Always back straight down in R (Reverse)
gear and apply brakes to control your
speed.
•Heavy braking going down a hill could cause
your brakes to overheat and fade, resulting
in loss of control and an accident. Apply
brakes lightly and use a low gear to control
your speed.
•Unsecured cargo can be thrown around
when driving over rough terrain. Properly
secure all cargo so it will not be thrown
forward and cause injury to you or your pas-
sengers.
•Secure heavy loads in the cargo area as far
forward and as low as possible. Do not
equip the vehicle with tires larger than
specified in this manual. This could cause
your vehicle to roll over.
•Do not grip the inside or spokes of the steer-
ing wheel when driving off-road. The steer-
ing wheel could move suddenly and injure
your hands. Instead drive with your fingers
and thumbs on the outside of the rim.
•Before operating the vehicle, ensure that
the driver and all passengers have their seat
belts fastened.
•Always drive with the floor mats in place as
the floor may become hot.
•Lower your speed when encountering
strong crosswinds. With a higher center of
gravity, your INFINITI is more affected by
strong side winds. Slower speeds ensure
better vehicle control.
•Do not drive beyond the performance capa-
bility of the tires, even with AWD engaged.
•For AWD 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 an AWD equipped
vehicle 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 you inform test facil-
ity personnel that your vehicle is equipped
with AWD before it is placed on a dynamom-
eter. Using the wrong test equipment may
result in drivetrain damage or unexpectedvehicle movement which could result in se-
rious vehicle damage or personal injury.
•When a wheel is off the ground due to an
unlevel surface, do not spin the wheel ex-
cessively.
•Accelerating quickly, sharp steering ma-
neuvers or sudden braking may cause loss
of control.
•If at all possible, avoid sharp turning ma-
neuvers, particularly at high speeds. Your
INFINITI vehicle has a higher center of grav-
ity than a passenger car. The vehicle is not
designed for cornering at the same speeds
as passenger cars. Failure to operate this
vehicle correctly could result in loss of con-
trol and/or a rollover accident.
•Always use tires of the same type, size,
brand, construction (bias, bias-belted, or
radial), and tread pattern on all four wheels.
Install tire chains on the front wheels when
driving on slippery roads and drive care-
fully.
•Be sure to check the brakes immediately
after driving in mud or water.
Starting and driving5-13
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
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 out-
side the vehicle.
•Do not use the shift lever in place of the
parking brake. When parking, be sure the
parking brake is fully engaged.
•To help avoid risk of injury or death through
unintended operation of the vehicle and/or
its systems, do not leave children, people
who require the assistance of others, or
pets unattended in your vehicle. Addition-
ally, the temperature inside a closed vehicle
on a warm day can quickly become high
enough to cause a significant risk of injury
or death to people and pets.
The function of the electric parking brake is
dependent on the on-board voltage. If the on-
board voltage is low or if there is a malfunction
in the system, it may not be possible to apply
the released parking brake. If this is the case:
•Only park the vehicle on level ground and
secure it to prevent it from rolling away.
•Shift the automatic transmission to position
P (Park).
•It is recommended you contact an INFINITI
retailer.
It may not be possible to release an applied
parking brake if the on-board voltage is low or
if there is a malfunction in the system. It is
recommended you contact an INFINITI retailer.
The electric parking brake carries out a function
check at regular intervals when the engine is
switched off. Noises that occur are normal.
APPLYING/RELEASING MANUALLY
The electric parking brake can be applied or
released by operating the parking brake handle
1.
To apply: Push handle
1.
When the electric parking brake is applied, the
red
indicator lamp lights up in the
combination meter.
The electric parking brake can also be applied
when the ignition switch is in the OFF position
or the key is removed.
To release: With the ignition switch in the ON
position, pull handle
1.
Before driving, check that the brake warning
light
goes out. For additional informa-
tion, see Warning lights, indicator lights and
NPA1485
PARKING BRAKE
Starting and driving5-25
SYSTEM MALFUNCTION
If the LDW system malfunctions, it will cancel
automatically, and the message [Lane Depar-
ture Warning Inoperative] will appear.
Action to take:Stop the vehicle in a safe loca-
tion, engage P (Park), turn the engine off and
restart the engine. If the message continues to
appear, have the system checked. It is recom-
mended you visit an INFINITI retailer for this
service.
SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
The lane camera unit1for the LDW system is
located above the inside mirror.
To ensure the proper operation of the LDW
system and prevent a system malfunction, be
sure to observe the following:
•Always keep the windshield clean.
•Do not attach a sticker (including transparent
material) or install an accessory near the
camera unit.
•Do not place reflective materials, such as
white paper or a mirror, on the instrument
panel. The reflection of sunlight may ad-
versely affect the camera unit’s capability of
detecting the lane markers.
•Do not strike or damage the areas around the
camera unit. Do not touch the camera lens or
remove parts from the camera unit. If the
camera unit is damaged due to an accident,
it is recommended you contact an INFINITI
retailer.
NSD644
5-34Starting and driving
RADAR MAINTENANCE
The two radar sensor unitsAfor the BSW
system are located near the rear bumper. Al-
ways keep the area near the radar sensors
clean.
The radar sensors may be blocked by temporary
ambient conditions such as splashing water,
mist or fog.
The blocked condition may also be caused by
objects such as ice, frost or dirt obstructing the
radar sensors.
Check for and remove objects obstructing the
area around the radar sensors.
Do not attach stickers (including transparent
material), install accessories or apply addi-
tional paint near the radar sensors. Do not strike or damage the area around the
radar sensors. It is recommended you consult
an INFINITI retailer if the area around the radar
sensors is damaged due to a collision.
FCC NOTICE
For USA:
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC
Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) This device may not cause harm-
ful interference, and (2) this device must accept
any interference received, including interfer-
ence that may cause undesired operation.
NOTE
Changes or modification not expressly approved
by the party responsible for compliance could
void the user’s authority to operate the equip-
ment.
For Canada:
This device complies with Industry Canada
license-exempt RSS standard(s). Operation is
subject to the following two conditions: (1) this
device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference re-
ceived, including interference that may cause
undesired operation of the device.
Cruise control maintains a constant road speed
for you. It brakes automatically in order to avoid
exceeding the set speed. You must select a
lower gear in good time on long and steep
downhill gradients, especially if the vehicle is
laden or towing a trailer.WARNING
For vehicles with automatic transmission, you
need to have selected manual drive program M
(see
Manual drive program earlier in this sec-
tion). By doing so, you will make use of the
braking effect of the engine. This relieves the
load on the brake system and prevents the
brakes from overheating and wearing too
quickly.
Use cruise control only if road and traffic con-
ditions are appropriate for maintaining a steady
speed for a prolonged period. You can set the
cruise control at any road speed above 20 MPH
(30 km/h).
The speed indicated in the speedometer may
differ slightly from the set speed.
NAA1640
CRUISE CONTROL
5-44Starting and driving
PROBLEMS WITH PARKING SENSOR SYSTEM
ProblemPossible causes/consequences and solutions
Only the red segments in the
Parking Sensor System displays are
lit. You also hear a warning tone for
approximately two seconds.
The Parking Sensor System is then
deactivated and the indicator light
on the Parking Sensor System
button lights up. The Parking Sensor System has malfunctioned and has been
deactivated.
If problems persist, have the Parking Sensor System checked. It is
recommended you visit an INFINITI retailer for this service.
Only the red segments in the
parking sensor displays are lit. The
Parking Sensor System is then
deactivated. The parking sensors are dirty or there is interference.
•Clean the sensors.•Switch the ignition back on.
The problem may be caused by an external source of radio or ultrasound
waves.
See if the Parking Sensor System functions in a different location.
During the first 1,200 miles (2,000 km), follow
these recommendations to obtain maximum
engine performance and ensure the future reli-
ability and economy of your new vehicle. Failure
to follow these recommendations may result in
shortened engine life and reduced engine per-
formance.
•Avoid driving for long periods at constant
speed, either fast or slow, and 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 possible.
•Do not tow a trailer for the first 500 mi (805
km). Your engine, axle or other parts could
be damaged.
You should also observe these notes on
break-in if the engine or parts of the drive train
on your vehicle have been replaced.
CAUTION
In certain driving and driving safety systems,
the sensors adjust automatically while a cer-
tain distance is being driven after the vehicle
has been delivered or after repairs. Full system
effectiveness is not reached until the end of
this teach-in process.
BREAK-IN SCHEDULE
Starting and driving5-81
Wheels and Tiresin the9. Maintenance and
Schedules section.)
– For detailed information, see Wheels and
tires in the 8. Do-it-yourself section.
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) controls the
brakes so the wheels do not lock during hard
braking or when braking on slippery surfaces.
The system detects the rotation speed at each
wheel and varies the brake fluid pressure to
prevent each wheel from locking and sliding. By
preventing each wheel from locking, the system
helps the driver maintain steering control and
helps to minimize swerving and spinning on
slippery surfaces.
Using system
Depress the brake pedal and hold it down.
Depress the brake pedal with firm steady pres-
sure, but do not pump the brakes. The ABS will
operate to prevent the wheels from locking up.
Steer the vehicle to avoid obstacles.
WARNING
Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so may
result in increased stopping distances.
Self-test feature
The ABS includes electronic sensors, electric
pumps, hydraulic solenoids and a computer.
The computer has a built-in diagnostic feature
that tests the system each time you start the
engine 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 oper-
ates normally, but without anti-lock assistance.
If the ABS warning light illuminates during the
self-test or while driving, have the vehicle
checked. It is recommended you visit an
INFINITI retailer for this service.
Normal operation
The ABS operates at speeds above 3 to 6 MPH
(5 to 10 km/h). The speed varies according to
road conditions.
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. However, the pulsa-
tion may indicate that road conditions are haz-
ardous and extra care is required while driving.
Starting and driving5-89
VDC warning lightmay illuminate. This
is not a malfunction. Restart the engine af-
ter driving onto a stable surface.
•If wheels or tires other than the INFINITI
recommended ones are used, the VDC sys-
tem may not operate properly and the VDC
warning light
may illuminate.
•The VDC system is not a substitute for win-
ter tires or tire chains on a snow covered
road.
•If VDC is malfunctioning, VDC is unable to
stabilize the vehicle. In addition, other driv-
ing safety systems are switched off. This
increases the risk of skidding and an acci-
dent. Drive on carefully. Have VDC checked.
It is recommended you visit an INFINITI re-
tailer for this service.
CAUTION
•When VDC is deactivated, theVDC
OFF warning light lights up continuously.
•If both thewarning light andwarning light are lit continuously, VDC is
not available due to a malfunction.
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM (TCS)
The Traction Control System (TCS) is part of
VDC..
Traction control brakes the drive wheels indi-
vidually if they spin. This enables you to pull
away and accelerate on slippery surfaces, for
example if the road surface is slippery on one
side. In addition, more drive torque is trans-
ferred to the wheel or wheels with traction.
Traction control remains active if you deactivate
VDC.
CHARACTERISTICS OF VDC
If theVDC warning light goes out before
beginning the journey, VDC is automatically
active.
If VDC intervenes, the
VDC warning lamp
flashes in the combination meter.
If VDC intervenes:
•Do not deactivate VDC under any circum-
stances.
•When pulling away, only depress the accel-
erator pedal as far as is necessary.
•Adapt your driving style to suit the prevailing
road and weather conditions.
Deactivating/activating VDC
WARNING
If you deactivate VDC, VDC no longer stabilizes
the vehicle. There is an increased risk of skid-
ding and an accident.
Only deactivate VDC in the situations de-
scribed in the following section.
You can select between the following statuses
of VDC:
•VDC is activated.
•VDC is deactivated.
It may be best to deactivate VDC in the follow-
ing situations:
•When using snow chains.
•In deep snow.
•On sand or gravel.
NOTE
Activate VDC as soon as the situations described
above no longer apply. VDC will otherwise not be
Starting and driving5-91