traction control INFINITI M 2013 Owner's Manual

2-16Instruments and controls
Supplemental air bag warning
light
After pushing the ignition switch to the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light will illuminate. The supplemental air
bag warning light will turn off after about 7
seconds if the supplemental front air bag
and supplemental side air bag, curtain
side-impact air bag systems and/or pre-
tensioner seat belt are operational.
If any of the following conditions occur, the
supplemental front air bag, supplemental
side air bag, supplemental curtain side-
impact air bag and pretensioner seat belt
needs servicing and your vehicle must be
taken to your nearest INFINITI retailer.
. The supplemental air bag warning light
remains on after approximately 7 sec-
onds.
. The supplemental air bag warning light
flashes intermittently.
. The supplemental air bag warning light
does not come on at all.
Unless checked and repaired, the Supple-
mental Restraint Systems and/or the pre-
tensioner seat belt may not function
properly.
For additional information, see “Supple-mental restraint system”
in the“1. Safety
— Seats, seat belts and supplemental
restraint system” section.
WARNING
If the supplemental air bag warning light is
on, it could mean that the supplemental
front air bag, supplemental side air bag,
curtain side-impact air bag systems and/or
pretensioner seat belt will not operate in an
accident. To help avoid injury to yourself or
others, have your vehicle checked by a
retailer as soon as possible.
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
warning light
The light will blink when the VDC system or
the traction control system is operating,
thus alerting the driver that the vehicle is
nearing its traction limits. The road surface
may be slippery.
When the vehicle dynamic control warning
light illuminates when the vehicle dynamic
control system is turned on, this light
alerts the driver to the fact that the vehicle
dynamic control system’s fail-safe mode is
operating, for example the vehicle dynamic control, active trace control (if so
equipped), Rise-up & Build-up function,
Brake Force Distribution or hill start assist
system may not be functioning properly.
Have the system checked by an INFINITI
retailer. If a malfunction occurs in the
system, the vehicle dynamic control sys-
tem function will be canceled but the
vehicle is still driveable. For additional
information, see
“Variable voltage control
system” in the“5. Starting and driving”
section of this manual.
INDICATOR LIGHTS
Adaptive Front lighting System
(AFS) off indicator light (if so
equipped)
When the ignition switch is pushed to the
ON position, the Adaptive Front lighting
System (AFS) off indicator light will illumi-
nate. The light will turn off in about 1
second if the AFS is operational.
This light also illuminates when the AFS is
turned off using the AFS switch.
If the AFS off indicator light blinks, it may
indicate the AFS is not functioning prop-
erly. Have the system checked by an
INFINITI retailer.

trol system.
To reduce or avoid emission control
system damage:
1) Do not drive at speeds above 45MPH (72 km/h).
2) Avoid hard acceleration or decelera- tion.
3) Avoid steep uphill grades.
4) If possible, reduce the amount of cargo being hauled or towed.
The malfunction indicator light may
stop blinking and remain on.
Have the vehicle inspected by an
INFINITI retailer. You do not need to
have your vehicle towed to the retailer.
CAUTION
Continued vehicle operation without having
the emission control system checked and
repaired as necessary could lead to poor
driveability, reduced fuel economy, and
possible damage to the emission control
system.
Security indicator light
The light blinks when the ignition switch is
in the ACC, OFF or LOCK position. This
function indicates the security system
equipped on the vehicle is operational.
If the security system is malfunctioning,
this light will remain on while the ignition
switch is in the ON position. For additional
information, see “Security systems” later
in this section.
Turn signal/hazard indicator
lights
The light flashes when the turn signal
switch lever or hazard switch is turned on.
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
off indicator light
The light comes on when the vehicle
dynamic control off switch is pushed to
OFF. This indicates that the vehicle dynamic
control system and traction control system
are not operating.
AUDIBLE REMINDERS
Key reminder chime
A chime will sound if the driver side door is
opened while the ignition switch is pushed
to the ACC position. Make sure the ignition
switch is pushed to the OFF position, and
take the Intelligent Key with you when
leaving the vehicle.
Light reminder chime
A chime will sound when the driver side
door is opened with the light switch in the
orposition and the ignition switch
in the ACC, OFF or LOCK position.
Turn the light switch off when you leave the
vehicle.
The chime will also sound for 2 seconds
when the ignition switch is turned to the
OFF position with the fog lights on while
the headlight switch is in the AUTO
position.
Parking brake reminder chime
The parking brake reminder chime will
sound if the vehicle is driven at more than
4 MPH (7 km/h) with the parking brake
applied. Stop the vehicle and release the
parking brake.
Instruments and controls2-19

USB (Universal Serial Bus)
WARNING
Do not connect or disconnect the USB device
while driving. Doing so can be a distraction.
If distracted you could lose control of your
vehicle and cause an accident or serious
injury.
NOTE:
.Do not force the USB device into the
USB port. Inserting the USB device
tilted or up-side-down into the port
may damage the USB device and the
port. Make sure that the USB device is
connected correctly into the USB port.
. Do not grab the USB port cover (if so
equipped) when pulling the USB device
out of the port. This could damage the
port and the cover.
. Do not leave the USB cable in a place
where it can be pulled unintentionally.
Pulling the cable may break the wire,
USB device or the port.
The vehicle is not equipped with a USB
memory (flash drive). Customers should
prepare USB devices as necessary. This system cannot be used to format USB
devices. To format a USB device, use a
personal computer.
In some countries, the USB device for the
front seats plays only sound without
images for regulatory reasons, even when
the vehicle is parked.
This system supports various USB memory
devices, USB hard drives and iPod
®
players. Some USB devices may not be
supported by this system.
.
Partitioned USB devices may not be
played correctly.
. Some characters used in other lan-
guages (Chinese, Japanese, etc.) are
not displayed properly on the vehicle
center screen. Using English language
characters with a USB device is recom-
mended.
General notes for USB use:
. The USB device may not function when
the passenger compartment tempera-
ture is extremely high. Lower the
temperature before use.
. During cold weather or rainy days, the
player may malfunction due to humid-
ity. If this occurs, remove the USB
device and dehumidify or ventilate the USB player completely.
. Do not connect a USB device if a
connector, cable or USB port is wet.
Allow the connector, cable, and USB
port to dry completely before connect-
ing the USB device. (Wait for 24 hours
or more until it is dry.) If the connector
and USB port are exposed to fluids
other than water, evaporative residue
may cause a short circuit between the
connector pins and USB port. In this
case, replace the cable and USB port.
Otherwise damage to the USB device
and a loss of function may occur.
. If the cable is damaged (insulation cut,
connectors cracked, contamination
such as liquids, dust, dirt, etc. in the
connectors), do not use the cable.
Replace the cable with a new one.
. Do not put a USB device in a location
where static electricity occurs, electrical
noise is generated or hot air from the
air conditioner blows directly on it.
Doing so may cause the data stored on
the USB device to be corrupted.
. Be careful not to do the following or the
cable could be damaged and a loss of
function may occur.
Monitor, climate, audio, phone and voice recognition systems4-55

4-68Monitor, climate, audio, phone and voice recognition systems
Text (models without navigation system):
When the“Text”key is selected in the
screen using the INFINITI controller and
then the ENTER button is pushed while the
CD is being played, the music information
below will be displayed on the screen.
CD:
. Disc title
. Track title
CD with compressed audio files:
. Folder title
. File title
. Song title
. Album title
. Artist
Next/Previous Track and Fast For-
ward/Rewind:
When the
orbutton is pushed for
more than 1.5 seconds while the CD is
being played, the CD will play while fast
forwarding or rewinding. When the button
is released, the CD will return to normal
play speed.
When the
orbutton is pushed for
less than 1.5 seconds while the CD is being
played, the next track or the beginning of the current track on the CD will be played.
RANDOM (RDM), REPEAT (RPT):
When the RPT button is pushed while the
CD is played, the play pattern can be
changed as follows:
(CD)
(CD with compressed audio files)
CD EJECT:
When the CD EJECT button is pushed with
the CD loaded, the CD will be ejected.
When this button is pushed while the CD is
being played, the CD will be ejected.
If the CD comes out and is not removed, it
will be pulled back into the slot to protect
it.
DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) PLAYER
OPERATION (models with naviga-
tion system)
Precautions
Start the engine when using the DVD
entertainment system.
Movies will not be shown on the front
display while the vehicle is in any drive
position to reduce driver distraction. Audio
is available when a movie is played. To
view movies in the front display, stop the
vehicle in a safe location, move the
selector lever to the P (Park) position.
WARNING
. The driver must not attempt to operate
the DVD system or wear the headphones
while the vehicle is in motion so that full
attention may be given to vehicle opera-
tion.
. Do not attempt to modify the system to
display a movie on the front screen while
the vehicle is being driven. Doing so may
distract the driver and may cause a
collision and serious personal injury or
death.

5-64Starting and driving
SSD0988
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 is turned off
. When the ABS or VDC (including the
traction control system) operates
. When a tire slips
. When the drive mode select switch is
turned to the SNOW mode
. When strong light (sunlight, etc.) is
directly shining on the front of the vehicle
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.
SSD0989
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 ICC 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.

2. Push and hold the COAST/SET switch.Release the switch when the vehicle
slows down to the desired speed.
3. Push, then quickly release the COAST/ SET switch. Each time you do this, the
set speed will decrease by about 1 MPH
(1.6 km/h).
To resume the preset speed, push and
release the ACCELERATE/RESUME switch.
The vehicle will resume the last set
cruising speed when the vehicle speed is
over 25 MPH (40 km/h).
Automatic cancellation
A chime sounds under the following con-
ditions and the control is automatically
canceled.
. When the vehicle slows down more
than 8 MPH (13 km/h) below the set
speed
. When the selector lever is not in the D
(Drive) or manual shift mode
. When the parking brake is applied.
. When the VDC operates (including the
traction control system)
. When a tire slips
SSD0979
Warning light
When the 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 then
perform the setting again.
If it is not possible to set 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 at an INFINITI retailer.
PREVIEW FUNCTION (for Intelligent
Cruise Control system equipped
models)
The ICC system with the preview function
identifies 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.
Starting and driving5-69

5-80Starting and driving
SSD0284A
NOTE:
The approach warning chime may sound
and the system display may blink when
the sensor detects some reflectors
*A
which are fitted on vehicles in other lanes
or on the side of the road. This may cause
the DCA system to operate inappropriately.
The sensor may detect these reflectors
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 condition (for example, if a vehicle
is being driven with some damage).
SSD0996
Automatic cancellation
Condition A:
Under the following conditions, the Dis-
tance Control Assist system is automati-
cally canceled. 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

5-100Starting and driving
Normal operation
The ABS operates at speeds above 3 to 6
MPH (5 to 10 km/h).
When the ABS senses that one or more
wheels are close to locking up, the actuator
rapidly applies and releases hydraulic
pressure. This action is similar to pumping
the brakes very quickly. You may feel a
pulsation in the brake pedal and hear a
noise from under the hood or feel a
vibration from the actuator when it is
operating. This is normal and indicates
that the ABS is operating properly. How-
ever, the pulsation may indicate that road
conditions are hazardous and extra care is
required while driving.The Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system
uses various sensors to monitor driver
inputs and vehicle motion. Under certain
driving conditions, the VDC system helps
to perform the following functions.
.
Controls brake pressure to reduce
wheel slip on one slipping drive wheel
so power is transferred to a non
slipping drive wheel on the same axle.
. Controls brake pressure and engine
output to reduce drive wheel slip based
on vehicle speed (traction control func-
tion).
. Controls brake pressure at individual
wheels and engine output to help the
driver maintain control of the vehicle in
the following conditions:
— understeer (vehicle tends to not
follow the steered path despite
increased steering input)
— oversteer (vehicle tends to spin due
to certain road or driving condi-
tions).
The VDC system can help the driver to
maintain control of the vehicle, but it
cannot prevent loss of vehicle control in
all driving situations.
When the VDC system operates, the VDC
warning light
in the instrument panel flashes so note the following:
.
The road may be slippery or the system
may determine some action is required
to help keep the vehicle on the steered
path.
. You may feel a pulsation in the brake
pedal and hear a noise or vibration
from under the hood. This is normal
and indicates that the VDC system is
working properly.
. Adjust your speed and driving to the
road conditions.
See “Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) warn-
ing light” in the“2. Instruments and
controls” section.
If a malfunction occurs in the system, the
VDC warning light
illuminates in the
instrument panel. The VDC system auto-
matically turns off.
The VDC OFF switch is used to turn off the
VDC system. The VDC off indicator
illuminates to indicate the VDC system is
off. When the VDC switch is used to turn off
the system, the VDC system still operates
to prevent one drive wheel from slipping by
transferring power to a non slipping drive
wheel. The VDC warning light
flashes if
this occurs. All other VDC functions are off,
except for rise-up and build-up and brake
VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC) SYSTEM

9 Technical and consumer information
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants....... 9-2
Fuel recommendation ...................................... 9-4
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation ......... 9-6
Air conditioning system refrigerant and
lubricant recommendations ............................. 9-7
Specifications ...................................................... 9-8
Engine............................................................. 9-8
Wheels and tires ............................................. 9-9
Dimensions ................................................... 9-10
When traveling or registering your vehicle in
another country ................................................. 9-11
Vehicle identification ......................................... 9-11 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) plate ....... 9-11
Vehicle identification number
(chassis number) ........................................... 9-11
Engine serial number .................................... 9-12
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label .......... 9-12
Emission control information label ................ 9-13
Tire and loading information label ................. 9-13
Air conditioner specification label.................. 9-13 Installing front license plate .............................. 9-14
Vehicle loading information............................... 9-15 Terms .......................................................... 9-15
Vehicle load capacity ................................... 9-17
Loading tips................................................. 9-18
Measurement of weights.............................. 9-18
Towing a trailer ................................................. 9-19 Flat towing................................................... 9-19
Uniform tire quality grading .............................. 9-19 Treadwear .................................................... 9-19
Traction AA, A, B and C................................ 9-20
Temperature A, B and C ............................... 9-20
Emission control system warranty ..................... 9-20
Reporting safety defects.................................... 9-21
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test
(US only)........................................................... 9-22
Event Data Recorders (EDR) ............................... 9-23
Owner’s Manual/Service Manual
order information .............................................. 9-23

Do not tow a trailer with your
vehicle.
FLAT TOWING
Towing your vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground is sometimes called flat towing.
This method is sometimes used when
towing a vehicle behind a recreational
vehicle, such as a motor home.
CAUTION
.Failure to follow these guidelines can
result in severe transmission damage.
. Whenever flat towing your vehicle, al-
ways tow forward, never backward.
. DO NOT tow any automatic transmission
vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground (flat towing). Doing so WILL
DAMAGE internal transmission parts
due to lack of transmission lubrication.
. For emergency towing procedures refer
to“Towing recommended by INFINITI” in
the “6. In case of emergency” section of
this manual.
Automatic transmission
To tow a vehicle equipped with an auto-
matic transmission, an appropriate vehicle
dolly MUST be placed under the towed
vehicle’s drive wheels. Alwaysfollow the
dolly manufacturer’ s recommendations
when using their product. DOT (Department Of Transportation) Qual-
ity Grades: All passenger car tires must
conform to federal safety requirements in
addition to these grades.
Quality grades can be found where applic-
able on the tire sidewall between tread
shoulder and maximum section width. For
example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
TREADWEAR
The treadwear grade is a comparative
rating based on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends
upon actual conditions of their use, how-
ever, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Technical and consumer information9-19
TOWING A TRAILER
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING