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5-50Starting and driving
JVS0069X
VEHICLE-TO-VEHICLE DISTANCE
CONTROL MODE OPERATION
Always pay attention to the operation of
the vehicle and be ready to manually
control the proper following distance. The
vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode of
the Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) system
may not be able to maintain the selected
distance between vehicles (following dis-
tance) or selected vehicle speed under
some circumstances.
The vehicle-to-vehicle distance control
mode uses a sensor
*Alocated on the
front of the vehicle to detect vehicles traveling ahead. The sensor generally
detects the signals returned from the
reflectors on a vehicle ahead. Therefore, if
the sensor cannot detect the reflector on
the vehicle ahead, the ICC system may not
maintain the selected distance.
The following are some conditions in which
the sensor cannot detect the signals:
.
When the reflector of the vehicle ahead
is positioned high on the vehicle
(trailer, etc.)
. When the reflector on the vehicle ahead
is missing, damaged or covered
. When the reflector of the vehicle ahead
is covered with dirt, snow and road
spray
. When the snow or road spray from
traveling vehicles reduces the sensor’s
visibility
. When dense exhaust or other smoke
(black smoke) from vehicles reduces
the sensor’s visibility
. When excessively heavy baggage is
loaded in the rear seat or the trunk of
your vehicle
The ICC system is designed to automati-
cally check the sensor’s operation within
the limitations of the system. When the sensor is covered with dirt or obstructs, the
system will automatically be canceled. If
the sensor is covered with ice, a transpar-
ent or translucent vinyl bag, etc., the ICC
system may not detect them. In these
instances, the vehicle-to-vehicle distance
control mode may not cancel and may not
be able to maintain the selected following
distance from the vehicle ahead. Be sure to
check and clean the sensor regularly.
The vehicle-to-vehicle distance control
mode is designed to maintain a selected
distance and reduce the speed to match
the slower vehicle ahead; the system will
decelerate the vehicle as necessary and if
the vehicle ahead comes to a stop, the
vehicle decelerates to a standstill. How-
ever, the ICC system can only apply up to
25% of the vehicles total braking power.
This system should only be used when
traffic conditions allow vehicle speeds to
remain fairly constant or when vehicle
speeds change gradually. If a vehicle
moves into the traveling lane ahead or if
a vehicle traveling ahead rapidly decele-
rates, the distance between vehicles may
become closer because the ICC system
cannot decelerate the vehicle quickly en-
ough. If this occurs, the ICC system will
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sound a warning chime and blink the
system display to notify the driver to take
necessary action.
The system will cancel and a warning
chime will sound if the speed is below
approximately 15 MPH (24 km/h) and a
vehicle is not detected ahead. The system
will also disengage when the vehicle goes
above the maximum set speed.
See“Approach warning” later in this
section.
The following items are controlled in the
vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode:
. When there are no vehicles traveling
ahead, the vehicle-to-vehicle distance
control mode maintains the speed set
by the driver. The set speed range is
between approximately 20 and 90 MPH
(32 and 144 km/h).
. When there is a vehicle traveling ahead,
the vehicle-to-vehicle distance control
mode adjusts the speed to maintain the
distance, selected by driver, from the
vehicle ahead. The adjusting speed
range is up to the set speed. If the
vehicle ahead comes to a stop, the
vehicle decelerates to a standstill with-
in the limitations of the system. The
system will cancel once it judges a standstill with a warning chime.
. When the vehicle traveling ahead has
moved out from its lane of travel, the
vehicle-to-vehicle distance control
mode accelerates and maintains vehi-
cle speed up to the set speed.
The ICC system does not control vehicle
speed or warn you when you approach
stationary and slow moving vehicles. You
must pay attention to vehicle operation to
maintain proper distance from vehicles
ahead when approaching toll gates or
traffic congestion.
Starting and driving5-51
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5-52Starting and driving
SSD0252
The detection zone of the ICC sensor is
limited. A vehicle ahead must be in the
detection zone for the vehicle-to-vehicle
distance detection mode to maintain the
selected distance from the vehicle ahead.
A vehicle ahead may move outside of the
detection zone due to its position within
the same lane of travel. Motorcycles may
not be detected in the same lane ahead if
they are traveling offset from the centerline
of the lane. A vehicle that is entering the
lane ahead may not be detected until the
vehicle has completely moved into the
lane.If this occurs, the ICC system may
warn you by blinking the system indicator and sounding the chime. The driver may
have to manually control the proper
distance away from vehicle traveling
ahead.
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SSD0253
When driving on some roads, such as
winding, hilly, curved, narrow roads, or
roads which are under construction, the
ICC sensor may detect vehicles in a
different lane, or may temporarily not
detect a vehicle traveling ahead. This may
cause the ICC system to decelerate or
accelerate the vehicle.
The detection of vehicles may also be
affected by vehicle operation (steering
maneuver or traveling position in the lane,
etc.) or vehicle condition.If this occurs, the
ICC system may warn you by blinking the
system indicator and sounding the chime
unexpectedly. You will have to manually control the proper distance away from the
vehicle traveling ahead.
SSD0254
When driving on the freeway at a set speed
and approaching a slower traveling vehicle
ahead, the ICC will adjust the speed to
maintain the distance, selected by the
driver, from the vehicle ahead. If the
vehicle ahead changes lanes or exits the
freeway, the ICC system will accelerate and
maintain the speed up to the set speed.
Pay attention to the driving operation to
maintain control of the vehicle as it
accelerates to the set speed.
The vehicle may not maintain the set speed
on winding or hilly roads. If this occurs,
you will have to manually control the
vehicle speed.
Starting and driving5-53
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5-54Starting and driving
SSD0977
Intelligent cruise control switch
The system is operated by a MAIN switch
and four control switches, all mounted on
the steering wheel.
1. ACCELERATE/RESUME switch:Resumes set speed or increases speed
incrementally.
2. COAST/SET switch: Sets desired cruise speed, reduces
speed incrementally.
3. CANCEL switch:
Deactivates the system without erasing
the set speed. 4. DISTANCE switch:
Changes the vehicle’s following dis-
tance:
.Long.Middle.Short
5. MAIN switch:
Master switch to activate the system
SSD0978
Intelligent cruise control system
display and indicators
The display is located between the speed-
ometer and tachometer.
1. MAIN switch indicator:Indicates that the MAIN switch is ON.
2. Vehicle ahead detection indicator: Indicates whether it detects a vehicle in
front of you.
3. Set distance indicator: Displays the selected distance between
vehicles set with the DISTANCE switch.
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4. Indicates your vehicle
5. Set vehicle speed indicator:Indicates the set vehicle speed.
For Canadian models, the speed is
displayed in km/h.
6. Intelligent Cruise Control system warn- ing light (orange):
The light comes on if there is a
malfunction in the ICC system.
SSD0979
When the ignition switch is pushed to the
ON position, the indicators come on as
illustrated to check for a burned-out bulb,
and it turns off when the hybrid system is
started.
SSD0980
Operating vehicle-to-vehicle dis-
tance control mode
To turn on the cruise control, quickly push
and release the MAIN switch
*Aon. The
MAIN switch indicator, set distance indica-
tor and set vehicle speed indicator come
on and in a standby state for setting.
Starting and driving5-55
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5-56Starting and driving
SSD0981
To set cruising speed,accelerate your
vehicle to the desired speed, push the
COAST/SET switch and release it. (Vehicle
ahead detection indicator, set distance
indicator and set vehicle speed indicator
come on.) Take your foot off the accelerator
pedal. Your vehicle will maintain the set
speed.
SSD0982
When the COAST/SET switch is pushed
under the following conditions, the system
cannot be set and the ICC indicators will
blink for approximately 2 seconds:
. When traveling below 20 MPH (32
km/h) and the vehicle ahead is not
detected
. When the selector lever is not in the D
or Manual mode
. When the windshield wipers are operat-
ing at high speed (HI). If the vehicle is
equipped with a rain sensing auto
wiper, the system may cancel when
the wipers are set to the AUTO position. .
When the parking brake is applied
. When the brakes are operated by the
driver
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SSD0983
When the COAST/SET switch is pushed
under the following conditions, the system
cannot be set.
A warning chime will sound and the ICC
indicators will blink.
.When the drive mode select switch is
turned to the SNOW mode (To use the
ICC system, turn the drive mode select
switch to a mode other than the SNOW
mode, push the MAIN switch to turn off
the ICC and reset the ICC switch by
pressing the MAIN switch again.)
For details about the INFINITI drive
mode selector, see “INFINITI drive mode
selector” earlier in this section. .
When the VDC system is off (To use the
ICC system, turn on the VDC system.
Push the MAIN switch to turn off the ICC
system and reset the ICC switch by
pushing the MAIN switch again.)
For details about the VDC system, see
“Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) sys-
tem” later in this section.
. When ABS or VDC (including the trac-
tion control system) is operating
. When driving into a strong light (for
example, sunlight)
. When a wheel is slipping (To use the ICC
system, make sure the wheels are no
longer slipping. Push the MAIN switch
to turn off the ICC, and reset the ICC
system by pushing the MAIN switch
again.)
Starting and driving5-57