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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O If brake related parts such as brake
pads, rotors and calipers are not stan-
dard equipment or are extremely dete-
riorated, the ªVDC OFFº indicator or
ªSLIPº indicator or both indicator lights
may illuminate.
O When driving on extremely inclined sur-
faces such as higher banked corners, the
Vehicle Dynamic Control system may not
operate properly and the ªVDC OFFº indi-
cator or ªSLIPº indicator or both indi-
cator lights may illuminate. Do not drive
on these types of roads.
O When driving on an unstable surface
such as a turntable, ferry, elevator or
ramp, the ªVDC OFFº indicator or ªSLIPº
indicator or both indicator lights may il-
luminate. This is not a malfunction. Re-
start the engine after driving onto a
stable surface.
O If wheels or tires other than those rec-
ommended are used, the VDC system
may not operate properly and the ªVDC
OFFº indicator or ªSLIPº indicator or
both indicator lights may illuminate. O The VDC system is not a substitute for
winter tires or tire chains on a snow cov-
ered road. The Rear Active Steer (RAS) system is an
electronically controlled four-wheel
steering system.
The angle of the rear wheels are adjusted
by the RAS system, depending on the ve-
hicle speed and steering angle. The rear
wheels are designed to turn momentarily
in the opposite direction and then change
to the same direction as the front wheels.
At low speeds, the rear wheels will not
turn and the system functions as a two-
wheel steering system.
If a malfunction occurs in the system, the
RAS function will stop but the ordinary
two-wheel steering system will operate
normally. The ªRASº warning light will il-
luminate.
If the light illuminates while you are driv-
ing, contact an INFINITI dealer for repair.REAR ACTIVE STEER (RAS) SYSTEM (if so
equipped)
Starting and driving
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Installing the spare tire The spare tire is designed emergency use.
See specific instructions under the
heading ªWheels and tiresº in the ª8.
Maintenance and do-it-yourselfº section.
1. Clean any mud or dirt from the surface
between the wheel and hub.
2. Carefully put the wheel on and tighten
the wheel nuts finger tight.
(Coupe models)
When replacing a front tire, make sure
the hole in the spare tire wheel is aligned with the pin on the brake
rotor.
3. With the wheel nut wrench, tighten
wheel nuts alternately and evenly until
they are tight.
4. Lower the vehicle slowly until the tire
touches the ground. Then, with the
wheel nut wrench, tighten the wheel
nuts securely in the sequence illus-
trated (
q 1
,
q 2
,
q 3
,
q 4
,
q 5
). Lower the
vehicle completely.
WARNING O Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly tight-
ened wheel nuts can cause the wheel to
become loose or come off. This could
cause an accident.
O Do not use oil or grease on the wheel
studs or nuts. This could cause the nuts
to become loose.
O Retighten the wheel nuts after the ve-
hicle has been driven for 600 miles
(1,000 km) (also in cases of a flat tire,
etc.). As soon as possible tighten the wheel nuts
to the specified torque with a torque
wrench.
Wheel nut tightening torque:
80 ft-lb (108 N z m)
The wheel nuts must be kept tightened to
specification at all times. It is recom-
mended that wheel nuts be tightened to
specification at each lubrication interval.
Adjust the tire pressure to the COLD pres-
sure.
COLD pressure:
After the vehicle has been parked for three
hours or more or driven less than 1 mile
(1.6 km) at moderate speeds.
COLD tire pressures are shown on the Tire
and Loading Information label affixed to
the driver side center pillar.SCE0039
In case of emergency
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rear tires and the direction of the wheel
rotation is fixed for each tire.
A pin is on the front brake rotor to pre-
vent the rear wheels from being in-
stalled in place of the front wheels. The
spare tire can be installed in place of
the front and rear wheels. When install-
ing the spare tire in the front wheel, the
hole in the spare tire wheel must be
aligned with the pin on the brake rotor.
WARNINGO Retighten the wheel nuts when the
vehicle has been driven for 600
miles (1,000 km) (also in cases of a
flat tire, etc.).
O For additional information re-
garding tires, refer to ªImportant
Tire Safety Informationº (US) or
ªTire Safety Informationº (Canada)
in the Warranty Information
Booklet. 1. Wear indicator
2. Location mark
Tire wear and damage
WARNINGO Tires should be periodically in-
spected for wear, cracking,
bulging or objects caught in the
tread. If excessive wear, cracks,
bulging or deep cuts are found, the
tire(s) should be replaced. O The original tires have built-in
tread wear indicators. When the
wear indicators are visible, the
tire(s) should be replaced.
O Tires degrade with age and use.
Have tires, including the spare,
over 6 years old checked by a
qualified technician because some
tire damage may not be obvious.
Replace the tires as necessary to
prevent tire failure and possible
personal injury.
O Improper service of the spare tire
may result in serious personal in-
jury. If it is necessary to repair the
spare tire, contact an INFINITI
dealer.
O For additional information re-
garding tires, refer to ªImportant
Tire Safety Informationº (US) or
ªTire Safety Informationº (Canada)
in the Warranty Information
Booklet.
Replacing wheels and tires When replacing a tire, use the same size,
speed rating and load carrying capacity
as originally equipped. See ªSpecifica- MDI0004C
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