towing INFINITI QX 2011 Owner's Guide

CAUTION
●Do not use axle-mounted hitches.
● Do not modify the vehicle exhaust system,
brake system, etc.
● Do not attach any additional hitches to your
vehicle because a hitch is already mounted
to your vehicle frame.
Tire pressures
●When towing a trailer, inflate the ve-
hicle tires to the recommended cold
tire pressure indicated on the Tire and
Loading Information label.
●Trailer tire condition, size, load rating
and proper inflation pressure should
be in accordance with the trailer and
tire manufacturers’ specifications.
Safety chains
Always use a suitable chain between your ve-
hicle and the trailer. The safety chains should
be crossed and should be attached to the hitch,
not to the vehicle bumper or axle. Be sure to
leave enough slack in the chains to permit
turning corners.
Trailer lights
Your vehicle is equipped with a towing package,
which also includes the 7-pin trailer harness
connector located under the trailer hitch cover
on the rear bumper.
CAUTION
● When splicing into the vehicle electrical sys-
tem, a commercially available power-type
module/converter must be used to provide
power for all trailer lighting. This unit uses
the vehicle battery as a direct power source
for all trailer lights while using the vehicle
tail light, stoplight and turn signal circuits as a signal source. The module/converter
must draw no more than 15 milliamps from
the stop and tail lamp circuits. Using a
module/converter that exceeds these power
requirements may damage the vehicle’s
electrical system. See a reputable trailer re-
tailer to obtain the proper equipment and to
have it installed.
● Do not connect electrical devices that draw
more than 40 amps to the vehicle. The fus-
ible link may melt.
Trailer lights should comply with federal and/or
local regulations. For assistance in hooking up
trailer lights, contact an INFINITI retailer or
reputable trailer retailer.
Trailer brakes
When towing a trailer load of 3,500 lbs. (1,587
kg) or more, trailers with a brake system MUST
be used. However, most states require a sepa-
rate braking system on trailers with a loaded
weight above a specific amount. Make sure the
trailer meets the local regulations and the regu-
lations where you plan to tow.
STI0745
9-24Technical and consumer information

Several types of braking systems are available.
Surge Brakes -The surge brake actuator is
mounted on the trailer tongue with a hydraulic
line running to each trailer wheel. Surge brakes
are activated by the trailer pushing against the
hitch ball when the tow vehicle is braking.
Hydraulic surge brakes are common on rental
trailers and some boat trailers. In this type of
system, there is no hydraulic or electric connec-
tion for brake operation between the tow ve-
hicle and the trailer.
Electric Trailer Brakes - Electric braking systems
are activated by an electronic signal sent from a
trailer brake controller (special brake sensing
module).
Have a professional supplier of towing equip-
ment make sure the trailer brakes are properly
installed and demonstrate proper brake func-
tion testing.
WARNING
Never connect a trailer brake system directly to
the vehicle brake system.
Pre-towing tips
● Be certain your vehicle maintains a level
position when a loaded or unloaded trailer is
hitched. Do not drive the vehicle if it has an
abnormal nose-up or nose-down condition;
check for improper tongue load, overload,
worn suspension or other possible causes of
either condition.
● Always secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving.
● Keep the cargo load as low as possible in the
trailer to keep the trailer center of gravity
low.
● Load the trailer so approximately 60% of the
trailer load is in the front half and 40% is in
the back half. Also make sure the load is
balanced side to side.
● Check your hitch, trailer tire pressure, ve-
hicle tire pressure, trailer light operation,
and trailer wheel lug nuts every time you
attach a trailer to the vehicle.
● Be certain your rearview mirrors conform to
all federal, state or local regulations. If not,
install any mirrors required for towing before
driving the vehicle.
● Determine the overall height of the vehicle
and trailer so the required clearance is
known.
Trailer towing tips
In order to gain skill and an understanding of
the vehicle’s behavior, you should practice turn-
ing, stopping and backing up in an area which
is free from traffic. Steering stability, and brak-
ing performance will be somewhat different
than under normal driving conditions.
● Always secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving.
● Lock the trailer hitch coupler with a pin or
lock to prevent the coupler from inadver-
tently becoming unlatched.
● Avoid abrupt starts, acceleration or stops.
● Avoid sharp turns or lane changes.
● Always drive your vehicle at a moderate
speed. Some states or provinces have spe-
cific speed limits for vehicles that are towing
trailers. Obey the local speed limits.
● When backing up, hold the bottom of the
steering wheel with one hand. Move your
hand in the direction in which you want the
trailer to go. Make small corrections and
back up slowly. If possible, have someone
guide you when you are backing up.
Technical and consumer information9-25

Always block the wheels on both vehicle and
trailer when parking. Parking on a slope is not
recommended; however, if you must do so:
CAUTION
If you move the shift selector lever to the P
(Park) position before blocking the wheels and
applying the parking brake, transmission dam-
age could occur.
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Have someone place blocks on the down-hill side of the vehicle and trailer wheels.
3. After the wheel blocks are in place, slowly release the brake pedal until the blocks
absorb the vehicle load.
4. Apply the parking brake.
5. Shift the transmission into P (Park).
6. Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) models:
Make sure that the 4WD shift switch is
engaged in the AUTO, 4HI or 4LO position
and the Automatic Transmission (AT) park
warning light is turned off.
7. Turn off the engine.
To drive away:
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Shift the transmission into gear.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Drive slowly until the vehicle and trailer
are clear from the blocks.
6. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
7. Have someone retrieve and store the blocks.
● While going downhill, the weight of the
trailer pushing on the tow vehicle may de-
crease overall stability. Therefore, to main-
tain adequate control, reduce your speed
and shift to a lower gear. Avoid long or
repeated use of the brakes when descending
a hill, as this reduces their effectiveness and
could cause overheating. Shifting to a lower
gear instead provides “engine braking” and
reduces the need to brake as frequently.
● If the engine coolant temperature rises to a
high temperature, see “IF YOUR VEHICLE
OVERHEATS” in the “6. In case of emer-
gency” section.
● Trailer towing requires more fuel than nor-
mal circumstances. ●
Avoid towing a trailer for your vehicle’s first
500 miles (800 km).
● Have your vehicle serviced more often than
at intervals specified in the recommended
maintenance schedule in the INFINITI Service
and Maintenance Guide.
● When making a turn, your trailer wheels will
be closer to the inside of the turn than your
vehicle wheels. To compensate for this,
make a larger than normal turning radius
during the turn.
● Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely
affect vehicle/trailer handling, possibly
causing vehicle sway. When being passed by
larger vehicles, be prepared for possible
changes in crosswinds that could affect ve-
hicle handling.
Do the following if the trailer begins to sway:
1. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal to allow the vehicle to coast and steer as
straight ahead as the road conditions
allow. This combination will help stabilize
the vehicle.
– Do not correct trailer sway by steering orapplying the brakes.
2. When the trailer sway stops, gently apply the brakes and pull to the side of the road
in a safe area.
9-26Technical and consumer information

3. Try to rearrange the trailer load so it isbalanced as described earlier in this sec-
tion.
●Be careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires con-
siderably more distance than normal pass-
ing. Remember the length of the trailer must
also pass the other vehicle before you can
safely change lanes.
● Use the Tow mode or downshift the trans-
mission to a lower gear for engine braking
when driving down steep or long hills. This
will help slow the vehicle without applying
the brakes.
● Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long
or too frequently. This could cause the
brakes to overheat, resulting in reduced
braking efficiency.
● Increase your following distance to allow for
greater stopping distances while towing a
trailer. Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
● INFINITI recommends that the cruise control
not be used while towing a trailer. ●
While towing a trailer, do not use the follow-
ing systems (if so equipped):
– the Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) sys- tem
– the Blind Spot Warning (BSW) system
– the Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) system
– the Distance Control Assist (DCA) system
– Intelligent Brake Assist ( IBA) system
● Some states or provinces have specific regu-
lations and speed limits for vehicles that are
towing trailers. Obey the local speed limits.
● Check your hitch, trailer wiring harness con-
nections, and trailer wheel lug nuts after 50
miles (80 km) of travel and at every break.
● When launching a boat, do not allow the
water level to go over the exhaust tail pipe or
rear bumper.
● Make sure you disconnect the trailer lights
before backing the trailer into the water or
the trailer lights may burn out.
When towing a trailer, the transmission fluid
should be changed more frequently. For addi-
tional information, see the INFINITI Service and
Maintenance Guide.
TOW mode
Using TOW mode is recommended when pulling
a heavy trailer or hauling a heavy load. Push the
TOW MODE switch to activate tow mode. The
TOW MODE indicator light in the meter illumi-
nates when TOW mode is selected. Push the
TOW MODE switch again to turn TOW mode off.
TOW mode is automatically cancelled when the
ignition switch is placed in the OFF position.
TOW mode includes the following features:
● Grade logic — Adjusts transmission shifts
when pulling a trailer or hauling a load up a
grade.
● Downhill Speed Control (DSC) — automati-
cally downshifts when driving down a grade
with a trailer or heavy load to help control
vehicle speed.
Driving the vehicle in the TOW mode with no
trailer/load or light trailer/light load will not
cause any damage. However, fuel economy may
be reduced and the transmission/engine driv-
ing characteristics may feel unusual.
When towing a trailer, final drive gear oil should
be replaced and transmission oil/fluid should be
changed more frequently. For additional infor-
mation, see the 9. “Technical and consumer in-
formation” section later in this manual.
Technical and consumer information9-27

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, always
tow forward, never backward.
● DO NOT tow any automatic transmission ve-
hicle with all four wheels on the ground (flat
towing). Doing so WILL DAMAGE internal
transmission parts due to lack of transmis-
sion lubrication.
● DO NOT tow an Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) ve-
hicle with any of the wheels on the ground.
Doing so may cause serious and expensive
damage to the powertrain.
● For emergency towing procedures refer to
“TOWING RECOMMENDED BY INFINITI” in the
“6. In case of emergency” section of this
manual.
Automatic Transmission
Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) models :
Do not tow a 4WD vehicle with any of the wheels
on the ground.
Two-Wheel Drive (2WD) models :
To tow a vehicle equipped with an automatic
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) Quality
Grades: All passenger car tires must conform to
federal safety requirements in addition to these
grades.
Quality grades can be found where applicable
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 gov-
ernment 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,
however, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteristics
and climate.
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
9-28Technical and consumer information

Child restraints................. 1-30
Booster seats ................ 1-47
LATCH system ................ 1-32
Precautions on child restraints ......1-30
Top tether strap ............... 1-34
Child safety ................... 1-28
Child safety rear door lock ...........3-6
Chimes Audible reminders ............. 2-20
Seat belt warning light and chime ....2-16
Circuit breaker, Fusible link ..........8-22
Cleaning exterior and interior .......7-2, 7-4
Climate control Automatic climate control ......4-31, 4-34
Clock ....................... 2-51
Coat hooks ................... 2-59
Cockpit ......................2-2
Cold weather driving .............5-101
Compact Disc (CD) player
(See audio system) ............... 4-57
Console box ................... 2-57
Controller, Center multi-function control
panel .......................4-3
Controls Control panel button ............4-3
INFINITI Controller ..............4-3
Coolant Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants ................9-2
Changing engine coolant ..........8-8
Checking engine coolant level .......8-8
Corrosion protection ...............7-6
Cruise control .................. 5-37
Fixed speed cruise control
(on ICC system) ............... 5-58
Intelligent cruise control (ICC) system . . 5-39 Cup holders
................... 2-54
D
Daytime running light system .........2-39
Dimensions ....................9-9
Distance Control Assist (DCA) system ....5-62
Distance Control Assist (DCA) system warning
light ....................... 2-13
Dot matrix liquid crystal display .......2-21
Drive belts .................... 8-17
Drive positioner ................. 3-30
Driving Cold
weather driving ........... 5-101
Driving with automatic transmission . . . 5-15
On-pavement and off-road driving .....5-6
Precautions when starting and driving . . 5-2
Safety precautions ..............5-8
Dual head restraint DVD system .......4-83
E
Economy, Fuel ................. 5-83
Elapsed time .................. 2-27
Emission control information label ......9-11
Emission control system warranty ......9-29
Engine Before starting the engine .........5-13
Break-in schedule ............. 5-83
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants ................9-2
Changing engine coolant ..........8-8
Changing engine oil and filter .......8-9
Checking engine coolant level .......8-8Checking engine oil level
..........8-9
Coolant temperature gauge . . .......2-7
Emergency engine shut off .........5-12
Engine block heater ............5-102
Engine compartment check locations . . . 8-6
Engine cooling system ...........8-7
Engine oil ...................8-9
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation ...............9-6
Engine oil replacement indicator .....2-25
Engine oil viscosity .............9-6
Engine serial number ............9-10
Engine specifications ............9-8
Engine start operation indicator .....2-23
If your vehicle overheats ..........6-13
Oil pressure gauge .............2-8
Protection mode ............... 5-14
Starting the engine ............. 5-13
Entry/exit function, Automatic drive
positioner .................... 3-30
Event Data Recorders (EDR) ..........9-32
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) ........5-2
Extended storage switch ............8-23
F
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label . . . 9-11
Filter Air cleaner housing filter ..........8-18
Changing engine oil and filter . . .....8-9
Flashers
(See hazard warning flasher switch) . ....2-43
Flat tire ......................
6-2
Flat towing ................... 9-28
Flexible seating ................. 1-16
10-2

N
New vehicle break-in .............. 5-83
O
Odometer .....................2-6
Off-road recovery .................5-7
Oil Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants ................9-2
Changing engine oil and filter .......8-9
Checking engine oil level ..........8-9
Engine oil ...................8-9
Engine oil pressure gauge .........2-8
Engine oil viscosity .............9-6
Oil filter replacement indicator ......2-25
Operation, Indicators for operation ......2-23
Outside air temperature ............2-28
Outside mirrors ................. 3-28
Overheat, If your vehicle overheats ......6-13
Owner’s Manual/Service Manual order
information ................... 9-32
P
Panic alarm ................... 3-16
Parking Brake break-in ............... 5-94
Parking brake operation ..........5-19
Parking on hills ............... 5-92
Phone Bluetooth Hands-Free Phone System . . 4-96
Car phone or CB radio ...........4-95Pocket
...................... 2-58
Power Front seat adjustment ............1-2
Power door lock ...............3-4
Power outlet ................. 2-52
Power steering fluid ............8-12
Power steering system ...........5-94
Power windows ............... 2-61
Precautions Audio operation .............. 4-40
Braking precautions ............5-94
Child restraints ............... 1-30
Cruise control ................ 5-37
Driving safety .................5-8
Lane departure warning (LDW) system . . 5-20
Maintenance .................8-5
On-pavement and off-road driving .....5-6
Seat belt usage ............... 1-18
Supplemental

restraint system ......1-50
When starting and driving .........5-2
Preview function ................ 5-95
Preview Function warning light ........2-16
Push starting .................. 6-13
Push-button ignition switch ..........5-10
R
Radio ...................... 4-40
Car phone or CB radio ...........4-95
FM-AM-SAT radio with Compact Disc (CD)
player .................... 4-54
Rain-sensing auto wiper system .......2-33
Rapid air pressure loss .............5-7
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M)
test........................ 9-31Rear door lock, Child safety rear door lock . . 3-6
Rear personal lights
.............. 2-66
Rear window wiper and washer switch . . . 2-34
Rear window wiper blades ..........8-20
Recorders, Event data .............9-32
Registering your vehicle in another
country ......................9-9
Remote controller (DVD) ............4-92
Remote keyless entry system .........3-15
Reporting safety defects ............9-30
Roadside assistance program . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Rollover ......................5-6
Roof Moonroof .................. 2-64
Roof rack .................. 2-60
S
Safety Child seat belts ............... 1-28
Towing safety ................ 9-21
Satellite radio operation ............4-55
Seat adjustment Front power seat adjustment ........1-2
Front seats ............... 1-2, 1-16
Seat belt(s) Child safety ................. 1-28
Infants .................... 1-29
Injured persons ............... 1-21
Larger children ............... 1-29
Precautions on seat belt usage . . ....1-18
Pregnant women .............. 1-21
Seat

belt cleaning ..............7-6
Seat belt extenders ............. 1-27
Seat belt maintenance ...........1-28
10-5

Seat belt warning light and chime....2-16
Seat belts .................. 1-18
Seat belts with pretensioners .......1-62
Small children ................ 1-29
Three-point type ............... 1-22
Seat(s) Climate controlled seats ..........2-46
Driver-side memory ............3-30
Heated seats ................ 2-44
Seats .....................1-2
Security system, Vehicle security system . . 2-29
Security system (INFINITI Vehicle Immobilizer
System), Engine start .............. 2-31
Selector lever, Shift lock release .......5-18
Servicing climate control ...........4-40
SETTING button ................. 4-11
Shift lock release Transmission ................ 5-18
Shifting, Automatic transmission .......5-15
SNOW mode ................... 5-93
Snow mode switch ............... 2-49
Spare tire ................. 8-38, 9-9
Spark plugs ................... 8-17
Speedometer ...................2-6
Starting Before starting the engine .........5-13
Jump starting ................ 6-11
Precautions when starting and driving . . 5-2
Push starting ................ 6-13
Starting the engine ............. 5-13
STATUS button ..................4-7
Status light, Front passenger air bag .....1-57
Steering Heated steering wheel ...........2-43
Power steering fluid ............8-12
Power steering system ...........5-94Steering lock release malfunction
indicator
................... 2-23
Steering-wheel-mounted controls for
audio ..................... 4-81
Tilt/telescopic steering ..........3-26
Storage ..................... 2-54
Sun visors .................... 3-26
Sunglasses
holder............... 2-56
Supplemental air bag warning labels .....1-63
Supplemental air bag warning light . . 1-63, 2-16
Supplemental restraint system ........1-50
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system .................... 1-50
Switch Autolight switch .............. 2-37
Fog light switch ............... 2-42
Hazard warning flasher switch ......2-43
Headlight aiming control .........2-39
Headlight switch .............. 2-37
Ignition switch ................ 5-15
Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA) OFF
switch .................... 2-50
Power door lock switch ...........3-5
Snow mode switch ............. 2-49
Turn signal switch ............. 2-42
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off
switch .................... 2-51
T
2nd row seat .................. 2-55
3rd row seat .................. 2-56
Tachometer ....................2-7
Temperature gauge, Engine coolant
temperature gauge ................2-7 Theft (INFINITI Vehicle Immobilizer System),
Engine start
................... 2-31
Three-way catalyst ................5-2
Tilt/telescopic steering ............3-26
Tire Pressure, Low tire pressure warning
light ..................... 2-14
Tire replacement indicator . . . ......2-25
Tires Flat tire ....................6-2
Low tire pressure warning system .....5-3
Tire and Loading information label . 8-31, 9-11
Tire chains ................. 8-35
Tire dressing .................7-4
Tire pressure ................ 8-29
Tire pressure information (display) ....4-9
Tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS) .................. 5-3, 6-2
Tire rotation ................. 8-36
Types of tires ................ 8-35
Uniform tire quality grading ........9-28
Wheel/tire

size ................9-9
Wheels and tires .............. 8-29
Top Tether strap child restraints ........1-34
Touch screen ...................4-4
Tow mode .................... 5-93
Tow mode switch ................ 2-49
Towing Flat towing ................. 9-28
Tow truck towing .............. 6-14
Towing a trailer ............... 9-17
Towing safety ................ 9-21
TPMS, Tire pressure monitoring system ....5-3
TPMS with Tire Inflation Indicator . . . . . 5-5
TPMS, Tire pressure warning system .....6-2
10-6

Trailer towing.................. 9-17
Transceiver, HomeLink Universal
Transceiver ................... 2-68
Transmission Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ....8-11
Driving with automatic transmission . . . 5-15
Transmission selector lever lock
release .................... 5-18
Transmitter
(See remote keyless entry system) ......3-15
Traveling or registering your vehicle in
another country .................9-9
Trip computer .................. 2-27
Trip odometer .................. 2-27
Turn signal switch ............... 2-42
U
Underbody cleaning ...............7-3
Uniform tire quality grading ..........9-28
USB memory operation ............4-61
V
Vanity mirror .................. 3-30
Vanity mirror lights .............. 2-68
Variable voltage control system ........8-16
Vehicle Dimensions ..................9-9
Identification number (VIN) ........9-10
Loading information ............9-12
Recovery (freeing a stuck vehicle) .....6-17
Security system ............... 2-29Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off
switch
.................... 2-51
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) system . . 5-98
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) warning
light ..................... 2-17
Vehicle information and settings
(display) ....................4-7
Ventilators ................... 4-30
Voice command (INFINITI voice recognition
system) ................. 4-112, 4-122
Voice recognition system ...........4-106
Voice recognition, Alternate command
mode ...................... 4-119
Voltmeter .....................2-9
W
Warning Check tire pressure warning .......2-24
Dot matrix display ............. 2-21
Hazard warning flasher switch ......2-43
Lane departure warning (LDW) system . . 5-20
Lights ..................... 2-11
Loose fuel cap warning ..........2-24
Tire
pressure monitoring system
(TPMS) .................. 5-3, 6-2
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders .................. 2-10
Warning labels, Air bag warning labels . . . 1-63
Warning light 4WD warning light ............. 5-89
Air bag warning light .........1-63, 2-16
Anti-lock braking system (ABS) warning
light ...................... 2-11
Brake warning light ............. 2-12Intelligent Key warning light
........2-14
Lane departure warning light . . . . . . . 2-14
Low tire pressure warning light . .....2-14
Seat belt warning light and chime ....2-16
Warranty, Emission control system
warranty ..................... 9-29
Washer switch Rear window wiper and washer
switch .................... 2-34
Windshield wiper and washer switch . . . 2-32
Washing ......................7-2
Waxing ......................7-3
Welcome light .................. 2-65
Wheel/tire size ..................9-9
Wheels and tires ................ 8-29
Care of wheels ................7-3
Cleaning aluminum alloy wheels . . . . . . 7-4
Window washer fluid .............. 8-14
Window(s) Cleaning ....................7-3
Power windows ............... 2-61
Windshield wiper and washer switch .....2-32
Wiper Rain-sensing auto wiper system .....2-33
Rear window wiper and washer
switch .................... 2-34
Windshield wiper and washer switch . . . 2-32
Wiper blades ................ 8-19
X
Xenon headlights ................ 2-36
10-7