2011 INFINITI M ECO mode

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-
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 trunk of your vehicle
The ICC system is designed to automatically
check the sensor’s operation within the limita-
tions of the system. When the sensor is covered
with dirt or obstructs, the system will automati-
cally 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 con-
trol 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.
SSD0943
Starting and driving5-45
—
—
01/13/10—tbrooks


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. 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 or
Manual mode
● When the windshield wipers are operating at
high speed (HI). If the vehicle is equipped
with a rain sensing auto wiper, the system
may cancel when the wipers are set to the
AUTO position. ●
When the parking brake is applied
● When the brakes are operated by the driver
SSD0981SSD0982
5-50Starting and driving
—
—
01/12/10—pattie


NOTE:
The approach warning chime may sound and the
system display may blink when the ICC sensor
detects some reflectors
Awhich are fitted on
vehicles in other lanes or on the side of the road.
This may cause the ICC system to decelerate or
accelerate the vehicle. The ICC sensor may de-
tect these reflectors when the vehicle is driven
on winding roads, hilly roads or when entering
or exiting a curve. The ICC sensor may also de-
tect reflectors on narrow roads or in road con-
struction zones. In these cases you will have to
manually control the proper distance ahead of
your vehicle.
Also, the sensor sensitivity can be affected by
vehicle operation (steering maneuver or driving position in the lane) or traffic or vehicle condi-
tion (for example, if a vehicle is being driven
with some damage).
Automatic cancellation
A chime sounds under the following conditions
and the control is automatically canceled.
●
When the vehicle ahead is not detected and
your vehicle is traveling below the speed of
15 MPH (24 km/h)
● When the system judges the vehicle is at
standstill
● When the selector lever is not in the D or
Manual mode
● When the windshield wipers are operating at
high speed (HI). If the vehicle is equipped
with a rain sensing auto-wiper, the system
may cancel when the wipers are set to the
AUTO position.
● When the parking brake is applied
● When the drive mode select switch is turned
to the SNOW mode
● When the VDC system is turned off
● When ABS or VDC (including the traction
control system) operates
● When driving into a strong light (i.e., sun-
light) ●
When distance measurement becomes im-
paired due to adhesion of dirt or obstruction
to the sensor
● When a wheel slips
SSD0284A
5-56Starting and driving
—
—
01/12/10—pattie


Operating conventional (fixed speed)
cruise control mode
To turn on the conventional (fixed speed) cruise
control mode,push and hold the MAIN switch
Afor longer than about 1.5 seconds.
When pushing the MAIN switch on, the Intelli-
gent Cruise Control system display and the
CRUISE indicator are displayed on the dot ma-
trix crystal display. After you hold the MAIN
switch on for longer than about 1.5 seconds, the
Intelligent Cruise Control system display goes
out. The CRUISE indicator stays lit. You can now
set your desired cruising speed. Pushing the
MAIN switch again will turn the system com-
pletely off. When the Distance Control Assist (DCA) system
is on, the conventional (fixed speed) cruise
control mode cannot be turned on even though
the MAIN switch is pushed and held.
To turn on the conventional (fixed speed) cruise
control mode, turn off the DCA system. See
“DISTANCE CONTROL ASSIST (DCA) SYSTEM”
later in this section.
When the ignition switch is pushed to the OFF
position, the system is also automatically
turned off. To use the Intelligent Cruise Control
again, quickly push and release the MAIN
switch (vehicle-to-vehicle distance control
mode) or push and hold it (conventional cruise
control mode) again to turn it on.
CAUTION
To avoid accidentally engaging cruise control,
make sure to turn the MAIN switch off when not
using the Intelligent Cruise Control system.
To set cruising speed,
accelerate your vehicle to
the desired speed, push the SET/COAST switch
and release it. (The SET indicator will come on in
the display.) Take your foot off the accelerator
pedal. Your vehicle will maintain the set speed.
● To pass another vehicle, depress the accel-
erator pedal. When you release the pedal,
the vehicle will return to the previously set
speed.
● The vehicle may not maintain the set speed
when going up or down steep hills. If this
happens, manually maintain vehicle speed.
To cancel the preset speed, use any of the
following methods:
a) Push the CANCEL button. The SET indica- tor will go out.
SSD0992SSD0993
5-60Starting and driving
—
—
01/12/10—pattie


Changing the dynamic driver assistance switch
settings :
The dynamic driver assistance switch will turn
on and off the LDP, BSI and DCA systems at the
same time when each system is enabled using
the settings menu on the center display.
1. Push the SETTING1button and highlight
the “Driver Assistance” key on the display
using the INFINITI controller. Then push
the ENTER
2button.
2. Highlight the “Dynamic Assistance set- tings” key, and push the ENTER
2but-
ton. 3. Highlight the “Distance Control Assist”
key, select ON (enabled) or OFF (disabled)
and push the ENTER
2button. The fac-
tory default setting is set to ON (enabled).
If you set all of the systems to disable and push
the dynamic driver assistance switch, the indi-
cator of the disabled system will blink for about
4 seconds and turn off. See “LANE DEPARTURE
WARNING (LDW) SYSTEM/LANE DEPARTURE PRE-
VENTION (LDP) SYSTEM” earlier in this section
and “BLIND SPOT WARNING (BSW)
SYSTEM/BLIND SPOT INTERVENTION™ (BSI)
SYSTEM” later in this section. Under the following conditions, the Distance
Control Assist system will not operate and the
Distance Control Assist (DCA) system switch
indicator light will blink:
●
When the drive mode select switch is turned
to the SNOW mode (To use the DCA system,
turn the drive mode select switch to a mode
other than the SNOW mode, then turn on the
dynamic driver assistance switch.)
For details about the INFINITI drive mode
selector, see “INFINITI DRIVE MODE SELEC-
TOR” in the “5. Starting and driving” section.
SSD1002SSD0996
5-68Starting and driving
—
—
01/12/10—pattie


●Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Maintain
cruising speeds with a constant accelerator
position.
● Drive at moderate speeds on the highway.
● Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking.
Keep a safe distance behind other vehicles.
● Select a gear range suitable to road condi-
tions.
● Avoid unnecessary prolonged engine idling.
● Keep your engine tuned up.
● Follow the recommended periodic mainte-
nance schedule.
● Keep the tires inflated at the correct pres-
sure. Improper tire pressure will increase
wear and waste fuel.
● Make sure the front wheels are properly
aligned. Improper alignment will cause pre-
mature tire wear and lower fuel economy.
● Climate control operation lowers fuel
economy. Use the air conditioner only when
necessary.
● When cruising at highway speeds, it is more
economical to use the air conditioner and
leave the windows closed to reduce drag. The AWD warning light is located in the meter.
The AWD warning light comes on when the
ignition switch is pushed to the ON position. It
turns off soon after the engine is started. If any malfunction occurs in the Intelligent AWD
system while the engine is running, the warning
light will come on.
The warning light may blink rapidly (about twice
per second) while trying to free a stuck vehicle
due to high power train oil temperature. The
driving mode may change to two-wheel drive. If
the warning light blinks rapidly during opera-
tion, stop the vehicle with the engine idling in a
safe place immediately. Then if the light goes
off after a while, you can continue driving.
A large difference between the diameters of
front and rear wheels will make the warning
light blink slowly (about once per two seconds).
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 blinking after the above
operation, have your vehicle checked by an
INFINITI retailer as soon as possible.
SSD0336
INCREASING FUEL ECONOMY
INTELLIGENT ALL-WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) (if
so equipped)
Starting and driving5-81
—
—
01/12/10—pattie


●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 ASSIST
When the force applied to the brake pedal
exceeds a certain level, the Brake Assist is
activated generating greater braking force than
a conventional brake booster even with light
pedal force.
WARNING
The Brake Assist is only an aid to assist braking
operation and is not a collision warning or
avoidance device. It is the driver’s responsibil-
ity to stay alert, drive safely and be in control of
the vehicle at all times.
PREVIEW FUNCTION (Intelligent Cruise
Control system equipped models)
When the Preview Function identifies the need
to apply emergency braking by sensing a ve-
hicle ahead in the same lane and the distance
and relative speed from it, it applies the brake
pre-pressure before the driver depresses the
brake pedal and helps improve brake response
by reducing pedal free play.
● This system will not operate when the ve-
hicle is moving at approximately 20 MPH (32
km/h) or less. ●
The pre-pressure function ceases when the
following conditions are met:
a) When the driver depresses the accel- erator pedal or the brake pedal.
b) If the driver does not operate the ac- celerator or brake pedal within ap-
proximately 1 second.
BRAKE ASSIST
Starting and driving5-85
—
—
01/12/10—pattie


CAUTION
●Always connect positive (+) to positive (+)
and negative () to body ground (as illus-
trated) — not to the battery.
● Make sure the jumper cables do not touch
moving parts in the engine compartment and
that clamps do not contact any other metal.
5. Start the engine of the booster vehicleA
and let it run for a few minutes.
6. Keep the engine speed of the booster vehicle
Aat about 2,000 rpm, and start
the engine of the vehicle being jump
started
B.
CAUTION
Do not keep the starter motor engaged for more
than 10 seconds. If the engine does not start
right away, push the ignition switch to the OFF
position and wait 10 seconds before trying
again.
7. After starting your engine, carefully dis- connect the negative cable and then the
positive cable (
4→3→2→1). 8. Replace the vent caps (if so equipped). Be
sure to dispose of the cloth used to cover
the vent holes as it may be contaminated
with corrosive acid.
9. Put the battery cover on.
Do not attempt to start the engine by pushing.
CAUTION
● Automatic transmission models cannot be
push-started or tow-started. Attempting to
do so may cause transmission damage.
● Three way catalyst equipped models should
not be started by pushing since the three
way catalyst may be damaged.
● Never try to start the vehicle by towing it;
when the engine starts, the forward surge
could cause the vehicle to collide with the
tow vehicle.
If needed, Roadside Assistance is available.
Please see your Warranty Information Booklet
or Roadside Assistance I.D. Card for the toll-free
number to call (U.S.) or Warranty & Roadside
Assistance Information Booklet (Canada).
PUSH STARTING
6-10In case of emergency
—
—
01/13/10—pattie