Black plate (377,1)
[ Edit: 2012/ 1/ 17 Model: V36-D ]stable surface.
. If wheels or tires other than the INFINITI
recommended ones are used, the VDC
system may not operate properly and
the VDC warning light
may illumi-
nate.
. The VDC system is not a substitute for
winter tires or tire chains on a snow
covered road. GUID-5A0B024F-3785-40BC-BF28-384D2975453D
The 4 Wheel Active Steer (4WAS) system is
an electronically controlled four-wheel
steering system.
Depending on the vehicle speed and
steering angle, the angles of the front
and rear wheels are adjusted by the 4WAS
system to help improve driving perfor-
mance.
If a malfunction occurs in the system, the
4WAS function will stop but the ordinary
two-wheel steering system will operate
normally. The “ 4WAS ” warning light will
illuminate. If the light illuminates while you
are driving, contact an INFINITI retailer for
repair.
The steering wheel may be slightly turned
even when driving on a straight road due to
a protection mechanism for the 4WAS
system. This is not a malfunction. The
steering wheel will return to the normal
position after the protection mechanism
deactivates.
The protection mechanism activates under
the following conditions:
. The steering wheel is operated forcibly
when it is hard to operate or the tires
are blocked by obstacles.
. The steering wheel is continuously
operated when the vehicle is parked or being driven at extremely low speed.
. The steering wheel is forcibly turned
beyond its operation limits.
. The battery voltage is reduced.
Repeated steering maneuvers that may
activate the protection mechanism will
damage the 4WAS system.
WARNING The 4WAS system, although a sophisticated
device, cannot prevent accidents resulting
from careless or dangerous driving tech-
niques. Ultimately the responsibility for
safety of self and others rests in the hands
of the driver. Therefore only through atten-
tive and careful driving methods can the
4WAS system be fully appreciated and
safety optimized.
Starting and driving
5-574 WHEEL ACTIVE STEER (4WAS) SYSTEM (if
so equipped)
Black plate (378,1)
[ Edit: 2012/ 1/ 17 Model: V36-D ]5-58 Starting and driving GUID-695D451B-86A6-4B0E-A4A9-166BD9DD27DE
FREEING A FROZEN DOOR LOCK GUID-5F57F3E0-2969-4980-A1A0-BD5D647B2C54
To prevent a door lock from freezing, apply
deicer through the key hole. If the lock
becomes frozen, heat the key before
inserting it into the key hole or use the
Intelligent Key system.
ANTIFREEZE GUID-F8D7961D-C579-4F53-826C-B5C0F179A8A4
In the winter when it is anticipated that the
outside temperature will drop below 32 8 F
(0 8 C), check antifreeze to assure proper
winter protection. For additional informa-
tion, see “ Engine cooling system ” (P.8-9).
BATTERY GUID-7370DBB5-3733-4F67-B170-202B0ECEAFD5
If the battery is not fully charged during
extremely cold weather conditions, the
battery fluid may freeze and damage the
battery. To maintain maximum efficiency,
the battery should be checked regularly.
For additional information, see “ Battery ”
(P.8-17).
DRAINING OF COOLANT WATER GUID-1E2017DE-B388-4F4A-AC44-3F639AB39240
If the vehicle is to be left outside without
antifreeze, drain the cooling system, in-
cluding the engine block. Refill before
operating the vehicle. For details, see
“ Engine cooling system ” (P.8-9). TIRE EQUIPMENT GUID-CB13ADAD-1389-4CA9-89D4-C970D4152E81
SUMMER tires have a tread designed to
provide superior performance on dry pave-
ment. However, the performance of these
tires will be substantially reduced in snowy
and icy conditions. If you operate your
vehicle on snowy or icy roads, INFINITI
recommends the use of MUD & SNOW or
ALL SEASON tires on all four wheels.
Consult an INFINITI retailer for the tire
type, size, speed rating and availability
information.
For additional traction on icy roads,
studded tires may be used. However, some
U.S. states and Canadian provinces prohi-
bit their use. Check local, state and
provincial laws before installing studded
tires.
Skid and traction capabilities of studded
snow tires, on wet or dry surfaces, may be
poorer than that of non-studded snow
tires.
Tire chains may be used. For details, see
“ Tire chains ” (P.8-39) of this manual.
For all-wheel drive GUID-7A027A3E-CFDC-48CE-8A84-86EFBDFF0BCB
If you install snow tires, they must also be
the same size, brand, construction and
tread pattern on all four wheels. SPECIAL WINTER EQUIPMENT GUID-6AEDC1F1-78E0-49EE-A495-05AD7B0A46B7
It is recommended that the following items
be carried in the vehicle during winter:
. A scraper and stiff-bristled brush to
remove ice and snow from the windows
and wiper blades.
. A sturdy, flat board to be placed under
the jack to give it firm support.
. A shovel to dig the vehicle out of
snowdrifts.
. Extra window washer fluid to refill the
reservoir tank.
DRIVING ON SNOW OR ICE GUID-0864712C-2A8E-4B2A-96E7-B1801A0D999A
WARNING . Wet ice (32 8 F, 0 8 C and freezing rain),
very cold snow or ice can be slick and
very hard to drive on. The vehicle will
have much less traction or “ grip ” under
these conditions. Try to avoid driving on
wet ice until the road is salted or
sanded.
. Whatever the condition, drive with cau-
tion. Accelerate and slow down with
care. If accelerating or downshifting too
fast, the drive wheels will lose evenCOLD WEATHER DRIVING
Black plate (445,1)
[ Edit: 2012/ 1/ 17 Model: V36-D ]specified by INFINITI could affect the
proper operation of the TPMS.
. For additional information regarding
tires, refer to “ Important Tire Safety
Information ” (US) or “ Tire Safety Infor-
mation ” (Canada) in the Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet.
All season tires GUID-87E8714D-2B3D-4DE3-B5B1-0FDB34C6A1BF
INFINITI specifies all season tires on some
models to provide good performance all
year, including snowy and icy road condi-
tions. All Season tires are identified by ALL
SEASON and/or M&S (Mud and Snow) on
the tire sidewall. Snow tires have better
snow traction than All Season tires and
may be more appropriate in some areas.
Summer tires GUID-560BBD79-0719-4B8B-AF1C-4D895DD18219
INFINITI specifies summer tires on some
models to provide superior performance on
dry roads. Summer tire performance is
substantially reduced in snow and ice.
Summer tires do not have the tire traction
rating M&S on the tire sidewall.
If you plan to operate your vehicle in snowy
or icy conditions, INFINITI recommends the
use of SNOW tires or ALL SEASON tires on all four wheels.
Snow tires GUID-1B1B74F7-B51D-4FB4-94BD-BD6E5230D2DC
If snow tires are needed, it is necessary to
select tires equivalent in size and load
rating to the original equipment tires. If
you do not, it can adversely affect the
safety and handling of your vehicle.
Generally, snow tires will have lower speed
ratings than factory equipped tires and
may not match the potential maximum
vehicle speed. Never exceed the maximum
speed rating of the tire.
If you install snow tires, they must be the
same size, brand, construction and tread
pattern on all four wheels.
For additional traction on icy roads,
studded tires may be used. However, some
U.S. states and Canadian provinces prohi-
bit their use. Check local, state and
provincial laws before installing studded
tires. Skid and traction capabilities of
studded snow tires, on wet or dry surfaces,
may be poorer than that of non-studded
snow tires. TIRE CHAINS GUID-F5ABB636-5D7F-4312-B53A-0F3C651BAF08
Use of tire chains may be prohibited
according to location. Check the local laws
before installing tire chains. When instal-
ling tire chains, make sure they are the
proper size for the tires on your vehicle and
are installed according to the chain man-
ufacturer ’ s suggestions. Use only SAE
Class S chains. Class “ S ” chains are used
on vehicles with restricted tire to vehicle
clearance. Vehicles that can use Class “ S ”
chains are designed to meet the SAE
standard minimum clearances between
the tire and the closest vehicle suspension
or body component required to accommo-
date the use of a winter traction device (tire
chains or cables). The minimum clearances
are determined using the factory equipped
tire size. Other types may damage your
vehicle. Use chain tensioners when recom-
mended by the tire chain manufacturer to
ensure a tight fit. Loose end links of the
tire chain must be secured or removed to
prevent the possibility of whipping action
damage to the fenders or underbody. If
possible, avoid fully loading your vehicle
when using tire chains. In addition, drive at
a reduced speed. Otherwise, your vehicle
may be damaged and/or vehicle handling
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
8-39