sensor INFINITI EX 2011 Owner's Guide

The detection zone of the ICC sensor is limited.
A vehicle ahead must be in the detection zone
for the vehicle-to-vehicle distance detection
mode to maintain the selected distance from
the vehicle ahead.A vehicle ahead may move outside of the de-
tection zone due to its position within the same
lane of travel. Motorcycles may not be detected
in the same lane ahead if they are traveling
offset from the centerline of the lane. A vehicle
that is entering the lane ahead may not be
detected until the vehicle has completely
moved into the lane.
If this occurs, the ICC
system may warn you by blinking the system
indicator and sounding the chime. The driver
may have to manually control the proper dis-
tance away from vehicle traveling ahead.
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When driving on some roads, such as winding,
hilly, curved, narrow roads, or roads which are
under construction, the ICC sensor may detect
vehicles in a different lane, or may temporarily
not detect a vehicle traveling ahead. This may
cause the ICC system to decelerate or acceler-
ate the vehicle.
The detection of vehicles may also be affected
by vehicle operation (steering maneuver or trav-
eling position in the lane, etc.) or vehicle con-
dition.If this occurs, the ICC system may warn
you by blinking the system indicator and sound-
ing the chime unexpectedly. You will have to
manually control the proper distance away from
the vehicle traveling ahead. When driving on the freeway at a set speed and
approaching a slower traveling vehicle ahead,
the ICC will adjust the speed to maintain the
distance, selected by the driver, from the ve-
hicle ahead. If the vehicle ahead changes lanes
or exits the freeway, the ICC system will accel-
erate and maintain the speed up to the set
speed. Pay attention to the driving operation to
maintain control of the vehicle as it accelerates
to the set speed.
The vehicle may not maintain the set speed on
winding or hilly roads. If this occurs, you will
have to manually control the vehicle speed.Intelligent cruise control switch
The system is operated by a MAIN switch and
four control switches, all mounted on the steer-
ing wheel.
1. RESUME/ACCELERATE switch:
Resumes set speed or increases speed
incrementally.
2. SET/COAST switch:
Sets desired cruise speed, reduces
speed incrementally.
3. CANCEL switch:
Deactivates the system without erasing
the set speed.
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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
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5-48Starting and driving

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.
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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 speedSSD0621SSD0701
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PREVIEW FUNCTION (for Intelligent
Cruise Control system equipped
models)
The ICC system with the preview function iden-
tifies 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 “BRAKE ASSIST” later 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.
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.
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DISTANCE CONTROL ASSIST (DCA) SYSTEM
(if so equipped)
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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 detect the vehicle in
front of you in certain road or weather condi-
tions. To avoid accidents, never use the Dis-
tance Control Assist system under the fol-
lowing conditions:
– On roads with sharp curves
– On slippery road surfaces such as on ice or snow, 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
– When rain, snow or dirt adhere to the sys- tem sensor – On steep downhill roads (frequent brak-
ing may result in overheating the brakes)
– On repeated uphill and downhill roads
● Do not use the Distance Control Assist sys-
tem if you are towing a trailer. The system
may not detect a vehicle ahead.
● In some road or traffic conditions, a vehicle
or object can unexpectedly come into the
sensor detection zone and cause automatic
braking. You may need to control the dis-
tance from other vehicles using the accelera-
tor pedal. Always stay alert and avoid using
the DCA system when it is not recommended
in this section.
Starting and driving5-55

DISTANCE CONTROL ASSIST
OPERATION
Always pay attention to the operation of the
vehicle and be ready to manually decelerate to
maintain the proper following distance. The
Distance Control Assist (DCA) system may not
be able to decelerate the vehicle under some
circumstances.
The DCA system uses a sensor
Alocated on
the front of the vehicle to detect vehicles trav-
eling ahead. The sensor generally detects the
signals returned from the reflectors on a vehicle
ahead. Therefore, if the sensor cannot detect
the reflector on the vehicle ahead, the DCA
system may not operate. 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 DCA system is designed to automatically
check the sensor’s operation. When the sensor
is covered with dirt or is obstructed, the system
will automatically be canceled. If the sensor is
covered with ice, a transparent or translucent
vinyl bag, etc., the DCA system may not detect
them. In these instances, the Distance Control
Assist (DCA) system may not be able to decel-
erate the vehicle properly. Be sure to check and
clean the sensor regularly. The DCA system is designed to help assist the
driver to maintain a following distance from the
vehicle ahead. The system will decelerate as
necessary and if the vehicle ahead comes to a
stop, the vehicle decelerates to a standstill.
However, the DCA system can only apply up to
25% of the vehicles total braking power. 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 DCA system cannot deceler-
ate the vehicle quickly enough. If this occurs,
the DCA system will sound a warning chime and
blink the system display to notify the driver to
take necessary action.
See “Approach warning” later in this section.
This system only brakes and moves the accel-
erator pedal upward to help assist the driver to
maintain a following distance from the vehicle
ahead. Acceleration should be operated by the
driver.
The DCA system does not control vehicle speed
or warn you when you approach stationary and
slow moving vehicles. You must pay attention to
vehicle operation to maintain proper distance
from vehicles ahead.
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The detection zone of the sensor is limited. A
vehicle ahead must be in the detection zone for
the system to operate.A vehicle ahead may move outside of the de-
tection zone due to its position within the same
lane of travel. Motorcycles may not be detected
in the same lane ahead if they are traveling
offset from the centerline of the lane. A vehicle
that is entering the lane ahead may not be
detected until the vehicle has completely
moved into the lane.
If this occurs, the system
may warn you by blinking the system indicator
and sounding the chime. The driver may have to
manually control the proper distance away from
vehicle traveling ahead.
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When driving on some roads, such as winding,
hilly, curved, narrow roads, or roads which are
under construction, the sensor may detect ve-
hicles in a different lane, or may temporarily not
detect a vehicle traveling ahead. This may
cause the system to work inappropriately.The detection of vehicles may also be affected
by vehicle operation (steering maneuver or trav-
eling position in the lane, etc.) or vehicle con-
dition.
If this occurs, the system may warn you
by blinking the system indicator and sounding
the chime unexpectedly. You will have to manu-
ally control the proper distance away from the
vehicle traveling ahead.Distance Control Assist system
display and indicators
The display is located between the speedom-
eter and tachometer.
1) Distance Control Assist (DCA) system
switch indicator:
Indicates that the dynamic driver assis-
tance switch is ON.
2) Vehicle ahead detection indicator:
Indicates whether it detects a vehicle in
front of you.
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