towing INFINITI QX50 2021 Owner's Manual

30,000 miles/(48,000 km)/
48 months
Perform at number of miles, kilometers or
months, whichever comes first.
Standard maintenance:
Inspections:
• Brake lines & cables
• Brake pads & rotors
• CVT transmission fluid
• Engine drive belts*
• Fuel tank vapor vent system*
• Fuel lines/connections*
• Exhaust system
• Propeller shaft (AWD models)
• Steering gear and linkage
• Axle & suspension parts
• Differential gear oil (AWD models) (1)
• Transfer case oil (AWD models) (1)
• Drive shaft boots
• Horn, lights, signals, wipers, rear hatch/
hood lift supports
• All fluids inspected (engine, wiper, brake,
power steering, coolant)
• Engine drive belt and hose inspection
• Engine air filter• Suspension components (shocks, sub-
frame, tie rods)
• Differential and fluid (AWD models)
• Battery terminals and cables, battery test
• Tire pressure, treadwear and depth
Essentials:
• Replace engine oil & filter (2)
• Replace engine air filter (3)
• Replace brake fluid
• Tire rotation
Severe maintenance:
Inspections:
• Brake pads & rotors
• Exhaust system
• Propeller shaft (AWD models)
• Drive shaft boots
• Steering gear & linkage
• Axle & suspension parts
Essentials:
• Replace brake fluid
(1) If towing a trailer, using a camper or a
car-top carrier, or driving on rough or muddy
roads, change (not just inspect) oil every
20,000 miles (32,000 km) or 24 months.(2) If the oil replacement indicator is dis-
played, change the engine oil and filter within
two weeks or less than 500 miles (800 km).
(3) If operating mainly in dusty conditions,
more frequent maintenance may be required.
* Maintenance items and intervals with“*”
are recommended by NISSAN for reliable ve-
hicle operation. The owner need not perform
such maintenance in order to maintain the
emission warranty or manufacturer recall li-
ability. Other maintenance items and inter-
vals are required.

Stop vehicle and Apply
parking brake
This message may appear when the battery
charge is low.
Please park vehicle as soon as possible. It is
recommended that you visit an INFINITI
retailer.
Transmission Shift Position
indicator
This indicator shows the transmission shift
position.
Tire Pressure Low - Add Air
This warning appears when the low tire pres-
sure warning light in the meter illuminates
and low tire pressure is detected. The warn-
ing appears each time the ignition switch is
placed in the ON position as long as the low
tire pressure warning light remains illumi-
nated. If this warning appears, stop the ve-
hicle and adjust the tire pressures of all four
tires to the recommended COLD tire pres-
sure shown on the Tire and Loading Informa-
tion label. For additional information, see
“Low tire pressure warning light” (P. 2-13)
and “Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)” (P. 5-5).
When parked apply parking
brake
This message appears when a malfunction
occurs in the electric shift control system be-
low 6 mph (10 km/h).
Have the system checked. It is recommended
that you visit an INFINITI retailer for this
service.
AWD Error: See Owner’s
Manual
This warning appears when the all-wheel
drive system is not functioning properly while
the engine is running.
AWD High Temp. Stop vehicle
This warning may appear while trying to free
a stuck vehicle due to increased oil tempera-
ture. The driving mode may change to
2-Wheel Drive (2WD). If this warning is dis-
played, stop the vehicle with the engine idling,
as soon as it is safe to do so. Then if the
warning turns off, you can continue driving.
AWD Tire Size Incorrect: See
Owner’s Manual
This warning may appear if there is a large
difference between the diameters of the
front and rear wheels. Pull off the road in a
safe area, with the engine idling. Check that
all the tire sizes are the same, that the tire
pressure is correct and that the tires are not
excessively worn.
CVT (AT) Malfunction Service now
This warning appears when there is a prob-
lem with the CVT system. If this warning
comes on, have the system checked. It is rec-
ommended that you visit an INFINITI retailer
for this service.
CVT (AT) hot Power reduced
This transmission has a high fluid tempera-
ture protection mode. If the fluid temperature
becomes too high (for example, climbing
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 re-
duce the chance of transmission damage.
Vehicle speed can be controlled with the ac-
celerator pedal, but the engine and vehicle
speed may be reduced.
2-24Instruments and controls

WARNING
When the high fluid temperature protec-
tion mode operation occurs, vehicle speed
may be gradually reduced. The reduced
speed may be lower than other traffic,
which could increase the chance of a colli-
sion. Be especially careful when driving. If
necessary, pull to the side of the road at a
safe place and allow the transmission to
return to normal operation; or have it re-
paired if necessary.Engine hot Power reduced
This engine has a high fluid temperature pro-
tection mode. If the fluid temperature be-
comes too high (for example, climbing 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 re-
duce the chance of engine damage. Vehicle
speed can be controlled with the accelerator
pedal, but the engine and vehicle speed may
be reduced.
WARNING
When the high fluid temperature protec-
tion mode operation occurs, vehicle speed
may be gradually reduced. The reduced
speed may be lower than other traffic,
which could increase the chance of a colli-
sion. Be especially careful when driving. If
necessary, pull to the side of the road at a
safe place and allow the engine to return to
normal operation; or have it repaired if
necessary.
Engine Malfunction: Power Reduced
Service now
This warning appears when the engine is not
operating under normal conditions. If this
warning comes on, have the system checked. It is recommended that you visit an INFINITI
retailer for this service.
Engine Malfunction Service now
This warning appears when there is a prob-
lem with the engine. If this warning comes on,
have the system checked. It is recommended
that you visit an INFINITI retailer for this
service.
Engine Stalled: Stop safely
This message appears 30 seconds before the
vehicle is shut down due to an above normal
operating exhaust temperature. The Mal-
function Indicator Light (MIL) and malfunc-
tion warning (red) will illuminate. Have the
system checked. It is recommended that you
visit an INFINITI retailer immediately for this
service.
Service CVT (AT) Power reduced
This transmission has a high fluid tempera-
ture protection mode. If the fluid temperature
becomes too high (for example, climbing
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 re-
duce the chance of transmission damage.
Vehicle speed can be controlled with the ac-
celerator pedal, but the engine and vehicle
speed may be reduced.
Instruments and controls2-25

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
OAis
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
OAand
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
3-24Pre-driving checks and adjustments

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 ...................................5-8
Avoiding collision and rollover .................5-8
Off-road recovery ............................5-9
Rapid air pressure loss ........................5-9
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving ...........5-10
Driving safety precautions ...................5-10
Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (AWD) driving
safety precautions (if so equipped) ............5-12
Push-button ignition switch ....................5-13
Operating range ............................ 5-14
Push-button ignition switch positions ........5-14
Emergency engine shut off ...................5-15
INFINITI Intelligent Key battery
discharge .................................... 5-15
INFINITI Vehicle Immobilizer System .........5-16
Before starting the engine ......................5-16
Starting the engine ............................. 5-16
Remote Engine Start (if so equipped) .........5-17
Driving the vehicle ............................. 5-18
Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) ....................................... 5-18Electronic parking brake
........................ 5-23
Automatic operation ........................ 5-23
Manual operation ........................... 5-24
When towing a trailer ....................... 5-25
Automatic brake hold .......................... 5-25
How to activate/deactivate the
automatic brake hold function ...............5-26
How to use the automatic brake hold
function .................................... 5-27
INFINITI Drive Mode Selector ..................5-28
Standard mode ............................. 5-29
Sport mode ................................. 5-29
Personal mode .............................. 5-29
ECO mode ................................. 5-30
Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR) (if so equipped) . . 5-32 System operation ........................... 5-33
Turning the Traffic Sign Recognition
(TSR) system on and off .....................5-34
System temporarily unavailable ..............5-34
System
malfunction ......................... 5-34
System maintenance ........................ 5-34
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) ................5-35
LDW system operation ......................5-36
How to enable/disable the LDW system .....5-37
LDW system limitations .....................5-37
System temporarily unavailable ..............5-38

• 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
OB. (Shifts to
higher range.)
When shifting down
Use the − (down) side paddle shifter
OA.
(Shifts to lower range.)
• The transmission will automatically down- shift 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
succession.
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 transmission
may not shift to the selected gear. This
helps maintain driving performance and
reduces the chance of vehicle damage 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 transmission
may shift up automatically to a higher
range than selected if the engine speed is
too high. When the vehicle speed de-
creases, the transmission automatically
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 ex-
tremely low even if manual shift mode is
selected. This is not a malfunction. 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, see “Malfunction Indica-
tor Light (MIL)” (P. 2-15). This will occur
even if all electrical circuits are functioning
properly. In this case, place the ignition
switch in the OFF position and wait for 10
5-22Starting and driving

• While the electronic parking brake is ap-plied or released, an operating sound is
heard from the lower side of the rear seat.
This is normal and does not indicate a
malfunction.
• When the electronic parking brake is fre- quently applied and released in a short pe-
riod of time, the parking brake may not
operate in order to prevent the parking
brake system from overheating. If this oc-
curs, operate the electronic parking brake
switch again after waiting approximately
1 minute.
• If the electronic parking brake must be ap- plied 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 released. • 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 soonas 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 auto-
matic brake hold when the vehicle is
stopped on a steep hill or slippery road.
Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to
move.
• The automatic brake hold function is de-
signed to operate on gradients between
—30% to +30%. Outside this range the
system may not operate. The automatic
brake hold warning may appear in the
Vehicle Information Display to request
that the driver retake control by de-
pressing the brake pedal.
AUTOMATIC BRAKE HOLD
Starting and driving5-25

•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.
• Make sure to place the shift lever in the P
(Park) position and apply the parking
brake when parking your vehicle, riding
on or off the vehicle, or loading luggage.
Failure to do so could cause the vehicle to
move or roll away unexpectedly and re-
sult in serious personal injury or property
damage.WARNING
• If any of the following conditions occur,
the automatic brake hold function may
not function. Have the system checked
promptly. It is recommended that you
visit an INFINITI retailer for this service.
Failure to operate the vehicle in accor-
dance with these conditions could cause
the vehicle to move or roll away unex-
pectedly and result in serious personal
injury or property damage.
– A warning message appears in the ve-
hicle information display.
– The indicator light on the automatic
brake hold switch does not illuminate
when the switch is pushed.
• The automatic brake hold function will
not be activated if the Slip indicator
light, electronic parking brake warning
light or master warning light illuminate
and the chassis control system fault
message appears in the vehicle informa-
tion display.
• To maintain the braking force to keep
the vehicle to a standstill, a noise may be
heard. This is not a malfunction.
HOW TO ACTIVATE/
DEACTIVATE THE AUTOMATIC
BRAKE HOLD FUNCTION
For additional information on activating and
deactivating the automatic brake hold func-
tion, refer to the instructions outlined in this
section.
How to activate the automatic
brake hold function
1. With the ignition switch in the ON posi- tion, push the automatic brake hold switch
O1. The indicator light on the automatic
brake hold switch
O2illuminates.
LSD2916
5-26Starting and driving

•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 tem-
porary 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 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 the discontinued lane markers are still detectable.
• On roads where there are sharp curves.
• On roads where there are sharply contrast- ing objects, such as shadows, snow, water,
wheel ruts, seams or lines remaining after
road repairs. (The LDW system could de-
tect 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 adheres to the windshield in front of the lane cam-
era unit.
• When the headlights are not bright due to dirt on the lens or if the aiming is not ad-
justed properly. • When strong light enters the lane camera
unit. (For example, the light directly shines
on the front of the vehicle at sunrise or
sunset.)
• When a sudden change in brightness oc- curs. (For example, when the vehicle enters
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
automatically.
The LDW system is not designed to warn
under the following conditions:
• When you operate the lane change signaland change traveling lanes in the direction
of the signal. (The LDW system will become
operable again approximately 2 seconds
after the lane change signal is turned off.)
• When the vehicle speed lowers to less than approximately 37 mph (60 km/h).
5-38Starting and driving

•The LDP system may activate if you
change 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
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 tem-
porary 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 suspen-
sion 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.
• 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 cam-
era 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.)
While the LDP system is operating, you may
hear a sound of brake operation. This is nor-
mal and indicates that the LDP system is
operating properly.
Starting and driving5-43