InfinitiM2012Overview/infiniti/m/2012/base/

2012 Infiniti M

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 M.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S7)

The 2012 Infiniti M is a passenger car featuring a seven-speed automatic transmission (S7), delivering EPA-rated fuel economy of 27/31/29 mpg across city, highway, and combined cycles. Required maintenance includes 5.2 quarts of 5W-30 API SM engine oil per service. With only 4 total owner complaints and 5 recalls across the model year, the 2012 M sits within a notably reliable stretch for the M lineage, though service brakes represented the most frequently cited concern among the small number of reported issues.

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 economy27/31/29 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 700 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 24F · 700 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnSTOPOEM · 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 blades28890JK65C alt 288903EV6A
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 weight3706 lb
Track (front / rear)59.8 / 60.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)53/47

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined27 / 31 / 29 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume104 cu ft
Cargo volume11 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.

5.1–5.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.10 sec — 2012 M35h Hybrid Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2012M35h Hybrid Sedan 3.5L V6 + Elec 1.4-kWh5.10 sec13.60 sec360 hpRWD
2012M35h Hybrid Sedan 3.5L V6 + Elec 1.4-kWh5.10 sec13.80 sec360 hpRWD
2012M35h Hybrid Sedan 3.5L V6 + Elec 1.4-kWh5.20 sec13.90 sec360 hpRWD
2012M35h Hybrid Sedan 3.5L V6 + Elec 1.4-kWh5.30 sec13.60 sec360 hpRWD
2012M37 S Sedan 3.7L V65.50 sec14.00 sec330 hpRWD
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

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 Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance700 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

Torque Caliper to Bracket32 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle62 ft-lbs / 91 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle91 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0014 in / 0.0022 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.26 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) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Differential (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exterior Lighting (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miTransmission Assembly (drain & refill)
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 federal record provided covers only the 2003–2004 model years, which each logged two complaints, zero recalls, and zero investigations alongside six to seven TSBs — a modest baseline that cannot be directly extended to the 2012 model due to the eight-year gap in the dataset. For 2012 specifically, the data shows four distinct complaint categories (Service Brakes, Visibility/Wiper, Fuel/Propulsion System, and Suspension/Wheels) each with a single report, and no crash or fire complaints recorded. Without intermediate-year figures, no trend arc can be established across the generation, and the 2012 totals appear low in absolute terms but lack comparative context. The data does not specify root causes for any of the four complaint areas. Given the sparse, isolated nature of the 2012 complaints and the absence of safety-critical incidents, this year presents no evident red flags in the available federal record, making it a reasonable purchase candidate pending a thorough mechanical inspection.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
131
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
4
Owner complaints
0 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 4 complaints on record, top 4 components.

Service Brakes1
Visibility/Wiper1
Fuel/Propulsion System1
Suspension,Wheels1

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 131 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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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 2012 M take?

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

Does the 2012 M have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the M get?

EPA figures are 27 city / 31 highway / 29 combined mpg.