towing INFINITI QX50 2019 Owners Manual

A pinch strip is mounted on each side of the
liftgate. If an obstacle is detected by a pinch
strip during power close, the liftgate will re-
verse direction and return to the full open
position.
NOTE:
If the pinch strip is damaged or removed, the
power close function will not operate.
WARNING
There are some small distances immedi-
ately before the closed position which can-
not be detected. Make sure that all passen-
gers have their hands, etc., inside the
vehicle before closing the liftgate.Manual Mode:
If power operation is not available, the lift-
gate may be operated manually. Power op-
eration may not be available if multiple ob-
stacles have been detected in a single power
cycle or if the battery voltage is low.
If the power liftgate opener switch
Ais
pushed during power open or close, the
power operation will be canceled and the
liftgate can be operated manually.
To open the liftgate manually, unlock the
doors, push the liftgate opener switch
Aand
lift the liftgate. To close, lower and push the liftgate down
securely.
MOTION-ACTIVATED LIFTGATE
(if so equipped)
The liftgate can be operated using a quick
kicking motion under the center of the rear
bumper.
To operate, the Intelligent Key must be within
31.5 in (80 cm) of the liftgate.
NOTE:
Tow hitches are available as an accessory for
this vehicle. If a tow hitch is installed, the
liftgate electronic control unit (ECU) needs
to be replaced with an ECU programmed
with towing logic for the Motion-Activated
Liftgate to function properly.
LPD2721
Pre-driving checks and adjustments3-27

5 Starting and driving
Precautions when starting and driving.............5-4
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) ................5-4
Three-way catalyst ............................5-4
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) .......5-5
On-pavement and off-road driving
precautions ...................................5-9
Avoiding collision and rollover ..................5-9
Off-road recovery .............................5-9
Rapid air pressure loss ....................... 5-10
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving ...........5-10
Driving safety precautions ....................5-11
Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (AWD) driving
safety precautions (if so equipped) ...........5-13
Push-button ignition switch ....................5-13
Operating range ............................ 5-14
Push-button ignition switch positions .........5-15
Emergency engine shut off ..................5-16
INFINITI Intelligent Key battery
discharge ................................... 5-16
INFINITI Vehicle Immobilizer System ..........5-17
Before starting the engine .......................5-17
Starting the engine .............................. 5-17
Remote Engine Start (if so equipped) .........5-18 Driving the vehicle
.............................. 5-19
Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) ....................................... 5-19
Electronic parking brake ........................ 5-24
Automatic operation ........................ 5-24
Manual operation ........................... 5-25
When towing a trailer ....................... 5-26
Automatic brake hold ........................... 5-26
How to activate/deactivate the
automatic brake hold function ...............5-27
How to use the automatic brake hold
function .................................... 5-28
INFINITI Drive Mode Selector ..................5-29
Standard mode ............................. 5-29
Sport mode ................................. 5-29
Personal mode .............................. 5-29
ECO mode .................................. 5-30
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
(if
so equipped) ................................. 5-33
LDW system operation ......................5-34
How to enable/disable the LDW system .....5-35
LDW system limitations .....................5-35
System temporarily unavailable ..............5-36

∙ Remember not to drive at high speeds forextended periods of time in lower than
8th gear. This reduces fuel economy.
When shifting up
Use the + (up) side paddle shifter. (Shifts to
higher range.)
When shifting down
Use the (down) side paddle shifter. (Shifts
to lower range.)
∙ The transmission will automatically downshift the gears. (For example, if you
select the 3rd range, the transmission will
shift down between the 3rd and 1st
gears.)
∙ Moving the shift lever rapidly to the same side twice will shift the ranges in succes-
sion.
When canceling the manual shift mode
Move the shift lever to the D (Drive) position
to return the transmission to the normal driv-
ing mode. ∙ In the manual shift mode, the transmis-
sion may not shift to the selected gear.
This helps maintain driving performance
and reduces the chance of vehicle dam-
age or loss of control. ∙
When this situation occurs, the Continu-
ously Variable Transmission (CVT) posi-
tion indicator will blink and the chime
will sound.
∙ In the manual shift mode, the transmis-
sion may shift up automatically to a
higher range than selected if the engine
speed is too high. When the vehicle
speed decreases, the transmission auto-
matically shifts down and shifts to 1st
gear before the vehicle comes to a stop.
∙ CVT operation is limited to automatic drive mode when CVT fluid temperature
is extremely low even if manual shift
mode is selected. This is not a malfunc-
tion. When CVT fluid warms up, manual
mode can be selected.
∙ When the CVT fluid temperature is high, the shift range may upshift in lower rpm
than usual. This is not a malfunction.
Accelerator downshift
— in D (Drive) position —
For passing or hill climbing, depress the ac-
celerator pedal to the floor. This shifts the
transmission down into a lower gear, de-
pending on the vehicle speed.
High fluid temperature protection
mode
This transmission has a high fluid tempera-
ture protection mode. If the fluid temperature
becomes too high (for example, when climb-
ing steep grades in high temperatures with
heavy loads, such as when towing a trailer),
engine power and, under some conditions,
vehicle speed will be decreased automatically
to reduce the chance of transmission dam-
age. Vehicle speed can be controlled with the
accelerator pedal, but the engine and vehicle
speed may be limited.
Fail-safe
When the fail-safe operation occurs, the
Continuously Variable Transmission will not
be shifted into the selected driving position.
If the vehicle is driven under extreme condi-
tions, such as excessive wheel spinning and
subsequent hard braking, the fail-safe sys-
tem may be activated. The Malfunction Indi-
cator Light (MIL) may come on to indicate
the fail-safe mode is activated. For addi-
tional information, refer to “Malfunction In-
dicator Light (MIL)” in the “Instruments and
controls” section of this manual. This will oc-
cur even if all electrical circuits are function-
ing properly. In this case, place the ignition
Starting and driving5-23

∙When the electronic parking brake is fre-
quently applied and released in a short
period of time, the parking brake may
not operate in order to prevent the park-
ing brake system from overheating. If
this occurs, operate the electronic park-
ing brake switch again after waiting ap-
proximately 1 minute.
∙ If the electronic parking brake must be
applied while driving in an emergency,
pull up and hold the parking brake
switch. When you release the parking
brake switch, the parking brake will be
released.
∙ While pulling up the electronic parking
brake switch during driving, the parking
brake is applied and a chime sounds. The
electronic parking brake indicator light
(red) in the meter and in the parking
brake switch illuminates. This does not
indicate a malfunction. The electronic
parking brake indicator light (red) in the
meter and in the parking brake switch
turns off when the parking brake is re-
leased. ∙
When pulling the electronic parking
brake switch up with the ignition switch
in the OFF or AUTO ACC position, the
parking brake switch indicator light will
continue to illuminate for a short period
of time.
WHEN TOWING A TRAILER
Depending on the weight of the vehicle and
trailer and the steepness of the slope, there
may be a tendency for the vehicle to move
backwards when starting from a standstill.
When this occurs, you can use the parking
brake switch in the same way as a conven-
tional lever type parking brake.
Before starting on sloping roads when tow-
ing a trailer, be sure to read the following to
prevent the vehicle from moving backwards
unintentionally.
∙ Release the parking brake switch as soon as the engine is delivering enough torque
to the wheels. The automatic brake hold function maintains
the braking force without the driver having to
depress the brake pedal when the vehicle is
stopped at a traffic light or intersection. As
soon as the driver depresses the accelerator
pedal again, the automatic brake hold func-
tion is deactivated and the braking force is
released. The operating status of the auto-
matic brake hold can be displayed on the
vehicle information display.
WARNING
∙ The automatic brake hold function is not
designed to hold the vehicle on a steep hill
or slippery road. Never use the automatic
brake hold when the vehicle is stopped on
a steep hill or slippery road. Failure to do
so may cause the vehicle to move.
∙ When the automatic brake hold function is activated but fails to maintain the ve-
hicle at a standstill, depress the brake
pedal to stop the vehicle. If the vehicle
unexpectedly moves due to outside con-
ditions, the chime may sound and auto-
matic brake hold warning may illuminate
in the vehicle information display.
∙ Be sure to deactivate the automatic brake hold function when using a car
wash or towing your vehicle.
AUTOMATIC BRAKE HOLD
5-26Starting and driving

∙ The system will not operate at speeds be-low approximately 37 mph (60 km/h) or
if it cannot detect lane markers.
∙ Do not use the LDW system under the following conditions as it may not func-
tion properly:
– During bad weather (rain, fog, snow, etc.).
– When driving on slippery roads, such as on ice or snow.
– When driving on winding or uneven roads.
– When there is a lane closure due to road repairs.
– When driving in a makeshift or tempo- rary lane.
– When driving on roads where the lane width is too narrow.
– When driving without normal tire conditions (for example, tire wear, low
tire pressure, installation of spare tire,
tire chains, nonstandard wheels).
– When the vehicle is equipped with non-original brake parts or suspen-
sion parts.
– When you are towing a trailer or other vehicle. The system may not function properly under
the following conditions:
∙ On roads where there are multiple paral- lel 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 the discontinued lane markers are still detectable.
∙ On roads where there are sharp curves.
∙ On roads where there are sharply con- trasting objects, such as shadows, snow,
water, wheel ruts, seams or lines remain-
ing after road repairs. (The LDW system
could detect these items as lane markers.)
∙ On roads where the traveling lane merges or separates.
∙ When the vehicle’s traveling direction does not align with the lane marker.
∙ When traveling close to the vehicle in front of you, which obstructs the lane
camera unit detection range.
∙ When rain, snow, dirt or an object ad- heres to the windshield in front of the
lane camera unit. ∙ When the headlights are not bright due to
dirt on the lens or if the aiming is not
adjusted properly.
∙ When strong light enters the lane camera unit. (For example, the light directly
shines on the front of the vehicle at sun-
rise or sunset.)
∙ When a sudden change in brightness oc- curs. (For example, when the vehicle en-
ters or exits a tunnel or under a bridge.)
SYSTEM TEMPORARILY
UNAVAILABLE
If the vehicle is parked in direct sunlight under
high temperature conditions (over approxi-
mately 104°F [40°C]) and then started, the
LDW system may be deactivated automati-
cally and the following message will appear in
the vehicle information display: “Not avail-
able: High Camera Temp.”
When the interior temperature is reduced, the
LDW system will resume operating auto-
matically.
5-36Starting and driving

LDP SYSTEM LIMITATIONS
WARNING
Listed below are the system limitations for
the LDP system. Failure to follow the warn-
ings and instructions for proper use of the
LDP system could result in serious injury or
death.
∙ The LDP system may activate if youchange lanes without first activating
your turn signal or, for example, if a con-
struction zone directs traffic to cross an
existing lane marker. If this occurs you
may need to apply corrective steering to
complete your lane change.
∙ Because the LDP may not activate under the road, weather, and lane marker con-
ditions described in this section, it may
not activate every time your vehicle be-
gins to leave its lane and you will need to
apply corrective steering.
∙ The LDP system will not operate at speeds below approximately 37 mph
(60 km/h) or if it cannot detect lane
markers.
∙ Do not use the LDP system under the fol- lowing conditions as it may not function
properly: – During bad weather (rain, fog, snow,
etc.).
– When driving on slippery roads, such as on ice or snow.
– When driving on winding or uneven roads.
– When there is a lane closure due to road repairs.
– When driving in a makeshift or tempo- rary lane.
– When driving on roads where the lane width is too narrow.
– When driving without normal tire conditions (for example, tire wear, low
tire pressure, installation of spare tire,
tire chains, non-standard wheels).
– When the vehicle is equipped with nonoriginal brake parts or suspension
parts.
– When you are towing a trailer or other vehicle.
The system may not function properly un-
der the following conditions: ∙ On roads where there are multiple paral-
lel 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 mark- ers are still detectable.
∙ On roads where there are sharp curves.
∙ On roads where there are sharply con- trasting objects, such as shadows, snow,
water, wheel ruts, seams or lines remain-
ing after road repairs. (The LDP system
could detect these items as lane
markers.)
∙ On roads where the traveling lane merges or separates.
∙ When the vehicle’s traveling direction does not align with the lane marker.
∙ When traveling close to the vehicle in front of you, which obstructs the lane
camera unit detection range.
∙ When rain, snow or dirt adheres to the windshield in front of the lane camera
unit.
Starting and driving5-41

– On roads where there are sharply con-trasting objects, such as shadows,
snow, water, wheel ruts, seams or
lines remaining after road repairs.
– On roads where the traveling lane merges or separates.
– When the vehicle’s traveling direction does not align with the lane markers.
– When traveling close to the vehicle in front of you, which obstructs the lane
camera unit detection range.
– When rain, snow or dirt adheres to the windshield in front of a lane camera
unit.
– When the headlights are not bright due to dirt on the lens or if aiming is
not adjusted properly.
– When strong light enters a lane cam- era unit (e.g., light directly shines on
the front of the vehicle at sunrise or
sunset).
– When a sudden change in brightness occurs (e.g., when the vehicle enters or
exits a tunnel or under a bridge). ∙ Do not use the BSI system under the fol-
lowing conditions because the system
may not function properly:
– During bad weather (e.g., rain, fog, snow, etc.).
– When driving on slippery roads, such as on ice or snow, 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 with a tire that is not within normal tire conditions (e.g., tire
wear, low tire pressure, installation of
spare tire, tire chains, nonstandard
wheels).
– When the vehicle is equipped with non-original brake parts or suspen-
sion parts.
∙ Do not use the BSI system when towing a trailer. ∙ Excessive noise (e.g., audio system vol-
ume, open vehicle window) will interfere
with the chime sound, and it may not be
heard.
5-58Starting and driving

– IllustrationC: When the vehicle is
parked on inclined ground.
– Illustration
D: When an approaching
vehicle turns into your vehicle’s park-
ing lot aisle.
– Illustration
E: When the angle
formed by your vehicle and approach-
ing vehicle is small.
∙ The radar sensors are designed to ignore most stationary objects; however, ob-
jects such as guardrails, walls, foliage and
parked vehicles may occasionally be de-
tected. This is a normal operation
condition.
∙ The following conditions may reduce the ability of the radar to detect other
vehicles:
– Severe weather
– Road spray
– Ice/frost/dirt build up on the vehicle
∙ Do not attach stickers (including trans- parent material), install accessories or
apply additional paint near the radar sen-
sors. These conditions may reduce the
ability of the radar to detect other
vehicles. ∙ The sonar sensors detect stationary ob-
jects behind the vehicle. The sonar sensor
may not detect:
– Small or moving objects
– Wedge-shaped objects
– Objects close to the bumper (less than approximately 1 ft [30 cm])
– Thin objects such as rope, wire and chain, etc.
∙ The brake engagement by the BCI system is not as effective on a slope as it is on flat
ground. When on a steep slope the sys-
tem may not function properly.
∙ Do not use the BCI system under the fol- lowing conditions because the system
may not function properly:
– When driving with a tire that is not within normal tire conditions (e.g., 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 suspen-
sion parts.
∙ Do not use the BCI system when towing a trailer. ∙ Excessive noise (e.g., audio system vol-
ume, open vehicle window) will interfere
with the chime sound, and it may not be
heard.
SYSTEM TEMPORARILY NOT
AVAILABLE
If the following messages appear on the ve-
hicle information display, a chime will sound
and the BCI system will be turned off auto-
matically:
∙ “Unavailable: High Accelerator Temp.”: If the vehicle is parked in direct sunlight
under high temperature conditions (over
approximately 104°F [40°C]) and then
started, the BCI system may be deacti-
vated automatically and the “Unavailable:
High Accelerator Temp” message will ap-
pear in the vehicle information display for
a period of time.
When the interior temperature is re-
duced, turn off the BCI system and turn it
on again.
∙ “Unavailable: Side Radar Obstruction”: When side radar blockage is detected.
When the blockage is removed, turn off
the BCI system and turn it on again.
5-72Starting and driving

∙ In some road or traffic conditions, a ve-hicle or object can unexpectedly come
into the sensor detection zone and cause
automatic braking. Always stay alert and
avoid using the ICC system where not
recommended in this warning section.
The radar sensor will not detect the following
objects: ∙ Stationary and slow moving vehicles
∙ Pedestrians or objects in the roadway
∙ Oncoming vehicles in the same lane
∙ Motorcycles traveling offset in the travel lane
The sensor generally detects the signals re-
turned from the vehicle ahead. Therefore, if
the sensor cannot detect the reflection from
the vehicle ahead, the ICC system may not
maintain the selected distance. The following are some conditions in which
the sensor cannot properly detect a vehicle
ahead and the system may not operate prop-
erly:
∙ When snow or road spray from traveling vehicles reduces the sensor’s detection.
∙ When your vehicle is towing a trailer, etc.
∙ When excessively heavy baggage is loaded in the rear seat or cargo area of
your vehicle.
The ICC system is designed to automatically
check the sensor’s operation within the limi-
tations of the system.
When the sensor is covered with dirt or is
obstructed, the system will automatically be
canceled. If the sensor is covered with ice, a
transparent or translucent vinyl bag, etc., the
ICC system may not detect them. In these
instances, the vehicle-to-vehicle distance
control mode may not cancel and may not be
able to maintain the selected following dis-
tance from the vehicle ahead. Be sure to
check and clean the sensor regularly. The detection zone of the radar sensor is
limited. A vehicle ahead must be in the detec-
tion zone for the vehicle-to-vehicle distance
detection mode to maintain the selected dis-
tance from the vehicle ahead.
A vehicle ahead may move outside of the
detection zone due to its position within the
same lane of travel. Motorcycles may not be
detected in the same lane ahead if they are
traveling offset from the centerline of the
lane. A vehicle that is entering the lane ahead
may not be detected until the vehicle has
completely moved into the lane.
If this occurs, the ICC system may warn you
by blinking the system indicator and sound-
ing the chime. The driver may have to manu-
ally control the proper distance away from
vehicle traveling ahead.
Starting and driving5-97

∙ In some road or traffic conditions, a ve-hicle or object can unexpectedly come
into the sensor detection zone and cause
automatic braking. Always stay alert and
avoid using the ICC system where not
recommended in this warning section.
The ICC system will not detect the following
objects: ∙ Stationary or slow moving vehicles
∙ Pedestrians or objects in the roadway
∙ Oncoming vehicles in the same lane
∙ Motorcycles traveling offset in the travel lane
The following are some conditions in which
the radar sensor cannot properly detect a
vehicle ahead and the system may not oper-
ate properly: ∙ When the sensor detection is reduced (conditions such as rain, snow, fog, dust
storms, sandstorms, and road spray from
other vehicles)
∙ Driving on a steep downhill slope or roads with sharp curves
∙ Driving on a bumpy road surface, such as an uneven dirt road ∙ If dirt, ice, snow or other material is cov-
ering the radar sensor area
∙ A complicated-shaped vehicle such as a car carrier trailer or flatbed truck/trailer is
near the vehicle ahead.
∙ Interference by other radar sources
∙ When your vehicle is towing a trailer, etc.
∙ When excessively heavy baggage is loaded in the rear seat or cargo area of
your vehicle.
The ICC system is designed to automatically
check the radar sensor’s operation within the
limitations of the system.
The detection zone of the radar sensor is
limited. A vehicle ahead must be in the detec-
tion zone for the ICC system to maintain the
selected distance from the vehicle ahead. A
vehicle ahead may move outside of the de-
tection zone due to its position within the
same lane of travel. Motorcycles may not be
detected in the same lane ahead if they are
traveling offset from the center line of the
lane. A vehicle that is entering the lane ahead
may not be detected until the vehicle has
completely moved into the lane. If this occurs, the ICC system may warn you
by blinking the system indicator and sounding
the chime. The driver may have to manually
control the proper distance away from the
vehicle traveling ahead.
The ICC system (with ProPILOT Assist) uses
a multi-sensing front camera. The following
are some conditions in which the camera may
not properly detect a vehicle and detection of
a vehicle ahead may be delayed:
∙ Poor visibility (conditions such as rain, snow, fog, dust storms, sandstorms, and
road spray from other vehicles)
∙ The camera area of the windshield is fogged up or covered with dirt, water
drops, ice, snow, etc.
∙ Strong light (for example, sunlight or high beams from oncoming vehicles) enters
the front camera
∙ A sudden change in brightness occurs (for example, when the vehicle enters or
exits a tunnel or shaded area or lightning
flashes)
5-124Starting and driving