2018 INFINITI Q50 traction control

When the power steering warning light
illuminates with the engine running, the
power assist to the steering will cease
operation but you will still have control of
the vehicle. At this time, greater steering
efforts are required to operate the steering
wheel, especially in sharp turns and at low
speeds.
See “Electric power steering type” (P.5-127).
Seat belt warning light and
chime
The light and chime remind you to fasten
seat belts. The light illuminates whenever
the ignition switch is pushed to the ON
position, and will remain illuminated until the
driver’s seat belt is fastened. At the same
time, the chime will sound for about 6
seconds unless the driver’s seat belt is
securely fastened.
The seat belt warning light for the front
passenger will illuminate if the seat belt is
not fastened when the front passenger’s
seat is occupied.
See “Seat belts” (P.1-12) for precautions on
seat belt usage.
Supplemental air bag warning
light
After pushing the ignition switch to the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light will illuminate. The supplemental air bag
warning light will turn off after about 7
seconds if the supplemental front air bag
and supplemental side air bag, curtain side-
impact air bag systems and/or pretensioner
seat belt are operational.
If any of the following conditions occur, the
supplemental front air bag, supplemental
side air bag, supplemental curtain side-
impact air bag and pretensioner seat belt
needs servicing.
. The supplemental air bag warning light
remains on after approximately 7 sec-
onds.
. The supplemental air bag warning light
flashes intermittently.
. The supplemental air bag warning light
does not come on at all.
It is recommended you visit an INFINITI
retailer for these services.
Unless checked and repaired, the Supple-
mental Restraint Systems and/or the pre-
tensioner seat belt may not function
properly.
For additional information, see “Supplemen- tal restraint system” (P.1-42).WARNING
If the supplemental air bag warning light
is on, it could mean that the front air
bag, side air bag, curtain air bag systems
and/or pretensioner seat belt will not
operate in an accident. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have your
vehicle checked. It is recommended you
visit an INFINITI retailer for this service.
Vehicle Dynamic Control
(VDC) warning light
When the ignition switch is in the ON
position, the Vehicle Dynamic Control
(VDC) warning light illuminates and then
turns off.
The light will blink when the VDC system or
the traction control system is operating, thus
alerting the driver that the vehicle is nearing
its traction limits. The road surface may be
slippery.
When the VDC warning light illuminates
when the VDC system is turned on, this light
alerts the driver to the fact that the VDC
system’s fail-safe mode is operating, for
example the VDC, active trace control func-
Instruments and controls2-15

2-18Instruments and controls
Turn signal/hazard indicator
lights
The light flashes when the turn signal switch
lever or hazard switch is turned on.
Vehicle Dynamic Control
(VDC) off indicator light
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the light will come on and then turn
off.
The light comes on when the VDC off switch
is pushed to OFF. This indicates that the
VDC system and traction control system are
not operating.
AUDIBLE REMINDERS
Key reminder chime
A chime will sound if the driver side door is
opened while the ignition switch is pushed to
the ACC position. Make sure the ignition
switch is pushed to the OFF position, and
take the Intelligent Key with you when
leaving the vehicle.
Light reminder chime
A chime will sound when the driver side door
is opened with the light switch in theorposition and the ignition switch in the ACC, OFF or LOCK position.
Turn the light switch off when you leave the
vehicle.
Parking brake reminder chime
The parking brake reminder chime will sound
if the vehicle is driven at more than 4 MPH (7
km/h) with the parking brake applied. Stop
the vehicle and release the parking brake.
Brake pad wear warning
The disc brake pads have audible wear
warnings. When a brake pad requires repla-
cement, it will make a high pitched scraping
sound when the vehicle is in motion. This
scraping sound will first occur only when the
brake pedal is depressed. After more wear of
the brake pad, the sound will always be
heard even if the brake pedal is not
depressed. Have the brakes checked as soon
as possible if the warning sound is heard.
Idling Stop System reminder buzzer
(if so equipped)
The Idling Stop System reminder buzzer will
sound if the engine hood is opened while the
Idling Stop System is activated.
NOTE:
Be sure to close the engine hood. When the
engine hood is open, the engine will be in the
normal stopped state. In this case, restart
the engine with the ignition switch.

5-80Starting and driving
A warning chime will sound and the “cur-
rently unavailable” warning message ap-
pears in the vehicle information display.
.When the INFINITI Drive Mode Selector
is turned to the SNOW mode (To use the
ICC system, turn the INFINITI Drive
Mode Selector to a mode other than
the SNOW mode, push the MAIN switch
to turn off the ICC and reset the ICC
switch by pressing the MAIN switch
again.)
For details about the INFINITI Drive
Mode Selector, see “INFINITI Drive
Mode Selector” (P.5-22).
. When the VDC system is off (To use the
ICC system, turn on the VDC system.
Push the MAIN switch to turn off the
ICC system and reset the ICC switch by
pushing the MAIN switch again.)
For details about the VDC system, see
“Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system”
(P.5-132).
. When ABS or VDC (including the traction
control system) is operating
. When a wheel is slipping (To use the ICC
system, make sure the wheels are no
longer slipping.)
JVS0210X
System set display with vehicle ahead
System set display without vehicle
ahead
The driver sets the desired vehicle speed
based on the road conditions. The ICC
system maintains the set vehicle speed,
similar to standard cruise control, as long
as no vehicle is detected in the lane ahead.
The ICC system displays the set speed.
Vehicle detected ahead:
When a vehicle is detected in the lane ahead,
the ICC system decelerates the vehicle by
controlling the throttle and applying the
brakes to match the speed of a slower
vehicle ahead. The system then controls the vehicle speed based on the speed of the
vehicle ahead to maintain the driver selected
distance.
NOTE:
.
The stoplights of the vehicle come on
when braking is performed by the ICC
system.
. When the brake operates, a noise may be
heard. This is not a malfunction.
When a vehicle ahead is detected, the
vehicle ahead detection indicator comes on.
The ICC system will also display the set
speed and selected distance.

5-84Starting and driving
roads or when entering or exiting a curve. In
these cases you will have to manually
control the proper distance ahead of your
vehicle.
Also, the sensor sensitivity can be affected
by vehicle operation (steering maneuver or
driving position in the lane) or traffic or
vehicle condition (for example, if a vehicle is
being driven with some damage).
Automatic cancellation
A chime sounds under the following condi-
tions and the control is automatically can-
celed.
.When the vehicle ahead is not detected
and your vehicle is traveling below the
speed of 15 MPH (24 km/h)
. When the system judges the vehicle is at
standstill
. When the shift lever is not in the D
position or Manual mode
. When the parking brake is applied
. When the INFINITI Drive Mode Selector
is turned to the SNOW mode
. When the VDC system is turned off
. When ABS or VDC (including the traction
control system) operates
. When distance measurement becomes
impaired due to adhesion of dirt or
obstruction to the sensor .
When a wheel slips
. When the radar signal is temporarily
interrupted
Vehicle-to-vehicle distance control
mode limitations
WARNING
Listed below are the system limitations
for the ICC system. Failure to operate
the vehicle in accordance with these
system limitations could result in serious
injury or death.
. The system is primarily intended for
use on straight, dry, open roads with
light traffic. It is not advisable to use
the system in city traffic or con-
gested areas.
. This system will not adapt automati-
cally to road conditions. This system
should be used in evenly flowing
traffic. Do not use the system on
roads with sharp curves, or on icy
roads, in heavy rain or in fog.
. As there is a performance limit to the
distance control function, never rely
solely on the ICC system. This system
does not correct careless, inattentive
or absent-minded driving, or over- come poor visibility in rain, fog, or
other bad weather. Decelerate the
vehicle speed by depressing the brake
pedal, depending on the distance to
the vehicle ahead and the surround-
ing circumstances in order to main-
tain a safe distance between vehicles.
. If the vehicle ahead comes to a stop,
the vehicle decelerates to a standstill
within the limitations of the system.
The system will cancel once it judges
that the vehicle has come to a
standstill and sound a warning chime.
To prevent the vehicle from moving,
the driver must depress the brake
pedal.
. Always pay attention to the opera-
tion of the vehicle and be ready to
manually control the proper follow-
ing distance. The vehicle-to-vehicle
distance control mode of the ICC
system may not be able to maintain
the selected distance between vehi-
cles (following distance) or selected
vehicle speed under some circum-
stances.
. The system may not detect the
vehicle in front of you in certain road
or weather conditions. To avoid ac-
cidents, never use the ICC system
under the following conditions:

SSD0253
When driving on some roads, such as wind-
ing, hilly, curved, narrow roads, or roads
which are under construction, the radar
sensor may detect vehicles in a different
lane, or may temporarily not detect a vehicle
traveling ahead. This may cause the ICC
system to decelerate or accelerate the
vehicle.
The detection of vehicles may also be
affected by vehicle operation (steering man-
euver or traveling position in the lane, etc.) or
vehicle condition.If this occurs, the ICC
system may warn you by blinking the
system indicator and sounding the chime
unexpectedly. You will have to manually
control the proper distance away from the vehicle traveling ahead.
JVS0840X
Vehicle information display
MAIN switch
System temporarily unavailable
Condition A:
Under the following conditions, the ICC
system is automatically canceled. The chime
will sound and the “currently unavailable”
warning message will appear in the vehicle
information display.
.
When the VDC is turned off
. When the ABS or VDC (including the
traction control system) operates
. When a tire slips
Starting and driving5-87

3. 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).
System temporarily unavailable
A chime sounds under the following condi-
tions and the control is automatically can-
celed.
. When the vehicle slows down more than
8 MPH (13 km/h) below the set speed
. When the shift lever is not in the D (Drive)
or manual shift mode
. When the parking brake is applied.
. When the VDC operates (including the
traction control system)
. When a wheel slips
JVS0306X
Warning
When the system is not operating properly,
the chime sounds and the color of the cruise
indicator will change to orange.
Action to take:
If the color of the cruise indicator changes to
orange, stop the vehicle in a safe place and
place the shift lever in the P (Park) position.
Turn the engine off, restart the engine,
resume driving and then perform the setting
again.
If it is not possible to set or the indicator
stays on, it may indicate that the system is
malfunctioning. Although the vehicle is still
driveable under normal conditions, have the vehicle checked. It is recommended you visit
an INFINITI retailer for this service.
Starting and driving5-93

5-104Starting and driving
For details about the VDC system, see
“Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system”
(P.5-132)
. When the VDC or ABS (including the
traction control system) operates
. When the INFINITI Drive Mode Selector
is turned to the SNOW mode (To use the
DCA system, turn the INFINITI Drive
Mode Selector to a mode other than the
SNOW mode, then turn on the dynamic
driver assistance switch
.) For details
about the INFINITI Drive Mode Selector,
see “INFINITI Drive Mode Selector” (P.5-
22)
. When the radar signal is temporarily
interrupted
Action to take:
When the conditions listed above are no
longer present, turn the DCA system back on
to use the system.
Condition B
Under the following conditions, making it
impossible to detect a vehicle ahead, the
DCA system is automatically canceled.
The chime will sound, the driver assist
system forward indicator (orange) and the
“front radar obstruction” warning message
will appear in the vehicle information display. .
When the radar sensor area of the front
bumper is covered with dirt or is ob-
structed
Action to take:
If the driver assist system forward indicator
(orange) and the warning message appear,
stop the vehicle in a safe place, place the
shift lever in the P (Park) position and turn
the engine off. When the radar signal is
temporarily interrupted, clean the sensor
area of the front bumper and restart the
engine. If the warning message continues to
be displayed, have the DCA system checked.
It is recommended you visit an INFINITI
retailer for this service.
. When driving on roads with limited road
structures or buildings (for example, long
bridges, deserts, snow fields, driving next
to long walls)
Action to take:
When the above conditions no longer exist,
the DCA system will resume automatically.SYSTEM MALFUNCTION
When the DCA system is not operating
properly, the chime sounds, the driver assist
system forward indicator (orange) and the
system “malfunction” warning message will
appear in the vehicle information display. Action to take:
If the driver assist system forward indicator
(orange) and the warning message appear,
stop the vehicle in a safe place and place the
shift lever in the P (Park) position. Turn the
engine off, restart the engine, and turn on
the DCA system again.
If it is not possible to set the system or the
indicator stays on, it may indicate that the
system is malfunctioning. Although the
vehicle is still driveable under normal con-
ditions, have the vehicle checked. It is
recommended you visit an INFINITI retailer
for this service.
SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
The sensor for the DCA system is common
with the Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC)
system and is located behind the lower grille
of the front bumper.
For the sensor maintenance, see “Intelligent
Cruise Control (ICC)” (P.5-73).
FCC Notice:
For USA:
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
1.
This device may not cause harmful
interference, and

5-132Starting and driving
wheel from locking, the system helps the
driver maintain steering control and helps to
minimize swerving and spinning on slippery
surfaces.
Using the system
Depress the brake pedal and hold it down.
Depress the brake pedal with firm steady
pressure, but do not pump the brakes. The
ABS will operate to prevent the wheels from
locking up. Steer the vehicle to avoid
obstacles.
WARNING
Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so
may result in increased stopping dis-
tances.
Self-test feature
The ABS includes electronic sensors, electric
pumps, hydraulic solenoids and a computer.
The computer has a built-in diagnostic
feature that tests the system each time you
start the engine and move the vehicle at a
low speed in forward or reverse. When the
self-test occurs, you may hear a “clunk”
noise and/or feel a pulsation in the brake
pedal. This is normal and does not indicate a
malfunction. If the computer senses a mal-function, it switches the ABS off and
illuminates the ABS warning light on the
instrument panel. The brake system then
operates normally, but without anti-lock
assistance.
If the ABS warning light illuminates during
the self-test or while driving, have the
vehicle checked. It is recommended you visit
an INFINITI retailer for this service.
Normal operation
The ABS operates at speeds above 3 to 6
MPH (5 to 10 km/h).
When the ABS senses that one or more
wheels are close to locking up, the actuator
rapidly applies and releases hydraulic pres-
sure. This action is similar to pumping the
brakes very quickly. You may feel a pulsation
in the brake pedal and hear a noise from
under the hood or feel a vibration from the
actuator when it is operating. This is normal
and indicates that the ABS is operating
properly. However, the pulsation may indi-
cate that road conditions are hazardous and
extra care is required while driving.
The Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system
uses various sensors to monitor driver inputs
and vehicle motion. Under certain driving
conditions, the VDC system helps to perform
the following functions.
.
Controls brake pressure to reduce wheel
slip on one slipping drive wheel so power
is transferred to a non slipping drive
wheel on the same axle.
. Controls brake pressure and engine out-
put to reduce drive wheel slip based on
vehicle speed (traction control function).
. Controls brake pressure at individual
wheels and engine output to help the
driver maintain control of the vehicle in
the following conditions:
— understeer (vehicle tends to not follow the steered path despite increased
steering input)
— oversteer (vehicle tends to spin due to certain road or driving conditions).
The VDC system can help the driver to
maintain control of the vehicle, but it cannot
prevent loss of vehicle control in all driving
situations.
When the VDC system operates, the VDC
warning light
in the instrument panel
flashes so note the following:
. The road may be slippery or the system
may determine some action is required to
help keep the vehicle on the steered path.
VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL
(VDC) SYSTEM