HYBRID VEHICLE CHARACTER-
ISTICS
WARNING
.When you leave your vehicle, be sure
to place the ignition switch in the
OFF position.
. Be sure to put the transmission in the
P (Park) position because the vehicle
can move when the READY to drive
indicator light is on even if the gaso-
line engine is not running. When the
READY to drive indicator light is on,
do not leave your vehicle in a shift
position other than the P (Park)
position. The vehicle will creep and
start abruptly if the accelerator pedal
is depressed by mistake. This may
cause serious injury or death.
CAUTION
If the vehicle is parked for a long period
of time, the battery discharges gradu-
ally. To avoid this occurrence, drive the
vehicle for approximately 30 minutes at
least once every two to three months.
Otherwise, the Lithium ion (Li-ion) bat- tery may be damaged. If the Li-ion
battery is completely discharged and
the hybrid system cannot be activated,
it is recommended that you contact an
INFINITI retailer.
High voltage parts and harnesses on the
hybrid vehicles emit approximately the same
amount of electromagnetic waves as the
conventional gasoline-powered vehicles or
home electronic appliances despite of their
electromagnetic shieldings. Unwanted noise
may occur in the reception of a mobile two-
way radio.
Charging the Li-ion battery while driving is
important. The vehicle cannot run if the Li-
ion battery is discharged. When in the N
(Neutral), D (Drive) or R (Reverse) position,
and while the accelerator pedal or the brake
pedal is not depressed, the Li-ion battery
does not recharge. Leaving the transmission
in the N (Neutral), D (Drive) or R (Reverse)
position, and while the accelerator pedal or
the brake pedal is not depressed for an
extended period of time (for example, when
the shift lever is in the D (Drive) position and
the vehicle is stopped only by the parking
brake), may discharge the Li-ion battery and
the hybrid system may automatically be
turned off.
JVO0114X
An air ventis located on the right and left
sides between the rear seat and rear door to
cool the Li-ion battery and DC/DC conver-
ter. If the vent is covered, the Li-ion battery
or DC/DC converter will overheat resulting
in reduced output performance of the hybrid
system. See “Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery
and DC/DC converter air vent” (P.7-5).
Hybrid System OverviewHybrid System-11
0-10Illustrated table of contents
Warninglight Name
Page
12-volt battery charge
warning light 2-9
Anti-lock Braking System
(ABS) warning light2-10
Brake system warning light
(yellow)
2-10
Brake warning light (red) 2-10
Direct Response Hybrid®
System warning light 2-11
Forward Emergency Braking
(FEB) system warning light2-11
Low fuel warning light 2-12
Low tire pressure warning
light
2-12
Master warning light 2-13
Power steering warning light 2-14
Seat belt warning light 2-14
Supplemental air bag warn-
ing light2-14
Vehicle Dynamic Control
(VDC) warning light 2-15Indicator
light Name
Page
Approaching Vehicle Sound
for Pedestrians (VSP) OFF
indicator light 2-15
ECO drive indicator light 2-15
EV indicator light
2-15
Exterior light indicator 2-16
Front fog light indicator light 2-16
Front passenger air bag sta-
tus light2-16
High beam assist indicator
light (if so equipped)
2-16
High beam indicator light 2-16
Malfunction Indicator Light
(MIL)2-16
READY to drive indicator
light 2-17
Security indicator light 2-17
Turn signal/hazard indicator
lights2-17
Vehicle Dynamic Control
(VDC) off indicator light
2-17
WARNING AND INDICATOR LIGHTS
FRONT SEATS
Front power seat adjustment
Operating tips:
.The power seat motor has an auto-reset
overload protection circuit. If the motor
stops during operation, wait 30 seconds,
then reactivate the switch.
. Do not operate the power seat switch for
a long period of time when the INFINITI
Direct Response Hybrid
®System is not
running. This will discharge the 12-volt
battery.
See “Automatic drive positioner” (P.3-30)
for the seat position memory function.
SSS1051
Forward and backward:
Moving the switch
forward or backward
will slide the seat forward or backward to
the desired position.
Reclining:
Move the recline switch
backward until
the desired angle is obtained. To bring the
seatback forward again, move the switch
forward.
The reclining feature allows adjustment of
the seatback for occupants of different sizes
for added comfort and to help obtain proper
seat belt fit. (See “Precautions on seat belt
usage” (P.1-9).) Also, the seatback can be
reclined to allow occupants to rest when the vehicle is parked.
Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-3
1-16Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
WARNING
Do not allow children to play with the
seat belts. Most seating positions are
equipped with Automatic Locking Re-
tractor (ALR) mode seat belts. If the seat
belt becomes wrapped around a child’s
neck with the ALR mode activated, the
child can be seriously injured or killed if
the seat belt retracts and becomes tight.
This can occur even if the vehicle is
parked. Unbuckle the seat belt to release
the child. If the seat belt can not be
unbuckled or is already unbuckled, re-
lease the child by cutting the seat belt
with a suitable tool (such as a knife or
scissors) to release the seat belt.
Children need adults to help protect them.
They need to be properly restrained.
In addition to the general information in this
manual, child safety information is available
from many other sources, including doctors,
teachers, government traffic safety offices,
and community organizations. Every child is
different, so be sure to learn the best way to
transport your child.
There are three basic types of child restraint
systems: .
Rear-facing child restraint
. Forward-facing child restraint
. Booster seat
The proper restraint depends on the child’s
size. Generally, infants up to about 1 year
and less than 20 lbs (9 kg) should be placed
in rear-facing child restraints. Forward-
facing child restraints are available for
children who outgrow rear-facing child re-
straints and are at least 1 year old. Booster
seats are used to help position a vehicle lap/
shoulder belt on a child who can no longer
use a forward-facing child restraint.
WARNING
Infants and children need special protec-
tion. The vehicle’s seat belts may not fit
them properly. The shoulder belt may
come too close to the face or neck. The
lap belt may not fit over their small hip
bones. In an accident, an improperly
fitting seat belt could cause serious or
fatal injury. Always use appropriate
child restraints.
All U.S. states and Canadian provinces or
territories require the use of approved child
restraints for infants and small children. See
“Child restraints” (P.1-18). A child restraint may be secured in the
vehicle by using either the LATCH (Lower
Anchor and Tethers for CHildren) system or
with the vehicle seat belt. See “Child re-
straints” (P.1-18) for more information.
INFINITI recommends that all pre-teens and
children be restrained in the rear seat.
Studies show that children are safer when
properly restrained in the rear seat than in
the front seat.
This is especially important because your
vehicle has a supplemental restraint system
(Air bag system) for the front passenger.
See “Supplemental restraint system” (P.1-
37).INFANTS
Infants up to at least 1 year old should be
placed in a rear-facing child restraint.
INFINITI recommends that infants be placed
in child restraints that comply with Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards or Cana-
dian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. You
should choose a child restraint that fits your
vehicle and always follow the manufac-
turer’s instructions for installation and use.
CHILD SAFETY
SSS0140
SSS0162
SSS0159
WARNING
Front seat-mounted side-impact supple-
mental air bags and roof-mounted cur-
tain side-impact and rollover
supplemental air bags:
.The side air bags ordinarily will not
inflate in the event of a frontal
impact, rear impact, rollover or lower
severity side collision. Always wear
your seat belts to help reduce the risk
or severity of injury in various kinds
of accidents.
. The curtain air bags ordinarily will
not inflate in the event of a front impact, rear impact, or lower severity
side collision. Always wear your seat
belts to help reduce the risk or
severity of injury in various kinds of
accidents.
. The seat belts, side air bags and
curtain air bags are most effective
when you are sitting well back and
upright in the seat. The side air bag
and curtain air bag inflate with great
force. Do not allow anyone to place
their hand, leg or face near the side
air bag on the side of the seatback of
the front seat or near the side roof
rails. Do not allow anyone sitting in
the front seats or rear outboard seats
to extend their hand out of the
window or lean against the door.
Some examples of dangerous riding
positions are shown in the previous
illustrations.
. When sitting in the rear seat, do not
hold onto the seatback of the front
seat. If the side air bag inflates, you
may be seriously injured. Be espe-
cially careful with children, who
should always be properly restrained.
Some examples of dangerous riding
positions are shown in the illustra-
tions.
Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-41
12-volt battery charge warning lightMaster warning lightFront fog light indicator light
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning
lightPower steering warning lightFront passenger air bag status light
Seat belt warning light and chimeHigh beam assist indicator light (if so
equipped)
Brake system warning light (yellow)Supplemental air bag warning lightHigh beam indicator light
Brake warning light (red)Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) warning
lightMalfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
Direct Response Hybrid®System warn-
ing lightApproaching Vehicle Sound for Pedes-
trians (VSP) OFF indicator lightREADY to drive indicator light
Forward Emergency Braking (FEB) sys-
tem warning lightECO drive indicator lightSecurity indicator light
Low fuel warning lightEV indicator lightTurn signal/hazard indicator lights
Low tire pressure warning lightExterior light indicatorVehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) off in-
dicator light
CHECKING LIGHTS
With all doors closed, apply the parking
brake, fasten the seat belts and place the
ignition switch in the ON position without
starting the INFINITI Direct Response Hy-
brid
®System. The following lights (if so
equipped) will come on:
,or(red),,,,
The following lights (if so equipped) come on
briefly and then go off:
,or,,,,,(yellow) If any light does not come on or operates in a
way other than described, it may indicate a
burned-out bulb and/or a system malfunc-
tion. It is recommended you have the system
checked by an INFINITI retailer.
Some indicators and warnings are also
displayed in the vehicle information display
between the speedometer and tachometer.
(See “Vehicle information display” (P.2-18).)
WARNING LIGHTS
12-volt battery charge warn-
ing light
When the ignition switch is in the ON
position, the 12-volt battery charge warning
light illuminates. After starting the hybrid
system, the light turns off.
If the light continues to illuminate after
starting the hybrid system, it may indicate
the charging system is not functioning
Instruments and controls2-9
WARNING LIGHTS, INDICATOR
LIGHTS AND AUDIBLE REMINDERS
ler. (See “Brake fluid” (P.8-12).)
2. If the brake fluid level is correct, have the warning system checked. It is recom-
mended you have this service performed
by an INFINITI retailer.
Brake system malfunction warning:
If the brake warning light (red) and the
following warning light illuminate at the
same time when the parking brake is re-
leased and the brake fluid level is sufficient,
there may be a malfunction in the brake
system.
. Brake system warning light (yellow)
WARNING
If both the brake system warning light
(yellow) and the brake warning light
(red) illuminate when the parking brake
is released and the hybrid system is on,
do not drive the vehicle. More brake
pedal effort than normal will be required
and there will be a significant reduction
in brake performance, which could result
in an accident. Immediately stop the
vehicle in a safe location and it is
recommended you contact an INFINITI
retailer.
A chime sounds if a malfunction occurs in the brake system power supply.
.
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning
light
— Avoid driving at high speed and sud-
den braking, and see an INFINITI
retailer as soon as possible for an
inspection.
WARNING
.Your brake system may not be work-
ing properly if the brake warning
light (red) is on. Driving could be
dangerous. If you judge it to be safe,
drive carefully to the nearest service
station for repairs. Otherwise, have
your vehicle towed because driving it
could be dangerous.
. Pressing the brake pedal with the
hybrid system stopped and/or low
brake fluid level may increase your
stopping distance and braking will
require greater pedal effort as well as
pedal travel.
. If the brake fluid level is below the
minimum or MIN mark on the brake
fluid reservoir, do not drive until the
brake system has been checked. It is
recommended you visit an INFINITI
retailer for this service.
Direct Response Hybrid®Sys-
tem warning light
When the ignition switch is in the ON
position, the Direct Response Hybrid®Sys-
tem (hybrid system) warning light illumi-
nates. After starting the hybrid system, the
hybrid system warning light turns off.
If the hybrid system warning light illuminates
while driving, it may indicate that there is a
malfunction in the electric motor and/or
other hybrid system components.
Stop your vehicle immediately and it is
recommended that you contact your
INFINITI retailer.
If the hybrid system warning light blinks
while driving, it may indicate that the Li-ion
battery charge is low and you cannot
continue to drive.
Do not allow the vehicle to coast when the
Li-ion battery is low or when the hybrid
system warning light blinks while driving.
The engine will not automatically start to
charge the Li-ion battery while the vehicle is
coasting.
Forward Emergency Braking
(FEB) system warning light
This light comes on when the ignition switch
is placed in the ON position. It turns off after
Instruments and controls2-11
2-20Instruments and controls
INDICATORS FOR OPERATION
1. Hybrid system start operation
indicator
This indicator appears when the shift lever is
in the P (Park) position.
This indicator means that the INFINITI
Direct Response Hybrid
®System will start
by pushing the ignition switch with the brake
pedal depressed. You can start the hybrid
system directly in any position of the ignition
switch.
2. NO KEY warning
The warning appears when the door is
closed with the Intelligent Key left outside
the vehicle and the ignition switch in the
ACC or ON position. Make sure that the
Intelligent Key is inside the vehicle.
See “Intelligent Key system” (P.3-6) for more
details.
3. SHIFT “P” warning
This warning will appear in the following
conditions.
. When the shift lever is in any position
except P (Park) and the push button
ignition switch has been placed in the
OFF position from the ON position. .
When the shift lever is operated while the
READY to drive indicator light is flashing.
. The driver’s door is opened with the shift
lever in “N”, “D” or “R”.
. When the vehicle cannot be driven be-
cause the hybrid system temperature has
become too high.
. When the engine stops due to sudden
deceleration on a cold winter day.
. If a malfunction occurs in a situation
other than those described above and
the engine cannot start automatically.
When this warning appears, place the shift
lever in the P (Park) position.
When the SHIFT “P” warning appears, a
buzzer will sound.
This warning will turn off in the following
conditions.
. When the shift lever has been placed in
the P (Park) position.
. When the ignition switch has been
pushed to ON.4. Shift to Park - Li-ion battery low
warning
This warning appears when the shift lever is
in the “N” position and level of remaining
charge in the Li-ion battery is low.
When this warning appears, place the shift
lever in the P (Park) position. This will turn off in the following conditions.
.
When the shift lever has been placed in
the P (Park) position.
5. Shift to Park - Press brake and
start warning
This warning appears after the hybrid sys-
tem was automatically turned off if the level
of remaining charge in the Li-ion battery is
low.
When this warning appears, place the shift
lever in the P (Park) position and restart the
hybrid system.
6. “PUSH” warning
This warning appears when the shift lever is
moved to the P (Park) position with the
ignition switch in the ACC position after the
SHIFT “P” warning appears.
To push the ignition switch to the OFF
position, perform the following procedure:
. SHIFT “P” warning ?(Move the shift
lever to “P”) ?PUSH warning ?(Push
the ignition switch ?ignition switch
position is turned to ON) ?PUSH
warning ?(Push the ignition switch ?
ignition switch position is turned to OFF)