.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.5-19).
. When the radar signal is temporarily
interrupted
Action to take:
When the conditions listed above are no
longer present, turn the system off with the
dynamic driver assistance switch
. Turn the
DCA system back on to use the system.
JVS0482X
Condition B:
The chime sounds and the DCA system
warning light (orange) will come on and the
“FRONT RADAR OBSTRUCTION” warning
will appear.
. When the radar sensor area is covered
with dirt or is obstructed, making it
impossible to detect a vehicle ahead,
the DCA system is automatically can-
celed.
Action to take:
If the warning light comes on, park the
vehicle in a safe place, place the shift lever in
the P (Park) position and turn the hybrid
system off. When the radar signal is tem-
porarily interrupted, clean the sensor area and restart the hybrid system. If the “FRONT
RADAR OBSTRUCTION” warning continues
to be displayed, have the vehicle checked. It
is recommended you visit an INFINITI re-
tailer 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), the system may illuminate
the DCA system warning light (orange)
and display the “FRONT RADAR OB-
STRUCTION” warning.
Action to take:
When the conditions listed above are no
longer present, turn the DCA system back on
to use the system.
Starting and driving5-99
5-100Starting and driving
SSD0999
SYSTEM MALFUNCTION
Condition:
When the DCA system is not operating
properly, the chime sounds and the system
warning light (“CRUISE” orange) will come
on.
Action to take:
If the warning light comes on, park the
vehicle in a safe place. Turn the hybrid
system off, restart the hybrid system, 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.
JVS0462X
SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
The sensor for the DCA systemis located
behind the lower grille of the front bumper.
The DCA system is designed to automati-
cally check the sensor’s operation. When the
sensor is covered with dirt or is obstructed,
the system will automatically be canceled. If
the sensor is covered with ice, a transparent
or translucent vinyl bag, etc., the DCA
system may not detect them. In these
instances, the DCA system may not be able
to decelerate the vehicle properly. Be sure to
check and clean the sensor regularly.
To keep the DCA system operating properly,
be sure to observe the following:
Condition B
In the following conditions, the FEB system
is automatically turned off. The FEB system
warning light (orange)
will illuminate and
the “FRONT RADAR OBSTRUCTION”
warning message will appear in the vehicle
information display.
. The sensor area on the front of the
vehicle is covered with dirt or is ob-
structed.
Action to take:
If the warning light (orange)
comes on,
stop the vehicle in a safe place, place the
shift lever in the P (Park) position and turn
the hybrid system off. Clean the radar cover
on lower grille with a soft cloth, and restart
the hybrid system. If the warning light
continues to illuminate, have the 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 FEB system will resume automatically.
Condition C
When the accelerator pedal actuator detects
that the internal motor temperature is high,
the FEB system is automatically turned off.
The FEB system warning light (orange)
will illuminate.
Action to take:
When the above conditions no longer exist,
the FEB system will resume automatically.
Condition D
When VDC system is OFF, the FEB brake
will not operate. In this case only visible and
audible warning operates. The FEB system
warning light (orange) will illuminate.
Action to take:
When the above conditions no longer exist,
the FEB system will resume automatically.
SYSTEM MALFUNCTION
If the FEB system malfunctions, it will be
turned off automatically, a chime will sound,
the FEB system warning light (orange)
will
illuminate.
Action to take:
If the warning light (orange)
illuminates,
stop the vehicle in a safe location and place
the shift lever in the P (Park) position. Turn
the hybrid system off and restart the hybrid
system. If the warning light continues to illuminate, have the system checked. It is
recommended you visit an INFINITI retailer
for this service.
Starting and driving5-107
Condition B
In the following conditions, the PFCW
system is automatically turned off. The
FEB system warning light (orange)
will
illuminate and the “FRONT RADAR OB-
STRUCTION” warning message will appear
in the vehicle information display.
. The sensor area on the front of the
vehicle is covered with dirt or is ob-
structed.
Action to take:
If the warning light (orange)
comes on,
stop the vehicle in a safe place, place the
shift lever in the P (Park) position and turn
the hybrid system off. Clean the radar cover
on lower grille with a soft cloth, and restart
the hybrid system. If the warning light
continues to illuminate, have the 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 PFCW system will resume automatically.
SYSTEM MALFUNCTION
If the PFCW system malfunctions, it will be
turned off automatically, a chime will sound,
the FEB system warning light (orange)
will
illuminate.
Action to take:
If the warning light (orange)
illuminates,
stop the vehicle in a safe location and place
the shift lever in the P (Park) position. Turn
the hybrid system off and restart the hybrid
system. If the warning light continues to
illuminate, have the system checked. It is
recommended you visit an INFINITI retailer
for this service.
JVS0462X
SENSOR MAINTENANCE
The sensoris located behind the lower
grille of the front bumper.
To keep the system operating properly, be
sure to observe the following:
. Always keep the sensor area of the front
bumper clean.
. Do not strike or damage the areas around
the sensor.
. Do not cover or attach stickers or similar
objects on the front bumper near the
sensor area. This could cause failure or
malfunction.
. Do not attach metallic objects near the
sensor area (brush guard, etc.). This
Starting and driving5-115
the road so the vehicle will move away
from the center of the road if it
moves.
4. Push the ignition switch to the OFF position.
WARNING
.If the hybrid system is not in the
READY to drive mode or is turned off
while driving, the power assist for the
steering will not work. Steering will
be harder to operate.
. When the power steering warning
light illuminates with the hybrid sys-
tem in the READY to drive mode,
there will be no power assist for the
steering. You will still have control of
the vehicle but the steering will be
harder to operate. Have the power
steering system checked. It is recom-
mended that visit an INFINITI retailer
for this service.
When the steering wheel is operated re-
peatedly or continuously while parking or
driving at a very low speed, or when the
steering wheel is operated keeping full-
steer, the power assist for the steering
wheel will be reduced. This is to prevent
overheating of the Hybrid EPS (Electrical
Power Steering) and protect it from getting
damaged. While the power assist is reduced,
steering wheel operation will become heavy.
but, this is not a malfunction. If the steering
wheel is still operated, the Hybrid EPS may
stop and the Hybrid EPS warning light will illuminate. Stop the hybrid system and push
the ignition switch to the “OFF” position. If
the steering wheel is not operated for a
while, the temperature of Hybrid EPS will go
down and the power assist level will return
to normal after starting the hybrid system.
Avoid repeating such steering wheel opera-
tions that could cause the electric power
steering system to overheat. You may hear a
operational noise from the vehicle when the
steering wheel is operated quickly this is not
malfunction.
Starting and driving5-119
POWER STEERING
5-120Starting and driving
BRAKING PRECAUTIONS
This vehicle is equipped with two braking
systems.
.Hydraulic brake system
. Regenerative brake system
Hydraulic brake system
The brake system has two separate hydrau-
lic circuits. If one circuit malfunctions, you
will still have braking at two wheels.
Regenerative brake system
Refer to the “Regenerative brake” (P.Hybrid
System-8).
Wet brakes
When the vehicle is washed or driven
through water, the brakes may get wet. As
a result, your braking distance will be longer
and the vehicle may pull to one side during
braking.
To dry brakes, drive the vehicle at a safe
speed while lightly tapping the brake pedal
to heat-up the brakes. Do this until the
brakes return to normal. Avoid driving the
vehicle at high speeds until the brakes
function correctly.
PARKING BRAKE BREAK-IN
Break in the parking brake shoes whenever
the stopping effect of the parking brake is
weakened or whenever the parking brake
shoes and/or drums/rotors are replaced, in
order to assure the best braking perfor-
mance.
This procedure is described in the vehicle
service manual. It is recommended you visit
an INFINITI retailer for this service.
Using the brakes
Avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal
while driving. This will cause overheating of
the brakes, wearing out the brake and pads
faster and reduce gas mileage.
To help save the brakes and to prevent the
brakes from overheating, reduce speed and
downshift to a lower gear before going
down a slope or long grade. Overheated
brakes may reduce braking performance and
could result in loss of vehicle control.
WARNING
.While driving on a slippery surface,
be careful when braking, accelerating
or downshifting. Abrupt braking or
accelerating could cause the wheels
to skid and result in an accident. .
If the INFINITI Direct Response Hy-
brid
®System is not running or is
turned off while driving, the power
assist for the brakes will not work.
Braking will be harder.
CAUTION
You may hear a operational noise when
the brake pedal is depressed. This is not
malfunction.
BRAKE SYSTEM
5-122Starting and driving
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 or
mortor output to reduce drive wheel slip
based on vehicle speed (traction control
function).
. Controls brake pressure at individual
wheels and engine or motor 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.
. You may feel a pulsation in the brake
pedal and hear a noise or vibration from
under the hood. This is normal and
indicates that the VDC system is working
properly.
. Adjust your speed and driving to the road
conditions.
See “Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) warn-
ing light” (P.2-17).
If a malfunction occurs in the system, the
VDC warning light
illuminates in the
instrument panel. The VDC system automa-
tically turns off.
The VDC OFF switch is used to turn off the
VDC system. The VDC off indicator light
illuminates to indicate the VDC system is off.
When the VDC switch is used to turn off the
system, the VDC system still operates to
prevent one drive wheel from slipping by
transferring power to a non slipping drive
wheel. The VDC warning light
flashes if
this occurs. All other VDC functions are off,
except for rise-up and build-up and brake
force distribution, and the VDC warning
light
will not flash. The VDC system is
automatically reset to on when the ignition
switch is placed in the OFF position then
back to the on position.
See “Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) warn-
ing light” (P.2-17) and “Vehicle Dynamic
VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL
(VDC) SYSTEM
6-2In case of emergency
SIC2574
Push the switch on to warn other drivers
when you must stop or park under emer-
gency conditions. All turn signal lights will
flash.
WARNING
.If stopping for an emergency, be sure
to move the vehicle well off the road.
. Do not use the hazard warning
flashers while moving on the highway
unless unusual circumstances force
you to drive so slowly that your
vehicle might become a hazard to
other traffic. .
Turn signals do not work when the
hazard warning flasher lights are on.
The flasher can be actuated with the ignition
switch in any position.
When an impact that could activate the
supplemental air bags is detected, the
hazard warning flasher lights blink automa-
tically. If the hazard warning flasher switch is
pushed, the hazard warning flashers will turn
off.
WARNING
Do not turn the hazard warning flasher
switch to off until you can make sure
that it is safe to do so. Also, the hazard
flasher warning may not blink automa-
tically depending on the force of impact.
Some state laws may prohibit the use of the
hazard warning flasher switch while driving. In the event of a roadside emergency,
Roadside Assistance Service is available to
you. Please refer to your Warranty Informa-
tion Booklet (U.S.) or Warranty & Roadside
Assistance Information Booklet (Canada) for
details.
HAZARD WARNING FLASHER SWITCHROADSIDE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM