2011 INFINITI EX Owners Manual

PRECAUTIONS ON VEHICLE-TO-
VEHICLE DISTANCE CONTROL MODE
The system is intended to enhance the opera-
tion of the vehicle when following a vehicle
traveling in the same lane and direction.
If the distance sensor
Adetects a slower
moving vehicle ahead, the system will reduce
the vehicle speed so that your vehicle follows
the vehicle in front at the selected distance.
The system automatically controls the throttle
and applies the brakes (up to 25% of vehicle
braking power) if necessary.
The detection range of the sensor is approxi-
mately 390 ft (120 m) ahead.
WARNING
● This system is only an aid to assist the driver
and is not a collision warning or avoidance
device. It is the driver’s responsibility to stay
alert, drive safely and be in control of the
vehicle at all times.
● The system is primarily intended for use on
straight, dry, open roads with light traffic. It
is not advisable to use the system in city
traffic or congested areas.
● This system will not adapt automatically to
road conditions. This system should be used
in evenly flowing traffic. Do not use the sys-
tem on roads with sharp curves, or on icy
roads, in heavy rain or in fog.
The distance sensor will not detect the follow-
ing objects:
● Stationary and slow moving vehicles
● Pedestrians or objects in the roadway
● Oncoming vehicles in the same lane
● Motorcycles traveling offset in the travel
lane
WARNING
● As there is a performance limit to the dis-
tance control function, never rely solely on
the Intelligent Cruise Control system. This
system does not correct careless, inatten-
tive or absent-minded driving, or overcome
poor visibility in rain, fog, or other bad
weather. Decelerate the vehicle speed by de-
pressing the brake pedal, depending on the
distance to the vehicle ahead and the sur-
rounding circumstances in order to maintain
a safe distance between vehicles.
● If the vehicle ahead comes to a stop, the
vehicle decelerates to a standstill within the
limitations of the system. The system will
cancel once it judges that the vehicle has
come to a standstill and sound a warning
chime. To prevent the vehicle from moving,
the driver must depress the brake pedal.
● The system may not detect the vehicle in
front of you in certain road or weather condi-
tions. To avoid accidents, never use the In-
telligent Cruise Control system under the
following conditions:
– On roads where the traffic is heavy or there are sharp curves
– On slippery road surfaces such as on ice or snow, etc.
SSD0701
5-36Starting and driving

– During bad weather (rain, fog, snow, etc.)When the windshield wiper is operated at
the low speed (LO) or high speed (HI) po-
sition, the Intelligent Cruise Control sys-
tem is automatically canceled.
– When strong light (for example, at sun- rise or sunset) is directly shining on the
front of the vehicle
– When rain, snow or dirt adhere to the sys- tem sensor
– On steep downhill roads (the vehicle may go beyond the set vehicle speed and fre-
quent braking may result in overheating
the brakes)
– On repeated uphill and downhill roads
– When traffic conditions make it difficult to keep a proper distance between vehicles
because of frequent acceleration or
deceleration
● Do not use the Intelligent Cruise Control sys-
tem if you are towing a trailer. The system
may not detect a vehicle ahead. ●
In some road or traffic conditions, a vehicle
or object can unexpectedly come into the
sensor detection zone and cause automatic
braking. You may need to control the dis-
tance from other vehicles using the accelera-
tor pedal. Always stay alert and avoid using
the ICC system when it is not recommended
in this section.
VEHICLE-TO-VEHICLE DISTANCE
CONTROL MODE OPERATION
Always pay attention to the operation of the
vehicle and be ready to manually control the
proper following distance. The vehicle-to-
vehicle distance control mode of the Intelligent
Cruise Control (ICC) system may not be able to
maintain the selected distance between ve-
hicles (following distance) or selected vehicle
speed under some circumstances.
The vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode
uses a sensor
Alocated on the front of the
vehicle to detect vehicles traveling ahead. The
sensor generally detects the signals returned
from the reflectors on a vehicle ahead. There-
SSD0701
Starting and driving5-37

fore, if the sensor cannot detect the reflector on
the vehicle ahead, the ICC system may not
maintain the selected distance.
The following are some conditions in which the
sensor cannot detect the signals:
●When the reflector of the vehicle ahead is
positioned high on the vehicle (trailer, etc.)
● When the reflector on the vehicle ahead is
missing, damaged or covered
● When the reflector of the vehicle ahead is
covered with dirt, snow and road spray
● When the snow or road spray from traveling
vehicles reduces the sensor’s visibility
● When dense exhaust or other smoke (black
smoke) from vehicles reduces the sensor’s
visibility
● When excessively heavy baggage is loaded
in the rear seat or the luggage room of your
vehicle
The ICC system is designed to automatically
check the sensor’s operation within the limita-
tion of the system. When the sensor is covered
with dirt or is obstructed, the system will auto-
matically be canceled. If the sensor is covered
with ice, a transparent or translucent vinyl bag,
etc., the ICC system may not detect them. In
these instances, the vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode may not cancel and may not be
able to maintain the selected following distance
from the vehicle ahead. Be sure to check and
clean the sensor regularly.
The vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode is
designed to maintain a selected distance and
reduce the speed to match the slower vehicle
ahead. The system will decelerate the vehicle as
necessary and if the vehicle ahead comes to a
stop, the vehicle decelerates to a standstill.
However, the ICC system can only apply up to
25% of the vehicles total braking power. This
system should only be used when traffic condi-
tions allow vehicle speeds to remain fairly
constant or when vehicle speeds change gradu-
ally. If a vehicle moves into the traveling lane
ahead or if a vehicle traveling ahead rapidly
decelerates, the distance between vehicles may
become closer because the ICC system cannot
decelerate the vehicle quickly enough. If this
occurs, the ICC system will sound a warning
chime and blink the system display to notify the
driver to take necessary action.
The system will cancel and a warning chime will
sound if the speed is below approximately 15
MPH (24 km/h) and a vehicle is not detected
ahead. The system will also disengage when
the vehicle goes above the maximum set speed.
See “Approach warning” later in this section.
The following items are controlled in the
vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode:
●
When there are no vehicles traveling ahead,
the vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode
maintains the speed set by the driver. The
set speed range is between approximately
20 and 90 MPH (32 and 144 km/h).
● When there is a vehicle traveling ahead, the
vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode ad-
justs the speed to maintain the distance,
selected by driver, from the vehicle ahead.
The adjusting speed range is up to the set
speed. If the vehicle ahead comes to a stop,
the vehicle decelerates to a standstill within
the limitations of the system. The system
will cancel once it judges a standstill with a
warning chime.
● When the vehicle traveling ahead has moved
out from its lane of travel, the vehicle-to-
vehicle distance control mode accelerates
and maintains vehicle speed up to the set
speed.
The ICC system does not control vehicle speed
or warn you when you approach stationary and
slow moving vehicles. You must pay attention to
vehicle operation to maintain proper distance
from vehicles ahead when approaching toll
gates or traffic congestion.
5-38Starting and driving

The detection zone of the ICC sensor is limited.
A vehicle ahead must be in the detection zone
for the vehicle-to-vehicle distance detection
mode to maintain the selected distance from
the vehicle ahead.A vehicle ahead may move outside of the de-
tection zone due to its position within the same
lane of travel. Motorcycles may not be detected
in the same lane ahead if they are traveling
offset from the centerline of the lane. A vehicle
that is entering the lane ahead may not be
detected until the vehicle has completely
moved into the lane.
If this occurs, the ICC
system may warn you by blinking the system
indicator and sounding the chime. The driver
may have to manually control the proper dis-
tance away from vehicle traveling ahead.
SSD0252
Starting and driving5-39

When driving on some roads, such as winding,
hilly, curved, narrow roads, or roads which are
under construction, the ICC sensor may detect
vehicles in a different lane, or may temporarily
not detect a vehicle traveling ahead. This may
cause the ICC system to decelerate or acceler-
ate the vehicle.
The detection of vehicles may also be affected
by vehicle operation (steering maneuver or trav-
eling position in the lane, etc.) or vehicle con-
dition.If this occurs, the ICC system may warn
you by blinking the system indicator and sound-
ing the chime unexpectedly. You will have to
manually control the proper distance away from
the vehicle traveling ahead. When driving on the freeway at a set speed and
approaching a slower traveling vehicle ahead,
the ICC will adjust the speed to maintain the
distance, selected by the driver, from the ve-
hicle ahead. If the vehicle ahead changes lanes
or exits the freeway, the ICC system will accel-
erate and maintain the speed up to the set
speed. Pay attention to the driving operation to
maintain control of the vehicle as it accelerates
to the set speed.
The vehicle may not maintain the set speed on
winding or hilly roads. If this occurs, you will
have to manually control the vehicle speed.Intelligent cruise control switch
The system is operated by a MAIN switch and
four control switches, all mounted on the steer-
ing wheel.
1. RESUME/ACCELERATE switch:
Resumes set speed or increases speed
incrementally.
2. SET/COAST switch:
Sets desired cruise speed, reduces
speed incrementally.
3. CANCEL switch:
Deactivates the system without erasing
the set speed.
SSD0253SSD0254
5-40Starting and driving

4. MAIN (ON·OFF) switch:Master switch to activate the system
5. DISTANCE switch:
Changes the vehicle’s following dis-
tance:
●Long
● Middle
● Short
Intelligent cruise control system
display and indicators
The display is located between the speedom-
eter and tachometer.
1) MAIN switch indicator:
Indicates that the MAIN switch is ON.
2) Vehicle ahead detection indicator:
Indicates whether it detects a vehicle in
front of you.
3) Set distance indicator:
Displays the selected distance between
vehicles set with the DISTANCE switch.
4) Indicates your vehicle 5) Set vehicle speed indicator:
Indicates the set vehicle speed.
For Canadian models, the speed is dis-
played in km/h.
6) Intelligent Cruise Control system warn- ing light (orange):
The light comes on if there is a malfunc-
tion in the ICC system.
SSD0900SSD0606
Starting and driving5-41

When the ignition switch is pushed to the ON
position, the indicators come on as illustrated
to check for a burned-out bulb, and it turns off
when the engine is started.Operating vehicle-to-vehicle distance
control mode
To turn on the cruise control,quickly push and
release the MAIN switch
Aon. The cruise
indicator light, set distance indicator and set
vehicle speed indicator come on and in a
standby state for setting. To set cruising speed,
accelerate your vehicle to
the desired speed, push the SET/COAST switch
and release it. (Vehicle ahead detection indica-
tor, set distance indicator and set vehicle speed
indicator come on.) Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal. Your vehicle will maintain the
set speed.
SSD0607SSD0901SSD0902
5-42Starting and driving

When the SET/COAST switch is pushed under
the following conditions, the system cannot be
set and the ICC indicators will blink for approxi-
mately 2 seconds:
●When traveling below 20 MPH (32 km/h) and
the vehicle ahead is not detected
● When the selector lever is not in the D, DS or
Manual mode
● When the windshield wipers are operating at
low (LO) or high speed (HI). If the vehicle is
equipped with a rain-sensing auto wiper, the
system may cancel when the wipers are
operating at the intermittent (INT) speed.
● When the parking brake is applied ●
When the brakes are operated by the driver
When the SET/COAST switch is pushed under
the following conditions, the system cannot be
set.
A warning chime will sound and the ICC indica-
tors will blink.
● When the SNOW mode switch is ON (To use
the ICC system, turn off the SNOW mode
switch, push the MAIN switch to turn off the
ICC and reset the ICC switch by pressing the
MAIN switch again.)
For details about the SNOW mode switch,
see “SNOW MODE SWITCH” in the “2. Instru-
ments and controls” section. ●
When the VDC system is off (To use the ICC
system, turn on the VDC system. Push the
MAIN switch to turn off the ICC system and
reset the ICC switch by pushing the MAIN
switch again.)
For details about the VDC system, see “VE-
HICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC) SYSTEM”
later in this section.
● When ABS or VDC (including the traction
control system) is operating
● When driving into a strong light (i.e., sun-
light)
● When a wheel is slipping (To use the ICC
system, make sure the wheels are no longer
slipping. Push the MAIN switch to turn off
the ICC, and reset the ICC system by pushing
the MAIN switch again.)
SSD0784SSD0614
Starting and driving5-43