INFINITI M-HEV 2013 Owners Manual

5-74Starting and driving
The light comes on if there is a
malfunction in the DCA system.
SSD0995
Operating Distance Control Assist
(DCA) system
The DCA system turns on when the
dynamic driver assistance switch on the
steering wheel is pushed when the“Dis-
tance Control Assist” is enabled in the
settings menu on the center display.
The Distance Control Assist (DCA) system
indicator in the dot matrix liquid crystal
display appears when the DCA system is
turned on.
The system will start to operate after the
vehicle speed becomes above approxi-
mately 3 MPH (5 km/h).
WARNING
When the DCA system is not necessary, be
sure to turn off the dynamic driver assis-
tance switch. Using the system when it is
not necessary may result in an accident.

SSD0939
With navigation system
SSD1001
How to enable/disable the DCA system
using the settings menu:
Perform the following steps to enable or
disable the DCA system.
1. Push the SETTING
*1button and high-
light 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
*2
button.
SSD1002
3. Highlight the “Distance Control Assist”
key, select ON (enabled) or OFF (dis-
abled) and push the ENTER
*2button.
For the LDP and BSI systems, see “Lane
Departure Warning (LDW) system/Lane
Departure Prevention (LDP) system” earlier
in this section and “Blind Spot Warning
(BSW) system/Blind Spot Intervention
TM
(BSI) system” earlier in this section.
Starting and driving5-75

5-76Starting and driving
SSD0996
Under the following conditions, the DCA
system will not operate and the 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
selector” in the“5. Starting and driv-
ing” section.
. 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
“Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) sys-
tem”
later in this section.
. When ABS or VDC (including the trac-
tion control system) is operating
. When driving into a strong light (for
example, sunlight)
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 “Intelli-
gent Cruise Control (ICC) system” earlier in
this section.
When the hybrid system is turned off, the
DCA system is automatically turned off.

SSD0997
1. System set display with vehicle ahead
2. System set display without vehicleahead
System operation
WARNING
The Distance Control Assist system auto-
matically decelerates your vehicle to help
assist the driver to maintain a following
distance from the vehicle ahead. Manually
brake when deceleration 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.
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 limitations of the
system.
. If the driver’s foot is on the accelerator
pedal, the system moves the accelera-
tor pedal upward to assist the driver to
release the accelerator pedal.
When brake operation by driver is re-
quired:
The system alerts the driver by a warning
chime and blinking the vehicle ahead
detection indicator. 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
when braking is performed by the DCA
system.
When the brake operates, a noise may be
heard. This is not a malfunction.
Starting and driving5-77

5-78Starting and driving
WARNING
.When the vehicle ahead detection in-
dicator light is not illuminated, system
will not control or warn the driver.
. Depending on the position of the accel-
erator pedal, the system may not be able
to assist the driver to release the
accelerator pedal appropriately.
. If the vehicle ahead comes to a stand-
still, the vehicle decelerates to a stand-
still 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 moving, the driver must
depress the brake pedal. (The system
will resume control automatically 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 accel-
erator pedal even further while the
system is moving the accelerator pedal
upward, the DCA system control of the accelerator pedal is canceled.
. When the driver’s foot is on the accel-
erator 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.
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
your vehicle approaches vehicles that are
parked or moving slowly.

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
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5-80Starting and driving
.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 with the
dynamic driver assistance switch. Turn the
DCA system back on to use the system.
SSD0998
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 hybrid
system off. Clean the sensor window with a
soft cloth and then perform the settings
again.
SSD0999
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 hybrid
system off, restart the hybrid system, 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
system 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) sys-
tem will warn the driver by the vehicle
ahead detection 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 approxi-
mately 10 MPH (15 km/h) and above.
JVS0069X
SSD0749
Vehicle ahead detection indicator light
Starting and driving5-81
FORWARD COLLISION WARNING (FCW)
SYSTEM (if so equipped)

5-82Starting and driving
The FCW system uses the distance sensor
*Alocated 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 instrument panel
blinks and a warning chime sounds.
PRECAUTIONS ON FCW SYSTEM
WARNING
. The FCW system is intended to warn you
before 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
impossible to detect the distance
from the vehicle ahead.
—When driving into a strong light (forexample, sunlight)
. The sensor generally detects the signals
returned from the reflectors on a vehicle
ahead. Therefore, the system may not
function 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 isimpossible to detect the distance
from the vehicle ahead.
—When the reflectors on the vehicle
ahead are missing, damaged or
covered.
—When the reflectors of the vehicleahead are covered with dirt, snow or
road spray.
—When visibility is low (such as rain,fog, snow, etc.).
—When snow or road spray fromtraveling 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 de-celerating.
—On a steep downhill slope or onroads with sharp curves.
—When there is a highly reflectiveobject near the vehicle ahead (for
example, being very close to another
vehicle, signboard, etc.)
. Depending on certain road conditions
(curved or beginning of a curve), vehicle
conditions (steering position or vehicle
position), 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
distance to the vehicle ahead is extre-
mely close.
. The system is designed to automatically
check the sensor’s functionality. If the
sensor is covered with ice, a transparent
or translucent plastic bag, etc., the
system may not detect them. In these
instances the system may not be able to
warn the driver properly. Be sure to
check and clean the sensor regularly.
. Excessive noise will interfere with the
warning chime sound, and the chime
may not be heard.
. A sudden appearance of a vehicle in
front (for example, it abruptly cuts in)
may not be detected and the system may
not warn the driver soon enough.
. The system will be cancelled automati-
cally 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
SSD1000
If the IBA OFF indicator light*Ailluminates
with a beep sound, pull off the road to a
safe location, stop the vehicle and turn the
hybrid system off. Check to see if the
sensor window is dirty. If the sensor
window is dirty, clean it with a soft cloth
and restart the hybrid system. If the sensor
window is not dirty, restart the hybrid
system. If the IBA OFF indicator light
continues to illuminate even if the IBA
system is turned on with the IBA OFF
switch
*B, have the system checked by an
INFINITI retailer.
To turn on the IBA system, see “Intelligent
Brake Assist (IBA) system” later in thissection.
Starting and driving5-83