warning INFINITI M 2011 Owners Manual

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.
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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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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.
3) Distance Control Assist system warning light (orange):
The light comes on if there is a malfunc-
tion in the DCA system.
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Operating Distance Control Assist
(DCA) system
The DCA system is turned on if you push the
dynamic driver assistance switch on the steer-
ing wheel after starting the engine. The Dis-
tance Control Assist (DCA) system switch indi-
cator light in the dot matrix liquid crystal
display will illuminate. Push the dynamic driver
assistance switch again to turn off the DCA
system. The Distance Control Assist (DCA) sys-
tem switch indicator light will turn off.
The system will start to operate after the vehicle
speed becomes above approximately 3 MPH (5
km/h).
WARNING
When the DCA system is not necessary, be sure
to turn off the dynamic driver assistance
switch. Using the system when it is not neces-
sary may result in an accident.
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Changing the dynamic driver assistance switch
settings :
The dynamic driver assistance switch will turn
on and off the LDP, BSI and DCA systems at the
same time when each system is enabled using
the settings menu on the center display.
1. Push the SETTING1button and highlight
the “Driver Assistance” key on the display
using the INFINITI controller. Then push
the ENTER
2button.
2. Highlight the “Dynamic Assistance set- tings” key, and push the ENTER
2but-
ton. 3. Highlight the “Distance Control Assist”
key, select ON (enabled) or OFF (disabled)
and push the ENTER
2button. The fac-
tory default setting is set to ON (enabled).
If you set all of the systems to disable and push
the dynamic driver assistance switch, the indi-
cator of the disabled system will blink for about
4 seconds and turn off. See “LANE DEPARTURE
WARNING (LDW) SYSTEM/LANE DEPARTURE PRE-
VENTION (LDP) SYSTEM” earlier in this section
and “BLIND SPOT WARNING (BSW)
SYSTEM/BLIND SPOT INTERVENTION™ (BSI)
SYSTEM” later in this section. Under the following conditions, the Distance
Control Assist system will not operate and the
Distance Control Assist (DCA) system switch
indicator light will blink:
●
When the drive mode select switch is turned
to the SNOW mode (To use the DCA system,
turn the drive mode select switch to a mode
other than the SNOW mode, then turn on the
dynamic driver assistance switch.)
For details about the INFINITI drive mode
selector, see “INFINITI DRIVE MODE SELEC-
TOR” in the “5. Starting and driving” section.
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●When the VDC system is off (To use the DCA
system, turn on the VDC, then push the
dynamic driver assistance switch.)
For details about the VDC system, see “VE-
HICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC) SYSTEM”
later in this section.
● When ABS or VDC (including the traction
control system) is operating
● When driving into a strong light (i.e., sun-
light)
When the Conventional (fixed speed) cruise
control mode is operating, the DCA system will
not operate. (To use the DCA system, turn the
Conventional (fixed speed) cruise control mode
off, then push the dynamic driver assistance
switch.)
For details about the Conventional (fixed speed)
cruise control mode, see “INTELLIGENT CRUISE
CONTROL (ICC) SYSTEM” earlier in this section.
When the engine is turned off, the system is
automatically turned off.
1. System set display with vehicle ahead
2. System set display without vehicle aheadSystem operation
WARNING
The Distance Control Assist system automati-
cally decelerates your vehicle to help assist the
driver to maintain a following distance from the
vehicle ahead. Manually brake when decelera-
tion is required to maintain a safe distance
upon sudden braking by the vehicle ahead or
when a vehicle suddenly appears in front of
you. Always stay alert when using the DCA
system.
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The Distance Control Assist (DCA) system helps
assist the driver to keep a following distance to
the vehicle ahead by braking and moving the
accelerator pedal upward in the normal driving
condition.
When a vehicle is detected ahead :
The vehicle ahead detection indicator comes
on.
When vehicle approaches a vehicle ahead :
●If the driver’s foot is not on the accelerator
pedal, the system activates the brakes to
decelerate smoothly as necessary. If the
vehicle ahead comes to a stop, the vehicle
decelerates to a standstill within the limita-
tions of the system.
● If the driver’s foot is on the accelerator
pedal, the system moves the accelerator
pedal upward to assist the driver to release
the accelerator pedal.
When brake operation by driver is required :
The system alerts the driver by a warning chime
and blinking the vehicle ahead detection indi-
cator. If the driver’s foot is on the accelerator
pedal after the warning, the system moves the
accelerator pedal upward to assist the driver to
switch to the brake pedal. The stoplights of the vehicle come on and the
brake pedal depresses when braking is per-
formed by the DCA system.
When the brake operates, a noise may be heard.
This is not a malfunction.
WARNING
●
When the vehicle ahead detection indicator
light is not illuminated, system will not con-
trol or warn the driver.
● Never place your foot under the brake pedal.
Your foot may be caught when the system
controls the brake.
● Depending on the position of the accelerator
pedal, the system may not be able to assist
the driver to release the accelerator pedal
appropriately.
● If the vehicle ahead comes to a standstill,
the vehicle decelerates to a standstill within
the limitations of the system. The system
will release brake control with a warning
chime once it judges the vehicle is at a
standstill. To prevent the vehicle from mov-
ing, the driver must depress the brake pedal.
(The system will resume control automati-
cally once the system reaches 3 MPH (5
km/h)). Overriding the system :
The following driver’s operation overrides the
system operation.
●
When the driver depresses the accelerator
pedal even further while the system is mov-
ing the accelerator pedal upward, the DCA
system control of the accelerator pedal is
canceled.
● When the driver’s foot is on the accelerator
pedal, the brake control by the system is not
operated.
● When the driver’s foot is on the brake pedal,
neither the brake control nor the alert by the
system operates.
● When the Intelligent Cruise Control system is
set, the DCA system will be cancelled.
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 DCA system
display. Decelerate by depressing the brake
pedal to maintain a safe vehicle distance if:
● The chime sounds.
● The vehicle ahead detection indicator blinks.
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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 your
vehicle approaches vehicles that are parked or
moving slowly. NOTE:
The approach warning chime may sound and the
system display may blink when the sensor de-
tects some reflectors
Awhich are fitted on ve-
hicles in other lanes or on the side of the road.
This may cause the DCA system to operate inap-
propriately. The sensor may detect these reflec-
tors when the vehicle is driven on winding roads,
hilly roads or when entering or exiting a curve.
The 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 condi-
tion (for example, if a vehicle is being driven
with some damage).
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Automatic cancellation
Condition A :
Under the following conditions, the Distance
Control Assist system is automatically can-
celed. The chime will sound and the Distance
Control Assist (DCA) system switch indicator
light will blink. 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 the drive mode select switch is turned
to the SNOW mode ●
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 with the dynamic
driver assistance switch. Turn the DCA system
back on to use the system.
Condition B :
When the sensor window is dirty, making it
impossible to detect a vehicle ahead, the DCA
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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