Transmission position display:
NOTE
If the transmission position display in the ve-
hicle information display is not working, you
should pull away carefully to check whether the
desired transmission position IS engaged. Ide-
ally, you should select transmission position D
and automatic drive program E or S.
The shift lever indicator
1located in the lower
part of the vehicle information display shows
the current position of the transmission.
It shows the P,R,N,D modes when the transmis-
sion is in auto mode or the shift position when
the transmission is in manual mode.
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
Use the P (Park) or R (Reverse) position only
when the vehicle is completely stopped. P (Park)
:
CAUTION
To prevent transmission damage, use the P
(Park) position only when the vehicle is com-
pletely stopped.
Use this position when the vehicle is parked or
when starting the engine. Always make sure
that the vehicle is completely stopped before
pressing button
1to engage the P (Park)
position. For maximum safety, the brake pedal
must be depressed before engaging the P (Park)
position. Use this position together with the
parking brake. When parking on a hill, first
depress the brake pedal, apply the parking
brake and then engage the P (Park) position.
The parking lock should not be used as a brake
when parking. In order to secure the vehicle,
NSD649NSD586
Starting and driving5-19
always apply the electric parking brake in addi-
tion to the parking lock.
In the event of a malfunction of the vehicle’s
electronics, the transmission may lock in posi-
tion P (Park). Have the vehicle electronics
checked immediately. It is recommended you
visit an INFINITI retailer for this service.
Park position P is automatically engaged if:
•You switch off the engine using the key and
remove the key.
•You open the driver’s door when the vehicle
is stationary or driving at very low speed and
the transmission is in position D (Drive) or R
(Reverse).
R (Reverse)
:
CAUTION
To prevent transmission damage, use the R
(Reverse) position only when the vehicle is
completely stopped.
Use this position to back up the vehicle.
Make 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 P (Park), N (Neutral) or any drive position to
R (Reverse).
N (Neutral)
:
Neither forward nor reverse gear is engaged.
The engine can be started in this position. You
may shift to N (Neutral) and restart a stalled
engine while driving the vehicle.
D (Drive)
:
Use this position for all normal forward driving.
The automatic transmission changes gear auto-
matically. All forward gears are available.
Changing gear
The automatic transmission shifts to the indi-
vidual gears automatically when it is in trans-
mission position D (Drive). Shifting is deter-
mined by:
•The selected drive program.
•The position of the accelerator pedal.
•The road speed.
Accelerator pedal position
:
Your style of driving influences how the auto-
matic transmission shifts gear:
•little throttle: early upshifts
•more throttle: late upshifts
Holding the vehicle stationary on
uphill gradients
WARNING
If the transmission overheats, the electronic
management system is automatically deacti-
vated. This interrupts the power transmission
from the engine to the wheels. The vehicle
may, for example, roll backwards on gradients.
There is a risk of an accident. Never hold the
vehicle stationary on uphill gradients by de-
pressing the accelerator.
The transmission may overheat if you hold the
vehicle stationary on uphill gradients by de-
pressing the accelerator pedal. If the transmis-
sion overheats, a warning tone sounds and the
[Stop Vehicle Shift to P Leave Engine Running]
display message appears in the vehicle infor-
mation display. You will only be able to con-
tinue your journey once the transmission has
cooled down and the display message in the
vehicle information display has disappeared.
5-20Starting 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
–The ICC system has been deactivated
with the cruise control lever, e. g. by a
vehicle occupant.
– The accelerator pedal has been de-
pressed, e.g. by a vehicle occupant.
For further information on deactivating the ICC
system, see ICC switch (cruise control lever)
earlier in this section
If the ICC system detects that the vehicle in
front is stopping, it brakes your vehicle until it
is stationary (within the braking limitations of
the system).
Once your vehicle is stationary, it remains
stationary and you do not need to depress the
brake.
NOTE
•After a short period, the vehicle is secured by
the electric parking brake, thus relieving the
service brake.
•Depending on the specified minimum dis-
tance, your vehicle will come to a standstill
at a sufficient distance behind the vehicle in
front. The specified minimum distance is set
using the control on the cruise control lever. The electric parking brake secures the vehicle
automatically if the ICC system is activated
when the vehicle is stationary and:
•A system fault occurs.
•The power supply is insufficient.
If a malfunction in the electric parking brake
occurs, then the transmission may also be
shifted into position P (Park) automatically.
How to change the set distance to
the vehicle ahead
The distance to the vehicle ahead can be se-
lected at any time depending on the traffic
conditions.
To increase the distance to the vehicle ahead,
turn the knob
3toward the rear2. To de-
crease the distance to the vehicle ahead, turn
the knob
3toward the front1.
You can see this distance in the vehicle infor-
mation display.
The distance to the vehicle ahead will change
according to the vehicle speed. The higher the
vehicle speed, the longer the distance.
NSD583A
Starting and driving5-53
For the vehicle equipped with rear sensors
(Type A):
The system informs you about rear obstacles
with visual and audible signals when the shift
lever is in the R (Reverse) position.
The intermittent tone will stop after 3 seconds
when an obstacle is detected by only the corner
sensor and the distance does not change. The
tone will stop when the obstacle moves away
from the vehicle.
For the vehicle equipped with front and rear sen-
sors (Type B and C):
The system informs you about front obstacles
with visual and audible signals when the shift
lever is in the D (Drive) position and both front
and rear obstacles when the shift lever is in the
R (Reverse) position.
The intermittent tone will stop after 3 seconds
when an obstacle is detected by only the corner
sensor and the distance does not change. The
tone will stop when the obstacle moves away
from the vehicle.
NSD635Type B: 10 sensor systemNSD634Type C: 12 sensor system
5-76Starting and driving
equipped with 4WD before it is placed on a
dynamometer. Using the wrong test equip-
ment may result in drivetrain damage or un-
expected vehicle movement which could re-
sult in serious vehicle damage or personal
injury.
•When a wheel is off the ground due to an
uneven surface, do not spin the wheel
excessively.
CAUTION
Never tow the vehicle with one axle raised. This
may damage the differential. Damage of this
sort is not covered by the warranty. All wheels
must be fully raised (seeFour-Wheel Drive
(4WD) models in the6. In case of emergency
section)
4WD, together with VDC, improves the traction
of your vehicle whenever a drive wheel spins
due to insufficient grip.
If you fail to adapt your driving style, 4WD can
neither reduce the risk of an accident nor
override the laws of physics. 4WD cannot take
account of road, weather, and traffic conditions.
4WD is only an aid. You are responsible for the
distance to the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed, for braking in good time, and for staying
in lane.
If a drive wheel spins due to insufficient grip
•When pulling away, only depress the accel-
erator pedal as far as is necessary.
•Accelerate less when driving.
NOTE
In wintry driving conditions, the maximum effec-
tiveness of 4WD can only be achieved if you use
winter tires (M+S tires), with snow chains if nec-
essary.
WARNING
•Do not stop or park the vehicle over flam-
mable materials such as dry grass, waste
paper or rags. They may ignite and cause a
fire.
•Safe parking procedures require that both
the parking brake be applied and the P
(Park) position engaged. Failure to do so
could cause the vehicle to move unexpect-
edly or roll away and result in an accident.
•When parking the vehicle, make sure the P
(Park) position is engaged. The shift lever
cannot be moved out of the P (Park) position
without depressing the brake pedal.
•Never leave the engine running while the
vehicle is unattended.
•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.
PARKING
5-84Starting and driving
slight pulsation. This is normal and indicates
that the Brake Assist System is operating (if
equipped).
Using brakes
Avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal while
driving. This will overheat the brakes, wear out
the brake linings/pads faster, and increase fuel
consumption.
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.
While driving on a slippery surface, be careful
when braking, accelerating or downshifting.
Abrupt braking or acceleration could cause the
wheels to skid and result in an accident.
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 the brakes, drive the vehicle at a safe
speed while lightly depressing the brake pedal
to heat up the brakes. Do this until the brakesreturn to normal. Avoid driving the vehicle at
high speeds until the brakes function correctly.
Driving uphill
When starting on a steep gradient, it is some-
times difficult to operate the brake. Use the
parking brake to hold the vehicle. When ready
to start, make sure that the shift lever is in an
appropriate forward or reverse driving position,
release the parking brake while depressing the
accelerator pedal. If your vehicle has an electric
parking brake, this will automatically release
when you depress the accelerator pedal (DCT
models).
Driving downhill
The engine braking action is effective for con-
trolling the vehicle while descending hills.
A low gear position in the manual shift mode,
low enough to obtain sufficient engine braking,
should be selected.
Parking brake break-in
Break in the parking brake shoes whenever the
stopping effect of the parking brake is weak-
ened 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 ser-
vice manual and can be performed by an
INFINITI retailer.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS)
WARNING
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) is a so-
phisticated device, but it cannot prevent acci-
dents resulting from careless or dangerous
driving techniques. It can help maintain ve-
hicle control during braking on slippery sur-
faces. Remember that stopping distances on
slippery surfaces will be longer than on normal
surfaces even with ABS. Stopping distances
may also be longer on rough, gravel or snow
covered roads, or if you are using tire chains.
Always maintain a safe distance from the ve-
hicle in front of you. Ultimately, the driver is
responsible for safety.
Tire type and condition may also affect braking
effectiveness.
– When replacing tires, install the specified
size of tires on all four wheels.
– When installing a replacement tire, make sure
that it is the proper size and type as specified
on the tire and loading information label. (See
5-88Starting and driving