2018 INFINITI QX80 engine

10-18Technical and consumer information
WARNING
Overloading or improper loading of a
trailer and its cargo can adversely affect
vehicle handling, braking and perfor-
mance and may lead to accidents.
CAUTION
.Do not tow a trailer or haul a heavy
load for the first 500 miles (800 km).
Your engine, axle or other parts could
be damaged.
. For the first 500 miles (800 km) that
you tow a trailer, do not drive over
50 MPH (80 km/h) and do not make
starts at full throttle. This helps the
engine and other parts of your vehicle
wear in at the heavier loads.
Your new vehicle was designed to be used
primarily to carry passengers and cargo.
Remember that towing a trailer places
additional loads on your vehicle’s engine,
drivetrain, steering, braking and other sys-
tems.
An INFINITI Towing Guide (U.S. only) is
available on the website at www.InfinitiUSA.com. This guide includes
information on trailer towing capability and
the special equipment required for proper
towing.
MAXIMUM LOAD LIMITS
Maximum trailer loads
Never allow the total trailer load to exceed
the value specified in the “Towing load/
specification” (P.10-21). The total trailer
load equals trailer weight plus its cargo
weight.
.
When towing a trailer load of 3,500 lbs
(1,587 kg) or more, trailers with a brake
system MUST be used.
The maximum Gross Combined Weight
Rating (GCWR) should not exceed the value
specified in the following “Towing Load/
Specification” chart.
STI0541
The GCWR equals the combined weight of
the towing vehicle (including passengers and
cargo) plus the total trailer load. Towing
loads greater than these or using improper
towing equipment could adversely affect
vehicle handling, braking and performance.
The ability of your vehicle to tow a trailer is
not only related to the maximum trailer
loads, but also the places you plan to tow.
Tow weights appropriate for level highway
driving may have to be reduced on very steep
grades or for low traction situations (for
example, on slippery boat ramps).
Temperature conditions can also affect
towing. For example, towing a heavy trailer
in high outside temperatures on graded
TOWING A TRAILER

roads can affect engine performance and
cause overheating. The transmission high
fluid temperature and engine protection
mode, which helps reduce the chance of
transmission and engine damage, could
activate and automatically decrease engine
power. Vehicle speed may decrease under
high load. Plan your trip carefully to account
for trailer and vehicle load, weather and road
conditions.
WARNING
Overheating can result in reduced engine
power and vehicle speed. The reduced
speed may be lower than other traffic,
which could increase the chance of a
collision. Be especially careful when
driving. If the vehicle cannot maintain a
safe driving speed, pull to the side of the
road in a safe area. Allow the engine to
cool and return to normal operation. See
“If your vehicle overheats” (P.6-14).
CAUTION
Vehicle damage resulting from improper
towing procedures is not covered by
INFINITI warranties.
STI0542
Tongue load
When using a weight carrying or a weight
distributing hitch, keep the tongue load
between 10 to 15% of the total trailer load
or use the trailer tongue load specified by the
trailer manufacturer. The tongue load must
be within the maximum tongue load limits
shown in the following “Towing Load/
Specification” chart. If the tongue load
becomes excessive, rearrange cargo to allow
for proper tongue load.
TI1012M
MAXIMUM GROSS VEHICLE
WEIGHT (GVW)/MAXIMUM
GROSS AXLE WEIGHT (GAW)
The GVW of the towing vehicle must not
exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR) shown on the F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.
S. certification label. The GVW equals the
combined weight of the unloaded vehicle,
passengers, luggage, hitch, trailer tongue
load and any other optional equipment. In
addition, front or rear GAW must not exceed
the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
shown on the F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certifi-
cation label.
Towing capacities are calculated assuming a
Technical and consumer information10-19

down condition; check for improper
tongue load, overload, worn suspension
or other possible causes of either condi-
tion.
. Always secure items in the trailer to
prevent load shift while driving.
. Keep the cargo load as low as possible in
the trailer to keep the trailer center of
gravity low.
. Load the trailer so approximately 60% of
the trailer load is in the front half and
40% is in the back half. Also make sure
the load is balanced side to side.
. Check your hitch, trailer tire pressure,
vehicle tire pressure, trailer light opera-
tion, and trailer wheel lug nuts every time
you attach a trailer to the vehicle.
. Be certain your rearview mirrors conform
to all federal, state or local regulations. If
not, install any mirrors required for
towing before driving the vehicle.
. Determine the overall height of the
vehicle and trailer so the required clear-
ance is known.
Trailer towing tips
In order to gain skill and an understanding of
the vehicle’s behavior, you should practice
turning, stopping and backing up in an area
which is free from traffic. Steering stability,
and braking performance will be somewhat different than under normal driving condi-
tions.
.
Always secure items in the trailer to
prevent load shift while driving.
. Lock the trailer hitch coupler with a pin or
lock to prevent the coupler from inad-
vertently becoming unlatched.
. Avoid abrupt starts, acceleration or
stops.
. Avoid sharp turns or lane changes.
. Always drive your vehicle at a moderate
speed. Some states or provinces have
specific speed limits for vehicles that are
towing trailers. Obey the local speed
limits.
. When backing up, hold the bottom of the
steering wheel with one hand. Move
your hand in the direction in which you
want the trailer to go. Make small
corrections and back up slowly. If possi-
ble, have someone guide you when you
are backing up.
Always block the wheels on both vehicle and
trailer when parking. Parking on a slope is
not recommended; however, if you must do
so:
CAUTION
If you move the shift lever to the P
(Park) position before blocking the
wheels and applying the parking brake,
transmission damage could occur.
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Have someone place blocks on the downhill side of the vehicle and trailer
wheels.
3. After the wheel blocks are in place, slowly release the brake pedal until the
blocks absorb the vehicle load.
4. Apply the parking brake.
5. Shift the transmission into P (Park).
6. Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) models:
Make sure that the 4WD shift switch is
engaged in the AUTO, 4HI or 4LO
position and the Automatic Transmission
(AT) park warning light is turned off.
7. Turn off the engine.
To drive away:
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Shift the transmission into gear.
Technical and consumer information10-27

10-28Technical and consumer information
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Drive slowly until the vehicle and trailerare clear from the blocks.
6. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
7. Have someone retrieve and store the blocks.
. While going downhill, the weight of the
trailer pushing on the tow vehicle may
decrease overall stability. Therefore, to
maintain adequate control, reduce your
speed and shift to a lower gear. Avoid
long or repeated use of the brakes when
descending a hill, as this reduces their
effectiveness and could cause overheat-
ing. Shifting to a lower gear instead
provides “engine braking” and reduces
the need to brake as frequently.
. If the engine coolant temperature rises to
a high temperature, see “If your vehicle
overheats” (P.6-14).
. Trailer towing requires more fuel than
normal circumstances.
. Avoid towing a trailer for your vehicle’s
first 500 miles (800 km).
. Have your vehicle serviced more often
than at intervals specified in the recom-
mended maintenance schedule shown in
the “9. Maintenance and schedules”
section. .
When making a turn, your trailer wheels
will be closer to the inside of the turn
than your vehicle wheels. To compensate
for this, make a larger than normal
turning radius during the turn.
. Crosswinds and rough roads will ad-
versely affect vehicle/trailer handling,
possibly causing vehicle sway. When
being passed by larger vehicles, be pre-
pared for possible changes in crosswinds
that could affect vehicle handling.
Do the following if the trailer begins to sway:
1. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal to allow the vehicle to coast and steer as
straight ahead as the road conditions
allow. This combination will help stabilize
the vehicle.
.Do not correct trailer sway by steering
or applying the brakes.
2. When the trailer sway stops, gently apply the brakes and pull to the side of
the road in a safe area.
3. Try to rearrange the trailer load so it is balanced as described earlier in this
section.
. Be careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires
considerably more distance than normal
passing. Remember the length of the
trailer must also pass the other vehicle
before you can safely change lanes. .
Use the TOW mode or downshift the
transmission to a lower gear for engine
braking when driving down steep or long
hills. This will help slow the vehicle
without applying the brakes.
. Avoid holding the brake pedal down too
long or too frequently. This could cause
the brakes to overheat, resulting in
reduced braking efficiency.
. Increase your following distance to allow
for greater stopping distances while
towing a trailer. Anticipate stops and
brake gradually.
. INFINITI recommends that the cruise
control not be used while towing a
trailer.
. While towing a trailer, do not use the
following systems (if so equipped):
— the Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system
— the Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) system
— the Blind Spot Warning (BSW) system
— the Blind Spot Intervention
®(BSI)
system
— the Back-up Collision Intervention (BCI) system
— the Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) system
— the Distance Control Assist (DCA) system

— the Forward Emergency Braking(FEB) with pedestrian detection sys-
tem
— the Predictive Forward Collision Warning (PFCW) system
. Some states or provinces have specific
regulations and speed limits for vehicles
that are towing trailers. Obey the local
speed limits.
. Check your hitch, trailer wiring harness
connections, and trailer wheel lug nuts
after 50 miles (80 km) of travel and at
every break.
. When launching a boat, do not allow the
water level to go over the exhaust tail
pipe or rear bumper.
. Make sure you disconnect the trailer
lights before backing the trailer into the
water or the trailer lights may burn out.
When towing a trailer, the transmission
fluid should be changed more frequently.
For additional information, see “9. Main-
tenance and schedules” section.
TOW mode
Using TOW mode is recommended when
pulling a heavy trailer or hauling a heavy
load. Push the TOW mode switch to activate
TOW mode. The TOW mode indicator light
in the meter illuminates when TOW mode is
selected. Push the TOW mode switch again to turn TOW mode off. TOW mode is
automatically cancelled when the ignition
switch is placed in the OFF position.
TOW mode includes the following features:
.
Grade logic — Adjusts transmission shifts
when pulling a trailer or hauling a load up
a grade.
. Downhill Speed Control (DSC) — auto-
matically downshifts when driving down
a grade with a trailer or heavy load to
help control vehicle speed.
Driving the vehicle in the TOW mode with no
trailer/load or light trailer/light load will not
cause any damage. However, fuel economy
may be reduced and the transmission/
engine driving characteristics may feel unu-
sual.
When towing a trailer, the transmission
fluid should be changed more frequently.
For additional information, see “9. Main-
tenance and schedules” section.
Trailer Sway Control
To minimize trailer sway, your vehicle may
apply braking to individual wheels based on
input from your vehicle sensors and vehicle
speed. Trailer Sway Control is a function of
the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system
and is active when the VDC function is
enabled.
CAUTION
If the VDC OFF switch is on (meaning
VDC system OFF), the Trailer Sway
Control is also disabled.
When Trailer Sway Control is in operation,
the VDC warning light blinks. When vehicle
control is regained, VDC warning light will
turn OFF.
For additional information about the VDC
system, see “Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
system” (P.5-133).
If Trailer Sway Control activates:
1. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal to allow the vehicle to coast and steer as
straight ahead as the road conditions
allow. This combination will help stabilize
the vehicle.
CAUTION
Do not try to correct trailer sway by
steering or applying the brakes.
2. When the trailer sway stops, gently apply the brakes and pull to the side of
the road in a safe area.
Technical and consumer information10-29

WARNING
A vehicle equipped with Four-Wheel
Drive (4WD) should never be tested
using a two wheel dynamometer (such
as the dynamometers used by some
states for emissions testing), or similar
equipment. Make sure you inform test
facility personnel that your vehicle is
equipped with 4WD before it is placed
on a dynamometer. Using the wrong test
equipment may result in transmission
damage or unexpected vehicle move-
ment which could result in serious vehicle
damage or personal injury.
Due to legal requirements in some states and
Canadian Provinces, your vehicle may be
required to be in what is called the “ready
condition” for an Inspection/Maintenance
(I/M) test of the emission control system.
The vehicle is set to the “ready condition”
when it is driven through certain driving
patterns. Usually, the “ready condition” can
be obtained by ordinary usage of the vehicle.
If a powertrain system component is re-
paired or the battery is disconnected, the
vehicle may be reset to a “not ready condi-
tion”. Before taking the I/M test, check the
vehicle’s inspection/maintenance test readi- ness condition. Place the ignition switch in
the ON position without starting the engine.
If the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
comes on steady for 20 seconds and then
blinks for 10 seconds, the I/M test condition
is “not ready”. If the MIL does not blink after
20 seconds, the I/M test condition is
“ready”.
It is recommended you visit an INFINITI
retailer to set “ready condition” or to prepare
the vehicle for testing.
This vehicle is equipped with an Event Data
Recorder (EDR). The main purpose of an
EDR is to record, in certain crash or near
crash-like situations, such as an air bag
deployment or hitting a road obstacle, data
that will assist in understanding how a
vehicle’s systems performed. The EDR is
designed to record data related to vehicle
dynamics and safety systems for a short
period of time, typically 30 seconds or less.
The EDR in this vehicle is designed to record
such data as:
.
How various systems in your vehicle were
operating;
. Whether or not the driver and passenger
safety belts were buckled/fastened;
. How far (if at all) the driver was depres-
sing the accelerator and/or brake pedal;
and,
. How fast the vehicle was traveling.
. Sounds are not recorded.
These data can help provide a better under-
standing of the circumstances in which
crashes and injuries occur.
NOTE: EDR data are recorded by your
vehicle only if a nontrivial crash situation
occurs; no data are recorded by the EDR
under normal driving conditions and no
personal data (e.g. name, gender, age and
crash location) are recorded. However, other
parties, such as law enforcement, could
combine the EDR data with the type of
Technical and consumer information10-33
READINESS FOR INSPECTION/
MAINTENANCE (I/M) TEST EVENT DATA RECORDERS (EDR)

11 Index
A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) ................... 5-132
Adaptive front lighting system (AFS) ............ 2-42
Advanced air bag system .................................. 1-58
Aiming controlAdaptive front lighting system (AFS) ...... 2-42
Headlights ........................................................ 2-41
Air bag system
Advanced air bag system ............................ 1-58
Front passenger air bag and
status light ....................................................... 1-60
Front-seat mounted side-impact
supplemental air bag system ..................... 1-65
Roof-mounted curtain side-impact and
rollover supplemental air bag system ...... 1-65
Air bag warning labels ....................................... 1-68
Air bag warning light ............................... 1-69, 2-17
Air cleaner housing filter ................................... 8-14
Air conditioner Advanced Climate Control System ......... 4-29
Air conditioner service ................................. 4-35
Air conditioner specification label ......... 10-13
Air conditioning system refrigerant and
lubricant recommendations ............ 4-35, 10-7
Automatic climate control ............. 4-26, 4-28
In-cabin microfilter ........................................ 4-35
Alarm, How to stop alarm (see vehicle
security system) ................................................... 2-32
Alcohol, drugs and driving ................................ 5-10 Antenna .................................................................. 4-36
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ................... 5-132
Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
warning light ......................................................... 2-12
Appearance care
Exterior appearance care ............................... 7-2
Interior appearance care ................................ 7-5
Armrest ................................................................... 1-10
Around View
®Monitor ........................................ 4-3
Audible reminders ................................................ 2-21
Auto closure .......................................................... 3-25
Autolight system .................................................. 2-37
Automatic
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) ......... 8-8
Climate control .................................. 4-26, 4-28
Door locks .......................................................... 3-6
Drive positioner .............................................. 3-39
Driving with automatic transmission ....... 5-18
Seat positioner ............................................... 3-39
Average fuel consumption and speed ........... 2-29
Avoiding collision and rollover ........................... 5-8
B
Back door (See liftgate) ..................................... 3-21
Back-up Collision Intervention
(BCI) system .......................................................... 5-55
Battery .................................................................... 8-11 Battery saver system ........................ 2-41, 2-66
Intelligent Key ................................................ 8-20 Variable voltage control system ............... 8-13
Before starting the engine ................................ 5-15
Belts (See drive belts) ......................................... 8-13
Blind Spot Intervention (BSI) ON
indicator light ........................................................ 2-18
Blind Spot Intervention
®(BSI) system .......... 5-42
Blind Spot Warning (BSW) system ................ 5-32
Blind Spot Warning (BSW)/Blind Spot
Intervention (BSI) system warning light ....... 2-13
Booster seats ........................................................ 1-48
Brake
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ............. 5-132
Brake booster ................................................. 8-17
Brake fluid ......................................................... 8-9
Brake system ................................................ 5-131
Parking brake operation .............................. 5-22
Warning light .................................................. 2-13
Break-in schedule .............................................. 5-119
Brightness control Instrument panel ............................................ 2-43
Bulb check/instrument panel ........................... 2-12
Bulb replacement ................................................. 8-23
C
Cabin air filter ....................................................... 4-35
Camera aiding sonar function ......................... 4-16
Capacities and
recommended fluids/lubricants ....................... 10-2
Car phone or CB radio ....................................... 4-36

11-2
Cargo floor box .................................................... 2-60
Cargo light ............................................................. 2-68
Catalytic converter, Three way catalyst ......... 5-4
Center ventilators ................................................ 4-25
Chassis and body maintenance ....................... 9-10
Child restraints ...................................................... 1-31Booster seats .................................................. 1-48
LATCH system ............................................... 1-33
Precautions on child restraints .................. 1-31
Top tether strap ............................................. 1-36
Child safety ........................................................... 1-29
Child safety rear door lock .................................. 3-6
Chimes Audible reminders .......................................... 2-21
Seat belt warning light and chime ............ 2-17
Circuit breaker, Fusible link .............................. 8-19
Cleaning exterior and interior .................... 7-2, 7-5
Climate control Automatic climate control ............. 4-26, 4-28
Clock ........................................................................\
2-51
Coat hooks ............................................................ 2-59
Cockpit ...................................................................... 2-3
Cold weather driving ........................................ 5-136
Console box ........................................................... 2-57
Coolant Capacities and
recommended fluids/lubricants ................. 10-2
Changing engine coolant ............................... 8-5
Checking engine coolant level ...................... 8-5
Corrosion protection ............................................. 7-8 Cruise control ....................................................... 5-65
Fixed speed cruise control (on
ICC system) .................................................... 5-84
Intelligent cruise control (ICC) system .... 5-66
Cup holders ........................................................... 2-54
D
Daytime running light system .......................... 2-42
Dimensions ......................................................... 10-10
Distance Control Assist (DCA) system .......... 5-87
Distance Control Assist (DCA) system
warning light ......................................................... 2-14
Drive belts .............................................................. 8-13
Drive positioner .................................................... 3-39
Driving Cold weather driving ................................. 5-136
Driving with automatic transmission ....... 5-18
On-pavement and off-road driving ........... 5-8
Precautions when starting and driving ..... 5-4
Safety precautions ........................................ 5-10
E
Economy, Fuel ................................................... 5-120
Elapsed time ......................................................... 2-29
Emission control information label ............... 10-12
Emission control system maintenance ............ 9-8
Emission control system warranty ............... 10-31
EngineBefore starting the engine .......................... 5-15
Break-in schedule ........................................ 5-119 Capacities and recommended fluids/
lubricants .......................................................... 10-2
Changing engine coolant ............................... 8-5
Changing engine oil and filter ...................... 8-6
Checking engine coolant level ...................... 8-5
Checking engine oil level ............................... 8-6
Coolant temperature gauge ......................... 2-8
Emergency engine shut off ......................... 5-14
Engine block heater .................................... 5-137
Engine compartment check locations ........ 8-3
Engine cooling system ................................... 8-4
Engine oil ........................................................... 8-6
Engine oil and oil
filter recommendation .................................. 10-6
Engine oil replacement indicator ............... 2-27
Engine oil viscosity ........................................ 10-7
Engine serial number ................................. 10-12
Engine specifications ................................... 10-8
Engine start operation indicator ............... 2-24
If your vehicle overheats ............................. 6-14
Oil pressure gauge .......................................... 2-9
Protection mode ............................................ 5-17
Remote engine start
operation indicator ........................................ 2-24
Starting the engine ....................................... 5-15
Entry/exit function, Automatic
drive positioner .................................................... 3-39
Event Data Recorders (EDR) ........................ 10-33
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) ........................ 5-4
Explanation of scheduled
maintenance items ................................................. 9-5