2011 INFINITI QX light

5. To stop the engine, shift the selector leverto the P (Park) position and push the
ignition switch to the OFF position.ENGINE PROTECTION MODE
The engine has an engine protection mode to
reduce the chance of damage if the coolant
temperature becomes too high (for example,
when climbing steep grades in high tempera-
ture with heavy loads, such as when towing a
trailer).
When the engine temperature reaches a certain
level:
● The engine coolant temperature gauge will
move toward the H position.
● Engine power may be reduced.
● The air conditioning cooling function may be
automatically turned OFF for a short time
(the blower will continue to operate).
Engine power and, under some conditions, ve-
hicle speed will decrease. Vehicle speed can be
controlled with the accelerator pedal, but the
vehicle may not accelerate at the desired
speed. The transmission will downshift or up-
shift as it reaches prescribed shift points. You
can also shift manually.
As driving conditions change and engine cool-
ant temperature is reduced, vehicle speed can
be increased using the accelerator pedal, and
air conditioning cooling function will automati-
cally be turned back ON. If:1. The engine coolant temperature is not
reduced.
2. The air conditioning cooling function does not turn back ON.
3. The engine oil pressure warning light
illuminates or engine coolant tem-
perature gauge does not return to the
normal range from the H position, this
may indicate a malfunction. Move the
vehicle off the road to a safe area and
allow the engine to cool. If after checking
the oil and coolant, the
remains on
or engine coolant temperature does not
return to the normal range, do not con-
tinue to drive and contact an INFINITI
retailer.
The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)may also come ON. You do not need to have
your vehicle towed, unless it remains on, but
have it inspected soon by an INFINITI retailer.
See “WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS AND AU-
DIBLE REMINDERS” in the “2. Instruments and
controls” section.
DRIVING THE VEHICLE
5-14Starting and driving

WARNING
Overheating can result in reduced engine
power and vehicle speed. The reduced speed
may be lower than other traffic, which could
increase the chance of a collision. Be especially
careful when driving. If the vehicle cannot
maintain a safe driving speed, pull to the side
of the road in a safe area. Allow the engine to
cool and return to normal operation. See “IF
YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS” in the “6. In case of
emergency” section.
CAUTION
Running the engine with the engine oil pres-
sure warning light on could cause serious dam-
age to the engine almost immediately. Such
damage is not covered by warranty. Turn off the
engine as soon as it is safe to do so.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
7 speed automatic transmission
The automatic transmission in your vehicle is
electronically controlled by a transmission con-
trol module to produce maximum efficiency and
smooth operation.Shown on the following pages are the recom-
mended operating procedures for this transmis-
sion. Follow these procedures for maximum
vehicle performance and driving enjoyment.
Starting the vehicle
After starting the engine, fully depress the foot
brake pedal and push the selector lever button
before shifting the selector lever to the R (Re-
verse), N (Neutral), D (Drive) or Manual shift
mode position. Be sure the vehicle is fully
stopped before attempting to shift the selector
lever.
This automatic transmission model is designed
so that the foot brake pedal must be depressed
before shifting from P (Park) to any drive posi-
tion while the ignition switch position is ON.
The selector lever cannot be moved out of the P
(Park) position and into any of the other gear
positions if the ignition switch is pushed to the
LOCK, OFF or ACC position.
1. Keep the foot brake pedal depressed and
push the selector lever button to shift into
a driving gear. 2. Release the parking brake and foot brake,
then gradually start the vehicle in motion.
WARNING
●Do not depress the accelerator pedal while
shifting from P (Park) or N (Neutral) to R (Re-
verse), D (Drive) or manual shift mode. Al-
ways depress the brake pedal until shifting
is completed. Failure to do so could cause
you to lose control and have an accident.
● Cold engine idle speed is high, so use cau-
tion when shifting into a forward or reverse
gear before the engine has warmed up.
● Never shift to P (Park) or R (Reverse) while
vehicle is moving forward. Never shift to P
(Park), D (Drive) or manual shift mode while
vehicle is moving rearward. Failure to do so
could cause you to lose control and have an
accident.
● Except in an emergency, do not shift to the N
(Neutral) position while driving. Doing so
can cause a loss of engine braking which
may result in a collision, serious personal
injury or death. In addition, coasting with
the transmission in the N (Neutral) position
may cause serious damage to the
transmission.
Starting and driving5-15

CAUTION
●When stopping the vehicle on an uphill
grade, do not hold the vehicle by depressing
the accelerator pedal. The foot brake should
be used for this purpose.
● Do not downshift abruptly on slippery roads.
This may cause a loss of control.
Shifting
To move the selector lever,
: Push the button while depressing the
brake pedal,
: Push the button,
: Just move the selector lever.
The selector lever position indicator light (next
to the selector lever) will be illuminated for
approximately 30 minutes after the ignition
switch is turned off. The indicator light may also
illuminate when the vehicle receives radio
waves. This is not a malfunction. After starting the engine, fully depress the
brake pedal and shift the selector lever from P
(Park) to R (Reverse), N (Neutral), D (Drive) or
Manual shift mode position.
Push the button to shift into P (Park) or R
(Reverse). All other positions can be selected
without pushing the button.
WARNING
Apply the parking brake if the selector lever is
in any position while the engine is not running.
Failure to do so could cause the vehicle to move
unexpectedly or roll away and result in serious
personal injury or property damage.
CAUTION
Make sure the vehicle is completely stopped
and the transmission is in the P (Park) position.
P (Park) position :
Use this selector position when the vehicle is
parked or when starting the engine. Make sure
the vehicle is completely stopped. The brake
pedal must be depressed and the selector lever
button pushed in to move the selector lever from
the N (Neutral) position or any drive position to
the P (Park) position. Apply the parking brake.
Selector lever
SSD0945
5-16Starting and driving

●In the manual shift mode, the transmission
may not shift to the selected gear. This helps
maintain driving performance and reduces
the chance of vehicle damage or loss of con-
trol.
When this situation occurs, the Automatic
Transmission (AT) position indicator light (on
the dot matrix liquid crystal display) will
blink and the chime will sound.
● In the manual shift mode, the transmission
automatically shifts down to 1st gear before
the vehicle comes to a stop. When accelerat-
ing again, it is necessary to shift up to the
desired range.
Accelerator downshift — In D (Drive)
position —
For passing or hill climbing, fully depress the
accelerator pedal to the floor. This shifts the
transmission down into the lower gear, depend-
ing on the vehicle speed.
Fail-safe
When the fail-safe operation occurs, note that
the transmission will be locked in any of the
forward gears according to the condition.
If the vehicle is driven under extreme conditions,
such as excessive wheel spinning and subse-
quent hard braking, the fail-safe system may be
activated. This will occur even if all electrical
circuits are functioning properly. In this case,
push the switch to the OFF position and wait for 3
seconds. Then push the ignition switch back to
the ON position. The vehicle should return to its
normal operating condition. If it does not return
to its normal operating condition, have an
INFINITI retailer check the transmission and re-
pair if necessary.
Shift lock release
If the battery charge is low or discharged, the
selector lever may not be moved from the P
(Park) position even with the brake pedal de-
pressed and the selector lever button pushed.
To move the selector lever, perform the follow-
ing procedure:
1. Push the ignition switch to the OFF or
LOCK position.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Remove the shift lock cover
Ausing a
suitable tool.
SSD0946
5-18Starting and driving

4. Push down the shift lockBas illustrated.
5. Push the selector lever button
Cand
move the selector lever to N (Neutral)
position
Dwhile holding down the shift
lock.
Push the ignition switch to the ON position to
unlock the steering wheel. Now the vehicle may
be moved to the desired location.
If the battery is discharged completely, the
steering wheel cannot be unlocked. Do not
move the vehicle with the steering wheel
locked.
If the lever cannot be moved out of P (Park),
have an INFINITI retailer check the automatic
transmission system as soon as possible.
WARNING
● Be sure the parking brake is fully released
before driving. Failure to do so can cause
brake failure and lead to an accident.
● Do not release the parking brake from out-
side the vehicle.
● Do not use the gear shift in place of the
parking brake. When parking, be sure the
parking brake is fully engaged.
● Do not leave children unattended in a ve-
hicle. They could release the parking brake
and cause an accident. To apply:Fully depress the parking brake pedal
1.
To release:
1. Firmly apply the foot brake2.
2. Depress the parking brake pedal
1and
the parking brake will be released.
3. Before driving, be sure the brake warning light goes out.
SPA2331
PARKING BRAKE
Starting and driving5-19

The Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
system/Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) sys-
tem will operate when the vehicle is driven at
speeds of approximately 45 MPH (70 km/h) and
above, and when it is traveling close to either
the left or the right of a traveling lane.
Each system functions as follows:
●Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system —
warns the driver by a warning light and
chime.
● Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) system —
warns the driver by a warning light and
chime, and helps assist the driver to return
the vehicle to the center direction of the
traveling lane by applying brake control to
the left or right wheels individually (for a
short period of time). The LDW and LDP systems monitor the lane
markers on the traveling lane using the camera
unit
1located inside the front map light cover.
When the camera unit detects that the vehicle is
traveling close to either the left or the right of
the traveling lane, the lane departure warning
light on the instrument panel blinks in orange
and a warning chime sounds. When the LDP
system is on, it will automatically apply the
brakes for a short period of time, using the
function of the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
system.
LANE DEPARTURE WARNING (LDW)
SYSTEM
Precautions on LDW system
WARNING
● This system is only a warning device to in-
form the driver of a potential unintended
lane departure. It will not steer the vehicle or
prevent loss of control. It is the driver’s re-
sponsibility to stay alert, drive safely, keep
the vehicle in the traveling lane, and be in
control of the vehicle at all times.
● The system will not operate at speeds below
approximately 45 MPH (70 km/h) or if it can-
not detect lane markers.
SSD1045
Lane departure warning light (orange)
SSD0672
LANE DEPARTURE WARNING (LDW)/
PREVENTION (LDP) SYSTEM (if so
equipped)
5-20Starting and driving

●If the LDW system malfunctions, it will can-
cel automatically, and the lane departure
warning light (orange) will illuminate.
● If the lane departure warning light (orange)
illuminates, pull off the road to a safe loca-
tion and stop the vehicle. Turn the engine off
and restart the engine. If the lane departure
warning light (orange) continues to illumi-
nate, have the system checked by an INFINITI
retailer.
● Excessive noise will interfere with the warn-
ing chime sound, and the chime may not be
heard.
The system may not function properly under the
following conditions:
● On roads where there are multiple parallel
lane markers; lane markers that are faded or
not painted clearly; yellow painted lane
markers; non-standard lane markers; or lane
markers covered with water, dirt, snow, etc.
● On roads where the discontinued lane mark-
ers are still detectable.
● On roads where there are sharp curves. ●
On roads where there are sharply contrast-
ing objects, such as shadows, snow, water,
wheel ruts, seams or lines remaining after
road repairs. (The LDW system could detect
these items as lane markers.)
● On roads where the traveling lane merges or
separates.
● When the vehicle’s traveling direction does
not align with the lane marker.
● When traveling close to the vehicle in front
of you, which obstructs the lane camera unit
detection range.
● When rain, snow or dirt adheres to the
windshield in front of the lane camera unit.
● When the headlights are not bright due to
dirt on the lens or if the aiming is not
adjusted properly.
● When strong light enters the lane camera
unit. (For example, the light directly shines
on the front of the vehicle at sunrise or
sunset.)
● When a sudden change in brightness occurs.
(For example, when the vehicle enters or
exits a tunnel or under a bridge.)
LDW system operation
The LDW system provides a lane departure
warning function when the vehicle is driven at
speeds of approximately 45 MPH (70 km/h) and
above. When the vehicle approaches either the
left or the right side of the traveling lane, a
warning chime will sound and the lane depar-
ture warning light (orange) on the instrument
panel will blink to alert the driver.
The warning function will stop when the vehicle
returns inside of the lane markers.
Lane departure warning light (orange)
SSD0672
Starting and driving5-21

The LDW system is not designed to warn under
the following conditions.
– When you operate the lane change signaland change traveling lanes in the direction of
the signal. (The LDW system will become
operable again approximately 2 seconds af-
ter the lane change signal is turned off.)
– When the vehicle speed lowers to less than approximately 45 MPH (70 km/h).
After the above conditions have finished and
the necessary operating conditions are satis-
fied, the LDW functions will resume.
Turning on or off the LDW system (Type A) :
The LDW system is automatically turned on
when the engine is started and the warning
systems ON indicator light
1illuminates on
the warning systems switch. You can turn the
LDW system off by pushing the warning sys-
tems switch on the instrument panel. This
switch will turn on and off the LDW, BSW and
FCW systems at the same time. NOTE:
If you continue to push the warning systems
switch from off to on for over 4 seconds, a chime
will sound. This will change the default status of
the LDW, BSW and FCW systems to OFF so that
these systems will not automatically turn on
when the engine is started. If this procedure is
repeated, the default status will return to ON.
Turning on or off the LDW system (Type B) :
The warning systems switch is used to turn on
and off the LDW system when it is activated
using the settings menu on the center display.
See “How to enable/disable the LDW system
using the settings menu (Type B)” later in this
section.
When the warning systems switch is turned off,
the indicator
1on the switch is off. The
indicator will also be off if the LDW, the Blind
Spot Warning (BSW) and the Forward Collision
Warning (FCW) systems are deactivated.
For the BSW and FCW systems, see “BLIND
SPOT WARNING (BSW) SYSTEM” later in this
section and “FORWARD COLLISION WARNING
(FCW) SYSTEM” later in this section.
Warning systems switch
SSD0956
5-22Starting and driving