5-12Starting and driving
the maintenance schedules shown in
the "9. Maintenance and schedules"
section.
. Spinning the rear wheels on slippery
surfaces may cause the 4WD warn-
ing light to flash. The 4WD system
may also automatically switch from
the 4WD mode to the 2WD mode.
This could reduce traction. Be espe-
cially careful when towing a trailer
(4WD models).WARNING
Do not operate the push-button ignition
switch while driving the vehicle except in
an emergency. (The engine will stop
when the ignition switch is pushed 3
consecutive times or the ignition switch
is pushed and held for more than 2
seconds.) If the engine stops while the
vehicle is being driven, this could lead to
a crash and serious injury.
Before operating the push-button ignition
switch, be sure to move the shift lever to the
P (Park) position.
SSD0436
OPERATING RANGE FOR EN-
GINE START FUNCTION
The operating range for starting the engine
inside the vehicleis shown in the illustra-
tion.
. If the Intelligent Key is on the instrument
panel, cargo area, inside the glove box or
door pocket, or the corner of interior
compartment, it may not be possible to
start the engine.
. If the Intelligent Key is near the door or
door glass outside the vehicle, it may be
possible to start the engine.
PUSH-BUTTON IGNITION SWITCH
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
CAUTION
.Always connect positive (+) to posi-
tive (+) and negative (−) to body
ground (as illustrated) — not to the
battery.
. Make sure the jumper cables do not
touch moving parts in the engine
compartment and that clamps do
not contact any other metal.
6. Start the engine of the booster vehicle
and let it run for a few minutes.
7. Keep the engine speed of the booster vehicle
at about 2,000 rpm, and start
the engine of the vehicle being jump
started
.
CAUTION
Do not keep the starter motor engaged
for more than 10 seconds. If the engine
does not start right away, push the
ignition switch to the OFF position and
wait 10 seconds before trying again.
8. After starting your engine, carefully disconnect the negative cable and then
the positive cable (
???). 9. Replace the vent caps (if so equipped).
Be sure to dispose of the cloth used to
cover the vent holes as it may be
contaminated with corrosive acid.
10. Put the battery cover on. Do not attempt to start the engine by
pushing.
CAUTION
.
Automatic transmission models can-
not be push-started or tow-started.
Attempting to do so may cause
transmission damage.
. Three way catalyst equipped models
should not be started by pushing
since the three way catalyst may be
damaged.
. Never try to start the vehicle by
towing it; when the engine starts,
the forward surge could cause the
vehicle to collide with the tow vehi-
cle.
In case of emergency6-13
PUSH STARTING
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
— 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
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