The VDC system is automatically reset to on
when the ignition switch is placed in the OFF
position then back to the ON position.
The computer has a built-in diagnostic fea-
ture that tests the system each time you start
the engine and move the vehicle forward or in
reverse at a slow speed. When the self-test
occurs, you may hear a clunk noise and/or
feel a pulsation in the brake pedal. This is
normal and is not an indication of a
malfunction.
WARNING
• The VDC system is designed to help the
driver maintain controllability but does
not prevent accidents due to abrupt
steering operation at high speeds or by
careless or dangerous driving tech-
niques. Reduce vehicle speed and be es-
pecially careful when driving and corner-
ing on slippery surfaces and always drive
carefully. •
Do not modify the vehicle's suspension.
If suspension parts such as shock ab-
sorbers, struts, springs, stabilizer bars,
bushings and wheels are not INFINITI
recommended for your vehicle or are ex-
tremely deteriorated, the VDC system
may not operate properly. This could ad-
versely affect vehicle handling perfor-
mance, and the
indicator light may
flash or both theandindicator
lights may illuminate.
• If brake related parts such as brake pads,
rotors and calipers are not INFINITI rec-
ommended or are extremely deterio-
rated, the VDC system may not operate
properly and both the
and theindicator lights may illuminate.
• If engine control related parts are not
INFINITI recommended or are extremely
deteriorated, both the
andindicator lights may illuminate.
• When driving on extremely inclined sur-
faces such as higher banked corners, the
VDC system may not operate properly
and the
indicator light may flash or
both theandindicator lights
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
indicator light may flash
or both theandindicator
lights may illuminate. This is not a mal-
function. Restart the engine after driv-
ing onto a stable surface.
• If wheels or tires other than the INFINITI
recommended ones are used, the VDC
system may not operate properly and
the
indicator light may flash or both
theandindicator lights may
illuminate.
• The VDC system is not a substitute for
winter tires or tire chains on a snow cov-
ered road.
BRAKE FORCE DISTRIBUTION
During braking while driving through turns,
the system optimizes the distribution of force
to each of the four wheels depending on the
radius of the turn.
Starting and driving5-141
WARNING
• The VDC system is designed to help the
driver maintain controllability but does
not prevent accidents due to abrupt
steering operation at high speeds or by
careless or dangerous driving tech-
niques. Reduce vehicle speed and be es-
pecially careful when driving and corner-
ing on slippery surfaces and always drive
carefully.
• Do not modify the vehicle’s suspension.
If suspension parts such as shock ab-
sorbers, struts, springs, stabilizer bars,
bushings and wheels are not INFINITI
recommended for your vehicle or are ex-
tremely deteriorated, the VDC system
may not operate properly. This could ad-
versely affect vehicle handling perfor-
mance, and the
indicator light may
flash or both theandindicator
lights may illuminate.
• If brake related parts such as brake pads,
rotors and calipers are not INFINITI rec-
ommended or are extremely deterio-
rated, the VDC system may not operate
properly and both the
and theindicator lights may illuminate. •
If engine control related parts are not
INFINITI recommended or are extremely
deteriorated, both the
andindicator lights may illuminate.
• When driving on extremely inclined sur-
faces such as higher banked corners, the
VDC system may not operate properly
and the
indicator light may flash or
both theandindicator lights
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
indicator light may flash
or both theandindicator
lights may illuminate. This is not a mal-
function. Restart the engine after driv-
ing onto a stable surface.
• If wheels or tires other than the INFINITI
recommended ones are used, the VDC
system may not operate properly and
the
indicator light may flash or both
theandindicator lights may
illuminate.
• The VDC system is not a substitute for
winter tires or tire chains on a snow cov-
ered road. The chassis control is an electric control mod-
ule that includes the following functions:
• Active Trace Control
• Active Engine Brake
• Active Ride Control
ACTIVE TRACE CONTROL
This system senses driving based on the driv-
er’s steering and acceleration/braking pat-
terns, and controls brake pressure at indi-
vidual wheels to help smooth vehicle
response.
When the lower display is used to turn off the
Vehicle Dynamic Control system, the Active
Trace Control system is also turned off.
The Active Trace Control can be set to on
(enabled) or off (disabled) through the lower
display “Drive Mode Selector” menu option.
CHASSIS CONTROL
5-142Starting and driving
Do not attach stickers (including transparent
material), install accessories or apply addi-
tional paint near the sonar sensors.
Do not strike or damage the area around the
sonar sensors. It is recommended that you
visit an INFINITI retailer if the area around
the sonar sensors is damaged due to a
collision.FREEING A FROZEN DOOR LOCK
To prevent a door lock from freezing, apply
de-icer through the key hole. If the lock be-
comes frozen, heat the key before inserting it
into the key hole, or use the INFINITI Intelli-
gent Key.
ANTIFREEZE
In the winter when it is anticipated that the
temperature will drop below 32°F (0°C),
check the antifreeze to assure proper winter
protection. For additional information, see
“Engine cooling system” (P. 8-4).
BATTERY
If the battery is not fully charged during ex-
tremely cold weather conditions, the battery
fluid may freeze and damage the battery. To
maintain maximum efficiency, the battery
should be checked regularly. For additional
information, see “Battery” (P. 8-12).
DRAINING OF COOLANT WATER
If the vehicle is to be left outside without
antifreeze, drain the cooling system, including
the engine block. Refill before operating the
vehicle. For additional information, see
“Changing engine coolant” (P. 8-5).
TIRE EQUIPMENT
1. SUMMER tires have a tread designed toprovide superior performance on dry
pavement. 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 that you visit
an INFINITI retailer for the tire type, size,
speed rating and availability information.
2. For additional traction on icy roads, stud- ded tires may be used. However, some
U.S. states and Canadian provinces pro-
hibit their use. Check local, state and pro-
vincial 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.
3. Tire chains may be used. For additional information, see “Tire chains”(P. 8-38).
COLD WEATHER DRIVING
5-152Starting and driving
6 In case of emergency
Hazard warning flasher switch...................6-2
Roadside assistance program .....................6-2
Emergency engine shut off .......................6-3
Flat tire ..........................................6-3
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ......6-3
Run-flat tires .................................6-4 Jump starting
....................................6-5
Push starting ....................................6-7
If your vehicle overheats .........................6-7
Towing your vehicle ..............................6-8
Towing recommended by INFINITI ............6-8
Vehicle recovery (freeing a stuck vehicle) ......6-11
To shut off the engine in an emergency situ-
ation while driving, perform the following
procedure:
– Rapidly push the push-button ignitionswitch three consecutive times in less than
1.5 seconds, or
– Push and hold the push-button ignition switch for more than 2 seconds.TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING
SYSTEM (TPMS)
This vehicle is equipped with Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (TPMS). It monitors tire
pressure of all tires. When the low tire pres-
sure warning light is lit, and the “Tire Pressure
Low - Add Air” warning appears in the vehicle
information display, one or more of your tires
is significantly under-inflated. The system
also displays pressure of all tires (except the
spare tire) on the vehicle information display
screen by sending a signal from a sensor that
is installed in each wheel. If the vehicle is
being driven with low tire pressure, the TPMS
will activate and warn you of it by the low tire
pressure warning light. This system will acti-
vate only when the vehicle is driven at speeds
above 16 mph (25 km/h). For additional in-
formation, see “Warning lights, indicator
lights and audible reminders” (P. 2-9) and
“Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)”
(P. 5-5).
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. •
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 the light still illuminates while
driving after adjusting the tire pressure,
a tire may be flat or the TPMS may be
malfunctioning. If you have a flat tire,
replace it with a replacement tire as soon
as possible. If no tires are flat and all tires
are properly inflated, have the vehicle
checked. It is recommended that you
visit an INFINITI retailer for this service.
EMERGENCY ENGINE SHUT OFF FLAT TIRE
In case of emergency6-3
•When using a wheel without TPMS such
as the spare tire, the TPMS will not func-
tion and the low tire pressure warning
light will flash for approximately 1 min-
ute. The light will remain on after 1 min-
ute. Have your tires replaced and/or
TPMS system reset as soon as possible.
It is recommended that you visit an
INFINITI retailer for these services.
• 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.
RUN-FLAT TIRES
This vehicle is equipped with run-flat tires.
Run-flat tires can be used temporarily if they
are punctured. When the “Flat Tire — Visit
dealer” warning appears in the vehicle infor-
mation display, one or more of your tires is
punctured. For additional information, see
“Run-flat tires” (P. 8-36).
For additional information, refer to the tire
safety information in the Warranty Informa-
tion Booklet.
WARNING
• Although you can continue driving with a
punctured run-flat tire, remember that
vehicle handling stability is reduced,
which could lead to an accident and per-
sonal injury. Also, driving a long distance
at high speeds may damage the tires.
• Do not drive at speeds above 50 mph (80
km/h) and do not drive more than ap-
proximately 93 miles (150 km) with a
punctured run-flat tire. The actual dis-
tance the vehicle can be driven on a flat
tire depends on outside temperature, ve-
hicle load, road conditions and other
factors.
• Drive safely at reduced speeds. Avoid
hard cornering or braking, which may
cause you to lose control of the vehicle.
• If you detect any unusual sounds or vi-
brations while driving with a punctured
run-flat tire, pull off the road to a safe
location and stop the vehicle as soon as
possible. The tire may be seriously dam-
aged and need to be replaced.CAUTION
• Never install tire chains on a punctured
run-flat tire, as this could damage your
vehicle.
• Avoid diving over any projection or pot-
hole, as the clearance between the ve-
hicle and the ground is smaller than
normal.
• Do not enter an automated car wash
with a punctured run-flat tire.
• Have the punctured tire inspected by an
INFINITI retailer or other authorized re-
pair shop. Replace the tire as soon as
possible if the tire is seriously damaged.
6-4In case of emergency
VEHICLE RECOVERY (freeing a
stuck vehicle)
WARNING
To avoid vehicle damage, serious personal
injury or death when recovering a stuck
vehicle:
• Contact a professional towing service to
recover the vehicle if you have any ques-
tions regarding the recovery procedure.
• Tow chains or cables must be attached
only to main structural members of the
vehicle.
• Do not use the vehicle tie-downs to tow
or free a stuck vehicle.
• Only use devices specifically designed for
vehicle recovery and follow the manu-
facturer's instructions.
• Always pull the recovery device straight
out from the front of the vehicle. Never
pull at an angle.
• Route recovery devices so they do not
touch any part of the vehicle except the
attachment point. If your vehicle is stuck in sand, snow, mud,
etc., use a tow strap or other device designed
specifically for vehicle recovery. Always fol-
low the manufacturer's instructions for the
recovery device.
Rocking a stuck vehicle
WARNING
• Stand clear of a stuck vehicle.
• Do not spin your tires at high speed. This
could cause them to explode and result in
serious injury. Parts of your vehicle could
also overheat and be damaged.
If your vehicle is stuck in sand, snow, mud,
etc., use the following procedure:
1. Turn off the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system.
2. Make sure the area in front and behind the vehicle is clear of obstructions.
3. Turn the steering wheel right and left to clear an area around the front tires. 4. Slowly rock the vehicle forward and
backward.
• Shift back and forth between R (Re- verse) and D (Drive).
• Apply the accelerator as little as pos- sible to maintain the rocking motion.
• Release the accelerator pedal before shifting between R (Reverse) and D
(Drive).
• Do not spin the tires above 35 mph (55 km/h).
5. If the vehicle cannot be freed after a few tries, contact a professional towing ser-
vice to remove the vehicle.
In case of emergency6-11
TIRE DRESSINGS
INFINITI does not recommend the use of tire
dressings. Tire manufacturers apply a coating
to the tires to help reduce discoloration of the
rubber. If a tire dressing is applied to the tires,
it may react with the coating and form a
compound. This compound may come off the
tire while driving and stain the vehicle paint.
If you choose to use a tire dressing, take the
following precautions:
• Use a water-based tire dressing. The coat-ing on the tire dissolves more easily than
with an oil-based tire dressing.
• Apply a light coat of tire dressing to help prevent it from entering the tire tread/
grooves (where it would be difficult to
remove).
• Wipe off excess tire dressing using a dry towel. Make sure the tire dressing is com-
pletely removed from the tire
tread/grooves.
• Allow the tire dressing to dry as recom- mended by tire dressing manufacturer. This vehicle has new and unique surfaces on
the center console and door pull finishers. If
cleaning is required use mild soap and water.
However if mild soap and water won’t clean
the center console and door pull finishers, use
Genuine INFINITI Vinyl and Leather Cleaner
(or equivalent).
Occasionally remove loose dust from the in-
terior trim, plastic parts and seats using a
vacuum cleaner or soft bristled brush. Wipe
the vinyl and leather surfaces with a clean,
soft cloth dampened in mild soap solution,
then wipe clean with a dry, soft cloth.
Regular care and cleaning is required in order
to maintain the appearance of the leather.
Before using any fabric protector, read the
manufacturer's recommendations. Some
fabric protectors contain chemicals that may
stain or bleach the seat material.
Use a cloth dampened only with water to
clean the meter and gauge lens.
Use a slightly moist (with water) microfiber
cloth to clean the wood trim. If necessary, use
water with natural soap or wood dedicated
cleaning products, such as furniture polish.
WARNING
Do not use water or acidic cleaners (hot
steam cleaners) on the seat. This can dam-
age the seat or occupant classification sen-
sor. This can also affect the operation of
the air bag system and result in serious per-
sonal injury.
CAUTION
• Never use benzine, thinner, or any similar
material on the interior surfaces or sur-
face damage may occur. Such damage is
not covered under the INFINITI
warranty.
• Small dirt particles can be abrasive and
damaging to leather surfaces and should
be removed promptly. Do not use saddle
soap, car waxes, polishes, oils, cleaning
fluids, solvents, detergents or ammonia-
based cleaners as they may damage the
leather's natural finish.
• Never use fabric protectors unless rec-
ommended by the manufacturer.
• Do not use glass or plastic cleaner on me-
ter or gauge lens covers. It may damage
the lens cover.
CLEANING INTERIOR
7-4Appearance and care