Gear Shift Operation
Like an automatic transmission, the QX30 transmission engages Park, Neutral, Drive, and Reverse.
However, this electronic shift lever operates differently than other Infiniti shift levers. It is a shift-by-wire system. There is no mechanical connection to the transmission.
Gear selector operation
To operate the gear selector, first turn the ignition switch ON and depress the brake pedal.
NOTE: The automatic transmission is designed so that the brake pedal MUST be depressed before shifting from P (Park) to any drive position while the ignition switch is ON.
Reverse
Push the electronic shifter all the way forward past the point of resistance and release to engage Reverse. The vehicle information display indicates which gear is selected.
Drive
Pull the electronic shifter all the way back past the point of resistance and release to engage Drive.
Neutral
To place the vehicle in Neutral, push the electronic shifter slightly forward, or pull it slightly backward until you feel resistance and then release it.
Except in an emergency, do not shift to the N (Neutral) position while driving. Coasting with the transmission in the N (Neutral) position may cause serious damage to the transmission.
Park
To put the vehicle in Park, press the Park button after the vehicle is completely stopped. This electronically engages the park pawl, but does not apply the parking brake.
The Park position also engages automatically when:
- The engine is turned OFF and the key is removed.
- The driver door opens and the vehicle is stopped or moving very slowly either in a forward or a reverse gear.
Program Selector Button (Driving Modes)
The shift selector also has three driving modes available. The E-S-M button allows the driver to choose between E (Economy), S (Sport), and M (Manual) drive programs with different characteristics. Pressing this E-S-M button changes the drive mode from economy to sport and then back to manual. The vehicle information display indicates which drive mode is selected. Each time the engine is started, the vehicle defaults to the E (Economy) drive mode.
The Economy drive mode is characterized by the following:
- Comfort-oriented engine settings.
- Optimal fuel consumption resulting from the automatic transmission shifting up sooner.
- The vehicle pulling away more gently in forward and reverse gears unless the accelerator pedal is depressed fully.
- Increased sensitivity. For example, this helps improve handling on slippery road surfaces.
- The automatic transmission shifting up sooner. This results in the vehicle being driven at lower engine speeds and the wheels being less likely to spin.
The Sport drive mode is characterized by the following:
- Sporty engine settings.
- The automatic transmission shifting up later.
- As a result of the later automatic transmission shift points, the fuel consumption possibly being higher.
In Manual drive mode, the driver can change gears by pulling on the paddle shifters. Manual drive mode remains active until a different drive mode is selected. The vehicle information display indicates which manual gear is selected.
Steering Wheel Gearshift Paddles
Upshifting
Pull the right-hand steering wheel gearshift paddle, and the automatic transmission shifts up to the next gear.
Downshifting
Pull the left-hand steering wheel gearshift paddle, and the automatic transmission shifts down to the next gear. For maximum acceleration, pull the left-hand steering wheel gearshift paddle until the transmission selects the optimum gear for the current speed.
NOTE:
- If the paddle shifters are used when the automatic drive program is in E (Economy) or S (Sport), the automatic drive program shifts into the M (Manual) drive mode.
- If the paddles are not used for a period of time, the drive mode will automatically revert back to the previous mode (S or E).
- If the driver pulls and holds the right-hand steering wheel gearshift paddle, the automatic transmission will shift into the last active automatic drive program (E or S).
- If the engine exceeds the maximum engine speed when shifting down, the automatic transmission helps protect against engine damage by not shifting down.
- The automatic transmission also automatically shifts up if the maximum engine speed on the currently engaged gear is reached and then the accelerator pedal is pressed.
Kickdown
While operating the vehicle in M (Manual) drive mode the driver can also use kickdown for maximum acceleration:
- Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the pressure point; and the transmission shifts to a lower gear depending on the engine speed.
- Manually up-shift once the desired speed is reached.
During kickdown, the driver cannot shift gears using the steering wheel gearshift paddles. If a driver applies full throttle, the automatic transmission shifts up to the next gear when the maximum engine speed is reached. This helps prevent the engine from over-revving.
Good to Know
If the QX30 transmission overheats for any reason, the electronic management system is automatically deactivated. This interrupts the power flow (torque) through the transmission. If this should occur when the vehicle is on a hill, the vehicle may roll backward on gradients, as if the transmission is in neutral.
For this reason, never hold the vehicle stationary on uphill gradients by depressing the accelerator. Doing so will cause additional heating of the transmission and may cause it to overheat. If the transmission should overheat, the vehicle may roll backward. Always be prepared to depress the brake pedal to prevent the vehicle from rolling backward. Failure to do so may result in a collision or serious personal injury.
Hold the vehicle stationary on uphill gradients only by:
- Depressing the brake pedal.
or:
- Engaging the electric parking brake.
If the transmission overheats:
- A warning tone sounds.
- The “Stop vehicle Shift to P Leave engine running” display message appears in the vehicle information display.
- The transmission will not function until it has cooled and the display message has disappeared.
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