BRAKING PRECAUTIONS
The brake system has two separate hydraulic
circuits. If one circuit malfunctions, you will still
have braking at two wheels.
You may feel a small click and hear a sound
when the brake pedal is fully depressed slowly.
This is not a malfunction and indicates that the
brake assist mechanism is operating properly.
Vacuum assisted brakes
The brake booster aids braking by using engine
vacuum. If the engine stops, you can stop the
vehicle by depressing the brake pedal. How-
ever, greater foot pressure on the brake pedal
will be required to stop the vehicle and the
stopping distance will be longer.
When the brake pedal is depressed slowly and
firmly, you may hear a clicking noise and feel a
slight pulsation. This is normal and indicates
that the Brake Assist System is operating.
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-upthe brakes. Do this until the brakes return to
normal. Avoid driving the vehicle at high speeds
until the brakes function correctly.
EUROPEAN DESIGN BRAKE PADS (if so
equipped)
The FX50 Sport (only) is equipped with more
aggressive European style brake pads which
provide increased fade resistance when repeat-
edly braking from very high speeds. These pads
are likely to experience increased brake dust
and noise as well as increased pad and rotor
wear, with replacement intervals of less than
20,000 miles for some customers depending
upon their driving patterns.
PARKING BRAKE BREAK-IN
Break in the parking brake shoes whenever the
stopping effect of the parking brake is weak-
ened or whenever the parking brake shoes
and/or drums/rotors are replaced, in order to
assure the best braking performance.
This procedure is described in the vehicle ser-
vice manual and can be performed by an
INFINITI retailer.
Using the brakes
Avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal while
driving. This will cause overheating of thebrakes, wearing out the brake and pads faster
and reduce gas mileage.
To help save the brakes and to prevent the
brakes from overheating, reduce speed and
downshift to a lower gear before going down a
slope or long grade. Overheated brakes may
reduce braking performance and could result in
loss of vehicle control.
WARNING
●
While driving on a slippery surface, be care-
ful when braking, accelerating or downshift-
ing. Abrupt braking or accelerating could
cause the wheels to skid and result in an
accident.
● 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.
BRAKE SYSTEM
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03/16/10—tbrooks
●If brake related parts such as brake pads,
rotors and calipers are not INFINITI recom-
mended or are extremely deteriorated, the
VDC system may not operate properly and
both
andindicator lights may
illuminate.
● When driving on extremely inclined surfaces
such as higher banked corners, the VDC sys-
tem may not operate properly and the
indicator may flash or bothandindicator lights may illuminate. Do not drive
on these types of roads.
● When driving on an unstable surface such as
a turntable, ferry, elevator or ramp, the
indicator may flash or bothand
indicator lights may illuminate. This
is not a malfunction. Restart the engine after
driving onto a stable surface.
● If wheels or tires other than the INFINITI rec-
ommended ones are used, the VDC system
may not operate properly and the
in-
dicator may flash or both
andindicator lights may illuminate.
● The VDC system is not a substitute for winter
tires or tire chains on a snow covered road. The Rear Active Steer system is an electronically
controlled four-wheel steering system.
The angle of the rear wheels are adjusted by the
Rear Active Steer system, depending on the
vehicle 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 Rear
Active Steer function will stop but the ordinary
two-wheel steering system will operate nor-
mally. The “RAS” warning light will illuminate. If
the light illuminates while driving, contact an
INFINITI retailer for repair.
WARNING
The Rear Active Steer system, although a so-
phisticated device, cannot prevent accidents
resulting from careless or dangerous driving
techniques. Ultimately the responsibility for
safety of self and others rests in the hands of
the driver. Therefore only through attentive
and careful driving methods can the Rear Active
Steer system be fully appreciated and safety
assured.
REAR ACTIVE STEER SYSTEM (if so
equipped)
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03/17/10—debbie
