INFINITI QX 2011 Owners Manual

When the pressure reaches the designated
pressure, the horn beeps once.
● If the hazard indicator does not flash in
approximately 15 seconds after starting to
inflate the tire, it indicates that the Tire
Inflation Indicator is not operating.
● The TPMS will not activate the Tire Inflation
Indicator under the following conditions:
– If there is interference from an external device or transmitter
– The air pressure from the inflation device is not sufficient to inflate the tire
– There is a malfunction in the TPMS sys- tem
– There is a malfunction in the horn or hazard indicators
● If the Tire Inflation Indicator does not oper-
ate due to TPMS interference, move the
vehicle about 3 ft (1m) backward or forward
and try again.
If the Tire Inflation Indicator is not working, use
a tire pressure gauge.AVOIDING COLLISION AND ROLLOVER
WARNING
Failure to operate this vehicle in a safe and
prudent manner may result in loss of control or
an accident.
Be alert and drive defensively at all times. Obey
all traffic regulations. Avoid excessive speed,
high speed cornering, or sudden steering ma-
neuvers, because these driving practices could
cause you to lose control of your vehicle. As
with any vehicle, a loss of control could result in
a collision with other vehicles or objects, or
cause the vehicle to rollover, particularly if the
loss of control causes the vehicle to slide side-
ways. Be attentive at all times, and avoid
driving when tired. Never drive when under the
influence of alcohol or drugs (including pre-
scription or over-the-counter drugs which may
cause drowsiness). Always wear your seat belt
as outlined in the “SEAT BELTS” in the “1. Safety
— Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint
system” section of this manual, and also in-
struct your passengers to do so.
Seat belts help reduce the risk of injury in
collisions and rollovers. In a rollover crash, an
unbelted or improperly belted person is signifi- cantly more likely to be injured or killed than a
person properly wearing a seat belt.
ON-PAVEMENT AND OFF-ROAD
DRIVING PRECAUTIONS
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher roll-
over rate than other types of vehicles.
They have higher ground clearance than pas-
senger cars to make them capable of perform-
ing in a variety of on-pavement and off-road
applications. This gives them a higher center of
gravity than ordinary cars. An advantage of
higher ground clearance is a better view of the
road, allowing you to anticipate problems. How-
ever, they are not designed for cornering at the
same speeds as conventional passenger cars
any more than low-slung sports cars are de-
signed to perform satisfactorily under off-road
conditions. If at all possible, avoid sharp turns
or abrupt maneuvers, particularly at high
speeds. As with other vehicles of this type,
failure to operate this vehicle correctly may
result in loss of control or vehicle rollover. Seat
belts help reduce the risk of injury in collisions
and rollovers. In a rollover crash, an unbelted or
improperly belted person is significantly more
likely to be injured or killed than a person
properly wearing a seat belt.
Be sure to read “DRIVING SAFETY PRECAU-
TIONS” later in this section.
5-6Starting and driving

OFF-ROAD RECOVERY
While driving, the right side or left side wheels
may unintentionally leave the road surface. If
this occurs, maintain control of the vehicle by
following the procedure below. Please note that
this procedure is only a general guide. The
vehicle must be driven as appropriate based on
the conditions of the vehicle, road and traffic.
1. Remain calm and do not overreact.
2. Do not apply the brakes.
3. Maintain a firm grip on the steering wheelwith both hands and try to hold a straight
course.
4. When appropriate, slowly release the ac- celerator pedal to gradually slow the ve-
hicle.
5. If there is nothing in the way, steer the vehicle to follow the road while the ve-
hicle speed is reduced. Do not attempt to
drive the vehicle back onto the road sur-
face until vehicle speed is reduced. 6. When it is safe to do so, gradually turn
the steering wheel until both tires return
to the road surface. When all tires are on
the road surface, steer the vehicle to stay
in the appropriate driving lane.
●If you decide that it is not safe to return
the vehicle to the road surface based on
vehicle, road or traffic conditions, gradu-
ally slow the vehicle to a stop in a safe
place off the road.
RAPID AIR PRESSURE LOSS
Rapid air pressure loss or a “blow-out” can
occur if the tire is punctured or is damaged due
to hitting a curb or pothole. Rapid air pressure
loss can also be caused by driving on under-
inflated tires.
Rapid air pressure loss can affect the handling
and stability of the vehicle, especially at high-
way speeds.
Help prevent rapid air pressure loss by main-
taining the correct air pressure and visually
inspect the tires for wear and damage. See
“WHEELS AND TIRES” in the “8. Maintenance
and do-it-yourself” section of this manual. If a tire rapidly loses air pressure or “blows-out”
while driving maintain control of the vehicle by
following the procedure below. Please note that
this procedure is only a general guide. The
vehicle must be driven as appropriate based on
the conditions of the vehicle, road and traffic.
WARNING
The following actions can increase the chance
of losing control of the vehicle if there is a
sudden loss of tire air pressure. Losing control
of the vehicle may cause a collision and result
in personal injury.
●
The vehicle generally moves or pulls in the
direction of the flat tire.
● Do not rapidly apply the brakes.
● Do not rapidly release the accelerator pedal.
● Do not rapidly turn the steering wheel.
1. Remain calm and do not overreact.
2. Maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel
with both hands and try to hold a straight
course.
3. When appropriate, slowly release the ac- celerator pedal to gradually slow the ve-
hicle.
Starting and driving5-7

4. Gradually steer the vehicle to a safe loca-tion off the road and away from traffic if
possible.
5. Lightly apply the brake pedal to gradually stop the vehicle.
6. Turn on the hazard warning flashers and either contact a roadside emergency ser-
vice to change the tire or see “CHANGING
A FLAT TIRE” in the “6. In case of emer-
gency” section of this Owner’s Manual.
DRINKING ALCOHOL/DRUGS AND
DRIVING
WARNING
Never drive under the influence of alcohol or
drugs. Alcohol in the bloodstream reduces co-
ordination, delays reaction time and impairs
judgement. Driving after drinking alcohol in-
creases the likelihood of being involved in an
accident injuring yourself and others. Addition-
ally, if you are injured in an accident, alcohol
can increase the severity of the injury. INFINITI is committed to safe driving. However,
you must choose not to drive under the influ-
ence of alcohol. Every year thousands of people
are injured or killed in alcohol-related acci-
dents. Although the local laws vary on what is
considered to be legally intoxicated, the fact is
that alcohol affects all people differently and
most people underestimate the effects of alco-
hol.
Remember, drinking and driving don’t mix! And
that is true for drugs, too (over-the-counter,
prescription, and illegal drugs). Don’t drive if
your ability to operate your vehicle is impaired
by alcohol, drugs, or some other physical con-
dition.DRIVING SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Your INFINITI is designed for both normal and
off-road use. However, avoid driving in deep
water or mud as your INFINITI is mainly de-
signed for leisure use, unlike a conventional
off-road vehicle.
Remember that Two-Wheel Drive (2WD) models
are less capable than Four-Wheel Drive (4WD)
models for rough road driving and extrication
when stuck in deep snow, mud, or the like. Please observe the following precautions:
WARNING
●
Drive carefully when off the road and avoid
dangerous areas. Every person who drives or
rides in this vehicle should be seated with
their seat belt fastened. This will keep you
and your passengers in position when driv-
ing over rough terrain.
● Do not drive across steep slopes. Instead
drive either straight up or straight down the
slopes. Off-road vehicles can tip over side-
ways much more easily than they can for-
ward or backward.
● Many hills are too steep for any vehicle. If
you drive up them, you may stall. If you drive
down them, you may not be able to control
your speed. If you drive across them, you
may roll over.
● Do not shift ranges while driving on downhill
grades as this could cause loss of control of
the vehicle.
● Stay alert when driving to the top of a hill. At
the top there could be a drop-off or other
hazard that could cause an accident.
5-8Starting and driving

●If your engine stalls or you cannot make it to
the top of a steep hill, never attempt to turn
around. Your vehicle could tip or roll over.
Always back straight down in R (Reverse)
range. Never back down in N (Neutral), using
only the brake, as this could cause loss of
control.
● Heavy braking going down a hill could cause
your brakes to overheat and fade, resulting
in loss of control and an accident. Apply
brakes lightly and use a low range to control
your speed.
● Unsecured cargo can be thrown around
when driving over rough terrain. Properly se-
cure all cargo so it will not be thrown forward
and cause injury to you or your passengers.
● To avoid raising the center of gravity exces-
sively, do not exceed the rated capacity of
the roof rack (if so equipped) and evenly dis-
tribute the load. Secure heavy loads in the
cargo area as far forward and as low as pos-
sible. Do not equip the vehicle with tires
larger than specified in this manual. This
could cause your vehicle to roll over. ●
Do not grip the inside or spokes of the steer-
ing wheel when driving off-road. The steer-
ing wheel could move suddenly and injure
your hands. Instead drive with your fingers
and thumbs on the outside of the rim.
● Before operating the vehicle, ensure that the
driver and all passengers have their seat
belts fastened.
● Always drive with the floor mats in place as
the floor may became hot.
● Lower your speed when encountering strong
crosswinds. With a higher center of gravity,
your INFINITI is more affected by strong side
winds. Slower speeds ensure better vehicle
control.
● Do not drive beyond the performance capa-
bility of the tires, even with 4WD engaged.
● For 4WD equipped vehicles, do not attempt
to raise two wheels off the ground and shift
the transmission to any drive or reverse po-
sition with the engine running. Doing so may
result in drivetrain damage or unexpected
vehicle movement which could result in seri-
ous vehicle damage or personal injury. ●
Do not attempt to test a 4WD equipped ve-
hicle on a 2-wheel dynamometer (such as
the dynamometers used by some states for
emissions testing), or similar equipment
even if the other two wheels are raised off
the ground. Make sure you inform test facil-
ity personnel that your vehicle is equipped
with 4WD before it is placed on a dynamom-
eter. Using the wrong test equipment may
result in drivetrain damage or unexpected
vehicle movement which could result in seri-
ous vehicle damage or personal injury (4WD
models).
● When a wheel is off the ground due to an
unlevel surface, do not spin the wheel
excessively.
● Accelerating quickly, sharp steering maneu-
vers or sudden braking may cause loss of
control.
● If at all possible, avoid sharp turning maneu-
vers, particularly at high speeds. Your ve-
hicle has a higher center of gravity than a
conventional passenger car. The vehicle is
not designed for cornering at the same
speeds as conventional passenger cars. Fail-
ure to operate this vehicle correctly could
result in loss of control and/or a rollover
accident.
Starting and driving5-9

●Always use tires of the same type, size,
brand, construction (bias, bias-belted or ra-
dial), and tread pattern on all four wheels.
Install tire chains on the rear wheels when
driving on slippery roads and drive carefully.
● Be sure to check the brakes immediately af-
ter driving in mud or water. See “BRAKE SYS-
TEM” later in this section for wet brakes.
● Avoid parking your vehicle on steep hills. If
you get out of the vehicle and it rolls forward,
backward or sideways, you could be injured.
● Whenever you drive off-road through sand,
mud or water as deep as the wheel hub, more
frequent maintenance may be required. See
the maintenance information in the “INFINITI
Service and Maintenance Guide”.
● Spinning the rear wheels on slippery sur-
faces may cause the 4WD warning light to
flash. The 4WD system may also automati-
cally switch from the 4WD mode to the 2WD
mode. This could reduce traction. Be espe-
cially careful when towing a trailer (4WD
models).WARNING
Do not operate the push-button ignition switch
while driving the vehicle except in an emer-
gency. (The engine will stop when the ignition
switch is pushed 3 consecutive times or the
ignition switch is pushed and held for more
than 2 seconds.) If the engine stops while the
vehicle is being driven, this could lead to a
crash and serious injury.
Before operating the push-button ignition
switch, be sure to move the selector lever to the
P (Park) position.
OPERATING RANGE FOR ENGINE
START FUNCTION
The operating range for starting the engine
inside the vehicle
1is shown in the illustra-
tion.
● If the Intelligent Key is on the instrument
panel, cargo area, inside the glove box or
door pocket, or the corner of interior com-
partment, it may not be possible to start the
engine.
● If the Intelligent Key is near the door or door
glass outside the vehicle, it may be possible
to start the engine.
SSD0436
PUSH-BUTTON IGNITION SWITCH
5-10Starting and driving

When the ignition switch is pushed without
depressing the brake pedal, the ignition switch
position will change as follows:
●Push center once to change to ACC.
● Push center two times to change to ON.
● Push center three times to change to OFF.
(No position illuminates.)
● Push center four times to return to ACC.
● Open or close any door to return to LOCK
during the OFF position.
The ignition switch is equipped with an anti-
theft steering lock device. The ignition lock is designed so that the ignition
switch position cannot be switched to LOCK
until the selector lever is moved to the P (Park)
position.
When the ignition switch cannot be pushed
toward the LOCK position, proceed as follows:
1. Move the selector lever into the P (Park)
position.
2. Push the ignition switch to the OFF posi- tion. The ignition switch position indicator
will not illuminate.
3. Open the door. The ignition switch will change to the LOCK position.
The selector lever can be moved from the P (Park)
position if the ignition switch is in the ON posi-
tion and the brake pedal is depressed.
In order for the steering wheel to be locked, it
must be turned about 1/8 of a right or left turn
from the straight up position.
To lock the steering wheel, push the ignition
switch to the OFF position. To unlock the steer-
ing wheel, push the ignition switch. If the steer-
ing lock release malfunction indicator appears
on the dot matrix liquid crystal display, push the
push-button ignition switch again while lightly
turning the steering wheel right and left. (See
“DOT MATRIX LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY” in the
“2. Instruments and controls” section.) If the battery of the vehicle is discharged, the
push-button ignition switch cannot be turned
from the LOCK position.
Some indicators and warnings for operation are
displayed on the dot matrix liquid crystal dis-
play between the speedometer and tachometer.
(See “DOT MATRIX LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY” in
the “2. Instruments and controls” section.)
PUSH-BUTTON IGNITION SWITCH
POSITIONS
LOCK (Normal parking position)
The ignition switch can only be locked in this
position.
The ignition switch will be unlocked when it is
pushed to the ACC position while carrying the
Intelligent Key.
ACC (Accessories)
This position activates electrical accessories
such as the radio, when the engine is not
running.
ON (Normal operating position)
This position turns on the ignition system and
electrical accessories.
SSD1021
Starting and driving5-11

OFF
The engine can be turned off without locking
the steering wheel.
The ignition lock is designed so that the ignition
switch cannot be switched to the LOCK position
until the selector lever is moved to the P (Park)
position.
CAUTION
Do not leave the vehicle with the push-button
ignition switch in ACC or ON positions when the
engine is not running for an extended period.
This can discharge the battery.
EMERGENCY ENGINE SHUT OFF
To shut off the engine in an emergency situation
while driving perform the following procedure:
●Rapidly push the push-button ignition
switch 3 consecutive times, or
● Push and hold the push-button ignition
switch for more than 2 seconds.
INTELLIGENT KEY BATTERY DISCHARGE
If the battery of the Intelligent Key is dis-
charged, or environmental conditions interfere
with the Intelligent Key operation, start the
engine according to the following procedure:
1. Move the selector lever to the P (Park) position.
2. Firmly apply the foot brake.
3. Touch the ignition switch with the Intelli- gent Key as illustrated. (A chime will
sound.) 4. Push the ignition switch while depressing
the brake pedal within 10 seconds after
the chime sounds. The engine 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 engine is started by
the above procedures, the Intelligent Key
battery discharge indicator appears on the
dot matrix liquid crystal display even if the
Intelligent 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 indi-
cator appears, replace the battery as soon as
possible. (See “BATTERY” in the “8. Mainte-
nance and do-it-yourself” section.)
SSD0944
5-12Starting and driving

●Make sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.
● Check fluid levels such as engine oil, cool-
ant, 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/headrests.
● 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/INDICATOR LIGHTS
AND AUDIBLE REMINDERS” in the “2. Instru-
ments and controls” section.)1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Move the selector lever to the P (Park) or
N (Neutral) position. (P is recommended.)
The starter is designed not to operate unless
the selector lever is in either of the above
positions.
3. Push the ignition switch to the ON posi-tion. Depress the brake pedal and push
the ignition switch to start the engine.
To start the engine immediately, push and
release the ignition switch while depressing
the brake pedal with the ignition switch in
any position.
● If the engine is very hard to start in
extremely cold weather or when restart-
ing, depress the accelerator pedal a little
(approximately 1/3 to the floor) and while
holding, crank the engine. Release the
accelerator pedal when the engine starts.
● If the engine is very hard to start because
it is flooded, depress the accelerator
pedal all the way to the floor and hold it.
Push the ignition switch to the ON posi-
tion to start cranking the engine. After 5
or 6 seconds, stop cranking by pushing
the ignition switch to OFF. After cranking
the engine, release the accelerator pedal.
Crank the engine with your foot off the accelerator pedal
by depressing the brake
pedal and pushing the push-button igni-
tion switch to start the engine. If the
engine starts, but fails to run, repeat the
above procedure.
CAUTION
Do not operate the starter for more than 15
seconds at a time. If the engine does not start,
push the ignition switch to OFF and wait 10
seconds before cranking again, otherwise the
starter could be damaged.
4. Warm-up
Allow the engine to idle for at least 30
seconds after starting. Do not race the en-
gine while warming it up. Drive at moderate
speed for a short distance first, especially in
cold weather. In cold weather, keep the
engine running for a minimum of 2 - 3
minutes before shutting it off. Starting and
stopping the engine over a short period of
time may make the vehicle more difficult to
start.
When racing the engine up to 4,000 rpm or
more under the no load condition, the en-
gine will enter the fuel cut mode.
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE STARTING THE ENGINE
Starting and driving5-13

5. To stop the engine, shift the selector leverto the P (Park) position and push the
ignition switch to the OFF position.ENGINE PROTECTION MODE
The engine has an engine protection mode to
reduce the chance of damage if the coolant
temperature becomes too high (for example,
when climbing steep grades in high tempera-
ture with heavy loads, such as when towing a
trailer).
When the engine temperature reaches a certain
level:
● The engine coolant temperature gauge will
move toward the H position.
● Engine power may be reduced.
● The air conditioning cooling function may be
automatically turned OFF for a short time
(the blower will continue to operate).
Engine power and, under some conditions, ve-
hicle speed will decrease. Vehicle speed can be
controlled with the accelerator pedal, but the
vehicle may not accelerate at the desired
speed. The transmission will downshift or up-
shift as it reaches prescribed shift points. You
can also shift manually.
As driving conditions change and engine cool-
ant temperature is reduced, vehicle speed can
be increased using the accelerator pedal, and
air conditioning cooling function will automati-
cally be turned back ON. If:1. The engine coolant temperature is not
reduced.
2. The air conditioning cooling function does not turn back ON.
3. The engine oil pressure warning light
illuminates or engine coolant tem-
perature gauge does not return to the
normal range from the H position, this
may indicate a malfunction. Move the
vehicle off the road to a safe area and
allow the engine to cool. If after checking
the oil and coolant, the
remains on
or engine coolant temperature does not
return to the normal range, do not con-
tinue to drive and contact an INFINITI
retailer.
The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)may also come ON. You do not need to have
your vehicle towed, unless it remains on, but
have it inspected soon by an INFINITI retailer.
See “WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS AND AU-
DIBLE REMINDERS” in the “2. Instruments and
controls” section.
DRIVING THE VEHICLE
5-14Starting and driving

WARNING
Overheating can result in reduced engine
power and vehicle speed. The reduced speed
may be lower than other traffic, which could
increase the chance of a collision. Be especially
careful when driving. If the vehicle cannot
maintain a safe driving speed, pull to the side
of the road in a safe area. Allow the engine to
cool and return to normal operation. See “IF
YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS” in the “6. In case of
emergency” section.
CAUTION
Running the engine with the engine oil pres-
sure warning light on could cause serious dam-
age to the engine almost immediately. Such
damage is not covered by warranty. Turn off the
engine as soon as it is safe to do so.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
7 speed automatic transmission
The automatic transmission in your vehicle is
electronically controlled by a transmission con-
trol module to produce maximum efficiency and
smooth operation.Shown on the following pages are the recom-
mended operating procedures for this transmis-
sion. Follow these procedures for maximum
vehicle performance and driving enjoyment.
Starting the vehicle
After starting the engine, fully depress the foot
brake pedal and push the selector lever button
before shifting the selector lever to the R (Re-
verse), N (Neutral), D (Drive) or Manual shift
mode position. Be sure the vehicle is fully
stopped before attempting to shift the selector
lever.
This automatic transmission model is designed
so that the foot brake pedal must be depressed
before shifting from P (Park) to any drive posi-
tion while the ignition switch position is ON.
The selector lever cannot be moved out of the P
(Park) position and into any of the other gear
positions if the ignition switch is pushed to the
LOCK, OFF or ACC position.
1. Keep the foot brake pedal depressed and
push the selector lever button to shift into
a driving gear. 2. Release the parking brake and foot brake,
then gradually start the vehicle in motion.
WARNING
●Do not depress the accelerator pedal while
shifting from P (Park) or N (Neutral) to R (Re-
verse), D (Drive) or manual shift mode. Al-
ways depress the brake pedal until shifting
is completed. Failure to do so could cause
you to lose control and have an accident.
● Cold engine idle speed is high, so use cau-
tion when shifting into a forward or reverse
gear before the engine has warmed up.
● Never shift to P (Park) or R (Reverse) while
vehicle is moving forward. Never shift to P
(Park), D (Drive) or manual shift mode while
vehicle is moving rearward. Failure to do so
could cause you to lose control and have an
accident.
● Except in an emergency, do not shift to the N
(Neutral) position while driving. Doing so
can cause a loss of engine braking which
may result in a collision, serious personal
injury or death. In addition, coasting with
the transmission in the N (Neutral) position
may cause serious damage to the
transmission.
Starting and driving5-15