INFINITI M 2011 Owners Manual

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.
SSD0995
With navigation system
SSD0939
SSD1001
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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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Condition C :
When the DCA system is not operating properly,
the chime sounds and the system warning light
(“CRUISE” 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 turn on the DCA 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
How to handle the sensor :
The sensor for the DCA system is common with
Intelligent Cruise Control and is located below
the front bumper.
To handle the sensor, see “INTELLIGENT CRUISE
CONTROL (ICC) SYSTEM” earlier in this section.The Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system
will warn the driver by the vehicle ahead detec-
tion indicator light and chime when your vehicle
is getting close to the vehicle ahead in the
traveling lane.
The FCW system will function when your vehicle
is driven at speeds of approximately 10 MPH
(15 km/h) and above.
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FORWARD COLLISION WARNING (FCW)
SYSTEM (if so equipped)
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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 light on the instru-
ment panel blinks and a warning chime sounds.
The FCW system will be turned on/off by push-
ing the warning systems switch. The warning
systems ON indicator light
1on the switch will
illuminate when the system turns on.
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)
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Vehicle ahead detection indicator light
SSD0749
Warning systems switch
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●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.
● The system may not function when the dis-
tance to the vehicle ahead is extremely
close. ●
The system is designed to automatically
check the sensor’s functionality. If the sen-
sor is covered with ice, a transparent or
translucent plastic bag, etc., the system may
not detect them. In these instances the sys-
tem may not be able to warn the driver prop-
erly. Be sure to check and clean the sensor
regularly.
● Excessive noise will interfere with the warn-
ing chime sound, and the chime may not be
heard.
● A sudden appearance of a vehicle in front
(i.e., it abruptly cuts in) may not be detected
and the system may not warn the driver soon
enough.
● The system will be cancelled automatically
with a beep sound and the IBA OFF indicator
light will illuminate under the following
conditions:
– When the sensor window is dirty
– When the system malfunctions
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