The Idling Stop System activates to prevent
unnecessary fuel consumption, exhaust
emissions and noise.
.When you fully depress the brake pedal
to stop the vehicle, the engine is turned
off automatically.
.When you release the brake pedal to
begin moving again, the engine is turned
on automatically.
WARNING
The engine restarts if the vehicle moves
at approximately 1 MPH (2 km/h) or
more (on a downhill grade, etc.), while
the engine is turned off by the Idling
Stop System. Depress the brake pedal
immediately to stop the vehicle to pre-
vent an accident.
CAUTION
At the end of the journey the engine
must be stopped and ignition switch be
turned off. Lock the vehicle as normal.
Turning the ignition switch OFF will shut
down all electrical systems. Failure to do
this may result in a discharged battery.NOTE:
The Idling Stop System will not activate
under the following conditions:
.when the engine is kept idling without
the vehicle being driven after the engine
is turned on.
.when the engine coolant temperature is
low.
.when the battery capacity is low.
.when the battery temperature is low or
extremely high.
.when the vehicle is moving.
.when a negative pressure booster de-
creases.
.when the engine hood is opened with the
engine running.
.when the engine is turned on with the
engine hood open.
.when the driver’s seat belt is not fas-
tened.
.when the driver’s door is open.
.when the steering wheel is operated.
.when the angle of steering wheel is not
straight.
.when the Idling Stop System indicator
blinks at a low speed.
.when the fan speed control is in any
position other than “OFF” (0) while the
air flow control is in the front defroster
position..when the front defroster switch is on.
.when the rear window defroster switch
is on.
.When the temperature inside the vehicle
is lower than approximately 68°F
(20°C).
.When the temperature inside the vehicle
is higher than approximately 86°F
(30°C). (When the air conditioner is
off, the Idling Stop System will operate.)
.When the fan speed of the air condi-
tioner is set to the maximum speed.
.when the Idling Stop OFF switch is
turned on.
.when the power consumption is large.
.when the vehicle is traveling at altitudes
higher than 8,203 ft (2,500 m).
.when the accelerator pedal is depressed.
.when the shift lever is in the R (Reverse)
position.
.when the brake pedal is not firmly
depressed.
.when stopping the vehicle on steep
sloping roads.
NOTE:
The engine will not restart even if the brake
pedal is released while the Idling Stop
System is activated when the shift lever is
in the P (Park) position.
Starting and driving5-139
IDLING STOP SYSTEM (if so equipped)
5-140Starting and driving
NOTE:
It may take some time until the Idling Stop
System activates under the following con-
ditions:
.when the battery is discharged.
.when the outside temperature is low or
high.
.when the battery is replaced or the
battery terminal is disconnected for
extended periods and then reconnected.
NOTE:
When the Idling Stop System indicator light
illuminates, the engine starts running auto-
matically under at least one of the following
conditions:
.The brake pedal is released with the shift
lever in the D (Drive) or N (Neutral)
position.
.The shift lever is placed in the D (Drive)
or R (Reverse) position from the N
(Neutral) or P (Park) position.
.The driver’s seat belt is unfastened, or
the driver’s door is open.
.The battery voltage becomes low (due to
electrical load from other vehicle sys-
tems like headlights, heaters, etc., or
auxiliary devices connected to the 12
volt socket inside the vehicle).
.The vehicle speed is above about 1 MPH
(2 km/h)..The front defroster is operated.
.The rear window defroster is operated.
.When the temperature inside the vehicle
is lower than approximately 68°F
(20°C).
.When the temperature inside the vehicle
is higher than approximately 86°F
(30°C). (When the air conditioner is
off, the Idling Stop System will operate.)
.When the front defroster is turned on.
(The engine may not starts depending
on the outside temperature.)
.When more than 3 minutes have elapsed
since the Idling Stop System was active.
.When the accelerator pedal is depressed.
.When the steering wheel is operated.
(The steering wheel operation may be-
come heavy, but this is not a malfunc-
tion.)
.When the battery capacity is low.
.When the power consumption is high.
.When the shift lever is placed in the R
(Reverse) position.
NOTE:
The following condition will prevent the
Idling Stop System from automatically re-
starting the engine. Starting the engine
with the ignition switch operation is then
necessary:.The hood is open.
Use this system while waiting at stoplight,
etc. When the vehicle is stopped for long
periods of time, turn off the engine.
When the engine is stopped by the Idling
Stop System, heating, cooling and dehumi-
difying functions will be deactivated. To
avoid the air conditioning functions from
being deactivated, turn off the Idling Stop
mode by pushing the Idling Stop OFF switch.
RETROGRADE MOVEMENT
CONTROL FUNCTION
This system is designed to reduce the retro-
grade movement that occurs while the
driver’s foot changes from depressing the
brake pedal to the accelerator pedal when
moving the vehicle while the Idling Stop
System is active on a hilly road.
IDLING STOP SYSTEM DISPLAY
The status of the Idling Stop System can be
checked in the vehicle information display.
5-144Starting and driving
Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
models
If you install snow tires, they must also be
the same size, brand, construction and tread
pattern on all four wheels.
SPECIAL WINTER EQUIPMENT
It is recommended that the following items
be carried in the vehicle during winter:
.A scraper and stiff-bristled brush to
remove ice and snow from the windows
and wiper blades.
.A sturdy, flat board to be placed under
the jack to give it firm support.
.A shovel to dig the vehicle out of
snowdrifts.
.Extra window washer fluid to refill the
reservoir tank.
DRIVING ON SNOW OR ICE
WARNING
.Wet ice (32°F, 0°C and freezing rain),
very cold snow or ice can be slick and
very hard to drive on. The vehicle will
have much less traction or “grip”
under these conditions. Try to avoid
driving on wet ice until the road is
salted or sanded..Whatever the condition, drive with
caution. Accelerate and slow down
with care. If accelerating or down-
shifting too fast, the drive wheels will
lose even more traction.
.Allow more stopping distance under
these conditions. Braking should be
started sooner than on dry pave-
ment.
.Allow greater following distances on
slippery roads.
.Watch for slippery spots (glare ice).
These may appear on an otherwise
clear road in shaded areas. If a patch
of ice is seen ahead, brake before
reaching it. Try not to brake while on
the ice, and avoid any sudden steer-
ing maneuvers.
.Do not use the cruise control on
slippery roads.
.Snow can trap dangerous exhaust
gases under your vehicle. Keep snow
clear of the exhaust pipe and from
around your vehicle.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER (if so
equipped)
Engine block heaters are used to assist in
cold temperature starting.
The engine block heater should be used
when the outside temperature is 20°F
(−7°C) or lower.
To use the engine block heater
1. Turn the engine off.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the engine
block heater cord.
3. Plug the engine block heater cord into a
grounded 3-wire, 3-pronged extension
cord.
4. Plug the extension cord into a Ground
Fault Interrupt (GFI) protected,
grounded 110-volt AC (VAC) outlet.
5. The engine block heater must be plugged
in for at least 2 - 4 hours, depending on
outside temperatures, to properly warm
the engine coolant. Use an appropriate
timer to turn the engine block heater on.
6. Before starting the engine, unplug and
properly store the cord to keep it away
from moving parts.
INFINITI retailer.Do not attempt to start the engine by
pushing.
CAUTION
.Automatic Transmission (AT) models
cannot be push-started or tow-
started. Attempting to do so may
cause transmission damage.
.Three-way catalyst equipped models
should not be started by pushing
since the three-way catalyst may be
damaged.
.Never try to start the vehicle by
towing it; when the engine starts,
the forward surge could cause the
vehicle to collide with the tow vehi-
cle.
CAUTION
.Do not continue to drive if your
vehicle overheats. Doing so could
cause engine damage or a vehicle fire.
.To avoid the danger of being scalded,
never remove the radiator cap while
the engine is still hot. When the
radiator cap is removed, pressurized
hot water will spurt out, possibly
causing serious injury.
.Do not open the hood if steam is
coming out.
If your vehicle is overheating (indicated by an
extremely high temperature gauge reading),
or if you feel a lack of engine power, detect
abnormal noise, etc., take the following
steps:
1. Move the vehicle safely off the road,
apply the parking brake and move the
shift lever to the P (Park) position.
Do not stop the engine.
2. Turn off the climate control. Open all the
windows, move the heater or air condi-
tioner temperature control to maximum
hot and fan control to high speed.
3. If engine overheating is caused by climb-
ing a long hill on a hot day, run the engine
In case of emergency6-21
PUSH STARTING IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS
6-22In case of emergency
at a fast idle (approximately 1,500 rpm)
until the temperature gauge indication
returns to normal.
4. Get out of the vehicle. Look and listen for
steam or coolant escaping from the
radiator before opening the hood. (If
steam or coolant is escaping, turn off the
engine.) Do not open the hood further
until no steam or coolant can be seen.
5. Open the engine hood.
WARNING
If steam or water is coming from the
engine, stand clear to prevent getting
burned.
6. Visually check drive belts for damage or
looseness. Also check if the cooling fan is
running. The radiator hoses and radiator
should not leak water. If coolant is
leaking or the cooling fan does not run,
stop the engine.
WARNING
Be careful not to allow your hands, hair,
jewelry or clothing to come into contact
with, or get caught in, engine belts or the
engine cooling fan. The engine coolingfan can start at any time.
7. After the engine cools down, check the
coolant level in the reservoir tank with
the engine running. Add coolant to the
reservoir tank if necessary. Have your
vehicle repaired. It is recommended you
visit an INFINITI retailer for this service.When towing your vehicle, all State (Pro-
vincial in Canada) and local regulations for
towing must be followed. Incorrect towing
equipment could damage your vehicle. Tow-
ing instructions are available from an
INFINITI retailer. Local service operators
are familiar with the applicable laws and
procedures for towing. To assure proper
towing and to prevent accidental damage to
your vehicle, INFINITI recommends that you
have a service operator tow your vehicle. It is
advisable to have the service operator care-
fully read the following precautions.
WARNING
.Never ride in a vehicle that is being
towed.
.Never get under your vehicle after it
has been lifted by a tow truck.
CAUTION
.When towing, make sure that the
transmission, axles, steering system
and powertrain are in working con-
dition. If any unit is damaged, dollies
must be used.
.Always attach safety chains before
TOWING YOUR VEHICLE
7-2Appearance and care
In order to maintain the appearance of your
vehicle, it is important to take proper care of
it.
To protect the paint surface, wash your
vehicle as soon as you can:
.after a rainfall to prevent possible da-
mage from acid rain
.after driving on coastal roads
.when contaminants such as soot, bird
droppings, tree sap, metal particles or
bugs get on the paint surface
.when dust or mud builds up on the
surface
Whenever possible, store or park your
vehicle inside a garage or in a covered area.
When it is necessary to park outside, park in
a shady area or protect the vehicle with a
body cover.
Be careful not to scratch the paint surface
when putting on or removing the body
cover.WASHING
Wash dirt off the vehicle with a wet sponge
and plenty of water. Clean the vehicle
thoroughly using a mild soap, a special
vehicle soap or general purpose dishwashing
liquid mixed with clean, lukewarm (never hot)
water.
CAUTION
.Do not use car washes that use acid in
the detergent. Some car washes,
especially brushless ones, use some
acid for cleaning. The acid may react
with some plastic vehicle compo-
nents, causing them to crack. This
could affect their appearance, and
also could cause them not to function
properly. Always check with your car
wash to confirm that acid is not used.
.Do not wash the vehicle with strong
household soap, strong chemical de-
tergents, gasoline or solvents.
.Do not wash the vehicle in direct
sunlight or while the vehicle body is
hot, as the surface may become
water-spotted.
.Avoid using tight-napped or rough
cloths, such as washing mitts. Care
must be taken when removing caked-on dirt or other foreign substances so
the paint surface is not scratched or
damaged.
Rinse the vehicle again with plenty of clean
water.
Inside flanges, seams and folds on the doors,
hatches and hood are particularly vulnerable
to the effects of road salt. Therefore, these
areas must be regularly cleaned. Make sure
that the drain holes in the lower edge of the
door are open. Spray water under the body
and in the wheel wells to loosen the dirt and
wash away road salt.
Avoid leaving water spots on the paint
surface by using a damp chamois to dry the
vehicle.
WAXING
Regular waxing protects the paint surface
and helps retain new vehicle appearance.
Polishing is recommended to remove built-
up wax residue and to avoid a weathered
appearance before reapplying wax.
An INFINITI retailer can assist you in choos-
ing the proper product.
.Wax your vehicle only after a thorough
washing. Follow the instructions sup-
plied with the wax.
CLEANING EXTERIOR
8-16Do-it-yourself
.Pre-mix washer fluid concentrates
with water to the manufacturer’s
recommended levels before pouring
the fluid into the window washer
reservoir. Do not use the window
washer reservoir to mix the washer
fluid concentrate and water..Keep the battery surface clean and dry.
Clean the battery with a solution of
baking soda and water.
.Make certain the terminal connections
are clean and securely tightened.
.If the vehicle is not to be used for 30 days
or longer, disconnect the negative (−)
battery terminal cable to prevent dis-
charging it.
NOTE:
Care should be taken to avoid situations
that can lead to potential battery discharge
and potential no-start conditions such as:
1.Installation or extended use of electro-
nic accessories that consume battery
power when the engine is not running
(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 battery health.
CAUTION
When the battery cable is removed from
the battery terminal, do not close either
of front doors. The automatic window
adjusting function will not work, and the
side roof panel may be damaged.To disconnect the negative (−) battery
terminal, perform the procedure in the
following order. Otherwise, the window
and the side roof panel may contact and be
damaged.
1. Close the windows.
2. Open the hood.
3. Close and lock all the doors.
4. Disconnect the negative (−) battery
terminal.
5. Securely close the hood.
To connect the negative (−) battery terminal,
perform the procedure in the following
order. Otherwise, the window and the side
roof panel may contact and be damaged.
1. Unlock and open the driver side door. Do
not close the door.
2. Open the hood.
3. Connect the negative (−) battery term-
inal. Then close the hood.
4. Fully open the driver side door window.
5. Close the driver side door and the
window.WARNING
.Do not expose the battery to flames
or electrical sparks. Hydrogen gas
BATTERY
8-22Do-it-yourself
CLEANING
If your windshield is not clear after using the
windshield washer or if a wiper blade
chatters when running, wax or other materi-
al may be on the blade or windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with a
washer solution or a mild detergent. Your
windshield is clean if beads do not form
when rinsing with clear water.
Clean each blade by wiping it with a cloth
soaked in a washer solution or a mild
detergent. Then rinse the blade with clear
water. If your windshield is still not clear
after cleaning the blades and using the
wiper, replace the blades.
Worn windshield wiper blades can damage
the windshield and impair driver vision.
When a washer nozzle is clogged
If a washer nozzle is clogged or any
malfunction occurs, have it checked. It is
recommended you visit an INFINITI retailer
for this service. Do not attempt to clean the
nozzle using a needle or a pin. Doing so may
damage the nozzle.
SDI2048
REPLACING
Replace the wiper blades if they are worn.
Before replacing the wiper blades, the wiper
should be in the fully up position to avoid
scratching the engine hood or damaging the
wiper arm. To pull up the wiper arm, see
“Wiper and washer switch” (P.2-35).
1. Pull the wiper arm.
2. Push the release tab
, and then move
the wiper blade down the wiper arm
while pushing the release tab to remove.
3. Insert the new wiper blade onto the
wiper arm until a click sounds.
4. Rotate the wiper blade so the dimple is in
the groove.
CAUTION
.After wiper blade replacement, re-
turn the wiper arm to its original
position;
otherwise it may be damaged when
the hood is opened.
.Make sure the wiper blades contact
the glass; otherwise the arm may be
damaged from wind pressure.
WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES