CAUTION
•The TPMS may not function properly when
the wheels are equipped with snow chains
or the wheels are buried in snow.
•Do not place metalized film or any metal
parts (antenna, etc.) on the windows. This
may cause poor reception of the signals
from the tire pressure sensors, and the
TPMS will not function properly.
It is the driver’s responsibility to set the tire
pressure to the recommended cold tire pressure
suitable for the operating situation (see
Wheels and tiresin the8. Do-it-yourself
section). Note that the correct tire pressure for
the current operating situation must first be
taught-in to the tire pressure monitor (see
Restarting TPMSlater in this section).
If there is a substantial loss of pressure, the
warning threshold for the warning message is
aligned to the reference values taught-in. Re-
start the tire pressure monitor after adjusting to
the cold tire pressure. The current pressures are
saved as new reference values. This will ensure
that a warning message will only appear if the
tire pressure drops significantly.
The tire pressure monitor does not warn you of
an incorrectly set tire pressure.TPMS is not able to warn you of a sudden loss
of pressure, e. g. if the tire is penetrated by a
foreign object. In the event of a sudden loss of
pressure, bring the vehicle to a halt by braking
carefully. Avoid abrupt steering maneuvers.
TPMS has a yellow warning lamp in the combi-
nation meter for indicating a pressure loss or
malfunction. Depending on how the warning
lamp flashes or lights up, a tire pressure that is
too low or a malfunction in TPMS is indicated:
•If the warning lamp is lit continuously, the
tire pressure on one or more tires is signifi-
cantly too low. TPMS is not malfunctioning.
•If the warning lamp flashes for around a
minute and then remains lit constantly, the
TPMS is malfunctioning.
In addition to the warning lamp, a message
appears in the vehicle information display. Ob-
serve the information on display messages (see
Safety systemsin the2. Instruments and
controlssection
It may take up to ten minutes for a malfunction
of the tire pressure monitor to be indicated. A
malfunction will be indicated by the tire pres-
sure warning lamp flashing for approximately
one minute and then remaining lit. When the
fault has been rectified, the tire pressure warn-
ing lamp goes out after you have driven for a
few minutes.The tire pressure values indicated by the ve-
hicle information display may differ from those
measured at a filling station using a pressure
gauge. The tire pressures shown by the vehicle
information display are those measured at sea
level. At high altitudes, the tire pressure values
indicated by a pressure gauge are higher than
those shown by the vehicle information display.
In this case, do not reduce the tire pressures.
The operation of the tire pressure monitor can
be affected by interference from radio transmit-
ting equipment (e.g. radio head phones, two-
way radios) that may be being operated in or
near the vehicle.Checking the tire pressure
electronically
1. Make sure that the ignition switch is in the
ON position.
2. Press the
orbutton on the
steering wheel to select the [Serv.] menu.
3. Press the
orbutton to select
[Tire Pressure].
4. Press
The current tire pressure for each wheel will
be displayed in the vehicle information dis-
play.
Starting and driving5-7
•The LDW system is primarily intended for
use on well-developed freeways or high-
ways. It may not detect the lane markers in
certain roads, weather or driving condi-
tions.
•Do not use the LDW system under the fol-
lowing conditions as it may not function
properly:
–During bad weather (rain, fog, snow,
etc.).
–When driving on slippery roads, such as
on ice or snow, etc.
–When driving on winding or uneven
roads.
–When there is a lane closure due to road
repairs.
–When driving in a makeshift or tempo-
rary lane.
–When driving on roads where the lane
width is too narrow.
–When driving without normal tire condi-
tions (for example, tire wear, low tire
pressure, installation of spare tire, tire
chains, non-standard wheels).
–When the vehicle is equipped with non-
original brake parts or suspension parts.
•The camera may not detect lane markers in
the following situations and the LDW sys-
tem may not operate properly.
–On roads where there are multiple par-
allel lane markers; lane markers that are
faded or not painted clearly; yellow
painted lane markers; non-standard lane
markers; or lane markers covered with
water, dirt, snow, etc.
–On roads where the discontinued lane
markers are still detectable.
–On roads where there are sharp curves.
–On roads where there are sharply con-
trasting objects, such as shadows,
snow, water, wheel ruts, seams or lines
remaining after road repairs. (The LDW
system could detect these items as lane
markers.)
–On roads where the traveling lane
merges or separates.
–When the vehicle’s traveling direction
does not align with the lane marker.
–When traveling close to the vehicle in
front of you, which obstructs the lane
camera unit detection range.
–When rain, snow or dirt adheres to the
windshield in front of the lane camera
unit.–When the headlights are not bright due
to dirt on the lens or if the aiming is not
adjusted properly.
–When strong light enters the lane cam-
era unit. (For example, the light directly
shines on the front of the vehicle at sun-
rise or sunset.)
–When a sudden change in brightness
occurs. (For example, when the vehicle
enters or exits a tunnel or under a
bridge.)
–When there is poor visibility. (For ex-
ample, due to insufficient illumination of
the road, or due to snow, rain, fog or
spray.
–When there is glare. (For example, from
oncoming traffic, the sun or reflection
when the road is wet).
5-32Starting and driving
IPA is an electronic parking aid with ultrasound.
It detects vehicles and open spaces on both
sides of the vehicle. A parking symbol indicates
a suitable parking space. Active steering inter-
vention can assist you during parking and when
exiting a parking space. The driver controls the
accelerator, brake and gear shift. You may also
use the parking sensor system (seeParking
sensor system (if equipped)later in this sec-
tion).
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTES
WARNING
•IPA is only an aid. It is not a substitute for
your attention to the immediate surround-
ings. The responsibility for safe maneuver-
ing and parking remains with you.
•Make sure that no persons, animals or ob-
jects are in the maneuvering range
•When the parking sensor system is deacti-
vated, IPA is also unavailable.
•While parking or pulling out of a parking
space, the vehicle swings out and can drive
onto areas of the oncoming lane. This could
cause you to collide with other road users.
There is a risk of an accident.
•Pay attention to other road users. Stop the
vehicle if necessary or cancel the IPA park-
ing procedure
•This system is not designed to prevent con-
tact with small or moving objects.
•If your vehicle sustains damage to the bumper
fascia, leaving it misaligned or bent, the sens-
ing zone may be altered causing inaccurate
measurement of obstacles or false alarms.
•This system is not designed to prevent con-
tact with small or moving objects.
•If your vehicle sustains damage to the bumper
fascia, leaving it misaligned or bent, the sens-
ing zone may be altered causing inaccurate
measurement of obstacles or false alarms.
CAUTION
Do not drive over obstacles such as curbs, as
you may damage the wheels or tires.
IPA may also display spaces not suitable for
parking, for example:
•Parking or stopping prohibition.
•In front of driveways or entrances and exits.
•Unsuitable surfaces.Parking tips:
•On narrow roads, drive as closely as pos-
sible past the parking space.
•Parking spaces that are littered or over-
grown might be identified or measured incor-
rectly.
•Parking spaces that are partly occupied by
trailer towing bars might not be identified as
such or be measured incorrectly.
•Snowfall or heavy rain may lead to a parking
space being measured inaccurately.
•Pay attention to the parking sensor system
warning messages during the parking proce-
dure.
•You can intervene in the steering procedure
to correct it at any time. IPA will then be
canceled.
•When transporting a load which protrudes
from your vehicle, you should not use IPA.
•Never use IPA when snow chains are fitted.
•Make sure that the tire pressures are always
correct. This has a direct influence on the
parking characteristics of the vehicle.
INTELLIGENT PARKING ASSIST (IPA) (IF
EQUIPPED)
5-68Starting and driving
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) modelsin 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
When the brake pedal is depressed slowly and
firmly, you may hear a clicking noise and feel a
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 brakes
return 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.
5-88Starting and driving
•When driving on extremely inclined sur-
faces such as higher banked corners, the
VDC system may not operate properly and
the VDC warning light
may illuminate.
Do not drive on these types of roads.
•When driving on an unstable surface such
as a turntable, ferry, elevator or ramp, the
VDC warning light
may 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 prevail-
ing 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.
Starting and driving5-91
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 fendersor 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 under
your vehicle. Keep snow clear of the exhaust
pipe and from around your vehicle.
5-94Starting and driving
TIRE CHAINS
CAUTION
Tire chains/cables should not be installed on
235/45 R19 or 235/50 R18 size tires. Installa-
tion of the tire chains/cables on 235/45 R19 or
235/50 R18 size tires will cause damage to the
vehicle. If you plan to use tire chains/cables,
you should install 215/60 R17 size tires on your
vehicle.
Use of tire chains may be prohibited according
to location. Check the local laws before install-
ing tire chains. When installing tire chains,
make sure that they are of 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 possibility of
whipping action damage to the fenders or un-
derbody. If possible, avoid fully loading your
vehicle when using tire chains. In addition,
drive at a reduced speed. Otherwise, your ve-
hicle may be damaged and/or vehicle handling
and performance may be adversely affected.
Tire chains must be installed only on the front
wheels and not on the rear wheels.Never install tire chains on a T-type spare tire
(TEMPORARY USE ONLY).
Do not drive with tire chains on paved roads
which are clear of snow. Driving with chains in
such conditions can cause damage to the vari-
ous mechanisms of the vehicle due to some
overstress.
1: Wear indicator
2: Location mark
TIRE WEAR AND DAMAGE
WARNING
•Tires should be periodically inspected for
wear, cracking, bulging or objects caught in
the tread. If excessive wear, cracks, bulging
or deep cuts are found, the tire should be
replaced immediately.
•The original tires have a built-in tread wear
indicator. When the wear indicator is vis-
ible, the tire should be replaced.
SDI1663Z
Do-it-yourself8-33