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
1-18Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
INFINITI recommends that all pre-teens and
children be restrained in the rear seat.
Studies show that children are safer when
properly restrained in the rear seat than in
the front seat.
This is especially important because your
vehicle has a supplemental restraint system
(Air bag system) for the front passenger.
See “Supplemental restraint system” (P.1-
38).
INFANTS
Infants up to at least 1 year old should be
placed in a rear-facing child restraint.
INFINITI recommends that infants be placed
in child restraints that comply with Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards or Cana-
dian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. You
should choose a child restraint that fits your
vehicle and always follow the manufac-
turer’s instructions for installation and use.
SMALL CHILDREN
Children that are over 1 year old and weigh
at least 20 lbs (9 kg) should remain in a rear-
facing child restraint as long as possible up
to the height or weight limit of the child
restraint. Children who outgrow the height
or weight limit of the rear-facing child
restraint and are at least 1 year old should
be secured in a forward-facing child re-
straint with a harness. Refer to the manu-facturer’s instructions for minimum and
maximum weight and height recommenda-
tions. INFINITI recommends that small chil-
dren be placed in child restraints that comply
with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Stan-
dards or Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards. You should choose a child re-
straint that fits your vehicle and always
follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
installation and use.
LARGER CHILDREN
Children should remain in a forward-facing
child restraint with a harness until they reach
the maximum height or weight limit allowed
by the child restraint manufacturer.
Once a child outgrows the height or weight
limit of the harness-equipped forward-fa-
cing child restraint, INFINITI recommends
that the child be placed in a commercially
available booster seat to obtain proper seat
belt fit. For a seat belt to fit properly, the
booster seat should raise the child so that
the shoulder belt is properly positioned
across the chest and the top, middle portion
of the shoulder. The shoulder belt should not
cross the neck or face and should not fall off
the shoulder. The lap belt should lie snugly
across the lower hips or upper thighs, not the
abdomen.
A booster seat can only be used in seating
positions that have a three-point type seatbelt. The booster seat should fit the vehicle
seat and have a label certifying that it
complies with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards or Canadian Motor Vehicle
Safety Standards.
A booster seat should be used until the child
can pass the seat belt fit test below:
.
Are the child’s back and hips against the
vehicle seatback?
. Is the child able to sit without slouching?
. Do the child’s knees bend easily over the
front edge of the seat with feet flat on
the floor?
. Can the child safely wear the seat belt
(lap belt low and snug across the hips
and shoulder belt across mid-chest and
shoulder)?
. Is the child able to use the properly
adjusted head restraint/headrest?
. Will the child be able to stay in position
for the entire ride?
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” (P.5-
33), “Blind Spot Warning (BSW)” (P.5-37),
“Blind Spot Intervention
®(BSI)” (P.5-45),
“Back-up Collision Intervention (BCI)” (P.5-
57), “Distance Control Assist (DCA)” (P.5-
89), “Forward Emergency Braking (FEB)
with pedestrian detection system” (P.5-
100) and “Predictive Forward Collision
Warning (PFCW)” (P.5-110).
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-
124).)
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
indicate the electric power steering is not
functioning properly and may need servicing.
It is recommended you have the electric
power steering checked by an INFINITI
retailer.
When the power steering warning light
illuminates with the engine running, the
power assist to the steering will cease
operation but you will still have control of
the vehicle. At this time, greater steering
efforts are required to operate the steering
wheel, especially in sharp turns and at low
speeds.
See “Electric power steering type” (P.5-124).
Fuel Efficient Driving Tips .......................................... 5-119
Increasing fuel economy ............................................ 5-120
Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (AWD) (if
so equipped) ................................................................... 5-121
Parking/parking on hills .............................................. 5-123
Power steering ............................................................. 5-124Electric power steering type ............................... 5-124
Direct Adaptive Steering type ............................ 5-124
Brake system .................................................................. 5-126 Braking precautions ................................................ 5-126
Parking brake break-in .......................................... 5-127
Brake assist .................................................................... 5-127 Brake assist ............................................................... 5-127
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ......................... 5-127
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system ................. 5-129 Brake force distribution ......................................... 5-129
Active trace control ..................................................... 5-130
Hill Start Assist system ............................................... 5-132 Chassis control .............................................................. 5-132
Sonar system (if so equipped) .................................. 5-133
Sonar system settings ........................................ 5-134
Sonar indicator ....................................................... 5-135
Cold weather driving ................................................... 5-135 Freeing a frozen door lock ................................. 5-135
Antifreeze ................................................................ 5-135
Battery ..................................................................... 5-135
Draining of coolant water .................................. 5-135
Tire equipment ....................................................... 5-135
Special winter equipment .................................. 5-136
Driving on snow or ice ........................................ 5-136
Engine block heater (if so equipped) .............. 5-136
Active noise cancellation/Active
sound enhancement .................................................... 5-137 Active noise cancellation .................................... 5-138
Active sound enhancement ............................... 5-138
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
5-128Starting and driving
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.10-13) of this manual.
— For detailed information, see “Wheels and tires” (P.8-25) 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 wheel from locking, the system helps the
driver maintain steering control and helps to
minimize swerving and spinning on slippery
surfaces.
Using the system
Depress the brake pedal and hold it down.
Depress the brake pedal with firm steady
pressure, but do not pump the brakes. The
ABS will operate to prevent the wheels from
locking up. Steer the vehicle to avoid
obstacles.
WARNING
Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so
may result in increased stopping dis-
tances.
Self-test feature
The ABS includes electronic sensors, electric
pumps, hydraulic solenoids and a computer.
The computer has a built-in diagnostic
feature that tests the system each time you
start the engine and move the vehicle at a
low speed in forward or reverse. When the
self-test occurs, you may hear a “clunk”
noise and/or feel a pulsation in the brake
pedal. This is normal and does not indicate a
malfunction. If the computer senses a mal-function, it switches the ABS off and
illuminates the ABS warning light on the
instrument panel. The brake system then
operates normally, but without anti-lock
assistance.
If the ABS warning light illuminates during
the self-test or while driving, have the
vehicle checked. It is recommended you visit
an INFINITI retailer for this service.
Normal operation
The ABS operates at speeds above 3 to 6
MPH (5 to 10 km/h).
When the ABS senses that one or more
wheels are close to locking up, the actuator
rapidly applies and releases hydraulic pres-
sure. This action is similar to pumping the
brakes very quickly. You may feel a pulsation
in the brake pedal and hear a noise from
under the hood or feel a vibration from the
actuator when it is operating. This is normal
and indicates that the ABS is operating
properly. However, the pulsation may indi-
cate that road conditions are hazardous and
extra care is required while driving.
5-130Starting and driving
techniques. Reduce vehicle speed and
be especially careful when driving and
cornering on slippery surfaces and
always drive carefully.
. The brake force distribution system
may not be effective depending on
the driving condition. Always drive
carefully and attentively.
. Do not modify the vehicle’s suspen-
sion. If suspension parts such as
shock absorbers, struts, springs, sta-
bilizer bars, bushings and wheels are
not INFINITI recommended for your
vehicle or are extremely deteriorated,
the VDC system may not operate
properly. This could adversely affect
vehicle handling performance, and
the VDC warning light
may
illuminate.
. If brake related parts such as brake
pads, rotors and calipers are not
INFINITI recommended or are extre-
mely deteriorated, the VDC system
may not operate properly and the
VDC warning light
may illumi-
nate.
. If engine control related parts are not
INFINITI recommended or are extre-
mely deteriorated, the VDC warning
light
may illuminate. .
When driving on extremely inclined
surfaces such as higher banked cor-
ners, the VDC system may not oper-
ate properly and the VDC warning
light
may illuminate. Do not drive
on these types of roads.
. When driving on an unstable surface
such as a turntable, ferry, elevator or
ramp, the VDC warning light
may
illuminate. This is not a malfunction.
Restart the engine after driving onto
a stable surface.
. If wheels or tires other than the
INFINITI recommended ones are
used, the VDC system may not oper-
ate properly and the VDC warning
light
may illuminate.
. The VDC system is not a substitute
for winter tires or tire chains on a
snow covered road. This system senses driving based on the
driver’s steering and acceleration/braking
patterns, and controls brake pressure at
individual wheels to help smooth vehicle
response.
When the SPORT mode is selected by the
INFINITI Drive Mode Selector, the amount
of brake control provided by the active trace
control is reduced.
When the PERSONAL mode is selected, the
active trace control can be set to ON
(enabled) or OFF (disabled). See “INFINITI
Drive Mode Selector” (P.5-21).
When the VDC OFF switch is used to turn
off the VDC system, the active trace control
is also turned off.
ACTIVE TRACE CONTROL
SONAR INDICATOR
When the corner of the vehicle moves closer
to an object, the corner sensor indicator
appears on the upper display.
When the center of the vehicle moves close
to an object, the center sensor indicator
appears on the upper display.
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” (P.8-3) or
“Intercooler cooling system” (P.8-5).
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-
11).
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” (P.8-3).
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.8-33) of this manual.
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.
Starting and driving5-135
COLD WEATHER DRIVING