snow chains INFINITI EX 2011 Owners Manual
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Page 305 of 480

and low tire pressure is detected. The CHECK
TIRE PRESSURE warning turns off when the
low tire pressure warning light turns off.
The CHECK TIRE PRESSURE warning does not
appear if the low tire pressure warning light
illuminates to indicate a TPMS malfunction.
● Tire pressure rises and falls depending on
the heat caused by the vehicle’s operation
and the outside temperature. Low outside
temperature can lower the temperature of
the air inside the tire which can cause a
lower tire inflation pressure. This may cause
the low tire pressure warning light to illumi-
nate. If the warning light illuminates in low
ambient temperature, check the tire pres-
sure for all four tires.
For additional information, see “Low tire pres-
sure warning light” in the “2. Instruments and
controls” section and “TIRE PRESSURE MONI-
TORING SYSTEM (TPMS)” in the “6. In case of
emergency” section.WARNING
● If the low tire pressure warning light illumi-
nates 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 recommended COLD tire
pressure shown on the Tire and Loading In-
formation label to turn the low tire pressure
warning light OFF. If the light still illumi-
nates while driving after adjusting the tire
pressure, a tire may be flat. If you have a flat
tire, replace it with a spare tire as soon as
possible. (See “FLAT TIRE” in the “6. In case
of emergency” section for changing a flat
tire.)
● When a spare tire is mounted or a wheel is
replaced, the TPMS will not function and the
low tire pressure warning light will flash for
approximately 1 minute. The light will re-
main on after 1 minute. Contact your INFINITI
retailer as soon as possible for tire replace-
ment and/or system resetting. ●
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.
CAUTION
● The TPMS may not function properly when
the wheels are equipped with tire chains or
the wheels are buried in snow.
● Do not place metalized film or any metal
parts (antenna, etc.) on the windows. This
may cause poor reception of the signals from
the tire pressure sensors, and the TPMS will
not function properly.
Some devices and transmitters may temporarily
interfere with the operation of the TPMS and
cause the low tire pressure warning light to
illuminate. Some examples are:
● Facilities or electric devices using similar
radio frequencies are near the vehicle.
● If a transmitter set to similar frequencies is
being used in or near the vehicle.
5-4Starting and driving
Page 321 of 480

When the interior temperature is reduced, the
LDW system will resume operating automati-
cally and the warning systems ON indicator will
stop flashing.
LANE DEPARTURE PREVENTION (LDP)
SYSTEM
Precautions on LDP system
WARNING
●The LDP system will not steer the vehicle or
prevent loss of control. It is the driver’s re-
sponsibility to stay alert, drive safely, keep
the vehicle in the traveling lane, and be in
control of vehicle at all times.
● The LDP system is primarily intended for use
on well-developed freeways or highways. It
may not detect the lane markers in certain
roads, weather or driving conditions.
● Using the LDP system under some condi-
tions of road, lane marker or weather, or
when you change lanes without using the
lane change signal could lead to an unex-
pected system operation. In such condi-
tions, you need to correct the vehicle’s direc-
tion with your steering operation to avoid
accidents. ●
When the LDP system is operating, avoid
excessive or sudden steering maneuvers.
Otherwise, you could lose control of the
vehicle.
● The LDP system will not operate at speeds
below approximately 45 MPH (70 km/h) or if
it cannot detect lane markers.
● The LDP system may not function properly
under the following conditions, and do not
use the LDP system:
– During bad weather (rain, fog, snow, wind, etc.).
– When driving on slippery roads, such as on ice or snow, etc.
– When driving on winding or uneven roads.
– When there is a lane closure due to road repairs.
– When driving in a makeshift lane.
– When driving on roads where the lane width is too narrow.
– When driving without normal tire condi- tions (for example, tire wear, low tire
pressure, installation of spare tire, tire
chains, non-standard wheels). – When the vehicle is equipped with non-
original brake parts or suspension parts.
● If the LDP system malfunctions, it will cancel
automatically. The lane departure warning
light (orange) on the instrument panel will
illuminate.
● If the lane departure warning light (orange)
illuminates, pull off the road to a safe loca-
tion and stop the vehicle. Turn the engine off
and restart the engine. If the warning light
(orange) continues to illuminate, have the
LDP system checked by an INFINITI retailer.
● Excessive noise will interfere with the warn-
ing chime sound, and the chime may not be
heard.
The functions of the LDP system (warning and
brake control assist) may or may not operate
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 discontinued lane markers
are still detectable.
● On roads where there are sharp curves.
5-20Starting and driving
Page 381 of 480

Warning light and display
When the Preview Function is not operating
properly, the buzzer 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 and resume driving.
If the indicator stays on, it may indicate that the
Preview Function is malfunctioning (the brake is
operative). Although the Vehicle is still drive-
able under normal conditions, have the vehicle
checked at an INFINITI retailer.
How to handle the sensor
The sensor for the Preview Function is common
with Intelligent Cruise Control and is located
below the front bumper.
To keep the Preview Function operating prop-
erly, 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.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS)
WARNING
● The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) is a so-
phisticated device, but it cannot prevent ac-
cidents resulting from careless or dangerous
driving techniques. It can help maintain ve-
hicle control during braking on slippery sur-
faces. Remember that stopping distances on
slippery surfaces will be longer than on nor-
mal surfaces even with ABS. Stopping dis-
tances may also be longer on rough, gravel
or snow covered roads, or if you are using
tire chains. Always maintain a safe distance
from the vehicle in front of you. Ultimately,
the driver is responsible for safety.
● Tire type and condition may also affect brak-
ing effectiveness.
– When replacing tires, install the specified size of tires on all four wheels.
– When installing a spare tire, make sure that it is the proper size and type as speci-
fied on the Tire and Loading Information
label. See “TIRE AND LOADING INFORMA-
TION LABEL” in the “9. Technical and con-
sumer information” section of this
manual.
SSD0471
5-80Starting and driving
Page 384 of 480

●Do not modify the vehicle’s suspension. If
suspension parts such as shock absorbers,
struts, springs, stabilizer bars, bushings
and wheels are not INFINITI recommended
for your vehicle or are extremely deterio-
rated, the VDC system may not operate prop-
erly. This could adversely affect vehicle han-
dling performance, and the VDC warning
light
may illuminate.
● If brake related parts such as brake pads,
rotors and calipers are not INFINITI recom-
mended or are extremely deteriorated, the
VDC system may not operate properly and
the VDC warning light
may illuminate.
● If engine control related parts are not
INFINITI recommended or are extremely de-
teriorated, the VDC warning light
may
illuminate.
● When driving on extremely inclined surfaces
such as higher banked corners, the VDC sys-
tem may not operate properly and the VDC
warning light
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 VDC
warning light
may illuminate. This is
not a malfunction. Restart the engine after
driving onto a stable surface. ●
If wheels or tires other than the INFINITI rec-
ommended ones are used, the VDC system
may not operate properly and the VDC warn-
ing light
may illuminate.
● The VDC system is not a substitute for winter
tires or tire chains on a snow covered road.
FREEING A FROZEN DOOR LOCK
To prevent a door lock from freezing, apply
deicer through the key hole. If the lock becomes
frozen, heat the key before inserting it into the
key hole or use the Intelligent Key system.
ANTIFREEZE
In the winter when it is anticipated that the
outside temperature will drop below 32°F (0°C),
check antifreeze to assure proper winter protec-
tion. For additional information, see “ENGINE
COOLING SYSTEM” in the “8. Maintenance and
do-it-yourself” section.
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” in the “8. Mainte-
nance and do-it-yourself” section.
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 details, see “ENGINE COOLING SYS-
TEM” in the “8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself”
section.
COLD WEATHER DRIVING
Starting and driving5-83
Page 385 of 480

TIRE EQUIPMENT
SUMMER tires have a tread designed to provide
superior performance on dry pavement. How-
ever, the performance of these tires will be
substantially reduced in snowy and icy condi-
tions. 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.
Consult an INFINITI retailer for the tire type,
size, speed rating and availability information.
For additional traction on icy roads, studded
tires may be used. However, some U.S. states
and Canadian provinces prohibit their use.
Check local, state and provincial 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.
Tire chains may be used. For details, see “TIRE
CHAINS” in the “8. Maintenance and do-it-
yourself” section of this manual.
For all-wheel drive
If you install snow tires, they must also be the
same size, brand, construction and tread pat-
tern on all four wheels.
SPECIAL WINTER EQUIPMENT
It is recommended that the following items be
carried in the vehicle during winter:
●A scraper and stiff-bristled brush to remove
ice and snow from the windows and wiper
blades.
● A sturdy, flat board to be placed under the
jack to give it firm support.
● A shovel to dig the vehicle out of snowdrifts.
● Extra window washer fluid to refill the reser-
voir tank.
DRIVING ON SNOW OR ICE
WARNING
● Wet ice (32°F, 0°C and freezing rain), very
cold snow or ice can be slick and very hard to
drive on. The vehicle will have much less
traction or “grip” under these conditions.
Try to avoid driving on wet ice until the road
is salted or sanded.
● Whatever the condition, drive with caution.
Accelerate and slow down with care. If accel-
erating or downshifting too fast, the drive
wheels will lose even more traction. ●
Allow more stopping distance under these
conditions. Braking should be started
sooner than on dry pavement.
● Allow greater following distances on slip-
pery roads.
● Watch for slippery spots (glare ice). These
may appear on an otherwise clear road in
shaded areas. If a patch of ice is seen ahead,
brake before reaching it. Try not to brake
while on the ice, and avoid any sudden steer-
ing maneuvers.
● Do not use the cruise control on slippery
roads.
● Snow can trap dangerous exhaust gases un-
der your vehicle. Keep snow clear of the ex-
haust pipe and from around your vehicle.
5-84Starting and driving
Page 401 of 480

VEHICLE RECOVERY (freeing 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.
Pulling a stuck vehicle
If your vehicle is stuck in sand, snow, mud, etc.,
use a tow strap or other device designed spe-
cifically for vehicle recovery. Always follow the
manufacturer’s instructions for the recovery de-
vice.
Remove the recovery hook cover from the front
bumper using a suitable tool.
Securely install the vehicle recovery hook
1
stored with jacking tools as illustrated. Attach
the tow strap to the recovery hook. Make sure
that the hook is properly secured in the original
place after use.
Do not use the tie down hook
2for towing or
vehicle recovery.
CAUTION
● Tow chains or cables must be attached only
to the vehicle recovery hooks or main struc-
tural members of the vehicle. Otherwise, the
vehicle body will be damaged.
● Do not use the vehicle tie downs to free a
vehicle stuck in sand, snow, mud, etc.
● Never tow a vehicle using the vehicle tie
downs or recovery hooks.
● Always pull the cable straight out from the
front of the vehicle. Never pull on the vehicle
at an angle.
● Pulling devices should be routed so they do
not touch any part of the suspension, steer-
ing, brake or cooling systems.
● Pulling devices such as ropes or canvas
straps are not recommended for use in ve-
hicle towing or recovery.
SCE0806
6-14In case of emergency
Page 445 of 480

Snow tires
If snow tires are needed, it is necessary to
select tires equivalent in size and load rating to
the original equipment tires. If you do not, it can
adversely affect the safety and handling of your
vehicle.
Generally, snow tires will have lower speed
ratings than factory equipped tires and may not
match the potential maximum vehicle speed.
Never exceed the maximum speed rating of the
tire.
If you install snow tires, they must be the same
size, brand, construction and tread pattern on
all four wheels.
For additional traction on icy roads, studded
tires may be used. However, some U.S. states
and Canadian provinces prohibit their use.
Check local, state and provincial laws before
installing studded tires. Skid and traction capa-
bilities of studded snow tires, on wet or dry
surfaces, may be poorer than that of non-
studded snow tires.
TIRE CHAINS
Use of tire chains may be prohibited according
to location. Check the local laws before install-
ing tire chains. When installing tire chains,
make sure they are the proper size for the tires
on your vehicle and are installed according to
the chain manufacturer’s suggestions.Use only
SAE Class S chains. Class “S” chains are used
on vehicles with restricted tire to vehicle clear-
ance. Vehicles that can use Class “S” chains are
designed to meet the SAE standard minimum
clearances between the tire and the closest
vehicle suspension or body component re-
quired to accommodate the use of a winter
traction device (tire chains or cables). The mini-
mum clearances are determined using the fac-
tory equipped tire size. Other types may dam-
age your vehicle. Use chain tensioners when
recommended by the tire chain manufacturer to
ensure a tight fit. Loose end links of the tire
chain must be secured or removed to prevent
the possibility of whipping action damage to
the fenders or underbody. If possible, avoid
fully loading your vehicle when using tire
chains. In addition, drive at a reduced speed.
Otherwise, your vehicle may be damaged
and/or vehicle handling and performance may
be adversely affected.
Tire chains must be installed only on the rear
wheels and not on the front wheels. Never install tire chains on a TEMPORARY USE
ONLY spare tire.
Do not use tire chains on dry roads. Driving with
tire chains in such conditions can cause dam-
age to the various mechanisms of the vehicle
due to some overstress.
8-34Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Page 448 of 480

●For additional information regarding tires,
refer to “Important Tire Safety Information”
(US) or “Tire Safety Information” (Canada) in
the Warranty Information Booklet.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) models
CAUTION
● Always use tires of the same type, size,
brand, construction (bias, bias-belted or ra-
dial), and tread pattern on all four wheels.
Failure to do so may result in a circumference
difference between tires on the front and
rear axles which will cause excessive tire
wear and may damage the transmission,
transfer case and differential gears.
● ONLY use spare tires specified for the AWD
model.
If excessive tire wear is found, it is recom-
mended that all four tires be replaced with tires
of the same size, brand, construction and tread
pattern. The tire pressure and wheel alignment
should also be checked and corrected as nec-
essary. Contact an INFINITI retailer.
Wheel balance
Unbalanced wheels may affect vehicle handling
and tire life. Even with regular use, wheels can
get out of balance. Therefore, they should be
balanced as required.
Wheel balance service should be performed with
the wheels off the vehicle. Spin balancing the
wheels on the vehicle could lead to mechanical
damage.
For additional information regarding tires, refer
to “Important Tire Safety Information” (US) or
“Tire Safety Information” (Canada) in the
INFINITI Warranty Information Booklet.
Care of wheels
See “CLEANING EXTERIOR” in the “7. Appear-
ance and care” section for details about care of
the wheels.
Spare tire (TEMPORARY USE ONLY
(T-type) spare tire)
Observe the following precautions if the T-type
spare tire must be used, otherwise your vehicle
could be damaged or involved in an accident.
WARNING
● The T-type spare tire should be used for
emergency use. It should be replaced with
the standard tire at the first opportunity to
avoid possible tire or differential damage.
● Drive carefully while the TEMPORARY USE
ONLY spare tire is installed. Avoid sharp
turns and abrupt braking while driving.
● Periodically check spare tire inflation pres-
sure. Always keep the pressure of the TEM-
PORARY USE ONLY spare tire at 60 psi (420
kPa, 4.2 bar). Always keep the pressure of
the full size spare tire (if so equipped) at the
recommended pressure for standard tires,
as indicated on the Tire and Loading Infor-
mation label. For Tire and Loading Informa-
tion label location, see “Tire and Loading
Information label” in the index of this
manual.
● With the TEMPORARY USE ONLY spare tire
installed do not drive your vehicle at speeds
faster than 50 MPH (80 km/h).
● When driving on roads covered with snow or
ice, the TEMPORARY USE ONLY spare tire
should be used on the front wheels and origi-
nal tire used on the rear wheels (drive
wheels). Use tire chains only on the two rear
original tires.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-37
Page 477 of 480

Infants.................... .1-19
Injured persons ............... .1-15
Larger children ............... .1-20
Precautions on seat belt usage .......1-12
Pregnant women .............. .1-15
Rear center seat belt .............1-18
Seat belt cleaning .............. .7-5
Seat belt extenders ............. .1-18
Seat belt maintenance ............1-18
Seat belt warning light and chime .....2-16
Seat belts .................. .1-12
Seat belts with pretensioners ........1-48
Shoulder belt height adjustment ......1-17
Small children ................ .1-19
Three-point type............... .1-15
Seat synchronization function .........3-25
Seat(s) Driver-side memory .............3-24
Heated seats ................ .2-40
Seats ..................... .1-2
Seat-mounted jacket hanger ..........2-47
Security system, Vehicle security system . . .2-29
Security system (INFINITI Vehicle Immobilizer
System), Engine start ..............2-31
Selector lever Shift lock release .............. .5-15
Servicing climate control ............4-47
SETTING button ................. .4-12
SHIFT “P” warning ............... .2-23
Shift lock release Transmission ................ .5-15
Shifting, Automatic transmission ........5-12
Shoulder belt height adjustment, For front
seats ....................... .1-17
Snow mode switch ............... .2-43
Spare tire .................... .9-8Spark plugs
................... .8-16
Speedometer ................... .2-6
Starting Before starting the engine ..........5-11
Jump
starting ................ .6-8
Precautions when starting and driving . . .5-2
Push starting ................ .6-10
Starting the engine ............. .5-11
STATUS button .................. .4-8
Status light, Front passenger air bag .....1-44
Steering Power steering fluid .............8-11
Power steering system ............5-77
Steering lock ................. .5-9
Steering lock release malfunction
indicator .................. .2-23
Steering-wheel-mounted controls for
audio .................... .4-90
Tilting telescopic steering column .....3-19
Storage ..................... .2-45
Sun visors ................... .3-20
Sunglasses holder ............... .2-46
Supplemental air bag warning labels .....1-49
Supplemental air bag warning light . . .1-49, 2-16
Supplemental restraint system .........1-37
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system .................... .1-37
Switch Autolight switch .............. .2-35
Fog light switch .............. .2-39
Hazard warning flasher switch .......2-39
Headlight switch .............. .2-35
Ignition switch ............... .5-12
Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA) OFF switch .2-43
Power door lock switch ............3-5 Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch
.................... .2-34
Snow mode switch ............. .2-43
Turn signal switch ............. .2-39
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off switch .2-43
Warning systems switch ..........2-42
T
Tachometer .................... .2-7
Temperature gauge, Engine coolant
temperature gauge ............... .2-7
Theft (INFINITI Vehicle Immobilizer System),
Engine start ................... .2-31
Three-way catalyst ................ .5-2
Tire Pressure, Low tire pressure warning
light ..................... .2-15
Tire
replacement indicator .........2-26
Tires Flat tire .................... .6-2
Low tire pressure warning system ......5-3
Spare tire .................. .8-37
Tire and Loading information label .8-29, 9-11
Tire chains ................. .8-34
Tire dressing ................. .7-4
Tire pressure ................ .8-28
Tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS) .................. .5-3, 6-2
Tire rotation ................ .8-35
Types of tires ................ .8-33
Uniform tire quality grading . . . . .....9-17
Wheel/tire size ............... .9-8
Wheels and tires .............. .8-28
Tonneau cover (see cargo cover) . . ......2-48
10-6