2012 INFINITI FX steering wheel

to the hitch, not to the vehicle bumper or
axle. The safety chains can be attached to
the bumper if the hitch ball is mounted to
the bumper. Be sure to leave enough slack
in the chains to permit turning corners.
Trailer lights
CAUTION
When splicing into the vehicle electrical
system, a commercially available power-
type module/converter must be used to
provide power for all trailer lighting. This
unit uses the vehicle battery as a direct
power source for all trailer lights while
using the vehicle tail light, stoplight and
turn signal circuits as a signal source. The
module/converter must draw no more than
15 milliamps from the stop and tail lamp
circuits. Using a module/converter that
exceeds these power requirements may
damage the vehicle’s electrical system.
See a reputable trailer retailer to obtain
the proper equipment and to have it
installed.
Trailer lights should comply with federal
and/or local regulations. For assistance in hooking up trailer lights, contact an
INFINITI retailer or reputable trailer retailer.
Trailer brakes
If your trailer is equipped with a braking
system, make sure it conforms to federal
and/or local regulations and that it is
properly installed.
WARNING
Never connect a trailer brake system directly
to the vehicle brake system.
Pre-towing tips
.
Be certain your vehicle maintains a level
position when a loaded or unloaded
trailer is hitched. Do not drive the
vehicle if it has an abnormal nose-up
or nose-down condition; check for
improper tongue load, overload, worn
suspension or other possible causes of
either condition.
. Always secure items in the trailer to
prevent load shift while driving.
. Keep the cargo load as low as possible
in the trailer to keep the trailer center of
gravity low. .
Load the trailer so approximately 60%
of the trailer load is in the front half and
40% is in the back half. Also make sure
the load is balanced side to side.
. Check your hitch, trailer tire pressure,
vehicle tire pressure, trailer light opera-
tion, and trailer wheel lug nuts every
time you attach a trailer to the vehicle.
. Be certain your rearview mirrors con-
form to all federal, state or local
regulations. If not, install any mirrors
required for towing before driving the
vehicle.
. Determine the overall height of the
vehicle and trailer so the required
clearance is known.Trailer towing tips
In order to gain skill and an understanding
of the vehicle’ s behavior, you should
practice turning, stopping and backing up
in an area which is free from traffic.
Steering stability, and braking perfor-
mance will be somewhat different than
under normal driving conditions.
. Always secure items in the trailer to
prevent load shift while driving.
. Lock the trailer hitch coupler with a pin
or lock to prevent the coupler from
Technical and consumer information9-25

9-26Technical and consumer information
inadvertently becoming unlatched.
. Avoid abrupt starts, acceleration or
stops.
. Avoid sharp turns or lane changes.
. Always drive your vehicle at a moderate
speed. Some states or provinces have
specific speed limits for vehicles that
are towing trailers. Obey the local
speed limits.
. When backing up, hold the bottom of
the steering wheel with one hand.
Move your hand in the direction in
which you want the trailer to go. Make
small corrections and back up slowly. If
possible, have someone guide you
when you are backing up.
Always block the wheels on both vehicle
and trailer when parking. Parking on a
slope is not recommended; however, if you
must do so:
CAUTION
If you move the shift selector lever to the P
(Park) position before blocking the wheels
and applying the parking brake, transmis-
sion damage could occur.
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Have someone place blocks on the downhill side of the vehicle and trailer
wheels.
3. After the wheel blocks are in place, slowly release the brake pedal until the
blocks absorb the vehicle load.
4. Apply the parking brake.
5. Shift the transmission into P (Park).
6. Turn off the engine.
To drive away:
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Shift the transmission into gear.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Drive slowly until the vehicle and trailer are clear from the blocks.
6. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
7. Have someone retrieve and store the blocks.
. When going down a hill, shift into a
lower gear and use the engine braking
effect. When going up a long grade,
downshift the transmission to a lower
gear and reduce speed to reduce
chances of engine overloading and/or overheating.
. If the engine coolant rises to an
extremely high temperature when the
air conditioning system is on, turn off
the air conditioner. Coolant heat can be
additionally vented by opening the
windows, switching the fan control to
high and setting the temperature con-
trol to the HOT position.
. Trailer towing requires more fuel than
normal circumstances.
. Avoid towing a trailer for the first 500
miles (800 km).
. Have your vehicle serviced more often
than at intervals specified in the
recommended maintenance schedule
in the INFINITI Service and Maintenance
Guide.
. When making a turn, your trailer wheels
will be closer to the inside of the turn
than your vehicle wheels. To compen-
sate for this, make a larger than normal
turning radius during the turn.
. Crosswinds and rough roads will ad-
versely affect vehicle/trailer handling,
possibly causing vehicle sway. When
being passed by larger vehicles, be
prepared for possible changes in cross-
winds that could affect vehicle hand-

ling. If swaying does occur, firmly grip
the steering wheel, steer straight
ahead, and immediately (but gradually)
reduce vehicle speed. This combination
will help stabilize the vehicle. Never
increase speed.
Do the following if the trailer begins to
sway:
1. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal to allow the vehicle to coast and steer
as straight ahead as the road condi-
tions allow. This combination will help
stabilize the vehicle.
.Do not correct trailer sway by steer-ing or applying the brakes.
2. When the trailer sway stops, gently apply the brakes and pull to the side of
the road in a safe area.
3. Try to rearrange the trailer load so it is balanced as described earlier in this
section.
. Be careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires
considerably more distance than nor-
mal passing. Remember the length of
the trailer must also pass the other
vehicle before you can safely change
lanes. .
Down shift the transmission to a lower
gear for engine braking when driving
down steep or long hills. This will help
slow the vehicle without applying the
brakes.
. Avoid holding the brake pedal down too
long or too frequently. This could cause
the brakes to overheat, resulting in
reduced braking efficiency.
. Increase your following distance to
allow for greater stopping distances
while towing a trailer. Anticipate stops
and brake gradually.
. Do not use cruise control while towing a
trailer.
. Some states or provinces have specific
regulations and speed limits for vehi-
cles that are towing trailers. Obey the
local speed limits.
. Check your hitch, trailer wiring harness
connections, and trailer wheel lug nuts
after 50 miles (80 km) of travel and at
every break.
. When stopped in traffic for long periods
of time in hot weather, put the vehicle
in the P (Park) position.
. When launching a boat, don’t allow the
water level to go over the exhaust tail
pipe or rear bumper. .
Make sure you disconnect the trailer
lights before backing the trailer into the
water or the trailer lights may burn out.
When towing a trailer, the transmission
fluid should be changed more frequently.
For additional information, see the “8.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section
earlier in this manual.
FLAT TOWING
Towing your vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground is sometimes called flat towing.
This method is sometimes used when
towing a vehicle behind a recreational
vehicle, such as a motor home.
CAUTION
. Failure to follow these guidelines can
result in severe transmission damage.
. Whenever flat towing your vehicle, al-
ways tow forward, never backward.
. DO NOT tow any automatic transmission
vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground (flat towing). Doing so WILL
DAMAGE internal transmission parts
due to lack of transmission lubrication.
Technical and consumer information9-27

10 Index
A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) ......................... 5-82
Adaptive front lighting system (AFS) .................. 2-40
Adaptive shift control (ASC) .............................. 5-19
Advanced air bag system .................................. 1-42
Aiming control, Adaptive front lighting
system (AFS) ..................................................... 2-40
Air bag system
Advanced air bag system ............................. 1-42
Front passenger air bag and status light ...... 1-44
Front-seat mounted side-impact supplemental
air bag system ............................................. 1-47
Roof-mounted curtain side-impact and rollover
supplemental air bag system ....................... 1-47
Air bag warning labels ...................................... 1-50
Air bag warning light ............................... 1-50, 2-17
Air cleaner housing filter ................................... 8-21
Air conditioner Advanced Climate Control System (ACCS) ..... 4-46
Air conditioner service ................................. 4-48
Air conditioner specification label ................ 9-13
Air conditioning system refrigerant and
lubricant recommendations .................. 4-48, 9-7
Automatic climate control .................. 4-43, 4-45
In-cabin microfilter ....................................... 4-48
Alarm, How to stop alarm (see vehicle
security system) ................................................ 2-31
Alcohol, drugs and driving .................................. 5-8
All-wheel drive (AWD) ........................................ 5-75
All-wheel drive (AWD) warning light .................. 2-13 Antenna ............................................................ 4-92
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ......................... 5-82
Anti-lock braking system (ABS) warning light .... 2-13
Appearance care
Exterior appearance care ................................ 7-2
Interior appearance care ................................ 7-4
Armrest ............................................................. 1-10
Audible reminders ............................................ 2-21
Audio operation precautions ............................. 4-49
Audio system .................................................... 4-49 Steering wheel audio controls ...................... 4-91
Auto closure ..................................................... 3-24
Autolight system ............................................... 2-37
Automatic Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ............... 8-15
Climate control .................................. 4-43, 4-45
Door locks ..................................................... 3-6
Drive positioner ........................................... 3-32Driving with automatic transmission ............ 5-15
Moonroof ..................................................... 2-61
Seat positioner ............................................ 3-32
Average fuel consumption and speed ................ 2-28
Avoiding collision and rollover ............................ 5-6
B
Back door (See lift gate) ................................... 3-18 Battery .............................................................. 8-17 Battery saver system ................................... 2-39
Intelligent Key .............................................. 8-27 Variable voltage control system ................... 8-19
Before starting the engine ................................ 5-13
Belts (See drive belts) ....................................... 8-19
Bluetooth
®hands-free phone system
(models with navigation system) ....................... 4-94
Bluetooth
®hands-free phone system
(models without navigation system) ................ 4-105
Bluetooth streaming audio .............. 4-60, 4-75, 4-92
Booster seats .................................................... 1-34
Brake Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) .................... 5-82
Brake fluid ................................................... 8-16
Brake system ............................................... 5-78
Parking brake operation ............................... 5-20
Warning light ............................................... 2-13
Break-in schedule ............................................. 5-74
Brightness control
Display ON/OFF button .................................. 4-9
Instrument panel ......................................... 2-41
Bulb check/instrument panel ............................ 2-12
Bulb replacement .............................................. 8-29
C
Cabin air filter ................................................... 4-48
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants ...... 9-2
Car phone or CB radio ...................................... 4-93
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) ............ 2-54
Cargo cover....................................................... 2-55
Cargo light ........................................................ 2-65

Rear Active Steer system ............................. 5-85
Steering-wheel-mounted controls
for audio ...................................................... 4-91
Tilt/telescopic steering ................................. 3-27
Storage ............................................................. 2-50
Sun visors ........................................................ 3-28
Sunglasses holder ............................................ 2-51 Supplemental air bag warning labels ................ 1-50
Supplemental air bag warning light ......... 1-50, 2-17Supplemental restraint system .......................... 1-37
Precautions on supplemental
restraint system ........................................... 1-37
Switch
Autolight switch ........................................... 2-37
Continuous Damping Control mode
select switch ................................................ 2-47
Fog light switch ........................................... 2-42
Hazard warning flasher switch ..................... 2-42
Headlight switch .......................................... 2-37
Ignition switch ............................................. 5-15
Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA) OFF switch ...... 2-47
Power door lock switch .................................. 3-5
Rear window and outside mirror
defroster switch ........................................... 2-36
Snow mode switch ....................................... 2-46
Turn signal switch ........................................ 2-42 Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off switch ...... 2-48
Warning systems switch ............................... 2-46T
Tachometer ......................................................... 2-7
Temperature gauge, Engine coolant
temperature gauge .............................................. 2-8Theft (INFINITI Vehicle Immobilizer System),
Engine start ...................................................... 2-32
Thigh extension .................................................. 1-5
Three-way catalyst .............................................. 5-3
Tilt/telescopic steering ...................................... 3-27
Tire Pressure, Low tire pressure warning light .... 2-15
Tire replacement indicator ............................ 2-26
Tires Flat tire .......................................................... 6-2Low tire pressure warning system .................. 5-4
Spare tire .................................................... 8-42
Tire and Loading information label ...... 8-34, 9-13
Tire chains ................................................... 8-39
Tire dressing .................................................. 7-4
Tire pressure................................................ 8-32
Tire pressure information (display) ............... 4-11
Tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS) ....................................... 5-4, 6-2
Tire rotation ................................................. 8-39
Types of tires ............................................... 8-38
Uniform tire quality grading ......................... 9-28
Wheel/tire size .............................................. 9-9
Wheels and tires .......................................... 8-32
Tonneau cover (see cargo cover) ....................... 2-55
Touch screen system ........................................... 4-6 Towing
Flat towing ................................................... 9-27
Tow truck towing .......................................... 6-12
Towing a trailer ............................................ 9-19Towing safety ............................................... 9-23
TPMS, Tire pressure monitoring system .............. 5-4
TPMS, Tire pressure warning system ................... 6-2
Trailer towing .................................................... 9-19
Transceiver, HomeLink
®Universal Transceiver ... 2-65
Transmission
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ............... 8-15
Driving with automatic transmission ............ 5-15
Transmission selector lever lock release ...... 5-19
Transmitter (See remote keyless entry system) ... 3-14
Traveling or registering your vehicle in
another country ................................................ 9-11
Trip computer ................................................... 2-28 Trip odometer ................................................... 2-28
Turn signal switch ............................................. 2-42
U
Underbody cleaning ............................................ 7-3
Uniform tire quality grading .............................. 9-28
USB memory operation ..................................... 4-71
V
Vanity mirror ..................................................... 3-32
Vanity mirror lights ........................................... 2-64
Variable voltage control system ........................ 8-19
10-7