maintaining the correct air pressure and
visually inspect the tires for wear and
damage. See“Wheels and tires” (P.8-30) of
this manual.
If a tire rapidly loses air pressure or
“blows-out” while driving maintain control
of the vehicle by following the procedure
below. Please note that this procedure is
only a general guide. The vehicle must be
driven as appropriate based on the condi-
tions of the vehicle, road and traffic.
WARNING
The following actions can increase the
chance of losing control of the vehicle if
there is a sudden loss of tire air pressure.
Losing control of the vehicle may cause a
collision and result in personal injury.
. The vehicle generally moves or pulls in
the direction of the flat tire.
. Do not rapidly apply the brakes.
. Do not rapidly release the accelerator
pedal.
. Do not rapidly turn the steering wheel.
1. Remain calm and do not overreact. 2. Maintain a firm grip on the steering
wheel with both hands and try to hold a
straight course.
3. When appropriate, slowly release the accelerator pedal to gradually slow the
vehicle.
4. Gradually steer the vehicle to a safe location off the road and away from
traffic if possible.
5. Lightly apply the brake pedal to gradu- ally stop the vehicle.
6. Turn on the hazard warning flashers and either contact a roadside emer-
gency service to change the tire or see
“Jacking up the vehicle and replacing
tires” (P.8-40) of this Owner’s Manual.
DRINKING ALCOHOL/DRUGS AND
DRIVING
WARNING
Never drive under the influence of alcohol or
drugs. Alcohol in the bloodstream reduces
coordination, delays reaction time and im-
pairs judgement. Driving after drinking
alcohol increases the likelihood of being
involved in an accident injuring yourself and others. Additionally, if you are injured in an
accident, alcohol can increase the severity
of the injury.
INFINITI is committed to safe driving.
However, you must choose not to drive
under the influence of alcohol. Every year
thousands of people are injured or killed in
alcohol-related accidents. Although the
local laws vary on what is considered to
be legally intoxicated, the fact is that
alcohol affects all people differently and
most people underestimate the effects of
alcohol.
Remember, drinking and driving don’t mix!
And that is true for drugs, too (over-the-
counter, prescription, and illegal drugs).
Don’t drive if your ability to operate your
vehicle is impaired by alcohol, drugs, or
some other physical condition.
Starting and driving5-9
5-10Starting and driving
INTELLIGENT ALL-WHEEL DRIVE
(AWD) DRIVING SAFETY PRECAU-
TIONS (AWD models)
WARNING
.Do not drive beyond the performance
capability of the tires, even with Intelli-
gent AWD engaged. Accelerating quickly,
sharp steering maneuvers or sudden
braking may cause loss of control.
. Always use tires of the same type, size,
brand, construction (bias, bias-belted or
radial), and tread pattern on all four
wheels. Install tire chains on the rear
wheels when driving on slippery roads
and drive carefully.
. This vehicle is not designed for off-road
(rough road) use. Do not drive on sandy
or muddy roads that tires may get stuck
in.
. For AWD equipped vehicles, do not
attempt to raise two wheels off the
ground and shift the transmission to
any D (Drive) or R (Reverse) position with
the hybrid system running. Doing so
may result in drivetrain damage or
unexpected vehicle movement which could result in serious vehicle damage
or personal injury.
. Do not attempt to test an AWD equipped
vehicle on a 2-wheel dynamometer (such
as the dynamometers used by some
states for emissions testing), or similar
equipment even if the other two wheels
are raised off the ground. Make sure you
inform test facility personnel that your
vehicle is equipped with AWD before it is
placed on a dynamometer. Using the
wrong test equipment may result in
drivetrain damage or unexpected vehicle
movement which could result in serious
vehicle damage or personal injury.
. When a wheel is off the ground due to an
unlevel surface, do not spin the wheel
excessively.
WARNING
Do not operate the push-button ignition
switch while driving the vehicle except in an
emergency. (The INFINITI Direct Response
Hybrid
®System will stop when the ignition
switch is pushed 3 consecutive times or the
ignition switch is pushed and held for more
than 2 seconds.) If the hybrid system turns
off while the vehicle is being driven, this
could lead to a crash and serious injury.
Before operating the push-button ignition
switch, be sure to move the shift lever to
the P (Park) position.
PUSH-BUTTON IGNITION SWITCH
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
5-24Starting and driving
Engine·Transmission:
“Engine·Transmission” can be set to
[Sport], [Eco], [Standard] or [Snow].
Steering:
Four combinations of steering effort and
steering response can be set.
Steering effort Steering response
Standard Standard
Standard Quick
Heavy Quick
Light Casual
Active Trace Control:
“Active Trace Control”
can be set to ON
(enabled) or OFF (disabled).
For details about the Active Trace Control,
see “Active trace control” (P.5-110).Active Lane Control enables the driver to
make fewer steering corrections on free-
ways.
JVS0231X
Active Lane Control slightly corrects front
tire angles and steering wheel torque to
help reduce the difference between the
vehicle’s direction and the lane direction
*2which is detected by using the camera
unit
*1located above the inside mirror.
ACTIVE LANE CONTROL (if so equipped)
5-26Starting and driving
maneuvers. Otherwise, you could lose
control of the vehicle.
. Active Lane Control will not operate at
speeds below approximately 45 MPH (70
km/h) or if it cannot detect lane markers.
. Active Lane Control may not operate
properly under the following conditions,
and do not use Active Lane Control:
—During bad weather (rain, fog, snow,
wind, etc.).
—When driving on slippery roads,such as on ice or snow, etc.
—When driving on winding or uneven roads.
—When there is a lane closure due toroad repairs.
—When driving in a makeshift lane.
—When driving on roads where the
lane width is too narrow.
—When driving with a tire that is notwithin normal tire conditions (for
example, tire wear, low tire pressure,
installation of tire chains, non-stan-
dard wheels).
—When the vehicle is equipped withnon-original steering parts or sus- pension parts.
. If Active Lane Control malfunctions, it
will cancel automatically. The chassis
control warning will appear in the
vehicle information display.
. If the chassis control warning appears,
pull off the road to a safe location and
stop the vehicle. Turn the INFINITI Direct
Response Hybrid
®System off and re-
start the hybrid system. If the chassis
control warning continues to illuminate,
have Active Lane Control checked by an
INFINITI retailer.
The functions of Active Lane Control may or
may not operate properly under the follow-
ing conditions:
. On roads where there are multiple
parallel lane markers; lane markers
that are faded or not painted clearly;
yellow painted lane markers; non-stan-
dard lane markers; lane markers cov-
ered with water, dirt, snow, etc.
. On roads where discontinued lane
markers are still detectable.
. On roads where there are sharp curves.
. On roads where there are sharply
contrasting objects, such as shadows, snow, water, wheel ruts, seams or lines
remaining after road repairs. (Active
Lane Control could detect these items
as lane markers.)
. On roads where the traveling lane
merges or separates.
. When the vehicle’s traveling direction
does not align with the lane marker.
. When traveling close to the vehicle in
front of you, which obstructs the lane
camera unit detection range.
. When rain, snow or dirt adheres to the
windshield in front of the lane camera
unit.
. When the headlights are not bright due
to dirt on the lens or if the aiming is not
adjusted properly.
. When strong light enters the lane
camera unit. (For example, the light
directly shines on the front of the
vehicle at sunrise or sunset.)
. When a sudden change in brightness
occurs. (For example, when the vehicle
enters or exits a tunnel or under a
bridge.)
. When entering or exiting tollgates.
. When driving on roads with a widening
or narrowing lane width.
ACTIVE LANE CONTROL OPERATION
Active Lane Control operates under the
following conditions:
.When the vehicle is driven at speeds of
approximately 45 MPH (70 km/h) and
above.
. When the Lane Departure Prevention
(LDP) system is enabled in the settings
menu on the lower display. To turn on
the LDP system, see “Lane Departure
Prevention (LDP) system” (P.5-33).
. When Active Lane Control is enabled in
the settings menu on the lower display.
JVS0206X
Dynamic driver assistance switch
Active Lane Control turns on when the
dynamic driver assistance switch on the
steering wheel is pushed and [Active lane
control] and [Lane Departure Prevention]
are enabled in the settings menu on the
lower display. See “How to enable/disable
the LDP system” (P.5-35).
Starting and driving5-27
The LDW and LDP systems monitor the lane
markers on the traveling lane using the
camera unit
*1located above the inside
mirror. When the camera unit detects that
the vehicle is traveling close to either the
left or the right of the traveling lane, the
driver assist system lane indicator (orange)
in the vehicle information display blinks
and a warning chime sounds. When the
LDP system is on, it will automatically
apply a steering operation for a short
period of time.
LANE DEPARTURE WARNING (LDW)
SYSTEM
Precautions on LDW system
WARNING
. This system is only a warning device to
inform the driver of a potential unin-
tended lane departure. It will not steer
the vehicle or prevent loss of control. It
is the driver’ s responsibility to stay
alert, drive safely, keep the vehicle in
the traveling lane, and be in control of
the vehicle at all times.
. The system will not operate at speeds below approximately 45 MPH (70 km/h)
or if it cannot detect lane markers.
. If the LDW system malfunctions, it will
cancel automatically, and the LDW mal-
function message will appear in the
vehicle information display.
. If the LDW malfunction message ap-
pears, pull off the road to a safe location
and stop the vehicle. Turn the INFINITI
Direct Response Hybrid
®System off and
restart the hybrid system. If the LDW
malfunction message continues to ap-
pear, have the system checked by an
INFINITI retailer.
. Excessive noise will interfere with the
warning chime sound, and the chime
may not be heard.
The system may not function properly
under the following conditions:
.On roads where there are multiple
parallel lane markers; lane markers
that are faded or not painted clearly;
yellow painted lane markers; non-stan-
dard lane markers; or lane markers
covered with water, dirt, snow, etc.
. On roads where the discontinued lane
markers are still detectable. .
On roads where there are sharp curves.
. On roads where there are sharply
contrasting objects, such as shadows,
snow, water, wheel ruts, seams or lines
remaining after road repairs. (The Lane
Departure Warning (LDW) system could
detect these items as lane markers.)
. On roads where the traveling lane
merges or separates.
. When the vehicle’s traveling direction
does not align with the lane marker.
. When traveling close to the vehicle in
front of you, which obstructs the lane
camera unit detection range.
. When rain, snow or dirt adheres to the
windshield in front of the lane camera
unit.
. When the headlights are not bright due
to dirt on the lens or if the aiming is not
adjusted properly.
. When strong light enters the lane
camera unit. (For example, the light
directly shines on the front of the
vehicle at sunrise or sunset.)
. When a sudden change in brightness
occurs. (For example, when the vehicle
enters or exits a tunnel or under a
bridge.)
Starting and driving5-31
LANE DEPARTURE PREVENTION
(LDP) SYSTEM
Precautions on LDP system
WARNING
.The LDP system will not always steer the
vehicle to keep it in the lane. It is not
designed to prevent loss of control. It is
the driver’s responsibility to stay alert,
drive safely, keep the vehicle in the
traveling lane, and be in control of
vehicle at all times.
. The LDP system is primarily intended for
use on well-developed freeways or high-
ways. It may not detect the lane markers
in certain roads, weather or driving
conditions.
. Using the LDP system under some
conditions of road, lane marker or
weather, or when you change lanes
without using the lane change signal
could lead to an unexpected system
operation. In such conditions, you need
to correct the vehicle’s direction with
your steering operation to avoid acci-
dents. .
When the LDP system is operating, avoid
excessive or sudden steering maneu-
vers. Otherwise, you could lose control
of the vehicle.
. The LDP system will not operate at
speeds below approximately 45 MPH
(70 km/h) or if it cannot detect lane
markers.
. The LDP system may not function
properly under the following conditions,
and do not use the LDP system:
—During bad weather (rain, fog, snow,
wind, etc.).
—When driving on slippery roads,
such as on ice or snow, etc.
—When driving on winding or uneven roads.
—When there is a lane closure due to
road repairs.
—When driving in a makeshift lane.
—When driving on roads where thelane width is too narrow.
—When driving with a tire that is notwithin normal tire conditions (for
example, tire wear, low tire pressure,
installation of tire chains, non-stan- dard wheels).
—When the vehicle is equipped with
non-original steering parts or sus-
pension parts.
. If the LDP system malfunctions, it will
cancel automatically. The LDP “malfunc-
tion” message will appear in the vehicle
information display.
. If the “malfunction” message appears,
pull off the road to a safe location and
stop the vehicle. Turn the hybrid system
off and restart the hybrid system. If the
“ malfunction” message continues to
appear, have the LDP system checked
by an INFINITI retailer.
. Excessive noise will interfere with the
warning chime sound, and the chime
may not be heard.
The functions of the LDP system (warning
and steering control assist) may or may not
operate properly under the following con-
ditions:
.On roads where there are multiple
parallel lane markers; lane markers
that are faded or not painted clearly;
yellow painted lane markers; non-stan-
dard lane markers; lane markers cov-
Starting and driving5-33