Page 388 of 490

The brake system has two separate hydraulic
circuits. If one circuit malfunctions, you will
still have braking at two wheels.
BRAKE PRECAUTIONS
Vacuum assisted brakes
The brake booster aids braking by using en-
gine 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 ve-
hicle and stopping distance will be longer.
Using the brakes
Avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal
while driving. This will overheat the brakes,
wear out the brake pads faster, and reduce
gas mileage.
To help reduce brake wear 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, becareful when braking, accelerating or
downshifting. Abrupt braking or acceler-
ating 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.
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 the brakes, drive the vehicle at a safe
speed while lightly pressing 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 cor-
rectly.
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 rotors are replaced, in order to
assure the best brake performance. This procedure is described in the INFINITI
Service Manual. It is recommended that you
visit an INFINITI retailer for this service.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM
(ABS)
WARNING
∙ The ABS is a sophisticated device, but it
cannot prevent accidents resulting from
careless or dangerous driving techniques.
It can help maintain vehicle control dur-
ing braking on slippery surfaces. Remem-
ber that stopping distances on slippery
surfaces will be longer than on normal
surfaces even with ABS. Stopping dis-
tances 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 speci- fied size of tires on all four wheels.
BRAKE SYSTEM
Starting and driving5-141
Page 391 of 490

∙ Do not modify the vehicle’s suspension. Ifsuspension parts such as shock absorb-
ers, struts, springs, stabilizer bars, bush-
ings and wheels are not INFINITI recom-
mended for your vehicle or are extremely
deteriorated, the VDC system may not
operate properly. This could adversely
affect vehicle handling performance, and
the
indicator may flash or both
the
andindicator lights may
illuminate.
∙ If brake related parts such as brake pads, rotors and calipers are not INFINITI rec-
ommended or are extremely deterio-
rated, the VDC system may not operate
properly and both the
and
the
indicator lights may illuminate.
∙ If engine control related parts are not INFINITI recommended or are extremely
deteriorated, both the
andindicator lights may illuminate. ∙ When driving on extremely inclined sur-
faces such as higher banked corners, the
VDC system may not operate properly
and the
indicator may flash or both
the
andindicator lights 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
indicator may flash or both
the
andindicator lights may
illuminate. This is not a malfunction. Re-
start the engine after driving onto a
stable surface.
∙ If wheels or tires other than the INFINITI recommended ones are used, the VDC
system may not operate properly and
the
indicator may flash or both
the
andindicator lights may
illuminate.
∙ The VDC system is not a substitute for winter tires or tire chains on a snow cov-
ered road.
ACTIVE TRACE CONTROL
(if so equipped)
This system senses driving based on the driv-
er’s steering and acceleration/braking pat-
terns, and controls brake pressure at indi-
vidual wheels to help smooth vehicle
response.
When the VDC OFF switch is used to turn off
the VDC system, the active trace control sys-
tem is also turned off.
If the active trace control is not functioning
properly, the FEB OFF indicator light illumi-
nates in the instrument panel.
5-144Starting and driving
Page 392 of 490

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 thedriver maintain controllability 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.
∙ Do not modify the vehicle’s suspension. If suspension parts such as shock absorb-
ers, struts, springs, stabilizer bars, bush-
ings and wheels are not INFINITI recom-
mended for your vehicle or are extremely
deteriorated, the VDC system may not
operate properly. This could adversely
affect vehicle handling performance, and
the
indicator may flash or both
the
andindicator lights may
illuminate. ∙ If brake related parts such as brake pads,
rotors and calipers are not INFINITI rec-
ommended or are extremely deterio-
rated, the VDC system may not operate
properly and both the
and
the
indicator lights may illuminate.
∙ If engine control related parts are not INFINITI recommended or are extremely
deteriorated, both the
andindicator lights may illuminate.
∙ When driving on extremely inclined sur- faces such as higher banked corners, the
VDC system may not operate properly
and the
indicator may flash or both
the
andindicator lights 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
indicator may flash or both
the
andindicator lights may
illuminate. This is not a malfunction. Re-
start the engine after driving onto a
stable surface. ∙ If wheels or tires other than the INFINITI
recommended ones are used, the VDC
system may not operate properly and
the
indicator may flash or both
the
andindicator lights may
illuminate.
∙ The VDC system is not a substitute for winter tires or tire chains on a snow cov-
ered road.
Starting and driving5-145