5-10Starting and driving
vehicle, road and traffic.
WARNING
The following actions can increase the
chance of losing control of the vehicle if
there is a sudden loss of tire air pressure.
Losing control of the vehicle may cause a
collision and result in personal injury.
.The vehicle generally moves or pulls
in the direction of the flat tire.
. Do not rapidly apply the brakes.
. Do not rapidly release the accelerator
pedal.
. Do not rapidly turn the steering
wheel.
1. Remain calm and do not overreact.
2. Maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel with both hands and try to hold
a straight course.
3. When appropriate, slowly release the accelerator pedal to gradually slow the
vehicle.
4. Gradually steer the vehicle to a safe location off the road and away from
traffic if possible.
5. Lightly apply the brake pedal to gradu- ally stop the vehicle. 6. Turn on the hazard warning flashers and
either contact a roadside emergency
service to change the tire or see “Jacking
up the vehicle and replacing tires” (P.8-
39) of this Owner’s Manual.DRINKING ALCOHOL/DRUGS
AND DRIVING
WARNING
Never drive under the influence of alco-
hol or drugs. Alcohol in the bloodstream
reduces coordination, delays reaction
time and impairs judgement. Driving
after drinking alcohol increases the like-
lihood of being involved in an accident
injuring yourself and others. Addition-
ally, if you are injured in an accident,
alcohol can increase the severity of the
injury.
INFINITI is committed to safe driving. How-
ever, you must choose not to drive under the
influence of alcohol. Every year thousands of
people are injured or killed in alcohol-related
accidents. Although the local laws vary on
what is considered to be legally intoxicated,
the fact is that alcohol affects all people
differently and most people underestimate
the effects of alcohol. Remember, drinking and driving don’t mix!
And that is true for drugs, too (over-the-
counter, prescription, and illegal drugs).
Don’t drive if your ability to operate your
vehicle is impaired by alcohol, drugs, or some
other physical condition.
INTELLIGENT ALL-WHEEL
DRIVE (AWD) DRIVING SAFETY
PRECAUTIONS (AWD models)
WARNING
.
Do not drive beyond the performance
capability of the tires, even with
Intelligent AWD engaged. Accelerat-
ing quickly, sharp steering maneuvers
or sudden braking may cause loss of
control.
. 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 rear wheels when driving on
slippery roads and drive carefully.
. This vehicle is not designed for off-
road (rough road) use. Do not drive
on sandy or muddy roads that tires
may get stuck in.
5-12Starting and driving
hybrid system.
.The trunk area is not included in the
operating range but the Intelligent Key
may function.
. If the Intelligent Key is placed on the
instrument panel, rear parcel shelf, inside
the glove box 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.
CAUTION
When pressing the ignition to the OFF
position, make sure the button is not
pressed twice. This may unintentionally
leave the vehicle in ACC or ON mode.
This may discharge the 12-volt battery.
JVS0266X
PUSH-BUTTON IGNITION
SWITCH OPERATION
When the ignition switch is pushed without
depressing the brake pedal, the ignition
switch position will change as follows:
. Push center once to change to ACC.
. Push center two times to change to ON.
. Push center three times to change to
OFF. (No position illuminates.)
. Push center four times to return to ACC.
. Open or close any door to return to
LOCK during the OFF position.
If the ignition switch is pushed quickly or is
rapidly pushed twice, the hybrid system may
not start. If this occurs, put the shift lever in the “P” (Park) position, and leave the ignition
switch in the “OFF” position for one minute.
Then depress the brake pedal and push the
ignition switch to “ON”. When the READY to
drive indicator light
illuminates, the
vehicle can be driven.
The ignition lock is designed so that the
ignition switch position cannot be switched
to LOCK until the shift lever is moved to the
P (Park) positon.
When the ignition switch cannot be
switched toward the LOCK position, move
the shift lever into the P (Park) position.
PUSH-BUTTON IGNITION
SWITCH POSITIONS
LOCK (Normal parking position)
The ignition switch can only be locked in this
position.
The ignition switch will be unlocked when it
is pushed to the ACC position while carrying
the Intelligent Key.
ACC (Accessories)
This position activates electrical accessories
such as the radio, when the hybrid system is
not running.
5-14Starting and driving
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 proce-
dures, the Intelligent Key battery dis-
charge indicator appears in the vehicle
information display even if the Intelli-
gent 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
indicator appears, replace the battery as
soon as possible. (See “Intelligent Key
battery replacement” (P.8-21).) .
Make sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.
. Check fluid levels such as engine oil,
coolant, brake fluid and window washer
fluid as frequently as possible, or at least
whenever you refuel.
. Check that all windows and lights are
clean.
. Visually inspect tires for their appearance
and condition. Also check tires for proper
inflation.
. Lock all doors.
. Position seat and adjust head restraints.
. 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 pushed to the
ON position. (See “Warning lights, in-
dicator lights and audible reminders”
(P.2-9).) 1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever to P (Park) position.
The INFINITI Direct Response Hybrid
®
System is designed not to operate if the
shift lever is not in the P (Park) position.
3. Depress the brake pedal and push the ignition switch to start the hybrid sys-
tem. The READY to drive indicator light
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.
. The hybrid system may not start even
with the READY to drive indicator light
illuminated. Once the READY to drive
indicator light is illuminated you may
begin driving the vehicle.
. You may hear a sound in the engine
compartment when the brake pedal is
depressed with the hybrid system off.
This does not indicate a problem.
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 electro-
nic accessories that consume 12-volt
BEFORE STARTING THE INFINITI
DIRECT RESPONSE HYBRID®SYSTEMSTARTING THE INFINITI DIRECT
RESPONSE HYBRID®SYSTEM
5-20Starting and driving
JVS0246X
How to enable/disable the NAVI Shift
Control:
Perform the following steps to enable or
disable the NAVI Shift Control.
1. Push the MENU button
and touch
[Settings] on the lower display.
2. Touch [Drive Mode Enhancement].
3. Touch [Navi Shift Control] and select the ON (enabled) or OFF (disabled).
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 outside the vehicle.
. Do not use the gear shift in place of
the parking brake. When parking, be
sure the parking brake is fully en-
gaged.
. 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 unat-
tended in your vehicle. Additionally,
the temperature inside a closed ve-
hicle on a warm day can quickly
become high enough to cause a sig-
nificant risk of injury or death to
people and pets.
SPA2331
To apply: Fully depress the parking brake
pedal.
To release:
1. Firmly apply the foot brake
.
2. Depress the parking brake pedal
and
the parking brake will be released.
3. Before driving, be sure the brake warning light goes out.
PARKING BRAKE
JVS0831X
Side indicator light
BCI ON indicator
Upper display
Lower display
JVS0173X
BCI SYSTEM OPERATION
When the shift lever is in the R (Reverse)
position and the vehicle speed is less than
approximately 5 MPH (8 km/h), the BCI
system operates.
If the radar detects a vehicle approaching
from the side or the sonar detects close
stationary objects behind the vehicle, the
system gives visual and audible warnings. If
the driver does not apply the brakes, the
system automatically applies the brake for a
moment when the vehicle is moving back-
wards. After the automatic brake applica-
tion, the driver must depress the brake pedal
to maintain brake pressure. If the driver’s
foot is on the accelerator pedal, the system
Starting and driving5-61
5-62Starting and driving
pushes the accelerator upward before ap-
plying the brake. If you continue to accel-
erate, the system will not engage the brake.
JVS0304X
Upper display
When the shift lever is placed in the R
(Reverse) position, the indicator on the BCI
system key
illuminates on the upper
display.
SSD1028
Side indicator light
JVS0307X
Upper display
5-68Starting and driving
— Severe weather
— Road spray
— Ice/frost/dirt build up on thevehicle
. Do not attach stickers (including
transparent material), install acces-
sories or apply additional paint near
the radar sensors. These conditions
may reduce the ability of the radar
sensors to detect other vehicles.
. The sonar sensors detect stationary
objects behind the vehicle. The sonar
sensor may not detect:
— Small or moving objects
— Wedge-shaped objects
— Object close to the bumper (less than approximately 1 ft (30 cm))
— Thin objects such as rope, wire and chain, etc.
. The brake engagement by the BCI
system is not as effective on a slope
as it is on flat ground. When on a
steep slope the system may not
function properly.
. Do not use the BCI system under the
following conditions because the sys-
tem may not function properly. — When driving with a tire that is
not within normal tire conditions
(for example, tire wear, low tire
pressure, installation of tire
chains, non-standard wheels).
— When the vehicle is equipped with non-original brake parts or sus-
pension parts.
. Excessive noise (for example, audio
system volume, open vehicle window)
will interfere with the chime sound,
and it may not be heard.
JVS0824X
Vehicle information display
SYSTEM TEMPORARILY UNA-
VAILABLE
If the following message appears in the
vehicle information display, a chime will
sound and the BCI system will be turned off
automatically.
. “Unavailable High Accelerator Temp.”:
If the vehicle is parked in direct sunlight
under high temperature conditions (over
approximately 104 °F (40 °C)) and then
started, the BCI system may be deacti-
vated automatically.
Action to take:
When the interior temperature is re-
5-72Starting and driving
.If you move the shift lever to N (Neutral)
position, the cruise control will be can-
celed.
To reset at a faster cruising speed, use one
of the following methods:
. Depress the accelerator pedal. When the
vehicle attains the desired speed, push
and release the SET/COAST (-) switch.
. Push and hold the RESUME/ACCELER-
ATE (+) switch. When the vehicle attains
the speed you desire, release the switch.
. Push, then quickly release the RESUME/
ACCELERATE (+) switch. Each time you
do this, the set speed will increase by
about 1 MPH (1.6 km/h).
To reset at a slower cruising speed, use one
of the following methods:
. Lightly tap the brake pedal. When the
vehicle attains the desired speed, push
the SET/COAST (-) switch and release it.
. Push and hold the SET/COAST (-)
switch. Release the switch when the
vehicle slows down to the desired speed.
. Push, then quickly release the SET/
COAST (-) switch. Each time you do this,
the set speed will decrease by about 1
MPH (1.6 km/h).
To resume the preset speed, push and
release the RESUME/ACCELERATE (+)
switch. The vehicle will resume the last set
cruising speed when the vehicle speed is over 25 MPH (40 km/h).
WARNING
Failure to follow the warnings and
instructions for proper use of the ICC
system could result in serious injury or
death.
.
ICC is not a collision avoidance or
warning device. For highway use only
and it is not intended for congested
areas or city driving. Failure to apply
the brakes could result in an accident.
. Always observe posted speed limits
and do not set the speed over them.
. Always drive carefully and atten-
tively when using either cruise con-
trol mode. Read and understand the
Owner’s Manual thoroughly before
using the cruise control. To avoid
serious injury or death, do not rely
on the system to prevent accidents or
to control the vehicle’s speed in
emergency situations. Do not use
cruise control except in appropriate
road and traffic conditions.
. In the conventional (fixed speed)
cruise control mode, a warning chime
will not sound to warn you if you are
too close to the vehicle ahead. Pay
special attention to the distance
between your vehicle and the vehicle
INTELLIGENT CRUISE CONTROL
(ICC) (if so equipped)