2019 INFINITI QX50 Towing Guide

2019 INFINITI Towing Guide


16
To begin with, towing noticeably affects your vehicle’s performance:
 It will not accelerate as quickly — an important point to keep in mind when merging
onto a highway.
 It will not stop as quickly. Leave more room than usual between you and the traffic
ahead, and brake sooner when coming to a stop.
 Abrupt maneuvering can unbalance the load and reduce the handling and
stability of your tow vehicle. Plan ahead and make lane changes and turns
smoothly.

If possible, before you actually hit the open road, practice towing in a large
uncrowded area such as a safe, open place with minimal traffic. Become especially
familiar with backing up a trailer — the maneuver many people find most difficult.

BRAKE SOONER
The combination of your tow vehicle and trailer obviously requires a greater distance
to stop. A good rule of thumb to remember is that for each 10 mph of speed, allow
yourself one tow vehicle and trailer length of distance between the front of your
vehicle and the vehicle ahead. When braking, use firm but gradual pressure on the
pedal rather than panic braking.

WARNING- Applying the brakes abruptly or with too much force can cause the
trailer to skid or jackknife at its point of attachment with the vehicle. This, in turn, can
throw the tow vehicle out of control. If equipped with an electric trailer brake
controller, follow the recommended operational instructions.

CORNER MORE SLOWLY
Know your vehicle and trailer capabilities.

WARNING- Entering a sharp corner too quickly or abruptly can “crack the whip,”
whereby the trailer can actually pull the tow vehicle off the road resulting in property
damage, a serious accident, personal injury, or death.

Therefore, when approaching a relatively sharp corner, begin braking sooner than you
would when not towing. Do your braking in a straight line prior to the corner, and turn
smoothly into it. In addition, remember to make a wider turn than normal to ensure that
the trailer safely clears the inside of the turn.

BACK UP WITH CAUTION
Backing up with a trailer is a difficult maneuver. Steer with one hand at the bottom of
the steering wheel. To turn the trailer to the left, first move the steering wheel to the left.
To turn the trailer to the right, move the wheel to the right. All movements of the wheel
should be done in small increments. Of course, backing up should be done only at
very slow speeds. For large trailers that obstruct your rearward vision, have someone
outside the vehicle act as a “spotter” to guide you along.

2019 INFINITI Towing Guide


17
WARNING- Do not use or rely upon the Back-up Collision Intervention system (BCI)
when towing a trailer. The BCI system cannot function properly when objects are
obstructing the radar sensor beams.

PARK SMART

A tow vehicle and trailer can be an unwieldy combination in a small area, so always
try to park where you will have a relatively easy time maneuvering. Once parked,
always block the wheels on both the tow vehicle and the trailer.

Parking on a slope is not recommended. If, however, you must park on a slope and
your vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission, there are some precautions
you should take:
 Turn the wheels of the tow vehicle towards the side of the road away from the
center of the road, and apply the parking brake and only then move the gear lever
into PARK.
 Next, block/chock the wheels once the tow vehicle and trailer are in position and
are being held by the vehicle’s brake.

CAUTION-If you move the lever into PARK before blocking the wheels and applying
the parking brake, it may be difficult to later shift out of PARK. Transmission damage
may also occur.

PASS CAREFULLY
As mentioned in the introduction to this section, because of the added weight of the
trailer, acceleration capability is reduced and you will require a longer distance to
pass another vehicle. Be certain you have sufficient time and space to pass safely.


WARNING- Never attempt to pass on hills or when going around curves. Doing so
could cause a loss of vehicle control and result in accident, property damage or
personal injury. Because the trailer does not follow the exact path as the tow vehicle
on turns, safely passing and cornering while towing takes considerably more distance
and turning space than normal. Be certain you have sufficient time and space to pass
safely, remember, the length of the trailer must also pass the other vehicle before you
can safely change lanes.

HILLS – UPGRADES
If your vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission, it is designed to select
automatically the correct gear for the best towing comfort and performance as the
incline increases. To maintain speed or avoid up and down shifts, manually shift to a
lower gear as needed. The added weight of a trailer places an increased load on the
engine and cooling system, so monitor your coolant temperature gauge and
automatic transmission fluid temperature gauge (if equipped) carefully. At the first sign
of overheating, pull to the side of the road. See IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS later in this
section for more information.

2019 INFINITI Towing Guide


18
HILLS – DOWNGRADES

WARNING- While going downhill, the weight of the trailer pushing on the tow vehicle
may decrease overall stability, and may deteriorate overall handling characteristics.
The vehicle may handle unpredictably which could cause a loss of vehicle control
resulting in an accident, property damage, serious injury or death. Therefore, to
maintain adequate control, reduce your speed and shift to a lower gear and apply
the braking in short bursts. If your vehicle is equipped with Tow Mode, see your vehicle
owner’s manual for information about the use of this function.

WARNING- Avoid long or repeated use of the brakes when descending a hill, as this
reduces their effectiveness and could cause overheating which could result in
damage to your brake components or unable to slow to a safe speed. Shifting to a
lower gear instead provides “engine braking” and reduces the need to brake as
frequently.

HIGH-ALTITUDE PERFORMANCE
An engine will lose about 4% of its performance for every 1,000 feet above sea level
that you travel. If you will be towing in high altitudes, it is a good idea to allow more
time than usual due to the engine’s reduced performance.

INTELLIGENT CRUISE CONTROL

WARNING- In order to maintain a safe distance to the vehicle ahead to avoid the
possibility of accidents, property damage, serious injury or death. INFINITI recommends
not to use the Intelligent Cruise control (ICC) system while towing a trailer or other
vehicle. In certain road conditions when your vehicle is towing, the ICC sensor may
not detect a vehicle ahead. If the ICC sensor cannot detect the reflector on the
vehicle ahead, the ICC system may not maintain the selected distance which could
cause an accident, property damage, or death.

BLIND SPOT INTERVENTION

WARNING- Do not use or rely upon the Blind Spot Intervention system (BSI) when
towing a trailer. The BSI system cannot function properly when objects are obstructing
the radar sensors which could cause an accident, property damage, or death.

TOW MODE (IF SO EQUIPPED)
Tow Mode is recommended when towing a heavy trailer or hauling a heavy load, in
stop-and-go traffic, rolling terrain, or a busy parking lot. Driving the vehicle in Tow Mode
may affect fuel economy and transmission/engine driving characteristics. See your
vehicle owner’s manual for additional information about Tow Mode.

2019 INFINITI Towing Guide


19
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
A moderate increase in engine operating temperature is normal when towing a trailer.
If, however, the coolant temperature gauge reading is abnormally high, or if you are
experiencing a significant loss of power, or if you hear unusual engine noises,* the
engine may be overheating and you should immediately take the following steps:

1. Pull your vehicle safely over to the side of the road, out of traffic. Apply the
parking brake and move the gearshift lever to NEUTRAL (manual) or PARK
(automatic). DO NOT STOP THE ENGINE.

2. Turn off the air conditioning and, after opening all the windows, turn the heater
on to maximum hot and the fan to its highest speed, and exit the vehicle. The
heater core in your vehicle is just like a miniature engine radiator and will provide
an extra cooling surface to help reduce engine temperature.

*See your vehicle owner’s manual for additional indications that your vehicle may be
overheating.

3. If the temperature does not drop or continues to increase, stop the engine
immediately.

4. Being cautious of traffic, step out of the vehicle and, from a safe distance, look
for steam underneath the engine. If you see steam or leaking coolant, stand
clear to avoid being burned and shut off your engine immediately and allow it to
cool. If there is no steam, open the hood.

WARNING -Never remove the radiator cap when the radiator is hot. If the cap is
removed under these conditions, pressurized hot water/coolant may spurt out,
possibly causing serious injury.

5. As soon as the engine has cooled to its normal operating temperature, visually
inspect the drive belts for damage or looseness. A loose belt reduces water
pump efficiency.


WARNING- Be careful to keep your hands, hair, jewelry, and clothing clear of the
running drive belt and other moving parts when inspecting the engine and radiator.
Also check to see if the cooling fan is running, and inspect the water pump, radiator,
and radiator hoses for leaks. Keep in mind, too, that if your vehicle is equipped with
an electric fan motor, it may start without warning any time the coolant temperature
is high. If you find leaking coolant, a loose or missing drive belt, or an inoperable fan,
turn off the engine immediately.

2019 INFINITI Towing Guide


20 6. If no leaks are apparent and all other components appear to be operating
properly with the engine cooled to its normal operating temperature; check the
coolant level in the reservoir tank with the engine running. Add coolant to the
reservoir tank if needed. At this point, if repairs are required, go to the nearest
INFINITI retailer. See the IN CASE OF EMERGENCY section of your vehicle owner’s
manual for additional information on overheating.

NOTE – All INFINITI vehicles have an engine protection mode which helps reduce the
chance of engine damage if the engine coolant reaches a specified temperature.


NOTES












Passenger Vehicles – INFINITI cautions that you do not tow a trailer with Q50, Q60, Q70,
or Q70 (HEV) vehicles.

Cross-Over Vehicles – INFINITI cautions that you do not tow a trailer QX30, QX50, or the
QX70 2WD vehicles.

Other Recommendations and Information – Towing performance and speed are
affected by vehicle payload, tow weight, road grades, and weather conditions,
including high temperatures. See your vehicle owner’s manual for details.

TOWING GLOSSARY

BALL MOUNT A bar that holds the hitch ball and is inserted into the hitch receiver.
Also commonly called a drawbar.

1 Maximum Trailer Weight values are calculated assuming a base
vehicle with driver and any options required, to achieve the
rating. Additional passengers, cargo and/or optional equipment
will add weight to the vehicle and reduce your vehicle’s
maximum towing capacity and trailer tongue load.

2 In general, a weight-distributing hitch system (Class IV) should be
used when towing over 5,000 lbs.

3 Most states require a separate braking system on trailers with a
loaded weight above a specific amount. Check local ordinances.
7-pin connector trailer wire harnesses are required for use with
trailer brakes (available separately).

2019 INFINITI Towing Guide


21



BREAKAWAY SWITCH A safety device using a trailer battery that automatically applies the trailer’s
brakes if it should accidentally become separated from the tow vehicle.
A breakaway switch may be used with both electric or surge trailer brake
systems.
BUMPER HITCH A reinforced bumper designed to accommodate a hitch ball.
ELECTRIC TRAILER
BRAKES When the brakes on a tow vehicle are applied, an electric current is sent to
an actuator which applies the trailer’s brakes.
ELECTRIC TRAILER
BRAKE CONTROLLER A device that controls the electric trailer brakes.
GROSS AXLE
WEIGHT RATING
(GAWR) The maximum amount of weight each vehicle axle (front and rear) is
designed to safely carry.
GROSS COMBINED
WEIGHT RATING
(GCWR) The maximum allowable combined weight of the vehicle and trailer,
including passengers and all cargo.
GROSS VEHICLE
WEIGHT RATING
(GVWR) The maximum allowable weight of the vehicle, including passengers, cargo,
fuel, hitch, trailer tongue load, and any optional equipment.
HITCH BALL
A ball that connects the trailer to the tow vehicle hitch that provides the
means by which the trailer pivots during cornering. Available in a number of
sizes and weight capacities, it must correspond to the trailer coupler size, and
have a sufficient capacity rating for the trailer being pulled.
RECEIVER HITCH A frame- or structure-mounted hitch with a receiver that allows removal of the
ball mount.
SAFETY CHAINS/CABLES Provides an emergency connection between the tow vehicle and the trailer,
should the trailer become disengaged for any reason.
SURGE BRAKES
Hydraulic-type braking system activated by inertia. As the tow vehicle begins
to brake, the trailer pushes against the hitch ball, consequently activating the
trailer brakes.
TRAILER
TONGUE/COUPLER The part of the trailer that extends forward to meet the tow vehicle, and
carries the coupler assembly.
TRAILER TONGUE
LOAD The amount of trailer weight pressing down on the hitch.
WEIGHT-DISTRIBUTING
HITCH SYSTEM Type of hitch system that helps shift the trailer tongue weight to all trailer tires
and the tow vehicle front tires. Strongly recommended when towing trailers
with a Maximum Trailer Weight greater than 5,000 lbs.
WIRING HARNESS
Provides an electrical connection linking the tow vehicle’s electrical system to
the trailer’s system.

2019 INFINITI Towing Guide


22 At INFINITI, we back everything we build. So we are proud that every INFINITI is
protected by some of the best New Vehicle Limited Warranties, including 4-
year/60,000-mile (whichever comes first) Basic coverage. All 2018 models also feature
72 month/70,000-mile (whichever comes first) Powertrain coverage.*

For additional peace of mind, the Elite INFINITI Extended Protection Plan provides you
with quality long-term mechanical protection for 8 years/120,000 miles (measured from
in service date and zero miles, whichever comes first)”— long past your vehicle’s Basic
and Powertrain Limited Warranty. With the extra coverage, if a covered component
fails during the term of the plan, INFINITI pays… not you.** Plus, the Elite INFINITI
Extended Protection Plan includes extensive Roadside Assistance benefits and car
rental coverage.

All of this makes the Elite INFINITI Extended Protection Plan a truly comprehensive
package, offering INFINITI owners exceptional value and peace of mind.
Coverage is
available throughout the United States. Repair work will be done at authorized INFINITI
retailers by INFINITI-trained technicians utilizing Genuine INFINITI Parts.

For more information about the Elite INFINITI Extended Protection Plan, contact your
participating INFINITI retailer or call 1-800-662-6200.

The quality of Genuine INFINITI Parts and Accessories is backed by the integrity of a
Genuine INFINITI Replacement Parts and Accessories Limited Warranty. If purchased
within the Basic coverage period of 4 years/60,000 miles (whichever comes first),
Genuine INFINITI Parts and Accessories are covered by the remaining period of the
warranty. If the remaining period is less than 12 months/12,000 miles (or if the vehicle
warranty has expired), then Genuine INFINITI Parts and Accessories except for
replacement audio components are covered by their own 12-month/12,000-mile from
the date of installation or purchase (whichever comes first). See your INFINITI Warranty
Information Booklet or ask your INFINITI retailer for specific details.

CONCERN FOR YOUR SAFETY
INFINITI urges you to always use your seat belt whenever you drive. And please make
sure all passengers are buckled up. Keep in mind that air bags are a supplemental
restraint system and must always be used in conjunction with a seat belt.

In addition, a rear-facing child restraint must never be used in the front passenger seat
if the vehicle is equipped with a front passenger air bag. Children 12 and under should
ride in the rear seat properly secured in child restraints, booster seats, or seat belts,
according to their size. Please see your vehicle owner's manual for more details.

*
For complete warranty details, refer to the INFINITI Warranty Information Booklet or see your
nearest INFINITI retailer.
**A nominal deductible may apply. For details please refer to the Elite INFINITI Extended
Protection Plan Service Agreement or contact your INFINITI retailer.


PROTECTION

2019 INFINITI Towing Guide


23 By far the most important benefit of INFINITI luxury is the Total Ownership Experience.
®
Years before we ever built our first luxury car, we built this belief: Luxury is much more
than a collection of features on an automobile. It is a way of doing business based
upon building a lasting relationship. From the very moment you arrive at an INFINITI
retailer, we strive to exceed your expectations at every turn with our line of products
and our people. You will notice our commitment to your satisfaction in everything we
do, from the way we build our vehicles to the way we support them for years to come.
As an INFINITI driver you will enjoy a host of useful services like 24-hour Roadside
Assistance,* a Complimentary INFINITI Service Loan Car** and Trip Interruption
Benefits.* Your ownership experience will be a complete one, extending from our
showroom to our Web site and beyond.

ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
4-year/unlimited-mileage* includes: Trip Interruption Benefits, 24-hour toll-free customer
assistance number, battery boost, lock-outs, flat tires, out-of-gas, accident towing.

SERVICE LOAN CAR PROGRAM
When you make an appointment and drop off your INFINITI vehicle for warranty repair
maintenance at participating retailers, a complimentary INFINITI Service Loan Car** will
be waiting. And before your INFINITI is returned to you, it will be hand-washed and
running smoothly.

COMMITMENT
To a superior product representing excellent value, presented in a unique environment.
To honor our guests and treat them with respect during the buying process. To give our
customers outstanding service throughout their ownership, so that they may enjoy an
ongoing relationship with knowledgeable people. To be completely committed to
ensuring total satisfaction for our customers.

OWNERSHIP ONLINE
Our goal is to provide owners with a premium quality vehicle and an outstanding
ownership experience that does not end when you drive away from the showroom. To
that end, we have created the “Ownership” section of the www.INFINITIUSA.com Web
site, which further reflects our commitment to serving INFINITI owners’ needs. There you
can find easily accessible maintenance schedules, warranty information, and articles
exclusively available to INFINITI owners.

*Roadside Assistance/Trip Interruption available during the first four years after initial new vehicle
delivery.
**Subject to availability. Available only during the 4-year/60,000-mile Basic coverage. The
customer must be 21 years of age or older with a valid U.S. driver’s license. The customer must
provide proof of primary insurance. Restrictions may apply.
THE TOTAL OWNERSHIP EXPERIENCE INFINITIUSA.com