2014 INFINITI QX50 brake

5-14Starting and driving
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
7 speed automatic transmission
The automatic transmission in your vehicle
is electronically controlled by a transmis-
sion control module to produce maximum
efficiency and smooth operation.
Shown on the following pages are the
recommended operating procedures for
this transmission. Follow these procedures
for maximum vehicle performance and
driving enjoyment.
Starting the vehicle
After starting the engine, fully depress the
foot brake pedal and push the shift lever
button before shifting the shift lever to the
R (Reverse), N (Neutral), D (Drive), DS (Drive
Sport) or Manual shift mode position. Be
sure the vehicle is fully stopped before
attempting to shift the shift lever.
This automatic transmission model is
designed so that the foot brake pedal
must be depressed before shifting from P
(Park) to any drive position while the
ignition switch position is ON.The shift lever cannot be moved out of the
P (Park) position and into any of the other
gear positions if the ignition switch is
pushed to the LOCK, OFF or ACC position.
1. Keep the foot brake pedal depressed
and push the shift lever button to shift
into a driving gear.
2. Release the parking brake and foot brake, then gradually start the vehicle
in motion.
WARNING
. Do not depress the accelerator pedal
while shifting from P (Park) or N
(Neutral) to R (Reverse), D (Drive), DS
(Drive Sport) or manual shift mode.
Always depress the brake pedal until
shifting is completed. Failure to do so
could cause you to lose control and have
an accident.
. Cold engine idle speed is high, so use
caution when shifting into a forward or
reverse gear before the engine has
warmed up.
. Never shift to P (Park) or R (Reverse)
while vehicle is moving forward. Never
shift to P (Park), D (Drive) or DS (Drive Sport) while vehicle is moving rearward.
Failure to do so could cause you to lose
control and have an accident.
CAUTION
.
Except in an emergency, do not shift to
the N (Neutral) position while driving.
Coasting with the transmission in the N
(Neutral) position may cause serious
damage to the transmission.
. When stopping the vehicle on an uphill
grade, do not hold the vehicle by
depressing the accelerator pedal. The
foot brake should be used for this
purpose.
. Do not downshift abruptly on slippery
roads. This may cause a loss of control.
DRIVING THE VEHICLE

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Shift lever
To move the shift lever,
: Push the button while depressing the brake pedal,
: Push the button,
: Just move the shift lever.
Shifting
After starting the engine, fully depress the
brake pedal and shift the shift lever from P
(Park) to R (Reverse), N (Neutral), D (Drive),
DS (Drive Sport) or Manual shift mode
position.
Push the button to shift into P (Park) or R
(Reverse). All other positions can be
selected without pushing the button.
WARNING
Apply the parking brake if the shift lever is
in any position while the engine 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 engine. Make
sure the vehicle is completely stopped. The
brake pedal must be depressed 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 engine can be started in this
position. You may shift to the N (Neutral)
position and restart a stalled engine while
the vehicle is moving.
D (Drive):
Use this position for all normal forward
driving.
Starting and driving5-15

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
normal operating condition, have an
INFINITI retailer check the transmission
and repair if necessary.
SSD0713
Shift lock release
If the 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 or
LOCK position.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Remove the shift lock cover
*Ausing a
suitable tool. 4. Push down the shift lock
*Bas
illustrated.
5. Push the shift lever button
*Cand
move the shift lever to N (Neutral)
position
*Dwhile holding down the
shift lock.
Push the ignition switch to the ON posi-
tion. Now the vehicle may be moved to the
desired location.
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) and "DS" (Drive Sport)
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.
Starting and driving5-17

5-18Starting and driving
Control on downhill roads:
The adaptive shift control system shifts to
a low gear that suits the degree of the
slope, and uses the engine braking 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 engine braking. 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.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.
PARKING BRAKE

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. The Lane Departure Warning (LDW) sys-
tem/Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) sys-
tem will operate when the vehicle is driven
at speeds of approximately 45 MPH (72
km/h) and above, and when it is traveling
close to either the left or the right of a
traveling lane.
Each system functions as follows:
.
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system
— warns the driver with a warning light
and chime that the vehicle is beginning
to leave the driving lane.
. Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) system
— warns the driver by a warning light
and chime, and helps assist the driver
to return the vehicle to the center of the
traveling lane by applying brake control
to the left or right wheels individually
(for a short period of time).
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SSD1166
Starting and driving5-19
LANE DEPARTURE WARNING (LDW)
SYSTEM/LANE DEPARTURE PREVENTION
(LDP) SYSTEM (if so equipped)

5-20Starting and driving
The LDW and LDP systems monitor the lane
markers on the traveling lane using the
camera unit
*1located inside the front
map light cover. When the camera unit
detects that the vehicle is traveling close to
either the left or the right of the traveling
lane, the lane departure warning light
*2
on the instrument panel blinks in orange
and a warning chime sounds. When the
LDP system is on, it will automatically
apply the brakes for a short period of time,
using the function of the Vehicle Dynamic
Control (VDC) system.
To turn on the LDW system, push the
warning systems switch
*3. The warning
systems ON indicator light
*4on the
switch will illuminate.
To turn on the LDP system, push the
dynamic driver assistance switch
*5. The
LDP ON indicator light
*2will illuminate in
green.
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 lane de-
parture warning light (orange) will illu-
minate.
. If the lane departure warning light
(orange) illuminates, pull off the road
to a safe location and stop the vehicle.
Turn the engine off and restart the
engine. If the lane departure warning
light (orange) continues to illuminate, 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 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 driving without normal tireconditions (for example, tire wear,
low tire pressure, installation of
spare tire, tire chains, non-standard
wheels).
—When the vehicle is equipped with
nonoriginal brake parts or suspen-
sion parts.
. If the LDP system malfunctions, it will
cancel automatically. The lane departure
warning light (orange) on the instrument
panel will illuminate.
. If the lane departure warning light
(orange) illuminates, pull off the road
to a safe location and stop the vehicle.
Turn the engine off and restart the
engine. If the warning light (orange)
continues to illuminate, 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 brake 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; or lane markers
covered 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. (The LDP
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.)
While the LDP system is operating, you
may hear a sound of brake operation. This
is normal and indicates that the LDP
system is operating properly.
Starting and driving5-23

5-24Starting and driving
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LDP ON indicator light (green)/ Warninglight (orange)
LDP system operation
The LDP system provides a lane departure
warning and brake control assistance when
the vehicle is driven at speeds of approxi-
mately 45 MPH (70 km/h) and above.
When the vehicle approaches either the left
or the right side of the traveling lane, a
warning chime will sound and the lane
departure warning light (orange) on the
instrument panel will blink to alert the
driver. Then, the LDP system will automa-
tically apply the brakes for a short period
of time to help assist the driver to return the vehicle to the center of the traveling
lane.
The warning and assist functions will stop
when the vehicle returns to a position
inside of the lane marker.
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Dynamic driver assistance switch
The LDP system turns on when you push
the dynamic driver assistance switch on
the steering wheel after starting the
engine. The LDP ON indicator light (green)
on the instrument panel will illuminate.
Push the dynamic driver assistance switch
again to turn off the LDP system. The LDP
ON indicator light will turn off.