retailer as soon as possible for an
inspection.
WARNING
.Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake warning light (red)
is on. Driving could be dangerous. If you
judge it to be safe, drive carefully to the
nearest service station for repairs.
Otherwise, have your vehicle towed
because driving it could be dangerous.
. Pressing the brake pedal with the hybrid
system stopped and/or low brake fluid
level may increase your stopping dis-
tance and braking will require greater
pedal effort as well as pedal travel.
. If the brake fluid level is below the
minimum or MIN mark on the brake fluid
reservoir, do not drive until the brake
system has been checked at an INFINITI
retailer.
Direct Response Hybrid®Sys-
tem warning light
When the ignition switch is in the "ON"
position, the Direct Response Hybrid®
System warning light illuminates. After starting the hybrid system, the hybrid
system warning light turns off.
If the hybrid system warning light illumi-
nates while driving, it may indicate that
there is a malfunction in the electric motor
and/or other hybrid system components.
Stop your vehicle immediately and contact
your INFINITI retailer.
If the hybrid system warning light blinks
while driving, it may indicate that the Li-ion
battery charge is low and you cannot
continue to drive.
Do not allow the vehicle to coast when the
Li-ion battery is low or when the hybrid
system warning light blinks while driving.
The engine will not automatically start to
charge the Li-ion battery while the vehicle
is coasting.
Distance Control Assist (DCA)
system warning light (orange; if so
equipped)
This light comes on if there is a malfunc-
tion in the Distance Control Assist (DCA)
system.
If the warning light illuminates, park the
vehicle in a safe place. Stop the hybrid
system, restart the hybrid system, resume driving and turn on the DCA system again.
If it is not possible to turn on the system
or the warning light stays on, it may
indicate that the system is malfunctioning.
Although the vehicle is still driveable
under normal conditions, have the vehicle
checked at an INFINITI retailer.
Engine oil pressure warning
light
This light warns of low engine oil pressure.
If the light flickers or comes on during
normal driving, pull off the road in a safe
area, stop the engine immediatelyand call
an INFINITI retailer or other authorized
repair shop.
The engine oil pressure warning light is
not designed to indicate a low oil level.
Use the dipstick to check the oil level. (See
“Engine oil” (P.8-12).)
CAUTION
Running the engine with the engine oil
pressure warning light on could cause
serious damage to the engine almost
immediately. Such damage is not covered
by warranty. Turn off the engine as soon as
Instruments and controls2-13
2-14Instruments and controls
it is safe to do so.
High temperature warning
light
When the ignition switch is in the ON
position, the high temperature warning
light illuminates and then turns off. This
indicates that the high temperature sensor
in the engine coolant system is opera-
tional.
CAUTION
If the high temperature warning light
illuminates when the ignition switch is in
the ON position, it may indicate the engine
temperature is extremely high.
Stop the vehicle safety as soon as possible.
If the vehicle is overheated, continuing
vehicle operation may seriously damage
the engine. (See “If your vehicle overheats”
(P.6-12) for the immediate action required.)
Hybrid EPS (Electrical Power
Steering) warning light
When the ignition switch is in the ON position, the Hybrid EPS (Electrical Power
Steering) warning light illuminates. After
starting the hybrid system, the Hybrid EPS
warning light turns off. This indicates that
the electrical power steering system is
operational.
If the Hybrid EPS warning light illuminates
while the hybrid system is running, it may
indicates the Hybrid EPS system is not
functioning properly and may need servi-
cing. Have the Hybrid EPS system checked
by an INFINITI retailer.
When the Hybrid EPS warning light illumi-
nates with the hybrid system running, the
power assist to the steering will cease
operation but you will still have control of
the vehicle. At this time, greater steering
efforts are required to operate the steering
wheel, especially in sharp turns and at low
speeds. However, if the steering wheel
operation is still performed, the Hybrid EPS
may stop and the Hybrid EPS warning light
will illuminate. Place the ignition switch in
the OFF position. For a while after it
refrains from the steering wheel control,
the temperature of the Hybrid EPS system
will go down and the power assist level will
return to normal after starting the hybrid
system. The Hybrid EPS warning light will
go off.
Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC)
system warning light (orange; if so
equipped)
This light comes on if there is a malfunc-
tion in the Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC)
system.
If the warning light comes on, park the
vehicle in a safe place. Stop the hybrid
system, restart the hybrid system, resume
driving and set the ICC system again.
If it is not possible to set the system or the
indicator stays on, it may indicate that the
system is malfunctioning. Although the
vehicle is still driveable under normal
conditions, have the vehicle checked at
an INFINITI retailer.
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
light (orange; if so equipped)
When the ignition switch is pushed to the
ON position, the light will come on in
orange, turn green, and then turn off. This
indicates that the Lane Departure Warning
(LDW) and Lane Departure Prevention (LDP)
systems are operational.
While the LDW and/or LDP system is on,
the light will blink in orange and a warning
Brake Assist (IBA) system is not operating.
When the IBA off indicator light illuminates
while the system is turned on (without the
warning chime sound), this light indicates
that the system control is temporarily
unavailable.
When the IBA off indicator light illuminates
with the warning chime sound while the
IBA system is turned on, this light indicates
that the system may not be functioning
properly. Park the vehicle in a safe place.
Check to see if the laser sensor is clean.
Stop the hybrid system, then restart the
hybrid system.
If the IBA off indicator light illuminates
after following the procedures above, it
may indicate that the system or Active
Trace Control (if so equipped) is malfunc-
tioning. Although the vehicle is still drive-
able under normal conditions, have the
vehicle checked at an INFINITI retailer. (See
“Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA) system”(P.5-
86) and “Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
system” (P.5-100).)
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
light (green; if so equipped)
The light comes on in green when the Lane
Departure Prevention (LDP) system is turned on. The light turns off when the
system is turned off.
NOTE:
This light is common with the LWD light
(orange). (See
“Lane Departure Warning
(LDW) light” (P.2-14).)
For more details, see “Lane Departure
Warning (LDW) system/Lane Departure
Prevention (LDP) system” (P.5-21).
Malfunction Indicator Light
(MIL)
If the malfunction indicator light comes on
steady or blinks when the ignition switch is
in the ON position, it may indicate a
potential emission control malfunction.
The malfunction indicator light may also
come on steady if the fuel-filler cap is loose
or missing, or if the vehicle runs out of fuel.
Check to make sure the fuel-filler cap is
installed and closed tightly, and that the
vehicle has at least 3 US gallons (14 liters)
of fuel in the fuel tank.
After a few driving trips, the
light
should turn off if no other potential
emission control system malfunction ex-
ists.
If this indicator light remains on for 20 seconds and then blinks for 10 seconds
when the engine is not running, it indicates
that the vehicle is not ready for an
emission control system inspection/main-
tenance test. (See
“Readiness for Inspec-
tion/Maintenance (I/M) test (US only)” (P.9-
20).)
Operation:
The malfunction indicator light will come
on in one of two ways:
. Malfunction indicator light on steady —
An emission control system malfunc-
tion has been detected. Check the fuel-
filler cap if the LOOSE FUEL CAP
warning appears in the dot matrix
liquid crystal display. If the fuel-filler
cap is loose or missing, tighten or
install the cap and continue to drive the
vehicle. The
light should turn off
after a few driving trips. If thelight
does not turn off after a few driving
trips, have the vehicle inspected by an
INFINITI retailer. You do not need to
have your vehicle towed to the retailer.
. Malfunction indicator light blinking —
An engine misfire has been detected
which may damage the emission con-
trol system.
To reduce or avoid emission control
Instruments and controls2-19
2-28Instruments and controls
SIC4327
TRIP COMPUTER
Switches for the trip computer are located
on the right side of the combination meter
panel. To operate the trip computer, push
the side or front of the switches as shown
above.
*Aswitch
*Bswitch
When the ignition switch is pushed to the
ON position, modes of the trip computer
can be selected by pushing the
switch
*A.
Each time the
switch*Ais pushed, the
display will change as follows: Energy monitor
?Li-ion battery state of
charge and acceleration guide ?EV mode
odometer and twin trip odometer ?
Current fuel consumption ?Average fuel
consumption and speed ?Elapsed time
and trip odometer ?Distance to empty
(dte) ?Engine coolant temperature
gauge? Outside air temperature (ICY) ?
Setting ?Warning check
1. Energy monitor
The energy flow related to the hybrid
system is shown by the arrow symbols.
*A: Li-ion battery
*B: Engine
*Ashows the charge level of the Li-ion
battery.
+ : Charge level is high
- : Charge level is low
The charge level display will continuously
change as the Li-ion battery charge level
increase or decreases during normal vehi-
cle operation. Movement of the display
from the far right to the far left of the bar is
normal.
The energy monitor is also displayed on
the navigation system (if so equipped).
(See “Energy monitors” (P.Hybrid System- 5).)
2. Li-ion battery state of charge and
acceleration guide
*ALi-ion battery state of charge:
This displays the remaining charge in the
Li-ion battery.
The charge level display will continuously
change as the Li-ion battery charge level
increase or decrease during normal vehicle
operation. Movement of the display from
the far right to the far left of the bar is
normal.
This works in conjunction with the remain-
ing battery display on the navigation
system screen (if so equipped).
*BAcceleration guide:
This display provides the driver a visual
display of how efficiently the vehicle is
being driven based on accelerator pedal
position. When the drive mode is set to
ECO using the drive mode selector, the
acceleration guide operates with the ECO
drive indicator and ECO pedal (if so
equipped) to help you improve fuel econ-
omy. (See “ECO drive indicator light” (P.2-
18), “INFINITI drive mode selector” (P.5-18)
and “ECO pedal system” (P.5-19).)
3-16Pre-driving checks and adjustments
Switching procedure:
To switch the hazard indicator and horn
(chime) operation, push the LOCK
*1and UNLOCK*2buttons on the In-
telligent Key simultaneously for more than
2 seconds.
. When the hazard indicator mode is set,
the hazard indicator flashes 3 times.
. When the hazard indicator and horn
mode is set, the hazard indicator
flashes once and the horn chirps once.
JVP0052X
1. Pull the hood lock release handle*1located below the instrument panel;
the hood will then spring up slightly.
2. Pull the lever
*2up at the front of the
hood with your fingertips and raise the
hood.
3. When closing the hood, slowly close the hood down to latch both the right
and left locks. Push the hood down to
lock the hood securely into place.
WARNING
. Make sure the hood is completely closed
and latched before driving. Failure to do
so could cause the hood to fly open and
result in an accident.
. If you see steam or smoke coming from
the engine compartment, to avoid injury
do not open the hood.
HOOD
5-12Starting and driving
4. Push the ignition switch while depres-sing the brake pedal within 10 seconds
after the chime sounds. The hybrid
system will start.
After step 3 is performed, when the
ignition switch is pushed without depres-
sing the brake pedal, the ignition switch
position will change to ACC.
NOTE:
. When the ignition switch is pushed to
the ACC or ON position or the hybrid
system is started by the above proce-
dures, the Intelligent Key battery dis-
charge indicator appears on the dot
matrix liquid crystal display even if the
Intelligent Key is inside the vehicle.
This is not a malfunction. To turn off
the Intelligent Key battery discharge
indicator, touch the ignition switch
with the Intelligent Key again.
. If the Intelligent Key battery discharge
indicator appears, replace the battery
as soon as possible. (See “Intelligent
Key battery replacement” (P.8-26).).
Make sure the area around the vehicle
is clear.
. Check fluid levels such as engine oil,
coolant, brake fluid and window
washer fluid as frequently as possible,
or at least whenever you refuel.
. Check that all windows and lights are
clean.
. Visually inspect tires for their appear-
ance and condition. Also check tires for
proper inflation.
. Lock all doors.
. Position seat and adjust head re-
straints.
. Adjust inside and outside mirrors.
. Fasten seat belts and ask all passen-
gers to do likewise.
. Check the operation of warning lights
when the ignition switch is pushed to
the ON position. (See “Warning/indica-
tor lights and audible reminders” (P.2-
10).) 1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever to P (Park) posi-
tion.
The INFINITI Direct Response Hybrid
®
System is designed not to operate if
the shift lever is not in the P (Park)
position.
3. Depress the brake pedal and push the ignition switch to start the hybrid
system. The READY to drive indicator
light will illuminate on the meter.
When starting the hybrid system at
very low outside temperatures, the
READY to drive indicator light will flash
and it may take longer for the READY to
drive indicator light to illuminate.
. The hybrid system may not start even
with the READY to drive indicator light
illuminated. Once the READY to drive
indicator light is illuminated you may
begin driving the vehicle.
. You may hear a sound in the engine
compartment when the brake pedal is
depressed with the hybrid system off.
This does not indicate a problem.
NOTE:
Care should be taken to avoid situations
that can lead to potential 12-volt battery
BEFORE STARTING THE INFINITI DIRECT
RESPONSE HYBRID®SYSTEM STARTING THE INFINITI DIRECT RESPONSE
HYBRID®SYSTEM
5-100Starting and driving
WARNING
Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so may
result in increased stopping distances.
Self-test feature
The ABS includes electronic sensors, elec-
tric pumps, hydraulic solenoids and a
computer. The computer has a built-in
diagnostic feature that tests the system
each time you start the hybrid system and
move the vehicle at a low speed in forward
or reverse. When the self-test occurs, you
may hear a“clunk”noise and/or feel a
pulsation in the brake pedal. This is normal
and does not indicate a malfunction. If the
computer senses a malfunction, it switches
the ABS off and illuminates the ABS
warning light on the instrument panel.
The brake system then operates normally,
but without anti-lock assistance.
If the ABS warning light illuminates during
the self-test or while driving, have the
vehicle checked by an INFINITI retailer.
Normal operation
The ABS operates at speeds above 3 to 6
MPH (5 to 10 km/h).
When the ABS senses that one or more
wheels are close to locking up, the actuator
rapidly applies and releases hydraulic
pressure. This action is similar to pumping
the brakes very quickly. You may feel a
pulsation in the brake pedal and hear a
noise from under the hood or feel a
vibration from the actuator when it is
operating. This is normal and indicates
that the ABS is operating properly. How-
ever, the pulsation may indicate that road
conditions are hazardous and extra care is
required while driving. The Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system
uses various sensors to monitor driver
inputs and vehicle motion. Under certain
driving conditions, the VDC system helps
to perform the following functions.
.
Controls brake pressure to reduce
wheel slip on one slipping drive wheel
so power is transferred to a non
slipping drive wheel on the same axle.
. Controls brake pressure and engine or
mortor output to reduce drive wheel
slip based on vehicle speed (traction
control function).
. Controls brake pressure at individual
wheels and engine or motor output to
help the driver maintain control of the
vehicle in the following conditions:
— understeer (vehicle tends to not
follow the steered path despite
increased steering input)
— oversteer (vehicle tends to spin due
to certain road or driving condi-
tions).
The VDC system can help the driver to
maintain control of the vehicle, but it
cannot prevent loss of vehicle control in
all driving situations.
When the VDC system operates, the VDC
warning light
in the instrument panel
VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC) SYSTEM
8 Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Maintenance requirement.................................... 8-2
Scheduled maintenance .................................. 8-2
General maintenance....................................... 8-2
Where to go for service ................................... 8-2
General maintenance ........................................... 8-2 Explanation of maintenance items ................... 8-2
Maintenance precautions ..................................... 8-5
Engine compartment check locations ................... 8-7 VQ35HR engine ............................................... 8-7
Engine cooling system ......................................... 8-9
Checking engine coolant level ....................... 8-10
Changing engine coolant ............................... 8-10
Inverter cooling system...................................... 8-11
Checking inverter coolant level ...................... 8-12
Changing inverter coolant.............................. 8-12
Engine oil .......................................................... 8-12
Checking engine oil level............................... 8-12
Changing engine oil and filter ....................... 8-13
Automatic transmission fluid ............................. 8-15
Power steering fluid........................................... 8-15
Brake fluid......................................................... 8-16 Brake fluid .................................................... 8-16
Window washer fluid ......................................... 8-17 12-volt battery .................................................. 8-18
Checking battery fluid level.......................... 8-19
Jump starting ............................................... 8-19
Spark plugs ...................................................... 8-19 Replacing spark plugs ................................. 8-20
Air cleaner ........................................................ 8-20
Windshield wiper blades ................................... 8-21 Cleaning ...................................................... 8-21
Replacing..................................................... 8-22
Brakes .............................................................. 8-23
Self-adjusting brakes ................................... 8-23
Brake pad wear warning .............................. 8-23
Fuses ................................................................ 8-24
Engine compartment or trunk room.............. 8-24
Passenger compartment............................... 8-25
Intelligent Key battery replacement ................... 8-26
Lights................................................................ 8-29 Headlights ................................................... 8-29
Exterior and interior lights ........................... 8-30
Wheels and tires ............................................... 8-32
Tire pressure ............................................... 8-32
Tire labeling ................................................ 8-36
Types of tires............................................... 8-38
Tire chains ................................................... 8-39
Changing wheels and tires........................... 8-39