2-8Instruments and controls
SIC4320
TACHOMETER
The tachometer indicates engine speed in
revolutions per minute (RPM).Do not rev
the engine into the red zone
.
The scale length and the red zone vary with
the engine model.
CAUTION
When engine speed approaches the red
zone, shift to a higher gear or reduce
engine speed. Operating the engine in
the red zone may cause serious engine
damage.
SIC4321
ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERA-
TURE GAUGE
The gauge indicates the engine coolant
temperature.
The engine coolant temperature is within the
normal range when the gauge needle points
within the zone
shown in the illustration.
The engine coolant temperature varies with
the outside air temperature and driving
conditions.
CAUTION
If the gauge indicates the engine coolant
temperature is near the hot (H) end of
the normal range, reduce vehicle speed
to decrease the temperature. If the
gauge is over the normal range, stop
the vehicle as soon as safely possible and
let the engine idle. If the engine is
overheated, continued operation of the
vehicle may seriously damage the engine.
See “If your vehicle overheats” (P.6-12)
for immediate action required.
WARNING
Do not use or allow occupants to use the
seat heater if you or the occupants can
not monitor elevated seat temperatures
or have an inability to feel pain in those
body parts in contact with the seat. Use
of the seat heater by such people could
result in serious injury.
CAUTION
.The battery could run down if the
seat heater is operated while the
engine is not running.
. Do not use the seat heater for
extended periods or when no one is
using the seat.
. Do not put anything on the seat
which insulates heat, such as a blan-
ket, cushion, seat cover, etc. Other-
wise, the seat may become
overheated.
. Do not place anything hard or heavy
on the seat or pierce it with a pin or
similar object. This may result in
damage to the heater. .
Any liquid spilled on the heated seat
should be removed immediately with
a dry cloth.
. When cleaning the seat, never use
gasoline, thinner, or any similar ma-
terials.
. If any malfunctions are found or the
heated seat does not operate, turn
the switch off and have the system
checked. It is recommended you visit
an INFINITI retailer for this service.
SSS0911
FRONT SEATS (if so equipped)
The front seats are warmed by built-in
heaters. The switches located on the center
console can be operated independently of
each other.
1. Start the engine.
2. Turn the control knob
to the rightand select the desired heat range..For higher heat, turn the knob to the
right..For lower heat, turn the knob to the
left..The indicator lightwill illuminate
when the heater is on.
Instruments and controls2-41
HEATED SEATS (if so equipped)
SIC4334
The climate controlled seat warms up or
cools down the front seats by blowing warm
or cool air from the surface of the seat. The
switches located on the center console can
be operated independently of each other.
1. Start the engine.
2. Turn the control knob
to the heat sideor to the cool side. The indicator
lighton the control knob will illumi-
nate.
3. Adjust the temperature using the control knob
.
4. When the vehicle’s interior is warmed or cooled, and/or before you leave the
vehicle, be sure to turn the control knob
to the OFF position (center). The indi- cator light
on the control knob goes
off at the OFF position.
The climate controlled seat has air filters.
If the climate controlled seat is not
functioning properly, it may indicate the
air filters may be clogged. To check the
air filters for the climate controlled seat,
it is recommended you visit an INFINITI
retailer.
WARNING
Do not use or allow occupants to use the
climate controlled seats if you or the
occupants can not monitor seat tem-
peratures or have an inability to feel pain
in those body parts in contact with the
seat. Use of the climate controlled seats
by such people could result in serious
injury.
CAUTION
. The battery could run down if the
climate controlled seat is operated
while the engine is not running.
. Do not use the climate controlled seat
for extended periods or when no one
is using the seat. .
Do not put anything on the seat
which insulates heat, such as a blan-
ket, cushion, seat cover, etc. Other-
wise, the seat may become
overheated.
. Do not place anything hard or heavy
on the seat or pierce it with a pin or
similar object. This may result in
damage to the climate controlled
seat.
. Any liquid spilled on the seat should
be removed immediately with a dry
cloth.
. The climate controlled seat has an air
filter. Do not operate climate con-
trolled seat without an air filter. This
may result in damage to the system.
. When cleaning the seat, never use
gasoline, thinner, or any similar ma-
terials.
. If any malfunctions are found or the
climate controlled seat does not op-
erate, turn the switch off and have
the system checked. It is recom-
mended you visit an INFINITI retailer
for this service.
Instruments and controls2-43
CLIMATE CONTROLLED SEATS
(if so equipped)
2-46Instruments and controls
JVI1133X
Front
JVI1696X
Center console
JVI1161X
Behind the center console (if so equipped)
The power outlet is used for powering
electrical accessories such as cellular tele-
phones.
CAUTION
. The outlet and plug may be hot
during or immediately after use.
. Do not use with accessories that
exceed a 12 volt, 120W (10A) power
draw. Do not use double adapters or
more than one electrical accessory.
. Use power outlet with the engine
running to avoid discharging the vehicle battery.
. Avoid using power outlet when the
air conditioner, headlights or rear
window defroster is on.
. This power outlet is not designed for
use with a cigarette lighter unit.
. Push the plug in as far as it will go. If
good contact is not made, the plug
may overheat or the internal tem-
perature fuse may blow.
. Before inserting or disconnecting a
plug, be sure the electrical accessory
being used is turned OFF.
. When not in use, be sure to close the
cap. Do not allow water or any liquid
to contact the outlet.
POWER OUTLET
THREE-WAY CATALYST
The three-way catalyst is an emission con-
trol device installed in the exhaust system.
Exhaust gases in the three-way catalyst are
burned at high temperatures to help reduce
pollutants.
WARNING
.The exhaust gas and the exhaust
system are very hot. Keep people,
animals or flammable materials away
from the exhaust system compo-
nents.
. Do not stop or park the vehicle over
flammable materials such as dry
grass, waste paper or rags. They
may ignite and cause a fire.
CAUTION
.Do not use leaded gasoline. Deposits
from leaded gasoline seriously reduce
the three-way catalyst’s ability to
help reduce exhaust pollutants.
. Keep your engine tuned up. Malfunc-
tions in the ignition, fuel injection, or
electrical systems can cause overrich fuel flow into the three-way catalyst,
causing it to overheat. Do not keep
driving if the engine misfires, or if
noticeable loss of performance or
other unusual operating conditions
are detected. Have the vehicle in-
spected promptly. It is recommended
you visit an INFINITI retailer for this
service.
. Avoid driving with an extremely low
fuel level. Running out of fuel could
cause the engine to misfire, damaging
the three-way catalyst.
. Do not race the engine while warming
it up.
. Do not push or tow your vehicle to
start the engine.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING
SYSTEM (TPMS)
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recom-
mended by the vehicle manufacturer on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure
label. (If your vehicle has tires of a different
size than the size indicated on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label, you
should determine the proper tire inflation
pressure for those tires.) As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a Tire Pressure Mon-
itoring System (TPMS) that illuminates a low
tire pressure telltale when one or more of
your tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure
telltale illuminates, you should stop and
check your tires as soon as possible, and
inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving
on a significantly under-inflated tire causes
the tire to overheat and can lead to tire
failure. Under-inflation also reduces fuel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a sub-
stitute for proper tire maintenance, and it is
the driver’s responsibility to maintain correct
tire pressure, even if under-inflation has not
reached the level to trigger illumination of
the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a
TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate
when the system is not operating properly.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is com-
bined with the low tire pressure telltale.
When the system detects a malfunction, the
telltale will flash for approximately one
minute and then remain continuously illumi-
nated. This sequence will continue upon
subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the
malfunction exists. When the malfunction
indicator is illuminated, the system may not
Starting and driving5-5
BRAKING PRECAUTIONS
The brake system has two separate hydrau-
lic circuits. If one circuit malfunctions, you
will still have braking at two wheels.
Vacuum assisted brakes
The brake booster aids braking by using
engine vacuum. If the engine stops, you can
stop the vehicle by depressing the brake
pedal. However, greater foot pressure on
the brake pedal will be required to stop the
vehicle and the stopping distance will be
longer.
When the brake pedal is depressed slowly
and firmly, you may hear a clicking noise and
feel a slight pulsation. This is normal and
indicates that the Brake Assist System is
operating.
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 engine is not running or is
turned off while driving, the power
assist for the brakes will not work.
Braking will be harder.
Starting and driving5-121
BRAKE SYSTEM
6 In case of emergency
Hazard warning flasher switch...................................... 6-2
Roadside assistance program......................................... 6-2
Emergency engine shut off............................................. 6-3
Flat tire ........................................................................\
......... 6-3Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ............ 6-3
Changing a flat tire...................................................... 6-4 Jump starting ..................................................................... 6-9
Push starting .................................................................... 6-11
If your vehicle overheats............................................... 6-12
Towing your vehicle........................................................ 6-13
Towing recommended by INFINITI..................... 6-14
Vehicle recovery (freeing a stuck vehicle) ......... 6-15
6-12In case of emergency
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 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 cooling fan 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.
IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS