warning INFINITI FX 2012 Owners Manual

SELECTING THE VEHICLE-TO-VEHI-
CLE DISTANCE CONTROL MODE
To choose the vehicle-to-vehicle distance
control 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 automatically 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 con-
stant need to adjust the set speed as you
would with a normal cruise control system.
SSD0738
PRECAUTIONS ON VEHICLE-TO-VE-
HICLE DISTANCE CONTROL MODE
The system is intended to enhance the
operation 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 neces- sary.
The detection range of the sensor is
approximately 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 system on roads with sharp
curves, or on icy roads, in heavy rain or
in fog.
The distance sensor will not detect the
following objects:
.Stationary and slow moving vehicles
. Pedestrians or objects in the roadway
Starting and driving5-33

5-34Starting and driving
.Oncoming vehicles in the same lane
. Motorcycles traveling offset in the travel
lane
WARNING
. As there is a performance limit to the
distance control function, never rely
solely on the Intelligent Cruise Control
system. This system does not correct
careless, inattentive or absent-minded
driving, or overcome poor visibility in
rain, fog, or other bad weather. Decele-
rate the vehicle speed by depressing the
brake pedal, depending on the distance
to the vehicle ahead and the surround-
ing 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 conditions. To avoid accidents, never use
the Intelligent 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.
—During bad weather (rain, fog, snow,etc.)
When the windshield wiper is oper-
ated at the low speed (LO) or high
speed (HI) position, the Intelligent
Cruise Control system is automati-
cally canceled.
—When strong light (for example, atsunrise or sunset) is directly shining
on the front of the vehicle
—When rain, snow or dirt adhere to
the system sensor
—On steep downhill roads (the vehi-cle may go beyond the set vehicle
speed and frequent braking may
result in overheating the brakes)
—On repeated uphill and downhillroads
—When traffic conditions make itdifficult to keep a proper distance
between vehicles because of fre-
quent acceleration or deceleration
. Do not use the Intelligent Cruise Control
system 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 distance from other vehicles
using the accelerator pedal. Always stay
alert and avoid using the ICC system
when it is not recommended in this
section.

5-36Starting and driving
ough. 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” (P.5-46).
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 adjusts 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 with-
in 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 vehi-
cle speed up to the set speed.
The ICC 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 when approaching toll gates or
traffic congestion.

5-42Starting and driving
SSD0614
When the COAST/SET switch is pushed
under the following conditions, the system
cannot be set.
A warning chime will sound and the ICC
indicators 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” (P.2-
46).
. When the VDC system is off (To use the
ICC system, turn on the VDC system. Push the MAIN switch to turn off the ICC
system and reset the ICC switch by
pushing the MAIN switch again.)
For details about the VDC system, see
“Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) sys-
tem”
(P.5-83).
. When ABS or VDC (including the trac-
tion control system) is operating
. When driving into a strong light (for
example, sunlight)
. When a wheel is slipping (To use the ICC
system, make sure the wheels are no
longer slipping. Push the MAIN switch
to turn off the ICC, and reset the ICC
system by pushing the MAIN switch
again.)

SSD0610
1. System set display with vehicle ahead
2. System set display without vehicleahead
System operation
WARNING
Normally when controlling the distance to a
vehicle ahead, this system automatically
accelerates or decelerates your vehicle
according to the speed of the vehicle ahead.
Depress the accelerator to properly accel-
erate your vehicle when acceleration is
required for a lane change. Depress the brake pedal when deceleration 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 maintains 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 controlling 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
performed 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.
Vehicle ahead not detected:
When a vehicle is no longer detected
ahead, the ICC system gradually acceler-
ates your vehicle to resume the previously
set vehicle speed. The ICC system then
maintains the set speed.
When a vehicle is no longer detected the
vehicle ahead detection indicator turns off.
If a vehicle ahead appears during accel-
eration to the set vehicle speed or any time
Starting and driving5-43

5-46Starting and driving
SSD0613C
.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 display. Decelerate by
depressing the brake pedal to maintain a
safe vehicle distance if:
.
The chime sounds.
. The vehicle ahead detection and set
distance 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 vehi-
cles is increasing
. 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,
overriding the system.

SSD0284A
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 detect
these reflectors when the vehicle is driven
on winding roads, hilly roads or when
entering or exiting a curve. The ICC sensor
may also detect reflectors on narrow roads
or in road construction 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 condition (for example, if a vehicle
is being driven with some damage).
Automatic cancellation
A chime sounds under the following con-
ditions 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 operat-
ing 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 trac-
tion control system) operates .
When driving into a strong light (for
example, sunlight)
. When distance measurement becomes
impaired due to adhesion of dirt or
obstruction to the sensor
. When a wheel slips
Starting and driving5-47

5-48Starting and driving
SSD0614
Warning light and display
Condition A:
Under the following conditions, the Intelli-
gent Cruise Control system is automatically
canceled. 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 (for
example, sunlight) Action to take:
When the conditions listed above are no
longer present, turn the system off using
the Intelligent Cruise Control MAIN Switch.
Turn the ICC system back on to use the
system.
SSD0615
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.

SSD0621
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
system is malfunctioning. Although the
vehicle is still driveable under normal
conditions, have the vehicle checked atan INFINITI retailer.
SSD0738
Sensor maintenance
The sensor for the ICC system*Ais 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 da-
maged due to an accident, contact an
Starting and driving5-49

5-50Starting and driving
INFINITI retailer.
. Do not attach a sticker (including
transparent material) or install an
accessory near the sensor. This could
cause failure or malfunction.
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 accel-
erator pedal.
WARNING
. In the conventional (fixed speed) cruise
control mode, a warning chime does not
sound to warn you if you are too close to
the vehicle ahead, as neither the pre-
sence of the vehicle ahead nor the
vehicle-to-vehicle distance is detected.
. Pay special attention to the distance
between your vehicle and the vehicle
ahead of you or a collision could occur.
. Always confirm the setting in the In-
telligent 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 speed
—in heavy traffic or in traffic thatvaries in speed
—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.
SSD0736
Conventional (fixed speed) cruise
control switch
1. ACCELERATE/RESUME switch:
Resumes set speed or increases speed
incrementally.
2. COAST/SET 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.