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●Before operating the vehicle, ensure
that the driver and all passengers have
their seat belts fastened.
● Always drive with the floor mats in place
as the floor may become hot.
● Lower your speed when encountering
strong crosswinds. With a higher center
of gravity, your INFINITI is more af-
fected by strong side winds. Slower
speeds ensure better vehicle control.
● Do not drive beyond the performance
capability of the tires, even with AWD
engaged.
● For AWD equipped vehicles, do not at-
tempt to raise two wheels off the
ground and shift the transmission to
any drive or reverse position with the
engine running. Doing so may result in
drivetrain damage or unexpected ve-
hicle movement which could result in
serious vehicle damage or personal
injury. ●
Do not attempt to test an AWD
equipped vehicle on a 2-wheel dyna-
mometer (such as the dynamometers
used by some states for emissions test-
ing) , or similar equipment even if the
other two wheels are raised off the
ground. Make sure you inform test facil-
ity personnel that your vehicle is
equipped with AWD before it is placed
on a dynamometer. Using the wrong
test equipment may result in drivetrain
damage or unexpected vehicle move-
ment which could result in serious ve-
hicle damage or personal injury.
● When a wheel is off the ground due to
an unlevel surface, do not spin the
wheel excessively.
● Accelerating quickly, sharp steering
maneuvers or sudden braking may
cause loss of control.
● If at all possible, avoid sharp turning
maneuvers, particularly at high speeds.
Your INFINITI vehicle has a higher cen-
ter of gravity than a passenger car. The
vehicle is not designed for cornering at
the same speeds as passenger cars.
Failure to operate this vehicle correctly
could result in loss of control and/or a
rollover accident. ●
Always use tires of the same type, size,
brand, construction (bias, bias-belted,
or radial) , and tread pattern on all four
wheels. Install tire chains on the front
wheels when driving on slippery roads
and drive carefully.
● Be sure to check the brakes immedi-
ately after driving in mud or water. For
additional information, refer to “Brake
system” in this section for “Wet
brakes”.
● Avoid parking your vehicle on steep
hills. If you get out of the vehicle and it
rolls forward, backward or sideways,
you could be injured.
● Whenever you drive off-road through
sand, mud or water as deep as the
wheel hub, more frequent maintenance
may be required. For additional infor-
mation, refer to “Periodic maintenance”
in the “Maintenance and schedules”
section of this manual.
5-12Starting and driving
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INTELLIGENT ALL-WHEEL DRIVE
(AWD) DRIVING SAFETY
PRECAUTIONS (if so equipped)
WARNING
●Replacing tires with those not originally
specified by INFINITI could affect the
proper operation of the TPMS.
● Always use tires of the same type, size,
brand, construction (bias, bias-belted
or radial) , and tread pattern on all four
wheels. Install tire chains on the front
wheels when driving on slippery roads
and drive carefully.
● This vehicle is not designed for offroad
(rough road) use. Do not drive on sandy
or muddy roads that tires may get stuck
in.
● For AWD equipped vehicles, do not at-
tempt to raise two wheels off the
ground and shift the transmission to
any D (Drive) or R (Reverse) position
with the engine running. Doing so may
result in drivetrain damage or unex-
pected vehicle movement which could
result in serious vehicle damage or per-
sonal injury. ●
Do not attempt to test an AWD
equipped vehicle on a 2-wheel dyna-
mometer, (such as the dynamometers
used by some states for emissions test-
ing) , or similar equipment even if the
other two wheels are raised off the
ground. Make sure you inform test facil-
ity personnel that your vehicle is
equipped with AWD before it is placed
on a dynamometer. Using the wrong
test equipment may result in drivetrain
damage or unexpected vehicle move-
ment which could result in serious ve-
hicle damage or personal injury.
● When a wheel is off the ground due to
an unlevel surface, do not spin the
wheel excessively.
WARNING
Do not operate the push-button ignition
switch while driving the vehicle except in
an emergency. The INFINITI Direct Re-
sponse Hybrid System will stop when the
ignition switch is pushed three consecu-
tive times or the ignition switch is pushed
and held for more than 2 seconds. If the
hybrid system is turned off while the ve-
hicle is being driven, this could lead to a
crash and serious injury.
PUSH-BUTTON IGNITION SWITCH
Starting and driving5-13
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When the ignition switch is pushed without de-
pressing the brake pedal, the ignition switch will
illuminate.
Push the ignition switch center:● Once to change to ACC.
● Two times to change to ON.
● Three times to return to OFF.
The ignition switch will automatically return to the
LOCK position when any door is either opened or
closed with the switch in the OFF position. The ignition lock is designed so that the ignition
switch position cannot be switched to OFF until
the shift lever is moved to the P (Park) position.
When the ignition switch cannot be pushed to-
ward the OFF position, proceed as follows:
1. Move the shift lever into the P (Park) posi- tion.
2. Push the ignition switch. The ignition switch position will change to the ON position.
3. Push the ignition switch again to the OFF position.
The shift lever can be moved from the P
(Park) position if the ignition switch is in
the ON position and the brake pedal is
depressed.
If the battery of the vehicle is discharged,
the push-button ignition switch cannot be
moved from the LOCK position.
Some indicators and warnings for operation are
displayed on the vehicle information display. For
additional information, refer to “Vehicle informa-
tion display” in the “Instruments and controls”
section of this manual.OPERATING RANGE
The Intelligent Key functions can only be used
when the Intelligent Key is within the specified
operating range.
When the Intelligent Key battery is almost dis-
charged or strong radio waves are present near
the operating location, the Intelligent Key sys-
tem’s operating range becomes narrower and
may not function properly.
If the Intelligent Key is within the operating range,
it is possible for anyone, even someone who does
not carry the Intelligent Key, to push the ignition
switch to start the hybrid system.
LSD2155LSD2020
5-14Starting and driving
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The operating range of the hybrid system start
function is inside of the vehicle
1.
● The luggage area is not included in the op-
erating range, but the Intelligent Key may
function.
● If the Intelligent Key is placed on the instru-
ment panel, inside the glove box, storage bin
or door pocket, the Intelligent Key may not
function.
● If the Intelligent Key is placed near the door
or window outside the vehicle, the Intelligent
Key may function.
PUSH-BUTTON IGNITION SWITCH
POSITIONS
OFF
The ignition switch is in the OFF position when
the hybrid system is turned off using the ignition
switch. No lights will illuminate on the ignition
switch.
ACC (Accessories)
This position activates electrical accessories,
such as the radio, when the hybrid system is not
running. ACC has a battery saver feature that will place
the ignition switch in the OFF position after a
period of time under the following conditions:
● All doors are closed.
● Shift lever is in P (Park) .
The battery saver feature will be canceled if any of
the following occur: ● Any door is opened.
● Shift lever is moved out of P (Park) .
● Ignition switch changes position.
ON (Normal operating position)
This position turns on the ignition system and
electrical accessories.
ON has a battery saver feature that will place the
ignition switch in the OFF position after some
time if the vehicle is not running under the follow-
ing conditions: ● All doors are closed.
● Shift lever is in P (Park) .
The battery saver feature will be canceled if any
door is open.
CAUTION
Do not leave the vehicle with the ignition
switch in ACC or ON positions when the
engine is not running for an extended pe-
riod. This can discharge the battery.
EMERGENCY HYBRID SYSTEM
SHUT OFF
To shut off the hybrid system in an emergency
situation while driving, perform the following pro-
cedure:
– Rapidly push the push-button ignition switch three consecutive times in less than 1.5 sec-
onds, or
– Push and hold the push-button ignition switch for more than 2 seconds.
Starting and driving5-15
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INFINITI INTELLIGENT KEY BATTERY
DISCHARGE
If the battery of the Intelligent Key is discharged,
or environmental conditions interfere with the
Intelligent Key operation, start the hybrid system
according to the following procedure:1. Place the shift lever in the P (Park) position.
2. Firmly apply the foot brake.
3. Touch the ignition switch with the Intelligent Key as illustrated. (A chime will sound.) 4. Push the ignition switch while depressing
the brake pedal within 10 seconds after the
chime sounds. The hybrid system will start.
After Step 3 is performed, when the ignition
switch is pushed without depressing the brake
pedal, the ignition switch position will change to
ACC.
NOTE: ● When the ignition switch is pushed to the
ACC or ON position or the hybrid system is
started by the above procedure, the Intelli-
gent Key battery discharge indicator ap-
pears in the vehicle information display even
when the Intelligent Key is inside the vehicle.
This is not a malfunction. To turn off the
Intelligent Key battery discharge indicator,
touch the ignition switch with the Intelligent
Key again.
● If the Intelligent Key battery discharge indi-
cator appears, replace the battery as soon
as possible. For additional information, refer
to “Battery replacement” in the “Do-it-
yourself” section of this manual.
INFINITI VEHICLE IMMOBILIZER
SYSTEM
The INFINITI Vehicle Immobilizer System will not
allow the hybrid system to start without the use of
the registered key.
If the hybrid system fails to start using the regis-
tered key, it may be due to interference caused by
another registered key, an automated toll road
device or automated payment device on the key
ring. Restart the hybrid system using the follow-
ing procedures:
1. Leave the ignition switch in the ON position for approximately 5 seconds.
2. Place the ignition switch in the OFF or LOCK position and wait approximately
5 seconds.
3. Repeat Step 1 and 2 again.
4. Restart the hybrid system while holding the device (which may have caused the interfer-
ence) separate from the registered key.
If the no start condition re-occurs, INFINITI rec-
ommends placing the registered key on a sepa-
rate key ring to avoid interference from other
devices.
SSD0860
5-16Starting and driving
Page 398 of 655

●Make sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.
● Check fluid levels such as engine oil, cool-
ant, brake fluid, and windshield-washer fluid
as frequently as possible, or at least when-
ever you refuel.
● Check that all windows and lights are clean.
● Visually inspect tires for their appearance
and condition. Also check tires for proper
inflation.
● Check that all doors are closed.
● Position seat and adjust head
restraints/headrests.
● Adjust inside and outside mirrors.
● Fasten seat belts and ask all passengers to
do likewise.
● Check the operation of warning lights when
the ignition switch is placed in the ON posi-
tion. For additional information, refer to
“Warning lights, indicator lights and audible
reminders” in the “Instruments and controls”
section of this manual. 1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever to P (Park) or N (Neu-
tral) . P (Park) is recommended.
The INFINITI Direct Response Hybrid
System is designed not to operate if
the shift lever is in any of the driving
positions.
3. Depress the brake pedal and push the igni- tion switch to start the hybrid system. The
READY to drive indicator will illuminate on
the meter.
When starting the hybrid system at
very low outside temperatures, the
READY to drive indicator light will flash
and it may take longer for the READY
to drive indicator light to illuminate.
When the READY to drive indicator
light is flashing, it cannot be shifted
out of P (Park) .
NOTE:
Do not start the vehicle in the N (Neutral)
position (cold conditions only) . ● The hybrid system may not start even with
the READY to drive indicator light illumi-
nated. Once the READY to drive indicator
light is illuminated you may begin driving the
vehicle. NOTE:
Care should be taken to avoid situations
that can lead to potential 12-volt battery
discharge and potential no-start conditions
such as:
1. Installation or extended use of elec-
tronic accessories that consume bat-
tery power when the engine is not run-
ning (Phone chargers, GPS, DVD
players, etc.) .
2. Vehicle is not driven regularly and/or
only driven short distances.
In these cases, the battery may need to be
charged to maintain 12-volt battery health.
REMOTE HYBRID START (if so
equipped)
Vehicles started with the remote hybrid start re-
quire the ignition switch to be placed in the ON
position before the shift lever can be moved from
the P (Park) position. To place the ignition switch
to the ON position, follow the steps: 1. Make sure that the Intelligent Key is on you.
2. Apply the brake.
3. Press the ignition switch once to the ON position.
BEFORE STARTING THE INFINITI
DIRECT RESPONSE HYBRID SYSTEM STARTING THE INFINITI DIRECT
RESPONSE HYBRID SYSTEM
Starting and driving5-17
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For additional information, refer to “INFINITI Intel-
ligent Key” in the “Pre-driving checks and adjust-
ments” section of this manual.CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE
TRANSMISSION (CVT)
WARNING
●Do not depress the accelerator pedal
while shifting from P (Park) or N (Neu-
tral) to R (Reverse) , D (Drive) , or M
(Manual shift mode) . Always depress
the brake pedal until shifting is com-
pleted. Failure to do so could cause you
to lose control and have an accident.
● Cold engine idle speed is high, so use
caution when shifting into a forward or
reverse gear before the engine has
warmed up.
● Do not downshift abruptly on slippery
roads. this may cause a loss of control.
● Never shift to either the P (Park) or R
(Reverse) position while the vehicle is
moving forward and P (Park) or D
(Drive) position while the vehicle is re-
versing. This could cause an accident or
damage the transmission.
● Except in an emergency, do not shift to
the N (Neutral) position while driving.
Coasting with the transmission in the N
(Neutral) position may cause serious
damage to the transmission.
CAUTION
To avoid possible damage to your vehicle,
when stopping the vehicle on an uphill
grade, do not hold the vehicle by depress-
ing the accelerator pedal. The foot brake
should be used for this purpose.
The CVT in your vehicle is electronically con-
trolled to produce maximum power and smooth
operation.
The recommended operating procedures for this
transmission are shown on the following pages.
Follow these procedures for maximum vehicle
performance and driving enjoyment.
Engine power may be automatically re-
duced to protect the CVT if the engine
speed increases quickly when driving on
slippery roads or while being tested on
some dynamometers.
Starting the vehicle
1. After starting the hybrid system, fully de- press the foot brake pedal before moving the
shift lever out of the P (Park) position.
This CVT is designed so that the foot
brake pedal must be depressed before
shifting from P (Park) to any driving
position while the ignition switch is in
the ON position.
DRIVING THE VEHICLE
5-18Starting and driving
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The shift lever cannot be moved out of
the P (Park) position and into any of
the other positions if the ignition
switch is placed in the LOCK, OFF or
ACC position while the ready light illu-
minates.
2. Keep the foot brake pedal depressed and move the shift lever to a driving position.
3. Release the parking brake and foot brake pedal and then gradually start the vehicle in
motion.
WARNING
●Do not depress the accelerator pedal
while shifting from P (Park) or N (Neu-
tral) to R (Reverse) or D (Drive) position.
Always depress the brake pedal until
shifting is completed. Failure to do so
could cause you to lose control and
have an accident.
● Cold engine idle speed is high, so use
caution when shifting into a forward or
reverse gear before the engine has
warmed up.
● Do not downshift abruptly on slippery
roads. This may cause a loss of control. ●
Never shift to either the P (Park) or R
(Reverse) position while the vehicle is
moving forward and P (Park) or D
(Drive) position while the vehicle is re-
versing. This could cause an accident or
damage the transmission.
CAUTION
● To avoid possible damage to your ve-
hicle, when stopping the vehicle on an
uphill grade, do not hold the vehicle by
depressing the accelerator pedal. The
foot brake should be used for this
purpose.
● Except in an emergency, do not shift to
the N (Neutral) position while driving.
Coasting with the transmission in the N
(Neutral) position may cause serious
damage to the transmission.
Shifting
Press the button while depressing the
brake pedal
Press the button to shift
Shift without pressing button
After starting the hybrid system, fully depress the
brake pedal, press the shift lever button and
move the shift lever from the P (Park) position to
any of the desired shift positions.
LSD2358
Starting and driving5-19