2-16Instruments and controls
after the 1 minute. Have the system checked.
It is recommended you visit an INFINITI
retailer for this service. THE CHECK TIRE
PRESSURE warning does not appear if the
low tire pressure warning light illuminates to
indicate a TPMS malfunction.
For additional information, see “Tire Pres-
sure Monitoring System (TPMS) ” (P.5-5).
WARNING
.If the light does not illuminate with
the ignition switch pushed ON, have
the vehicle checked. It is recom-
mended you visit an INFINITI retailer
for this service as soon as possible.
. If the light illuminates while driving,
avoid sudden steering maneuvers or
abrupt braking, reduce vehicle speed,
pull off the road to a safe location
and stop the vehicle as soon as
possible. Driving with under-inflated
tires may permanently damage the
tires and increase the likelihood of
tire failure. Serious vehicle damage
could occur and may lead to an
accident and could result in serious
personal injury. Check the tire pres-
sure for all four tires. Adjust the tire
pressure to the recommended COLD
tire pressure shown on the Tire and Loading Information label to turn the
low tire pressure warning light OFF.
If the light still illuminates while
driving after adjusting the tire pres-
sure, a tire may be flat or the TPMS
may be malfunctioning. If you have a
flat tire, replace it with a spare tire as
soon as possible. If no tire is flat and
all tires are properly inflated, have
the vehicle checked. It is recom-
mended you visit an INFINITI retailer
for this service.
. Since the spare tire is not equipped
with the TPMS, when a spare tire is
mounted or a wheel is replaced, the
TPMS will not function and the low
tire pressure warning light will flash
for approximately 1 minute. The light
will remain on after the 1 minute.
Have your tires replaced and/or
TPMS system reset as soon as pos-
sible. It is recommended you visit an
INFINITI retailer for these services.
. Replacing tires with those not origin-
ally specified by INFINITI could affect
the proper operation of the TPMS.
CAUTION
.The TPMS is not a substitute for the
regular tire pressure check. Be sure to
check the tire pressure regularly.
. If the vehicle is being driven at speeds
of less than 16 MPH (25 km/h), the
TPMS may not operate correctly.
. Be sure to install the specified size of
tires to the four wheels correctly.
Master warning light
When the ignition switch is in the ON
position, the master warning light illumi-
nates if any of the following are displayed on
the vehicle information display:
.No key warning
. Low fuel warning
. Low washer fluid warning
. Parking brake release warning
. Door/trunk open warning
. Loose fuel cap warning
. Check tire pressure warning
. Intelligent Key system warning
. SHIFT “P” warning
. Hybrid system over heat warning
5-6Starting and driving
be able to detect or signal low tire pressure
as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur
for a variety of reasons, including the
installation of replacement or alternate tires
or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always
check the TPMS malfunction telltale after
replacing one or more tires or wheels on your
vehicle to ensure that the replacement or
alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS
to continue to function properly.
Additional information
.Since the spare tire is not equipped with
the TPMS, the TPMS does not monitor
the tire pressure of the spare tire.
. The TPMS will activate only when the
vehicle is driven at speeds above 16
MPH (25 km/h). Also, this system may
not detect a sudden drop in tire pressure
(for example a flat tire while driving).
. The low tire pressure warning light does
not automatically turn off when the tire
pressure is adjusted. After the tire is
inflated to the recommended pressure,
the vehicle must be driven at speeds
above 16 MPH (25 km/h) to activate the
TPMS and turn off the low tire pressure
warning light. Use a tire pressure gauge
to check the tire pressure.
. The CHECK TIRE PRESSURE warning
appears in the vehicle information dis- play when the low tire pressure warning
light is illuminated and low tire pressure
is detected. The CHECK TIRE PRES-
SURE warning turns off when the low
tire pressure warning light turns off. The
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE warning does
not appear if the tire pressure warning
light illuminates to indicate a TPMS
malfunction.
. Tire pressure rises and falls depending on
the heat caused by the vehicle’s opera-
tion and the outside temperature. Do not
reduce the tire pressure after driving
because the tire pressure rises after
driving. Low outside temperature can
lower the temperature of the air inside
the tire which can cause a lower tire
inflation pressure. This may cause the
low tire pressure warning light to illumi-
nate. If the warning light illuminates in
low ambient temperature, check the tire
pressure for all four tires.
. You can also check the pressure of all
tires (except the spare tire) on the center
display. (See the Infiniti InTouch Owner’s
Manual.) The order of the tire pressure
figures displayed on the screen may not
correspond with the actual order of the
tire position.
For additional information, see “Low tire
pressure warning light” (P.2-15) and “Tire
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ” (P.6- 3).
WARNING
.
If the low tire pressure warning light
illuminates or LOW PRESSURE in-
formation is displayed on the monitor
screen while driving, avoid sudden
steering maneuvers or abrupt brak-
ing, reduce vehicle speed, pull off the
road to a safe location and stop the
vehicle as soon as possible. Driving
with under-inflated tires may perma-
nently damage the tires and increase
the likelihood of tire failure. Serious
vehicle damage could occur and may
lead to an accident and could result in
serious personal injury. Check the tire
pressure for all four tires. Adjust the
tire pressure to the recommended
COLD tire pressure shown on the
Tire and Loading Information label to
turn the low tire pressure warning
light OFF. If the light still illuminates
while driving after adjusting the tire
pressure, a tire may be flat or the
TPMS may be malfunctioning. If you
have a flat tire, replace it with a spare
tire as soon as possible. If no tire is
flat and all tires are properly inflated,
it is recommended you consult an
INFINITI retailer.
SSD1024
INFINITI Drive Mode Selector
Four driving modes can be selected by using
the INFINITI Drive Mode Selector, STAN-
DARD, SPORT, ECO and SNOW. Select the
STANDARD mode for normal driving.
NOTE:
When the INFINITI Drive Mode Selector
selects a mode, the mode may not switch
quickly. This is not a malfunction.
STANDARD MODE
Recommended for normal driving. Turn the
INFINITI Drive Mode Selector to the
position. “STANDARD” appears on the ve-
hicle information display for 2 seconds.
SPORT MODE
Adjusts the engine and transmission points
to enhance performance. If the vehicle is
equipped with the active trace control
system, the amount of brake control pro-
vided by active trace control is reduced. (See
“Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system”
(P.5-122).) Turn the INFINITI Drive Mode
Selector to the SPORT position. “SPORT”
appears on the vehicle information display
for 2 seconds.
NOTE:
In the SPORT mode, fuel economy may be
reduced.
SNOW MODE
Used on snowy roads or slippery areas.
When the SNOW mode is activated, engine
output is controlled to avoid wheel spin.
Turn the SNOW mode off for normal driving.
Turn the INFINITI Drive Mode Selector to
the SNOW position. “SNOW” appears on
the vehicle information display for 2 sec-
onds.
ECO MODE
Adjusts engine and transmission points to
enhance fuel economy.
NOTE:
Selecting this drive mode will not necessa-
rily improve fuel economy as many driving
factors influence its effectiveness.
Operation
Turn the INFINITI Drive Mode Selector to
the ECO position. “ECO” appears on the
vehicle information display for 2 seconds
and the ECO drive indicator light illuminates
on the instrument panel.
When the accelerator pedal is depressed
within the range of economy drive, the ECO
drive indicator light illuminates in green.
When the accelerator pedal is depressed
above the range of economy drive, the color
of the ECO drive indicator light changes to
orange. For ECO pedal system equipped
models see “ECO pedal system” (P.5-20).
The ECO drive indicator light will not
illuminate in the following cases:
. When the shift lever is in the R (Reverse)
position.
. When the vehicle speed is below 3 MPH
(4.8 km/h) or over 90 MPH (144 km/h).
. When the Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC)
system is operated.
Starting and driving5-19
INFINITI DRIVE MODE SELECTOR
BRAKE ASSIST
When the force applied to the brake pedal
exceeds a certain level, the Brake Assist is
activated generating greater braking force
than a regenerative brake booster even with
light pedal force.
WARNING
The Brake Assist is only an aid to assist
braking operation and is not a collision
warning or avoidance device. It is the
driver’s responsibility to stay alert, drive
safely and be in control of the vehicle at
all times.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM
(ABS)
WARNING
.The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
is a sophisticated device, but it
cannot prevent accidents resulting
from careless or dangerous driving
techniques. It can help maintain ve-
hicle control during braking on slip-
pery surfaces. Remember that
stopping distances on slippery sur- faces will be longer than on normal
surfaces even with ABS. Stopping
distances may also be longer on
rough, gravel or snow covered roads,
or if you are using tire chains. Always
maintain a safe distance from the
vehicle in front of you. Ultimately,
the driver is responsible for safety.
. Tire type and condition may also
affect braking effectiveness.
— When replacing tires, install the specified size of tires on all four
wheels.
— When installing a spare tire, make sure that it is the proper size and
type as specified on the Tire and
Loading Information label. See
“Tire and loading information la-
bel” (P.10-10).
— For detailed information, see “Wheels and tires” (P.8-26).
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) controls
the brakes so the wheels do not lock during
hard braking or when braking on slippery
surfaces. The system detects the rotation
speed at each wheel and varies the brake
fluid pressure to prevent each wheel from
locking and sliding. By preventing each
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 hybrid system 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
Starting and driving5-121
BRAKE ASSIST
Control (VDC) off indicator light” (P.2-20).
The computer has a built-in diagnostic
feature that tests the system each time you
start the INFINITI Direct Response Hybrid
®
System and move the vehicle forward or in
reverse at a slow speed. When the self-test
occurs, you may hear a “clunk” noise and/or
feel a pulsation in the brake pedal. This is
normal and is not an indication of a mal-
function.
ACTIVE TRACE CONTROL (if so
equipped)
This system senses driving based on the
driver’s steering and acceleration/braking
patterns, and individually controls the brak-
ing to each of the four wheels to help
smooth vehicle response.
When the INFINITI Drive Mode Selector is
set to the “SPORT” mode, the amount of
brake control provided by active trace con-
trol is reduced.
When the VDC OFF switch is used to turn
off the VDC system, the active trace control
system is also turned off.
If the active trace control is not functioning
properly, the Forward Emergency Braking
(FEB) system warning light illuminates in the
instrument panel.
RISE-UP AND BUILD-UP
The system gradually adjusts braking power
during normal braking to help provide an
enhanced brake feel.
BRAKE FORCE DISTRIBUTION
During braking while driving through turns,
the system optimizes the distribution of
force to each of the four wheels depending
on the radius of the turn.
WARNING
.The VDC system is designed to help
the driver maintain stability but does
not prevent accidents due to abrupt
steering operation at high speeds or
by careless or dangerous driving
techniques. Reduce vehicle speed
and be especially careful when driving
and cornering on slippery surfaces
and always drive carefully.
. The active trace control (if so
equipped), rise-up and build-up and
brake force distribution systems may
not be effective depending on the
driving condition. Always drive care-
fully and attentively.
. Do not modify the vehicle’s suspen-
sion. If suspension parts such as shock absorbers, struts, springs, sta-
bilizer bars, bushings and wheels are
not INFINITI recommended for your
vehicle or are extremely deteriorated,
the VDC system may not operate
properly. This could adversely affect
vehicle handling performance, and
the VDC warning light
may
illuminate.
. If brake related parts such as brake
pads, rotors and calipers are not
INFINITI recommended or are extre-
mely deteriorated, the VDC system
may not operate properly and the
VDC warning light
may illumi-
nate.
. If engine control related parts are not
INFINITI recommended or are extre-
mely deteriorated, the VDC warning
light
may illuminate.
. When driving on extremely inclined
surfaces such as higher banked cor-
ners, the VDC system may not oper-
ate properly and the VDC warning
light
may illuminate. Do not drive
on these types of roads.
. When driving on an unstable surface
such as a turntable, ferry, elevator or
ramp, the VDC warning light
may
illuminate. This is not a malfunction.
Restart the hybrid system after driv-
Starting and driving5-123
FREEING A FROZEN DOOR LOCK
To prevent a door lock from freezing, apply
deicer through the key hole. If the lock
becomes frozen, heat the key before insert-
ing it into the key hole or use the Intelligent
Key system.
ANTIFREEZE
In the winter when it is anticipated that the
outside temperature will drop below 32°F
(0°C), check antifreeze to assure proper
winter protection. For additional informa-
tion, see “Engine cooling system” (P.8-5).
12-VOLT BATTERY
If the 12-volt battery is not fully charged
during extremely cold weather conditions,
the 12-volt battery fluid may freeze and
damage the 12-volt battery. To maintain
maximum efficiency, the 12-volt battery
should be checked regularly. For additional
information, see “12-volt battery” (P.8-13).
DRAINING OF COOLANT WATER
If the vehicle is to be left outside without
antifreeze, drain the cooling system, includ-
ing the engine block. Refill before operating
the vehicle. For details, see “Engine cooling
system” (P.8-5) and “Inverter cooling sys-
tem” (P.8-7).
TIRE EQUIPMENT
SUMMER tires have a tread designed to
provide superior performance on dry pave-
ment. However, the performance of these
tires will be substantially reduced in snowy
and icy conditions. If you operate your
vehicle on snowy or icy roads, INFINITI
recommends the use of MUD & SNOW or
ALL SEASON tires on all four wheels. It is
recommended you consult an INFINITI re-
tailer for the tire type, size, speed rating and
availability information.
For additional traction on icy roads, studded
tires may be used. However, some U.S.
states and Canadian provinces prohibit their
use. Check local, state and provincial laws
before installing studded tires.
Skid and traction capabilities of studded
snow tires, on wet or dry surfaces, may be
poorer than that of non-studded snow tires.
Tire chains may be used. For details, see
“Tire chains” (P.8-32).
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.
Starting and driving5-125
COLD WEATHER DRIVING
To shut off the INFINITI Direct Response
Hybrid®System in an emergency situation
while driving, perform the following proce-
dure:
. Rapidly push the push-button ignition
switch 3 consecutive times in less than
1.5 seconds, or
. Push and hold the push-button ignition
switch for more than 2 seconds.TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING
SYSTEM (TPMS)
This vehicle is equipped with the Tire
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). It
monitors tire pressure of all tires except the
spare. When the low tire pressure warning
light is lit and the CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
warning appears in the vehicle information
display, one or more of your tires is sig-
nificantly under-inflated. If the vehicle is
being driven with low tire pressure, the
TPMS will activate and warn you of it by
the low tire pressure warning light. This
system will activate only when the vehicle is
driven at speeds above 16 MPH (25 km/h).
For more details, see “Warning lights, in-
dicator lights and audible reminders” (P.2-
10) and “Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) ” (P.5-5).
WARNING
. If the low tire pressure warning light
illuminates or LOW PRESSURE in-
formation is displayed on the monitor
screen while driving, avoid sudden
steering maneuvers or abrupt brak-
ing, reduce vehicle speed, pull off the
road to a safe location and stop the
vehicle as soon as possible. Driving
with under-inflated tires may perma- nently damage the tires and increase
the likelihood of tire failure. Serious
vehicle damage could occur and may
lead to an accident and could result in
serious personal injury. Check the tire
pressure for all four tires. Adjust the
tire pressure to the recommended
COLD tire pressure shown on the
Tire and Loading Information label to
turn the low tire pressure warning
light OFF. If the light still illuminates
while driving after adjusting the tire
pressure, a tire may be flat. If you
have a flat tire, replace it with a spare
tire as soon as possible.
. Since the spare tire is not equipped
with the TPMS, when a spare tire is
mounted or a wheel is replaced, the
TPMS will not function and the low
tire pressure warning light will flash
for approximately 1 minute. The light
will remain on after 1 minute. Have
your tires replaced and/or TPMS
system reset as soon as possible. It
is recommended you visit an INFINITI
retailer for these services.
. Replacing tires with those not origin-
ally specified by INFINITI could affect
the proper operation of the TPMS.
. Do not inject any tire liquid or aerosol
tire sealant into the tires, as this may
In case of emergency6-3
EMERGENCY INFINITI DIRECT
RESPONSE HYBRID®SYSTEM SHUT OFFFLAT TIRE
6-14In case of emergency
towing.
For information about towing your vehicle
behind a recreational vehicle (RV), see “Flat
towing” (P.10-16).
SCE0788
Two-wheel drive models
TOWING RECOMMENDED BY
INFINITI
Two-Wheel Drive (2WD) models
INFINITI recommends that your vehicle be
towed with the driving (rear) wheels off the
ground or place the vehicle on a flat bed
truck as illustrated. The vehicle should only
be loaded onto a flat bed using a winch.
WARNING
If your vehicle needs to be towed, do it
with the rear wheels raised. If the rear wheels are on the ground when towing,
the electric motor may generate electri-
city. This may damage the INFINITI
Direct Response Hybrid
®System com-
ponents and cause a fire.
CAUTION
. Never tow automatic transmission
models with the rear wheels on the
ground or four wheels on the ground
(forward or backward), as this may
cause serious and expensive damage