suspension INFINITI QX 2011 Owners Manual

Indica-tor
light Name Page
Adaptive Front lighting
System (AFS) indicator
light* 2-17
Automatic Transmission
(AT) position indicator
light2-18
Check suspension indica-
tor light
2-18
Cruise indicator light* 2-18
Front passenger air bag
status light2-18
High beam indicator light 2-18
Intelligent Brake Assist
(IBA) off indicator light*2-18
Lane Departure Preven-
tion (LDP) ON indicator
light (green)* 2-19
Indica-
tor
light Name Page
Low beam indicator light 2-19
Malfunction Indicator
Light (MIL)
2-19
Security indicator light 2-20
SNOW mode indicator
light2-20
TOW mode indicator light 2-20
Turn signal/hazard indica-
tor lights2-20
Vehicle Dynamic Control
(VDC) off indicator light2-20
*: if so equipped
0-12Illustrated table of contents

If an adult occupant is in the seat but the
passenger air bag status light is illuminated
(indicating that the air bag is OFF), it could be
that the person is a small adult, or is not sitting
on the seat properly.
If a child restraint must be used in the front
seat, the passenger air bag status light may or
may not be illuminated, depending on the size
of the child and the type of child restraint being
used. If the passenger air bag status light is not
illuminated (indicating that the air bag might
inflate in a crash), it could be that the child
restraint or seat belt is not being used properly.
Make sure that the child restraint is installed
properly, the seat belt is used properly and the
occupant is positioned properly. If the passen-
ger air bag status light is still not illuminated,
reposition the occupant or child restraint in a
rear seat.
If the passenger air bag status light will not
illuminate even though you believe that the
child restraint, the seat belts and the occupant
are properly positioned, the system may be
sensing an unoccupied seat (in which case the
air bag is OFF). Your INFINITI retailer can check
that the system is OFF by using a special tool.
However, until you have confirmed with your
retailer that your air bag is working properly,
reposition the occupant or child restraint in a
rear seat.The INFINITI Advanced Air Bag System and
passenger air bag status light will take a few
seconds to register a change in the passenger
seat status. However, if the seat becomes un-
occupied, the air bag status light will remain
off.
If a malfunction occurs in the front passenger
air bag system, the supplemental air bag warn-
ing light
, located in the meter and
gauges area will blink. Have the system
checked by an INFINITI retailer.
Other supplemental front-impact air
bag precautions
WARNING
● Do not place any objects on the steering
wheel pad or on the instrument panel. Also,
do not place any objects between any occu-
pant and the steering wheel or instrument
panel. Such objects may become dangerous
projectiles and cause injury if the front air
bags inflate. ●
Do not place objects with sharp edges on the
seat. Also, do not place heavy objects on the
seat that will leave permanent impressions
in the seat. Such objects can damage the
seat or occupant classification sensors
(weight sensors). This can affect the opera-
tion of the air bag system and result in seri-
ous personal injury.
● Do not use water or acidic cleaners (hot
steam cleaners) on the seat. This can dam-
age the seat or occupant classification sen-
sors. This can also affect the operation of the
air bag system and result in serious personal
injury.
● Immediately after inflation, several front air
bag system components will be hot. Do not
touch them; you may severely burn yourself.
● No unauthorized changes should be made to
any components or wiring of the supplemen-
tal air bag system. This is to prevent acciden-
tal inflation of the supplemental air bag or
damage to the supplemental air bag system.
● Do not make unauthorized changes to your
vehicle’s electrical system, suspension sys-
tem or front end structure. This could affect
proper operation of the front air bag system.
Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-59

collisions, although they may inflate if the
forces in another type of collision are similar to
those of a higher severity side impact. They are
designed to inflate on the side where the
vehicle is impacted. They may not inflate in
certain side collisions on the side where the
vehicle is impacted.
Curtain and rollover air bags are also designed
to inflate in certain types of rollover collisions
or near rollovers. As a result, certain vehicle
movements (for example, during severe off
roading) may cause the curtain and rollover air
bags to inflate.
Vehicle damage (or lack of it) is not always an
indication of proper side air bag and curtain
and rollover air bag operation.
When side air bags and curtain and rollover air
bags inflate, a fairly loud noise may be heard,
followed by release of smoke. This smoke is not
harmful and does not indicate a fire. Care
should be taken not to inhale it, as it may cause
irritation and choking. Those with a history of a
breathing condition should get fresh air
promptly.
Side air bags, along with the use of seat belts,
help to cushion the impact force on the chest
and pelvis of the front occupants. Curtain and
rollover air bags help to cushion the impact
force to the head of occupants in the front andrear (2nd and 3rd) outboard seating positions.
They can help save lives and reduce serious
injuries. However, an inflating side air bags and
curtain and rollover air bags may cause abra-
sions or other injuries. Side air bags and curtain
and rollover air bags do not provide restraint to
the lower body.
The seat belts should be correctly worn and the
driver and passenger seated upright as far as
practical away from the side air bag. Rear seat
passengers should be seated as far away as
practical from the door finishers and side roof
rails. The side air bags and curtain and rollover
air bags inflate quickly in order to help protect
the occupants. Because of this, the force of the
side air bags and curtain and rollover air bags
inflating can increase the risk of injury if the
occupant is too close to, or is against, these air
bag modules during inflation. The side air bags
will deflate quickly after the collision is over.
The curtain and rollover air bag will remain
inflated for a while.
The side air bags and curtain and rollover air
bags operate only when the ignition switch is in
the ON position.
After pushing the ignition switch to the ON posi-
tion, the supplemental air bag warning light illu-
minates. The air bag warning light will turn off
after about 7 seconds if the systems are opera-
tional.
WARNING
●
Do not place any objects near the seatback
of the front seats. Also, do not place any
objects (an umbrella, bag, etc.) between the
front door finisher and the front seat. Such
objects may become dangerous projectiles
and cause injury if side air bag inflates.
● Right after inflation, several side air bags
and curtain and rollover air bag system com-
ponents will be hot. Do not touch them; you
may severely burn yourself.
● No unauthorized changes should be made to
any components or wiring of side air bag and
curtain and rollover air bags. This is to pre-
vent damage to or accidental inflation of the
side air bag and curtain and rollover air bag
systems.
● Do not make unauthorized changes to your
vehicle’s electrical system, suspension sys-
tem or side panel. This could affect proper
operation of the side air bag and curtain and
rollover air bag systems.
Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-61

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning
light
Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) system
warning light (orange)*CRUISE indicator light*
Intelligent Key warning lightFront passenger air bag status light
Automatic transmission check warning
lightLane departure warning light
(orange)*High beam indicator light
Automatic Transmission (AT) oil tem-
perature warning lightLow tire pressure warning lightIntelligent Brake Assist (IBA) off indica-
tor light*
Automatic Transmission (AT) park warn-
ing lightMaster warning lightLane Departure Prevention (LDP) ON
indicator light (green)*
Brake warning light
Preview Function warning light (or-
ange)*Low beam indicator light
Seat belt warning lightMalfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
Blind Spot Warning (BSW) system warn-
ing light (orange)*Supplemental air bag warning lightSecurity indicator light
Charge warning lightVehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) warning
lightSNOW mode indicator light
Distance Control Assist (DCA) system
warning light (orange)*Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS)
indicator light*TOW mode indicator light
Engine oil pressure warning lightAutomatic transmission position indica-
tor lightTurn signal/hazard indicator lights
Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) warning light
(4WD models)Check suspension indicator lightVehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) off indi-
cator light
*: if so equipped
WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS AND
AUDIBLE REMINDERS
2-10Instruments and controls

Automatic transmission
position indicator light
When the ignition switch is pushed to the ON
position, the indicator shows the automatic
selector position.
In the manual shift mode, when the transmis-
sion does not shift to the selected gear due to a
transmission protection mode, the AT position
indicator light will blink and a chime will sound.
See “AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION” in the “5.
Starting and driving” section for further details.
Check suspension indicator
light
When the ignition switch is placed in the “ON”
position, the light comes on for 2 seconds.
Cruise indicator light (if so
equipped)
Cruise main switch indicator :
This light illuminates when the cruise control
main switch is pushed. The light turns off when
the main switch is pushed again. When the
cruise main switch indicator light illuminates,
the cruise control system is operational. (See
“CRUISE CONTROL” in the “5. Starting and
driving” section.)Cruise malfunction :
If the cruise indicator light blinks while the
engine is running, it may indicate the cruise
control system is not functioning properly. Have
the system checked by an INFINITI retailer. (See
“CRUISE CONTROL” in the “5. Starting and
driving” section.)
Front passenger air bag
status light
The front passenger air bag status light ()
located on the instrument panel will be lit and
the passenger front air bag will be OFF depend-
ing on how the front passenger seat is being
used.
For front passenger air bag status light opera-
tion, see “INFINITI ADVANCED AIR BAG SYSTEM
(front seats)” in the “1. Safety — Seats, seat
belts and supplemental restraint system” sec-
tion of this manual.
High beam indicator light
This light comes on when the headlight high
beam is on and goes out when the low beam is
selected.
Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA)
off indicator light (if so
equipped)
The light illuminates when the Intelligent Brake
Assist (IBA) off switch is pushed to OFF. This
indicates that the Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA)
system is not operating.
When the IBA off indicator light illuminates
while the system is turned on (without the
warning chime sound), this light indicates that
the system control is temporarily unavailable.
When the IBA off indicator light illuminates with
the warning chime sound while the IBA system
is turned on, this light indicates that the system
may not be functioning properly. Park the ve-
hicle in a safe place. Check to see if the laser
sensor is clean. Turn the engine off, then restart
the engine.
If the IBA off indicator light illuminates after
following the procedures above, it may indicate
that the system is malfunctioning. Although the
vehicle is still driveable under normal condi-
tions, have the vehicle checked at an INFINITI
retailer. (See “INTELLIGENT BRAKE ASSIST (IBA)
SYSTEM” in the “5. Starting and driving” sec-
tion.)
2-18Instruments and controls

LANE DEPARTURE PREVENTION (LDP)
SYSTEM
Precautions on LDP system
WARNING
●The LDP system will not steer the vehicle or
prevent loss of control. It is the driver’s re-
sponsibility to stay alert, drive safely, keep
the vehicle in the traveling lane, and be in
control of vehicle at all times.
● The LDP system is primarily intended for use
on well-developed freeways or highways. It
may not detect the lane markers in certain
roads, weather or driving conditions.
● Using the LDP system under some condi-
tions of road, lane marker or weather, or
when you change lanes without using the
lane change signal could lead to an unex-
pected system operation. In such condi-
tions, you need to correct the vehicle’s direc-
tion with your steering operation to avoid
accidents.
● When the LDP system is operating, avoid
excessive or sudden steering maneuvers.
Otherwise, you could lose control of the
vehicle. ●
The LDP system will not operate at speeds
below approximately 45 MPH (70 km/h) or if
it cannot detect lane markers.
● The LDP system may not function properly
under the following conditions, and do not
use the LDP system:
– During bad weather (rain, fog, snow, wind, etc.).
– When driving on slippery roads, such as on ice or snow, etc.
– When driving off-road such as on sand or rock, etc.
– When driving on winding or uneven roads.
– When there is a lane closure due to road repairs.
– When driving in a makeshift lane.
– When driving on roads where the lane width is too narrow.
– When driving without normal tire condi- tions (for example, tire wear, low tire
pressure, installation of spare tire, tire
chains, non-standard wheels).
– When the vehicle is equipped with non- original brake parts or suspension parts.
– When towing a trailer or other vehicle. ●
If the LDP system malfunctions, it will cancel
automatically. The lane departure warning
light (orange) on the instrument panel will
illuminate.
● If the lane departure warning light (orange)
illuminates, pull off the road to a safe loca-
tion and stop the vehicle. Turn the engine off
and restart the engine. If the warning light
(orange) continues to illuminate, have the
LDP system checked by an INFINITI retailer.
● Excessive noise will interfere with the warn-
ing chime sound, and the chime may not be
heard.
The functions of the LDP system (warning and
brake control assist) may or may not operate
properly under the following conditions:
● On roads where there are multiple parallel
lane markers; lane markers that are faded or
not painted clearly; yellow painted lane
markers; non-standard lane markers; or lane
markers covered with water, dirt, snow, etc.
● On roads where discontinued lane markers
are still detectable.
5-24Starting and driving

When the VDC system operates, the VDC warn-
ing lightin the instrument panel flashes
so note the following:
● The road may be slippery or the system may
determine some action is required to help
keep the vehicle on the steered path.
● You may feel a pulsation in the brake pedal
and hear a noise or vibration from under the
hood. This is normal and indicates that the
VDC system is working properly.
● Adjust your speed and driving to the road
conditions.
If a malfunction occurs in the system, the VDC
warning light
illuminates in the instru-
ment panel. The VDC system automatically
turns off.
The VDC OFF switch is used to turn off the VDC
system. The VDC off indicator
illuminates
to indicate the VDC system is off. When the VDC
switch is used to turn off the system, the VDC
system still operates to prevent one drive wheel
from slipping by transferring power to a non
slipping drive wheel. The VDC warning light
flashes if this occurs. All other VDC
functions are off, and the VDC warning light
will not flash. The VDC system is auto-
matically reset to on when the ignition switch is
placed in the off position then back to the on
position. When the 4L position is selected with the 4WD
shift switch, the VDC system is disabled and the
VDC off indicator light illuminates.
See “Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) warning
light” in the “2. Instruments and controls”
section and “Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) off
indicator light” in the “2. Instruments and con-
trols” section.
The computer has a built-in diagnostic feature
that tests the system each time you start the
engine and move the vehicle forward or in
reverse at a slow speed. When the self-test
occurs, you may hear a “clunk” noise and/or
feel a pulsation in the brake pedal. This is
normal and is not an indication of a malfunc-
tion.
WARNING
●
The VDC system is designed to help improve
driving stability but does not prevent acci-
dents due to abrupt steering operation at
high speeds or by careless or dangerous
driving techniques. Reduce vehicle speed
and be especially careful when driving and
cornering on slippery surfaces and always
drive carefully. ●
Do not modify the vehicle’s suspension. If
suspension parts such as shock absorbers,
struts, springs, stabilizer bars, bushings
and wheels are not INFINITI recommended
for your vehicle or are extremely deterio-
rated, the VDC system may not operate prop-
erly. This could adversely affect vehicle han-
dling performance, and the VDC warning
light
may illuminate.
● If brake related parts such as brake pads,
rotors and calipers are not INFINITI recom-
mended or are extremely deteriorated, the
VDC system may not operate properly and
the VDC warning light
may illuminate.
● If engine control related parts are not
INFINITI recommended or are extremely de-
teriorated, the VDC warning light
may
illuminate.
● When driving on extremely inclined surfaces
such as higher banked corners, the VDC sys-
tem may not operate properly and the VDC
warning light
may illuminate. Do not
drive on these types of roads.
● When driving on an unstable surface such as
a turntable, ferry, elevator or ramp, the VDC
warning light
may illuminate. This is
not a malfunction. Restart the engine after
driving onto a stable surface.
Starting and driving5-99

3. Install the assembled jack rod into thejack as shown.
4. Carefully raise the vehicle until the clear- ance between the tire and ground is
achieved.
5. To lift the vehicle, securely hold the jack lever and rod with both hands and turn
the jack lever.
NOTE:
Before jacking up the vehicle, make sure the
ignition switch is placed in the OFF position. If
the vehicle is lifted up with the engine running,
the auto-leveling suspension will become dis-
abled after 120 seconds. To reset the auto-
leveling suspension, cycle the ignition switch
ON/OFF one time.
Installing the spare tire
1. Clean any mud or dirt from the surface
between the wheel and hub.
2. Carefully put the spare tire on and tighten the wheel nuts finger tight.
3. With the wheel nut wrench, tighten wheel nuts alternately and evenly in the se-
quence as illustrated (
1,2,3,4,5,
6) until they are tight.
4. Lower the vehicle slowly until the tire touches the ground. Then, with the wheel
nut wrench, tighten the wheel nuts se-
curely in the sequence as illustrated.
Lower the vehicle completely.
NCE130SCE0910
In case of emergency6-9

●Use the towing hook only to free a vehicle
stuck in sand, snow, mud, etc. Never tow the
vehicle for a long distance using only the
towing hook.
● The towing hook is under tremendous force
when used to free a stuck vehicle. Never pull
the hook at an angle.
● Always pull the cable straight out from the
front or rear of the vehicle.
● Pulling devices should be routed so they do
not touch any part of the suspension, steer-
ing, brake or cooling systems.
● Pulling devices such as ropes or canvas
straps are not recommended for use in ve-
hicle towing or recovery.Rocking a stuck vehicle
If your vehicle is stuck in sand, snow, mud, etc.,
use the following procedure:
1. Turn off the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system.
2. Make sure the area in front and behind the vehicle is clear of obstructions.
3. Turn the steering wheel right and left to clear an area around the front tires. 4. Slowly rock the vehicle forward and back-
ward.
●Shift back and forth between R (Reverse)
and D (Drive).
● Apply the accelerator as little as possible
to maintain the rocking motion.
● Release the accelerator pedal before
shifting between R and D.
● Do not spin the tires above 35 MPH (55
km/h).
5. If the vehicle cannot be freed after a few tries, contact a professional towing ser-
vice to remove the vehicle.
6-18In case of emergency

WAXING
Regular waxing protects the paint surface and
helps retain new vehicle appearance. Polishing
is recommended to remove built-up wax residue
and to avoid a weathered appearance before
reapplying wax.
An INFINITI retailer can assist you in choosing
the proper product.
●Wax your vehicle only after a thorough wash-
ing. Follow the instructions supplied with
the wax.
● Do not use a wax containing any abrasives,
cutting compounds or cleaners that may
damage the vehicle finish.
Machine compound or aggressive polishing on
a base coat/clear coat paint finish may dull the
finish or leave swirl marks.
REMOVING SPOTS
Remove tar and oil spots, industrial dust, in-
sects, and tree sap as quickly as possible from
the paint surface to avoid lasting damage or
staining. Special cleaning products are avail-
able at an INFINITI retailer or any automotive
accessory stores.
UNDERBODY
In areas where road salt is used in winter, the
underbody must be cleaned regularly. This will
prevent dirt and salt from building up and
causing the acceleration of corrosion on the
underbody and suspension. Before the winter
period and again in the spring, the underseal
must be checked and, if necessary, re-treated.
GLASS
Use glass cleaner to remove smoke and dust
film from the glass surfaces. It is normal for
glass to become coated with a film after the
vehicle is parked in the hot sun. Glass cleaner
and a soft cloth will easily remove this film.
CAUTION
When cleaning the inside of the windows, do
not use sharp-edged tools, abrasive cleaners or
chlorine-based disinfectant cleaners. They
could damage the electrical conductors, radio
antenna elements or rear window defroster
elements.
WHEELS
Wash the wheels when washing the vehicle to
maintain their appearance.
● Clean the inner side of the wheels when the
wheel is changed or the underside of the
vehicle is washed.
● Inspect wheel rims regularly for dents or
corrosion. Such damage may cause loss of
pressure or poor seal at the tire bead.
● INFINITI recommends that the road wheels
be waxed to protect against road salt in
areas where it is used during winter.
CAUTION
Do not use abrasive cleaners when washing the
wheels.
Appearance and care7-3