Page 12 of 625

MEDIUM OR HIGH SPEED DRIVING
The system automatically controls the gasoline
engine and electric motor in order to obtain the
optimum fuel mileage and performance, depend-
ing on the driving situation and available Li-ion
battery charge.
When the remaining battery level is low, the Li-ion
battery is charged by the electric motor that is
driven to generate electric power while the ve-
hicle is driving.
RAPID ACCELERATION
The vehicle is accelerated using both the gaso-
line engine and the electric motor depending on
the available Li-ion battery charge.
DECELERATION AND BRAKING
The Li-ion battery is charged by the electric mo-
tor that changes the energy of the rotating
wheels into electric power. See “Regenerative
brake” later in this section.
STOPPING
The gasoline engine may stop running to save
fuel depending on the available Li-ion battery
charge.The INFINITI Direct Response Hybrid® System
monitors the status of power being sent to the
electric motor and the Li-ion battery state of
charge. The status is shown on the assist charge
gauge in the meter and the energy
flow/remaining Li-ion battery charge in the dot
matrix display. System status can also be shown
on the navigation system display (if so equipped)
when the screen is in the energy flow mode or
energy/fuel history mode.
POWER METER
This meter displays the actual electric motor
power consumption and the charging power to
the Li-ion battery.
For additional information, See “Power meter” in
the “Instruments and controls” section.
ENERGY FLOW (models with
navigation system)
When you use this system, make sure the hybrid
system is in the READY to drive mode. See
“Operation of the hybrid system” in this section.
LIC2544
ENERGY MONITORS
HEV OverviewHEV-5
Page 48 of 625

WARNING
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the hydraulic brake warning
light and the electronically controlled
brake system warning light 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.
BRAKE PRECAUTIONS
Vacuum-assisted brakes
The brake booster aids braking by using engine
vacuum. If the hybrid system is turned off, you can
stop the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal.
However, greater foot pressure on the brake
pedal will be required to stop the vehicle and
stopping distance will be longer.
Using the brakes
Avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal while
driving. This will overheat the brakes, wear out the
brake pads faster, and reduce gas mileage.To help reduce brake wear and to prevent the
brakes from overheating, reduce speed and
downshift to a lower gear before going down a
slope or long grade. Overheated brakes may
reduce braking performance and could result in
loss of vehicle control.
When applying the brakes, you may hear a sound
coming from the braking system. This is normal.
WARNING
While driving on a slippery surface, be
careful when braking, accelerating or
downshifting. Abrupt braking or acceler-
ating could cause the wheels to skid and
result in an accident.
BRAKE SYSTEM
Starting and driving5-7
Page 512 of 625

WARNING
●If the engine is not running or is turned
off while driving, the power assist for
the steering will not work. Steering will
be harder to operate.
●When the power steering warning light
illuminates with the engine running,
there will be no power assist for the
steering. You will still have control of
the vehicle but the steering will be
harder to operate. Have the power
steering system checked by an INFINITI
retailer.
The power steering system is designed to pro-
vide power assist while driving to operate the
steering wheel with light force.
When the steering wheel is operated repeatedly
or continuously while parking or driving at a very
low speed, the power assist for the steering
wheel will be reduced. This is to prevent over-
heating of the power steering system and protect
it from getting damaged. While the power assist
is reduced, steering wheel operation will become
heavy. If the steering wheel operation is still per-
formed, the power steering may stop and the
power steering warning light will illuminate. In a
safe location, stop the engine and push the igni-
tion switch to the OFF position. The temperatureof the power steering system will go down after a
period of time and the power assist level will
return to normal after starting the engine. The
power steering warning light will go off. Avoid
repeating such steering wheel operations that
could cause the power steering system to over-
heat.
You may hear a sound from the front of the vehicle
when the steering wheel is operated quickly. This
is a normal operational noise and is not a mal-
function.
If the electric power steering warning lightPS
illuminates while the engine is running, it may
indicate the power steering system is not func-
tioning properly and may need servicing. Have
the power steering system checked by an
INFINITI retailer.
When the electric power steering warning light
illuminates with the engine running, there will be
no power assist for the steering but you will still
have control of the vehicle. At this time, greater
steering effort is required to operate the steering
wheel, especially in sharp turns and at low
speeds.
For additional information see “Power steering
warning light” in the “Instruments and controls”
section.The brake system has two separate hydraulic
circuits. If one circuit malfunctions, you will still
have braking at 2 wheels.
BRAKE PRECAUTIONS
Vacuum assisted brakes
The brake booster aids braking by using engine
vacuum. If the engine stops, you can stop the
vehicle by depressing the brake pedal. However,
greater foot pressure on the brake pedal will be
required to stop the vehicle and stopping dis-
tance will be longer.
Using the brakes
Avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal while
driving. This will overheat the brakes, wear out the
brake pads faster, and reduce gas mileage.
To help reduce brake wear and to prevent the
brakes from overheating, reduce speed and
downshift to a lower gear before going down a
slope or long grade. Overheated brakes may
reduce braking performance and could result in
loss of vehicle control.
POWER STEERING BRAKE SYSTEM
5-94Starting and driving