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Steering wheel gearshift paddles
1Left steering wheel gearshift paddle
(shifts down)
2Right steering wheel gearshift paddle
(shifts up)
In drive program M, you can change gear
yourself using the steering wheel gearshift
paddles.
If you pull the left or right steering wheel
gearshift paddle when in automatic drive
program E or S, the automatic transmission
shifts into drive program M for a limited time.
Depending on which gearshift paddle is
pulled, the automatic transmission immedi-
ately shifts into the next gear down or up.
Automatic drive programs
Drive program E is characterized by the fol-
lowing:
•Comfort-oriented engine settings.
•Optimal fuel consumption resulting from
the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner.
•The vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears unless the ac-
celerator pedal is depressed fully.
•Increased sensitivity. This improves handling
on slippery road surfaces, for example.
•The automatic transmission shifting up
sooner. This results in the vehicle being
driven at lower engine speeds and the
wheels being less likely to spin.
Drive program S is characterized by the fol-
lowing:
•Sporty engine settings.
•The automatic transmission shifting up later.
•As a result of the later automatic transmis-
sion shift points, the fuel consumption
possibly being higher.
Manual drive program
In manual drive program M, you can change
gear yourself by using the steering wheel
gearshift paddles. For this, the transmission
must be in position D (Drive). The gear cur-
rently selected and engaged is shown in the
vehicle information display
Manual drive program M differs from drive
programs E and S with regard to spontaneity,
responsiveness and smoothness of gear
changes.
Using manual gears:
3 To use the engine's braking effect
2 To use the braking effect of the engine on
downhill gradients and for driving on steep
mountain roads, in mountainous terrain or
in arduous conditions.
1 To use the braking effect of the engine on
extremely steep downhill gradients and on
long downhill stretches.
NSD584
Starting and driving5-23
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Activating the manual drive program:
•Permanently: Press the drive mode switch
1repeatedly until M appears in the ve-
hicle information display. Manual drive
program M remains active until drive pro-
gram E or S is engaged.
•Temporarily: Pull the right or left steering
wheel gearshift paddle (see "Steering
wheel gearshift paddles" later in this sec-
tion). Manual drive program M is tempo-
rarily active. Depending on which gearshift
paddle is pulled, the automatic transmis-
sion immediately shifts into the next gear
down or up.
When manual drive program M is activated
via the steering wheel gearshift paddles, the
temporarily active manual drive program M
will be deactivated automatically after a lim-ited time, if the driving situation permits. The
automatic transmission switches to the pre-
viously activated drive program E or S. When
driving on downhill gradients, the temporarily
active manual drive program M will only be
deactivated if the accelerator pedal is de-
pressed while the vehicle is rolling downhill.
Upshifting:
Pull the right-hand steering wheel gearshift
paddle (see "Steering wheel gearshift
paddles" earlier in this section). The auto-
matic transmission shifts up to the next gear.
In order to prevent engine damage the auto-
matic transmission automatically shifts up if
the maximum engine speed on the currently
engaged gear is reached and you depress the
accelerator pedal.Gearshift recommendation:
The gearshift recommendations assist you in
adopting an economical driving style. The
recommended gear is shown in the vehicle
information display.
Shift to recommended gear1according to
gearshift recommendation
2when shown in
the vehicle information display.
Downshifiting:
Pull the left-hand steering wheel gearshift
paddle (see "Steering wheel gearshift
paddles" earlier in this section). The auto-
matic transmission shifts down to the next
gear.
If you slow down or stop without shifting
down, the automatic transmission automati-
cally shifts down.
NSD587NSD589
5-24Starting and driving
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For maximum acceleration, pull the left-hand
steering wheel gearshift paddle until the
transmission selects the optimum gear for
the current speed.
If the engine exceeds the maximum engine
speed when shifting down, the automatic
transmission protects against engine dam-
age by not shifting down.
Kickdown:
You can also use kickdown for maximum ac-
celeration in manual drive program M
•Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point The transmission shifts to a
lower gear depending on the engine speed.
•Shift back up once the desired speed is
reached.
During kickdown, you cannot shift gears us-
ing the steering wheel gearshift paddles.
If you apply full throttle, the automatic trans-
mission shifts up to the next gear when the
maximum engine speed is reached. This pre-
vents the engine from overrevving.Deactivating the temporary manual drive
program:
Pull and hold the right steering wheel gear-
shift paddle until the automatic transmission
shifts into the last active automatic drive pro-
gram E or S.
When manual drive program M is deacti-
vated, the automatic transmission in auto-
matic drive program E or S may shift from the
current gear into a higher or lower gear. This
is dependent on the position of the accelera-
tor pedal, speed and load.
Starting and driving5-25
Page 260 of 438
Problems with the transmission:
ProblemPossible causes/consequences and solutions
The transmission has problems shifting gear The transmission is losing oil.
Have the transmission checked immediately. It is recommended you visit an
INFINITI retailer for this service.
The acceleration ability is deteriorating The transmission no longer shifts into
all of the gears Reverse gear can no longer be engagedThe transmission is in emergency mode.
•Stop.•Shift the transmission to position P (Park).•Switch off the engine.•Wait at least ten seconds before restarting the engine.•Shift the transmission to position D (Drive).•Have the transmission checked immediately. It is recommended you visit an
INFINITI retailer for this service.
5-26Starting and driving
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WARNING
•Be sure the parking brake is fully re-
leased 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 engaged.
•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 assis-
tance of others, or pets unattended in
your vehicle. Additionally, the tempera-
ture inside a closed vehicle on a warm
day can quickly become high enough to
cause a significant risk of injury or death
to people and pets.The function of the electric parking brake is
dependent on the on-board voltage. If the
on-board voltage is low or if there is a mal-
function in the system, it may not be possible
to apply the released parking brake. If this is
the case:
•Only park the vehicle on level ground and
secure it to prevent it from rolling away.
•Shift the automatic transmission to posi-
tion P (Park).
•It is recommended you contact an INFINITI
retailer.
It may not be possible to release an applied
parking brake if the on-board voltage is low
or if there is a malfunction in the system. It is
recommended you contact an INFINITI re-
tailer.
The electric parking brake carries out a func-
tion check at regular intervals when the en-
gine is switched off. Noises that occur are
normal.
APPLYING/RELEASING
MANUALLY
The electric parking brake can be applied or
released by operating the parking brake
handle
1.
To apply:Push handle
1.
When the electric parking brake is applied,
the red
indicator light lights up in the
combination meter.
The electric parking brake can also be applied
when the ignition switch is in the OFF posi-
tion or the key is removed.
To release:With the ignition switch in the ON
position, pull handle
1.
NPA1485
PARKING BRAKE
Starting and driving5-27
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Before driving, check that the brake warning
lightgoes out. For additional informa-
tion, see "Warning lights, indicator lights and
audible reminders".
The electric parking brake can only be re-
leased when the ignition switch is in the ON
position.
APPLYING AUTOMATICALLY
(VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION)
The electric parking brake is automatically ap-
plied if Intelligent Parking Assist (if equipped) is
keeping the vehicle stationary.
The redindicator light lights up in the
combination meter.
The electric parking brake is not automati-
cally applied if the engine is switched off by
the Idle Stop/Start function.
RELEASING AUTOMATICALLY
The electric parking brake can only be re-
leased automatically in vehicles with auto-
matic transmission.
The electric parking brake of your vehicle is
released automatically when all of the fol-
lowing conditions are fulfilled:
•The engine is running.
•The transmission is in position D (Drive) or
R (Reverse).
•The seat belt is fastened.
•You depress the accelerator pedal.
If the transmission is in position R, the lift
gate must be closed.
If your seat belt is not fastened, the following
conditions must be fulfilled to automatically
release the electric parking brake:
•The driver's door is closed
•You have shifted out of transmission posi-
tion P (Park) or you have previously driven
faster than 2 MPH (3 km/h).
Ensure that you do not depress the accelera-
tor pedal unintentionally. Otherwise, the
parking brake will be released and the vehicle
will start to move.
EMERGENCY BRAKING
The vehicle can also be braked during an emer-
gency by using the electric parking brake.
While driving, push handle1of the electric
parking brake. The vehicle is braked as long as
you keep handle
1of the electric parking
brake pressed. The longer the electric parking
brake handle
1is depressed, the greater the
braking force.
During braking:
•A warning tone sounds.
•The [Please Release Parking Brake] mes-
sage appears.
•The redindicator light in the combi-
nation meter flashes.
When the vehicle has been braked to a stand-
still, the electric parking brake is applied.
5-28Starting and driving
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The Idle Stop/Start function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle is
stopped under certain conditions.
When pulling away again, the engine starts
automatically. The Idle Stop/Start function
thereby helps you to reduce the fuel con-
sumption and emissions of your vehicle.
WARNING
If the engine is switched off automatically
and you exit the vehicle, the engine is re-
started automatically. The vehicle may be-
gin moving There is a risk of accident and
injury.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn
off the ignition and secure the vehicle
against rolling away.If the
Idle Stop/Start symbol is shown
in green in the vehicle information display,
the Idle Stop/Start function switches the
engine off automatically once the vehicle
stops moving.
The Idle Stop/Start function is automatically
activated each time you start the engine with
the ignition key.
If the Idle Stop/Start function has been manu-
ally deactivated (see"Deactivating/activating
the Idle Stop/Start function" later in this sec-
tion) or a malfunction has caused the system
to be deactivated, the
Idle Stop/Start
symbol is not displayed.
AUTOMATIC ENGINE
SWITCH-OFF
The Idle Stop/Start function is operational
and theIdle Stop/Start symbol is dis-
played in green in the vehicle information dis-
play, if:
•The indicator light in the ECO button is lit
green.
•The outside temperature is within the
range that is suitable for the system.
•The engine is at normal operating tem-
perature.
•The set temperature for the vehicle interior
has been reached.
•The battery is sufficiently charged.
•The system detects that the windshield is
not misted up when the air-conditioning
system is switched on.
•The hood is closed.
•The driver's door is closed and the driver's
seat belt is fastened.
If the conditions for automatic engine
switch-off are not all fulfilled, the
Idle
Stop/Start symbol is shown in yellow.
NSD620
Idle Stop/Start symbol
IDLE STOP/START SYSTEM (IF
EQUIPPED)
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All of the vehicle's systems remain active when
the engine is switched off automatically.
The engine can be switched off automatically
a maximum of four times (initial stop, then
three subsequent stops) in succession. The
Idle Stop/Start symbol is shown in yel-
low in the vehicle information display after
the engine has been started automatically
for the fourth time. When the
Idle
Stop/Start symbol is shown in green in the
vehicle information display, automatic engine
switch-off is again possible.
NOTE
If the hood is opened while the engine is run-
ning and the Idle Stop/Start function is op-
erational, the engine will switch off auto-
matically.
If the vehicle is brought to a standstill in D or
N, the Idle Stop/Start function switches off
the engine automatically.
AUTOMATIC ENGINE START
The engine is started automatically if:
•You switch off the Idle Stop/Start func-
tion by pressing the ECO button.
•You engage Reverse R or Drive D.
•You unfasten your seat belt or open the
driver's door.
•The vehicle starts to roll.
•The brake system requires this.
•The temperature in the vehicle interior de-
viates from the set range.
•The system detects moisture on the wind-
shield when the air-conditioning system is
switched on.
•The battery's charge status is too low.
The engine is started automatically if you:
•Release the brake pedal in transmission
position D (Drive) or N (Neutral).
•Depress the accelerator pedal.
•Move the transmission out of position P
(Park).
Shifting the transmission to position P (Park)
does not start the engine.
If you
shift the transmission from R (Reverse)
to D (Drive), the Idle Stop/Start function is
available again once the
Idle Stop/Start
symbol reappears in green in the vehicle infor-
mation display.
DEACTIVATING/ACTIVATING
THE IDLE STOP/START
FUNCTION
•To deactivate:press ECO button1. Indi-
cator light
2and theIdle Stop/
Start symbol in the vehicle information dis-
play turn off.
•To activate:press ECO button1. Indica-
tor light
2lights up. If all conditions for
automatic engine switch-off (see "Auto-
matic engine switch-off" earlier in this sec-
tion) are fulfilled, the
Idle Stop/Start
symbol is shown in green in the vehicle
information display.
NIC2633
5-30Starting and driving