5 Starting and driving
Precautions when starting and driving................. 5-3
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) ....................... 5-3
Three-way catalyst........................................... 5-4
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ........ 5-4
Avoiding collision and rollover......................... 5-7
Off-road recovery............................................. 5-7
Rapid air pressure loss ................................... 5-7
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving ................. 5-8
Push-button ignition switch ................................. 5-9 Operating range for hybrid system
start function .................................................. 5-9
Push-button ignition switch operation ........... 5-10
Push-button ignition switch positions ............ 5-10
Emergency engine shut off ............................ 5-11
Intelligent Key battery discharge ................... 5-11
Before starting the INFINITI Direct Response
Hybrid
®System ................................................. 5-12
Starting the INFINITI Direct Response
Hybrid
®System ................................................. 5-12
Driving the vehicle ............................................. 5-13
Automatic transmission ................................. 5-13
Parking brake .................................................... 5-18
INFINITI drive mode selector............................... 5-18
Standard mode ............................................. 5-19
Sport mode ................................................... 5-19 Snow mode ................................................. 5-19
Eco mode .................................................... 5-19
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system/Lane
Departure Prevention (LDP) system
(if so equipped) ................................................ 5-21 Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system......... 5-22
Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) system ...... 5-26
Lane camera unit maintenance .................... 5-31
Blind Spot Warning (BSW) system/Blind Spot
Intervention
TM(BSI) system (if so equipped)...... 5-31
BSW system operation ................................. 5-33
BSI system operation................................... 5-36
BSW/BSI driving situations .......................... 5-39
BSW/BSI malfunction................................... 5-44
System maintenance.................................... 5-45
Cruise control.................................................... 5-46
Precautions on cruise control....................... 5-46
Cruise control operations ............................. 5-46
Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) system
(if so equipped) ................................................ 5-48
Selecting the vehicle-to-vehicle distance
control mode ............................................... 5-49
Vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode...... 5-49
Precautions on vehicle-to-vehicle distance
control mode ............................................... 5-50
Vehicle-to-vehicle distance control
mode operation............................................. 5-51
Conventional (fixed speed) cruise
control mode ................................................. 5-66
Preview function (for Intelligent Cruise Control
system equipped models) ............................. 5-69
Distance Control Assist (DCA) system
(if so equipped) ................................................. 5-69
Precautions on Distance Control
Assist system ................................................ 5-70
Distance Control Assist operation .................. 5-71
Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system
(if so equipped) ................................................. 5-82 Precautions on FCW system ........................... 5-83
Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA) system
(if so equipped) ................................................. 5-86 Precautions on IBA system ............................ 5-87
Break-in schedule .............................................. 5-90
Fuel efficient driving tips ................................... 5-90
Increasing fuel economy .................................... 5-91
Parking/parking on hills .................................... 5-92
Sonar system (if so equipped) ........................... 5-93 Sonar indicator.............................................. 5-94
Sonar system OFF switch ............................... 5-95 Power steering .................................................. 5-95
Brake system .................................................... 5-96 Braking precautions ..................................... 5-96
Parking brake break-in................................. 5-96
Brake assist ...................................................... 5-97 Brake assist................................................. 5-97
Preview function (Intelligent Cruise Control
system equipped models) ............................ 5-97
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) .................... 5-99
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system ............ 5-100 Active trace control (if so equipped)........... 5-101
Rise-up and build-up ................................. 5-101
Brake force distribution ............................. 5-101
Hill Start Assist system ................................... 5-102
Cold weather driving ....................................... 5-103 Freeing a frozen door lock ......................... 5-103
Antifreeze .................................................. 5-103
12-volt battery ........................................... 5-103
Draining of coolant water........................... 5-103
Tire equipment .......................................... 5-103
Special winter equipment .......................... 5-104
Driving on snow or ice ............................... 5-104
Engine block heater (if so equipped).......... 5-104
Active noise control......................................... 5-105
STANDARD MODE
Recommended for normal driving. Turn the
drive mode select switch to the
position.“STANDARD” appears on the dot
matrix liquid crystal display for 2 seconds.
SPORT MODE
Adjusts the engine and transmission
points to enhance performance. If the
vehicle is equipped with the active trace
control system, the amount of brake
control provided by active trace control is
reduced. (See “Vehicle Dynamic Control
(VDC) system” (P.5-100).) Turn the drive
mode select switch to the SPORT position.
“SPORT” appears on the dot matrix liquid
crystal display for 2 seconds.
NOTE:
In the SPORT mode, fuel economy may be
reduced.
SNOW MODE
Used on snowy roads or slippery areas.
When the SNOW mode is activated, engine
output is controlled to avoid wheel spin.
Turn the SNOW mode off for normal
driving. Turn the drive mode select switch
to the SNOW position. “SNOW”appears on
the dot matrix liquid crystal display for 2 seconds.
ECO MODE
Adjusts engine and transmission points to
enhance fuel economy.
NOTE:
Selecting this drive mode will not neces-
sarily improve fuel economy as many
driving factors influence its effectiveness.
Operation
Turn the drive mode select switch to the
ECO position.
“ECO”appears on the dot
matrix liquid crystal display for 2 seconds
and the ECO drive indicator light illumi-
nates on the instrument panel.
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
color of the ECO drive indicator light
changes to orange. For ECO pedal system
equipped models see “ECO pedal system”
(P.5-19).
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 3 MPH
(4.8 km/h) or over 90 MPH (144 km/h).
. When the Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC)
system is operated.
ECO pedal system (if so equipped)
Helps assist the driver to improve fuel
economy by increasing the reaction force
of the accelerator pedal. When the ECO
drive indicator light is blinking or turns
orange, the ECO pedal system increases
the reaction force of the accelerator pedal.
SSD1041
When the ECO drive indicator illuminates in
green, the accelerator reaction force is
normal. When the ECO drive indicator light
Starting and driving5-19
5-20Starting and driving
is blinking or turns orange, 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 drive mode select switch is
rotated from the ECO mode to another
mode (STANDARD, SPORT or SNOW) while
the ECO pedal system is operating, the ECO
pedal system continues to operate until
the 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 INFINITI Direct Response Hy-
brid
®System is turned off.
SSD0939
SSD1001
5-30Starting and driving
.When you operate the lane change
signal and change the traveling lanes
in the direction of the signal. (The LDP
system will be deactivated for approxi-
mately 2 seconds after the lane change
signal is turned off.)
. When the vehicle speed lowers to less
than approximately 45 MPH (70 km/h).
. When the BSI system activates an
audible warning or brake control.
After the above conditions have finished
and the necessary operating conditions are
satisfied, the warning and assist functions
will resume.
Condition B:
The assist function of the LDP system is not
designed to work under the following
conditions (warning is still functional):
. When the brake pedal is depressed.
. When the steering wheel is turned as
far as necessary for the vehicle to
change lanes.
. When the accelerator pedal is applied
during LDP system operation.
. When the Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC)
approach warning occurs.
. When the hazard warning flashers are
operated. .
When driving on a curve at high speed.
After the above conditions have finished
and the necessary operating conditions are
satisfied, the LDP system application of the
brakes will resume.
Condition C:
Under the following conditions, a beep will
sound and the LDP system will be canceled
automatically. The LDW light will blink in
green, and the LDP system cannot be
activated:
. When the VDC system (except TCS
function) or ABS operates.
. When the VDC system is turned off.
. When the drive mode select switch is
turned to the SNOW mode.
Action to take:
When the above conditions no longer exist,
turn off the LDP system. Push the dynamic
driver assistance switch again to turn the
LDP system back on.
Temporary disabled status at high tem-
perature:
If the vehicle is parked in direct sunlight
under high temperature conditions (over
approximately 1048F (408C)) and then the
LDP system is turned on, the LDP system may be deactivated automatically. The LDW
light (orange) will blink.
Action to take:
When the above conditions no longer exist,
turn off the LDP system. Push the dynamic
driver assistance switch again to turn the
LDP system back on.
5-46Starting and driving
PRECAUTIONS ON CRUISE CONTROL
.If the cruise control system malfunc-
tions, it will cancel automatically. The
SET indicator on the dot matrix crystal
display will then blink to warn the
driver.
. If the engine coolant temperature be-
comes excessively high, the cruise
control system will be canceled auto-
matically.
. If the SET indicator blinks, turn the
cruise control main switch off and have
the system checked by your INFINITI
retailer.
. The SET indicator may sometimes blink
when the cruise control main switch is
turned ON while pushing the ACCELER-
ATE/RESUME, COAST/SET or CANCEL
switch. To properly set the cruise
control system, perform the steps
below in the order indicated.
WARNING
Do not use the cruise control when driving
under the following conditions:
. when it is not possible to keep the
vehicle at a set speed .
in heavy traffic or in traffic that varies in
speed
. on winding or hilly roads
. on slippery roads (rain, snow, ice, etc.)
. in very windy areas
Doing so could cause a loss of vehicle
control and result in an accident.
SSD0941
1. ACCELERATE/RESUME switch
2. COAST/SET switch
3. CANCEL switch
4. MAIN (ON·OFF) switch
CRUISE CONTROL OPERATIONS
The cruise control allows driving at a speed
between 25 to 90 MPH (40 to 144 km/h)
without keeping your foot on the accel-
erator pedal.
To turn on the cruise control, push the
MAIN switch on. The CRUISE indicator will
come on.
To set cruising speed, accelerate your
vehicle to the desired speed, push the
CRUISE CONTROL
COAST/SET switch and release it. (The
CRUISE SET indicator will come on in the
instrument panel.) Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal. Your vehicle will main-
tain the set speed.
.To pass another vehicle, depress the
accelerator pedal. When you release
the pedal, the vehicle will return to the
previously set speed.
. The vehicle may not maintain the set
speed on winding or hilly roads. If this
happens, drive without the cruise con-
trol.
To cancel the preset speed, follow any of
these methods:
1. Push the CANCEL button. The SET indicator will go out.
2. Tap the brake pedal. The SET indicator will go out.
3. Move the shift lever to the N (Neutral) position. The SET indicator will go out.
4. Turn the MAIN switch off. Both the CRUISE indicator and SET indicator will
go out.
. If you depress the brake pedal while
pushing the ACCELERATE/RESUME or
COAST/SET switch and reset at the
cruising speed, the cruise control will disengage. Turn the MAIN switch off
once and then turn it on again.
. The cruise control will automatically
cancel if the vehicle slows more than
7 MPH (12 km/h) below the set speed.
. If you move the shift lever to N (Neutral)
position, the cruise control will be
canceled.
To reset at a faster cruising speed, use one
of the following methods:
. Depress the accelerator pedal. When
the vehicle attains the desired speed,
push and release the COAST/SET
switch.
. Push and hold the ACCELERATE/RE-
SUME switch. When the vehicle attains
the speed you desire, release the
switch.
. Push, then quickly release the ACCEL-
ERATE/RESUME switch. Each time you
do this, the set speed will increase by
about 1 MPH (1.6 km/h).
To reset at a slower cruising speed, use
one of the following methods:
. Lightly tap the brake pedal. When the
vehicle attains the desired speed, push
the COAST/SET switch and release it. .
Push and hold the COAST/SET switch.
Release the switch when the vehicle
slows down to the desired speed.
. Push, then quickly release the COAST/
SET switch. Each time you do this, the
set speed will decrease by about 1 MPH
(1.6 km/h).
To resume the preset speed, push and
release the ACCELERATE/RESUME switch.
The vehicle will resume the last set
cruising speed when the vehicle speed is
over 25 MPH (40 km/h).
Starting and driving5-47
5-48Starting and driving
The Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) system
maintains a selected distance from the
vehicle in front of you within the speed
range of 0 to 90 MPH (0 to 144 km/h) up to
the set speed. The set speed can be
selected by the driver between 20 to 90
MPH (32 to 144 km/h).
The ICC function can be set to one of two
cruise control modes:
.Vehicle-to-vehicle distance control
mode:
For maintaining a selected distance
between your vehicle and the vehicle
in front of you up to the preset speed.
. Conventional (fixed speed) cruise con-
trol mode:
For cruising at a preset speed.
WARNING
. Always drive carefully and attentively
when using either cruise control mode.
Read and understand the Owner’s Man-
ual thoroughly before using the cruise
control. To avoid serious injury or death,
do not rely on the system to prevent
accidents or to control the vehicle’ s
speed in emergency situations. Do not
use cruise control except in appropriate road and traffic conditions.
. In the conventional (fixed speed) cruise
control mode, a warning chime will not
sound to warn you if you are too close to
the vehicle ahead. Pay special attention
to the distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle ahead of you or a collision
could occur.
INTELLIGENT CRUISE CONTROL (ICC)
SYSTEM (if so equipped)