5-20Starting and driving
Manual shift mode
When the shift lever is in the manual shift
gate, the transmission is ready for the
manual shift mode. Shift ranges can be
selected manually by moving the shift lever
up or down.
When shifting up, move the shift lever to the
+ (up) side. The transmission shifts to the
higher range.
When shifting down, move the shift lever to
the − (down) side. The transmission shifts to
the lower range.
When canceling the manual shift mode,
return the shift lever to the D (Drive)
position. The transmission returns to the
normal driving mode.
In the manual shift mode, the shift range is
displayed on the position indicator in the
meter.
Shift ranges up or down one by one as
follows:
M1?
/M2 ?
/M3?
/M4 ?
/M5?
/M6?
/M7
M7 (7th):
Use this position for all normal forward
driving at highway speeds.
M6 (6th) andM5 (5th):
Use these positions when driving up long
slopes, or for engine braking when driving
down long slopes.
M4 (4th),M3 (3rd) andM2 (2nd):
Use these positions for hill climbing or engine
braking on downhill grades.
M1 (1st):
Use this position when climbing steep hills
slowly or driving slowly through deep snow,
or for maximum engine braking on steep
downhill grades.
. Remember not to drive at high speeds for
extended periods of time in lower than
7th gear. This reduces fuel economy.
. Moving the shift lever rapidly to the same
side twice will shift the ranges in succes-
sion.
. In the manual shift mode, the transmis-
sion may not shift to the selected gear
or may automatically shift to the other
gear. This helps maintain driving per-
formance and reduces the chance of
vehicle damage or loss of control.
. When the transmission does not shift to
the selected gear, the Automatic Trans-
mission (AT) position indicator light (in
the vehicle information display) will
blink and the buzzer will sound. .
In the manual shift mode, the transmis-
sion automatically shifts down to 1st
gear before the vehicle comes to a stop.
When accelerating again, it is necessary
to shift up to the desired range.
Accelerator downshift — In D (Drive)
position —
For passing or hill climbing, fully depress the
accelerator pedal to the floor. This shifts the
transmission down into the lower gear,
depending on the vehicle speed.
Fail-safe
When the fail-safe operation occurs, note
that the transmission will be locked in any of
the forward gears according to the condi-
tion.
If the vehicle is driven under extreme
conditions, such as excessive wheel spinning
and subsequent hard braking, the fail-safe
system may be activated. This will occur
even if all electrical circuits are functioning
properly. In this case, push the switch to the
OFF position and wait for 3 seconds. Then
push the ignition switch back to the ON
position. The vehicle should return to its
normal operating condition. If it does not
return to its normal operating condition,
have the transmission checked and re-
paired, if necessary. It is recommended you
visit an INFINITI retailer for this service.
JVS1141X
Shift lock release
If the battery charge is low or discharged,
the shift lever may not be moved from the P
(Park) position even with the brake pedal
depressed and the shift lever button pushed.
To move the shift lever, perform the follow-
ing procedure:
1. Push the ignition switch to the OFF orLOCK position.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Remove the shift lock cover
using a
suitable tool.
4. Push down the shift lock
as illustrated. 5. Push the shift lever button
and move
the shift lever to N (Neutral) position
while holding down the shift lock.
The vehicle may be moved to the desired
location.
If the lever cannot be moved out of P (Park),
have the automatic transmission system
checked as soon as possible. It is recom-
mended you visit an INFINITI retailer for this
service.
Starting and driving5-21
5-34Starting and driving
JVS1096X
Side indicator light
BSW system warning light
Warning systems switch
Center multi-function control panel
BSW SYSTEM OPERATION
The BSW system operates above approxi-
mately 20 MPH (32 km/h).
If the radar sensors detect a vehicle in the
detection zone, the side indicator light
illuminates.
If the turn signal is then activated, the
system chimes (twice) and the side indicator
light flashes. The side indicator light con-
tinues to flash until the detected vehicle
leaves the detection zone.
NOTE:
.The side indicator light illuminates for a
few seconds when the ignition switch is
placed in the ON position.
. The brightness of the side indicator light
is adjusted automatically depending on
the brightness of the ambient light.
. If a vehicle comes into the detection zone
after the driver activates the turn
signal, then only the side indicator light
flashes and no chime sounds. For addi-
tional information, refer to “BSW sys-
tem limitations” (P.5-36).
5. Set vehicle speed indicator:Indicates the set vehicle speed.
For Canadian models, the speed is dis-
played in km/h.
6. ICC system warning light (orange): The light comes on if there is a malfunc-
tion in the ICC system.
SSD0979
When the ignition switch is pushed to the
ON position, the indicators come on as
illustrated to check for a burned-out bulb,
and it turns off when the engine is started.
SSD1052
Operating vehicle-to-vehicle dis-
tance control mode
To turn on the cruise control, quickly push
and release the MAIN switchon. The
MAIN switch indicator, set distance indica-
tor and set vehicle speed indicator come on
and in a standby state for setting.
Starting and driving5-71
5-86Starting and driving
switch again will turn the system completely
off.
When the ignition switch is pushed to the
OFF position, the system is also automati-
cally turned off.
To use the ICC system again, quickly push
and release the MAIN switch (vehicle-to-
vehicle distance control mode) or push and
hold it (conventional cruise control mode)
again to turn it on.
When the Distance Control Assist (DCA)
system is on, the conventional (fixed speed)
cruise control mode cannot be turned on
even though the MAIN switch is pushed and
held.
To turn on the conventional (fixed speed)
cruise control mode, turn off the DCA
system. See “Distance Control Assist
(DCA)” (P.5-87).
CAUTION
To avoid accidentally engaging cruise
control, make sure to turn the MAIN
switch off when not using the ICC
system.
SSD0970
To set cruising speed,accelerate your
vehicle to the desired speed, push the
COAST/SET switch and release it. (The
SET indicator will come on in the display.)
Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Your vehicle will maintain the set speed.
. To pass another vehicle, depress the
accelerator pedal. When you release the
pedal, the vehicle will return to the
previously set speed.
. The vehicle may not maintain the set
speed when going up or down steep hills.
If this happens, manually maintain vehi-
cle speed.
To cancel the preset speed, use any of the
following methods: 1. Push the CANCEL switch. The SET
indicator will turn off.
2. Tap the brake pedal. The SET indicator will turn off.
3. Turn the MAIN switch off. Both the MAIN switch indicator and SET indicator
will turn off.
To reset at a faster cruising speed, use one
of the following three methods:
1. Depress the accelerator pedal. When the vehicle attains the desired speed, push
and release the COAST/SET switch.
2. Push and hold the ACCELERATE/RE- SUME set switch. When the vehicle
attains the speed you desire, release
the switch.
3. Push, then quickly release the ACCEL- ERATE/RESUME switch. Each time you
do this, the set speed will increase by
about 1 MPH (1.6 km/h).
To reset at a slower cruising speed, use one
of the following three methods:
1. Lightly tap the brake pedal. When the vehicle attains the desired speed, push
the COAST/SET switch and release it.
2. Push and hold the COAST/SET switch. Release the switch when the vehicle
slows down to the desired speed.
3. Push, then quickly release the COAST/
.If the vehicle is stuck deep in mud, tire
chains may be effective.
CAUTION
. Do not spin the tires excessively.
Tires will sink deep into the mud,
making it difficult to free the vehicle.
. Avoid shifting gears with the engine
running at high speeds as this may
cause malfunction.
SSD1048
4WD SHIFT SWITCH
.Shift the 4WD shift switch to either the
AUTO, 4H or 4L position, depending on
driving conditions.
. With the switch set to the AUTO posi-
tion, distribution of torque to the front
and rear wheels changes automatically,
depending on road conditions encoun-
tered [ratio; 0 : 100 (2WD) ?50 : 50
(4WD)]. This results in improved driving
stability.
. When the vehicle is stopped after mak-
ing a turn, you may feel a slight jolt after
the shift lever is shifted to N (Neutral) or
P (Park) position. This occurs because
the transfer clutch is released and not because of a malfunction.
CAUTION
.
When driving straight, shift the 4WD
shift switch to the AUTO or 4H
position. Do not move the 4WD shift
switch when making a turn or rever-
sing. If the 4WD shift switch is
operated while making a turn, accel-
erating or decelerating or if the
ignition switch is placed in the OFF
position while in the AUTO, 4H or 4L,
you may feel a jolt. This is not a
malfunction.
. Do not shift the 4WD shift switch
while driving on steep downhill
grades. Use the engine brake and
low automatic transmission gears
for engine braking.
. Do not operate the 4WD shift switch
with the rear wheels spinning.
. Before placing the 4WD shift switch
in the 4H position from AUTO,
ensure the vehicle speed is less than
62 MPH (100 km/h). Failure to do so
can damage the 4WD system.
. Never shift the 4WD shift switch
between 4L and 4H while driving.
Starting and driving5-125
5-126Starting and driving
.Engine idling speed is high while
warming up the engine. Be especially
careful when starting or driving on
slippery surfaces with the 4WD shift
switch in AUTO.
SSD1058
4WD shift indicator
4WD SHIFT INDICATOR
The 4WD shift indicator is displayed in the
vehicle information display.
The indicator should turn off within 1 second
after placing the ignition switch in the ON
position.
While the engine is running, the 4WD shift
indicator will illuminate the position selected
by the 4WD shift switch. (See the 4WD shift
procedure list shown in the “INFINITI all-
mode 4WD
®system” (P.5-121).)
. The 4WD shift indicator may blink while
shifting from one drive mode to the
other. When the shifting is completed, the 4WD shift indicator will come on. If
the indicator does not come on immedi-
ately, make sure the area around the
vehicle is safe, and drive the vehicle
straight, accelerate or decelerate or
move the vehicle in reverse, then shift
the 4WD shift switch.
. If the 4WD warning light comes on, the
4WD shift indicator turns off.
4WD WARNING LIGHT
Warning light Comes on or
blinks when:
Illuminates There is a mal-
function in the 4WD system
Blinks rapidly The transfer case
oil temperature is
abnormally high
Blinks slowly The difference in
wheel rotation is large
The 4WD warning light is located in the
meter.
The 4WD warning light comes on when the
ignition switch is placed in the ON position.
It turns off soon after the engine is started.
If any malfunction occurs in the 4WD system
when the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the 4WD warning light will either
remain illuminated or blink.
5-130Starting and driving
4. Push the ignition switch to the OFFposition.
SIC4474
The TOW mode should be used when pulling
a heavy trailer or hauling a heavy load.
Driving the vehicle in the TOW mode with
no trailer/load or light trailer/light load will
not cause any damage. However, fuel econ-
omy may be reduced, and the transmission/
engine driving characteristics may feel unu-
sual.
Push the TOW mode switch to activate
TOW mode. The indicator light on the TOW
mode switch illuminates when the TOW
mode is selected. Push the TOW mode
switch again to turn the TOW mode off.
TOW mode is automatically canceled when
the ignition switch is placed in the OFF
position.
SIC4454
For driving or starting the vehicle on snowy
roads or slippery areas, turn the SNOW
mode on.
To turn the SNOW mode on, push the
SNOW mode switch. The SNOW mode
indicator light on the meter panel will
illuminate. When the SNOW mode is acti-
vated, engine output is controlled to avoid
wheel spin.
To turn the SNOW mode off, push the
switch and the indicator on the meter panel
will turn off. Turn the SNOW mode off for
normal driving and fuel economy.
TOW MODE SNOW MODE