2018 INFINITI QX80 steering

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

Extended storage fuse warning ...................... 2-25
Extended storage switch .................................. 8-20
F
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label .... 10-12
FilterAir cleaner housing filter ............................. 8-14
Changing engine oil and filter ...................... 8-6
Flashers (See hazard warning
flasher switch) ......................................................... 6-2
Flat tire ...................................................................... 6-3
Flat towing ......................................................... 10-30
Flexible seating ..................................................... 1-11
Floor mat cleaning ................................................. 7-6
Fluid
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) ......... 8-8
Brake fluid ......................................................... 8-9
Capacities and
recommended fluids/lubricants ................. 10-2
Engine coolant .................................................. 8-4
Engine oil ........................................................... 8-6
Power steering fluid ....................................... 8-8
Window washer fluid .................................. 8-10
Fog light switch ................................................... 2-44
Forward Emergency Braking (FEB) with
pedestrian detection system ......................... 5-100
Forward Emergency Braking system
warning light ......................................................... 2-15
Front passenger air bag and status light ..... 1-60
Front power seat adjustment ............................. 1-4 Front seat
Front seat adjustment ........................ 1-4, 1-10
Front-seat active head restraint ...................... 1-17
Fuel
Capacities and
recommended fluids/lubricants ................. 10-2
Fuel economy .............................................. 5-120
Fuel information ........................................... 10-4
Fuel octane rating ........................................ 10-4
Fuel-filler cap .................................................. 3-26
Fuel-filler door ............................................... 3-26
Gauge .................................................................. 2-9
LOOSE FUEL CAP warning ...................... 3-28
Fuel efficient driving tips ................................. 5-119
Fuses ....................................................................... 8-18
Fusible links ........................................................... 8-19
G
Garage door opener HomeLink®
Universal Transceiver ....................... 2-68, 2-72
Gas cap ................................................................... 3-26
Gauge ........................................................................\
. 2-6 Engine coolant temperature gauge ............ 2-8
Engine oil pressure gauge ............................. 2-9
Fuel gauge ......................................................... 2-9
Odometer ............................................................ 2-7
Speedometer ...................................................... 2-7
Tachometer ....................................................... 2-8
Trip computer ................................................. 2-28
General maintenance ............................................. 9-2 Glove box ............................................................... 2-56
H
Hazard warning flasher switch ........................... 6-2
Head restraints/headrests ................................ 1-13
Headlight washer ................................................ 2-42
Headlights
Aiming control ................................................ 2-41
Aiming control (See adaptive front
lighting system (AFS)) .................................. 2-42
Bulb replacement .......................................... 8-24
Headlight switch ............................................ 2-37
Heated seats ......................................................... 2-46
Heated steering wheel ....................................... 2-45
Heater Automatic climate control ............. 4-26, 4-28
Engine block heater .................................... 5-137
High beam assist ................................................. 2-39
Hill start assist system ..................................... 5-128
HomeLink
®Universal Transceiver ...... 2-68, 2-72
Hood release ......................................................... 3-21
Hook Coat hooks ...................................................... 2-59
Luggage hook ................................................. 2-59
Horn ........................................................................\
. 2-45
I
Ignition switch (Push-button) .......................... 5-12
Immobilizer system .............................................. 2-32
In-cabin microfilter .............................................. 4-35
11-3

Low tire pressure warning system (See tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS)) ............... 5-5
Luggage hooks ..................................................... 2-59
M
MaintenanceBattery .............................................................. 8-11
General maintenance ...................................... 9-2
Inside the vehicle ............................................. 9-3
Maintenance indicators ............................... 2-27
Maintenance log ............................................ 9-14
Maintenance precautions .............................. 8-2
Maintenance requirements ........................... 9-2
Maintenance schedules ................................. 9-6
Maintenance under severe
driving conditions .......................................... 9-13
Outside the vehicle ......................................... 9-2
Seat belt maintenance ................................. 1-28
Standard maintenance .................................... 9-7
Maintenance schedules ........................................ 9-6
Malfunction indicator light (MIL) .................... 2-19
Map lights .............................................................. 2-66
Master warning light ........................................... 2-17
Mechanical key (Intelligent Key system) .......... 3-3
Memory storage, Automatic
drive positioner .................................................... 3-39
Meter
Trip computer ................................................. 2-28
Meters and gauges ................................................ 2-6 Instrument brightness control ................... 2-43 Mirror
Inside mirror ................................................... 3-30
Outside mirrors .............................................. 3-36
Smart Rearview Mirror ................................ 3-31
Vanity mirror ................................................... 3-38
Monitor Around View®Monitor .................................. 4-3
Moonroof ............................................................... 2-64
Moving Object Detection (MOD) ................... 4-20
N
New vehicle break-in ........................................ 5-119
O
Odometer .................................................................. 2-7
Off-road recovery .................................................. 5-9
Oil Capacities and
recommended fluids/lubricants ................. 10-2
Changing engine oil and filter ...................... 8-6
Checking engine oil level ............................... 8-6
Engine oil ........................................................... 8-6
Engine oil pressure gauge ............................. 2-9
Engine oil viscosity ........................................ 10-7
Oil filter replacement indicator .................. 2-27
Operation, operational indicators ................... 2-24
Outside air temperature .................................... 2-29
Outside mirrors .................................................... 3-36
Overheat, If your vehicle overheats ............... 6-14 Owner’s Manual/Service Manual
order information ............................................. 10-34
P
Panic alarm ............................................................ 3-16
Parking
Brake break-in .............................................. 5-131
Parking brake operation .............................. 5-22
Parking on hills ............................................. 5-129
Phone Car phone or CB radio ................................. 4-36
Pocket ..................................................................... 2-58
Power Front seat adjustment ................................... 1-4
Moonroof ......................................................... 2-64
Power door lock ............................................... 3-4
Power outlet ................................................... 2-51
Power steering fluid ....................................... 8-8
Power steering system .............................. 5-131
Power windows ............................................. 2-61
Precautions
Braking precautions .................................... 5-131
Child restraints ............................................... 1-31
Cruise control ................................................. 5-65
Driving safety ................................................. 5-10
Maintenance ..................................................... 8-2
On-pavement and off-road driving ........... 5-8
Seat belt usage .............................................. 1-18
Supplemental restraint system .................. 1-52
When starting and driving ............................ 5-4
11-5

11-6
Predictive Forward Collision
Warning (PFCW) ............................................... 5-110
Push starting ......................................................... 6-13
Push-button ignition switch ............................. 5-12
R
RadioCar phone or CB radio ................................. 4-36
Rain-sensing auto wiper system ..................... 2-35
Rapid air pressure loss .......................................... 5-9
Readiness for inspection/maintenance
(I/M) test ............................................................ 10-33
Rear door lock, Child safety rear door lock .... 3-6
Rear personal lights ............................................ 2-66
Rear ventilators .................................................... 4-25
Rear window wiper and washer switch ....... 2-36
Rear window wiper blades ............................... 8-16
Recorders, Event data .................................... 10-33
Registering your vehicle in
another country ................................................. 10-11
Remote engine start ................................ 3-17, 3-18
Remote keyless entry system .......................... 3-15
Reporting safety defects ................................ 10-32
Roadside assistance program ............................. 6-2
Rollover .................................................................... 5-8
Roof Moonroof ......................................................... 2-64
Roof rack ........................................................ 2-60
S
Safety
Child seat belts ............................................... 1-29
Towing safety .............................................. 10-22
Seat adjustment
Front power seat adjustment ...................... 1-4
Front seats ............................................. 1-4, 1-10
Seat belt(s)
Child safety ..................................................... 1-29
Infants ............................................................... 1-30
Injured persons ............................................... 1-21
Larger children ............................................... 1-30
Precautions on seat belt usage ................. 1-18
Pregnant women ........................................... 1-21
Seat belt cleaning ............................................. 7-7
Seat belt extenders ....................................... 1-28
Seat belt maintenance ................................. 1-28
Seat belt warning light and chime ............ 2-17
Seat belts ......................................................... 1-18
Seat belts with pretensioners .................... 1-67
Small children .................................................. 1-30
Three-point type ............................................ 1-21
Seat(s)
Climate controlled seats ............................. 2-48
Driver-side memory ...................................... 3-39
Heated seats ................................................... 2-46
Seats .................................................................... 1-3
Security system (INFINITI Vehicle
Immobilizer System), Engine start .................. 2-32
Security system, Vehicle security system ..... 2-31 Servicing climate control ................................... 4-35
Setting memory function, Automatic
drive positioner ................................................... 3-40
Shift lever, Shift lock release ............................ 5-21
Shift lock release
Transmission ................................................... 5-21
Shifting, Automatic transmission .................... 5-18
Side ventilators .................................................... 4-25
Smart Rearview Mirror ...................................... 3-31
SNOW mode ...................................................... 5-130
Snow mode switch .............................................. 2-49
Spare tire ................................................... 8-37, 10-9
Spark plugs ............................................................ 8-14
Speedometer ............................................................ 2-7
Standard maintenance .......................................... 9-7
Starting
Before starting the engine .......................... 5-15
Jump starting .................................................. 6-11
Precautions when starting and driving ..... 5-4
Push starting ................................................... 6-13
Starting the engine ....................................... 5-15
Status light, Front passenger air bag ............ 1-60
Steering
Heated steering wheel ................................. 2-45
Power steering fluid ....................................... 8-8
Power steering system .............................. 5-131
Tilt/telescopic steering ................................ 3-29
Storage ................................................................... 2-54
Sun visors ............................................................... 3-29
Sunglasses holder ................................................ 2-56
Supplemental air bag warning labels ............. 1-68

Supplemental air bag warning light .... 1-69, 2-17
Supplemental restraint system ........................ 1-52Precautions on supplemental
restraint system ............................................. 1-52
Switch Autolight switch ............................................. 2-37
Fog light switch ............................................ 2-44
Hazard warning flasher switch .................... 6-2
Headlight aiming control ............................. 2-41
Headlight switch ............................................ 2-37
Ignition switch ................................................ 5-18
Power door lock switch ................................. 3-5
Snow mode switch ........................................ 2-49
Turn signal switch ........................................ 2-44
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC)
off switch ........................................................ 2-50
T
Tachometer ............................................................. 2-8
Temperature gauge, Engine coolant
temperature gauge ............................................... 2-8
Theft (INFINITI Vehicle Immobilizer System),
Engine start ........................................................... 2-32
Three-way catalyst ............................................... 5-4
Tilt/telescopic steering ...................................... 3-29
TirePressure, Low tire pressure
warning light ................................................... 2-15
Tire replacement indicator .......................... 2-27
Tires
Flat tire ............................................................... 6-3 Low tire pressure warning system ............. 5-5
Tire and Loading
information label ............................. 8-29, 10-13
Tire chains ........................................................ 8-33
Tire dressing ...................................................... 7-4
Tire pressure ................................................... 8-27
Tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS) ........................................ 5-5, 6-3
Tire rotation ................................................... 8-34
Types of tires .................................................. 8-33
Uniform tire quality grading .................... 10-30
Wheel/tire size ............................................... 10-9
Wheels and tires ............................................ 8-27
Top Tether strap child restraints ....................... 1-36
TOW mode ......................................................... 5-130
TOW mode switch .............................................. 2-50
Towing Flat towing ................................................... 10-30
Tow truck towing .......................................... 6-15
Towing a trailer ........................................... 10-18
Towing safety .............................................. 10-22
TPMS, Tire pressure monitoring system ......... 5-5 TPMS with Tire Inflation Indicator ............. 5-7
TPMS, Tire pressure warning system .............. 6-3
Trailer towing .................................................... 10-18
Transceiver HomeLink
®
Universal Transceiver ....................... 2-68, 2-72
Transmission
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) ......... 8-8 Driving with automatic transmission ....... 5-18
Transmission shift lever lock release ....... 5-21
Transmitter (See remote keyless
entry system) ........................................................ 3-15
Traveling or registering your vehicle in
another country ................................................. 10-11
Trip computer ....................................................... 2-28
Trip odometer ....................................................... 2-29
Turn signal switch ............................................... 2-44
U
Underbody cleaning ............................................... 7-3
Uniform tire quality grading .......................... 10-30
USB (Universal Serial Bus)
charging connector ............................................. 2-53
V
Vanity mirror ......................................................... 3-38
Vanity mirror lights ............................................. 2-68
Variable voltage control system ..................... 8-13
Vehicle Dimensions ................................................... 10-10
Identification number (VIN) ...................... 10-11
Loading information .................................. 10-14
Recovery (freeing a stuck vehicle) ............ 6-18
Security system .............................................. 2-31
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC)
off switch ........................................................ 2-50
Vehicle dynamic control
(VDC) system ................................................ 5-133
11-7