2012 INFINITI M Owners Manual

2-8Instruments and controls
SIC4321
ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE
GAUGE
The gauge indicates the engine coolant
temperature.
The engine coolant temperature is within
the normal range when the gauge needle
points within the zone
*1shown in the
illustration.
The engine coolant temperature varies with
the outside air temperature and driving
conditions.
CAUTION
If the gauge indicates the engine coolant
temperature is near the hot (H) end of the
normal range, reduce vehicle speed to
decrease the temperature. If the gauge is
over the normal range, stop the vehicle as
soon as safely possible and let the engine
idle. If the engine is overheated, continued
operation of the vehicle may seriously
damage the engine. See “If your vehicle
overheats ”in the “6. In case of emergency ”
section for immediate action required.

SIC4322
FUEL GAUGE
The gauge indicates theapproximatefuel
level in the tank.
The gauge may move slightly during
braking, turning, acceleration, or going up
or down hills.
The gauge needle returns to “0 ” (Empty)
after the ignition switch is pushed to the
OFF position.
Refill the fuel tank before the gauge
registers “0”(Empty).
The low fuel warning
appears on the
dot matrix liquid crystal display when the fuel level is getting low. Refuel as soon as
it is convenient, preferably before the
gauge reaches
“0 ”. There will be a small
reserve of fuel in the tank when the fuel
gauge needle reaches “0 ”.
CAUTION
. If the vehicle runs out of fuel, the
malfunction indicator light (MIL) may
come on. Refuel as soon as possible.
After a few driving trips, the
light
should turn off. If the light remains on
after a few driving trips, have the vehicle
inspected by an INFINITI retailer.
. For additional information, see “Mal-
function Indicator Light (MIL) ”later in
this section.
Instruments and controls2-9

2-10Instruments and controls
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) warning light*Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) system
warning light (orange)*ECO drive indicator light
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning
lightLane departure warning light
(orange)*Front fog light indicator light
Low tire pressure warning lightFront passenger air bag status light
Automatic transmission check warning lightMaster warning lightHigh beam indicator light
Brake warning lightPreview Function warning light (orange)*Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA) off indicator
light*
Seat belt warning light and chimeLane Departure Prevention (LDP) ON indica-
tor light (green)*
Blind Spot Warning (BSW)/Blind Spot Inter-
vention (BSI) system warning light (orange)*Supplemental air bag warning lightMalfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
Charge warning lightVehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) warning lightSecurity indicator light
Distance Control Assist (DCA) system warn-
ing light (orange)*Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS) off
indicator light*Low beam indicator light
4 Wheel Active Steer (4WAS) warning light*Automatic transmission (AT) position indi-
cator lightTurn signal/hazard indicator lights
Engine oil pressure warning lightBlind Spot Intervention (BSI) ON indicator
light (green)*Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) off indicator
light
*: if so equipped
CHECKING BULBS
With all doors closed, apply the parking
brake and push the ignition switch to the
ON position without starting the engine.
The following lights will come on (if so
equipped):
,or,,,,,,
The following lights come on briefly and
then go off (if so equipped):
,or,,,,,,
,
If any light does not come on, it may
indicate a burned-out bulb or an open circuit in the electrical system. Have the
system checked by an INFINITI retailer.
Some indicators and warnings are also
displayed on the dot matrix crystal display
between the speedometer and tachometer.
(See
“Dot matrix liquid crystal display ”
later in this section.)
WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS AND
AUDIBLE REMINDERS

WARNING LIGHTS
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) warning
light (if so equipped)
Thewarning light comes on when the
ignition switch is pushed to ON. It turns off
soon after the engine is started.
If the Intelligent AWD system malfunctions,
or the diameter of the front and the rear
wheels are different, the warning light will
either remain illuminated or blink. (See
“ Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (AWD) ”in the
“ 5. Starting and driving ”section.)
CAUTION
. If the warning light comes on while
driving there may be a malfunction in
the Intelligent AWD system. Reduce the
vehicle speed and have your vehicle
checked by an INFINITI retailer as soon
as possible.
. If the AWD warning light blinks on when
you are driving:
—blinks rapidly (about twice a
second):
Pull off the road in a safe area, and
idle the engine. The driving mode will change to 2WD to prevent the
AWD system from malfunctioning. If
the warning light turns off, you can
drive again.
—
blinks slowly (about once every
2 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 still on after the
above operations, have your vehicle
checked by an INFINITI retailer as soon
as possible.
orAnti-lock Braking
System (ABS) warning light
When the ignition switch is in the ON
position, the Anti-lock Braking System
(ABS) warning light illuminates and then
turns off. This indicates the ABS is opera-
tional.
If the ABS warning light illuminates while
the engine is running, or while driving, it
may indicate the ABS is not functioning
properly. Have the system checked by an
INFINITI retailer. If an ABS malfunction occurs, the anti-lock
function is turned off. The brake system
then operates normally, but without anti-
lock assistance. (See
“Brake system ”in the
“ 5. Starting and driving ”section.)
Automatic transmission check
warning light
When the ignition switch is pushed to the
ON position, the light comes on for 2
seconds. If the light comes on at any other
time, it may indicate the transmission is
not functioning properly. Have your INFINITI
retailer check and repair the transmission.
orBrake warning light
This light functions for both the parking
brake and the foot brake systems.
Parking brake indicator:
When the ignition switch is in the ON
position, the light comes on when the
parking brake is applied.
Low brake fluid warning light:
When the ignition switch is in the ON
position, the light warns of a low brake
fluid level. If the light comes on while the
engine is running with the parking brake
not applied, stop the vehicle and perform
the following:
Instruments and controls2-11

2-12Instruments and controls
1. Check the brake fluid level. If brakefluid is necessary, add fluid and have
the system checked by your INFINITI
retailer. (See “Brake fluid ”in the “8.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself ”sec-
tion.)
2. If the brake fluid level is correct, have the warning system checked by an
INFINITI retailer.
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning
indicator:
When the parking brake is released and
the brake fluid level is sufficient, if both
the brake warning light and the Anti-lock
Braking System (ABS) warning light illumi-
nate, it may indicate the ABS is not
functioning properly. Have the brake sys-
tem checked, and if necessary repaired, by
an INFINITI retailer promptly. (See “Anti-
lock Braking System (ABS) warning light ”
earlier in this section.)
WARNING
. Your brake system may not be working
properly if the warning light is on.
Driving could be dangerous. If you judge
it to be safe, drive carefully to the nearest service station for repairs.
Otherwise, have your vehicle towed
because driving it could be dangerous.
. Pressing the brake pedal with the
engine stopped and/or low brake fluid
level may increase your stopping dis-
tance and braking will require greater
pedal effort as well as pedal travel.
. If the brake fluid level is below the
minimum or MIN mark on the brake fluid
reservoir, do not drive until the brake
system has been checked at an INFINITI
retailer.
Blind Spot Warning (BSW)/
Blind Spot Intervention (BSI) sys-
tem warning light (orange; if so
equipped)
When the ignition switch is pushed to the
ON position, the indicator light will first
illuminate in orange and turn green before
turning off. This indicates that the Blind
Spot Warning (BSW) and Blind Spot Inter-
vention (BSI) systems are operational.
If the light comes on in orange and remains
on, it may indicate that the BSW and BSI
systems are not functioning properly.
Although the vehicle is still driveable, have the systems checked by an INFINITI retailer.
See
“Blind Spot Warning (BSW) system/
Blind Spot Intervention
TM(BSI) system” in
the “5. Starting and driving ”section.
Charge warning light
If the light comes on while the engine is
running, it may indicate the charging
system is not functioning properly. Turn
the engine off and check the alternator
belt. If the belt is loose, broken, missing or
if the light remains on, see an INFINITI
retailer immediately.
CAUTION
Do not continue driving if the alternator belt
is loose, broken or missing.
Distance Control Assist (DCA)
system warning light (orange; if so
equipped)
This light comes on if there is a malfunc-
tion in the Distance Control Assist (DCA)
system.
If the warning light illuminates, park the
vehicle in a safe place. Turn the engine off,
restart the engine, resume driving and turn

on the DCA system again.
If it is not possible to turn on the system
or the warning light stays on, it may
indicate that the system is malfunctioning.
Although the vehicle is still driveable
under normal conditions, have the vehicle
checked at an INFINITI retailer.
4 Wheel Active Steer (4WAS)
warning light (if so equipped)
If the light comes on while the engine is
running, it may indicate that there is a
malfunction with the 4 Wheel Active Steer
(4WAS) portion of the steering system.
Push the ignition switch to the OFF position
and then to the ON position. If the light
does not turn off after cycling the engine,
have the system checked by an INFINITI
retailer.
For further information about the 4 Wheel
Active Steer system, see “4 Wheel Active
Steer (4WAS) system ”in the “5. Starting
and driving ”section.
If a malfunction occurs in the system, the 4
Wheel Active Steer (4WAS) function will
cease but driving can be continued. How-
ever, the steering wheel is slightly turned
even when driving on a straight road. Drive
carefully to the nearest INFINITI retailer.
Engine oil pressure warning
light
This light warns of low engine oil pressure.
If the light flickers or comes on during
normal driving, pull off the road in a safe
area, stop the engine immediatelyand call
an INFINITI retailer or other authorized
repair shop.
The engine oil pressure warning light is
not designed to indicate a low oil level.
Use the dipstick to check the oil level. (See
“ Engine oil ”in the “8. Maintenance and
do-it-yourself ”section.)
CAUTION
Running the engine with the engine oil
pressure warning light on could cause
serious damage 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.
Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC)
system warning light (orange; if so
equipped)
This light comes on if there is a malfunc- tion in the Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC)
system.
If the warning light comes on, park the
vehicle in a safe place. Turn the engine off,
restart the engine, resume driving and set
the ICC system again.
If it is not possible to set the system or the
indicator stays on, it may indicate that the
system is malfunctioning. Although the
vehicle is still driveable under normal
conditions, have the vehicle checked at
an INFINITI retailer.
Lane departure warning light
(orange; if so equipped)
When the ignition switch is pushed to the
ON position, the light will come on in
orange, turn green, and then turn off. This
indicates that the Lane Departure Warning
(LDW) and Lane Departure Prevention (LDP)
systems are operational.
While the LDW and/or LDP system is on,
the light will blink in orange and a warning
chime will sound if the vehicle is traveling
close to either the left or the right of a
traveling lane with detectable lane mar-
kers.
If the light comes on in orange and remains
on, it may indicate that the LDW and LDP
Instruments and controls2-13

2-14Instruments and controls
systems are not functioning properly. Have
the systems checked by an INFINITI retailer.
See“Lane Departure Warning (LDW) sys-
tem/Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) sys-
tem ”in the “5. Starting and driving ”
section.
Low tire pressure warning
light
Your vehicle is equipped with a Tire
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) that
monitors the tire pressure of all tires
except the spare.
The low tire pressure warning light warns
of low tire pressure or indicates that the
TPMS is not functioning properly.
After the ignition switch is pushed ON, this
light illuminates for about 1 second and
turns off.
Low tire pressure warning:
If the vehicle is being driven with low tire
pressure, the warning light will illuminate.
A CHECK TIRE PRESSURE warning also
appears in the dot matrix liquid crystal
display.
If you select tire pressure information in
the display, the LOW PRESSURE warning
message will be displayed. The tire pres- sure for each tire will also be displayed.
When the low tire pressure warning light
illuminates, you should stop and adjust
the tire pressure to the recommended
COLD tire pressure shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label. The low tire
pressure warning light does not automati-
cally turn off when the tire pressure is
adjusted. After the tire is inflated to the
recommended pressure, the vehicle must
be driven at speeds above 16 MPH (25
km/h) to activate the TPMS and turn off the
low tire pressure warning light. Use a tire
pressure gauge to check the tire pressure.
The CHECK TIRE PRESSURE warning is
active as long as the low tire pressure
warning light remains illuminated.
For additional information, see
“Dot matrix
liquid crystal display ”later in this section,
“ Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ”
in the “5. Starting and driving ”section and
“ Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ”
in the “6. In case of emergency” section.
TPMS malfunction:
If the TPMS is not functioning properly, the
low tire pressure warning light will flash for
approximately 1 minute when the ignition
switch is pushed ON. The light will remain on after the 1 minute. Have the system
checked by an INFINITI retailer. The CHECK
TIRE PRESSURE warning does not appear if
the low tire pressure warning light illumi-
nates to indicate a TPMS malfunction.
For additional information, see
“Tire Pres-
sure Monitoring System (TPMS) ”in the “5.
Starting and driving ”section.WARNING
. If the light does not illuminate with the
ignition switch pushed ON, have the
vehicle checked by an INFINITI retailer as
soon as possible.
. If the light illuminates while driving,
avoid sudden steering maneuvers or
abrupt braking, reduce vehicle speed,
pull off the road to a safe location and
stop the vehicle as soon as possible.
Driving with under-inflated tires may
permanently damage the tires and in-
crease the likelihood of tire failure.
Serious vehicle damage could occur
and may lead to an accident and could
result in serious personal injury. Check
the tire pressure for all four tires. Adjust
the tire pressure to the recommended
COLD tire pressure shown on the Tire

and Loading Information label to turn
the low tire pressure warning light OFF. If
the light still illuminates while driving
after adjusting the tire pressure, a tire
may be flat. If you have a flat tire,
replace it with a spare tire as soon as
possible.
. When a spare tire is mounted or a wheel
is replaced, the TPMS will not function
and the low tire pressure warning light
will flash for approximately 1 minute.
The light will remain on after the 1
minute. Contact your INFINITI retailer as
soon as possible for tire replacement
and/or system resetting.
. Replacing tires with those not originally
specified by INFINITI could affect the
proper operation of the TPMS.
CAUTION
.The TPMS is not a substitute for the
regular tire pressure check. Be sure to
check the tire pressure regularly.
. If the vehicle is being driven at speeds of
less than 16 MPH (25 km/h), the TPMS
may not operate correctly. .
Be sure to install the specified size of
tires to the four wheels correctly.
Master warning light
When the ignition switch is in the ON
position, the master warning light illumi-
nates if any of the following are displayed
on the dot matrix liquid crystal display:
.No key warning
. Low fuel warning
. Low washer fluid warning
. Parking brake release warning
. Door/trunk open warning
. Loose fuel cap warning
. Check tire pressure warning
. Intelligent Key system warning
See “Dot matrix liquid crystal display ”later
in this section.
Preview Function warning light
(orange; if so equipped)
The light comes on if there is a malfunction
in the Brake Assist (with Preview Function)
system.
If the warning light comes on, park the
vehicle in a safe place. Turn the engine off,
restart the engine, then resume driving. If the indicator stays on, it may indicate
that the system is malfunctioning.
Although the vehicle is still driveable
under normal conditions, have the vehicle
checked at an INFINITI retailer.
Seat belt warning light and
chime
The light and chime remind you to fasten
seat belts. The light illuminates whenever
the ignition switch is pushed to the ON
position, and will remain illuminated until
the driver ’s seat belt is fastened. At the
same time, the chime will sound for about
6 seconds unless the driver ’s seat belt is
securely fastened.
The seat belt warning light for the front
passenger will illuminate if the seat belt is
not fastened when the front passenger ’s
seat is occupied. For 7 seconds after the
ignition switch is in the ON position, the
system does not activate the warning light
for the front passenger.
See “1. Seat belts ”in the “1. Safety —
Seats, seat belts and supplemental re-
straint system” section for precautions on
seat belt usage.
Instruments and controls2-15