prevent all injuries in any accident.
O Do not attach anything to the head re-
straint stalks. Doing so could impair ac-
tive head restraint function.
The active head restraint moves forward
utilizing the force that the seatback re-
ceives from the occupant in a rear-end
collision. The movement of the head re-
straint helps support the occupant's head
by reducing its backward movement and
helping absorb some of the forces that
may lead to whiplash type injuries.
Active head restraints are effective for col-
lisions at low to medium speeds in which
it is said that whiplash injury occurs
most.
Active head restraints operate only in cer-
tain rear-end collisions. After the colli-
sion, the head restraints return to their
original positions.
Properly adjust the active head restraints
as described in the previous section.
ARMREST (if so equipped) Pull the armrest forward until it is hori-
zontal. PRECAUTIONS ON SEAT BELT
USAGE If you are wearing your seat belt properly
adjusted, and you are sitting upright and
well back in your seat, your chances of
being injured or killed in an accident
and/or the severity of injury may be
greatly reduced. INFINITI strongly encour-
ages you and all of your passengers to
buckle up every time you drive, even if
your seating position includes a supple-
mental air bag.
Most states, provinces or territories re-
quire that seat belts be worn at all times
when a vehicle is being driven. SSS0186SEAT BELTS
Safety Ð Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
1-9
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If the AWD system malfunctions, or the di-
ameter of the front and the rear wheels
are different, the warning light will either
remain illuminated or blink. See ªAll-
wheel drive (AWD) warning lightº in the
ª5. Starting and drivingº section.
CAUTIONO If the warning light comes on while
driving there may be a malfunction in the
AWD system. Reduce the vehicle speed
and have your vehicle checked by an
INFINITI dealer as soon as possible.
O Do not drive on dry, hard surface roads in
the SNOW mode.
O If the AWD warning light blinks on when
you are driving:
· blinks rapidly (about twice a second):
Pull off the road in a safe area, and
idle the engine. The driving mode will
change to 2WD to prevent the AWD
system from malfunctioning.
If the warning light turns off, you can
drive again. · blinks slowly (about once every 2 sec-
onds):
Pull off the road in a safe area, and
idle the engine. Check that all tire
sizes are the same, tire pressure is
correct and tires are not worn.
If the warning light is still on after the above
operations, have your vehicle checked by an
INFINITI dealer as soon as possible.
or Anti-lock brake
warning lightWhen the ignition switch is turned to the
ON position, the anti-lock brake warning
light will illuminate and then turn off. This
indicates the anti-lock brake system (ABS)
is operational.
If the light comes on while the engine is
running, it may indicate the anti-lock
brake system is not functioning properly.
Have the system checked by an INFINITI
dealer.
If a malfunction occurs in the system, the
anti-lock function of the brake will cease
operation but the ordinary brakes will
continue to operate. See ªAnti-lock brake system (ABS)º in the ª5. Starting and
drivingº section for further details.
If the light comes on while you are driving,
contact an INFINITI dealer for repair.
Automatic transmission
check warning light When the ignition switch is turned to the
ON position, the automatic transmission
check warning light comes on and then
turns off. This indicates that the auto-
matic transmission system is operational.
If the light comes on while the engine is
running or while driving, it may indicate
that the automatic transmission system is
not functioning properly. Have an INFINITI
dealer check and repair the transmission.
or Brake warning
light The brake warning light indicates the
parking brake system operation, low
brake fluid level of the brake system and
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) malfunction.
Parking brake indicator:
When the ignition switch is in the ON po-
sition, the light comes on when the park-
ing brake is applied.
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Low brake fluid warning light:
The light warns of a low brake fluid level.
If the light comes on while the engine is
running with the parking brake not ap-
plied, stop the vehicle and perform the
following:
1. Check the brake fluid level. Add brake
fluid as necessary. See ªBrake fluidº
in the ª8. Maintenance and do-it-
yourselfº section.
2. If the brake fluid level is correct, have
the warning system checked by an
INFINITI dealer.
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) warning
indicator:
When the parking brake is released and
the brake fluid level is sufficient, if both
the brake warning light and the anti-lock
brake system warning light illuminate, it
may indicate the anti-lock brake system is
not functioning properly. Have the brake
system checked by an INFINITI dealer. See
ªAnti-lock brake warning lightº earlier in
this section. WARNING O Your brake system may not be working
properly if the warning light is on.
Driving could be dangerous. If you judge
it to be safe, drive carefully to the
nearest service station for repairs. Oth-
erwise, have your vehicle towed because
driving it could be dangerous.
O Pressing the brake pedal with the engine
stopped and/or a low brake fluid level
may increase your stopping distance
and braking will require greater pedal ef-
fort as well as pedal travel.
O If the brake fluid level is below the MINI-
MUM or MIN mark on the brake fluid res-
ervoir, do not drive until the brake
system has been checked by an INFINITI
dealer.
Charge warning light If the light comes on while the engine is
running, it may indicate that the charging
system is not functioning properly. Turn
the engine off and check the alternator belt. If the belt is loose, broken, missing
or if the light remains on, see an INFINITI
dealer immediately.
CAUTION Do not continue driving if the generator belt
is loose, broken or missing.
Door open warning light This light comes on when any of the
doors are not closed securely while the
ignition switch is in the ON position.
Engine oil pressure warning
light This light warns of low engine oil pres-
sure. If the light flickers or comes on dur-
ing normal driving, pull off the road in a
safe area, stop the engine immediately
and call an INFINITI dealer or other autho-
rized repair shop.
The engine oil pressure warning light is
not designed to indicate a low oil level.
Use the dipstick to check the oil level. See
ªEngine oilº in the ª8. Maintenance and
do-it-yourselfº section.
Instruments and controls
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5 Starting and driving Precautions when starting and driving .............. 5-2
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) .................. 5-2
Three way catalyst....................................... 5-3
Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) ..... 5-3
Avoiding collision and rollover..................... 5-5
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving ............. 5-5
All-wheel drive (AWD) driving safety
precautions (for AWD models) .................... 5-6
Ignition switch (except Intelligent Key
system)............................................................. 5-6
Automatic transmission ............................... 5-6
Manual transmission .................................. 5-7
Key positions .............................................. 5-8
INFINITI Vehicle Immobilizer System ............ 5-8
Ignition switch (models with the Intelligent
Key system) ...................................................... 5-9
Ignition switch positions ............................. 5-9
INFINITI Vehicle Immobilizer System .......... 5-10
Before starting the engine............................... 5-10
Starting the engine .......................................... 5-11
Driving the vehicle .......................................... 5-12
Automatic transmission.............................. 5-12
Manual transmission ................................ 5-16
Parking brake .................................................. 5-19 Cruise control ................................................. 5-20
Precautions on cruise control .................... 5-20
Cruise control operations .......................... 5-20
Break-in schedule ........................................... 5-22
Increasing fuel economy ................................. 5-22
All-wheel drive (AWD) (if so equipped) ............ 5-23
All-wheel drive (AWD) warning light ........... 5-23
Parking/parking on hills ................................. 5-24
Power steering ................................................ 5-25
Brake system .................................................. 5-26
Braking precautions .................................. 5-26
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)..................... 5-26
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system .......... 5-28
Rear active steer (RAS) system (if so
equipped) ....................................................... 5-29
Cold weather driving....................................... 5-30
Freeing a frozen door lock ......................... 5-30
Anti-freeze ................................................. 5-30
Battery ...................................................... 5-30
Draining of coolant water .......................... 5-30
Tire equipment .......................................... 5-30
Special winter equipment........................... 5-31
Driving on snow or ice ............................... 5-31
Engine block heater (if so equipped) ......... 5-32
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BRAKING PRECAUTIONS The brake system has two separate hy-
draulic circuits. If one circuit malfunc-
tions, you will still have braking ability at
two wheels.
Vacuum assisted brake
The brake booster aids braking by using
engine vacuum. If the engine stops, you
can stop the vehicle by depressing the
brake pedal. However, greater foot pres-
sure on the brake pedal will be required
to stop the vehicle and the stopping dis-
tance will be longer.
Wet brakes
When the vehicle is washed or driven
through water, the brakes may get wet.
As a result, your braking distance will be
longer and the vehicle may pull to one
side during braking.
To dry brakes, drive the vehicle at a safe
speed while lightly tapping the brake
pedal to heat-up the brakes. Do this until
the brakes return to normal. Avoid driving
the vehicle at high speeds until the
brakes function correctly.
Parking brake break-in
Break-in the parking brake shoes when-
ever the stopping effect of the parking brake is weakened or whenever the park-
ing brake shoes and/or drums/rotors are
replaced, in order to assure the best
braking performance.
This procedure is described in the vehicle
service manual and can be performed by
your INFINITI dealer.
Using the brakes
Avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal
while driving. This will cause overheating
of the brakes, increases wear on the
brakes and pads, and reduces gas
mileage.
To help save the brakes and to prevent
the brakes from overheating, reduce
speed and downshift to a lower gear be-
fore going down a slope or long grade.
Overheated brakes may reduce braking
performance and could result in loss of
vehicle control.
WARNING O While driving on a slippery surface, be
careful when braking, accelerating or
downshifting. Abrupt braking or accel- erating could cause the wheels to skid
and result in an accident.
O If the engine is not running or is turned
off while driving, the power assist for the
brakes will not work. Braking will be
harder.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) The anti-lock brake system (ABS) controls
the brakes so the wheels will not lock when
braking abruptly or when braking on slip-
pery surfaces. The system detects the rota-
tion speed at each wheel and varies the
brake fluid pressure to prevent each wheel
from locking and sliding. By preventing
wheel lockup, the system helps the driver
maintain steering control and helps to mini-
mize swerving and spinning on slippery sur-
faces.
Using the system Depress the brake pedal and hold it
down.BRAKE SYSTEM
5-26 Starting and driving
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WARNINGDo not pump the brake pedal. Doing so may
result in increased stopping distances.
Normal operation The ABS will not operate at speeds below
3 to 6 MPH (5 to 10 km/h) to stop the ve-
hicle. (The speeds will vary according to
road conditions.) When the anti-lock
system senses that one or more wheels
are close to locking up, the actuator
(under the hood) rapidly applies and re-
leases hydraulic pressure (like pumping
the brakes very quickly). While the actua-
tor is working, you may feel a pulsation in
the brake pedal and hear a noise or vibra-
tion from the actuator under the hood.
This is normal and indicates that the ABS
is working properly. However, the ABS op-
eration may indicate that road conditions
are hazardous and extra care is required
while driving.
Self-test feature The anti-lock brake system consists of
electronic sensors, electric pumps, and
hydraulic solenoids controlled by a com- puter. The computer has a built-in diag-
nostic feature that tests the system each
time you start the engine and move the
vehicle at a low speed in forward or re-
verse. When the self-test occurs, you may
hear a clunk noise and/or feel a pulsation
in the brake pedal. This is normal and is
not an indication of any malfunction. If
the computer senses any malfunction, it
switches the ABS off and turns on the
ABS warning light in the instrument
panel. The brake system operates nor-
mally, but without anti-lock assistance.
If the light comes on during the self-test
or while driving, take the vehicle to an
INFINITI dealer for repair.
WARNING The anti-lock brake system is a sophisticated
device, but it cannot prevent accidents re-
sulting from careless or dangerous driving
techniques. It can help maintain vehicle con-
trol during braking on slippery surfaces, but
remember that the stopping distance on slip-
pery surfaces will be longer than on normal
surfaces even with the anti-lock brake system. Stopping distances may also be
longer on rough, gravel or snow covered
roads, or if you are using tire chains. Always
maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in
front of you. Ultimately, the responsibility
for safety of self and others rests in the
hands of the driver.
Tire type and condition of tires may also af-
fect braking effectiveness.
O When replacing tires, install the speci-
fied size of tires to the front and rear.
O When installing a spare tire, make sure it
is the proper size and type as specified
on the Tire and Loading Information
label. See ªVehicle identificationº in the
ª9. Technical and consumer informa-
tionº section for the Tire and Loading In-
formation label location.
Starting and driving
5-27
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When accelerating or driving on a slippery
surface, the tires may spin or slide. With
the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
system, sensors detect these movements
and control the braking and engine
output to help improve vehicle stability.
O When the VDC system is operating,
the ªSLIPº indicator in the instrument
panel blinks.
O When only the Traction Control System
(TCS) portion of the VDC system is op-
erating, the ªSLIPº indicator in the in-
strument panel blinks.
O If the ªSLIPº indicator blinks, the road
conditions are slippery. Be sure to ad-
just your speed and driving to these
conditions. Be sure to drive carefully.
See ªSlip indicator lightº, and ªVe-
hicle Dynamic Control (VDC) off indica-
tor lightº in the ª2. Instruments and
controlsº section.
O Indicator light
If a malfunction occurs in the system,
the ªSLIPº and ªVDC OFFº indicator
lights illuminate in the instrument
panel. As long as these indicators are
illuminated, the VDC system function
is canceled. The VDC system uses an Active Brake Lim-
ited Slip (ABLS) system to improve vehicle
traction. The ABLS system works when
one of the driving wheels is spinning on a
slippery surface. The ABLS system brakes
the spinning wheel which distributes the
driving power to the other driving wheel.
If the vehicle is operated with the VDC
system turned off, all VDC system func-
tions and TCS functions will be turned off.
The ABLS system and ABS will still op-
erate with the VDC system off. When the
ABLS system is activated, the ªSLIPº indi-
cator light will blink and you may hear a
clunk noise and/or feel a pulsation in the
brake pedal. This is normal and is not an
indication of a malfunction.
While the VDC system is operating, you
may feel a pulsation in the brake pedal and
hear a noise or feel a vibration from under
the hood. This is normal and indicates that
the VDC system is working properly.
The VDC system computer has a built in
diagnostic feature that tests the system
each time you start the engine and move
the vehicle forward or backward. When
the self-test occurs, you may hear a clunk
noise and/or feel a pulsation in the brake
pedal. This is normal and is not an indica-
tion of a malfunction. WARNING O The VDC system is designed to help im-
prove driving stability but does not pre-
vent accidents due to abrupt steering op-
eration at high speeds or due to careless
or dangerous driving. Reduce vehicle
speed and be especially careful when
driving and cornering on slippery sur-
faces and always drive carefully.
O If engine related parts such as muffler
are not standard equipment or are ex-
tremely deteriorated, the ªVDC OFFº in-
dicator or ªSLIPº indicator or both indi-
cator lights may illuminate.
O Do not modify the vehicle's suspension.
If suspension parts such as shock ab-
sorbers, struts, springs, stabilizer bars
and bushings are not INFINITI-approved
or are extremely deteriorated, the VDC
system may not operate properly. This
could adversely affect vehicle handling
performance, and the ªVDC OFFº indi-
cator or ªSLIPº indicator or both indi
cator lights may illuminate.VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC)
SYSTEM
5-28 Starting and driving
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CAUTIONO Do not use axle-mounted hitches.
O The hitch should not be attached to or af-
fect the operation of the impact-
absorbing bumper.
O Do not modify the vehicle exhaust
system, brake system, etc. to install a
trailer hitch.
O To reduce the possibility of additional
damage if your vehicle is struck from the
rear, where practical, remove the hitch
and/or receiver when not in use.
O After the hitch is removed, seal the bolt
holes to prevent exhaust fumes, water or
dust from entering the passenger com-
partment.
O Regularly check that all trailer hitch
mounting bolts are securely mounted. Tire pressures
O When towing a trailer, inflate the ve-
hicle tires to the recommended cold
tire pressure indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information label.
O Trailer tire condition, size, load
rating and proper inflation pressure
should be in accordance with the
trailer and tire manufacturers' speci-
fications.
Safety chains Always use a suitable chains between
your vehicle and the trailer. The safety
chains should be crossed and should be
attached to the hitch, not to the vehicle
bumper or axle. Be sure to leave enough
slack in the chains to permit turning cor-
ners.
Trailer lights
CAUTION When splicing into the vehicle electrical sys-
tem, a commercially available power-type module/converter must be used to provide
power for all trailer lighting. This unit uses
the vehicle battery as a direct power source
for all trailer lights while using the vehicle
tail light, stoplight and turn signal circuits
as a signal source. The module/converter
must draw no more than 15 milliamps from
the stop and tail lamp circuits. Using a
module/converter that exceeds these power
requirements may damage the vehicle's
electrical system. See a reputable trailer
dealer to obtain the proper equipment and to
have it installed.
Trailer lights should comply with federal
and/or local regulations. For assistance in
hooking up trailer lights, contact an
INFINITI dealer or reputable trailer dealer.
Trailer brakes If your trailer is equipped with a braking
system, make sure it conforms to federal
and/or local regulations and that it is
properly installed.
9-20 Technical and consumer information
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