InfinitiM2011Overview/infiniti/m/2011/base/

2011 Infiniti M

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 M.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S7)

The 2011 Infiniti M is a passenger‑car sedan that uses a 5.2‑quart oil capacity of 5W‑30 API SM and is mated to an automatic S7 transmission, with EPA fuel‑economy ratings of 18 mpg city, 26 mpg highway and 21 mpg combined. Its power‑train, the source of 36 owner complaints, is also the focus of a single recall, indicating a relatively limited reliability concern for the model year. Overall, the complaint volume reflects modest issues compared with typical expectations for luxury sedans of its era.

Model year201320122011

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 API SMOEM · verified
Lug nut torque80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/26/21 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24 · 585 CCA battery, OE oil filter 1520865F0E. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24 · 585 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnSIDEOEM · verified
Tire sizeP245-50R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim9 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter1520865F0E
Engine air filter16546EJ70A
Spark plug22401JK01D
Battery244101MA1A
Front wiper blades288901MA0A alt 288901MA1A
Serpentine belt11720EY00A
Thermostat1305031U00 alt 2120031U03
Cabin air filter272771ME0C alt 272771ME0A

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S7)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length187 in
Overall width69.7 in
Overall height57.1 in
Wheelbase112.2 in
Curb weight3532 lb
Track (front / rear)59.8 / 59.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)53/47

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 26 / 21 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume104 cu ft
Cargo volume15 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the M of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

4.7–5.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.70 sec — 2011 M56 S Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2011M56 S Sedan 5.6L V84.70 sec13.20 sec420 hpRWD
2011M56 S Sedan 5.6L V84.70 sec13.40 sec420 hpRWD
2011M56x Sedan 5.6L V84.80 sec13.30 sec420 hpAWD
2011M56x Sedan 5.6L V84.90 sec13.50 sec420 hpAWD
2011M37 S Sedan 3.7L V65.30 sec13.80 sec330 hpRWD
2011M37 S Sedan 3.7L V65.50 sec14.00 sec330 hpRWD
2011M37 S Sedan 3.7L V65.60 sec14.10 sec330 hpRWD
2012M35h Hybrid Sedan 3.5L V6 + Elec 1.4-kWh5.10 sec13.60 sec360 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.2 qt of 5W-30 API SM engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 28.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-7-3-6-5-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity9.7
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.4 Pints
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.1 Pints
Engine Oil5W-30 · API

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts65 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts65 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts8 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts21 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug28.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs8 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs5 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts80 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub92 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub74-77 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub74-77 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-8-7-3-6-5-4-2
Ignition Timing10, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance2 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm
Ignition Timing11, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance2 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.21 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity5.03-5.07 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24
Standard BCI Cranking Performance585 cca
Standard BCI Group Number24F

Service checks

Pressure Test23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief18-22 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature180 °F
Pressure Test23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief18-22 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature180 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)51.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)65.0 psi

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH FN3 (16 inch) CALIPER PR NOS. 1LH/1ZG
Torque Caliper to Bracket20 ft-lbs / 32 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Brake ApplicationWITH FN3 (16 inch) CALIPER PR NOS. 1LH/1ZG
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0028 in / 0.0014 in / 0.0022 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.102 in / 1.26 in / 0.63 in / 0.787 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.102 in / 1.26 in / 0.63 in / 0.787 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
11.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 81 ft. lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
11.0 ft lbs., Step 2: 4.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 8.01 ft lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
121.7 ft. lbs., Step 2: Back off 360 degrees, Step 3: 14.5 ft. lbs., Step 4: 9021.7 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
121 ft. lbs., Step 2: Back off 360 degrees, Step 3: 18 ft. lbs., Step 4: 9021 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
133 ft. lbs., step 2: 9033 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1116 ft. lbs., step 2: 90116 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
15 ft. lbs., step 2: 19 ft. lbs., step 3: intake collector: 85 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-1029 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
126 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9026 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant at 105,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 105,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Differential (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 105,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 180,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2011 Infiniti M registers a substantial escalation in federal complaints compared to the 2003-2004 model years, with 12 Power Train complaints alone exceeding the total annual complaint volume of 2 recorded for each of those earlier periods. The complaint distribution for 2011 shows Power Train as the dominant category at 12 instances, while Steering, Electrical System, and Unknown categories each contribute 3 complaints, with the provided data not specifying root causes for these concentrations. Additionally, the model year shows 4 crash-related complaints and zero fire complaints, indicating specific safety incidents without thermal event patterns. Following a seven-year gap in the federal record, 2011 appears to represent a volume inflection point rather than a continuation of the minimal complaint trend observed in 2003-2004, suggesting increased mechanical complexity or reporting volume. Given the significant Power Train complaint concentration and the absence of fire-related issues in the data, this year demands thorough pre-purchase inspection of drivetrain components but does not present universal red flags.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
99
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
36
Owner complaints
4 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 36 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train12
Steering3
Unknown Or Other3
Electrical System3
Air Bags2
Power Train,Engine,Forward Collision Avoidance1
Steering,Vehicle Speed Control,Electronic Stability Control (Esc)1
Steering,Suspension,Electronic Stability Control (Esc)1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 99 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
ITB09-063C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
ITB10-029C2024-05-20Electrical SystemCAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended…
ITB13-052E2024-05-20Electrical SystemINTELLIGENT KEY NOT DETECTED / ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See…
ITB13-006D2024-05-20Electrical SystemCAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See…
ITB17-009H2024-04-29Visibility/WiperWINDOW GLASS WARRANTY INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

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VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific M. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2011 M take?

5.2 qt of 5W-30 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 2011 M have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the M get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined mpg.