5-98Starting and driving
will illuminate. When the IBA OFF switch is
pushed again, the system will turn on and
the IBA OFF indicator light will turn off.
The IBA system will remain in the last ON
or OFF state it was left in until it is
manually changed by pressing the IBA
OFF switch.
Illumination of the IBA OFF indicator light
without a beep sound is an indication that
the IBA system is temporarily unavailable.
It will occur under the following conditions:
.When driving into a strong light (for
example, sunlight)
. When the 4WD shift switch is in the 4H
or 4L position (for 4WD models)
The IBA OFF indicator light will turn off
when the system returns to its normal
operating conditions.
For the sensor maintenance, see “Intelli-
gent Cruise Control (ICC) system” earlier in
this section.
CAUTION
During the first 1,200 miles (2,000 km),
follow these recommendations to obtain
maximum engine performance and ensure
the future reliability and economy of your
new vehicle.
Failure to follow these recommendations
may result in shortened engine life and
reduced engine performance.
. Avoid driving for long periods at con-
stant speed, either fast or slow. Do not
run the engine over 4,000 rpm.
. Do not accelerate at full throttle in any
gear.
. Avoid quick starts.
. Avoid hard braking as much as possi-
ble.
. Do not tow a trailer for the first 500
miles (805 km). Follow these easy-to-use Fuel Efficient
Driving Tips to help you achieve the most
fuel economy from your vehicle.
1. Use smooth accelerator and brake
pedal application.
.Avoid rapid starts and stops..Use smooth, gentle accelerator andbrake application whenever possi-
ble.
.Maintain constant speed while com-muting and coast whenever possi-
ble.
2. Maintain constant speed.
.Look ahead to try and anticipate and minimize stops.
.Synchronizing your speed with traf-fic lights allows you to reduce your
number of stops.
.Maintaining a steady speed can
minimize red light stops and im-
prove fuel efficiency.
3. Use air conditioning (A/C) at higher vehicle speeds.
.Below 40 MPH (64 km/h), it is moreefficient to open windows to cool the
vehicle due to reduced engine load.
.Above 40 MPH (64 km/h), it is moreefficient to use A/C to cool the
vehicle due to increased aerody-
BREAK-IN SCHEDULE FUEL EFFICIENT DRIVING TIPS
5-100Starting and driving
.Keep your engine tuned up.
. Follow the recommended scheduled
maintenance.
. Keep the tires inflated to the correct
pressure. Low tire pressure increases
tire wear and lowers fuel economy.
. Keep the wheels in correct alignment.
Improper alignment increases tire wear
and lowers fuel economy.
. Use the recommended viscosity engine
oil. (See “Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation” in the“9. Technical
and consumer information” section.)
WARNING
.Do not attempt to raise two wheels off
the ground and shift the transmission to
any drive or reverse position with the
engine 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 a 4WD equipped
vehicle on a 2-wheel dynamometer 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 4WD
before it is placed on a dynamometer.
Using the wrong test equipment may
result in drivetrain damage or unex-
pected vehicle movement which could
result in serious vehicle damage or
personal injury.
CAUTION
.Do not drive the vehicle in the 4HI or 4LO
position on dry hard surface roads.
Driving on dry, hard surfaces in 4HI or 4LO may cause unnecessary noise, tire
wear and increased fuel consumption.
If the Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) warning
light turns on when driving on dry hard
surface roads:
—in the 4HI position, shift the 4WD
shift switch to AUTO.
—in the 4LO position, stop the vehicleand shift the transmission lever to
the N (Neutral) position with the
brake pedal depressed and shift the
4WD shift switch to AUTO.
If the 4WD warning light is still on
after the above operation, have your
vehicle checked by an INFINITI retai-
ler as soon as possible.
. The transfer case may be damaged if you
continue driving with the 4WD warning
light blinking.
See “On-pavement and off-road driving
precautions” earlier in this section for
other precautions for offroad driving.
INCREASING FUEL ECONOMY INFINITI ALL-MODE 4WD®(if so equipped)
The 4WD shift switch is used to select the
4WD mode depending on the driving
conditions. There are 3 types of drive
modes available, AUTO, 4HI and 4LO.
The 4WD shift switch electronically con-
trols the transfer case operation. Rotate
the switch to move between each mode,
AUTO, 4H and 4L.
You must depress the 4WD shift switch to
select 4L, and the vehicle MUST be
stationary and the shift lever in the N
(Neutral) position when changing into or
out of 4L.
WARNING
.When parking, apply the parking brake
before stopping the engine and make
sure that the 4WD shift indicator is on
and the ATP warning light turns off.
Otherwise, the vehicle could unexpect-
edly move even if the automatic trans-
mission is in the P (Park) position.
. The 4LO and 4HI indicators must stop
blinking and the 4LO or 4HI indicator
must remain illuminated or turn off
before shifting the transmission into
gear. If the shift lever is shifted from the N (Neutral) position to any other gear
while the 4LO and 4HI indicators are
blinking alternately, the vehicle may
move unexpectedly.
CAUTION
.
Never shift the 4WD shift switch be-
tween 4L and 4H while driving.
. The 4HI position provides greater trac-
tion. Avoid excessive speed, as it will
cause increased fuel consumption and
higher oil temperatures, and could da-
mage drivetrain component. Speeds over
62 MPH (100 km/h) in 4HI is not
recommended.
. The 4LO position provides maximum
traction. Avoid raising vehicle speed
excessively, as the maximum speed is
approximately 31 MPH (50 km/h).
. When driving straight, shift the 4WD
shift switch to the AUTO or 4H position.
Do not move the 4WD shift switch when
making a turn or reversing.
. Do not shift the 4WD shift switch
(between AUTO and 4H) while driving
on steep downhill grades. Use the engine brake and low automatic trans-
mission gears for engine braking.
. Do not operate the 4WD shift switch
(between AUTO and 4H) with the rear
wheels spinning.
. Do not drive on dry hard surface roads in
the 4HI or 4LO position. Driving on dry
hard surfaces in 4HI or 4LO may cause
unnecessary noise and tire wear.
INFINITI recommends driving in the
AUTO position under these conditions.
. The 4WD transfer case may not be
shifted between 4HI and 4LO at low
ambient temperatures and the 4LO and
4HI indicators may blink even when the
4WD shift switch is shifted. After driving
for a while you can change the 4WD shift
switch between 4H and 4L.
When driving on rough roads,
.Drive carefully according to the road
surface conditions.
When the vehicle is stuck,
. Place stones or wooden blocks under
the tires to free the vehicle.
. Set the 4WD shift switch to 4H or 4L.
. If it is difficult to free the vehicle, repeat
forward and backward movement to
Starting and driving5-103
5-104Starting and driving
increase the movement.
. If the vehicle is stuck deep in mud, tire
chains may be effective.
CAUTION
. Do not spin the tires excessively. Tires
will sink deep into the mud, making it
difficult to free the vehicle.
. Avoid shifting gears with the engine
running at high speeds as this may
cause malfunction.
SSD1048
4WD SHIFT SWITCH
.Shift the 4WD shift switch to either the
AUTO, 4H or 4L position, depending on
driving conditions.
. With the switch set to the AUTO posi-
tion, distribution of torque to the front
and rear wheels changes automatically,
depending on road conditions encoun-
tered [ratio; 0 : 100 (2WD) ?50 : 50
(4WD)]. This results in improved driving
stability.
. If the 4WD shift switch is operated
while making a turn, accelerating or
decelerating or if the ignition switch is
placed in the OFF position while in the AUTO, 4H or 4L, you may feel a jolt.
This is not abnormal.
. When the vehicle is stopped after
making a turn, you may feel a slight
jolt after the shift lever is shifted to N
(Neutral) or P (Park) position. This
occurs because the transfer clutch is
released and not because of a malfunc-
tion.
CAUTION
. When driving straight, shift the 4WD
shift switch to the AUTO or 4H position.
Do not move the 4WD shift switch when
making a turn or reversing.
. Do not shift the 4WD shift switch while
driving on steep downhill grades. Use
the engine brake and low automatic
transmission gears for engine braking.
. Do not operate the 4WD shift switch with
the rear wheels spinning.
. Before placing the 4WD shift switch in
the 4H position from AUTO, ensure the
vehicle speed is less than 62 MPH (100
km/h). Failure to do so can damage the
4WD system.
WARNING
.Never rely solely on the hill start assist
system to prevent the vehicle from
moving backward on a hill. Always drive
carefully and attentively. Depress the
brake pedal when the vehicle is stopped
on a steep hill. Be especially careful
when stopped on a hill on frozen or
muddy roads. Failure to prevent the
vehicle from rolling backwards may
result in a loss of control of the vehicle
and possible serious injury or death.
. The hill start assist system is not
designed to hold the vehicle at a
standstill on a hill. Depress the brake
pedal when the vehicle is stopped on a
steep hill. Failure to do so may cause the
vehicle to roll backwards and may result
in a collision or serious personal injury.
. The hill start assist system may not
prevent the vehicle from rolling back-
wards on a hill under all load or road
conditions. Always be prepared to de-
press the brake pedal to prevent the
vehicle from rolling backwards. Failure to
do so may result in a collision or serious
personal injury.
The hill start assist system automatically
keeps the brakes applied to help prevent
the vehicle from rolling backwards in the
time it takes the driver to release the brake
pedal and apply the accelerator when the
vehicle is stopped on a hill.
The hill start assist system will operate
automatically under the following condi-
tions:
.The transmission is shifted to a forward
or reverse gear.
. The vehicle is stopped completely on a
hill by applying the brake.
The maximum holding time is 2 seconds.
After 2 seconds the vehicle will begin to
roll back and the hill start assist system
will stop operating completely.
The hill start assist system will not operate
when the transmission is shifted to the N
(Neutral) or P (Park) position or on a flat
and level road.
When the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
warning light illuminates in the meter, the
hill start assist system will not operate.
(See “Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders” in the“2. Instruments and
controls” section.)
Starting and driving5-107
HILL START ASSIST SYSTEM
5-110Starting and driving
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.
The power assisted steering uses a hy-
draulic pump, driven by the engine, to
assist steering.
If the engine stops or the drive belt breaks,
you will still have control of the vehicle.
However, much greater steering effort is
needed, especially in sharp turns and at
low speeds.
BRAKING PRECAUTIONS
The brake system has two separate hy-
draulic circuits. If one circuit malfunctions,
you will still have braking ability at two
wheels.
You may feel a small click and hear a sound
when the brake pedal is fully depressed
slowly. This is not a malfunction and
indicates that the brake assist mechanism
is operating properly.
Hydraulically-assisted brakes
The hydraulically-assisted brake system is
designed to use a hydraulic pump driven
electrically, to assist braking. If the engine
stops, you can stop the vehicle by depres-
sing the foot brake pedal. However, greater
foot pressure on the foot brake pedal will
be required to stop the vehicle. The
stopping distance will be longer.
Wet brakes
When the vehicle is washed or driven
through water, the brakes may get wet.
As a result, your braking distance will be
longer and the vehicle may pull to one side
during braking.
To dry brakes, drive the vehicle at a safe
speed while lightly tapping the brake pedalto heat-up the brakes. Do this until the
brakes return to normal. Avoid driving the
vehicle at high speeds until the brakes
function correctly.
PARKING BRAKE BREAK-IN
Break in the parking brake shoes whenever
the stopping effect of the parking brake is
weakened or whenever the parking brake
shoes and/or drums/rotors are replaced,
in order to assure the best braking
performance.
This procedure is described in the vehicle
service manual and can be performed by
an INFINITI retailer.
Using the brakes
Avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal
while driving. This will cause overheating
of the brakes, wearing out the brake and
pads faster and reduce gas mileage.
To help save the brakes 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
WARNING
.While driving on a slippery surface, be
careful when braking, accelerating or
downshifting. Abrupt braking or accel-
erating could cause the wheels to skid
and result in an accident.
. If the engine is not running or is turned
off while driving, the power assist for
the brakes will not work. Braking will be
harder.
BRAKE ASSIST
When the force applied to the brake pedal
exceeds a certain level, the Brake Assist is
activated generating greater braking force
than a conventional brake booster even
with light pedal force.
WARNING
The Brake Assist is only an aid to assist
braking operation and is not a collision
warning or avoidance device. It is the
driver’s responsibility to stay alert, drive
safely and be in control of the vehicle at all
times.
PREVIEW FUNCTION (Intelligent
Cruise Control system equipped
models)
When the Preview Function identifies the
need to apply emergency braking by
sensing a vehicle ahead in the same lane
and the distance and relative speed from
it, it applies the brake pre-pressure before
the driver depresses the brake pedal and
helps improve brake response by reducing
pedal free play. .
This system will not operate when the
vehicle is moving at approximately 20
MPH (32 km/h) or less.
. The pre-pressure function ceases when
the following conditions are met:
1) When the driver depresses the
accelerator pedal or the brake
pedal.
2) If the driver does not operate the accelerator or brake pedal within
approximately 1 second.
3) When the 4WD shift switch is in the 4H or 4L position (for 4WD models).
Starting and driving5-111
BRAKE ASSIST
5-112Starting and driving
SSD0338
.The sensor will not detect:
1) Pedestrians or objects in the road- way
2) Oncoming vehicles in the same lane
3) Motorcycles traveling offset in the travel lane as illustrated
WARNING
. This system is only an aid to assist
braking operation and is not a collision
warning or avoidance device. It is the
driver’s responsibility to stay alert, drive
safely and be in control of the vehicle at all times.
. As there is a performance limit to the
Preview Function, never rely solely on
this system. This system does not
correct careless inattentive or absent-
minded driving, or overcome poor visi-
bility in rain, fog, or other bad weather.
Reduce vehicle speed by depressing the
brake pedal, in order to maintain a safe
distance between vehicles.
. The system may not detect the vehicle in
front of you in certain road or weather
conditions. The Preview Function may
not operate properly under the following
conditions. The vehicle is still driveable
under normal conditions and the Brake
Assist will operate.
—When rain, snow or dirt adhere to
the system sensor
—When strong light (for example, atsunrise or sunset) is directly shining
on the front of the vehicle
—Winding or hilly roads may causethe sensor to temporarily not detect
a vehicle in the same lane or may
detect objects or vehicles in other
lanes.
—Vehicle position in the lane maycause the sensor to temporarily not
detect a vehicle in the same lane or
may detect objects or vehicles in
other lanes.