2020 INFINITI QX50 wheel

Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
(if so equipped)................................ 5-173
Parking/parking on hills .......................5-176
Power steering ................................ 5-177
Electric power steering type ................5-177
Direct Adaptive Steering® type .............5-178
Brake system ................................. 5-180
Brake precautions .......................... 5-180
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) .............5-180
Brake Assist ............................... 5-181
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system .........5-182
Brake force distribution .....................5-183
Chassis Control ............................... 5-184
Active Trace Control ....................... 5-184
Active Engine Brake ........................ 5-185
Active Ride Control ......................... 5-186
Hill start assist system ......................... 5-186
Front and rear sonar system (if so equipped) ....5-187 System operation
.......................... 5-187
How to enable/disable the sonar system ....5-190
Sonar limitations ........................... 5-190
System temporarily unavailable .............5-190
System maintenance ....................... 5-191
Cold weather driving .......................... 5-191
Freeing a frozen door lock ..................5-191
Antifreeze ................................. 5-191
Battery .................................... 5-191
Draining of coolant water ..................5-192
Tire equipment ............................. 5-192
Special winter equipment ...................5-192
Driving on snow or ice ...................... 5-192
Engine block heater (if so equipped) .........5-193
Active noise cancellation/Active sound
enhancement ................................. 5-193
Active noise cancellation ....................5-194
Active sound enhancement .................5-194

CAUTION
∙ Do not use leaded gasoline. Depositsfrom leaded gasoline will seriously reduce
the three-way catalyst’s ability to help
reduce exhaust pollutants.
∙ Keep your engine tuned up. Malfunctions in the ignition, fuel injection, or electrical
systems can cause over rich fuel flow into
the three-way catalyst, causing it to
overheat. Do not keep driving if the en-
gine misfires, or if noticeable loss of per-
formance or other unusual operating
conditions are detected. Have the vehicle
inspected promptly. It is recommended
that 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 Monitor-
ing System (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire
pressure telltale when one or more of your
tires is significantly under-inflated. Accord-
ingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illu-
minates, you should stop and check all 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. Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute
for proper tire maintenance, and it is the driv-
er’s responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if under-inflation has not
reached the level to trigger illumination of the
TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a
TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when
the system is not operating properly. The
TPMS malfunction indicator is combined with
the low tire pressure telltale. When the system
detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then remain
continuously illuminated. This sequence will
continue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups as
long as the malfunction exists. When the mal-
function indicator is illuminated, the system
may not be able to detect or signal low tire
pressure as intended. TPMS malfunctions may
occur for a variety of reasons, including the
installation of replacement or alternate tires or
wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS
from functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one
or more tires or wheels on your vehicle to en-
sure that the replacement or alternate tires and
wheels allow the TPMS to continue to function
properly.
Starting and driving5-5

Additional information:∙ When replacing a wheel without the TPMS such as the spare tire, the TPMS
does not monitor the tire pressure of the
spare tire.
∙ The TPMS will activate only when the vehicle is driven at speeds above 16 mph
(25 km/h). Also, this system may not de-
tect a sudden drop in tire pressure (for
example, a flat tire while driving).
∙ The low tire pressure warning light does not automatically turn off when the tire
pressure is adjusted. After the tire is in-
flated to the recommended pressure, the
vehicle must be driven at speeds above
16 mph (25 km/h) to activate the TPMS
and turn off the low tire pressure warning
light. Use a tire pressure gauge to check
the tire pressure.
∙ The “Tire Pressure Low — Add Air” warn- ing appears in the vehicle information
display when the low tire pressure warn-
ing light is illuminated and low tire pres-
sure is detected. The “Tire Pressure Low -
Add Air” warning turns off when the low
tire pressure warning light turns off. ∙ The “Tire Pressure Low — Add Air” warn-
ing appears each time the ignition switch
is in the ON position as long as the low
tire pressure warning light remains illumi-
nated.
∙ The “Tire Pressure Low — Add Air” warn- ing does not appear if the low tire pres-
sure warning light illuminates to indicate
a TPMS malfunction.
∙ Tire pressure rises and falls depending on the heat caused by the vehicle’s opera-
tion and the outside temperature. Do not
reduce the tire pressure after driving be-
cause the tire pressure rises after driving.
Low outside temperature can lower the
temperature of the air inside the tire
which can cause a lower tire inflation
pressure. This may cause the low tire
pressure warning light to illuminate. If the
warning light illuminates, check the tire
pressure for all four tires.
∙ The Tire and Loading Information label is located in the driver’s door opening.
∙ You can also check the pressure of all tires (except the spare tire) on the vehicle
information display screen. The order of
the tire pressure figures displayed on the
screen corresponds with the actual order
of the tire position. For additional information, refer to “Low tire
pressure warning light” and “Tire Pressure
Low — Add Air” in the “Instruments and con-
trols” section and “Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)” in the “In case of emergency”
section of this manual.
WARNING
∙ Radio waves could adversely affect elec-
tric medical equipment. Those who use a
pacemaker should contact the electric
medical equipment manufacturer for the
possible influences before use.
5-6Starting and driving

∙ If the low tire pressure warning light illu-minates while driving, avoid sudden
steering maneuvers or abrupt braking,
reduce vehicle speed, pull off the road to
a safe location and stop the vehicle as
soon as possible. Driving with under-
inflated tires may permanently damage
the tires and increase the likelihood of
tire failure. Serious vehicle damage could
occur and may lead to an accident and
could result in serious personal injury.
Check the tire pressure for all four tires.
Adjust the tire pressure to the recom-
mended COLD tire pressure shown on
the Tire and Loading Information label to
turn the low tire pressure warning light
off. If you have a flat tire, replace it with a
replacement tire as soon as possible. (For
additional information, refer to “Flat
tire” in the “In case of emergency” section
for changing a flat tire.) ∙ When replacing a wheel without the
TPMS such as the spare tire, when a
spare tire is mounted or a wheel is re-
placed, tire pressure will not be indicated,
the TPMS will not function and the low
tire pressure warning light will flash for
approximately 1 minute. The light will re-
main on after 1 minute. Have your tires
replaced and/or TPMS system reset as
soon as possible. It is recommended that
you visit an INFINITI retailer for this
service.
∙ Replacing tires with those not originally specified by INFINITI could affect the
proper operation of the TPMS.
∙ Do not inject any tire liquid or aerosol tire sealant into the tires, as this may cause a
malfunction of the tire pressure sensors.
CAUTION
∙ The TPMS may not function properlywhen the wheels are equipped with tire
chains or the wheels are buried in snow.
∙ Do not place metalized film or any metal parts (antenna, etc.) on the windows.
This may cause poor reception of the sig-
nals from the tire pressure sensors, and
the TPMS will not function properly. Some devices and transmitters may tempo-
rarily interfere with the operation of the
TPMS and cause the low tire pressure warn-
ing light to illuminate.
Some examples are:
∙ Facilities or electric devices using similar radio frequencies are near the vehicle.
∙ If a transmitter set to similar frequencies is being used in or near the vehicle.
∙ If a computer (or similar equipment) or a DC/AC converter is being used in or near
the vehicle.
The low tire pressure warning light may illu-
minate in the following cases: ∙ If the vehicle is equipped with a wheel and tire without TPMS.
∙ If the TPMS has been replaced and the ID has not been registered.
∙ If the wheel is not originally specified by INFINITI.
Starting and driving5-7

ON-PAVEMENT AND OFF-ROAD
DRIVING PRECAUTIONS
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher
rollover rate than other types of vehicles.
They have higher ground clearance than pas-
senger cars to make them capable of per-
forming in a variety of on-pavement and off-
road applications. This gives them a higher
center of gravity than ordinary vehicles. An
advantage of higher ground clearance is a
better view of the road, allowing you to an-
ticipate problems. However, they are not de-
signed for cornering at the same speeds as
conventional 2-Wheel Drive vehicles any
more than low-slung sports cars are de-
signed to perform satisfactorily under off-
road conditions. If at all possible, avoid sharp
turns at high speeds. As with other vehicles of
this type, failure to operate this vehicle cor-
rectly may result in loss of control or vehicle
rollover. In a rollover crash, an unbelted per-
son is significantly more likely to die than a
person wearing a seat belt.
For additional information, refer to “Driving
safety precautions” in this section.
AVOIDING COLLISION AND
ROLLOVER
WARNING
Failure to operate this vehicle in a safe and
prudent manner may result in loss of con-
trol or an accident.
Be alert and drive defensively at all times.
Obey all traffic regulations. Avoid excessive
speed, high speed cornering, or sudden steer-
ing maneuvers, because these driving prac-
tices could cause you to lose control of your
vehicle.
As with any vehicle, loss of control could re-
sult in a collision with other vehicles or ob-
jects or cause the vehicle to roll over, par-
ticularly if the loss of control causes the
vehicle to slide sideways.
Be attentive at all times, and avoid driving
when tired. Never drive when under the influ-
ence of alcohol or drugs (including prescrip-
tion or over-the-counter drugs which may
cause drowsiness). Always wear your seat
belt as outlined in the “Safety – Seats, seat
belts and supplemental restraint system” sec-
tion of this manual, and also instruct your
passengers to do so. Seat belts help reduce the risk of injury in
collisions and rollovers.
In a rollover crash, an
unbelted or improperly belted person is sig-
nificantly more likely to be injured or killed
than a person properly wearing a seat belt.OFF-ROAD RECOVERY
While driving, the right side or left side wheels
may unintentionally leave the road surface. If
this occurs, maintain control of the vehicle by
following the procedure below. Please note
that this procedure is only a general guide.
The vehicle must be driven as appropriate
based on the conditions of the vehicle, road
and traffic.
1. Remain calm and do not overreact.
2. Do not apply the brakes.
3. Maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel with both hands and try to hold a
straight course.
4. When appropriate, slowly release the accelerator pedal to gradually slow the
vehicle.
5. If there is nothing in the way, steer the vehicle to follow the road while vehicle
speed is reduced. Do not attempt to
drive the vehicle back onto the road sur-
face until vehicle speed is reduced.
Starting and driving5-9

6. When it is safe to do so, gradually turnthe steering wheel until both tires return
to the road surface. When all tires are on
the road surface, steer the vehicle to stay
in the appropriate driving lane.
∙ If you decide that it is not safe to return the vehicle to the road surface based
on vehicle, road or traffic conditions,
gradually slow the vehicle to a stop in a
safe place off the road.
RAPID AIR PRESSURE LOSS
Rapid air pressure loss or a “blow-out” can
occur if the tire is punctured or is damaged
due to hitting a curb or pothole. Rapid air
pressure loss can also be caused by driving on
under-inflated tires.
Rapid air pressure loss can affect the han-
dling and stability of the vehicle, especially at
highway speeds.
Help prevent rapid air pressure loss by main-
taining the correct air pressure and visually
inspecting the tires for wear and damage. For
additional information, refer to “Wheels and
tires” in the “Do-it-yourself” section of this
manual. If a tire rapidly loses air pressure or
“blows-out” while driving, maintain control of
the vehicle by following the procedure below.
Please note that this procedure is only a gen- eral guide. The vehicle must be driven as ap-
propriate based on the conditions of the ve-
hicle, road and traffic.
WARNING
The following actions can increase the
chance of losing control of the vehicle if
there is a sudden loss of tire air pressure.
Losing control of the vehicle may cause a
collision and result in personal injury.
∙ The vehicle generally moves or pulls in the
direction of the flat tire.
∙ Do not rapidly apply the brakes.
∙ Do not rapidly release the accelerator pedal.
∙ Do not rapidly turn the steering wheel.
1. Remain calm and do not overreact.
2. Maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel with both hands and try to hold a
straight course.
3. When appropriate, slowly release the accelerator pedal to gradually slow the
vehicle.
4. Gradually steer the vehicle to a safe lo- cation off the road and away from traf-
fic if possible. 5. Lightly apply the brake pedal to gradu-
ally stop the vehicle.
6. Turn on the hazard warning flashers and contact a roadside emergency service to
change the tire. For additional informa-
tion, refer to “Flat tire” in the “In case of
emergency section of this manual.
DRINKING ALCOHOL/DRUGS
AND DRIVING
WARNING
Never drive under the influence of alcohol
or drugs. Alcohol in the bloodstream re-
duces coordination, delays reaction time
and impairs judgement. Driving after drink-
ing alcohol increases the likelihood of being
involved in an accident injuring yourself and
others. Additionally, if you are injured in an
accident, alcohol can increase the severity
of the injury.
5-10Starting and driving

INFINITI is committed to safe driving. How-
ever, you must choose not to drive under the
influence of alcohol. Every year thousands of
people are injured or killed in alcohol-related
accidents. Although the local laws vary on
what is considered to be legally intoxicated,
the fact is that alcohol affects all people dif-
ferently and most people underestimate the
effects of alcohol.
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.
DRIVING SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Your INFINITI is designed for both normal
and off-road use. However, avoid driving in
deep water or mud as your INFINITI is mainly
designed for leisure use, unlike a conventional
off-road vehicle.
Remember that 2-Wheel Drive (2WD) mod-
els are less capable than All-Wheel Drive
(AWD) models for rough road driving and
extrication when stuck in deep snow or mud,
or the like.Please observe the following precautions:
WARNING
∙ Spinning the front wheels on slippery
surfaces may cause the AWD warning
message to display and the AWD system
to automatically switch from the AWD to
the 2WD mode. This could reduce the
traction. Be especially careful when tow-
ing a trailer (AWD models).
∙ Drive carefully when off the road and avoid dangerous areas. Every person
who drives or rides in this vehicle should
be seated with their seat belt fastened.
This will keep you and your passengers in
position when driving over rough terrain.
∙ Do not drive across steep slopes. Instead drive either straight up or straight down
the slopes. Off-road vehicles can tip over
sideways much more easily than they can
forward or backward.
∙ Many hills are too steep for any vehicle. If you drive up them, you may stall. If you
drive down them, you may not be able to
control your speed. If you drive across
them, you may roll over. ∙ Do not shift gears while driving on down-
hill grades as this could cause loss of con-
trol of the vehicle.
∙ Stay alert when driving to the top of a hill. At the top there could be a drop-off
or other hazard that could cause an
accident.
∙ If your engine stalls or you cannot make it to the top of a steep hill, never attempt to
turn around. Your vehicle could tip or roll
over. Always back straight down in R
(Reverse) gear and apply brakes to con-
trol your speed.
∙ Heavy braking going down a hill could cause your brakes to overheat and fade,
resulting in loss of control and an acci-
dent. Apply brakes lightly and use a low
gear to control your speed.
∙ Unsecured cargo can be thrown around when driving over rough terrain. Prop-
erly secure all cargo so it will not be
thrown forward and cause injury to you
or your passengers.
∙ Secure heavy loads in the cargo area as far forward and as low as possible. Do not
equip the vehicle with tires larger than
specified in this manual. This could cause
your vehicle to roll over.
Starting and driving5-11

∙ Do not grip the inside or spokes of thesteering wheel when driving off-road.
The steering wheel could move suddenly
and injure your hands. Instead drive with
your fingers and thumbs on the outside of
the rim.
∙ Before operating the vehicle, ensure that the driver and all passengers have their
seat belts fastened.
∙ Always drive with the floor mats in place as the floor may become hot.
∙ Lower your speed when encountering strong crosswinds. With a higher center
of gravity, your INFINITI is more affected
by strong side winds. Slower speeds en-
sure better vehicle control.
∙ Do not drive beyond the performance ca- pability of the tires, even with AWD
engaged.
∙ For AWD equipped vehicles, do not at- tempt 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. ∙ Do not attempt to test an AWD equipped
vehicle on a 2-wheel dynamometer (such
as the dynamometers used by some
states for emissions testing) or similar
equipment 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 unexpected 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.
∙ Accelerating quickly, sharp steering ma- neuvers or sudden braking may cause loss
of control.
∙ If at all possible, avoid sharp turning ma- neuvers, particularly at high speeds. Your
INFINITI vehicle has a higher center of
gravity than a passenger car. The vehicle
is not designed for cornering at the same
speeds as passenger cars. Failure to op-
erate this vehicle correctly could result in
loss of control and/or a rollover accident. ∙ 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 front
wheels when driving on slippery roads
and drive carefully.
∙ Be sure to check the brakes immediately after driving in mud or water. For addi-
tional information, refer to “Brake pre-
cautions” in this section.
∙ Avoid parking your vehicle on steep hills. If you get out of the vehicle and it rolls
forward, backward or sideways, you
could be injured.
∙ Whenever you drive off-road through sand, mud or water as deep as the wheel
hub, more frequent maintenance may be
required. For additional information, re-
fer to “Maintenance under severe oper-
ating conditions” in the “Maintenance
and schedules” section of this manual.
5-12Starting and driving