery above
freezing temp

Use Midtronics GR8 (only)
and perform Diagnostic
Charge
Remove battery
from vehicle
No
Is vehicle equipped with
Enhanced Flooded
Battery?
(See page 4)

Direction Time – Eleven
(11) minutes into test
session you will have
Customer Override option

Yes

Customer Override is NOT
an acceptable option for
PDI -> Continue charging
until session is complete

Yes

Battery posts & terminals
are clean, secure, and
No
have
no corrosion

Clean/secure
posts/terminals
Replace terminal(s)
as necessary
Use Recharge Battery
Code for PDI Recharge
warranty claim

Yes

Good

Diagnostic charge test
result
Replace

EXP800 or GR8: Perform
Check-In Mode (select
model and model year)

Check-In
test result

Good

Record test result and
battery voltage on PDI
form and attach test strip
print to PDI folder

Recharge

Replace battery
Use Replace Battery Code
for warranty claim and
attach test strip print to
repair order

Replace

Record test result
and battery voltage on PDI
form and attach test strip
print to PDI folder

Perform battery check
using Inventory Mode with
EXP800 or GR8 every 30
days

Replace battery
Use Replace Battery Code
for warranty claim and
attach test strip print to
repair order

Charge battery with GR8 if
required.

2/15

Perform OK Verify test to
confirm good voltage
Record test result
and battery voltage on PDI
form and attach test strip
print to PDI folder

ITB09-015g

Battery Testing
NOTE: See page 4 for additional information regarding Enhanced Flooded Batteries.


The Midtronics EXP-800 or Midtronics GR8 must be used to obtain the Check-In printout. Refer
to page 9 (EXP-800) or page 13 (GR8) for Check-In Test procedure.



Effective 11/16/2015, GR8 diagnostic charge testing will incorporate use of the Infrared (IR) sensor on
the back of the head unit to help insure the battery is not too cold to obtain accurate test results.



Effective 4/1/2015, testers must have SD cards installed to perform battery tests. Prior to this date, SD
cards were not needed. After this date, testers will not perform without a SD card installed. For this
reason, standard 4GB SD cards have been distributed to all dealers.



Make sure the ignition is OFF, all doors closed, and then wait at least four (4) hours before starting
battery testing.



Make sure both tester cable clamps are securely attached to clean exposed battery terminals or
connectors, ensuring a good electrical connection.
NOTE: In some instances when the tester cables do not have a good connection, or there is
interference from the vehicle electrical systems, the testers can give a result showing good voltage
(greater than 12.5V) and 0 CCA. If this result is observed and there are no signs of a weak battery
when starting the vehicle, reattach the tester leads making sure they have a good connection, and
recheck the battery. If subsequent testing provides the same result, replace the battery as directed.



Testing a “cold” battery (below freezing) may result in incorrect test decisions. If a “REPLACE” decision
is reached yet the vehicle starts without hesitation, perform a re-test after the vehicle (or battery only)
has been in the shop overnight (to ensure battery is warm enough [above freezing]).



The EXP-800 is the first tool of choice for checking battery SOC due to its portability and ease of use.
The GR8 may also be used.



Charge as directed by the battery tester.
 Make sure both tester cable clamps are securely attached to clean exposed battery terminals or
connectors, ensuring a good electrical connection.
 If the tester indicates that the battery requires a charge, use the GR8 and allow the tester to
complete the charging process.
 A “REPLACE” decision after a long charging session may indicate the battery did not reach the
SOC threshold (typically 80%) within the allocated time, not that it is a failed battery. Retesting the
battery is likely to provide a more accurate result the second time.
 The use of the “customer override” function in Midtronics’ diagnostic test mode is not permitted for
batteries that are identified as needing a recharge during Pre Delivery Inspection (PDI) nor an
option for PDI battery claims.



The time allowance for the Check-In battery check is included in the total PDI flat rate time and will be
reimbursed as part of the current PDI payment, even though the remainder of PDI activities may take
place at a later time.

3/15

ITB09-015g

Enhanced Flooded Batteries


A Midtronics battery testing software update, released 2/12/2015, contains new charging software for
Enhanced Flooded Batteries (EFB). EFBs require an equalization charge to address electrolyte
stratification that can occur in this type of battery.



The Q50 with Direct Adaptive Steering (DAST) is, up to this bulletin’s publication date, the only
Infiniti model using the “Q-85” Enhanced Flooded Battery.



EFBs also come in ranges other than Q-85 for example, Q-95.



Charging requirements for EFBs are different from standard flooded batteries:
 The equalization charge for EFBs may take up to 5 hours.
 The EFB must be removed from the vehicle during the charge to eliminate the risk of leakage or
venting that can occur during the extended charge.
 Failure to properly identify an EFB could result in inaccurate test results (for example, calling a
good battery bad). Also, if a non-EFB is subjected to an EFB diagnostic charge, it will be
damaged beyond repair.

EFB

Identification number and label unique only to EFBs

4/15

ITB09-015g

Battery Maintenance
NOTE: See page 4 for additional information regarding Enhanced Flooded Batteries.
Proper storage and maintenance of vehicle batteries is essential to ensuring good 12 volt battery operating life.
If a vehicle is being stored on the dealer lot, routinely check the battery SOC and charge the battery as needed.
Recommended checking intervals are:


Both battery cables connected: every 30 days.



Negative battery cable disconnected: every 90 days.
NOTE:
 If a vehicle is moved, it will affect the battery SOC (very short drives reduce the battery SOC while
long drives increase it).
 Anytime an engine is started, test the battery to confirm the SOC. If needed, charge the battery to
replenish the power consumed when starting.
 Dealers should discontinue the practice of starting an engine to see if the battery is “good.”
Batteries may still start an engine even with a low SOC and the battery may be further damaged if
the battery is not recharged after starting. Battery checks should always be performed with one of
the approved testers.
 Disconnecting the negative battery cable reduces the chance of battery damage due to low SOC.
IMPORTANT: The battery must be fully charged before disconnecting the negative cable.
 For display vehicles, be sure to check and charge daily to avoid low voltage conditions.
 For accurate battery testing use the EXP-800 or the GR8. Refer to page 10 (EXP-800) or page 14
(GR8) for battery inventory testing.

5/15

ITB09-015g

Battery Charging
NOTE: See page 4 for additional information regarding Enhanced Flooded Batteries.
Battery charging should be done with an appropriate battery charger:


The GR8 is recommended for charging Infiniti batteries.
 The GR8 Diagnostic Charging program provides the best charging results for Infiniti batteries.



With exception to EFB equipped vehicles (see page 4), any automotive battery charger set to a low
charge rate can be used.
 Intelligent chargers with low charge rate and “pulsing” technology are preferred. Any charger used
should have an automatic shut-off to prevent overcharging.



Make sure both cable clamps are securely attached to clean exposed battery terminals/clamps,
ensuring a good electrical connection.



Idling the engine to charge the battery is NOT recommended since effectiveness is highly
dependent on vehicle storage conditions such as temperature, vehicle type, and initial SOC.
NOTE:
o After any of the above charging methods, test the battery, using the EXP-800 or the GR8 “OK
Verify” function, to confirm it is fully charged.
o Any time a battery is recharged or replaced; the EXP-800 or the GR8 “OK Verify” function
should be run to confirm that the battery is returned to specification and that there are no other
underlying vehicle issues. Retain the printout of these test results in the vehicle folder for future
reference.
o A “REPLACE” decision after a long charging session may indicate the battery did not reach the
SOC threshold (typically 80%) within the allocated time, not that it is a failed battery. Retesting
the battery is likely to provide a more accurate result the second time.
o Make sure the ignition is OFF (dash lights are out) before exiting the vehicle.

Midtronics GR8 and EXP-800 Information
IMPORTANT:
 A feature was added to the Midtronics GR8 and EXP-800 testers to ensure the latest software is
installed.
 Throughout the year, the testers will inform the user if an update is due and a warning countdown will
be displayed (approximately a 5 day period).
 If updates are not performed within the countdown timeframe, the battery service functions will stop
working until the update is installed.

6/15

ITB09-015g

Record Keeping
NOTE: See page 4 for additional information regarding Enhanced Flooded Batteries.
As batteries are maintained through testing and charging, Infiniti recommends keeping a detailed maintenance
record in the vehicle folder.
In the case where a battery warranty claim is submitted for a battery condition found during vehicle Check-In
(within 72 hours if delivered from NNA or upon receipt if dealer trade) the dealer may be asked in an audit to
show the following battery records: