2021 INFINITI QX50 ECU

TOWING SAFETY
Trailer hitch
Your vehicle may be equipped with an op-
tional trailer tow package. The trailer tow
package includes a receiver-type frame
mounted hitch. This hitch is rated for the
maximum towing capacity of this vehicle
when the proper towing equipment is used.
Choose a proper ball mount and hitch ball
that is rated for the trailer to be towed. Genu-
ine INFINITI ball mounts and hitch balls are
available from an INFINITI retailer.
If your vehicle is not equipped with the op-
tional trailer tow package, check the towing
capacity of your bumper hitch or receiver-
type frame mounted hitch. Choose a proper
hitch for your vehicle and trailer. A Genuine
INFINITI trailer hitch is available from an
INFINITI retailer. Make sure the trailer hitch is
securely attached to the vehicle to help avoid
personal injury or property damage due to
sway caused by crosswinds, rough road sur-
faces or passing trucks.
WARNING
Trailer hitch components have specific
weight ratings. Your vehicle may be ca-
pable of towing a trailer heavier than the
weight rating of the hitch components.
Never exceed the weight rating of the hitch
components. Doing so can cause serious
personal injury or property damage.
Hitch ball
Choose a hitch ball of the proper size and
weight rating for your trailer:
• The required hitch ball size is stamped on most trailer couplers. Most hitch balls also
have the size printed on the top of the ball.
• Choose the proper class hitch ball based on the trailer weight.
• The diameter of the threaded shank of the hitch ball must be matched to the ball
mount hole diameter. The hitch ball shank
should be no more than 1/16” smaller than
the hole in the ball mount.
• The threaded shank of the hitch ball must be long enough to be properly secured to
the ball mount. There should be at least 2
threads showing beyond the lock washer
and nut.
Ball mount
The hitch ball is attached to the ball mount
and the ball mount is inserted into the hitch
receiver. Choose a proper class ball mount
based on the trailer weight. Additionally, the
ball mount should be chosen to keep the
trailer tongue level with the ground.
Weight carrying hitches
A weight carrying or “dead weight” ball
mount is one that is designed to carry the
whole amount of tongue weight and gross
weight directly on the ball mount and on the
receiver.
Weight distribution hitch
This type of hitch is also called a “load-
leveling” or “equalizing” hitch. A set of bars
attach to the ball mount and to the trailer to
distribute the tongue weight (hitch weight) of
your trailer. Many vehicles can't carry the full
tongue weight of a given trailer, and need
some of the tongue weight transferred
through the frame and pushing down on the
front wheels. This gives stability to the tow
vehicle.
10-24Technical and consumer information

The safety chains can be attached to the
bumper if the hitch ball is mounted to the
bumper. Be sure to leave enough slack in the
chains to permit turning corners.
Trailer lights
CAUTION
When splicing into the vehicle electrical
system, a commercially available power-
type module/converter must be used to
provide power for all trailer lighting. This
unit uses the vehicle battery as a direct
power source for all trailer lights while us-
ing the vehicle tail light, stop light and turn
signal circuits as a signal source. The
module/converter must draw no more
than 15 milliamps from the stop and tail
lamp circuits. Using a module/converter
that exceeds these power requirements
may damage the vehicle's electrical sys-
tem. See a reputable trailer retailer to ob-
tain the proper equipment and to have it
installed.
Trailer lights should comply with federal
and/or local regulations. For assistance in
hooking up trailer lights, contact an INFINITI
retailer or reputable trailer retailer. Vehicles
equipped with the optional trailer tow pack-
age are equipped with a 7-pin trailer harness connector. If your trailer is equipped with a
flat 4-pin connector, an adapter will be
needed to connect the trailer lights to the
vehicle. Adapters are available at auto parts
stores and hitch retailers.Trailer brakes
Most states require a separate braking sys-
tem on trailers with a loaded weight above a
specific amount, make sure the trailer meets
the local regulations and the regulations
where you plan to tow.
Several types of braking systems are
available.
Surge Brakes -
The surge brake actuator is
mounted on the trailer tongue with a hydrau-
lic line running to each trailer wheel. Surge
brakes are activated by the trailer pushing
against the hitch ball when the tow vehicle is
braking. Hydraulic surge brakes are common
on rental trailers and some boat trailers. In
this type of system, there is no hydraulic or
electric connection for brake operation be-
tween the tow vehicle and the trailer.
Electric Trailer Brakes - Electric braking sys-
tems are activated by an electronic signal
sent from a trailer brake controller (special
brake-sensing module). Have a professional supplier of towing
equipment make sure the trailer brakes are
properly installed and demonstrate proper
brake function testing.
WARNING
Never connect a trailer brake system di-
rectly to the vehicle brake system.
Pre-towing tips
• Be certain your vehicle maintains a level position when a loaded and/or unloaded
trailer is hitched. Do not drive the vehicle if
it has an abnormal nose-up or nose-down
condition; check for improper tongue load,
overload, worn suspension or other pos-
sible causes of either condition.
• 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 grav-
ity 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.
10-26Technical and consumer information

• Check your hitch, trailer tire pressure, ve-hicle tire pressure, trailer light operation,
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 clearance 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
conditions.
• Always secure items in the trailer to preventload shift while driving.
• Lock the trailer hitch coupler with a pin or lock to prevent the coupler from inadver-
tently becoming unlatched.
• Avoid abrupt starts, acceleration or stops.
• Avoid sharp turns or lane changes.
• Always drive your vehicle at a moderate speed. • 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 possible, 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 selector to the P
(Park) position before blocking the wheels
and applying the parking brake, transmis-
sion damage could occur.
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Have someone place blocks on the down- hill 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. Turn off the engine. To drive away:
1. Start the vehicle.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
3. Shift the transmission into gear.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Drive slowly until the vehicle and trailer
are clear from the blocks.
6. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
7. Have someone retrieve and store the blocks.
• While going downhill, the weight of the trailer pushing on the tow vehicle may de-
crease overall stability. Therefore, to main-
tain adequate control, reduce your speed
and shift to a lower gear. Avoid long or
repeated use of the brakes when descend-
ing a hill, as this reduces their effectiveness
and could cause overheating. Shifting to a
lower gear instead provides “engine brak-
ing” and reduces the need to brake as
frequently.
• If the engine coolant temperature rises to a high temperature, see “If your vehicle over-
heats” (P. 6-7).
• Trailer towing requires more fuel than nor- mal circumstances.
Technical and consumer information10-27

For USA
If you believe that your vehicle has a
defect which could cause a crash or
could cause injury or death, you should
immediately inform the National High-
way Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) in addition to notifying
INFINITI.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints,
it may open an investigation, and if it
finds that a safety defect exists in a
group of vehicles, it may order a recall
and remedy campaign. However,
NHTSA cannot become involved in in-
dividual problems between you, your
retailer, or INFINITI.
To contact NHTSA, you may call the
Vehicle Safety Hotline toll-free at
1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-
9153); go to http://
www.safercar.gov; or write to: Ad-
ministrator, NHTSA, 400 Seventh
Street, SW., Washington, D.C. 20590.
You can also obtain other informationabout motor vehicle safety from
http://www.safercar.gov.
You may notify INFINITI by contacting
our Consumer Affairs Department,
toll-free, at 1-800-662-6200.
For Canada
If you believe that your vehicle has a
defect which could cause a crash or
could cause injury or death, you should
immediately inform Transport Canada
in addition to notifying INFINITI.
If Transport Canada receives com-
plaints, it may open an investigation,
and if it finds that a safety defect ex-
ists in a group of vehicles, it may re-
quest that INFINITI conduct a recall
campaign. However, Transport
Canada cannot become involved in in-
dividual problems between you, your
retailer, or INFINITI.
You may contact Transport Canada's
Defect Investigations and Recalls Divi-
sion toll free at 1-800-333-0510.
You may also report safety defects
online at: https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/
Saf-Sec-Sur/7/PCDB-BDPP/fc-
cp.aspx?lang=eng (English speakers)
or https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-
Sec-Sur/7/PCDB-BDPP/fc-
cp.aspx?lang=fra (French speakers)
Additional information concerning
motor vehicle safety may be obtained
from Transport Canada's Road Safety
Information Centre at 1-800-333-
0371 or online at www.tc.gc.ca/
roadsafety (English speakers) or
www.tc.gc.ca/securiteroutiere
(French speakers).
To notify INFINITI of any safety con-
cerns please contact our Consumer In-
formation Centre toll free at
1-800-361-4792.
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS
Technical and consumer information10-31

11 Index
2
2nd row bench seat adjustment.......1-4
A
Active Engine Brake............5-157Active noise cancellation
Active sound enhancement......5-167Active Ride Control........... .5-158Active Trace Control............5-156Aiming control, headlights.........2-40Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system).................... .1-41Air bag system
Front (See supplemental front impact air
bag system)
............... .1-48Air bag warning labels............1-60Air bag warning light.........1-61, 2-12Air bag warning light,
supplemental............ .1-61, 2-12Air cleaner.................. .8-16Air cleaner housing filter..........8-16Air conditioner
Air conditioner operation........4-35Air conditioner specification label. .10-12Air conditioner system refrigerant and
oil recommendations.......... .10-7Heater and air conditioner
(automatic) (if so equipped).......4-34
Heater and air conditioner controls. .4-35Servicing air conditioner.........4-42Alarm system (See vehicle security
system).................... .2-29Anchor point locations............1-27Antenna................... .4-43Anti-lock brake warning light. . . .2-10, 2-13Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).....5-152Antifreeze..................5-165Armrests.................... .1-5Around View® Monitor...........4-10Autolight switch.............. .2-36Automatic
Automatic power window switch. . .2-64Automatic anti-glare inside mirror.....3-34Automatic brake hold........... .5-25Automatic door locks............ .3-6Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB). . .2-16
B
Battery............... .5-165, 8-12Charge warning light...........2-11Battery replacement............ .8-22INFINITI Intelligent Key.........8-22Key fob.................. .8-22Before starting the engine.........5-16Belt (See drive belt).............8-15Blind Spot Intervention® (BSI).......5-54Blind Spot Warning (BSW).........5-45
Booster seats................ .1-38Brake
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). . . .5-152Brake fluid................ .8-10Brake light (See stop light)........8-25Brake system...............5-152Brake warning light............2-10Brake wear indicators......2-18, 8-19Self-adjusting brakes...........8-19Brake Assist................ .5-153Brake fluid.................. .8-10Brake system................5-152Brakes.................... .8-19Break-in schedule.............5-144Brightness control
Instrument panel............ .2-41Bulb check/instrument panel........2-10Bulb replacement............. .8-25
C
C.M.V.S.S. certification label.......10-11Camera Aiding Sonar (parking sensor). .4-23Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants............... .10-2Car phone or CB radio...........4-43Cargo (See vehicle loading
information)................ .10-15Cargo area storage bin...........2-55Cargo cover................. .2-62

Troubleshooting guide..........3-16Warning signals..............3-16Interior light................. .2-68ISOFIX child restraints............1-24
J
Jump starting............. .6-5, 8-14
K
Key....................... .3-2Key fob battery replacement........8-22Keyless entry
With Intelligent Key system
(See Intelligent Key system)
.......3-13
L
LabelTire and Loading Information label. .10-12LabelsAir conditioner specification label. . .10-12C.M.V.S.S. certification label......10-11Emission control information label. . .10-11Engine serial number.......... .10-11F.M.V.S.S. certification label......10-11Tire and Loading Information label. .10-12Vehicle identification number (VIN). .10-10Vehicle identification number (VIN)
plate................... .10-10Warning labels (for SRS).........1-60
Lane Departure Prevention (LDP).....5-40Lane Departure Warning (LDW)......5-35LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for
CHildren) System...............1-24LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
system.................... .2-40License plate
Installing the license plate........10-13Liftgate.................... .3-21Liftgate release................3-26Light
Air bag warning light........1-61, 2-12Brake light (See stop light)........8-25Bulb check/instrument panel......2-10Bulb replacement............ .8-25Charge warning light...........2-11Exterior and Interior lights........8-25Fog light switch............. .2-42Fog lights................. .8-24Headlight and turn signal switch. . . .2-36Headlights.................8-24Interior light.................2-68Light bulbs.................8-24Low tire pressure warning light.....2-13Low windshield-washer fluid warning
light.................... .2-22Personal lights...............2-69Security indicator light...........2-12Trunk light................. .2-69Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders...............2-9, 2-10Lights..................... .8-24Map lights..................2-69
Lock
Child safety rear door lock.........3-6Door locks................. .3-4Glove box lock...............2-52Liftgate release..............3-26Power door locks..............3-5Loose fuel cap warning...........2-22Low fuel warning light. . . .2-12, 2-15, 2-22Low tire pressure warning light.......2-13Low windshield-washer fluid warning
light...................... .2-22Luggage (See vehicle loading
information).................10-15Luggage hook.................2-55Luggage rack (see roof rack). . . .2-56, 2-57
M
Maintenance
General maintenance........... .9-2Inside the vehicle.............. .9-3Maintenance precautions.........8-2Outside the vehicle.............9-2Seat belt maintenance...........1-19Under the hood and vehicle........9-4Maintenance requirements..........9-2Maintenance schedules.........9-7, 9-8Malfunction indicator light..........2-15Map lights.................. .2-69Memory seat.............3-36, 3-38Meters and gauges.............. .2-4Instrument brightness control......2-41
11-4

Child seat belts. . .1-22, 1-29, 1-34, 1-38Reporting safety defects (US only). .10-31SeatMemory seat........... .3-36, 3-38Seat adjustment
Front power seat adjustment.......1-3Second row bench seats..........1-4Seat beltChild safety................ .1-20Infants and small children........1-20Injured person................1-14Larger children...............1-21Precautions on seat belt usage......1-11Pregnant women..............1-14Seat belt extenders............1-19Seat belt maintenance...........1-19Seat belts.............. .1-11, 7-7Three-point type with retractor.....1-15Seat belt extenders..............1-19Seat belt warning light........1-14, 2-12Seatback pockets.............. .2-51Seats
2nd row bench seat adjustment......1-4Adjustment................. .1-2Armrests................... .1-5Front seats..................1-2Heated seats................2-43Seats/floor mats................7-6Security indicator light............2-12Security system
(INFINITI vehicle immobilizer system),
engine start
..........2-30, 3-4, 5-16Security systemsVehicle security system..........2-29
Self-adjusting brakes............ .8-19Service manual order form.........10-33Servicing air conditioner...........4-42Spark plug replacement...........8-15Spark plugs.................. .8-15Specifications.................10-8Speedometer................. .2-5Speedometer and odometer.........2-4SRS warning label...............1-60Stability control...............5-154Standard maintenance.............9-9Starting
Before starting the engine........5-16Jump starting............ .6-5, 8-14Precautions when starting and
driving................ .5-4, 5-10Push starting.................6-7Starting the engine.............5-16Starting the engine............. .5-16Steering
Power steering system. . . .5-149, 5-150Steering Assist switch
(for vehicles with ProPILOT Assist). . . .2-45Steering wheel................ .3-31Stop light................... .8-25Storage.................... .2-50Storage tray..............2-51, 2-52Sun visors................... .3-32Sunglasses case................2-53Sunglasses holder...............2-53Sunroof................. .2-66, 7-5Supplemental air bag warning labels. . . .1-60Supplemental air bag warning
light.................. .1-61, 2-12
Supplemental front impact air bag
system.................... .1-48Supplemental restraint system
Information and warning labels.....1-60Precautions on supplemental restraint
system................... .1-41Supplemental restraint system
(Supplemental air bag system)........1-41Switch
Autolight switch............. .2-36Automatic power window switch. . . .2-64Fog light switch..............2-42Hazard warning flasher switch......6-2Headlight aiming control.........2-40Headlight and turn signal switch. . . .2-36Instrument brightness control......2-41Power door lock switch...........3-5Rear window wiper and washer
switches.................. .2-34Turn signal switch.............2-41
T
Tachometer.................. .2-6Temperature gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge. . . .2-6Theft(INFINITI vehicle immobilizer system),
engine start
..........2-30, 3-4, 5-16Three-way catalyst.............. .5-4Tire
Flat tire................... .6-3Tire and Loading Information label. .10-12
11-6

Tire chains.................8-36Tire pressure................8-27Tire rotation................8-36Types of tires................8-33Uniform tire quality grading......10-29Wheel/tire size...............10-9Wheels and tires..............8-27Tire pressure
Low tire pressure warning light.....2-13Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). .5-5Top tether strap child restraint.......1-26Towing4-wheel drive models.......... .6-10All-wheel drive models...........6-9Flat towing...........10-28, 10-29Tow truck towing............. .6-8Towing load/specification.......10-23Trailer towing.............. .10-19Towing a trailer...............10-19Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR).......5-32Transceiver
HomeLink® Universal
Transceiver
.....2-70, 2-72, 2-73, 2-74TransmissionContinuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
fluid
.................... .8-10Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT)............5-18Travel (See registering a vehicle in another
country)................... .10-10Trip odometer..................2-5Trunk light.................. .2-69Turn signal switch...............2-41
U
Uniform tire quality grading........10-29USB/iPod® Charging Ports.........4-42
V
Vanity mirror................. .3-33Variable voltage control system......8-14Vehicle dimensions and weights......10-9Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
system.................... .5-154Vehicle identification............10-10Vehicle identification number (VIN). . .10-10Vehicle identification number (VIN)
(Chassis number)............. .10-10Vehicle identification number (VIN)
plate..................... .10-10Vehicle immobilizer system.........5-16Vehicle information display.........2-19Vehicle loading information........10-15Vehicle recovery................6-11Vehicle security system............2-29(INFINITI vehicle immobilizer system),
engine start..........2-30, 3-4, 5-16Vents..................... .4-33Visors......................3-32
W
Warning
Air bag warning light........1-61, 2-12
Anti-lock brake warning light. .2-10, 2-13Battery charge warning light.......2-11Brake warning light........... .2-10Distance Control Assist (DCA).....5-106Engine oil pressure warning light. . . .2-11Hazard warning flasher switch......6-2Loose fuel cap warning..........2-22Low fuel warning light. .2-12, 2-15, 2-22Low tire pressure warning light.....2-13Low windshield-washer fluid warning
light.................... .2-22Seat belt warning light.......1-14, 2-12Supplemental air bag warning
light..................1-61, 2-12TPMS.................... .2-4Vehicle security system..........2-29Warning labels (for SRS).........1-60Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders...............2-9, 2-10Warning lights..............2-9, 2-10Warning lights, indicator lights and audible
reminders.................... .2-9Warning systems switch...........2-45Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders................ .2-9, 2-10Audible reminders..........2-9, 2-10Indicator lights............2-9, 2-10Warning lights............2-9, 2-10Washer switch
Rear window wiper and washer
switches
.................. .2-34Weights (See dimensions and weights). .10-9Wheel/tire size................10-9Wheels and tires................8-27
11-7