Infiniti QX56 (2012 year). Manual — part 25

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Starting and driving

SSD1109

. The distance to the vehicle ahead will

change according to the vehicle speed.
The higher the vehicle speed, the
longer the distance.

. If the engine is stopped, the set

distance becomes

“long”. (Each time

the engine is started, the initial setting

becomes

“long”.)

Approach warning

If your vehicle comes closer to the vehicle
ahead due to rapid deceleration of that
vehicle or if another vehicle cuts in, the
system warns the driver with the chime

and Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) system
display. Decelerate by depressing the
brake pedal to maintain a safe vehicle
distance if:
. The chime sounds.
. The vehicle ahead detection and set

distance indicator blink.

The warning chime may not sound in some
cases when there is a short distance
between vehicles. Some examples are:
. When the vehicles are traveling at the

same speed and the distance between
vehicles is not changing

. When the vehicle ahead is traveling

faster and the distance between vehi-
cles is increasing

. When a vehicle cuts in near your vehicle
The warning chime will not sound in the
following cases:
. When your vehicle approaches vehicles

that are parked or moving slowly

. When the accelerator pedal is de-

pressed, overriding the system

SSD0284A

NOTE:

The approach warning chime may sound
and the system display may blink when
the ICC sensor detects some reflectors

*

A

which are fitted on vehicles in other lanes
or on the side of the road. This may cause
the ICC system to decelerate or accelerate
the vehicle. The ICC sensor may detect
these reflectors when the vehicle is driven
on winding roads, hilly roads or when
entering or exiting a curve. The ICC sensor
may also detect reflectors on narrow roads
or in road construction zones. In these
cases you will have to manually control
the proper distance ahead of your vehicle.

Also, the sensor sensitivity can be affected
by vehicle operation (steering maneuver or
driving position in the lane) or traffic or
vehicle condition (for example, if a vehicle
is being driven with some damage).

Automatic cancellation

A chime sounds under the following con-
ditions and the control is automatically
canceled.
. When the vehicle speed falls below

approximately 15 MPH (24 km/h)

. When the system judges the vehicle is

at a standstill

. When the selector lever is shifted to the

N (Neutral) position

. When the windshield wipers are operat-

ing at high speed. The system may
cancel when the wipers are set to the
AUTO position.

. When the VDC is turned off
. When the ABS or VDC operates
. When the parking brake is applied
. When the SNOW mode switch is pushed

on.

. When the 4WD shift switch is in the 4H

or 4L position (for 4WD models)

. When driving into a strong light (for

example sunlight)

. When distance measurement becomes

impaired due to adhesion of dirt or
obstruction to the sensor

. When a wheel slips

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SSD1110

Warning light and display

Condition A:

The chime sounds and the Intelligent
Cruise Control (ICC) system is canceled
automatically in the conditions described
below. Part of the system display will come
on or blink, making it impossible to set.
. When the VDC is turned off
. When the ABS or VDC operates
. When a tire slips
. When driving into a strong light (for

example sunlight)

. When the SNOW mode switch is pushed

on

. When the 4WD shift switch is in the 4H

or 4L position (for 4WD models)

Action to take:

When the conditions listed above are no
longer present, turn the system off using
the ICC MAIN switch. Turn the ICC system
back on to use the system.

SSD0989

Condition B:

When the sensor window is dirty, making it
impossible to detect a vehicle ahead, the
ICC system is automatically canceled.

The chime sounds and the ICC system
warning light (orange) will come on and the
CLEAN SENSOR indicator will appear.

Action to take:

If the warning light comes on, park the
vehicle in a safe place, turn the engine off.
Clean the sensor window with a soft cloth
and then perform the settings again.

SSD0979

Condition C:

When the ICC system is not operating
properly, the chime sounds and the system
warning light (orange) will come on.

Action to take:

If the warning light comes on, park the
vehicle in a safe place. Turn the engine off,
restart the engine, resume driving and set
the ICC system again.

If it is not possible to set the system or the
indicator stays on, it may indicate that the
ICC system is malfunctioning. Although
the vehicle is still driveable under normal
conditions, have the vehicle checked at an

INFINITI retailer.

SSD1047

Sensor maintenance

The sensor for the Intelligent Cruise Control
(ICC) system

*

A

is located below the front

bumper.

To keep the ICC system operating properly,
be sure to observe the following:
. Always keep the sensor clean. Wipe

with a soft cloth carefully so as not to
damage the sensor.

. Do not strike or damage the areas

around the sensor. Do not touch or
remove the screw located on the
sensor. Doing so could cause failure
or malfunction. If the sensor is da-

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maged due to an accident, contact an
INFINITI retailer.

. Do not attach a sticker (including

transparent material) or install an
accessory near the sensor. This could
cause failure or malfunction.

CONVENTIONAL (fixed speed)
CRUISE CONTROL MODE

This mode allows driving at a speed
between 25 to 90 MPH (40 to 144 km/h)
without keeping your foot on the accel-
erator pedal.

WARNING

. In the conventional (fixed speed) cruise

control mode, a warning chime does not
sound to warn you if you are too close to
the vehicle ahead, as neither the pre-
sence of the vehicle ahead nor the
vehicle-to-vehicle distance is detected.

. Pay special attention to the distance

between your vehicle and the vehicle
ahead of you or a collision could occur.

. Always confirm the setting in the In-

telligent Cruise Control (ICC) system
display.

. Do not use the conventional (fixed

speed) cruise control mode when driving
under the following conditions.

— when it is not possible to keep the

vehicle at a set speed

— in heavy traffic or in traffic that

varies in speed

— on winding or hilly roads
— on slippery roads (rain, snow, ice,

etc.)

— in very windy areas

Doing so could cause a loss of vehicle
control and result in an accident.

SSD0968

Conventional (fixed speed) cruise
control switch

1. RESUME/ACCELERATE switch:

Resumes set speed or increases speed
incrementally.

2. SET/COAST switch:

Sets the desired cruise speed, reduces
speed incrementally.

3. CANCEL switch:

Deactivates the system without erasing
the set speed.

4. MAIN switch:

Master switch to activate the system.

SSD1013

Conventional (fixed speed) cruise
control mode display and indica-
tors

The display is on the dot matrix liquid
crystal display (in the vehicle information
display) located between the speedometer
and tachometer.

1. MAIN switch indicator:

Indicates that the MAIN switch is ON.

2. Cruise set switch indicator:

Displays while the vehicle speed is
controlled by the conventional (fixed
speed) cruise control mode of the

Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) system.

3. Cruise system warning light:

Comes on if there is a malfunction in
the cruise control system.

SSD0969

Operating conventional (fixed
speed) cruise control mode

To turn on the conventional (fixed speed)
cruise control mode, push and hold the
MAIN switch

*

A

for longer than about 1.5

seconds.

When pushing the MAIN switch on, the
Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) system dis-
play and the main switch indicator are
displayed on the dot matrix liquid crystal
display. After you hold the MAIN switch on
for longer than about 1.5 seconds, the ICC
system display turns off. The main switch
indicator stays lit. You can now set your

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desired cruising speed. Pushing the MAIN
switch again will turn the system comple-
tely off.

When the Distance Control Assist (DCA)
system is on, the conventional (fixed
speed) cruise control mode cannot be
turned on even though the MAIN switch is
pushed and held.

To turn on the conventional (fixed speed)
cruise control mode, turn off the DCA
system. See

“Distance Control Assist

(DCA) system

” later in this section.

When the ignition switch is pushed to the
OFF position, the system is also automati-
cally turned off. To use the ICC system
again, quickly push and release the MAIN
switch (vehicle-to-vehicle distance control
mode) or push and hold it (conventional
cruise control mode) again to turn it on.

CAUTION

To avoid accidentally engaging cruise con-
trol, make sure to turn the MAIN switch off
when not using the ICC system.

SSD0970

To set cruising speed, accelerate your
vehicle to the desired speed, push the
SET/COAST switch and release it. (The SET
indicator will come on in the display.) Take
your foot off the accelerator pedal. Your
vehicle will maintain the set speed.
. To pass another vehicle, depress the

accelerator pedal. When you release
the pedal, the vehicle will return to the
previously set speed.

. The vehicle may not maintain the set

speed when going up or down steep
hills. If this happens, manually main-
tain vehicle speed.

To cancel the preset speed, use one of the

following methods:

1. Push the CANCEL button. The SET

indicator will turn off.

2. Tap the brake pedal. The SET indicator

will turn off.

3. Turn the MAIN switch off. Both the MAIN

switch and SET indicator will turn off.

To reset at a faster cruising speed, use one
of the following three methods:

1. Depress the accelerator pedal. When

the vehicle attains the desired speed,
push and release the SET/COAST
switch.

2. Push and hold the RESUME/ACCELER-

ATE set switch. When the vehicle attains
the desired speed, release the switch.

3. Push, then quickly release the RE-

SUME/ACCELERATE switch. Each time
you do this, the set speed will increase
by about 1 MPH (1.6 km/h).

To reset at a slower cruising speed, use
one of the following three methods:

1. Lightly tap the brake pedal. When the

vehicle attains the desired speed, push
the SET/COAST switch and release it.

2. Push and hold the SET/COAST switch.

Release the switch when the vehicle

slows down to the desired speed.

3. Push, then quickly release the SET/

COAST switch. Each time you do this,
the set speed will decrease by about 1
MPH (1.6 km/h).

To resume the preset speed, push and
release the RESUME/ACCELERATE switch.
The vehicle will resume the last set
cruising speed when the vehicle speed is
over 25 MPH (40 km/h).

Automatic cancellation

A chime sounds under the following con-
ditions and the control is automatically
canceled.
. When the vehicle slows down more

than 8 MPH (13 km/h) below the set
speed

. When the selector lever is shifted to the

N (Neutral) position

. When the parking brake is applied
. When the VDC (including the traction

control system) operates.

. When a wheel slips

SSD0979

Warning light

When the system is not operating properly,
the chime sounds and the system warning
light (orange) will come on.

Action to take:

If the warning light comes on, park the
vehicle in a safe place. Turn the engine off,
restart the engine, resume driving and then
perform the setting again.

If it is not possible to set or the indicator
stays on, it may indicate that the system is
malfunctioning. Although the vehicle is
still driveable under normal conditions,
have the vehicle checked at an INFINITI

retailer.

PREVIEW FUNCTION (for Intelligent
Cruise Control (ICC) system
equipped model)

The Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) system
with the preview function identifies the
need to apply emergency braking by
sensing the vehicle ahead in the same
lane and the distance to the vehicle ahead
and relative speed from it, it applies the
brake pre-pressure before the driver de-
presses the brake pedal and helps improve
brake response by reducing pedal free
play.

For more details, see

“Preview function (for

Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) system
equipped model)

” later in this section.

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The Distance Control Assist (DCA) system
brakes and moves the accelerator pedal
upward according to the distance from and
the relative speed of the vehicle ahead to
help assist the driver to maintain a
following distance.

WARNING

. Always drive carefully and attentively

when using the Distance Control Assist
system. Read and understand the Own-
er

’s Manual thoroughly before using the

DCA system. To avoid serious injury or
death, do not rely on the system to
prevent accidents or to control the
vehicle

’s speed in emergency situations.

Do not use the Distance Control Assist
system except in appropriate road and
traffic conditions.

. If the vehicle ahead comes to a stop, the

vehicle decelerates to a standstill within
the limitations of the system. The
system will cancel once it judges that
the vehicle has come to a standstill with
a warning chime. To prevent the vehicle
from moving, the driver must depress
the brake pedal.

. The DCA system will not apply brake

control while the driver

’s foot is on the

accelerator pedal.

SSD1047

PRECAUTIONS ON DISTANCE CON-
TROL ASSIST SYSTEM

The system is intended to assist the driver
to keep a following distance from the
vehicle ahead traveling in the same lane
and direction.

If the distance sensor

*

A

detects a slower

moving vehicle ahead, the system will
reduce the vehicle speed to help assist
the driver to maintain a following distance.

The system automatically controls the
throttle and applies the brakes (up to
25% of vehicle braking power) if neces-
sary.

DISTANCE CONTROL ASSIST (DCA) SYSTEM
(if so equipped)

The detection range of the sensor is
approximately 390 ft (120 m) ahead.

WARNING

. This system is only an aid to assist the

driver and is not a collision warning or
avoidance device. It is the driver

’s

responsibility to stay alert, drive safely
and be in control of the vehicle at all
times.

. This system will not adapt automatically

to road conditions. Do not use the
system on roads with sharp curves, or
on icy roads, in heavy rain or in fog.

The distance 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

WARNING

. As there is a performance limit to the

distance control function, never rely
solely on the Distance Control Assist
system. This system does not correct
careless, inattentive or absent-minded
driving, or overcome poor visibility in
rain, fog, or other bad weather. Decele-
rate the vehicle speed by depressing the
brake pedal, depending on the distance
to the vehicle ahead and the surround-
ing circumstances in order to maintain a
safe distance between vehicles.

. The system may not function properly

under the following conditions. To avoid
accidents, never use the Distance Con-
trol Assist system under the following
conditions:

— On roads with sharp curves
— On slippery road surfaces such as

on ice or snow, etc.

— On off-road surfaces such as on

sand or rock, etc.

— During bad weather (rain, fog, snow,

etc.)

— When strong light (for example, at

sunrise or sunset) is directly shining
on the front of the vehicle

— When rain, snow or dirt adhere to

the system sensor

— On steep downhill roads (frequent

braking may result in overheating
the brakes)

— On repeated uphill and downhill

roads

— When towing a trailer or other

vehicle

. In some road or traffic conditions, a

vehicle or object can unexpectedly come
into the sensor detection zone and cause
automatic braking. You may need to
control the distance from other vehicles
using the accelerator pedal. Always stay
alert and avoid using the DCA system
when it is not recommended in this
section.

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SSD1047

DISTANCE CONTROL ASSIST OP-
ERATION

Always pay attention to the operation of
the vehicle and be ready to manually
decelerate to maintain the proper following
distance. The Distance Control Assist (DCA)
system may not be able to decelerate the
vehicle under some circumstances.

The DCA system uses a sensor

*

A

located

on the front of the vehicle to detect
vehicles traveling ahead. The sensor gen-
erally detects the signals returned from the
reflectors on a vehicle ahead. Therefore, if
the sensor cannot detect the reflector on

the vehicle ahead, the DCA system may not
operate.

The following are some conditions in which
the sensor cannot detect the signals:
. When the reflector of the vehicle ahead

is positioned high on the vehicle
(trailer, etc.)

. When the reflector on the vehicle ahead

is missing, damaged or covered

. When the reflector of the vehicle ahead

is covered with dirt, snow and road
spray

. When the snow or road spray from

traveling vehicles reduces the sensor

’s

visibility

. When dense exhaust or other smoke

(black smoke) from vehicles reduces
the sensor

’s visibility

. When excessively heavy baggage is

loaded in the rear seat or the luggage
room of your vehicle

The DCA system is designed to automati-
cally check the sensor

’s operation. 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 DCA system may not detect them.

In these instances, the Distance Control
Assist (DCA) system may not be able to
decelerate the vehicle properly. Be sure to
check and clean the sensor regularly.

The DCA system is designed to help assist
the driver to maintain a following distance
from the vehicle ahead. The system will
decelerate as necessary and if the vehicle
ahead comes to a stop, the vehicle
decelerates to a standstill. However, the
DCA system can only apply up to 25% of
the vehicles total braking power. If a
vehicle moves into the traveling lane ahead
or if a vehicle traveling ahead rapidly
decelerates, the distance between vehicles
may become closer because the DCA
system cannot decelerate the vehicle
quickly enough. If this occurs, the DCA
system will sound a warning chime and
blink the system display to notify the driver
to take necessary action.

See

“Approach warning” later in this

section.

This system only brakes and moves the
accelerator pedal upward to help assist the
driver to maintain a following distance
from the vehicle ahead. Acceleration
should be operated by the driver.

The DCA system does not control vehicle
speed or warn you when you approach
stationary and slow moving vehicles. You
must pay attention to vehicle operation to
maintain proper distance from vehicles
ahead.

SSD0252

The detection zone of the sensor is limited.
A vehicle ahead must be in the detection
zone for the system to operate.

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 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 vehicle traveling ahead.

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SSD0253

When driving on some roads, such as
winding, hilly, curved, narrow roads, or
roads which are under construction, the
sensor may detect vehicles in a different
lane, or may temporarily not detect a
vehicle traveling ahead. This may cause
the system to work inappropriately.

The detection of vehicles may also be
affected by vehicle operation (steering
maneuver or traveling position in the lane,
etc.) or vehicle condition.

If this occurs, the

system may warn you by blinking the
system indicator and sounding the chime
unexpectedly. You will have to manually
control the proper distance away from the

vehicle traveling ahead.

SSD0994

Distance Control Assist system
display and indicators

The display is located between the speed-
ometer and tachometer.

1. Distance Control Assist (DCA) system

switch indicator:

Indicates that the dynamic driver assis-
tance switch is ON.

2. Vehicle ahead detection indicator:

Indicates whether it detects a vehicle in
front of you.

3. Distance Control Assist system warning

light (orange):

The light comes on if there is a
malfunction in the DCA system.

SSD1049

Operating Distance Control Assist
(DCA) system

The DCA system turns on when the
dynamic driver assistance switch on the
steering wheel is pushed when

“Distance

Control Assist

” is enabled in the settings

menu in the center display. The DCA
system switch indicator on the dot matrix
liquid crystal display will illuminate.

The system will start to operate after the
vehicle speed becomes above approxi-
mately 3 MPH (5 km/h).

WARNING

When the DCA system is not necessary, be
sure to turn off the dynamic driver assis-
tance switch. Using the system when it is
not necessary may result in an accident.

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SSD1102

How to enable/disable the DCA system
using the settings menu:

Perform the following steps to enable or
disable the DCA system.

1. Push the SETTING

*

1

button and high-

light the

“Driver Assistance” key on the

display using the multi-function con-
troller. Then push the ENTER

*

2

button.

2. Highlight the

“Dynamic Assistance Set-

tings

” key, and push the ENTER

*

2

button.

SSD1002

3. Highlight the

“Distance Control Assist”

key, select ON or OFF and push the
ENTER

*

2

button.

For the LDP and BSI systems, see

“Lane

Departure Warning (LDW)/Prevention (LDP)
system

” earlier in this section and “Blind

Spot Warning (BSW) system/Blind Spot
Intervention

TM

system

” earlier in this sec-

tion.

SSD0996

Under the following conditions, the Dis-
tance Control Assist system will not oper-
ate and the Distance Control Assist (DCA)
system switch indicator will blink:
. When the SNOW mode is pushed

(SNOW mode switch) (To use the DCA
system, turn off the SNOW mode
switch, then turn on the dynamic driver
assistance switch.)
For details about the SNOW mode
switch, see

“SNOW mode” later in this

section.

. When the 4WD shift switch is in the 4H

or 4L position (for 4WD models) (To use
the DCA system, place the 4WD shift

switch in the AUTO position, then turn
on the dynamic driver assistance
switch)
For details about the 4WD shift switch,
see

“INFINITI all-mode 4WD

®

” earlier in

this section.

. When the VDC system is off (To use the

DCA system, turn on the VDC, then
push the dynamic driver assistance
switch.)
For details about the VDC system, see
“Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) sys-
tem

” later in this section.

. When ABS or VDC (including the trac-

tion control system) is operating

. When driving into a strong light (for

example sunlight)

When the Conventional (fixed speed) cruise
control mode is operating, the DCA system
will not operate. (To use the DCA system,
turn the Conventional (fixed speed) cruise
control mode off, then push the dynamic
driver assistance switch.)

For details about the Conventional (fixed
speed) cruise control mode, see

“Intelli-

gent Cruise Control (ICC) system

” earlier in

this section.

When the engine is turned off, the system

is automatically turned off.

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