check engine light INFINITI Q50-HYBRID 2018 User Guide

THREE-WAY CATALYST
The three-way catalyst is an emission con-
trol device installed in the exhaust system.
Exhaust gases in the three-way catalyst are
burned at high temperatures to help reduce
pollutants.
WARNING
.The exhaust gas and the exhaust
system are very hot. Keep people,
animals or flammable materials away
from the exhaust system compo-
nents.
. Do not stop or park the vehicle over
flammable materials such as dry
grass, waste paper or rags. They
may ignite and cause a fire.
CAUTION
.Do not use leaded gasoline. Deposits
from leaded gasoline seriously reduce
the three-way catalyst’s ability to
help reduce exhaust pollutants.
. Keep your engine tuned up. Malfunc-
tions in the ignition, fuel injection, or
electrical systems can cause overrich fuel flow into the three-way catalyst,
causing it to overheat. Do not keep
driving if the engine misfires, or if
noticeable loss of performance or
other unusual operating conditions
are detected. Have the vehicle in-
spected. It is recommended you visit
an INFINITI retailer for this service.
. Avoid driving with an extremely low
fuel level. Running out of fuel could
cause the engine to misfire, damaging
the three-way catalyst.
. Do not race the engine while warming
it up.
. Do not push or tow your vehicle to
start the hybrid system.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING
SYSTEM (TPMS)
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recom-
mended by the vehicle manufacturer on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure
label. (If your vehicle has tires of a different
size than the size indicated on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label, you
should determine the proper tire inflation
pressure for those tires.) As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a Tire Pressure Mon-
itoring System (TPMS) that illuminates a low
tire pressure telltale when one or more of
your tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure
telltale illuminates, you should stop and
check your tires as soon as possible, and
inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving
on a significantly under-inflated tire causes
the tire to overheat and can lead to tire
failure. Under-inflation also reduces fuel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
If the vehicle is being driven with one or more
flat tires, the low tire pressure warning light
will illuminate continuously and a chime will
sound for 10 seconds. The “Flat Tire - Visit
dealer” warning will also appear in the
vehicle information display. The chime will
only sound at the first indication of a flat tire,
and the warning light will illuminate con-
tinuously. When the flat tire warning is
activated, it is recommended you have the
system reset and the tire checked and
replaced if necessary by an INFINITI retailer.
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.8-
34).
Starting and driving5-5

5-14Starting and driving
the brake pedal within 10 seconds after
the chime sounds. The hybrid system will
start.
After step 3 is performed, when the ignition
switch is pushed without depressing the
brake pedal, the ignition switch position will
change to ACC.
NOTE:
. When the ignition switch is pushed to
the ACC or ON position or the hybrid
system is started by the above proce-
dures, the Intelligent Key battery dis-
charge indicator appears in the vehicle
information display even if the Intelli-
gent Key is inside the vehicle. This is not
a malfunction. To turn off the Intelligent
Key battery discharge indicator, touch
the ignition switch with the Intelligent
Key again.
. If the Intelligent Key battery discharge
indicator appears, replace the battery as
soon as possible. (See “Intelligent Key
battery replacement” (P.8-21).) .
Make sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.
. Check fluid levels such as engine oil,
coolant, brake fluid and window washer
fluid as frequently as possible, or at least
whenever you refuel.
. Check that all windows and lights are
clean.
. Visually inspect tires for their appearance
and condition. Also check tires for proper
inflation.
. Lock all doors.
. Position seat and adjust head restraints.
. Adjust inside and outside mirrors.
. Fasten seat belts and ask all passengers
to do likewise.
. Check the operation of warning lights
when the ignition switch is pushed to the
ON position. (See “Warning lights, in-
dicator lights and audible reminders”
(P.2-9).) 1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever to P (Park) position.
The INFINITI Direct Response Hybrid
®
System is designed not to operate if the
shift lever is not in the P (Park) position.
3. Depress the brake pedal and push the ignition switch to start the hybrid sys-
tem. The READY to drive indicator light
will illuminate on the meter.
When starting the hybrid system at very
low outside temperatures, the READY
to drive indicator light will flash and it
may take longer for the READY to drive
indicator light to illuminate.
. The hybrid system may not start even
with the READY to drive indicator light
illuminated. Once the READY to drive
indicator light is illuminated you may
begin driving the vehicle.
. You may hear a sound in the engine
compartment when the brake pedal is
depressed with the hybrid system off.
This does not indicate a problem.
NOTE:
Care should be taken to avoid situations
that can lead to potential 12-volt battery
discharge and potential no-start conditions
such as:
1. Installation or extended use of electro-
nic accessories that consume 12-volt
BEFORE STARTING THE INFINITI
DIRECT RESPONSE HYBRID®SYSTEMSTARTING THE INFINITI DIRECT
RESPONSE HYBRID®SYSTEM

wheel, may reduce the steering per-
formance.
Direct Adaptive Steering is designed to
control the steering force and steering angle
according to the vehicle speed and amount
of turning of the steering wheel.
The steering characteristic can be selected
using the INFINITI Drive Mode Selector. See
“INFINITI Drive Mode Selector” (P.5-21).
If the VDC system is turned off, the setting
of steering becomes Standard mode.
If the power steering warning light illumi-
nates while the hybrid system is running, it
may indicate that Direct Adaptive Steering is
not functioning properly and may need
servicing. It is recommended you have the
system checked by an INFINITI retailer. (See
“Power steering warning light” (P.2-14).)
When the power steering warning light
illuminates with the hybrid system running,
the power assist for the steering will cease
operation. You will still have control of the
vehicle. However, greater steering effort will
be needed, especially in sharp turns and at
low speeds.
If Direct Adaptive Steering is malfunction-
ing, the steering wheel may turn slightly even
when driving on a straight road.
Under the following conditions, the steering wheel may turn slightly even when driving on
a straight road. This is due to a protection
mechanism for Direct Adaptive Steering. The
steering wheel will return to the normal
position after the protection mechanism is
deactivated.
Condition A
.
When the engine is stalled or likely to be
stalled
. When the steering wheel is held in the full
lock position or when the front tire
touches an obstruction.
. When the battery is discharged
To return the steering wheel to the normal
position, stop the vehicle in a safe location
and stop operating the steering wheel. Then
drive the vehicle for a short period of time.
Condition B
. When the steering wheel is operated
repeatedly or continuously while parking
or driving at a very low speed. In this
case, the power assist for the steering
wheel will be reduced.
To return the steering wheel to the normal
position, stop the vehicle in a safe location
and wait for a period of time, without
operating the steering wheel, until the
temperature of Direct Adaptive Steering
cools down. Avoid repeated steering wheel
operations that could cause Direct Adaptive
Steering to overheat. When the vehicle is tested on the 2-wheel
dynamometer, the power steering warning
light may illuminate. To turn off the power
steering warning light, stop the vehicle in a
safe location, turn the hybrid system off,
restart the hybrid system, and then drive the
vehicle for a period of time.
The following conditions do not indicate a
malfunction of Direct Adaptive Steering.
.
You may notice wider steering play when
the ignition switch is in the OFF or ACC
position compared to when it is in the
ON position.
. After the hybrid system is started, the
steering wheel may turn slightly even
when driving on a straight road. To
return to the normal position, drive the
vehicle on a straight road for a period of
time.
. After the hybrid system is started, the
steering wheel may move if the steering
wheel was turned to the fully locked
position while the ignition switch was in
the OFF position.
. After the vehicle is tested on the 4-wheel
dynamometer, the steering wheel may
turn slightly even when driving on a
straight road. To return the steering
wheel to the normal position, drive the
vehicle on a straight road for a period of
time.
Starting and driving5-127

5-130Starting and driving
Using the system
Depress the brake pedal and hold it down.
Depress the brake pedal with firm steady
pressure, but do not pump the brakes. The
ABS will operate to prevent the wheels from
locking up. Steer the vehicle to avoid
obstacles.
WARNING
Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so
may result in increased stopping dis-
tances.
Self-test feature
The ABS includes electronic sensors, electric
pumps, hydraulic solenoids and a computer.
The computer has a built-in diagnostic
feature that tests the system each time you
start the hybrid system and move the vehicle
at a low speed in forward or reverse. When
the self-test occurs, you may hear a “clunk”
noise and/or feel a pulsation in the brake
pedal. This is normal and does not indicate a
malfunction. If the computer senses a mal-
function, it switches the ABS off and
illuminates the ABS warning light on the
instrument panel. The brake system then
operates normally, but without anti-lock
assistance.If the ABS warning light illuminates during
the self-test or while driving, have the
vehicle checked. It is recommended you visit
an INFINITI retailer for this service.
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 pres-
sure. 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. However, the pulsation may indi-
cate 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 or
motor output to reduce drive wheel slip
based on vehicle speed (traction control
function).
. Controls brake pressure at individual
wheels and engine or motor 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 conditions).
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
VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL
(VDC) SYSTEM

8 Do-it-yourself
Maintenance precautions ................................................ 8-2
Engine compartment check locations ......................... 8-3VQ35HR engine ........................................................... 8-3
Engine cooling system ..................................................... 8-5 Checking engine coolant level .................................. 8-6
Changing engine coolant ........................................... 8-7
Inverter cooling system ................................................... 8-7 Checking inverter coolant level ................................ 8-8
Changing inverter coolant ......................................... 8-9
Engine oil ........................................................................\
..... 8-9
Checking engine oil level ............................................ 8-9
Changing engine oil and oil filter .......................... 8-10
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) ......................... 8-12
Brake fluid ........................................................................\
. 8-12
Window washer fluid ..................................................... 8-13
12-volt battery ................................................................. 8-14
Checking battery fluid level .................................... 8-15
Jump starting .............................................................. 8-15
Spark plugs ........................................................................\
8-15 Replacing spark plugs ............................................... 8-16
Air cleaner ........................................................................\
.. 8-16 Windshield wiper blades ............................................... 8-17
Cleaning ...................................................................... 8-17
Replacing .................................................................... 8-18
Brakes ........................................................................\
........ 8-18 Self-adjusting brakes .............................................. 8-18
Brake pad wear warning ....................................... 8-18
Fuses ........................................................................\
.......... 8-19 Engine compartment and trunk ........................... 8-19
Passenger compartment ....................................... 8-20
Intelligent Key battery replacement .......................... 8-21
Lights ........................................................................\
........ 8-24 Headlights .................................................................. 8-25
Exterior and interior lights .................................... 8-25
Wheels and tires ............................................................ 8-28 Tire pressure ............................................................. 8-28
Tire labeling ............................................................... 8-32
Types of tires ........................................................... 8-34
Tire chains .................................................................. 8-35
Changing wheels and tires .................................... 8-36
Jacking up the vehicle and replacing tires ........ 8-39

engine damage.
6. Coat the gasket on the new filter with clean engine oil.
7. Screw in the oil filter clockwise until a slight resistance is felt, then tighten
additionally more than 2/3 turn.
Oil filter tightening torque:11 to 15 ft-lb
(14.7 to 20.5 N·m)
8. Clean and re-install the drain plug with a new washer. Securely tighten the drain
plug with a wrench.
Drain plug tightening torque:
22 to 29 ft-lb
(29 to 39 N·m)
Do not use excessive force.
9. Refill engine with recommended oil and install the oil filler cap securely.
CAUTION
The dipstick must be inserted in place to
prevent oil spillage from the dipstick
hole while filling the engine with oil.
See “Capacities and recommended
fluids/lubricants” (P.10-2) for drain and refill capacity. The drain and refill capa-
city depends on the oil temperature and
drain time. Use these specifications for
reference only. Always use the dipstick
to determine the proper amount of oil in
the engine.
10. Start the engine and check for leakage around the drain plug and the oil filter.
Correct as required.
11. Turn the engine off and wait more than 15 minutes. Check the oil level with the
dipstick. Add engine oil if necessary.
After the operation
1. Install the engine undercover into posi-
tion as the following steps.
a. Pull the center of the small plastic clipout.
b. Hold the engine undercover into posi- tion.
c. Insert the clip through the undercover into the hole in the frame, then push
the center of the clip in to lock the clip
in place.
d. Install the other bolts that hold the undercover in place. Be careful not to
strip the bolts or over-tighten them.
2. Lower the vehicle carefully to the ground. 3. Dispose of waste oil and filter properly.
WARNING
.
Prolonged and repeated contact with
used engine oil may cause skin cancer.
. Try to avoid direct skin contact with
used oil. If skin contact is made, wash
thoroughly with soap or hand cleaner
as soon as possible.
. Keep used engine oil out of reach of
children.
Do-it-yourself8-11

Under some driving or climate conditions,
occasional brake squeak, squeal or other
noise may be heard. Occasional brake noise
during light to moderate stops is normal and
does not affect the function or performance
of the brake system.
Proper brake inspection intervals should be
followed.For additional information, see the
maintenance schedule shown in the “9.
Maintenance and schedules” section.
JVM0255X
Engine compartment
JVM0322X
Trunk
ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND
TRUNK
WARNING
Never use a fuse of a higher or lower
amperage rating than that specified on
the fuse box cover. This could damage
the electrical system or electronic con-
trol units or cause a fire.
If any electrical equipment does not operate,
check for an open fuse.
1. Be sure the ignition switch is pushed to the OFF or LOCK position and the
headlight switch is turned to OFF.
2. Open the engine hood or trunk lid and to access the cover on the fuse/fusible link
holder.
3. Remove the fuse/fusible link holder cover.
4. Remove the fuse with the fuse puller.
Do-it-yourself8-19
FUSES

10-6Technical and consumer information
damage to the engine. If any of the above
symptoms are encountered, have your ve-
hicle checked. It is recommended you visit an
INFINITI retailer for servicing.
However, now and then you may notice
light spark knock for a short time while
accelerating or driving up hills. This is no
cause for concern, because you get the
greatest fuel benefit when there is light
spark knock for a short time under heavy
engine load.
JVT0159X
API certification mark
API service symbol
ENGINE OIL AND OIL FILTER
RECOMMENDATION
Selecting the correct oil
It is essential to choose the correct grade,
quality, and viscosity engine oil to ensure
satisfactory engine life and performance,
see “Capacities and recommended fluids/
lubricants” (P.10-2). INFINITI recommends
the use of an energy conserving oil in order
to improve fuel economy.
Select only engine oils that meet the Amer-
ican Petroleum Institute (API) certificationor International Lubricant Standardization
and Approval Committee (ILSAC) certifica-
tion and SAE viscosity standard. These oils
have the API certification mark on the front
of the container. Oils which do not have the
specified quality label should not be used as
they could cause engine damage.Oil additives
INFINITI does not recommend the use of oil
additives. The use of an oil additive is not
necessary when the proper oil type is used
and maintenance intervals are followed.
Oil which may contain foreign matter or has
been previously used should not be used.

WARNING
A vehicle equipped with Intelligent All-
Wheel Drive (AWD) should never be
tested using a two wheel dynamometer
(such as the dynamometers used by
some states for emissions testing), or
similar equipment. Make sure you inform
test facility personnel that your vehicle
is equipped with AWD before it is placed
on a dynamometer. Using the wrong test
equipment may result in transmission
damage or unexpected vehicle move-
ment which could result in serious vehicle
damage or personal injury.
Due to legal requirements in some states/
areas, your vehicle may be required to be in
what is called the “ready condition” for an
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test of the
emission control system.
The vehicle is set to the “ready condition”
when it is driven through certain driving
patterns. Usually, the “ready condition” can
be obtained by ordinary usage of the vehicle.
If a powertrain system component is re-
paired or the 12-volt battery is discon-
nected, the vehicle may be reset to a “not
ready condition”. Before taking the I/M test,
check the vehicle’s inspection/maintenance test readiness condition. Place the ignition
switch in the ON position without starting
the engine. If the Malfunction Indicator
Light (MIL) comes on steady for 20 seconds
and then blinks for 10 seconds, the I/M test
condition is “not ready”. If the MIL does not
blink after 20 seconds, the I/M test condi-
tion is “ready”.
It is recommended you visit an INFINITI
retailer to set the “ready condition” or to
prepare the vehicle for testing.
This vehicle is equipped with an Event Data
Recorder (EDR). The main purpose of an
EDR is to record, in certain crash or near
crash-like situations, such as an air bag
deployment or hitting a road obstacle, data
that will assist in understanding how a
vehicle’s systems performed. The EDR is
designed to record data related to vehicle
dynamics and safety systems for a short
period of time, typically 30 seconds or less.
The EDR in this vehicle is designed to record
such data as:
.
How various systems in your vehicle were
operating;
. Whether or not the driver and passenger
safety belts were buckled/fastened;
. How far (if at all) the driver was depres-
sing the accelerator and/or brake pedal;
and,
. How fast the vehicle was traveling.
. Sounds are not recorded.
These data can help provide a better under-
standing of the circumstances in which
crashes and injuries occur.
NOTE: EDR data are recorded by your
vehicle only if a nontrivial crash situation
occurs; no data are recorded by the EDR
under normal driving conditions and no
personal data (e.g. name, gender, age and
crash location) are recorded. However, other
parties, such as law enforcement, could
combine the EDR data with the type of
Technical and consumer information10-21
READINESS FOR INSPECTION/
MAINTENANCE (I/M) TEST (US only)EVENT DATA RECORDERS (EDR)

11-2
Precautions on child restraints .................. 1-18
Child safety ............................................................ 1-16
Child safety rear door lock .................................. 3-6
Chimes Audible reminders .......................................... 2-17
Seat belt warning light and chime ............ 2-14
Circuit breaker
Fusible link ...................................................... 8-20
Cleaning exterior and interior .................... 7-2, 7-5
Clock ........................................................................\
2-30
Coat hooks ............................................................ 2-51
Cockpit ...................................................................... 2-3
Cold weather driving ........................................ 5-135
Console box ........................................................... 2-50
Coolant Capacities and
recommended fluids/lubricants ................. 10-2
Changing engine coolant ............................... 8-7
Checking engine coolant level ...................... 8-6
Corrosion protection ............................................. 7-8
Courtesy light ....................................................... 2-59
Cruise control ....................................................... 5-70 Fixed speed cruise control (on
ICC system) ..................................................... 5-89
Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) ................. 5-72
Cruise indicator .................................................... 2-23
Cup holders ........................................................... 2-47
Current fuel consumption ................................. 2-28D
Daytime running light system .......................... 2-40
Defroster switch Rear window and outside mirror
defroster switch ............................................. 2-36
Dimensions ............................................................ 10-9
Direct Adaptive Steering ................................. 5-126
Direct Response Hybrid
®System warning
light (hybrid system warning light) .................. 2-11
Distance Control Assist (DCA) ........................ 5-93
Distance to empty ............................................... 2-29
Drive positioner .................................................... 3-30
Driver assist system indicator .......................... 2-24
Driving Cold weather driving .................................. 5-135
Driving with automatic transmission ....... 5-15
Precautions when starting and driving ..... 5-4
Driving aids ............................................................ 2-29
E
ECO drive indicator light ................................... 2-15
ECO mode ............................................................. 5-21
ECO pedal system ............................................... 5-22
Economy Fuel .................................................................. 5-122
Efficient use of your vehicle ...... Hybrid System-8
Elapsed time ......................................................... 2-29
Elapsed time and trip odometer ..................... 2-29
Emergency shut-off system ...... Hybrid System-4
Emission control information label ............... 10-11 Emission control system maintenance ............ 9-8
Emission control system warranty ............... 10-19
Energy flow .................................... Hybrid System-6
Energy monitor .................................................... 2-27
Energy monitors ........................... Hybrid System-5
engine
Break-in schedule ........................................ 5-121
Capacities and
recommended fluids/lubricants ................. 10-2
Changing engine coolant ............................... 8-7
Changing engine oil and oil filter ............. 8-10
Checking engine coolant level ...................... 8-6
Checking engine oil level ............................... 8-9
Emergency hybrid system shut off .......... 5-13
Engine block heater ................................... 5-136
Engine compartment check locations ........ 8-3
Engine cooling system ................................... 8-5
Engine oil ........................................................... 8-9
Engine oil and filter
replacement indicator ................................... 2-25
Engine oil and oil
filter recommendation .................................. 10-6
Engine oil viscosity ........................................ 10-7
Engine serial number .................................. 10-11
Engine specifications ................................... 10-8
If your vehicle overheats ............................... 6-8
Remote engine start indicator ................... 2-21
Engine coolant temperature gauge ................ 2-29
Entry/exit function Automatic drive positioner ........................ 3-30