2014 INFINITI Q50 HYBRID Owner's Manual

5-16Starting and driving
WARNING
Apply the parking brake if the shift lever is
in any position while the hybrid system is
not running. Failure to do so could cause the
vehicle to move unexpectedly or roll away
and result in serious personal injury or
property damage.
CAUTION
Make sure the vehicle is completely stopped
and the transmission is in the P (Park)
position.
P (Park) position:
Use this position when the vehicle is
parked or when starting the hybrid system.
Make sure the vehicle is completely
stopped.The brake pedal must be de-
pressed and the shift lever button pushed
in to move the shift lever from the N
(Neutral) position or any drive position to
the P (Park) position. Apply the parking
brake. When parking on a hill, apply the
parking brake first, then move the shift lever to the P (Park) position.
CAUTION
Use this position only when the vehicle is
completely stopped.
R (Reverse):
Use this position to back up. Always be
sure the vehicle is completely stopped
before selecting the R (Reverse) position.
The brake pedal must be depressed and
the shift lever button pushed in to move
the shift lever from the P (Park) position,
the N (Neutral) position or any drive
position to the R (Reverse) position.
N (Neutral):
Neither forward nor reverse gear is en-
gaged. The hybrid system can be started in
this position. You may shift to the N
(Neutral) position and restart a stalled
hybrid system while the vehicle is moving.
D (Drive):
Use this position for all normal forward
driving.
JVS0187X
Paddle shifters (if so equipped)
Manual shift mode
When the shift lever is in the manual shift
gate, the transmission is ready for the
manual shift mode. Shift ranges can be
selected manually by moving the shift lever
up or down, or pulling the right-side or left-
side paddle shifter (if so equipped).
When shifting up, move the shift lever to
the + (up) side or pull the right-side paddle
shifter (+)
*A(if so equipped). The
transmission shifts to the higher range.
When shifting down, move the shift lever to
the −(down) side or pull the left-side
paddle shifter (−)
*B(if so equipped). The

transmission shifts to the lower range.
When canceling the manual shift mode,
return the shift lever to the D (Drive)
position. The transmission returns to the
normal driving mode.
When you pull the paddle shifter (if so
equipped) while in the D (Drive) position,
the transmission will shift to the upper or
lower range temporarily. The transmission
will automatically return to the D (Drive)
position after a short period of time. If you
want to return to the D (Drive) position
manually, pull and hold the paddle shifter
for about 1.5 seconds.
In the manual shift mode, the shift range is
displayed in the vehicle information dis-
play.
Shift ranges up or down one by one as
follows:
1M?
/2M?
/3M?
/ 4M?
/5M?
/ 6M?
/7M
7M(7th):
Use this position for all normal forward
driving at highway speeds.
6
M(6th) and 5M(5th):
Use these positions when driving up long
slopes, or for engine braking when driving down long slopes.
4
M(4th), 3M(3rd) and 2M(2nd):
Use these positions for hill climbing or
engine braking on downhill grades.
1
M(1st):
Use this position when climbing steep hills
slowly or driving slowly through deep
snow, or for maximum engine braking on
steep downhill grades.
. Remember not to drive at high speeds
for extended periods of time in lower
than 7th gear. This reduces fuel econ-
omy.
. Moving the shift lever rapidly to the
same side twice will shift the ranges in
succession.
. In the manual shift mode, the transmis-
sion may not shift to the selected gear
or may automatically shift to the other
gear. This helps maintain driving per-
formance and reduces the chance of
vehicle damage or loss of control.
. When the transmission does not shift
to the selected gear, the Automatic
Transmission (AT) position indicator (in
the vehicle information display) will
blink and the buzzer will sound. .
In the manual shift mode, the transmis-
sion automatically shifts down to 1st
gear before the vehicle comes to a
stop. When accelerating again, it is
necessary to shift up to the desired
range.
Accelerator downshift —In D (Drive)
position —
For passing or hill climbing, fully depress
the accelerator pedal to the floor. This
shifts the transmission down into the lower
gear, depending on the vehicle speed.
Fail-safe
When the fail-safe operation occurs, note
that the transmission will be locked in any
of the forward gears according to the
condition.
If the vehicle is driven under extreme
conditions, such as excessive wheel spin-
ning and subsequent hard braking, the
fail-safe system may be activated. This will
occur even if all electrical circuits are
functioning properly. In this case, push
the ignition switch to the OFF position and
wait for 3 seconds. Then push the ignition
switch back to the ON position. The vehicle
should return to its normal operating
condition. If it does not return to its
Starting and driving5-17

5-18Starting and driving
normal operating condition, have an
INFINITI retailer check the transmission
and repair if necessary.
JVS0188X
Shift lock release
If the 12-volt battery charge is low or
discharged, the shift lever may not be
moved from the P (Park) position even with
the brake pedal depressed and the shift
lever button pushed.
To move the shift lever, perform the
following procedure:
1. Push the ignition switch to the OFF orLOCK position.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Remove the shift lock cover
*Ausing a
suitable tool. 4. Push down the shift lock
*Busing
mechanical key as illustrated.
5. Push the shift lever button
*Cand
move the shift lever to N (Neutral)
position
*Dwhile holding down the
shift lock.
If the lever cannot be moved out of P
(Park), have an INFINITI retailer check the
automatic transmission system as soon as
possible.
Adaptive Shift Control (ASC)
The adaptive shift control system automa-
tically operates when the transmission is
in the D (Drive) position and selects an
appropriate gear depending on the road
conditions such as uphill, downhill or
curving roads.
Control on uphill and curving roads:
A low gear is maintained that suits the
degree of the slope or curve to allow
smooth driving with a small number of
shifts.
Control on downhill roads:
The adaptive shift control system shifts to
a low gear that suits the degree of the
slope to reduce the number of times that
the brake must be used.

Control on winding roads:
A low gear is maintained on continuous
curves that involve repeated acceleration
and deceleration, so that smooth accelera-
tion is available instantly when the accel-
erator pedal is depressed.
NOTE:
.Adaptive shift control may not operate
when the transmission oil temperature
is low immediately after the start of
driving or when it is very hot.
. During some driving situations, hard
braking for example, the adaptive shift
control may automatically operate. The
transmission may automatically shift
to a lower gear for re-acceleration. This
increases engine speed but not vehicle
speed. Vehicle speed is controlled by
the accelerator pedal when the vehicle
is in the Adaptive shift control mode.
. When the adaptive shift control oper-
ates, the transmission sometimes
maintains a lower gear for a longer
period of time than when adaptive shift
control is not operating. Engine speed
will be higher for a specific vehicle
speed while ASC system is operating
than when ASC is not operating.NAVI Shift Control (if so equipped)
NAVI Shift Control automatically adjusts
the Automatic Transmission (AT) gear posi-
tion in certain situations based on road
information from the navigation system.
When the navigation system detects that
the vehicle is approaching a curved road,
NAVI Shift Control will adjust the gear
position if needed to help the driver run
through the curve smoothly.
Precaution on NAVI Shift Control:
. The NAVI Shift Control does not provide
steering input or automated driving on
a curve. It is not a speed limit support
system and will not modify your speed
according to local speed limits.
. The NAVI Shift Control is a convenient
system intended to help the vehicle
move through a curve smoothly. How-
ever, the driver must always drive
safely and use the brake pedal if
needed.
. The NAVI Shift Control may be delayed
or not operate properly in the following
situations, because this function uses
the road information provided by the
navigation system. —
When the navigation system cannot
accurately detect the location of the
vehicle.
— When the vehicle is driving on a
roadway that is not recognized by
the navigation system.
— When the actual roadway differs
from the map information on the
navigation system due to road con-
struction, traffic lane obstructions,
etc.
. The NAVI Shift Control may not operate
properly in the following situations:
— If the vehicle’s transmission, engine,
hybrid system and/or navigation
system, and/or GPS is malfunction-
ing.
— If the vehicle speed is higher than
74 MPH (120 km/h) or lower than
37 MPH (60 km/h) and/or transmis-
sion gear is outside the operating
range of the system.
— When the vehicle is driving on a
freeway.
— When the vehicle is driving on a
gentle curve
— When the vehicle is driving with the
shift lever except in the D (Drive)
position.
Starting and driving5-19

5-20Starting and driving
JVS0246X
How to enable/disable the NAVI Shift
Control:
Perform the following steps to enable or
disable the NAVI Shift Control.
1. Push the MENU button
*1and touch
[Settings] on the lower display.
2. Touch [Drive Mode Enhancement].
3. Touch [Navi Shift Control] and select the ON (enabled) or OFF (disabled).
WARNING
. Be sure the parking brake is fully
released before driving. Failure to do so
can cause brake failure and lead to an
accident.
. Do not release the parking brake from
outside the vehicle.
. Do not use the gear shift in place of the
parking brake. When parking, be sure
the parking brake is fully engaged.
. Do not leave children unattended in a
vehicle. They could release the parking
brake and cause an accident.
SPA2331
To apply: Fully depress the parking brake
pedal
*1.
To release:
1. Firmly apply the foot brake
*2.
2. Depress the parking brake pedal
*1
and the parking brake will be released.
3. Before driving, be sure the brake warning light goes out.
PARKING BRAKE

JVS0189X
INFINITI Drive Mode Selector
JVS0191M
Five driving modes can be selected by
using the INFINITI Drive Mode Selector
(PERSONAL, SPORT, STANDARD, ECO and
SNOW).
NOTE:
When the INFINITI Drive Mode Selector
selects a mode, the mode may not switch
immediately. This is not a malfunction.
The current mode is displayed in the
vehicle information display.
To change the mode, push the INFINITI
Drive Mode Selector up or down. The mode
list will appear on the upper display and
you can select the mode.
PERSONALÛSPORT ÛSTANDARD ÛECO
Û SNOW
NOTE:
The mode list will be turned off in
approximately 5 seconds after the mode
is selected.
STANDARD MODE
Allows for optimum driving according to
the driving conditions.
This mode will be selected first each time
the INFINITI Direct Response Hybrid
®Sys-
tem is started.
SPORT MODE
Adjusts the engine and transmission
points for a higher response. The setting
of the steering system is adjusted to
provide a quick steering response and a
heavy steering effort.
NOTE:
In the SPORT mode, fuel economy may be
reduced.
SNOW MODE
Changes the engine characteristics to aid
driving on slippery roads.
ECO MODE
Assists the driver’s eco-driving. The engine
and transmission points are adjusted for
improved fuel economy, providing such a
driving features as smooth starting or
constant cruising.
NOTE:
Selecting the ECO mode will not necessa-
rily improve fuel economy as many driving
factors influence its effectiveness.
Operation
Select the ECO mode using the INFINITI
Drive Mode Selector. The ECO drive indi-
cator light on the instrument panel illumi-
Starting and driving5-21
INFINITI DRIVE MODE SELECTOR

5-22Starting and driving
nates.
When the accelerator pedal is depressed
within the range of economy drive, the ECO
drive indicator light illuminates in green.
When the accelerator pedal is depressed
above the range of economy drive, the ECO
drive indicator light turns off. For ECO
pedal system equipped models, see“ECO
pedal system” (P.5-22).
The ECO drive indicator light will not
illuminate in the following cases:
. When the shift lever is in the R (Reverse)
position.
. When the vehicle speed is below 4 MPH
(6 km/h) or over 90 MPH (144 km/h).
. When the Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC)
system (if so equipped) is operated.
ECO pedal system (if so equipped)
The ECO pedal system helps assist the
driver to improve fuel economy by increas-
ing the reaction force of the accelerator
pedal. When the ECO drive indicator light is
blinking or remains off, the ECO pedal
system increases the reaction force of the
accelerator pedal.
JVS0303X
When the ECO drive indicator illuminates in
green, the accelerator reaction force is
normal. When the ECO drive indicator light
is blinking or remains off, the ECO pedal
system increases the reaction force of the
accelerator pedal.
The ECO pedal system may not vary
accelerator reaction force under the follow-
ing conditions:
. When the shift lever is in the N (Neutral)
or R (Reverse) position.
. When Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) is
being operated.
If the ECO pedal system malfunctions, it
will cancel automatically. The ECO pedal system will not vary the reaction force of
the accelerator pedal.
When the INFINITI Drive Mode Selector is
rotated from the ECO mode to another
mode (STANDARD, SPORT, SNOW or PER-
SONAL) while the ECO pedal system is
operating, the ECO pedal system continues
to operate until the accelerator pedal is
released.
If the accelerator pedal is depressed
quickly, the ECO pedal system will not
increase the reaction force of the accelera-
tion pedal. The ECO pedal system is not
designed to prevent the vehicle from
accelerating.
Adjusting the ECO pedal system reaction
force:
The ECO pedal system reaction force can
be adjusted. The reaction force setting will
be maintained until the setting is changed
even if the hybrid system is turned off.

JVS0246X
Setting ECO pedal reaction force:
1. Push the MENU button
*1and touch
[Settings] on the lower display.
2. Touch [Drive Mode Enhancement].
3. Touch [ECO Pedal].
4. To set the reaction force of the ECO pedal system, touch [Standard] or
[Soft].
5. To turn off the ECO pedal system, touch [OFF].
When the ECO pedal system is turned off,
the accelerator will operate normally.
PERSONAL MODE
When the PERSONAL mode is selected, the
following functions can be adjusted indivi-
dually.
. Engine·Transmission
. Steering
. Active Trace Control
JVS0246X
How to set the PERSONAL mode
Perform the following steps to set the
PERSONAL mode.
1. Push the MENU button
*1and touch
[Infiniti Drive Mode Selector] on the
lower display.
2. Touch [Engine·Transmission], [Steering] or [Active Trace Control] and select each
item. (See “Engine·Transmission” ,
“Steering” and“Active Trace Control”
about the feature of each item.)
3. Touch [Back] or [Home] to finish the PERSONAL mode setting.
Starting and driving5-23