5-18Starting and driving
Accelerator downshift — In D (Drive)
position —
For passing or hill climbing, fully depress the
accelerator pedal to the floor. This shifts the
transmission down into the lower gear,
depending on the vehicle speed.
Fail-safe
When the fail-safe operation occurs, note
that the transmission will be locked in any of
the forward gears according to the condi-
tion.
If the vehicle is driven under extreme
conditions, such as excessive wheel spinning
and subsequent hard braking, the fail-safe
system may be activated. This will occur
even if all electrical circuits are functioning
properly. In this case, push the ignition
switch to the OFF position and wait for 3
seconds. Then push the ignition switch back
to the ON position. The vehicle should
return to its normal operating condition. If
it does not return to its normal operating
condition, have the transmission checked
and repaired, if necessary. It is recom-
mended you visit a an INFINITI retailer for
this service.
SSD0974
Shift lock release
If the battery charge is low or discharged,
the shift lever may not be moved from the P
(Park) position even with the brake pedal
depressed and the shift lever button pushed.
To move the shift lever, perform the follow-
ing procedure:
1. Push the ignition switch to the OFF orLOCK position.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Remove the shift lock cover
using a
suitable tool.
4. Push down the shift lock
as illustrated. 5. Push the shift lever button
and move
the shift lever to N (Neutral) position
while holding down the shift lock.
Push the ignition switch to the ON position
to unlock the steering wheel (if so equipped).
Now the vehicle may be moved to the
desired location.
For models with a steering wheel lock
mechanism: If the battery is discharged
completely, the steering wheel cannot be
unlocked. Do not move the vehicle with the
steering wheel locked.
If the lever cannot be moved out of P (Park),
have the automatic transmission system
checked as soon as possible. It is recom-
mended you visit an INFINITI retailer for this
service.
Adaptive Shift Control (ASC)
The adaptive shift control system automati-
cally operates when the transmission is in
the "D" (drive) position and selects an
appropriate gear depending on the road
conditions such as uphill, downhill or curving
roads.
Control on uphill and curving roads:
A low gear is maintained that suits the
degree of the slope or curve to allow smooth
driving with a small number of shifts.
Control on downhill roads:
The adaptive shift control system shifts to a
low gear that suits the degree of the slope,
and uses the engine braking to reduce the
number of times that the brake must be
used.
Control on winding roads:
A low gear is maintained on continuous
curves that involve repeated acceleration
and deceleration, so that smooth accelera-
tion is available instantly when the accel-
erator pedal is depressed.
NOTE:
.Adaptive shift control may not operate
when the transmission oil temperature
is low immediately after the start of
driving or when it is very hot.
. During some driving situations, hard
braking for example, the adaptive shift
control may automatically operate. The
transmission may automatically shift to
a lower gear for engine braking. This
increases engine speed but not vehicle
speed. Vehicle speed is controlled by the
accelerator pedal when the vehicle is in
the Adaptive shift control mode.
. When the adaptive shift control oper-
ates, the transmission sometimes main-
tains a lower gear for a longer period of
time than when adaptive shift control is not operating. Engine speed will be
higher for a specific vehicle speed while
ASC system is operating than when ASC
is not operating.
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 shift lever 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.
Starting and driving5-19
PARKING BRAKE
5-20Starting and driving
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.
SSD1024
INFINITI Drive Mode Selector
Four driving modes can be selected by using
the INFINITI Drive Mode Selector, STAN-
DARD, SPORT, ECO and SNOW.
NOTE:
. When the INFINITI Drive Mode Selector
selects a mode, the mode may not
switch quickly. This is not a malfunction.
. Select the STANDARD mode for normal
driving.
STANDARD MODE
Recommended for normal driving. Turn the
INFINITI Drive Mode Selector to the
position. “STANDARD” appears in the vehi-
cle 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.5-123).) Turn the INFINITI Drive Mode
Selector to the SPORT position. “SPORT”
appears in 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 in the
vehicle information display for 2 seconds.
INFINITI DRIVE MODE SELECTOR
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 in 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.5-21).
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 (if so equipped) is operated.
ECO pedal system (if so equipped)
Helps assist the driver to improve fuel
economy by increasing the reaction force
of the accelerator pedal. When the ECO
drive indicator light is blinking or turns
orange, the ECO pedal system increases
the reaction force of the accelerator pedal.
JVS1080X
When the ECO drive indicator illuminates in
green, the accelerator reaction force is
normal. When the ECO drive indicator light
is blinking or turns orange, the ECO pedal
system increases the reaction force of the
accelerator pedal.
The ECO pedal system may not vary accel-
erator reaction force under the following
conditions:
. When the shift lever is in the N (Neutral)
or R (Reverse) position.
. When Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) is
being operated.
If the ECO pedal system malfunctions, it will
cancel automatically. The ECO pedal system
will not vary the reaction force of the
Starting and driving5-21
5-22Starting and driving
accelerator pedal.
When the INFINITI Drive Mode Selector is
rotated from the ECO mode to another
mode (STANDARD, SPORT or SNOW) while
the ECO pedal system is operating, the ECO
pedal system continues to operate until the
pedal is released.
If the accelerator pedal is depressed quickly,
the ECO pedal system will not increase the
reaction force of the acceleration pedal. The
ECO pedal system is not designed to prevent
the vehicle from accelerating.
Adjusting the ECO pedal system reaction
force:
The ECO pedal system reaction force can be
adjusted. The reaction force setting will be
maintained until the setting is changed even
if the engine is turned off.
JVS1081X
Setting ECO pedal reaction force:
1. Push the SETTING button
.
2. Touch [Drive Mode Enhancement].
3. Touch [ECO Pedal].
4. To set the reaction force of the ECO pedal system, touch [Standard] or [Soft].
5. To turn off the ECO pedal system, touch [OFF].
When the ECO pedal system is turned off,
the accelerator will operate normally.
WARNING
Failure to follow the warnings and
instructions for proper use of the LDW
and LDP systems could result in serious
personal injury or death.
. The LDW and LDP systems will not
steer the vehicle or prevent loss of
control. It is the driver’s responsibility
to stay alert, drive safely, keep the
vehicle in the traveling lane, and be in
control of the vehicle at all times.
. The LDP system may activate if you
change lanes without first activating
your turn signal or, for example, if a
construction zone directs traffic to
cross an existing lane marker. If this
occurs, you may need to apply cor-
rective steering to complete your lane
change.
. Because the LDP system may not
activate under the road, weather,
and lane marker conditions described
in this section, it may not activate
every time your vehicle begins to
leave its lane and you will need to
apply corrective steering.
LANE DEPARTURE WARNING
(LDW)/LANE DEPARTURE
PREVENTION (LDP) (if so equipped)
SSD0976
HOW TO SELECT THE CRUISE
CONTROL MODE
Selecting the vehicle-to-vehicle
distance control mode
To choose the vehicle-to-vehicle distance
control mode, quickly push and release the
MAIN switch.
Selecting the conventional (fixed
speed) cruise control mode
To choose the conventional (fixed speed)
cruise control mode, push and hold the
MAIN switchfor longer than approxi-
mately 1.5 seconds. See “Conventional (fixed speed) cruise control mode” (P.5-85).
VEHICLE-TO-VEHICLE DIS-
TANCE CONTROL MODE
In the vehicle-to-vehicle distance control
mode, the ICC system automatically main-
tains a selected distance from the vehicle
traveling in front of you according to that
vehicle’s speed (up to the set speed), or at
the set speed when the road ahead is clear.
Starting and driving5-69
5-70Starting and driving
JVS0462X
The system is intended to enhance the
operation of the vehicle when following a
vehicle traveling in the same lane and
direction.
If the radar sensor
detects a slower
moving vehicle ahead, the system will reduce
the vehicle speed so that your vehicle
follows the vehicle in front at the selected
distance.
The system automatically controls the throt-
tle and applies the brakes (up to approxi-
mately 40% of vehicle braking power) if
necessary.
The detection range of the sensor is approxi-
mately 650 ft (200 m) ahead.
Vehicle-to-vehicle distance control
mode operation
The vehicle-to-vehicle distance control
mode is designed to maintain a selected
distance and reduce the speed to match the
slower vehicle ahead; the system will de-
celerate the vehicle as necessary and if the
vehicle ahead comes to a stop, the vehicle
decelerates to a standstill. However, the ICC
system can only apply up to approximately
40% of the vehicle’s total braking power.
This system should only be used when traffic
conditions allow vehicle speeds to remain
fairly constant or when vehicle speeds
change gradually. If a vehicle moves into
the traveling lane ahead or if a vehicle
traveling ahead rapidly decelerates, the
distance between vehicles may become
closer because the ICC system cannot
decelerate the vehicle quickly enough. If this
occurs, the ICC system will sound a warning
chime and blink the system display to notify
the driver to take necessary action.
The system will cancel and a warning chime
will sound if the speed is below approxi-
mately 15 MPH (24 km/h) and a vehicle is
not detected ahead. The system will also
disengage when the vehicle goes above the
maximum set speed.
See “Approach warning” (P.5-78). The following items are controlled in the
vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode:
.
When there are no vehicles traveling
ahead, the vehicle-to-vehicle distance
control mode maintains the speed set
by the driver. The set speed range is
between approximately 20 and 90 MPH
(32 and 144 km/h).
. When there is a vehicle traveling ahead,
the vehicle-to-vehicle distance control
mode adjusts the speed to maintain the
distance, selected by driver, from the
vehicle ahead. The adjusting speed range
is up to the set speed. 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 a standstill with
a warning chime.
. When the vehicle traveling ahead has
moved out from its lane of travel, the
vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode
accelerates and maintains vehicle speed
up to the set speed.
The ICC system does not control vehicle
speed or warn you when you approach
stationary and slow moving vehicles. You
must pay attention to vehicle operation to
maintain proper distance from vehicles
ahead when approaching toll gates or traffic
congestion.
5-74Starting and driving
SSD0982
When the COAST/SET switch is pushed
under the following conditions, the system
cannot be set and the ICC indicators will
blink for approximately 2 seconds:
.When traveling below 20 MPH (32
km/h) and the vehicle ahead is not
detected
. When the shift lever is not in the D (Drive)
or manual shift mode
. When the parking brake is applied
. When the brakes are operated by the
driver
SSD0983
When the COAST/SET switch is pushed
under the following conditions, the system
cannot be set.
A warning chime will sound and the ICC
indicators will blink.
. 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.5-20). .
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.5-123).
. 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. Push the MAIN switch to
turn off the ICC system, and reset the
ICC system by pushing the MAIN switch
again.)