2023 INFINITI QX50 towing

AWD High Temp. Stop vehicle
This warning may appear while trying to free
a stuck vehicle due to increased oil tempera-
ture. The driving mode may change to
2-Wheel Drive (2WD). If this warning is dis-
played, stop the vehicle with the engine idling,
as soon as it is safe to do so. Then if the
warning turns off, you can continue driving.
AWD Tire Size Incorrect: See
Owner’s Manual
This warning may appear if there is a large
difference between the diameters of the
front and rear wheels. Pull off the road in a
safe area, with the engine idling. Check that
all the tire sizes are the same, that the tire
pressure is correct and that the tires are not
excessively worn.
CVT (AT) Malfunction Service now
This warning appears when there is a prob-
lem with the CVT system. If this warning
comes on, have the system checked. It is rec-
ommended that you visit an INFINITI retailer
for this service.
CVT (AT) hot Power reduced
This transmission has a high fluid tempera-
ture protection mode. If the fluid temperature
becomes too high (for example, climbing
steep grades in high temperatures with heavy
loads, such as when towing a trailer), engine
power and, under some conditions, vehicle
speed will be decreased automatically to re-
duce the chance of transmission damage.
Vehicle speed can be controlled with the ac-
celerator pedal, but the engine and vehicle
speed may be reduced.
WARNING
When the high fluid temperature protec-
tion mode operation occurs, vehicle speed
may be gradually reduced. The reduced
speed may be lower than other traffic,
which could increase the chance of a colli-
sion. Be especially careful when driving. If
necessary, pull to the side of the road at a
safe place and allow the transmission to
return to normal operation; or have it re-
paired if necessary.
Engine hot Power reduced
This engine has a high fluid temperature pro-
tection mode. If the fluid temperature be-
comes too high (for example, climbing steep
grades in high temperatures with heavy
loads, such as when towing a trailer), engine
power and, under some conditions, vehicle
speed will be decreased automatically to re-
duce the chance of engine damage. Vehicle
speed can be controlled with the accelerator
pedal, but the engine and vehicle speed may
be reduced.
WARNING
When the high fluid temperature protec-
tion mode operation occurs, vehicle speed
may be gradually reduced. The reduced
speed may be lower than other traffic,
which could increase the chance of a colli-
sion. Be especially careful when driving. If
necessary, pull to the side of the road at a
safe place and allow the engine to return to
normal operation; or have it repaired if
necessary.
Instruments and controls2-29

Engine Malfunction: Power Reduced
Service now
This warning appears when the engine is not
operating under normal conditions. If this
warning comes on, have the system checked.
It is recommended that you visit an INFINITI
retailer for this service.
Engine Malfunction Service now
This warning appears when there is a prob-
lem with the engine. If this warning comes on,
have the system checked. It is recommended
that you visit an INFINITI retailer for this
service.
Engine Stalled: Stop safely
This message appears 30 seconds before the
vehicle is shut down due to an above normal
operating exhaust temperature. The Mal-
function Indicator Light (MIL) and malfunc-
tion warning (red) will illuminate. Have the
system checked. It is recommended that you
visit an INFINITI retailer immediately for this
service.
Service CVT (AT) Power reduced
This transmission has a high fluid tempera-
ture protection mode. If the fluid temperature
becomes too high (for example, climbing
steep grades in high temperatures with heavyloads, such as when towing a trailer), engine
power and, under some conditions, vehicle
speed will be decreased automatically to re-
duce the chance of transmission damage.
Vehicle speed can be controlled with the ac-
celerator pedal, but the engine and vehicle
speed may be reduced.
WARNING
When the high fluid temperature protec-
tion mode operation occurs, vehicle speed
may be gradually reduced. The reduced
speed may be lower than other traffic,
which could increase the chance of a colli-
sion. Be especially careful when driving. If
necessary, pull to the side of the road at a
safe place and allow the transmission to
return to normal operation; or have it re-
paired if necessary.
Blind Spot Warning (BSW)
indicator
This indicator appears when the BSW system
is engaged.
For additional information, see “Blind Spot
Warning (BSW)” (P. 5-45) and “Blind Spot
Intervention® (BSI)” (P. 5-54).
Cruise control indicator
This indicator shows the cruise control sys-
tem status.
When cruise control is activated, a green
circle will appear to indicate it is set. The
vehicle information display will also display
the speed the cruise control was set at. If you
accelerate past the set speed, the speed will
blink until you either cancel cruise control or
go back to the set speed. If cruise control is on
and canceled, the speed will be displayed to
show the speed the vehicle will return to if the
resume button is activated.
Currently Not Available
This message appears when the VDC system
is turned off. The following systems (if so
equipped) will be turned off automatically:
BSI system, LDP system and the ProPILOT
Assist system.
For additional information, see “Vehicle Dy-
namic Control (VDC)” (P. 5-142), “Blind Spot
Intervention® (BSI)” (P. 5-54), “Lane Depar-
ture Prevention (LDP)” (P. 5-40) and/or
“ProPILOT Assist” (P. 5-73).
2-30Instruments and controls

MOTION-ACTIVATED LIFTGATE
(if so equipped)
The liftgate can be operated using a quick
kicking motion under the center of the rear
bumper.
To operate, the Intelligent Key must be within
31.5 in (80 cm) of the liftgate.
NOTE:
Tow hitches are available as an accessory for
this vehicle. If a tow hitch is installed, the
liftgate electronic control unit (ECU) needs
to be replaced with an ECU programmed
with towing logic for the Motion-Activated
Liftgate to function properly.
Proper operation technique
• While at the rear of the vehicle, begin mak-ing a quick forward kicking motion.
• Raise your foot straight under the center of the rear bumper then immediately return
your foot to the ground in a continuous
motion.
• The kicking motion should be straight, smooth and consistent.
• After your kick motion is complete, step back and allow the liftgate to open/close. • Three beeps will sound and the liftgate will
begin moving within two seconds after the
kick.
CAUTION
Before performing the kicking motion,
steady your stance to prevent any loss of
balance. Also, while making the kicking
motion, take caution around hot exhaust
system parts. Otherwise, there may be
danger of injury.
LPD2765
Activation zone
LPD3033
DO: Quick forward kick and return while the key fob is within range
Pre-driving checks and adjustments3-25

5 Starting and driving
Precautions when starting and driving............5-4
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) ................5-4
Three-way catalyst ...........................5-4
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ......5-5
On-pavement and off-road driving
precautions ...................................5-8
Avoiding collision and rollover .................5-8
Off-road recovery ............................5-9
Rapid air pressure loss ........................5-9
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving ...........5-10
Driving safety precautions ...................5-10
Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (AWD) driving
safety precautions (if so equipped) ............5-12
Push-button ignition switch ....................5-13
Operating range ............................ 5-14
Push-button ignition switch positions ........5-14
Emergency engine shut off ...................5-15
INFINITI Intelligent Key battery
discharge .................................... 5-15
INFINITI Vehicle Immobilizer System .........5-16
Before starting the engine ......................5-16
Starting the engine ............................. 5-16
Remote Engine Start ......................... 5-17
Driving the vehicle ............................. 5-18
Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) ....................................... 5-18Electronic parking brake
........................ 5-24
Automatic operation ........................ 5-24
Manual operation ........................... 5-25
When towing a trailer ....................... 5-26
Automatic brake hold .......................... 5-26
How to activate/deactivate the
automatic brake hold function ...............5-27
How to use the automatic brake hold
function .................................... 5-28
INFINITI Drive Mode Selector ..................5-29
Standard mode ............................. 5-29
Sport mode ................................. 5-29
Personal mode .............................. 5-30
ECO mode ................................. 5-31
Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR) (if so equipped) .....5-32System operation ........................... 5-33
Turning the Traffic Sign Recognition
(TSR) system on and off .....................5-34
System temporarily unavailable ..............5-34
System malfunction ......................... 5-34
System maintenance ........................ 5-34
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) ................5-35
LDW system operation ......................5-36
How to enable/disable the LDW system .....5-37
LDW system limitations .....................5-38
System temporarily unavailable ..............5-39

When canceling the manual shift mode, move
the shift lever to the D (Drive) position again.
The transmission returns to the normal driv-
ing mode.
When you pull the paddle shifter while in the
D (Drive) position, the transmission will shift
to the upper or lower range temporarily. The
transmission will automatically return to the
D (Drive) position after a short period of time.
If you want to return to the D (Drive) position
manually, pull and hold the paddle shifter for
about 1.5 seconds.
In the manual shift mode, the shift range is
displayed in the vehicle information display.
Shift ranges up or down one by one as
follows:
1M⇔2M⇔3M ⇔4M ⇔5M ⇔6M ⇔7M ⇔
8M
8 (8th)
Use this position for all normal forward driv-
ing at highway speeds.
7 (7th), 6 (6th) and 5 (5th)
Use this position when driving up long slopes,
or for engine braking when driving down long
slopes.
4 (4th), 3 (3rd) and 2 (2nd)
Use these positions for hill climbing or engine
braking on downhill grades.
1 (1st)
Use this position when climbing steep hills
slowly or driving slowly through deep snow,
or for maximum engine braking on steep
downhill grades.
• Remember not to drive at high speeds for extended periods of time in lower than the
8th range. This reduces fuel economy.
• Pulling the same paddle shifter twice will shift the ranges in succession. However, if
this motion is rapidly done, the second
shifting may not be completed properly.
• In the manual shift mode, the transmission
may not shift to the selected gear. This
helps maintain driving performance and
reduces the chance of vehicle damage or
loss of control.
• In the manual shift mode, the transmission
may shift up automatically to a higher
range than selected if the engine speed is
too high. When the vehicle speed de-
creases, the transmission automatically
shifts down and shifts to 1st gear before
the vehicle comes to a stop.
Accelerator downshift
— in D (Drive) position —
For passing or hill climbing, depress the ac-
celerator pedal to the floor. This shifts the
transmission down into a lower gear, de-
pending on the vehicle speed.
High fluid temperature protection
mode
This transmission has a high fluid tempera-
ture protection mode. If the fluid temperature
becomes too high (for example, when climb-
ing steep grades in high temperatures with
heavy loads, such as when towing a trailer),
engine power and, under some conditions,
vehicle speed will be decreased automatically
to reduce the chance of transmission dam-
age. Vehicle speed can be controlled with the
accelerator pedal, but the engine and vehicle
speed may be limited.
Fail-safe
When the fail-safe operation occurs, the
Continuously Variable Transmission will not
be shifted into the selected driving position.
Starting and driving5-23

• While pulling up the electronic parkingbrake switch during driving, the parking
brake is applied and a chime sounds. The
electronic parking brake indicator light
(red) in the meter and in the parking brake
switch illuminates. This does not indicate a
malfunction. The electronic parking brake
indicator light (red) in the meter and in the
parking brake switch turns off when the
parking brake is released.
• When pulling the electronic parking brake switch up with the ignition switch in the
OFF or AUTO ACC position, the parking
brake switch indicator light will continue
to illuminate for a short period of time.
WHEN TOWING A TRAILER
Depending on the weight of the vehicle and
trailer and the steepness of the slope, there
may be a tendency for the vehicle to move
backwards when starting from a standstill.
When this occurs, you can use the parking
brake switch in the same way as a conven-
tional lever type parking brake.
Before starting on sloping roads when tow-
ing a trailer, be sure to read the following to
prevent the vehicle from moving backwards
unintentionally.
• Release the parking brake switch as soonas the engine is delivering enough torque to
the wheels. The automatic brake hold function maintains
the braking force without the driver having to
depress the brake pedal when the vehicle is
stopped at a traffic light or intersection. As
soon as the driver depresses the accelerator
pedal again, the automatic brake hold func-
tion is deactivated and the braking force is
released. The operating status of automatic
brake hold can be displayed.
To use the automatic brake hold function, the
following conditions need to be met:
• The driver’s seat belt is fastened.
• The electronic parking brake is released.
• The vehicle is not in the P (Park) position.
• The vehicle is not parked on a steep hill.WARNING
• The automatic brake hold function is not
designed to hold the vehicle on a steep
hill or slippery road. Never use the auto-
matic brake hold when the vehicle is
stopped on a steep hill or slippery road.
Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to
move.
• Warnings may appear to request that
the driver retake control by depressing
the brake pedal. •
When the automatic brake hold function
is activated but fails to maintain the ve-
hicle at a standstill, depress the brake
pedal to stop the vehicle. If the vehicle
unexpectedly moves due to outside con-
ditions, the chime may sound and warn-
ings may appear.
• Be sure to deactivate the automatic
brake hold function when using a car
wash or towing your vehicle.
• Make sure to push the park button to
shift to the P (Park) position and apply
the parking brake when parking your ve-
hicle, entering or exiting the vehicle, or
loading luggage. Failure to do so could
cause the vehicle to move or roll away
unexpectedly and result in serious per-
sonal injury or property damage.
WARNING
• If any of the following conditions occur,
the automatic brake hold function may
not function. Have the system checked
promptly. It is recommended that you
visit an INFINITI retailer for this service.
– A warning message appears.
– The indicator light on the automatic
brake hold switch does not illuminate
when the switch is pushed.
AUTOMATIC BRAKE HOLD
5-26Starting and driving

LDW SYSTEM LIMITATIONS
WARNING
Listed below are the system limitations for
the LDW system. Failure to follow the
warnings and instructions for proper use of
the LDW system could result in serious in-
jury or death.
• This system is only a warning device to
inform the driver of a potential unin-
tended lane departure. It will not steer
the vehicle or prevent loss of control. It is
the driver’s responsibility to stay alert,
drive safely, keep the vehicle in the trav-
eling lane, and be in control of the vehicle
at all times.
• The system will not operate at speeds
below approximately 37 mph (60 km/h)
or if it cannot detect lane markers.
• Do not use the LDW system under the
following conditions as it may not func-
tion properly:
– During bad weather (rain, fog, snow,
etc.).
– When driving on slippery roads, such
as on ice or snow.
– When driving on winding or uneven
roads. –
When there is a lane closure due to
road repairs.
– When driving in a makeshift or tem-
porary lane.
– When driving on roads where the lane
width is too narrow.
–
When driving without normal tire con- ditions (for example, tire wear, low tire
pressure, installation of spare tire, tire
chains, nonstandard wheels).
– When the vehicle is equipped with
non-original brake parts or suspen-
sion parts.
–
When you are towing a trailer or other vehicle.
The system may not function properly under
the following conditions:
• On roads where there are multiple parallel lane markers; lane markers that are faded
or not painted clearly; yellow painted lane
markers; non-standard lane markers; or
lane markers covered with water, dirt,
snow, etc.
• On roads where the discontinued lane markers are still detectable.
• On roads where there are sharp curves. • On roads where there are sharply contrast-
ing objects, such as shadows, snow, water,
wheel ruts, seams or lines remaining after
road repairs. (The LDW system could de-
tect these items as lane markers.)
• On roads where the traveling lane merges or separates.
• When the vehicle’s traveling direction does not align with the lane marker.
• When traveling close to the vehicle in front of you, which obstructs the lane camera
unit detection range.
• When rain, snow, dirt or an object adheres to the windshield in front of the lane cam-
era unit.
• When the headlights are not bright due to dirt on the lens or if the aiming is not ad-
justed properly.
• When strong light enters the lane camera unit. (For example, the light directly shines
on the front of the vehicle at sunrise or
sunset.)
• When a sudden change in brightness oc- curs. (For example, when the vehicle enters
or exits a tunnel or under a bridge.)
5-38Starting and driving

LDP SYSTEM LIMITATIONS
WARNING
Listed below are the system limitations for
the LDP system. Failure to follow the
warnings and instructions for proper use of
the LDP system could result in serious in-
jury or death.
• The LDP system may activate if you
change lanes without first activating
your turn signal or, for example, if a con-
struction zone directs traffic to cross an
existing lane marker. If this occurs you
may need to apply corrective steering to
complete your lane change.
• Because the LDP may not activate under
the road, weather, and lane marker con-
ditions described in this section, it may
not activate every time your vehicle be-
gins to leave its lane and you will need to
apply corrective steering.
•
The LDP system will not operate at speeds
below approximately 37 mph (60 km/h)
or if it cannot detect lane markers.
• Do not use the LDP system under the
following conditions as it may not func-
tion properly:
– During bad weather (rain, fog, snow,
etc.). –
When driving on slippery roads, such
as on ice or snow.
– When driving on winding or uneven
roads.
– When there is a lane closure due to
road repairs.
– When driving in a makeshift or tem-
porary lane.
– When driving on roads where the lane
width is too narrow.
–
When driving without normal tire con- ditions (for example, tire wear, low tire
pressure, installation of spare tire, tire
chains, non-standard wheels).
– When the vehicle is equipped with
nonoriginal brake parts or suspen-
sion parts.
– When you are towing a trailer or
other vehicle.
The system may not function properly un-
der the following conditions:
• On roads where there are multiple paral-
lel lane markers; lane markers that are
faded or not painted clearly; yellow
painted lane markers; non-standard lane
markers; or lane markers covered with
water, dirt, snow, etc. •
On roads where discontinued lane mark-
ers are still detectable.
• On roads where there are sharp curves.
•
On roads where there are sharply con-
trasting objects, such as shadows, snow,
water, wheel ruts, seams or lines remain-
ing after road repairs. (The LDP system
could detect these items as lane markers.)
• On roads where the traveling lane
merges or separates.
• When the vehicle’s traveling direction
does not align with the lane marker.
• When traveling close to the vehicle in
front of you, which obstructs the lane
camera unit detection range.
• When rain, snow or dirt adheres to the
windshield in front of the lane camera
unit.
• When the headlights are not bright due
to dirt on the lens or if the aiming is not
adjusted properly.
• When strong light enters the lane cam-
era unit. (For example, the light directly
shines on the front of the vehicle at sun-
rise or sunset.)
• When a sudden change in brightness oc-
curs. (For example, when the vehicle en-
ters or exits a tunnel or under a bridge.)
Starting and driving5-43