warning INFINITI FX 2010 Owners Manual

PRECAUTIONS ON VEHICLE-TO-
VEHICLE DISTANCE CONTROL MODE
The system is intended to enhance the opera-
tion of the vehicle when following a vehicle
traveling in the same lane and direction.
If the distance sensor
Adetects a slower
moving vehicle ahead, the system will reduce
the vehicle speed so that your vehicle follows
the vehicle in front at the selected distance.
The system automatically controls the throttle
and applies the brakes (up to 25% of vehicle
braking power) if necessary.
The detection range of the sensor is approxi-
mately 390 ft (120 m) ahead.
WARNING
● This system is only an aid to assist the driver
and is not a collision warning or avoidance
device. It is the driver’s responsibility to stay
alert, drive safely and be in control of the
vehicle at all times.
● The system is primarily intended for use on
straight, dry, open roads with light traffic. It
is not advisable to use the system in city
traffic or congested areas.
● This system will not adapt automatically to
road conditions. This system should be used
in evenly flowing traffic. Do not use the sys-
tem on roads with sharp curves, or on icy
roads, in heavy rain or in fog.
The distance sensor will not detect the follow-
ing objects:
● Stationary and slow moving vehicles
● Pedestrians or objects in the roadway
● Oncoming vehicles in the same lane
● Motorcycles traveling offset in the travel
lane
WARNING
● As there is a performance limit to the dis-
tance control function, never rely solely on
the Intelligent Cruise Control system. This
system does not correct careless, inatten-
tive or absent-minded driving, or overcome
poor visibility in rain, fog, or other bad
weather. Decelerate the vehicle speed by de-
pressing the brake pedal, depending on the
distance to the vehicle ahead and the sur-
rounding circumstances in order to maintain
a safe distance between vehicles.
● If the vehicle ahead comes to a stop, the
vehicle decelerates to a standstill within the
limitations of the system. The system will
cancel once it judges that the vehicle has
come to a standstill and sound a warning
chime. To prevent the vehicle from moving,
the driver must depress the brake pedal.
● The system may not detect the vehicle in
front of you in certain road or weather condi-
tions. To avoid accidents, never use the In-
telligent Cruise Control system under the
following conditions:
– On roads where the traffic is heavy or there are sharp curves
– On slippery road surfaces such as on ice or snow, etc.
SSD0738
5-30Starting and driving
—
—
08/03/09—pattie


the vehicle ahead, the ICC system may not
maintain the selected distance.
The following are some conditions in which the
sensor cannot detect the signals:
●When the reflector of the vehicle ahead is
positioned high on the vehicle (trailer, etc.)
● When the reflector on the vehicle ahead is
missing, damaged or covered
● When the reflector of the vehicle ahead is
covered with dirt, snow and road spray
● When the snow or road spray from traveling
vehicles reduces the sensor’s visibility
● When dense exhaust or other smoke (black
smoke) from vehicles reduces the sensor’s
visibility
● When excessively heavy baggage is loaded
in the rear seat or the luggage room of your
vehicle
The ICC system is designed to automatically
check the sensor’s operation within the limita-
tion of the system. When the sensor is covered
with dirt or is obstructed, the system will auto-
matically be canceled. If the sensor is covered
with ice, a transparent or translucent vinyl bag,
etc., the ICC system may not detect them. In
these instances, the vehicle-to-vehicle distance
control mode may not cancel and may not be able to maintain the selected following distance
from the vehicle ahead. Be sure to check and
clean the sensor regularly.
The vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode is
designed to maintain a selected distance and
reduce the speed to match the slower vehicle
ahead. The system will decelerate the vehicle as
necessary and if the vehicle ahead comes to a
stop, the vehicle decelerates to a standstill.
However, the ICC system can only apply up to
25% of the vehicles total braking power. This
system should only be used when traffic condi-
tions allow vehicle speeds to remain fairly
constant or when vehicle speeds change gradu-
ally. If a vehicle moves into the traveling lane
ahead or if a vehicle traveling ahead rapidly
decelerates, the distance between vehicles may
become closer because the ICC system cannot
decelerate the vehicle quickly enough. If this
occurs, the ICC system will sound a warning
chime and blink the system display to notify the
driver to take necessary action.
The system will cancel and a warning chime will
sound if the speed is below approximately 15
MPH (24 km/h) and a vehicle is not detected
ahead. The system will also disengage when
the vehicle goes above the maximum set speed.
See “Approach warning” later in this section.
The following items are controlled in the
vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode:
●
When there are no vehicles traveling ahead,
the vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode
maintains the speed set by the driver. The
set speed range is between approximately
20 and 90 MPH (32 and 144 km/h).
● When there is a vehicle traveling ahead, the
vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode ad-
justs the speed to maintain the distance,
selected by driver, from the vehicle ahead.
The adjusting speed range is up to the set
speed. If the vehicle ahead comes to a stop,
the vehicle decelerates to a standstill within
the limitations of the system. The system
will cancel once it judges a standstill with a
warning chime.
● When the vehicle traveling ahead has moved
out from its lane of travel, the vehicle-to-
vehicle distance control mode accelerates
and maintains vehicle speed up to the set
speed.
5-32Starting and driving
—
—
08/03/09—pattie


5) Set vehicle speed indicator:Indicates the set vehicle speed.
For Canadian models, the speed is dis-
played in km/h.
6) Intelligent Cruise Control system warning light (orange):
The light comes on if there is a malfunc-
tion in the ICC system.
When the ignition switch is pushed to the ON
position, the indicators come on as illustrated
to check for a burned-out bulb, and it turns off
when the engine is started.Operating vehicle-to-vehicle distance
control mode
To turn on the cruise control, quickly push and
release the MAIN switch
Aon. The cruise
indicator light, set distance indicator and set
vehicle speed indicator come on and in a
standby state for setting.
SSD0607SSD0915
5-36Starting and driving
—
—
08/03/09—tbrooks


To set cruising speed,accelerate your vehicle to
the desired speed, push the SET/COAST switch
and release it. (Vehicle ahead detection indica-
tor, set distance indicator and set vehicle speed
indicator come on.) Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal. Your vehicle will maintain the
set speed. When the SET/COAST switch is pushed under
the following conditions, the system cannot be
set and the ICC indicators will blink for approxi-
mately 2 seconds:
●
When traveling below 20 MPH (32 km/h) and
the vehicle ahead is not detected
● When the selector lever is not in the D, DS or
Manual mode
● When the windshield wipers are operating at
low (LO) or high speed (HI). If the vehicle is
equipped with a rain-sensing auto wiper, the
system may cancel when the wipers are
operating at the intermittent (INT) speed.
● When the parking brake is applied ●
When the brakes are operated by the driver
When the SET/COAST switch is pushed under
the following conditions, the system cannot be
set.
A warning chime will sound and the ICC indica-
tors will blink.
● When the SNOW mode switch is ON (To use
the ICC system, turn off the SNOW mode
switch, push the MAIN switch to turn off the
ICC and reset the ICC switch by pressing the
MAIN switch again.)
For details about the SNOW mode switch,
see “SNOW MODE SWITCH” in the “2. Instru-
ments and controls” section.
SSD0916SSD0784SSD0614
Starting and driving5-37
—
—
08/03/09—pattie


1. System set display with vehicle ahead
2. System set display without vehicle aheadSystem operation
WARNING
Normally when controlling the distance to a
vehicle ahead, this system automatically accel-
erates or decelerates your vehicle according to
the speed of the vehicle ahead. Depress the
accelerator to properly accelerate your vehicle
when acceleration is required for a lane
change. Depress the brake pedal when decel-
eration is required to maintain a safe distance
to the vehicle ahead due to its sudden braking
or if a vehicle cuts in. Always stay alert when
using the ICC system.The driver sets the desired vehicle speed based
on the road conditions. The ICC system main-
tains the set vehicle speed, similar to standard
cruise control, as long as no vehicle is detected
in the lane ahead.
The ICC system displays the set speed.
Vehicle detected ahead :
When a vehicle is detected in the lane ahead,
the ICC system decelerates the vehicle by con-
trolling the throttle and applying the brakes to
match the speed of a slower vehicle ahead. The
system then controls the vehicle speed based
on the speed of the vehicle ahead to maintain
the driver selected distance.
The stoplights of the vehicle come on and the
brake pedal depresses when braking is per-
formed by the ICC system.
When the brake operates, a noise may be heard.
This is not a malfunction.
When a vehicle ahead is detected, the vehicle
ahead detection indicator comes on. The ICC
system will also display the set speed and
selected distance.
SSD0610
Starting and driving5-39
—
—
08/03/09—pattie


●The distance to the vehicle ahead will
change according to the vehicle speed. The
higher the vehicle speed, the longer the
distance. ●
If the engine is stopped, the set distance
becomes “long”. (Each time the engine is
started, the initial setting becomes “long”.)
Approach warning
If your vehicle comes closer to the vehicle
ahead due to rapid deceleration of that vehicle
or if another vehicle cuts in, the system warns
the driver with the chime and ICC system dis-
play. Decelerate by depressing the brake pedal
to maintain a safe vehicle distance if:
● The chime sounds.
● The vehicle ahead detection and set dis-
tance indicator blink.
The warning chime may not sound in some
cases when there is a short distance between
vehicles. Some examples are:
● When the vehicles are traveling at the same
speed and the distance between vehicles is
not changing
● When the vehicle ahead is traveling faster
and the distance between vehicles is in-
creasing
● When a vehicle cuts in near your vehicle
The warning chime will not sound when:
● the vehicle approaches other vehicles that
are parked or moving slowly.
● the accelerator pedal is depressed, overrid-
ing the system.
SSD0613C
5-42Starting and driving
—
—
08/03/09—pattie


NOTE:
The approach warning chime may sound and the
system display may blink when the ICC sensor
detects some reflectors
Awhich are fitted on
vehicles in other lanes or on the side of the road.
This may cause the ICC system to decelerate or
accelerate the vehicle. The ICC sensor may de-
tect these reflectors when the vehicle is driven
on winding roads, hilly roads or when entering
or exiting a curve. The ICC sensor may also de-
tect reflectors on narrow roads or in road con-
struction zones. In these cases you will have to
manually control the proper distance ahead of
your vehicle. Also, the sensor sensitivity can be affected by
vehicle operation (steering maneuver or driving
position in the lane) or traffic or vehicle condi-
tion (for example, if a vehicle is being driven
with some damage).
Automatic cancellation
A chime sounds under the following conditions
and the control is automatically canceled.
●
When the vehicle ahead is not detected and
your vehicle is traveling below the speed of
15 MPH (24 km/h)
● When the system judges the vehicle is at
standstill
● When the selector lever is not in the D, DS or
Manual mode
● When the windshield wipers are operating at
low (LO) or high speed (HI). If the vehicle is
equipped with a rain sensing auto-wiper, the
system may cancel when the wipers are set
to intermittent (INT).
● When the parking brake is applied
● When the SNOW mode switch is turned ON
● When the VDC system is turned off
● When ABS or VDC (including the traction
control system) operates ●
When driving into a strong light (i.e., sun-
light)
● When distance measurement becomes im-
paired due to adhesion of dirt or obstruction
to the sensor
● When a wheel slips
SSD0284A
Starting and driving5-43
—
—
08/03/09—pattie


Warning light and display
Condition A :
Under the following conditions, the Intelligent
Cruise Control system is automatically can-
celed. The chime will sound and the system will
not be able to be set.
●When the VDC system is turned off
● When the VDC or ABS (including the traction
control system) operates
● When a tire slips
● When the SNOW mode switch is turned ON
● When driving into a strong light (i.e., sun-
light) Action to take :
When the conditions listed above are no longer
present, turn the system off using the Intelli-
gent Cruise Control MAIN Switch. Turn the ICC
system back on to use the system.
Condition B :
When the sensor window is dirty, making it
impossible to detect a vehicle ahead, the ICC
system is automatically canceled.
The chime sounds and the system warning light
(orange) will come on and the “CLEAN SENSOR”
indicator will appear.
Action to take :
If the warning light comes on, park the vehicle
in a safe place, turn the engine off. Clean the
sensor window with a soft cloth and then
perform the settings again.
SSD0614SSD0615
5-44Starting and driving
—
—
08/03/09—pattie


Condition C :
When the ICC system is not operating properly,
the chime sounds and the system warning light
(orange) will come on.
Action to take :
If the warning light comes on, park the vehicle
in a safe place. Turn the engine off, restart the
engine, resume driving and set the ICC system
again.
If it is not possible to set the system or the
indicator stays on, it may indicate that the sys-
tem is malfunctioning. Although the vehicle is
still driveable under normal conditions, have the
vehicle checked at an INFINITI retailer.Sensor maintenance
The sensor for the ICC systemAis located
below the front bumper.
To keep the ICC system operating properly, be
sure to observe the following:
● Always keep the sensor clean. Wipe with a
soft cloth carefully so as not to damage the
sensor.
● Do not strike or damage the areas around
the sensor. Do not touch or remove the
screw located on the sensor. Doing so could
cause failure or malfunction. If the sensor is
damaged due to an accident, contact an
INFINITI retailer. ●
Do not attach a sticker (including transpar-
ent material) or install an accessory near the
sensor. This could cause failure or malfunc-
tion.
CONVENTIONAL (FIXED SPEED) CRUISE
CONTROL MODE
This mode allows driving at a speed between 25
to 90 MPH (40 to 144 km/h) without keeping
your foot on the accelerator pedal.
WARNING
● In the conventional (fixed speed) cruise con-
trol mode, a warning chime does not sound
to warn you if you are too close to the vehicle
ahead, as neither the presence of the vehicle
ahead nor the vehicle-to-vehicle distance is
detected.
● Pay special attention to the distance be-
tween your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of
you or a collision could occur.
● Always confirm the setting in the Intelligent
Cruise Control system display.
● Do not use the conventional (fixed speed)
cruise control mode when driving under the
following conditions:
– when it is not possible to keep the vehicle at a set speedSSD0621SSD0738
Starting and driving5-45
—
—
08/03/09—pattie


– in heavy traffic or in traffic that varies inspeed
– on winding or hilly roads
– on slippery roads (rain, snow, ice, etc.)
– in very windy areas
● Doing so could cause a loss of vehicle control
and result in an accident.
Conventional (fixed speed) cruise
control switch
1) RESUME/ACCELERATE switch:
Resumes set speed or increases speed
incrementally.
2) SET/COAST switch:
Sets the desired cruise speed, reduces
speed incrementally.
3) CANCEL switch:
Deactivates the system without erasing
the set speed.
4) MAIN (ON·OFF) switch:
Master switch to activate the system.
Conventional (fixed speed) cruise
control mode display and indicators
The display is located between the speedom-
eter and tachometer.
1) MAIN switch indicator:Indicates that the MAIN switch is ON.
2) Cruise set switch indicator:
Displays while the vehicle speed is con-
trolled by the conventional (fixed speed)
cruise control mode of the ICC system.
3) Cruise system warning light:
Comes on if there is a malfunction in the
cruise control system.
SSD0736SSD0618
5-46Starting and driving
—
—
08/03/09—pattie