SWITCHING OFF THE ENGINE
WARNING
The automatic transmission switches to posi-
tion N (Neutral) when you switch off the en-
gine. The vehicle may roll away. There is a risk
of an accident.
After switching off the engine, always switch
to position P (Park). Prevent the parked vehicle
from rolling away by applying the parking
brake.
Procedure
1. Apply the electric parking brake.
2. Shift the transmission to position P (Park).
3.With the key: turn the key to the position OFF
in the ignition switch and remove it The
immobilizer is activated.
If you switch the engine off with the transmis-
sion in position R (Reverse) or D (Drive), the
automatic transmission shifts to N (Neutral)
automatically.
With the key: if you then open the driver’s door
or the front-passenger door or remove the key
from the ignition, the automatic transmission
shifts to P (Park) automatically. If you want the automatic transmission to re-
main in neutral N (Neutral), e.g. when having
the vehicle cleaned in an automatic car wash
with a towing system:
With the key
:
1. Switch the ignition on.
2. Depress the brake pedal and keep it de-
pressed.
3. Shift to N (Neutral).
4. Release the brake pedal.
5. Release the electric parking brake.
6. Switch off the ignition and leave the key in the ignition switch.
EXTENDED PARKING
If you leave the vehicle parked up for longer
than four weeks, the battery may be damaged
by exhaustive discharging.
If you leave the vehicle parked up for longer
than six weeks, it may suffer from lack of use.
Visit an INFINITI retailer and seek advice
NOTE
You can obtain information about trickle char-
gers from an INFINITI retailer. The electric power steering system is designed
to reduce the driver effort required to steer the
vehicle.
WARNING
If during operation a fault is detected the fol-
lowing message will be displayed in the ve-
hicle information display along with an audible
warning tone.
[Power Steering Malfunction See Operators
Manual]
In conjunction with this warning, steering as-
sistance will no longer be provided by the sys-
tem.
The effort required to steer the vehicle will
increase. This will be most noticeable at low
speed and when performing a tight turning
maneuver.
Check whether you are able to provide the ex-
tra effort required.
If you are able to steer safely: Carefully drive on
to an INFINITI retailer.
If you are unable to steer safely: Do NOT drive
on. It is recommended you contact the nearest
INFINITI retailer for assistance.
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM
5-86Starting and driving
CAUTION
•If wheels or tires other than INFINITI recom-
mended ones are used, the power steering
system may not operate properly and the
[Power Steering Malfunction See Operators
Manual] warning may appear in the vehicle
information display.
•Do not modify the vehicle’s suspension. If
suspension parts such as shock absorbers,
struts, springs, stabilizer bars, bushings
and wheels are not INFINITI recommended
for your vehicle or are extremely deterio-
rated, the power steering system may not
operate properly and the [Power Steering
Malfunction See Operators Manual] warn-
ing may appear in the vehicle information
display.
•Do not modify the vehicle’s steering. If
steering parts are not INFINITI recom-
mended for your vehicle or are extremely
deteriorated, the power steering system
may not operate properly and the [Power
Steering Malfunction See Operators
Manual] warning may appear in the vehicle
information display.
•Do not place the ignition switch in the on
position while the steering wheel or a tire is
removed.
•Do not turn the steering wheel as much as
possible while the ignition switch is in any
position other than the ON position.
•Installing an accessory on the steering
wheel, or changing the steering wheel, may
reduce the steering performance.
NOTE
When the steering wheel is operated repeatedly
or continuously while parking or driving at a very
low speed, the power assistance for the steering
wheel will be reduced. This is to prevent over-
heating of the electric power steering system
and protect it from becoming damaged. While
the power assistance is reduced, steering wheel
operation will become heavy. When the tem-
perature of the electric power steering system
decreases, the power assistance level will return
to normal. Avoid repeating such steering wheel
operations that could cause the electric power
steering system to overheat. The brake system has two separate hydraulic
circuits. If one circuit malfunctions, you will still
have braking ability at two wheels.BRAKE PRECAUTIONS
WARNING
While driving on a slippery surface, be careful
when braking, accelerating or downshifting.
Abrupt braking or accelerating could cause the
wheels to skid and result in an accident.
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. How-
ever, greater foot pressure on the brake pedal
will be required to stop the vehicle. The stop-
ping distance will be longer.
WARNING
•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.
•Do not coast with the engine stopped.
When the brake pedal is depressed slowly and
firmly, you may hear a clicking noise and feel a
BRAKE SYSTEM
Starting and driving5-87
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
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
being pulled, use the recovery hook stored in
the vehicle trunk.
WARNING
•Use the recovery hook only. Do not attach
the pulling device to any other part of the
vehicle body. Otherwise, the vehicle body
may be damaged.
•Use the recovery hook to free a vehicle only.
Never tow a vehicle using only the recovery
hook.
•The recovery hook is under tremendous
stress when used to free a trapped vehicle.
Always pull the pulling device straight out
from the vehicle. Never pull on the recovery
hook at an angle.
Securely install the recovery hook (stored in the
vehicle trunk) to the attaching mount located on
the front or rear bumper.
Make sure that the recovery hook is properly
secured in its storage location after use and the
license plate is properly reinstalled before driv-
ing the vehicle.
Rocking a stuck vehicle
WARNING
•To avoid potential injury, stand clear of a
stuck vehicle.
•Do not spin your tires at high speed. This
could cause them to explode and result in
serious injury. Parts of your vehicle could
also overheat and be damaged.
If your vehicle is stuck in sand, snow, mud, etc.,
use the following procedure:
1. Turn off the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system.
2. Make sure the area in front and behind the vehicle is clear of obstructions.
3. Turn the steering wheel right and left to clear an area around the front tires.
4. Slowly rock the vehicle forward and back- ward.
•Shift back and forth between R (Reverse) and
D (Drive).
•Apply the accelerator as little as possible to
maintain the rocking motion.
•Release the accelerator pedal before shifting
between R (Reverse) and D (Drive).
•Do not spin the tires above 35 MPH (55
km/h).
5. If the vehicle cannot be freed after a few tries, contact a professional towing service
to remove the vehicle.
6-16In case of emergency
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, loadfrom your trailer will be transferred to your
vehicle. Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available cargo and
luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
Before driving a loaded vehicle, confirm that
you do not exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR) or the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) for your vehicle. (See Measurement of
weights later in this section.)
Also check tires for proper inflation pressures.
See the Tire and Loading Information label.
LOADING TIPS
•The GVW must not exceed GVWR or GAWR as
specified on the F.M.V. S.S./C.M.V.S.S. cer-
tification label.
•Do not load the front and rear axle to the
GAWR. Doing so will exceed the GVWR.
WARNING
•Properly secure all cargo to help prevent it
from sliding or shifting. Do not place cargo
higher than the seatbacks. In a sudden stop
or collision, unsecured cargo could cause
personal injury.
•Do not load your vehicle any heavier than
the GVWR or the maximum front and rear
GAWRs. If you do, parts of your vehicle can
break, tire damage could occur, or it can
change the way your vehicle handles. This
could result in loss of control and cause
personal injury.
•Overloading could not only shorten the life
of your vehicle and the tires, but also could
cause unsafe vehicle handling and longer
braking distances. This may cause a prema-
ture tire failure which could result in a seri-
ous accident and personal injury. Failures
caused by overloading are not covered by
the vehicle’s warranty.
MEASUREMENT OF WEIGHTS
Secure loose items to prevent weight shifts that
could affect the balance of your vehicle. When
the vehicle is loaded, drive to a scale and weigh
the front and the rear wheels separately to
determine axle loads. Individual axle loads
should not exceed either of the gross axle
weight ratings (GAWR). The total of the axle
loads should not exceed the gross vehicle
weight rating (GVWR). These ratings are given
on the vehicle certification label. If weight rat- ings are exceeded, move or remove items to
bring all weights below the ratings.
Your vehicle was designed to be used to carry
passengers and luggage
CAUTION
Do not tow a trailer with your vehicle.
TRAILER TOWING
Technical information10-15