stop start INFINITI Q50 HYBRID 2018 Owner's Manual

Hybrid System Overview
INFINITI Direct Response
Hybrid®System ......................................... Hybrid System-2
Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery ................... Hybrid System-2
High voltage cautions ............................. Hybrid System-2
Road accident cautions .......................... Hybrid System-3
Emergency shut-off system .................. Hybrid System-4
Operation of the INFINITI Direct
Response Hybrid
®System ..................... Hybrid System-4
Starting and slow speed driving ..... Hybrid System-5
Medium or high speed driving ......... Hybrid System-5
Rapid acceleration .............................. Hybrid System-5
Deceleration and braking .................. Hybrid System-5
Stopping ................................................ Hybrid System-5 Energy monitors ....................................... Hybrid System-5
Assist charge gauge ......................... Hybrid System-6
Energy Flow ....................................... Hybrid System-6
Fuel economy history ...................... Hybrid System-7
Regenerative brake ................................. Hybrid System-8
Efficient use of your vehicle ................. Hybrid System-8
Approaching Vehicle Sound for
Pedestrians (VSP) system ..................... Hybrid System-9
Hybrid vehicle precautions ................. Hybrid System-10 High voltage components ........... Hybrid System-10
Hybrid vehicle characteristics ...... Hybrid System-11

Hybrid System-4Hybrid System Overview
delivered to an INFINITI retailer to
have the Li-ion battery pack and high
voltage parts such as the inverter,
including the wiring harness, re-
moved prior to painting. Li-ion bat-
tery packs exposed to heat in the
paint booth will experience capacity
loss. Damaged Li-ion battery packs
may also pose safety risks to un-
trained mechanics and repair person-
nel.The emergency shut-off system is activated
and the high-voltage system automatically
turns off in the following conditions:
.
Front and side collisions in which the air
bags are deployed.
. Certain rear collisions.
. Certain INFINITI Direct Response Hy-
brid
®System malfunctions
For the above collisions and the certain
hybrid system malfunctions, the READY to
drive indicator light will turn off. See “Warn-
ing lights, indicator lights and audible re-
minders” (P.2-9).
The emergency shut-off activates for the
above collisions to minimize risk of an event
that could cause injury or an accident. If the
emergency shut-off system activates, the
hybrid system may not switch to READY to
drive position. If this occurs, it is recom-
mended that you contact an INFINITI re-
tailer. Even if the ignition switch is switched
to READY to drive position, the system may
shut-off suddenly. Therefore, drive cau-
tiously to the nearest INFINITI retailer or
contact an INFINITI retailer as soon as
possible. To start the INFINITI Direct Response
Hybrid
®System:
1. Depress the brake pedal and place the ignition switch in the ON position when
the transmission is in the P (Park) or N
(Neutral) position (P is recommended).
(For more details, see “Push-button
ignition switch” (P.5-11).)
2. The READY to drive indicator light
flashes, then turns illuminated. (The
hybrid system switched to the READY
to drive mode when the indicator light
illuminates.)
When the READY to drive indicator light
illuminates, the vehicle can be driven,
even if the gasoline engine is not running.
NOTE:
The gasoline engine starts and stops auto-
matically. It may stop during low speed
driving, deceleration or when the vehicle is
stopped.
The gasoline engine may automatically run
in the following conditions:
. The level of remaining charge in the
Lithium ion (Li-ion) battery is low. The
engine runs to charge the Li-ion battery
and to provide power to the drive the
vehicle.
. The temperature of the engine coolant is
low.
EMERGENCY SHUT-OFF SYSTEMOPERATION OF THE INFINITI DIRECT
RESPONSE HYBRID®SYSTEM

.Based on driving conditions.
. The shift lever is shifted to the P (Park)
position, the driver’s seat belt is re-
leased and the driver’s side door is then
opened.
The hybrid system operates as follows based
on driving conditions and the Li-ion battery
charge.
STARTING AND SLOW SPEED
DRIVING
The vehicle is driven by the electric motor
depending on the available Li-ion battery
charge.
MEDIUM OR HIGH SPEED DRIV-
ING
The system automatically controls the gaso-
line engine and electric motor in order to
obtain the optimum fuel mileage and per-
formance, depending on the driving situation
and available Li-ion battery charge.
When the remaining battery level is low, the
Li-ion battery is charged by the electric
motor that is driven to generate electric
power while the vehicle is driving.
RAPID ACCELERATION
The vehicle is accelerated using both the
gasoline engine and the electric motor
depending on the available Li-ion battery
charge.
DECELERATION AND BRAKING
The Li-ion battery is charged by the electric
motor that changes the energy of the
rotating wheels into electric power. See
“Regenerative brake” (P.Hybrid System-8).
STOPPING
The gasoline engine may stop running to
save fuel depending on the available Li-ion
battery charge. The INFINITI Direct Response Hybrid
®Sys-
tem monitors the status of power being sent
to the electric motor and the Lithium ion (Li-
ion) battery state of charge. The status is
shown on the assist charge gauge in the
meter and the energy flow/remaining Li-ion
battery charge in the lower display and the
meter. System status can also be shown
when the screen is in the energy flow mode
or energy/fuel history mode.
Hybrid System OverviewHybrid System-5
ENERGY MONITORS

The Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedes-
trians (VSP) system is a function that uses
sound to help alert pedestrians of the
presence of the vehicle when it is being
driven at a low speed in the electric drive
mode under the following conditions:
.The sound starts when the vehicle starts
accelerating.
. The sound stops when the vehicle speed
is more than 19 MPH (30 km/h) while
accelerating.
. The sound starts when the vehicle speed
is less than 16 MPH (25 km/h) while
decelerating.
. The sound stops when the vehicle stops.
. The sound does not stop with the vehicle
in the R (Reverse) position even if the
vehicle stops.
The VSP system is automatically turned on
when the vehicle is in the READY to drive
mode.
If there is a malfunction in the VSP system,
the VSP OFF indicator light in the meter
illuminates. See “Approaching Vehicle Sound
for Pedestrians (VSP) OFF indicator light”
(P.2-15).
WARNING
. If the sound from the VSP system is
not heard while driving, stop the
vehicle in a safe and quiet location.
Open a window, and then place the
vehicle in the R (Reverse) position
with the brake pedal firmly de-
pressed. Check that the operating
sound can be heard from the front
side of the vehicle.
. If the sound cannot be heard, have
the system immediately inspected. It
is recommended you visit an INFINITI
retailer for this service.
Hybrid System OverviewHybrid System-9
APPROACHING VEHICLE SOUND
FOR PEDESTRIANS (VSP) SYSTEM

HYBRID VEHICLE CHARACTER-
ISTICS
WARNING
.When you leave your vehicle, be sure
to place the ignition switch in the
OFF position.
. Be sure to put the transmission in the
P (Park) position because the vehicle
can move when the READY to drive
indicator light is on even if the gaso-
line engine is not running. When the
READY to drive indicator light is on,
do not leave your vehicle in a shift
position other than the P (Park)
position. The vehicle will creep and
start abruptly if the accelerator pedal
is depressed by mistake. This may
cause serious injury or death.
CAUTION
If the vehicle is parked for a long period
of time, the battery discharges gradu-
ally. To avoid this occurrence, drive the
vehicle for approximately 30 minutes at
least once every two to three months.
Otherwise, the Lithium ion (Li-ion) bat- tery may be damaged. If the Li-ion
battery is completely discharged and
the hybrid system cannot be activated,
it is recommended that you contact an
INFINITI retailer.
High voltage parts and harnesses on the
hybrid vehicles emit approximately the same
amount of electromagnetic waves as the
conventional gasoline-powered vehicles or
home electronic appliances despite of their
electromagnetic shieldings. Unwanted noise
may occur in the reception of a mobile two-
way radio.
Charging the Li-ion battery while driving is
important. The vehicle cannot run if the Li-
ion battery is discharged. When in the N
(Neutral), D (Drive) or R (Reverse) position,
and while the accelerator pedal or the brake
pedal is not depressed, the Li-ion battery
does not recharge. Leaving the transmission
in the N (Neutral), D (Drive) or R (Reverse)
position, and while the accelerator pedal or
the brake pedal is not depressed for an
extended period of time (for example, when
the shift lever is in the D (Drive) position and
the vehicle is stopped only by the parking
brake), may discharge the Li-ion battery and
the hybrid system may automatically be
turned off.
JVO0114X
An air ventis located on the right and left
sides between the rear seat and rear door to
cool the Li-ion battery and DC/DC conver-
ter. If the vent is covered, the Li-ion battery
or DC/DC converter will overheat resulting
in reduced output performance of the hybrid
system. See “Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery
and DC/DC converter air vent” (P.7-5).
Hybrid System OverviewHybrid System-11

Hybrid System-12Hybrid System Overview
JVO0101X
CAUTION
.Do not allow any liquid to get on or in
the air vent. It may cause a short
circuit and damage the Li-ion battery
or DC/DC converter.
. Do not place objects over or into the
air vent. The Li-ion battery or DC/
DC converter may overheat and be
damaged.
JVO0006X
CAUTION
Do not load large amounts of water in
open containers (aquariums or buckets)
into the vehicle. If the water spills onto
the Li-ion battery, it may cause a short
circuit and damage the battery.
Noise and vibration
After the hybrid system is activated, the
following noises and vibrations that are
unique to the hybrid system may occur. This
does not indicate a malfunction. .
Electric motor noise from the engine
compartment
. Noise from the rear of the vehicle when
the hybrid system activates or deacti-
vates
. Noise and vibration when the gasoline
engine starts running or stops
. Operating noise or electric motor noise
when releasing the accelerator pedal or
depressing the brake pedal
. Engine noise due to rapid acceleration
. Fan noise from the air inlet located
between the rear seat and rear door
. Noise from the climate control system
. Noise from the vehicle in order to alert
pedestrians to the presence of an ap-
proaching vehicle. See “Approaching Ve-
hicle Sound for Pedestrians (VSP)
system” (P.Hybrid System-9).

Troubleshooting:
If you think the front passenger air bag
status light is incorrect:
1. If the light is ON with an adult occupyingthe front passenger seat:
.Occupant is a small adult - the air bag
light is functioning as intended. The
front passenger air bag is suppressed.
However, if the occupant is not a small
adult, then this may be due to the
following conditions that may be inter-
fering with the weight sensors:
.Occupant is not sitting upright, lean- ing against the seatback, and cen-
tered on the seat cushion with his/her
feet comfortably extended to the
floor.
.A child restraint or other object press-ing against the rear of the seatback.
.A rear passenger pushing or pulling onthe back of the front passenger seat.
.Forcing the front seat or seatback
against an object on the seat or floor
behind it.
.An object placed under the frontpassenger seat.
.An object placed between the seat cushion and center console or be-
tween the seat cushion and the door.
If the vehicle is moving, please come to a stop when it is safe to do so. Check and
correct any of the above conditions.
Restart the vehicle and wait 1 minute.
NOTE: A system check will be performed during
which the front passenger air bag status
light will remain lit for about 7 seconds
initially.
If the light is still ON after this, the
person should be advised not to ride in
the front passenger seat and the vehicle
should be checked as soon as possible. It
is recommended you visit an INFINITI
retailer for this service.
2. If the light is OFF with a small adult, child or child restraint occupying the front
passenger seat:
This may be due to the following condi-
tions that may be interfering with the
weight sensors:
.Small adult or child is not sitting
upright, leaning against the seatback,
and centered on the seat cushion with
his/her feet comfortably extended to
the floor.
.The child restraint is not properly installed as outlined in “Child re-
straints” (P.1-18).
.An object weighing over 9.1 lbs (4 kg) hanging on the seat or placed in the
seatback pocket.
.A child restraint or other object press-ing against the rear of the seatback.
.A rear passenger pushing or pulling on
the back of the front passenger seat.
.Forcing the front seat or seatbackagainst an object on the seat or floor
behind it.
.An object placed under the frontpassenger seat.
.An object placed between the seat
cushion and center console.
.The front passenger seat head re-straint contacting the roof.
If the vehicle is moving, please come to a
stop when it is safe to do so. Check and
correct any of the above conditions.
Restart the vehicle and wait 1 minute.
NOTE: A system check will be performed during
which the front passenger air bag status
light will remain lit for about 7 seconds
initially.
If the light is still OFF after this, the small
adult, child or child restraint should be
repositioned in the rear seat and the
vehicle should be checked as soon as
possible.
3. If the light is OFF with no front passen- ger and no objects on the front passen-
ger seat, the vehicle should be checked
as soon as possible. It is recommended
Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-49

2-10Instruments and controls
properly. It is recommended you visit an
INFINITI retailer immediately.
CAUTION
The charging system may not be func-
tioning properly if the 12-volt battery
charge warning light comes on while the
hybrid system is running. The hybrid
system will stop operating when the
12-volt battery becomes discharged.
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe
place and it is recommended you contact
an INFINITI retailer.
orAnti-lock Braking
System (ABS) warning light
When the ignition switch is in the ON
position, the Anti-lock Braking System
(ABS) warning light illuminates and then
turns off. This indicates the ABS is opera-
tional.
If the ABS warning light illuminates while the
hybrid system is running, or while driving, it
may indicate the ABS is not functioning
properly. Have the system checked. It is
recommended you visit an INFINITI retailer
for this service. If an ABS malfunction occurs, the anti-lock
function is turned off. The brake system then
operates normally, but without anti-lock
assistance. (See “Anti-lock Braking System
(ABS)” (P.5-129).)
Brake system warning light
(yellow)
This light will illuminate after the hybrid
system is started and then turns off after a
few seconds.
WARNING
If both the brake system warning light
(yellow) and the brake warning light
(red) illuminate when the parking brake
is released and the hybrid system is on,
do not drive the vehicle. More brake
pedal effort than normal will be required
and there will be a significant reduction
in brake performance, which could result
in an accident. Immediately stop the
vehicle in a safe location and it is
recommended you contact an INFINITI
retailer.
If the brake system warning light (yellow)
illuminates when the ignition switch is in the
ON position, it may indicate a malfunction in the brake system or one of the following
other functions.
.
Regenerative brake system
. Hill start assist system
. Rise-up and build-up function
It is recommended you see an INFINITI
retailer for an inspection as soon as possible.
A chime sounds if a malfunction occurs in the
brake system power supply.
orBrake warning light
(red)
This light functions for both the parking
brake and the foot brake systems.
Parking brake indicator:
When the ignition switch is in the ON
position, the light comes on when the
parking brake is applied.
Low brake fluid warning:
When the ignition switch is in the ON
position, the light warns of a low brake fluid
level. If the light comes on with the parking
brake not applied, stop the vehicle and
perform the following:
1. Check the brake fluid level. If brake fluid is low, add fluid and have the system
checked. It is recommended you have this
service performed by an INFINITI retai-

ler. (See “Brake fluid” (P.8-12).)
2. If the brake fluid level is correct, have the warning system checked. It is recom-
mended you have this service performed
by an INFINITI retailer.
Brake system malfunction warning:
If the brake warning light (red) and the
following warning light illuminate at the
same time when the parking brake is re-
leased and the brake fluid level is sufficient,
there may be a malfunction in the brake
system.
. Brake system warning light (yellow)
WARNING
If both the brake system warning light
(yellow) and the brake warning light
(red) illuminate when the parking brake
is released and the hybrid system is on,
do not drive the vehicle. More brake
pedal effort than normal will be required
and there will be a significant reduction
in brake performance, which could result
in an accident. Immediately stop the
vehicle in a safe location and it is
recommended you contact an INFINITI
retailer.
A chime sounds if a malfunction occurs in the brake system power supply.
.
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning
light
— Avoid driving at high speed and sud-
den braking, and see an INFINITI
retailer as soon as possible for an
inspection.
WARNING
.Your brake system may not be work-
ing properly if the brake warning
light (red) is on. Driving could be
dangerous. If you judge it to be safe,
drive carefully to the nearest service
station for repairs. Otherwise, have
your vehicle towed because driving it
could be dangerous.
. Pressing the brake pedal with the
hybrid system stopped and/or low
brake fluid level may increase your
stopping distance and braking will
require greater pedal effort as well as
pedal travel.
. If the brake fluid level is below the
minimum or MIN mark on the brake
fluid reservoir, do not drive until the
brake system has been checked. It is
recommended you visit an INFINITI
retailer for this service.
Direct Response Hybrid®Sys-
tem warning light
When the ignition switch is in the ON
position, the Direct Response Hybrid®Sys-
tem (hybrid system) warning light illumi-
nates. After starting the hybrid system, the
hybrid system warning light turns off.
If the hybrid system warning light illuminates
while driving, it may indicate that there is a
malfunction in the electric motor and/or
other hybrid system components.
Stop your vehicle immediately and it is
recommended that you contact your
INFINITI retailer.
If the hybrid system warning light blinks
while driving, it may indicate that the Li-ion
battery charge is low and you cannot
continue to drive.
Do not allow the vehicle to coast when the
Li-ion battery is low or when the hybrid
system warning light blinks while driving.
The engine will not automatically start to
charge the Li-ion battery while the vehicle is
coasting.
Forward Emergency Braking
(FEB) system warning light
This light comes on when the ignition switch
is placed in the ON position. It turns off after
Instruments and controls2-11

2-12Instruments and controls
the hybrid system is started.
This light illuminates when the FEB system is
set to OFF on the lower display.
If the light illuminates when the FEB system
is ON, it may indicate that the system is
unavailable. See “Forward Emergency Brak-
ing (FEB)” (P.5-104) for more details.
Low fuel warning light
This light illuminates when the fuel in the
tank is getting low. Refuel as soon as it is
convenient, preferably before the fuel gauge
reaches the 0 (empty) position.
There will be a small reserve of fuel remain-
ing in the tank when the fuel gauge reaches
the 0 position.
Low tire pressure warning light
Your vehicle is equipped with a Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (TPMS) that monitors
the tire pressure of all tires.
The low tire pressure warning light warns of
low tire pressure and flat tire, or indicates
that the TPMS is not functioning properly.
After the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, this light illuminates for about 1
second and turns off.Low tire pressure warning:
If the vehicle is being driven with low tire
pressure, the warning light will illuminate.
The “Tire Pressure Low - Add Air” warning
also appears in the vehicle information dis-
play.
When the low tire pressure warning light
illuminates, you should stop and adjust the
tire pressure to the recommended COLD tire
pressure shown on the Tire and Loading
Information label. The low tire pressure
warning light does not automatically turn
off when the tire pressure is adjusted. After
the tire is inflated to the recommended
pressure, the vehicle must be driven at
speeds above 16 MPH (25 km/h) to activate
the TPMS and turn off the low tire pressure
warning light. Use a tire pressure gauge to
check the tire pressure.
The “Tire Pressure Low - Add Air” warning is
active as long as the low tire pressure
warning light remains illuminated.
For additional information, see “Vehicle
information display” (P.2-18), “Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (TPMS)” (P.5-5) and
“Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)”
(P.6-3).
Flat tire warning:
The flat tire warning warns of a flat tire.
If the vehicle is being driven with one or moreflat tires, the low tire pressure warning light
will illuminate continuously and a chime will
sound for 10 seconds. A “Flat Tire - Visit
dealer” warning also appears in the vehicle
information display.
The chime will only sound at the first
indication of a flat tire and the warning light
will illuminate continuously. When the flat
tire warning is activated, have the system
reset and the tire checked, and replaced if
necessary. It is recommended you visit an
INFINITI retailer for these services. Even if
the tire is inflated to the specified COLD tire
pressure, the warning light will continue to
illuminate until the system is reset.
Your vehicle can be driven for a limited time
on a flat tire. See “Run-flat tires” (P.6-4) and
“Run-flat tires” (P.8-34).
TPMS malfunction:
If the TPMS is not functioning properly, the
low tire pressure warning light will flash for
approximately 1 minute when the ignition
switch is placed in the ON position. The light
will remain on after the 1 minute. Have the
system checked. It is recommended you visit
an INFINITI retailer for this service. The “Tire
Pressure Low - Add Air” warning does not
appear if the low tire pressure warning light
illuminates to indicate a TPMS malfunction.
For additional information, see “Tire Pres-
sure Monitoring System (TPMS)” (P.5-5).