Hybrid System Overview
Infiniti Direct Response
HybridTMSystem.............................. Hybrid System-2
Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery............... Hybrid System-2
High voltage cautions ...................... Hybrid System-2
Road accident cautions.................... Hybrid System-3
Emergency shut-off system .............. Hybrid System-4
Operation of the hybrid system ....... Hybrid System-4 Starting and slow speed driving ... Hybrid System-4
Medium or high speed driving..... Hybrid System-4
Rapid acceleration ....................... Hybrid System-5
Deceleration and braking............. Hybrid System-5
Stopping ..................................... Hybrid System-5 Energy monitors .............................. Hybrid System-5
Assist charge gauge................... Hybrid System-5
Energy Flow (models with
navigation system)..................... Hybrid System-5
Fuel economy history
(models with
navigation system)..................... Hybrid System-7
Regenerative brake ......................... Hybrid System-8
Efficient use of your vehicle ............ Hybrid System-8
Approaching Vehicle Sound for
Pedestrians (VSP) system ................ Hybrid System-9
Hybrid vehicle precautions ............ Hybrid System-10 High voltage components ........ Hybrid System-10
Hybrid
vehicle characteristics.............. Hybrid System-11
Hybrid System-4Hybrid System Overview
The emergency shut-off system is activated
and the high-voltage system automatically
turns off in the following conditions:
.Front and side collisions in which the
air bags are deployed.
. Certain rear collisions.
. Certain INFINITI Direct Response Hy-
brid
TMSystem malfunctions
For the above collisions and the certain
hybrid system malfunctions, the READY to
drive indicator light will turn off. See
“Warning/indicator lights and audible re-
minders” in the“2. Instruments and
controls”.
The emergency shut-off activates for the
above collisions to minimize risk of an
event that could cause injury or an
accident. If the emergency shut-off system
activates, the hybrid system may not
switched to READY to drive position,
contact an INFINITI retailer. Even if the
ignition switch is switched to READY to
drive position, the system may shut-off
suddenly. Therefore, drive cautiously to the
nearest INFINITI retailer or contact an
INFINITI retailer as soon as possible. Depress the brake pedal and place the
ignition switch in the ON position when the
transmission is in the P (Park) position or N
(Neutral) position (P is recommended) to
start the INFINITI Direct Response Hybrid
TM
System.
The READY to drive indicator light
flashes until hybrid system becomes the
ready to drive mode.
When the READY to drive indicator light
illuminates, the vehicle can be
driven, even if the gasoline engine is not
running.
NOTE:
The gasoline engine starts and stops
automatically. It may stop during low
speed driving, deceleration or when the
vehicle is stopped.
The gasoline engine may automatically
run in the following conditions:
. The level of remaining charge in the
Lithium ion (Li-ion) battery is low. The
engine runs to charge the Li-ion
battery and to provide power to the
drive the vehicle.
. The temperature of the engine coolant
is low. .
Based on driving conditions.
. The selector lever is shifted to the P
(Park) position, the driver’s seat belt is
released and the driver’s side door is
then opened.
The hybrid system operates as follows
based on driving conditions and the Li-ion
battery charge.STARTING AND SLOW SPEED DRIV-
ING
The vehicle is driven by the electric motor
depending on the available Li-ion battery
charge.
MEDIUM OR HIGH SPEED DRIVING
The system automatically controls the
gasoline engine and electric motor in order
to obtain the optimum fuel mileage and
performance, depending on the driving
situation and available Li-ion battery
charge.
When the remaining battery level is low,
the Li-ion battery is charged by the electric
motor that is driven to generate electric
power while the vehicle is driving.
EMERGENCY SHUT-OFF SYSTEM OPERATION OF THE HYBRID SYSTEM
.When the vehicle is charging the Li-ion
battery with the regenerative brake and
gasoline engine.
. When the vehicle is powered by the
gasoline engine and is charging the Li-
ion battery.
. When there is no Energy Flow in the
vehicle
The Energy Flow and remaining Li-ion
battery charge can be also shown on the
dot matrix display. See “Trip computer”in
the “2. Instruments and controls” section.
FUEL ECONOMY HISTORY (models
with navigation system)
The Fuel Economy History screen appears
in the display with the navigation system
when the screen is in the Fuel Economy
History mode.
JVH0034M
1. Push the INFO button on the control
panel and highlight the “Energy Flow”
key on the display using the INFINITI
controller. Then push the ENTER button.
2. Highlight the “History”key, and push
the ENTER button.
JVO0009M
The Fuel Economy History can be displayed
on the navigation system monitor. This
displays the vehicle’s average fuel con-
sumption and regenerative electric power
at 2 minute intervals.
The displayed values on the screen in-
dicate general driving conditions. Accuracy
varies with driving habits and road condi-
tions.
1. Regenerated energy in the past 12 minutes: The regenerated energy in
the past 12 minutes is indicated with
symbols. One symbol indicates 30
watt-hour. The energy of 30 watt-hour
illuminates a 30 watt bulb for an hour.
Hybrid System OverviewHybrid System-7
Hybrid System-8Hybrid System Overview
2. Fuel consumption in the past 12minutes: Fuel consumption in the past
12 minutes is displayed.
3. Current fuel consumption (Latest col- umn): The current fuel consumption is
calculated and displayed based on
distance and fuel consumption.
NOTE:
Information shown in the yellow column
means current (within 2 minutes) and
information shown in the blue columns
means past (more than 2 minutes). When the vehicle decelerates while the
vehicle is driven with the selector lever in
the D (drive) position or in the manual shift
mode, the Lithium ion (Li-ion) battery can
be charged by the electric motor. The
electric motor converts the energy of the
rotating wheels into electric power under
the following circumstances:
.
When the accelerator pedal is released.
. When the brake pedal is depressed
. When there is no malfunction in the
brake system or the INFINITI Direct
Response Hybrid
TMSystem
The regenerative brake may not work
properly if the vehicle is installed with
tires and road wheels other than the ones
specified in this manual. Drive your vehicle with smooth accelera-
tion and deceleration.
.
While driving, energy is recovered
through the regenerative brake as the
vehicle decelerates. However, for most
efficient use, do not accelerate or
decelerate your vehicle more than
necessary.
. Avoid abrupt acceleration and decelera-
tion.
. The power of the Lithium ion (Li-ion)
battery can be checked on the Energy
Flow in the center display (models with
navigation system) or Li-ion battery
status meter in the dot matrix display.
See “Energy Flow (models with naviga-
tion system)” or“Trip computer” in the
“2. Instruments and controls” section.
Gradual or non-abrupt acceleration and
deceleration will make more effective
use of the electric using gasoline
engine power.
. When parking, be sure to place the
selector lever in the P (Park) position.
While driving, place the selector lever
in the D (Drive) position.
REGENERATIVE BRAKE EFFICIENT USE OF YOUR VEHICLE
1-14Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
tened, it may indicate the pre-crash seat
belt system has a malfunction. Have your
INFINITI retailer check and repair the
system.
When the seat belt is retracted repeatedly
in a short period of time, the motor may
not be able to retract the seat belt. After 8
minutes, the motor normally reactivates
and retracts the seat belt. If the seat belt
still cannot be retracted by the motor, the
pre-crash seat belt system has a malfunc-
tion. Have your INFINITI retailer check and
repair the system.
THREE-POINT TYPE SEAT BELT
WARNING
. Every person who drives or rides in this
vehicle should use a seat belt at all
times.
. Do not ride in a moving vehicle when the
seatback is reclined. This can be danger-
ous. The shoulder belt will not be
against your body. In an accident, you
could be thrown into it and receive neck
or other serious injuries. You could also
slide under the lap belt and receive
serious internal injuries. .
For the most effective protection when
the vehicle is in motion, the seat should
be upright. Always sit well back in the
seat with both feet on the floor and
adjust the seat belt properly.
. Do not allow children to play with the
seat belts. Most seating positions are
equipped with Automatic Locking Re-
tractor (ALR) mode seat belts. If the seat
belt becomes wrapped around a child’s
neck with the ALR mode activated, the
child can be seriously injured or killed if
the seat belt retracts and becomes tight.
This can occur even if the vehicle is
parked. Unbuckle the seat belt to release
the child. If the seat belt can not be
unbuckled or is already unbuckled,
release the child by cutting the seat belt
with a suitable tool (such as a knife or
scissors) to release the seat belt.
SSS0292
Fastening the seat belts
1. Adjust the seat. (See “Seats”earlier in
this section.)
2. Slowly pull the seat belt out of the retractor and insert the tongue into the
buckle until you hear and feel the latch
engage.
.The retractor is designed to lockduring a sudden stop or on impact.
A slow pulling motion permits the
belt to move, and allows you some
freedom of movement in the seat.
.If the seat belt cannot be pulled
from its fully retracted position,
1-18Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
belts may retract slowly. Wipe the
shoulder belt guide with a clean, dry
cloth.
. Periodically check to see that the seat
belt and the metal components such as
buckles, tongues, retractors, flexible
wires and anchors work properly. If
loose parts, deterioration, cuts or other
damage on the webbing is found, the
entire seat belt assembly should be
replaced.WARNING
Do not allow children to play with the seat
belts. Most seating positions are equipped
with Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR)
mode seat belts. If the seat belt becomes
wrapped around a child’s neck with the ALR
mode activated, the child can be seriously
injured or killed if the seat belt retracts and
becomes tight. This can occur even if the
vehicle is parked. Unbuckle the seat belt to
release the child. If the seat belt can not be
unbuckled or is already unbuckled, release
the child by cutting the seat belt with a
suitable tool (such as a knife or scissors) to
release the seat belt.
Children need adults to help protect them.
They need to be properly restrained.
In addition to the general information in
this manual, child safety information is
available from many other sources, includ-
ing doctors, teachers, government traffic
safety offices, and community organiza-
tions. Every child is different, so be sure to
learn the best way to transport your child.
There are three basic types of child
restraint systems: .
Rear-facing child restraint
. Forward-facing child restraint
. Booster seat
The proper restraint depends on the child’s
size. Generally, infants up to about 1 year
and less than 20 lbs (9 kg) should be
placed in rear-facing child restraints. For-
ward-facing child restraints are available
for children who outgrow rear-facing child
restraints and are at least 1 year old.
Booster seats are used to help position a
vehicle lap/shoulder belt on a child who
can no longer use a forward-facing child
restraint.
WARNING
Infants and children need special protection.
The vehicle’s seat belts may not fit them
properly. The shoulder belt may come too
close to the face or neck. The lap belt may
not fit over their small hip bones. In an
accident, an improperly fitting seat belt
could cause serious or fatal injury. Always
use appropriate child restraints.
All U.S. states and Canadian provinces or
territories require the use of approved
child restraints for infants and small
CHILD SAFETY
1-36Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
seat is compatible with your child.
Always follow all recommended proce-
dures.
LRS0464
All U.S. states and Canadian provinces or
territories require that infants and small
children be restrained in an approved child
restraint at all times while the vehicle is
being operated.
The instructions in this section apply to
booster seat installation in the rear seats
or the front passenger seat.
Booster seat installation
CAUTION
Do not use the lap/shoulder belt Automatic
Locking Retractor (ALR) mode when using a
booster seat with the seat belts.
Refer to all Warnings and Cautions in the
“Child safety” ,“Child restraints” and
“Booster seats” sections earlier in this
section before installing a child restraint.
Follow these steps to install a booster seat
in the rear seat or in the front passenger
seat:
1-46Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
may be turned OFF, however, if the
occupant does not sit in the seat properly
(for example, by not sitting upright, by
sitting on an edge of the seat, or by
otherwise being out of position), this could
cause the sensor to turn the air bag OFF.
Always be sure to be seated and wearing
the seat belt properly for the most effective
protection by the seat belt and supple-
mental air bag.
INFINITI recommends that pre-teens and
children be properly restrained in a rear
seat. INFINITI also recommends that appro-
priate child restraints and booster seats be
properly installed in a rear seat. If this is
not possible, the occupant classification
sensor is designed to operate as described
above to turn the front passenger air bag
OFF for specified child restraints. Failing to
properly secure child restraints and to use
the ALR mode (child restraint mode) may
allow the restraint to tip or move in an
accident or sudden stop. This can also
result in the passenger air bag inflating in
a crash instead of being OFF. (See “Child
restraints” earlier in this section for proper
use and installation.)
If the front passenger seat is not occupied,
the passenger air bag is designed not to inflate in a crash. However, heavy objects
placed on the seat could result in air bag
inflation, because of the object being
detected by the occupant classification
sensor. Other conditions could also result
in air bag inflation, such as if a child is
standing on the seat, or if two children are
on the seat, contrary to the instructions in
this manual. Always be sure that you and
all vehicle occupants are seated and
restrained properly.
Using the passenger air bag status light,
you can monitor when the front passenger
air bag is automatically turned OFF with the
seat occupied. The light will not illuminate
when the front passenger seat is unoccu-
pied.
If an adult occupant is in the seat but the
passenger air bag status light is illumi-
nated (indicating that the air bag is OFF), it
could be that the person is a small adult,
or is not sitting on the seat properly.
If a child restraint must be used in the front
seat, the passenger air bag status light
may or may not be illuminated, depending
on the size of the child and the type of
child restraint being used. If the passenger
air bag status light is not illuminated
(indicating that the air bag might inflatein a crash), it could be that the child
restraint or seat belt is not being used
properly. Make sure that the child restraint
is installed properly, the seat belt is used
properly and the occupant is positioned
properly. If the passenger air bag status
light is still not illuminated, reposition the
occupant or child restraint in a rear seat.
If the passenger air bag status light will not
illuminate even though you believe that the
child restraint, the seat belts and the
occupant are properly positioned, the
system may be sensing an unoccupied
seat (in which case the air bag is OFF). Your
INFINITI retailer can check that the system
is OFF by using a special tool. However,
until you have confirmed with your retailer
that your air bag is working properly,
reposition the occupant or child restraint
in a rear seat.
The INFINITI advanced air bag system and
passenger air bag status light will take a
few seconds to register a change in the
passenger seat status. However, if the seat
becomes unoccupied, the air bag status
light will remain off.
If a malfunction occurs in the front
passenger air bag system, the supplemen-
tal air bag warning light
, located in the