SEAT BELT MAINTENANCE
.To clean the seat belt webbing, apply a
mild soap solution or any solution re-
commended for cleaning upholstery or
carpets. Then, wipe with a cloth and
allow the seat belts to dry in the shade.
Do not allow the seat belts to retract
until they are completely dry.
. If dirt builds up in the shoulder belt guide
of the seat belt anchors, the seat belts
may retract slowly. Wipe the shoulder
belt guide with a clean, dry cloth.
. Periodically check to see that the seat
belt and the metal components such as
buckles, tongues, retractors, flexible
wires and anchors work properly. If loose
parts, deterioration, cuts or other da-
mage on the webbing is found, the entire
seat belt assembly should be replaced.WARNING
Do not allow children to play with the
seat belts. Most seating positions are
equipped with Automatic Locking Re-
tractor (ALR) mode seat belts. If the seat
belt becomes wrapped around a child’s
neck with the ALR mode activated, the
child can be seriously injured or killed if
the seat belt retracts and becomes tight.
This can occur even if the vehicle is
parked. Unbuckle the seat belt to release
the child.
Children need adults to help protect them.
They need to be properly restrained.
In addition to the general information in this
manual, child safety information is available
from many other sources, including doctors,
teachers, government traffic safety offices,
and community organizations. Every child is
different, so be sure to learn the best way to
transport your child.
There are three basic types of child restraint
systems:
. Rear-facing child restraint
. Forward-facing child restraint
. Booster seat
The proper restraint depends on the child’s size. Generally, infants up to about 1 year
and less than 20 lbs (9 kg) should be placed
in rear-facing child restraints. Forward-
facing child restraints are available for
children who outgrow rear-facing child re-
straints and are at least 1 year old. Booster
seats are used to help position a vehicle lap/
shoulder belt on a child who can no longer
use a forward-facing child restraint.
WARNING
Infants and children need special protec-
tion. The vehicle’s seat belts may not fit
them properly. The shoulder belt may
come too close to the face or neck. The
lap belt may not fit over their small hip
bones. In an accident, an improperly
fitting seat belt could cause serious or
fatal injury. Always use appropriate
child restraints.
All U.S. states and Canadian provinces or
territories require the use of approved child
restraints for infants and small children. See
“Child restraints” (P.1-19).
A child restraint may be secured in the
vehicle by using either the LATCH (Lower
Anchor and Tethers for CHildren) system or
with the vehicle seat belt. See “Child re-
straints” (P.1-19) for more information.
Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-17
CHILD SAFETY
2-16Instruments and controls
TPMS may not operate correctly.
. Be sure to install the specified size of
tires to the four wheels correctly.
Master warning light
When the ignition switch is in the ON
position, the master warning light illumi-
nates if any of the following warnings
appear in the vehicle information display:
.No key warning
. PUSH warning
. Key ID Incorrect warning
. Low washer fluid warning
. Door/trunk open warning
. Loose fuel cap warning
. Tire Pressure Low - Add Air warning
. Flat Tire - Visit dealer warning (if so
equipped)
. All-Wheel Drive (AWD) warning (if so
equipped)
. Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS)
warning (if so equipped)
. Intelligent Key system warning
. Chassis control warning
. Parking brake release warning
. SHIFT “P” warning
. Low oil pressure warning See “Vehicle information display” (P.2-20).
If the driver assist system warnings appear
in the vehicle information display, the master
warning light also illuminates. See “Lane
Departure Warning (LDW) system/Lane
Departure Prevention (LDP)” (P.5-34),
“Blind Spot Warning (BSW)” (P.5-41), “Blind
Spot Intervention®(BSI)” (P.5-49), “Back-up
Collision Intervention (BCI)” (P.5-61), “Dis-
tance Control Assist (DCA)” (P.5-94), “For-
ward Emergency Braking (FEB) with
pedestrian detection system” (P.5-105) and
“Predictive Forward Collision Warning
(PFCW)” (P.5-115).
Power steering warning light
Models with Direct Adaptive Steering :
When the ignition switch is in the ON
position, the power steering warning light
illuminates. After starting the engine, the
power steering warning light stays on for a
few seconds and turns off. This indicates
that Direct Adaptive Steering is operational.
Drive the vehicle after the power steering
warning light turns off.
If the power steering warning light illumi-
nates while driving, pull off the road to a
safe location and stop the vehicle. If the
power steering warning light turns off, you
can drive again. If the power steering
warning light continues to illuminate, it is recommended you have Direct Adaptive
Steering checked by an INFINITI retailer.
(See “Direct Adaptive Steering type” (P.5-
130).)
Models with hydraulic pump electric power
steering :
When the ignition switch is in the ON
position, the power steering warning light
illuminates. After starting the engine, the
power steering warning light turns off. This
indicates that or hydraulic pump electric
power steering is operational.
If the power steering warning light illumi-
nates while the engine is running, it may
indicate hydraulic pump electric power
steering is not functioning properly and
may need servicing. It is recommended you
have the hydraulic pump electric power
steering checked by an INFINITI retailer.
(See “Hydraulic pump electric power steering
type” (P.5-129).)
Models with electric power steering :
When the ignition switch is in the ON
position, the power steering warning light
illuminates. After starting the engine, the
power steering warning light turns off. This
indicates the electric power steering is
operational.
If the power steering warning light illumi-
nates while the engine is running, it may
THREE-WAY CATALYST
The three-way catalyst is an emission con-
trol device installed in the exhaust system.
Exhaust gases in the three-way catalyst are
burned at high temperatures to help reduce
pollutants.
WARNING
.The exhaust gas and the exhaust
system are very hot. Keep people,
animals or flammable materials away
from the exhaust system compo-
nents.
. Do not stop or park the vehicle over
flammable materials such as dry
grass, waste paper or rags. They
may ignite and cause a fire.
CAUTION
.Do not use leaded gasoline. Deposits
from leaded gasoline seriously reduce
the three-way catalyst’s ability to
help reduce exhaust pollutants.
. Keep your engine tuned up. Malfunc-
tions in the ignition, fuel injection, or
electrical systems can cause overrich fuel flow into the three-way catalyst,
causing it to overheat. Do not keep
driving if the engine misfires, or if
noticeable loss of performance or
other unusual operating conditions
are detected. Have the vehicle in-
spected promptly. It is recommended
you visit an INFINITI retailer for this
service.
. Avoid driving with an extremely low
fuel level. Running out of fuel could
cause the engine to misfire, damaging
the three-way catalyst.
. Do not race the engine while warming
it up.
. Do not push or tow your vehicle to
start the engine.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING
SYSTEM (TPMS)
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recom-
mended by the vehicle manufacturer on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure
label. (If your vehicle has tires of a different
size than the size indicated on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label, you
should determine the proper tire inflation
pressure for those tires.) As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a Tire Pressure Mon-
itoring System (TPMS) that illuminates a low
tire pressure telltale when one or more of
your tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure
telltale illuminates, you should stop and
check your tires as soon as possible, and
inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving
on a significantly under-inflated tire causes
the tire to overheat and can lead to tire
failure. Under-inflation also reduces fuel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
For models with run-flat tires, if the vehicle
is being driven with one or more flat tires,
the low tire pressure warning light will
illuminate continuously and a chime will
sound for 10 seconds. The flat tire warning
will also appear in the vehicle information
display. The chime will only sound at the first
indication of a flat tire, and the warning light
will illuminate continuously. When the flat
tire warning is activated, it is recommended
you have the system reset and the tire
checked and replaced if necessary by an
INFINITI retailer. Even if the tire is inflated
to the specified COLD tire pressure, the
warning light will continue to illuminate until
the system is reset by an INFINITI retailer.
Your vehicle can be driven for a limited time
on a flat tire. See “Run-flat tires” (P.8-39).
Starting and driving5-5
Remember, drinking and driving don’t mix!
And that is true for drugs, too (over-the-
counter, prescription, and illegal drugs).
Don’t drive if your ability to operate your
vehicle is impaired by alcohol, drugs, or some
other physical condition.
INTELLIGENT ALL-WHEEL
DRIVE (AWD) DRIVING SAFETY
PRECAUTIONS (AWD models)
WARNING
.Do not drive beyond the performance
capability of the tires, even with
Intelligent AWD engaged. Accelerat-
ing quickly, sharp steering maneuvers
or sudden braking may cause loss of
control.
. Always use tires of the same type,
size, brand, construction (bias, bias-
belted or radial), and tread pattern
on all four wheels. Install tire chains
on the rear wheels when driving on
slippery roads and drive carefully.
. This vehicle is not designed for off-
road (rough road) use. Do not drive
on sandy or muddy roads that tires
may get stuck in. .
For AWD equipped vehicles, do not
attempt to raise two wheels off the
ground and shift the transmission to
any D (Drive) or R (Reverse) position
with the engine running. Doing so
may result in drivetrain damage or
unexpected vehicle movement which
could result in serious vehicle damage
or personal injury.
. Do not attempt to test an AWD
equipped vehicle on a 2-wheel dy-
namometer (such as the dynam-
ometers used by some states for
emissions testing), or similar equip-
ment even if the other two wheels are
raised off the ground. Make sure you
inform test facility personnel that
your vehicle is equipped with AWD
before it is placed on a dynamometer.
Using the wrong test equipment may
result in drivetrain damage or unex-
pected vehicle movement which could
result in serious vehicle damage or
personal injury.
. When a wheel is off the ground due
to an unlevel surface, do not spin the
wheel excessively.
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.
Starting and driving5-11
PUSH-BUTTON IGNITION SWITCH
5-126Starting and driving
If any malfunction occurs in the Intelligent
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system while the
engine is running, warning messages appear
in the vehicle information display.
JVS0228M
If the “AWD Error” warningappears, there
may be a malfunction in the Intelligent AWD
system. Reduce vehicle speed and have the
system checked as soon as possible. It is
recommended you visit an INFINITI retailer
for this service.
The “AWD High Temp.” (high temperature)
warning
may appear while trying to free a stuck vehicle due to increased oil tempera-
ture. The driving mode may change to Two-
Wheel Drive (2WD). If this warning is
displayed, stop the vehicle with the engine
idling, as soon as it is safe to do so. Then if
the warning turns off, you can continue
driving.
The “Tire Size Incorrect” warning
may
appear if there is a large difference between
the diameters of front and rear wheels. Pull
off the road in a safe area, with the engine
idling. Check that all tire sizes are the same,
that the tire pressure is correct and that the
tires are not excessively worn.
If any warning message continues to be
displayed, have your vehicle checked as soon
as possible. It is recommended you visit an
INFINITI retailer for this service.
WARNING
. For AWD equipped vehicles, do not
attempt to raise two wheels off the
ground and shift the transmission to
any drive or reverse position with the
engine running. Doing so may result
in drivetrain damage or unexpected
vehicle movement which could result
in serious vehicle damage or personal
injury.
INTELLIGENT ALL-WHEEL
DRIVE (AWD) (if so equipped)
an INFINITI retailer for this service.BRAKE ASSIST
When the force applied to the brake pedal
exceeds a certain level, the Brake Assist is
activated generating greater braking force
than a conventional brake booster even with
light pedal force.
WARNING
The Brake Assist is only an aid to assist
braking operation and is not a collision
warning or avoidance device. It is the
driver’s responsibility to stay alert, drive
safely and be in control of the vehicle at
all times.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM
(ABS)
WARNING
.The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
is a sophisticated device, but it
cannot prevent accidents resulting
from careless or dangerous driving
techniques. It can help maintain ve-
hicle control during braking on slip-
pery surfaces. Remember that
stopping distances on slippery sur- faces will be longer than on normal
surfaces even with ABS. Stopping
distances 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 specified size of tires on all four
wheels.
— When installing a spare tire, make sure that it is the proper size and
type as specified on the Tire and
Loading Information label. See
“Tire and loading information la-
bel” (P.10-16) of this manual.
— For detailed information, see “Wheels and tires” (P.8-32) of
this manual.
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) controls
the brakes so the wheels do not lock during
hard braking or when braking on slippery
surfaces. The system detects the rotation
speed at each wheel and varies the brake
fluid pressure to prevent each wheel from
locking and sliding. By preventing each
Starting and driving5-133
BRAKE ASSIST
automatically stopping during the same
journey.
. Whenever the Idling Stop System is
deactivated the indicator light
on the
Idling Stop OFF switch illuminates. In
this condition the Idling Stop System
cannot prevent unnecessary fuel con-
sumption, exhaust emissions, or noise
during your journey.
. If the Idling Stop System is malfunction-
ing, the indicator light
on the Idling
Stop OFF switch illuminates.
NOTE:
The Idling Stop System ON or OFF message
is displayed for a few seconds in the vehicle
information display when the Idling Stop
OFF switch is pushed. See “Idling Stop
System ON or OFF” (P.5-141).
FREEING A FROZEN DOOR LOCK
To prevent a door lock from freezing, apply
deicer through the key hole. If the lock
becomes frozen, heat the key before insert-
ing it into the key hole or use the Intelligent
Key system.
ANTIFREEZE
In the winter when it is anticipated that the
outside temperature will drop below 32°F
(0°C), check antifreeze to assure proper
winter protection. For additional informa-
tion, see “Engine cooling system (for
VR30DDTT engine models)” (P.8-6), “En-
gine cooling system (for 2.0L turbo gasoline
engine models)” (P.8-8) or “Intercooler cool-
ing system (for VR30DDTT engine models)”
(P.8-9).
BATTERY
If the battery is not fully charged during
extremely cold weather conditions, the bat-
tery fluid may freeze and damage the
battery. To maintain maximum efficiency,
the battery should be checked regularly. For
additional information, see “Battery” (P.8-
16).
DRAINING OF COOLANT WATER
If the vehicle is to be left outside without
antifreeze, drain the cooling system, includ-
ing the engine block. Refill before operating
the vehicle. For details, see “Engine cooling
system (for VR30DDTT engine models)”
(P.8-6) or “Engine cooling system (for 2.0L
turbo gasoline engine models)” (P.8-8).
TIRE EQUIPMENT
SUMMER tires have a tread designed to
provide superior performance on dry pave-
ment. However, the performance of these
tires will be substantially reduced in snowy
and icy conditions. If you operate your
vehicle on snowy or icy roads, INFINITI
recommends the use of MUD & SNOW or
ALL SEASON tires on all four wheels. It is
recommended you consult an INFINITI re-
tailer for the tire type, size, speed rating and
availability information.
For additional traction on icy roads, studded
tires may be used. However, some U.S.
states and Canadian provinces prohibit their
use. Check local, state and provincial laws
before installing studded tires.
Skid and traction capabilities of studded
snow tires, on wet or dry surfaces, may be
poorer than that of non-studded snow tires.
Tire chains may be used. For details, see
“Tire chains” (P.8-40) of this manual.
Starting and driving5-143
COLD WEATHER DRIVING
5-144Starting and driving
Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
models
If you install snow tires, they must also be
the same size, brand, construction and tread
pattern on all four wheels.
SPECIAL WINTER EQUIPMENT
It is recommended that the following items
be carried in the vehicle during winter:
.A scraper and stiff-bristled brush to
remove ice and snow from the windows
and wiper blades.
. A sturdy, flat board to be placed under
the jack to give it firm support.
. A shovel to dig the vehicle out of
snowdrifts.
. Extra window washer fluid to refill the
reservoir tank.
DRIVING ON SNOW OR ICE
WARNING
. Wet ice (32°F, 0°C and freezing rain),
very cold snow or ice can be slick and
very hard to drive on. The vehicle will
have much less traction or “grip”
under these conditions. Try to avoid
driving on wet ice until the road is
salted or sanded. .
Whatever the condition, drive with
caution. Accelerate and slow down
with care. If accelerating or down-
shifting too fast, the drive wheels will
lose even more traction.
. Allow more stopping distance under
these conditions. Braking should be
started sooner than on dry pave-
ment.
. Allow greater following distances on
slippery roads.
. Watch for slippery spots (glare ice).
These may appear on an otherwise
clear road in shaded areas. If a patch
of ice is seen ahead, brake before
reaching it. Try not to brake while on
the ice, and avoid any sudden steer-
ing maneuvers.
. Do not use the cruise control on
slippery roads.
. Snow can trap dangerous exhaust
gases under your vehicle. Keep snow
clear of the exhaust pipe and from
around your vehicle.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER (if so
equipped)
Engine block heaters are used to assist in
cold temperature starting.
The engine block heater should be used
when the outside temperature is 20°F
(−7°C) or lower.
To use the engine block heater
1. Turn the engine off.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the engine
block heater cord.
3. Plug the engine block heater cord into a grounded 3-wire, 3-pronged extension
cord.
4. Plug the extension cord into a Ground Fault Interrupt (GFI) protected,
grounded 110-volt AC (VAC) outlet.
5. The engine block heater must be plugged in for at least 2 - 4 hours, depending on
outside temperatures, to properly warm
the engine coolant. Use an appropriate
timer to turn the engine block heater on.
6. Before starting the engine, unplug and properly store the cord to keep it away
from moving parts.