2021 INFINITI QX50 engine

• Recirculating the cool air in the cabinwhen the A/C is on reduces cooling
load.
4. Drive at Economical Speeds and
Distances
• Observing the speed limit and not ex- ceeding 60 mph (97 km/h) (where le-
gally allowed) can improve fuel effi-
ciency due to reduced aerodynamic
drag.
• Maintaining a safe following distance behind other vehicles reduces unneces-
sary braking.
• Safely monitoring traffic to anticipate changes in speed permits reduced brak-
ing and smooth acceleration changes.
• Select a gear range suitable to road conditions.
5. Use Cruise Control
• Using cruise control during highway driving helps maintain a steady speed.
• Cruise control is particularly effective in providing fuel savings when driving on
flat terrains.
6. Plan for the Shortest Route
• Utilize a map or navigation system to determine the best route to save time. 7.
Avoid Idling
• Shutting off your engine when safe for stops exceeding 30–60 seconds saves
fuel and reduces emissions.
8. Buy an Automated Pass for Toll Roads
• Automated passes permit drivers to use special lanes to maintain cruising speed
through the toll and avoid stopping and
starting.
9. Winter Warm Up
• Limit idling time to minimize impact to fuel economy.
• Vehicles typically need no more than 30 seconds of idling at start-up to effec-
tively circulate the engine oil before
driving.
• Your vehicle will reach its ideal operat- ing temperature more quickly while driv-
ing versus idling.
10. Keeping your Vehicle Cool
• Park your vehicle in a covered parking area or in the shade whenever possible.
• When entering a hot vehicle, opening the windows will help to reduce the in-
side temperature faster, resulting in re-
duced demand on your A/C system. • Keep your engine tuned up.
• Follow the recommended scheduled
maintenance.
• Keep the tires inflated to the correct pres- sure. Low tire pressure increases tire wear
and lowers fuel economy.
• Keep all the wheels in correct alignment. Improper alignment increases tire wear and
lowers fuel economy.
• Use the recommended viscosity engine oil. For additional information, see “Engine oil
and oil filter recommendations” (P. 10-6).
INCREASING FUEL ECONOMY
Starting and driving5-145

If any malfunction occurs in the Intelligent
AWD system while the engine is running,
messages are displayed in the meter.
If the AWD error warning message is dis-
played, there may be a malfunction in the
Intelligent AWD system. Reduce vehicle
speed and have your vehicle checked as soon
as possible. It is recommended that you visit
an INFINITI retailer for this service.The AWD high temperature message may be
displayed while trying to free a stuck vehicle
due to increased oil temperature. The driving
mode may change to 2-Wheel Drive (2WD).
If this message is displayed, stop the vehicle
with the engine idling, as soon as it is safe to
do so. Then if the message turns off, you can
continue driving.
The tire size message may be displayed if
there is a large difference between the diam-
eters 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 messages continue to be dis-
played, have your vehicle checked as soon as
possible. It is recommended that you visit an
INFINITI retailer for this service.
LSD2082LSD2083LSD2084
INTELLIGENT ALL-WHEEL DRIVE
(AWD) (if so equipped)
5-146Starting and driving

WARNING
• Do not drive beyond the performance ca-
pability of the tires. Accelerating quickly,
sharp steering maneuvers or sudden
braking may cause loss of control, even
with Intelligent 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 personal injury or
vehicle damage.
• Do not attempt to test an AWD
equipped vehicle on a 2-wheel dyna-
mometer (such as the dynamometers
used by some states for emissions test-
ing) or similar equipment even if the
other two wheels are raised off the
ground. Make sure that you inform the
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 dam-
age or unexpected vehicle movement
which could result in serious personal in-
jury or vehicle damage.CAUTION
• Do not operate the engine on a free roller
when any of the wheels are raised.
• If you use the free roller, rotate four
wheels with the same speed without
raising any wheels.
• If an AWD warning message is displayed
while driving there may be a malfunction
in the AWD system. Reduce the vehicle
speed immediately and have your vehicle
checked as soon as possible. It is recom-
mended that you visit an INFINITI re-
tailer for this service.
• The powertrain may be damaged if you
continue driving when the AWD tem-
perature or tire size incorrect messages
are displayed.
• If the AWD high temperature message is
displayed while you are driving, pull off
the road in a safe area, and idle the en-
gine. The driving mode will change to
2WD to prevent the AWD system from
malfunctioning. If the warning message
turns off, you can drive again. •
If the tire size incorrect message is dis-
played while you are driving, 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 a warning message continues to be dis-
played after the above operations, have
your vehicle checked as soon as possible.
It is recommended that you visit an
INFINITI retailer for this service.
Starting and driving5-147

WARNING
• 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.
• Safe parking procedures require that
both the parking brake be set and the
transmission placed into P (Park). Fail-
ure to do so could cause the vehicle to
move unexpectedly or roll away and re-
sult in an accident. Make sure the shift
lever has been pushed as far forward as it
can go and cannot be moved without de-
pressing the foot brake pedal. •
Never leave the engine running while the
vehicle is unattended.
• Do not leave children unattended inside
the vehicle. They could unknowingly ac-
tivate switches or controls or make the
vehicle move. Unattended children could
become involved in serious accidents. •
To help avoid risk of injury or death
through unintended operation of the ve-
hicle and/or its systems, do not leave
children, people who require the assis-
tance of others or pets unattended in
your vehicle. Additionally, the tempera-
ture inside a closed vehicle on a warm day
can quickly become high enough to cause
a significant risk of injury or death to
people and pets.
1. Apply the electronic parking brake.
2. Press the Park button to place the vehicle in the P (Park) position.
3. To help prevent the vehicle from rolling into traffic when parked on an incline, it is
a good practice to turn the wheels as
illustrated.
• HEADED DOWNHILL WITH CURB
OA:
Turn the wheels into the curb and move
the vehicle forward until the curb side
wheel gently touches the curb.
• HEADED UPHILL WITH CURB
OB:
Turn the wheels away from the curb and
move the vehicle back until the curb side
wheel gently touches the curb.
WSD0050
PARKING/PARKING ON HILLS
5-148Starting and driving

• HEADED UPHILL OR DOWNHILL,NO CURB
OC:
Turn the wheels toward the side of the
road so the vehicle will move away from
the center of the road if it moves.
4. Place the ignition switch in the LOCK position.ELECTRIC POWER STEERING
TYPE
WARNING
• If the engine is not running or is turned
off while driving, the power assist for the
steering will not work. Steering will be
harder to operate.
• When the power steering warning light
illuminates with the engine running,
there will be no power assist for the
steering. You will still have control of the
vehicle, but the steering will be harder to
operate. Have the power steering sys-
tem checked. It is recommended that you
visit an INFINITI retailer for this service.
The power steering system is designed to
provide power assist while driving to operate
the steering wheel with light force.
When the steering wheel is operated repeat-
edly or continuously while parking or driving
at a very low speed, the power assist for the
steering wheel will be reduced. This is to pre-
vent overheating of the power steering sys-
tem and protect it from getting damaged.
While the power assist is reduced, steering
wheel operation will become heavy. When
the temperature of the power steering sys-
tem goes down, the power assist level will return to normal. Avoid repeating such steer-
ing wheel operations that could cause the
power steering system to overheat.
You may hear a sound when the steering
wheel is operated quickly. However, this is
not a malfunction.
If the power steering warning light illumi-
nates while the engine is running, it may indi-
cate the power steering system is not func-
tioning properly and may need servicing.
Have the power steering system checked. It is
recommended that you visit an INFINITI re-
tailer for this service.
When the power steering warning light illu-
minates with the engine running, there will be
no power assist for the steering, but you will
still have control of the vehicle. At this time,
greater steering effort is required to operate
the steering wheel, especially in sharp turns
and at low speeds.
For additional information, see “Power steer-
ing warning light” (P. 2-16).
POWER STEERING
Starting and driving5-149

DIRECT ADAPTIVE STEERING®
TYPE
WARNING
• When the power steering warning light
illuminates with the engine running, the
power assist for the steering will cease
operation. You will still have control of
the vehicle, but the steering will be
harder to operate.
• If wheels or tires other than the INFINITI
recommended ones are used, Direct
Adaptive Steering® may not operate
properly and the power steering warning
light may illuminate.
• Do not modify the vehicle’s suspension
parts such as shock absorbers, struts,
springs, stabilizer bars, bushings and
wheels are not INFINITI recommended
for your vehicle or are extremely deterio-
rated, Direct Adaptive Steering may not
operate properly and the power steering
warning light may illuminate.
• Do not modify the vehicle’s steering. If
steering parts are not INFINITI recom-
mended for your vehicle or are extremely
deteriorated, Direct Adaptive Steering
may not operate properly and the power
steering warning light may illuminate. •
If the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
OFF indicator light illuminates, the
power steering warning light may also
illuminate at the same time. Stop the ve-
hicle in a safe location, turn the engine
off and restart the engine. If the power
steering warning light continues to illu-
minate, have the system checked. It is
recommended that you visit an INFINITI
retailer for this service. For additional in-
formation, see “Vehicle Dynamic Control
(VDC) system” (P. 5-154).
CAUTION
• Do not place the ignition switch in the
ON position while the steering wheel or a
tire is removed.
• Do not turn the steering wheel as much
as possible while the ignition switch is
any position other than the ON position.
• Installing an accessory on the steering
wheel, or changing the steering wheel,
may reduce the steering performance.
Direct Adaptive Steering is designed to con-
trol the steering force and steering angle ac-
cording to the vehicle speed and amount of
turning of the steering wheel. The steering characteristic can be selected
using the INFINITI Drive Mode Selector. For
additional information, see “INFINITI Drive
Mode Selector” (P. 2-22).
If the VDC system is turned off, the setting of
steering becomes Standard mode.
If the power steering warning light illumi-
nates while the engine is running, it may indi-
cate that Direct Adaptive Steering is not
functioning properly and may need servicing.
Have the system checked. It is recommended
that you visit an INFINITI retailer for this
service. For additional information, see
“Power steering warning light” (P. 2-16)
When the power steering warning light illu-
minates with the engine running, the power
assist for the steering will cease operation.
You will still have control of the vehicle. How-
ever, greater steering effort will be needed,
especially in sharp turns and at low speeds.
If Direct Adaptive Steering is malfunctioning,
the steering wheel may turn slightly even
when driving on a straight road.
Under the following conditions, the steering
wheel may turn slightly even when driving on
a straight road. This is due to a protection
mechanism for Direct Adaptive Steering. The
5-150Starting and driving

steering wheel will return to the normal posi-
tion after the protection mechanism is
deactivated.
Condition A:
• When the engine is stalled or likely to bestalled
• When the steering wheel is held in the full lock position or when the front tire touches
an obstruction
• When the battery is discharged
To return the steering wheel to the normal
position, stop the vehicle in a safe location
and stop operating the steering wheel. Then
drive the vehicle for a short period of time.
Condition B:
• When the steering wheel is operated re- peatedly or continuously while parking or
driving at a very low speed. In this case, the
power assist for the steering wheel will be
reduced.
To return the steering wheel to the normal
position, stop the vehicle in a safe location
and wait for a period of time, without oper-
ating the steering wheel, until the tempera-
ture of Direct Adaptive Steering cools down.
Avoid repeated steering wheel operations
that could cause Direct Adaptive Steering to
overheat. When the vehicle is tested on the 2–wheel
dynamometer, the power steering warning
light may illuminate. To turn off the power
steering warning light, stop the vehicle in a
safe location, turn the engine off, restart the
engine, and then drive the vehicle for a period
of time.
The following conditions do not indicate a
malfunction of Direct Adaptive Steering:
• You may notice wider steering play when
the ignition switch is in the OFF or AUTO
ACC position compared to when it is in the
ON position.
• After the engine is started, the steering wheel may turn slightly even when driving a
straight road. To return to the normal posi-
tion, drive the vehicle on a straight road for
a period of time.
• After the engine is started, the steering wheel may move if the steering wheel was
turned to the fully locked position while the
ignition switch was in the OFF position.
• After the vehicle is tested on the 4–wheel dynamometer, the steering wheel may turn
slightly even when driving on a straight
road. To return the steering wheel to the
normal position, drive the vehicle on a
straight road for a period of time. You may hear a noise under the following
conditions. However, this is not a malfunc-
tion.
• When the engine is started or stopped.
• When the steering wheel is turned in the full
lock position.
Starting and driving5-151

The brake system has two separate hydraulic
circuits. If one circuit malfunctions, you will
still have braking at two wheels.
BRAKE PRECAUTIONS
Vacuum assisted brakes
The brake booster aids braking by using en-
gine vacuum. If the engine stops, you can
stop the vehicle by depressing the brake
pedal. However, greater foot pressure on the
brake pedal will be required to stop the ve-
hicle and stopping distance will be longer.
Using the brakes
Avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal
while driving. This will overheat the brakes,
wear out the brake pads faster, and reduce
gas mileage.
To help reduce brake wear and to prevent the
brakes from overheating, reduce speed and
downshift to a lower gear before going down
a slope or long grade. Overheated brakes
may reduce braking performance and could
result in loss of vehicle control.
WARNING
• While driving on a slippery surface, be
careful when braking, accelerating or
downshifting. Abrupt braking or accel-
erating could cause the wheels to skid
and result in an accident.
• If the engine is not running or is turned
off while driving, the power assist for the
brakes will not work. Braking will be
harder.
Wet brakes
When the vehicle is washed or driven through
water, the brakes may get wet. As a result,
your braking distance will be longer and the
vehicle may pull to one side during braking.
To dry the brakes, drive the vehicle at a safe
speed while lightly pressing the brake pedal to
heat up the brakes. Do this until the brakes
return to normal. Avoid driving the vehicle at
high speeds until the brakes function correctly.
Parking brake break-in
Break in the parking brake shoes whenever
the stopping effect of the parking brake is
weakened or whenever the parking brake
shoes and/or rotors are replaced, in order to
assure the best brake performance. This procedure is described in the INFINITI
Service Manual. It is recommended that you
visit an INFINITI retailer for this service.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM
(ABS)
WARNING
• The ABS is a sophisticated device, but it
cannot prevent accidents resulting from
careless or dangerous driving tech-
niques. It can help maintain vehicle con-
trol during braking on slippery surfaces.
Remember that stopping distances on
slippery surfaces will be longer than on
normal surfaces even with ABS. Stop-
ping distances may also be longer on
rough, gravel or snow covered roads, or
if you are using tire chains. Always main-
tain a safe distance from the vehicle in
front of you. Ultimately, the driver is re-
sponsible for safety.
• Tire type and condition may also affect
braking effectiveness.
– When replacing tires, install the
specified size of tires on all four
wheels.
BRAKE SYSTEM
5-152Starting and driving