4. Gradually steer the vehicle to a safe locationoff the road and away from traffic if possible.
5. Lightly apply the brake pedal to gradually stop the vehicle.
6. Turn on the hazard warning flashers and contact a roadside emergency service to
change the tire. For additional information,
refer to Flat tire in the6. In case of
emergency section.
DRINKING ALCOHOL/DRUGS AND
DRIVING
WARNING
Never drive under the influence of alcohol or
drugs. Alcohol in the bloodstream reduces co-
ordination, delays reaction time and impairs
judgement. Driving after drinking alcohol in-
creases the likelihood of being involved in an
accident injuring yourself and others. Addi-
tionally, if you are injured in an accident, alco-
hol can increase the severity of the injury.
INFINITI is committed to safe driving. However,
you must choose not to drive under the influ-
ence of alcohol. Every year thousands of people
are injured or killed in alcohol-related acci-
dents. Although the local laws vary on what is
considered to be legally intoxicated, the fact is that alcohol affects all people differently and
most people underestimate the effects of alco-
hol.
Remember, drinking and driving don’t mix! And
that is true for drugs, too (over-the-counter,
prescription, and illegal drugs). Don’t drive if
your ability to operate your vehicle is impaired
by alcohol, drugs, or some other physical con-
dition.
DRIVING SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Your INFINITI is designed for both normal and
off-road use. However, avoid driving in deep
water or mud as your INFINITI is mainly de-
signed for leisure use, unlike a conventional
off-road vehicle.
Remember that 2–wheel drive vehicles are less
capable than all-wheel drive (AWD) models for
rough road driving and extrication when stuck
in deep snow or mud, or the like.
Please observe the following precautions:
WARNING
•Spinning the front wheels on slippery sur-
faces may cause the AWD warning message
to display and the AWD system to automati-
cally switch from the AWD to 2WD mode.
This could reduce the traction. Be especially
careful when towing a trailer. (AWD models)
•Drive carefully when off the road and avoid
dangerous areas. Every person who drives
or rides in this vehicle should be seated
with their seat belt fastened. This will keep
you and your passengers in position when
driving over rough terrain.
•Do not drive across steep slopes. Instead
drive either straight up or straight down the
slopes. Off-road vehicles can tip over side-
ways much more easily than they can for-
ward or backward.
•Many hills are too steep for any vehicle. If
you drive up them, you may stall. If you drive
down them, you may not be able to control
your speed. If you drive across them, you
may roll over.
•Do not shift gears while driving on downhill
grades as this could cause loss of control of
the vehicle.
•Stay alert when driving to the top of a hill. At
the top there could be a drop-off or other
hazard that could cause an accident.
•If your engine stalls or you cannot make it to
the top of a steep hill, never attempt to turn
around. Your vehicle could tip or roll over.
5-12Starting and driving
NOTE
For vehicles fitted with Idle Stop/Start System:
When the engine is automatically stopped by
the Idle Stop/Start System the ignition switch
can still be operated as usual.
At the end of a journey turn the ignition OFF to
avoid a discharged battery. The Idle Stop/Start
System does not automatically turn ignition off.•Make sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.
•Check fluid levels such as engine oil, cool-
ant, brake fluid, and windshield-washer fluid
as frequently as possible, or at least when-
ever you refuel.
•Check that all windows and lights are clean.
•Visually inspect tires for their appearance
and condition. Measure and check the tire
pressure for proper inflation.
•Check that all doors are closed.
•Position seat and adjust head restraints/
headrests.
•Adjust the inside and outside rear view mir-
rors.
•Fasten your seat belt and ask all passengers
to do likewise.
•Check the operation of the warning lights
when the ignition switch is pushed to the ON
position.
STARTING PROCEDURE WITH THE KEY
0OFF position
1ACC position
2ON position
3START position
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Shift the transmission to position P (Park) by pressing the
button.
The transmission position indicator in the
vehicle information display shows
When the transmission is in position N (Neu-
tral), you can also start the engine with the
brake pedal depressed.
The starter is designed not to operate if the shift
lever is in any of the driving positions.
NPA1483
BEFORE STARTING ENGINE STARTING ENGINE
5-16Starting and driving
6.Avoid Idling
•Shutting off your engine when safe for
stops exceeding 30 seconds saves fuel
and reduces emissions.
7. Buy an Automated Pass for Toll Roads
•Automated passes permit drivers to use
special lanes to maintain cruising speed
through the toll and avoid stopping and
starting.
8. Winter Warm Up
•Limit idling time to minimize impact to
fuel economy.
•Vehicles typically need no more than 30
seconds of idling at start-up to effectively
circulate the engine oil before driving.
•Your vehicle will reach its ideal operating
temperature more quickly while driving
versus idling.
9. Keeping your Vehicle Cool
•Park your vehicle in a covered parking
area or in the shade whenever possible.
•When entering a hot vehicle, opening the
windows will help to reduce the inside
temperature faster, resulting in reduced
demand on your A/C system.
•Keep your engine tuned up.
•Follow the recommended scheduled mainte-
nance.
•Keep the tires inflated to the correct pres-
sure. Low tire pressure increases tire wear
and lowers fuel economy.
•Keep all the wheels in correct alignment.
Improper alignment increases tire wear and
lowers fuel economy.
•Use the recommended viscosity engine oil.
For additional information, see Recom-
mended fluids/lubricants and capacities in
the 10. Technical information section
WARNING
•Do not drive beyond the performance capa-
bility of the tires, even with 4WD engaged.
Accelerating quickly, sharp steering ma-
neuvers or sudden braking may cause loss
of control.
•Always use tires of the same type, size,
brand, construction (bias, bias-belted or ra-
dial), and tread pattern on all four wheels.
•This vehicle is not designed for off-road
(rough road) use. Do not drive on sandy or
muddy roads that tires may get stuck in.
•For 4WD equipped vehicles, do not attempt
to raise two wheels off the ground and shift
the transmission to any drive or reverse po-
sition with the engine running. Doing so
may result in drivetrain damage or unex-
pected vehicle movement which could re-
sult in serious vehicle damage or personal
injury.
•Do not attempt to test a 4WD equipped ve-
hicle on a 2-wheel dynamometer (such as
the dynamometers used by some states for
emissions testing) or similar equipment
even if the other two wheels are raised off
the ground. Make sure that you inform the
test facility personnel that your vehicle is
INCREASING FUEL ECONOMY FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) (IF EQUIPPED)
Starting and driving5-83
coolantin the8. Do-it-yourself section of this
manual.
TIRE EQUIPMENT
1. SUMMER tires have a tread designed to provide superior performance on dry pave-
ment. However, the performance of these
tires will be substantially reduced in snowy
and icy conditions. If you operate your ve-
hicle on snowy or icy roads, INFINITI recom-
mends the use of MUD & SNOW or ALL
SEASON TIRES on all four wheels. It is rec-
ommended that you visit an INFINITI retailer
for the tire type, size, speed rating and
availability information.
2. For additional traction on icy roads, studded tires may be used. However, some U.S.
states and Canadian provinces prohibit their
use. Check local, state and provincial laws
before installing studded tires.
Skid and traction capabilities of studded snow
tires, on wet or dry surfaces, may be poorer than
that of non-studded snow tires.
3. Tire chains may be used if desired. Make sure they are the proper size for the tires on
your vehicle and are installed according to
the chain manufacturer’s instructions. Use
chain tensioners when recommended by the
tire chain manufacturer to ensure a tight fit. Loose end links of the tire chains must be
secured or removed to prevent the possibil-
ity of whipping action damage to the fenders
or underbody. In addition, drive at a reduced
speed, otherwise, your vehicle may be dam-
aged and/or vehicle handling and perfor-
mance may be adversely affected.
SPECIAL WINTER EQUIPMENT
It is recommended that the following items be
carried in the vehicle during the winter:
•A scraper and stiff-bristled brush to remove
ice and snow from the windows.
•A sturdy, flat board to be placed under the
jack to give it firm support.
•A shovel to dig the vehicle out of snowdrifts.
•Extra washer fluid to refill the windshield
washer fluid reservoir.
DRIVING ON SNOW OR ICE
WARNING
•Wet ice (32°F, 0°C and freezing rain), very
cold snow or ice can be slick and very hard
to drive on. The vehicle will have much less
traction or “grip” under these conditions.
Try to avoid driving on wet ice until the road
is salted or sanded.
•Whatever the condition, drive with caution.
Accelerate and slow down with care. If ac-
celerating or downshifting too fast, the
drive wheels will lose even more traction.
•Allow more stopping distance under these
conditions. Braking should be started
sooner than on dry pavement.
•Allow greater following distances on slip-
pery roads.
•Watch for slippery spots (glare ice). These
may appear on an otherwise clear road in
shaded areas. If a patch of ice is seen ahead,
brake before reaching it. Try not to brake
while on the ice, and avoid any sudden
steering maneuvers.
•Do not use cruise control on slippery roads.
•Snow can trap dangerous exhaust gas un-
der your vehicle. Keep snow clear of the
exhaust pipe and from around your vehicle.
5-94Starting and driving
6 In case of emergency
Hazard warning flasher switch...............6-2
Flat tire ............................ .6-2
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) .......6-2
Stopping vehicle .................... .6-3
Warning triangle (if equipped) .............6-4
Run-flat tires ....................... .6-4Removing and fitting wheels
..............6-5
Jump starting .........................6-10
Push starting .........................6-12
If your vehicle overheats ..................6-13
Towing your vehicle .................... .6-14
Towing recommended by INFINITI ...........6-14
The hazard warning flasher switch1operates
regardless of the ignition switch position except
when the battery is discharged.
The hazard warning flasher is used to warn
other drivers when you have to stop or park
under emergency conditions.
When the hazard warning flasher switch is
pushed, all turn signal lights will flash. To turn
off the hazard warning flasher, push the hazard
warning switch again.
WARNING
•If stopping for an emergency, be sure to
move the vehicle well off the road.
•Do not use the hazard warning flashers
while moving on the highway unless un-
usual circumstances force you to drive so
slowly that your vehicle might become a
hazard to other traffic.
•Turn signals do not work when the hazard
warning flasher lights are on.
Some jurisdictions may prohibit the use of the
hazard warning flasher switch while driving. If you have a flat tire, follow the instructions in
this section.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM
(TPMS)
WARNING
•If the low tire pressure warning light illumi-
nates or a tire pressure-related warning is
displayed by the vehicle information dis-
play while driving, avoid sudden steering
maneuvers or abrupt braking, reduce ve-
hicle speed, pull off the road to a safe loca-
tion and stop the vehicle as soon as pos-
sible. Driving with under-inflated tires may
permanently damage the tires and increase
the likelihood of tire failure. Serious vehicle
damage could occur and may lead to an ac-
cident and could result in serious personal
injury. Check the tire pressure for all four
tires. Adjust the tire pressure to the recom-
mended COLD tire pressure shown on the
tire and loading information label to turn
the low tire pressure warning light OFF. If
you have a flat tire, replace it with a replace-
ment tire as soon as possible.
•When a replacement tire is mounted or a
wheel is replaced, the TPMS will not func-
tion and the low tire pressure warning light
NIC2621
HAZARD WARNING FLASHER SWITCH
FLAT TIRE
6-2In case of emergency
will flash for approximately 1 minute. The
light will remain on after 1 minute. It is rec-
ommended you Contact an INFINITI retailer
as soon as possible for tire replacement
and/or system resetting.
•Replacing tires with those not originally
specified by INFINITI could affect the proper
operation of the TPMS.
•If you used Emergency Tire Sealant to repair
a minor tire puncture, the TPMS sensor
should be checked when repairing or re-
placing the tire. It is recommended you visit
an INFINITI retailer for this service.
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
monitors tire pressure of all tires. When the low
tire pressure warning light is lit, and a tire
pressure-related warning (if equipped) appears
in the vehicle information display, one or more
of your tires is significantly under-inflated. If
the vehicle is being driven with low tire pres-
sure, the TPMS will activate and warn you of it
by the low tire pressure warning light (in the
meter panel). This system will activate only
when the vehicle is driven at speeds above 16
MPH (25 km/h). For more details about the TPMS, see
Tire
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) in the
5. Starting and driving section.
STOPPING VEHICLE
WARNING
•Be sure to apply the parking brake firmly.
•Be sure that P (Park) is engaged.
•Never change tires when the vehicle is on a
slope, ice or slippery area. This is hazard-
ous.
•Never change tires when the oncoming traf-
fic is close to your vehicle. Call for profes-
sional road assistance.
1. Safely move the vehicle off the road away from traffic.
2. Turn on the hazard indicator flasher lights.
3. Park on a level surface.
4. Apply the parking brake.
5. Press the P (Park) button.
6. Turn off the engine. 7. Open the hood and set up the triangle
reflector (if equipped):
•To warn other traffic.
•To signal professional road assistance
personnel that you need assistance.
8. Have all passengers get out of the vehicle and stand in a safe place, away from other
traffic and clear of the vehicle.
In case of emergency6-3
WARNING TRIANGLE (IF EQUIPPED)
Removing and refitting the warning
triangle
To remove:
1. Open the lift gate and lift the luggage com-partment floor upwards.
2. To release warning triangle, push back the retainers on the bracket.
3. Remove warning triangle
1from the
bracket.
To refit:
1. Place warning triangle
1back into the
bracket and push down to secure.
2. Fold down the luggage compartment floor.
3. Close the lift gate.
Setting up the warning triangle
1. Fold legs out to the side.
2. Fold side reflectors upwards to form a tri- angle and lock them at the top using press
stud.
RUN-FLAT TIRES
With special run-flat tires, you can continue to
drive your vehicle even if there is a total loss of
pressure in one or more tires. The affected tire
must not show any clearly visible damage.
You can recognise run-flat tires by the marking
which appears on the tire side wall. You will
find this marking next to the tire size designa-
tion, the load-bearing capacity and the speed
index.
Run-flat tires may only be used in conjunction
with an activated tire pressure loss warning
system or tire pressure monitor.
Pressure loss warning message
If a pressure loss warning message appears in
the vehicle information display:
•Observe the instructions in the display mes-
sages.
•Check the tire for damage.
•If driving on, observe the following notes.
The driving distance possible in run-flat mode is
approximately 50 miles (80 km) when the ve-
hicle is partially laden and approximately 20
miles (30 km) when the vehicle is fully laden.NIC2686
6-4In case of emergency