ESP INFINITI QX 2011 Owner's Manual

WARNING
Overheating can result in reduced engine
power and vehicle speed. The reduced speed
may be lower than other traffic, which could
increase the chance of a collision. Be especially
careful when driving. If the vehicle cannot
maintain a safe driving speed, pull to the side
of the road in a safe area. Allow the engine to
cool and return to normal operation. See “IF
YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS” in the “6. In case of
emergency” section.
CAUTION
Running the engine with the engine oil pres-
sure warning light on could cause serious dam-
age to the engine almost immediately. Such
damage is not covered by warranty. Turn off the
engine as soon as it is safe to do so.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
7 speed automatic transmission
The automatic transmission in your vehicle is
electronically controlled by a transmission con-
trol module to produce maximum efficiency and
smooth operation.Shown on the following pages are the recom-
mended operating procedures for this transmis-
sion. Follow these procedures for maximum
vehicle performance and driving enjoyment.
Starting the vehicle
After starting the engine, fully depress the foot
brake pedal and push the selector lever button
before shifting the selector lever to the R (Re-
verse), N (Neutral), D (Drive) or Manual shift
mode position. Be sure the vehicle is fully
stopped before attempting to shift the selector
lever.
This automatic transmission model is designed
so that the foot brake pedal must be depressed
before shifting from P (Park) to any drive posi-
tion while the ignition switch position is ON.
The selector lever cannot be moved out of the P
(Park) position and into any of the other gear
positions if the ignition switch is pushed to the
LOCK, OFF or ACC position.
1. Keep the foot brake pedal depressed and
push the selector lever button to shift into
a driving gear. 2. Release the parking brake and foot brake,
then gradually start the vehicle in motion.
WARNING
●Do not depress the accelerator pedal while
shifting from P (Park) or N (Neutral) to R (Re-
verse), D (Drive) or manual shift mode. Al-
ways depress the brake pedal until shifting
is completed. Failure to do so could cause
you to lose control and have an accident.
● Cold engine idle speed is high, so use cau-
tion when shifting into a forward or reverse
gear before the engine has warmed up.
● Never shift to P (Park) or R (Reverse) while
vehicle is moving forward. Never shift to P
(Park), D (Drive) or manual shift mode while
vehicle is moving rearward. Failure to do so
could cause you to lose control and have an
accident.
● Except in an emergency, do not shift to the N
(Neutral) position while driving. Doing so
can cause a loss of engine braking which
may result in a collision, serious personal
injury or death. In addition, coasting with
the transmission in the N (Neutral) position
may cause serious damage to the
transmission.
Starting and driving5-15

SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
The two radar sensor units1for the BSW
system is located near the rear bumper. Always
keep the area near the radar sensors clean. Do
not attach stickers (including transparent mate-
rial), install accessories or apply additional
paint near the radar sensors. Do not strike or
damage the area around the radar sensors.
Consult an INFINITI retailer if the area around
the radar sensors is damaged due to a collision.
Radio frequency statement
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC
Rules and RSS-310 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two con-
ditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful inter- ference.
2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
Frequency of operation: 24.05GHz — 24.25GHz
Field Strength: Not greater than 2.5V/m peak
(0.25V/m average) at a distance of 3 m
The manufacturer is not responsible for any
radio or TV interference caused by unauthorized
modifications to this equipment. Such modifi-
cations could void the user’s authority to oper-
ate the equipment.
PRECAUTIONS ON CRUISE CONTROL
●If the cruise control system malfunctions, it
will cancel automatically. The CRUISE indica-
tor light on the meter panel will then blink to
warn the driver.
● If the engine coolant temperature becomes
excessively high, the cruise control system
will be canceled automatically.
● If the CRUISE indicator light blinks, turn the
cruise control main switch off and have the
system checked by your INFINITI retailer.
● The CRUISE indicator light may sometimes
blink when the cruise control main switch is
turned ON while pushing the RESUME/
ACCELERATE, SET/COAST or CANCEL switch.
To properly set the cruise control system,
perform the steps below in the order indi-
cated.
SSD1085
CRUISE CONTROL
Starting and driving5-37

SELECTING VEHICLE-TO-VEHICLE
DISTANCE CONTROL MODE
To choose the vehicle-to-vehicle distance con-
trol mode
1, quickly push and release the
MAIN switch
A.
VEHICLE-TO-VEHICLE DISTANCE
CONTROL MODE
In the vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode,
the Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) system auto-
matically maintains a selected distance from
the vehicle traveling in front of you according to
that vehicle’s speed (up to the set speed), or at
the set speed when the road ahead is clear.
With ICC, the driver can maintain the same
speed as other vehicles without the constant
need to adjust the set speed as you would with
a normal cruise control system.
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
SSD1047
Starting and driving5-41

PREVIEW FUNCTION (for Intelligent
Cruise Control (ICC) system equipped
model)
The Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) system with
the preview function identifies the need to
apply emergency braking by sensing the vehicle
ahead in the same lane and the distance to the
vehicle ahead and relative speed from it, it
applies the brake pre-pressure before the driver
depresses the brake pedal and helps improve
brake response by reducing pedal free play.
For more details, see “INTELLIGENT CRUISE
CONTROL (ICC) SYSTEM” earlier in this section.The Distance Control Assist (DCA) system
brakes and moves the accelerator pedal upward
according to the distance from and the relative
speed of the vehicle ahead to help assist the
driver to maintain a following distance.
WARNING
●
Always drive carefully and attentively when
using the Distance Control Assist system.
Read and understand the Owner’s Manual
thoroughly before using the DCA system. To
avoid serious injury or death, do not rely on
the system to prevent accidents or to control
the vehicle’s speed in emergency situations.
Do not use the Distance Control Assist sys-
tem except in appropriate road and traffic
conditions.
● 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 with a warning chime. To
prevent the vehicle from moving, the driver
must depress the brake pedal. ●
The DCA system will not apply brake control
while the driver’s foot is on the accelerator
pedal.
DISTANCE CONTROL ASSIST (DCA) SYSTEM
(if so equipped)
5-62Starting and driving

PRECAUTIONS ON DISTANCE CONTROL
ASSIST SYSTEM
The system is intended to assist the driver to
keep a following distance from the vehicle
ahead traveling in the same lane and direction.
If the distance sensor
Adetects a slower
moving vehicle ahead, the system will reduce
the vehicle speed to help assist the driver to
maintain a following 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.
● This system will not adapt automatically to
road conditions. Do not use the system 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 Distance Control Assist 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.
● The system may not function properly under
the following conditions. To avoid accidents,
never use the Distance Control Assist sys-
tem under the following conditions:
– On roads with sharp curves
– On slippery road surfaces such as on ice or snow, etc.
– On off-road surfaces such as on sand or rock, etc.
– During bad weather (rain, fog, snow, etc.)
– When strong light (for example, at sun- rise or sunset) is directly shining on the
front of the vehicle
SSD1047
Starting and driving5-63

The FCW system uses the distance sensorA
located below the front bumper to measure the
distance to the vehicle ahead. When the system
judges that your vehicle is getting close to the
vehicle ahead in the travel lane, the vehicle
ahead detection indicator blinks and a warning
chime sounds.
PRECAUTIONS ON FCW SYSTEM
WARNING
●The FCW system is intended to warn you be-
fore a collision but will not avoid a collision.
It is the driver’s responsibility to stay alert,
drive safely and be in control of the vehicle at
all times.
● As there is a performance limit, the system
may not provide a warning in certain
conditions.
● The system will not detect the following
objects:
– Pedestrians, animals or obstacles in the roadway
– Oncoming vehicles in the same lane
● The system will not detect another vehicle
under the following conditions: – When the sensor gets dirty and it is im-
possible to detect the distance from the
vehicle ahead.
– When driving into a strong light (i.e., sunlight)
● The sensor generally detects the signals re-
turned from the reflectors on a vehicle
ahead. Therefore, the system may not func-
tion properly under the following conditions:
– When the reflectors of the vehicle ahead are positioned high or close to each other
(including a small vehicle such as
motorcycles).
– When the sensor gets dirty or it is impos- sible to detect the distance from the ve-
hicle ahead.
– When the reflectors on the vehicle ahead are missing, damaged or covered.
– When the reflectors of the vehicle ahead are covered with dirt, snow or road spray.
– When visibility is low (such as rain, fog, snow, etc.).
– When snow or road spray from traveling vehicles is splashed. – When dense exhaust or other smoke
(black smoke) from vehicles reduces the
visibility of the sensor.
– When excessively heavy baggage is loaded in the rear seat or the luggage
room of your vehicle.
– When abruptly accelerating or decelerating.
– On a steep downhill slope or on roads with sharp curves.
– When there is a highly reflective object near the vehicle ahead (i.e., being very
close to another vehicle, signboard, etc.)
– When you are towing a trailer.
● Depending on certain road conditions
(curved or beginning of a curve), vehicle con-
ditions (steering position or vehicle posi-
tion), or the preceding vehicle’s conditions
(position in lane, etc.), the system may not
function properly. The system may detect
highly reflective objects such as reflectors,
signs, white markers, and other stationary
objects on the road or near the traveling lane
and provide unnecessary warning.
● The system may not function in offset
conditions.
5-76Starting and driving

The Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA) system warns
the driver by a warning light and chime when
there is a risk of a collision with the vehicle
ahead in the traveling lane and the driver must
take avoidance action immediately. The system
helps reduce the rear-end collision speed by
applying the brakes when the system judges
that the collision cannot be prevented.
The IBA system will function when your vehicle
is driven at speeds of approximately 10 MPH (15
km/h) and above, and when your vehicle is
driven at speeds approximately 10 MPH (15
km/h) faster than the vehicle ahead.The IBA system uses a distance sensorA
located below the front bumper to measure the
distance to the vehicle ahead. When the system
judges that your vehicle is getting close to the
vehicle ahead in the traveling lane, the vehicle
ahead detection indicator on the instrument
panel blinks and a warning chime sounds.
The IBA system will be turned on/off by pushing
the IBA OFF switch. The IBA OFF indicator light
will illuminate when the system is turned off.
PRECAUTIONS ON IBA SYSTEM
WARNING
●
The IBA system is not a collision avoidance
system. It is the driver’s responsibility to
stay alert, drive safely and be in control of
the vehicle at all times.
● As there is a performance limit, the system
may not provide a warning or braking in cer-
tain conditions.
● The system will not detect the following
objects:
– Pedestrians, animals or obstacles in the roadway
SSD1047
Vehicle ahead detection indicator
SSD0749
INTELLIGENT BRAKE ASSIST (IBA) SYSTEM
(if so equipped)
5-80Starting and driving

●Never shift the 4WD shift switch between 4L
and 4H while driving.
● Engine idling speed is high while warming
up the engine. Be especially careful when
starting or driving on slippery surfaces with
the 4WD shift switch in AUTO.
4WD SHIFT INDICATOR
The 4WD shift indicator is displayed in the
vehicle information display.
The indicator should turn off within 1 second
after placing the ignition switch in the ON
position.
While the engine is running, the 4WD shift
indicator will illuminate the position selected by
the 4WD shift switch. (See the 4WD shift proce-
dure list shown in the “INFINITI ALL-MODE
4WD SYSTEM” earlier in this section.) ●
The 4WD shift indicator may blink while shift-
ing from one drive mode to the other. When
the shifting is completed, the 4WD shift indi-
cator will come on. If the indicator does not
come on immediately, make sure the area
around the vehicle is safe, and drive the ve-
hicle straight, accelerate or decelerate or
move the vehicle in reverse, then shift the
4WD shift switch.
● If the 4WD warning light comes on, the 4WD
shift indicator turns off.
4WD WARNING LIGHT
Warning light Comes on or
blinks when:
Illuminates There is a mal-
function in the 4WD system
Blinks
rapidly The transfer
case oil tem-
perature is ab- normally high
Blinks
slowly The difference in
wheel rotation is large
The 4WD warning light is located in the meter.
4WD shift indicator
SSD1058
Starting and driving5-89

The 4WD warning light comes on when the
ignition switch is placed in the ON position. It
turns off soon after the engine is started.
If any malfunction occurs in the 4WD system
when the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the 4WD warning light will either
remain illuminated or blink.
If the 4WD warning light comes on, the 4WD
shift indicator turns off.
High-temperature transfer case oil makes the
4WD warning light blink rapidly (about twice per
second). If the warning light blinks rapidly
during operation, stop the vehicle in a safe
place immediately. Then if the light turns off
after a while, you can continue driving.
A large difference between the diameters of
front and rear wheels will make the 4WD warn-
ing light blink slowly (about once per two
seconds). Change the 4WD shift switch to AUTO
and do not drive fast.CAUTION
●If the 4WD warning light comes on or blinks
slowly during operation or rapidly after stop-
ping the vehicle for a while, have your ve-
hicle checked by an INFINITI retailer as soon
as possible.
● Shifting between 4HI and 4LO is not recom-
mended when the 4WD warning light turns
on.
● When the 4WD warning light comes on, the
2WD mode may be engaged even if the 4WD
shift switch is in AUTO or 4H. Be especially
careful when driving. If corresponding parts
are malfunctioning, the 4WD mode will not
be engaged even if the 4WD shift switch is
shifted.
● Do not drive the vehicle in the 4HI or 4LO
position on dry hard surface roads. Driving
on dry, hard surfaces in 4HI or 4LO may
cause unnecessary noise, tire wear and in-
creased fuel consumption.
If the 4WD warning light turns on when driv-
ing on dry hard surface roads:
– in the AUTO or 4HI position, shift the 4WD shift switch to AUTO. – in the 4LO position, stop the vehicle and
shift the transmission selector lever to
the N (Neutral) position and shift the 4WD
shift switch to AUTO.
● If the 4WD warning light is still on after the
above operation, have your vehicle checked
by an INFINITI retailer as soon as possible.
● The transfer case may be damaged if you
continue driving with the warning light
blinking.
5-90Starting and driving

WARNING
●Never rely solely on the hill start assist sys-
tem to prevent the vehicle from moving back-
ward on a hill. Always drive carefully and
attentively. Depress the brake pedal when
the vehicle is stopped on a steep hill. Be
especially careful when stopped on a hill on
frozen or muddy roads. Failure to prevent the
vehicle from rolling backwards may result in
a loss of control of the vehicle and possible
serious injury or death.
● The hill start assist system is not designed
to hold the vehicle at a standstill on a hill.
Depress the brake pedal when the vehicle is
stopped on a steep hill. Failure to do so may
cause the vehicle to roll backwards and may
result in a collision or serious personal
injury.
● The hill start assist system may not prevent
the vehicle from rolling backwards on a hill
under all load or road conditions. Always be
prepared to depress the brake pedal to pre-
vent the vehicle from rolling backwards. Fail-
ure to do so may result in a collision or seri-
ous personal injury. The hill start assist system automatically keeps
the brakes applied to help prevent the vehicle
from rolling backwards in the time it takes the
driver to release the brake pedal and apply the
accelerator when the vehicle is stopped on a
hill.
The hill start assist system will operate auto-
matically under the following conditions:
●
The transmission is shifted to a forward or
reverse gear.
● The vehicle is stopped completely on a hill
by applying the brake.
The maximum holding time is 2 seconds. After 2
seconds the vehicle will begin to roll back and
the hill start assist system will stop operating
completely.
The hill start assist system will not operate
when the transmission is shifted to the N
(Neutral) or P (Park) position or on a flat and
level road.
When the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) warn-
ing light illuminates in the meter, the hill start
assist system will not operate. (See
“WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS AND AUDIBLE RE-
MINDERS” in the “2. Instruments and controls”
section.)
HILL START ASSIST SYSTEM
Starting and driving5-91