Drive mode switch
The drive mode switch allows you to choose
between drive programs with different driving
characteristics.
Press drive mode switch
1. The selected drive
program appears in the vehicle information
display.
The automatic transmission switches to drive
program E each time the engine is started.
E (Economy): comfortable, economical driving
S (Sport): sporty driving style
M (Manual): manual gear shifting
For more details of the manual drive program
seeManual drive programlater in this section.
Steering wheel gearshift paddles
1Left steering wheel gearshift paddle
(shifts down)
2Right steering wheel gearshift paddle
(shifts up)
In drive program M, you can change gear your-
self using the steering wheel gearshift paddles.
If you pull the left or right steering wheel
gearshift paddle when in automatic drive pro-
gram E or S, the automatic transmission shifts
into drive program M for a limited time. Depend-
ing on which gearshift paddle is pulled, the
automatic transmission immediately shifts into
the next gear down or up.
Automatic drive programs
Drive program E is characterized by the follow-
ing:
•Comfort-oriented engine settings.
•Optimal fuel consumption resulting from the
automatic transmission shifting up sooner.
•The vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears unless the accel-
erator pedal is depressed fully.
•Increased sensitivity. This improves han-
dling on slippery road surfaces, for example.
•The automatic transmission shifting up
sooner. This results in the vehicle being
driven at lower engine speeds and the
wheels being less likely to spin.
Drive program S is characterized by the follow-
ing:
•Sporty engine settings.
•The automatic transmission shifting up
later.
•As a result of the later automatic transmis-
sion shift points, the fuel consumption pos-
sibly being higher.
NSD587NSD584
Starting and driving5-21
Manual drive program
In manual drive program M, you can change
gear yourself by using the steering wheel gear-
shift paddles. For this, the transmission must
be in position D (Drive). The gear currently
selected and engaged is shown in the vehicle
information display
Manual drive program M differs from drive
programs E and S with regard to spontaneity,
responsiveness and smoothness of gear
changes.
Using manual gears
:
3 To use the engine’s braking effect
2 To use the braking effect of the engine on
downhill gradients and for driving on steep
mountain roads, in mountainous terrain or
in arduous conditions.
1 To use the braking effect of the engine on
extremely steep downhill gradients and on
long downhill stretches.Activating the manual drive program
:
•Permanently: Press the drive mode switch
1repeatedly until M appears in the vehicle
information display. Manual drive program M
remains active until drive program E or S is
engaged.
•Temporarily: Pull the right or left steering
wheel gearshift paddle (seeSteering wheel
gearshift paddleslater in this section).
Manual drive program M is temporarily ac-
tive. Depending on which gearshift paddle is
pulled, the automatic transmission immedi-
ately shifts into the next gear down or up.When manual drive program M is activated via
the steering wheel gearshift paddles, the tem-
porarily active manual drive program M will be
deactivated automatically after a limited time, if
the driving situation permits. The automatic
transmission switches to the previously acti-
vated drive program E or S. When driving on
downhill gradients, the temporarily active
manual drive program M will only be deacti-
vated if the accelerator pedal is depressed
while the vehicle is rolling downhill.
Upshifting
:
Pull the right-hand steering wheel gearshift
paddle (seeSteering wheel gearshift paddles
earlier in this section). The automatic transmis-
sion shifts up to the next gear.
In order to prevent engine damage the auto-
matic transmission automatically shifts up if
the maximum engine speed on the currently
engaged gear is reached and you depress the
accelerator pedal.
NSD587
5-22Starting and driving
Gearshift recommendation:
The gearshift recommendations assist you in
adopting an economical driving style. The rec-
ommended gear is shown in the vehicle infor-
mation display.
Shift to recommended gear
1according to
gearshift recommendation
2when shown in
the vehicle information display.Downshifiting
:
Pull the left-hand steering wheel gearshift
paddle (seeSteering wheel gearshift paddles
earlier in this section). The automatic transmis-
sion shifts down to the next gear.
If you slow down or stop without shifting down,
the automatic transmission automatically shifts
down.
For maximum acceleration, pull the left-hand
steering wheel gearshift paddle until the trans-
mission selects the optimum gear for the cur-
rent speed.
If the engine exceeds the maximum engine
speed when shifting down, the automatic trans-
mission protects against engine damage by not
shifting down.Kickdown
:
You can also use kickdown for maximum accel-
eration in manual drive program M
•Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point The transmission shifts to a
lower gear depending on the engine speed.
•Shift back up once the desired speed is
reached.
During kickdown, you cannot shift gears using
the steering wheel gearshift paddles.
If you apply full throttle, the automatic trans-
mission shifts up to the next gear when the
maximum engine speed is reached. This pre-
vents the engine from overrevving.
NSD589
Starting and driving5-23
Deactivating the temporary manual drive program:
Pull and hold the right steering wheel gearshift
paddle until the automatic transmission shifts into
the last active automatic drive program E or S.
When manual drive program M is deactivated,
the automatic transmission in automatic drive
program E or S may shift from the current gear
into a higher or lower gear. This is dependent
on the position of the accelerator pedal, speed
and load.Problems with the transmission
:
Problem Possible causes/consequences and solutions
The transmission has problems shift-
ing gearThe transmission is losing oil.
Have the transmission checked immediately. It is recommended you
visit an INFINITI retailer for this service.
The acceleration ability is deteriorat-
ing The transmission no longer shifts
into all of the gears Reverse gear can
no longer be engagedThe transmission is in emergency mode.
•Stop.•Shift the transmission to position P (Park).•Switch off the engine.•Wait at least ten seconds before restarting the engine.•Shift the transmission to position D (Drive).•Have the transmission checked immediately. It is recommended
you visit an INFINITI retailer for this service.
5-24Starting 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.
NPA1485
PARKING BRAKE
Starting and driving5-25
Before driving, check that the brake warning
lightgoes out. For additional informa-
tion, seeWarning lights, indicator lights and
audible remindersin the2. Instruments and
controlssection.
The electric parking brake can only be released
when the ignition switch is in the ON position.
APPLYING AUTOMATICALLY (VEHICLES
WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION)
The electric parking brake is automatically ap-
plied when:
•Intelligent cruise control (if equipped) brings
the vehicle to a standstill.
or
•Intelligent Parking Assist (if equipped) is
keeping the vehicle stationary.
The red
indicator lamp lights up in the
combination meter.
The electric parking brake is not automatically
applied if the engine is switched off by the Idle
Stop/Start function.
RELEASING AUTOMATICALLY
The electric parking brake can only be released
automatically in vehicles with automatic trans-
mission.
The electric parking brake of your vehicle is
released automatically when all of the following
conditions are fulfilled:
•The engine is running.
•The transmission is in position D (Drive) or R
(Reverse).
•The seat belt is fastened.
•You depress the accelerator pedal.
If the transmission is in position R, the lift gate
must be closed.
If your seat belt is not fastened, the following
conditions must be fulfilled to automatically
release the electric parking brake:
•The driver’s door is closed
•You have shifted out of transmission posi-
tion P (Park) or you have previously driven
faster than 2 MPH (3 km/h).
Ensure that you do not depress the accelerator
pedal unintentionally. Otherwise, the parking
brake will be released and the vehicle will start
to move.
EMERGENCY BRAKING
The vehicle can also be braked during an emer-
gency by using the electric parking brake.
While driving, push handle
1of the electric
parking brake. The vehicle is braked as long as
you keep handle
1of the electric parking
brake pressed. The longer the electric parking
brake handle
1is depressed, the greater the
braking force.
During braking:
•A warning tone sounds.
•The [Please Release Parking Brake] message
appears.
•The redindicator lamp in the combi-
nation meter flashes.
When the vehicle has been braked to a stand-
still, the electric parking brake is applied.
5-26Starting and driving
The Idle Stop/Start function switches the en-
gine off automatically if the vehicle is stopped
under certain conditions.
When pulling away again, the engine starts
automatically. The Idle Stop/Start function
thereby helps you to reduce the fuel consump-
tion and emissions of your vehicle.
WARNING
If the engine is switched off automatically and
you exit the vehicle, the engine is restarted
automatically. The vehicle may begin moving
There is a risk of accident and injury.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
the ignition and secure the vehicle against roll-
ing away.If the
Idle Stop/Start symbol is shown in
green in the vehicle information display, the
Idle Stop/Start function switches the engine off
automatically once the vehicle stops moving.
The Idle Stop/Start function is automatically
activated each time you start the engine with
the ignition key.
If the Idle Stop/Start function has been manu-
ally deactivated (seeDeactivating/activating
the Idle Stop/Start functionlater in this sec-
tion) or a malfunction has caused the system to
be deactivated, the
Idle Stop/Start sym-
bol is not displayed.
AUTOMATIC ENGINE SWITCH-OFF
The Idle Stop/Start function is operational and
theIdle Stop/Start symbol is displayed
in green in the vehicle information display, if:
•The indicator lamp in the ECO button is lit
green.
•The outside temperature is within the range
that is suitable for the system.
•The engine is at normal operating tempera-
ture.
•The set temperature for the vehicle interior
has been reached.
•The battery is sufficiently charged.
•The system detects that the windshield is
not misted up when the air-conditioning sys-
tem is switched on.
•The hood is closed.
•The driver’s door is closed and the driver’s
seat belt is fastened.
If the conditions for automatic engine switch-off
are not all fulfilled, the
Idle Stop/Start
symbol is shown in yellow.
All of the vehicle’s systems remain active when
the engine is switched off automatically.
NSD620Idle Stop/Start symbol
IDLE STOP/START SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
Starting and driving5-27
The engine can be switched off automatically a
maximum of four times (initial stop, then three
subsequent stops) in succession. The
Idle Stop/Start symbol is shown in yellow in the
vehicle information display after the engine has
been started automatically for the fourth time.
When the
Idle Stop/Start symbol is
shown in green in the vehicle information dis-
play, automatic engine switch-off is again pos-
sible.
NOTE
If the hood is opened while the engine is running
and the Idle Stop/Start function is operational,
the engine will switch off automatically.
If the vehicle is brought to a standstill in D or N,
the Idle Stop/Start function switches off the
engine automatically.
AUTOMATIC ENGINE START
The engine is started automatically if:
•You switch off the Idle Stop/Start function
by pressing the ECO button.
•You engage Reverse R or Drive D.
•You unfasten your seat belt or open the
driver’s door.
•The vehicle starts to roll.
•The brake system requires this.
•The temperature in the vehicle interior devi-
ates from the set range.
•The system detects moisture on the wind-
shield when the air-conditioning system is
switched on.
•The battery’s charge status is too low.
The engine is started automatically if you:
•Release the brake pedal in transmission
position D (Drive) or N (Neutral).
•Depress the accelerator pedal.
•Move the transmission out of position P
(Park).
Shifting the transmission to position P (Park)
does not start the engine.
If you shift the transmission from R (Reverse) to
D (Drive), the Idle Stop/Start function is avail-
able again once the
Idle Stop/Start
symbol reappears in green in the vehicle infor-
mation display.
DEACTIVATING/ACTIVATING THE IDLE
STOP/START FUNCTION
•To deactivate:press ECO button1. Indica-
tor lamp
2and theIdle Stop/Start
symbol in the vehicle information display
turn off.
•To activate:press ECO button1. Indicator
lamp
2lights up. If all conditions for auto-
matic engine switch-off (seeAutomatic engine
switch-offearlier in this section) are fulfilled,
the
Idle Stop/Start symbol is shown in
green in the vehicle information display.
If not all conditions for automatic engine
switch-off are met, theIdle Stop/Start
symbol is lit yellow in the vehicle information
display. If this is the case, the Idle Stop/Start
function is not active.
NIC2633
5-28Starting and driving