•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
NOTE
Activate VDC as soon as the situations described
above no longer apply. VDC will otherwise not be
able to stabilize the vehicle if the vehicle starts
to skid or a wheel starts to spin.
You can activate/deactivate VDC using the ve-
hicle information display. To activate/
deactivate VDC:
1. Start the engine
2. Press the
orbutton on the
steering wheel to select the [DriveAssist]
menu in the vehicle information display.
3. Press the
orbutton to select
VDC.
4. Press the
wheel. The current selection is displayed.
5. To activate/deactivate: press the
ton again.
VDC is deactivated if the
warning light
in the combination meter lights up continu-
ously when the engine is running.
Characteristics when VDC is deactivated
:
If VDC is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, theVDC warning lamp
flashes in the combination meter. In such situ-
ations, VDC will not stabilize the vehicle.If you deactivate VDC:
•VDC no longer intervenes in understeer or
oversteer situations.
•Engine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels are able to spin.
The spinning of the wheels results in a
cutting action, so the tires cut through the
loose surface until the hit solid ground,
giving better traction.
•Traction control is still activated.
•VDC still provides support when you brake.
EBD (ELECTRONIC BRAKE FORCE
DISTRIBUTION)
EBD monitors and controls the brake pressure
on the rear wheels to help improve handling
during braking.
WARNING
If EBD is malfunctioning, the EBD [Inoperative
See Operator’s Manual] warning is displayed
in the vehicle information display. The
VDC warning lamp may also light up.
If EBD is malfunctioning as a result of a VDC
malfunction, the rear wheels can lock, e.g. un-
der full braking. This increases the risk of skid-
ding and an accident.You should therefore adapt your driving style
to the different handling characteristics. Have
the brake system checked. It is recommended
you see an INFINITI retailer.
STEER CONTROL
STEER CONTROL helps you by transmitting a
noticeable steering force to the steering wheel
in the direction required for vehicle stabilisa-
tion.
This steering support is provided in particular if:
•Both right wheels or both left wheels are on
a wet or slippery road surface when you
brake.
•The vehicle starts to skid.
WARNING
No steering support is provided from STEER
CONTROL, if:
•VDC is malfunctioning.
•The steering is faulty.
Power steering will, however, continue to
function.
5-92Starting and driving
5. Tighten the wheel bolts securely using the
wheel wrench in the sequence as illustrated.
6. Lower the vehicle completely.
7. Install the wheel cover (if equipped).
Wheel
bolt tightening torque: 96 ft-lb (130 N•m, 13
kg-m)
As soon as possible, tighten the wheel bolts to
the specified torque with a torque wrench.
The wheel bolts must be kept tightened to
specification at all times. It is recommended
that the wheel bolts be tightened to specifica-
tion at each maintenance interval.
Adjust the tire pressure to the COLD pressure.
COLD pressure is the tire pressure as measured
after the vehicle has been parked for three hours
or more or driven for less than 1 mile (1.6 km).
COLD tire pressures are shown on the tire and
loading information label affixed to the driver’s
side center pillar.
Wheel lock bolts(if equipped)
In order to prevent theft, the specially designed
wheel lock bolt is installed to each wheel. The
wheel lock bolt cannot be removed with the
commonly used tools.
When removing tires, use the lock key provided
with your vehicle.Removing the wheel lock bolt
:
1. Insert the wheel lock key1to the wheel
lock bolt.
2. To remove the wheel lock bolt, turn the
wheel lock key counterclockwise using the
wheel wrench.
CAUTION
•Do not use a power tool to remove the wheel
lock bolts.
•When installing the wheel, tighten the
wheel lock bolts to the same tightening
torque as the normal wheel bolts. For de-
tails, seeInstalling the wheelearlier in
this section.NOTE
•The wheel lock bolt has an individual code.
A wheel lock key with other than the indi-
vidual code cannot remove the wheel lock
bolt. If you lose the wheel lock key, it is
recommended you contact an INFINITI re-
tailer for a duplicate with the original wheel
lock key code.
•Record the key number and keep it in a safe
place, not in the vehicle.
•When you ask for a service at an INFINITI
retailer, make sure to keep the lock key in
the vehicle. Otherwise, wheels cannot be
removed and the service cannot be per-
formed.
NCE143Z
In case of emergency6-9
•Tires degrade with age and use. Have tires,
including the spare, over 6 years old
checked by a qualified technician because
some tire damage may not be obvious. Re-
place the tires as necessary to prevent tire
failure and possible personal injury.
•Improper service of the spare tire may re-
sult in serious personal injury. If it is neces-
sary to repair the spare tire, it is recom-
mended that you visit an INFINITI retailer for
this service.
•For additional information regarding tires,
refer to “Important Tire Safety Information”
(US) or “Tire Safety Information” (Canada)
in the Warranty Information Booklet.
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 visible,
the tire should be replaced.
Improper servicing of a tire may result in seri-
ous personal injury. If it is necessary to repair a
tire, it is recommended you contact an INFINITI
retailer.
TIRE ROTATION
INFINITI recommends rotating the tires every
5,000 miles (8,000 km).
For additional information on tire replacing
procedures, refer toFlat tirein the6. In case
of emergencysection.As soon as possible,
tighten the wheel nuts to the specified torque
with a torque wrench.
Wheel nut tightening torque: 96 ft-lb (130 N·m)
The wheel nuts must be kept tightened to speci-
fications at all times. It is recommended that
wheel nuts be tightened to specification at each
tire rotation interval.
WARNING
•After rotating the tires, check and adjust
the tire pressure.
•Do not include the spare tire in the tire
rotation.
•For additional information regarding tires,
refer toImportant Tire Safety Information
(US) orTire Safety Informationin the War-
ranty Information Booklet.
REPLACING WHEELS AND TIRES
WARNING
Do not install a deformed wheel or tire even if it
has been repaired. Such wheels or tires could
have structural damage and could fail without
warning.
When replacing a tire, use the same size, speed
rating and load carrying capacity as originally
equipped. (SeeWheels and Tiresin the9.
Maintenance and SchedulesMaintenance and
Schedulessection for recommended types and
sizes of tires and wheels.)
If the wheels are changed for any reason,
always replace with wheels which have the
same offset dimension. Wheels of a different
offset could cause early tire wear, possibly
degraded vehicle handling characteristics
and/or interference with the brake discs/
drums. Such interference can lead to decreased
braking efficiency and/or early brake pad/shoe
wear.
8-34Do-it-yourself