2012 INFINITI FX towing

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

9-28Technical and consumer information
.DO NOT tow an All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
vehicle with any of the wheels on the
ground. Doing so may cause serious and
expensive damage to the powertrain.
. For emergency towing procedures refer
to“Towing recommended by INFINITI”
(P.6-13) of this manual.
Automatic transmission
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) models:
Do not tow an AWD vehicle with any of the
wheels on the ground.
Two-Wheel Drive (2WD) models:
To tow a vehicle equipped with an auto-
matic transmission, an appropriate vehicle
dolly MUST be placed under the towed
vehicle’s drive wheels. Alwaysfollow the
dolly manufacturer’ s recommendations
when using their product. DOT (Department Of Transportation) Qual-
ity Grades: All passenger car tires must
conform to federal safety requirements in
addition to these grades.
Quality grades can be found where applic-
able on the tire sidewall between tread
shoulder and maximum section width. For
example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature ATREADWEAR
The treadwear grade is a comparative
rating based on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends
upon actual conditions of their use, how-
ever, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
TRACTION AA, A, B AND C
The traction grades, from highest to low-
est, are AA, A, B and C. Those grades
represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
TEMPERATURE A, B AND C
The temperature grades A (the highest), B,
and C, representing the tire’s resistance to
the generation of heat and its ability to
dissipate heat when tested under con-
trolled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause the material of the
tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING

If your vehicle overheats .............................. 6-11
Starting the engine ...................................... 5-14
Entry/exit function, Automatic drive positioner ... 3-33
Event Data Recorders (EDR) ............................... 9-31
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) .......................... 5-3
F
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label ............. 9-12
Filter
Air cleaner housing filter .............................. 8-21
Changing engine oil and filter ...................... 8-12
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher switch) .... 2-42
Flat tire ............................................................... 6-2 Flat towing ........................................................ 9-27
Floor mat cleaning .............................................. 7-5
Fluid Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ............... 8-15
Brake fluid ................................................... 8-16
Capacities and
recommended fuel/lubricants ........................ 9-2
Engine coolant ............................................... 8-9
Engine oil .................................................... 8-11
Power steering fluid ..................................... 8-15
Window washer fluid ................................... 8-16
FM-AM-SAT radio with Compact Disc
(CD) player ........................................................ 4-63
Fog light switch ................................................ 2-42
Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system ........... 5-67
Front passenger air bag and status light ........... 1-44
Front power seat adjustment ............................... 1-3 Front seat, Front seat adjustment ........................ 1-3 Front-seat active head restraint ........................... 1-9
Fuel
Capacities and
recommended fuel/lubricants ........................ 9-2
Fuel economy............................................... 5-74
Fuel economy information (display) .............. 4-11Fuel octane rating .......................................... 9-4
Fuel recommendation ..................................... 9-4Fuel-filler cap ............................................... 3-24
Fuel-filler door ............................................. 3-24
Gauge ............................................................ 2-8
LOOSE FUEL CAP warning ............................. 3-26
Fuses ................................................................ 8-25
Fusible links ..................................................... 8-25
G
Garage door opener, HomeLink®
Universal Transceiver ........................................ 2-65
Gas cap ............................................................ 3-24
Gauge Engine coolant temperature gauge ................. 2-8
Fuel gauge ..................................................... 2-8
Odometer....................................................... 2-6
Speedometer ................................................. 2-6
Tachometer .................................................... 2-7
Trip computer .............................................. 2-28
General maintenance ................................... 8-2, 8-3
Glove box ......................................................... 2-52
H
Hands-free phone system, Bluetooth®
(models with navigation system) ....................... 4-94
Hands-free phone system, Bluetooth®
(models without navigation system) ................ 4-105
Hazard warning flasher switch .......................... 2-42
Head restraints ................................................... 1-6 Headlight aiming control .................................. 2-39
Headlights Aiming control (See adaptive front lighting
system (AFS)) ............................................... 2-40
Bulb replacement ......................................... 8-30
Headlight switch .......................................... 2-37
Xenon headlights ......................................... 2-36
Headrest ........................................................... 1-10
Heater Automatic climate control .................. 4-43, 4-45
Engine block heater ..................................... 5-87
HomeLink
®Universal Transceiver ...................... 2-65
Hood release .................................................... 3-18
Hook
Coat hooks .................................................. 2-53Luggage hook .............................................. 2-54
Horn ................................................................. 2-43
I
Ignition switch (Push-button) ............................ 5-10
Immobilizer system ........................................... 2-32
In-cabin microfilter ............................................ 4-48
10-3

10-6
Preview Function warning light .......................... 2-17
Push starting .................................................... 6-10
“PUSH” warning ............................................... 2-24
Push-button ignition switch ..................... 5-10, 5-11
R
Radio ................................................................ 4-49 Car phone or CB radio ................................. 4-93
FM-AM-SAT radio with Compact Disc
(CD) player ................................................... 4-63
Rain-sensing auto wiper system ........................ 2-34
Rapid air pressure loss ....................................... 5-7
Readiness for inspection/maintenance
(I/M) test .......................................................... 9-31 Rear Active Steer system .................................. 5-85
Rear Active Steer warning light ......................... 2-17
Rear center seat belt ......................................... 1-17Rear door lock, Child safety rear door lock ......... 3-6
Rear seats .......................................................... 1-5
Rear window and outside mirror
defroster switch ................................................ 2-36
Rear window wiper blades ................................ 8-24
Rearview monitor .............................................. 4-24
Recorders, Event data ....................................... 9-31
Registering your vehicle in another country ...... 9-11
Remote keyless entry system ............................ 3-14
Reporting safety defects ................................... 9-30
Roadside assistance program ............................. 6-2
Rollover .............................................................. 5-6 Roof
Moonroof ..................................................... 2-61 Roof rack ..................................................... 2-57
S
Safety
Child seat belts ........................................... 1-18
Towing safety ............................................... 9-23
Satellite radio operation ................................... 4-64
Seat adjustment Front power seat adjustment .......................... 1-3
Front seats ..................................................... 1-3
Seat belt(s) Child safety ................................................. 1-18
Infants ......................................................... 1-19
Injured persons ........................................... 1-13Larger children ............................................. 1-19
Precautions on seat belt usage .................... 1-11
Pre-crash seat belts with comfort function ... 1-13Pregnant women .......................................... 1-13
Rear center seat belt .................................... 1-17Seat belt cleaning .......................................... 7-6
Seat belt extenders ...................................... 1-17
Seat belt maintenance ................................. 1-17Seat belt warning light and chime ............... 2-17
Seat belts .................................................... 1-11
Seat belts with pretensioners ...................... 1-49
Shoulder belt height adjustment .................. 1-16
Small children ............................................. 1-19
Three-point type .......................................... 1-14
Seat synchronization function ........................... 3-33
Seat(s)
Climate controlled seats .............................. 2-45 Driver-side memory ...................................... 3-32
Heated seats ............................................... 2-43
Seats ............................................................. 1-2
Security system (INFINITI Vehicle Immobilizer
System), Engine start ........................................ 2-32 Security system, Vehicle security system .......... 2-30
Selector lever
Shift lock release ......................................... 5-19
Servicing climate control ................................... 4-48
SETTING button ................................................. 4-15
Shift lock release Transmission ............................................... 5-19
SHIFT “P”warning ............................................ 2-24
Shifting, Automatic transmission ....................... 5-15
Shoulder belt height adjustment, For
front seats ........................................................ 1-16
Snow mode switch ............................................ 2-46
Spare tire ........................................................... 9-9
Spark plugs ...................................................... 8-20
Speedometer ...................................................... 2-6
Starting Before starting the engine ........................... 5-13
Jump starting ................................................. 6-8
Precautions when starting and driving ........... 5-3
Push starting ............................................... 6-10
Starting the engine ...................................... 5-14
STATUS button .................................................... 4-9
Status light, Front passenger air bag ................ 1-44
Steering Power steering fluid ..................................... 8-15
Power steering system ................................. 5-77

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