2003 NISSAN MURANO tires

Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Maintain
cruising speeds with a constant accelerator
position.

Drive at moderate speeds on the highway.
Driving at high speed will lower fuel economy.

Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking.
Maintain a safe distance behind other ve-
hicles.

Use a proper gear range which suits road
conditions. On level roads, shift into high gear
as soon as possible.

Avoid unnecessary engine idling.

Keep your engine tuned up.

Follow the recommended periodic mainte-
nance schedule.

Keep the tires inflated at the correct pres-
sure. Low pressure will increase tire wear and
waste fuel.

Keep the front wheels in correct alignment.
Improper alignment will cause not only tire
wear but also lower fuel economy.

Air conditioner operation lowers fuel
economy. Use the air conditioner only when
necessary.

When cruising at highway speeds, it is more
economical to use the air conditioner andleave the windows closed to reduce drag.
SSD0292
INCREASING FUEL ECONOMY
USING ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD)
(if so equipped)
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AWD LOCK SWITCH OPERATIONSThe AWD system is used to select AUTO, LOCK depending on the driving conditions.
AWD system electronically controls the coupling.
Push the AWD LOCK switch to move between each mode AUTO and LOCK, depending on driving
conditions.AWD LOCK
switchWheel drivenAWD LOCK
indicator
lightUse conditions
AUTO (OFF)Distribution of torque to the front and
rear wheels changes automatically,
depending on road conditions en-
countered [100:0]↔[50:50].
This results in improved driving stabil-
ity.Goes off. For driving on paved or slippery roads
LOCK (ON) *1 ALL wheel drive AWD LOCK For driving on rough roads
*1 LOCK mode will change to AUTO mode automatically, when the vehicle is accelerated or the vehicle speed is
over approximately 19 MPH (30 km/h). The AWD LOCK indicator light does not go off.
If the AWD LOCK switch is operated while accelerating or decelerating, or if the key switch is
turned off while in the AUTO or LOCK position, you may feel a jerk. This is normal.

The oil temperature of power train parts will increase if the vehicle is continuously operated under
conditions where the difference in rotation between the front and rear wheels is large (wheel slip)
such as when driving the vehicle on rough roads through sand, mud or freeing a stuck vehicle. In
these cases, the AWD warning light blinks rapidly and the AWD mode changes to 2WD to protect
the power train parts. If you stop driving with the engine idling and wait until the warning light stops
blinking, the AWD returns to the AUTO mode.
WARNING

Do not start engine while in the
AUTO or LOCK mode in the following
cases:
When on free roller or jacking up the
front tire with the rear tires on the
ground.

When driving straight, shift the AWD
lock switch to AUTO or LOCK. Do not
operate the AWD lock switch when
making a turn or reversing.

Do not operate the AWD lock switch
(AUTO and LOCK) with the front
wheel spinning.

Engine idling speed is high while
warming up the engine. Be especially
careful when starting or driving on
slippery surfaces with the AWD lock
switch set in OFF (AUTO).

When turning the vehicle in LOCK
mode on paved roads, you may feel a
braking effect. This is a normal con-
dition of the AWD model.
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AWD WARNING LIGHTThe AWD warning light is located in the meter.
The AWD warning light comes on when the key
switch is turned to ON. It turns off soon after the
engine is started.If any malfunction occurs in the AWD system
when the key switch is ON, the warning light will
remain illuminated.
High-temperature power-train oil due to continu-
ous operation of the vehicle to free a stuck
vehicle makes the warning light blink rapidly
(about twice per second). The driving mode may
change to 2 wheel drive. AUTO mode may
change to LOCK mode before the warning light
blinks. This is normal. If the warning light blinks
rapidly during operation, stop the vehicle with
the engine idling in a safe place immediately.
Then if the light goes off after a while, you can
continue driving.
A large difference between the diameters of
front and rear wheels will make the warning light
blink slowly (about once per two seconds). Pull
off the road in a safe area, and idle the engine.
Check that all tire sizes are the same, tire
pressure is correct and tires are not worn.
CAUTION

Do not operate the engine on the free
roller with the front wheels raised.

If the warning light comes on whiledriving, AUTO mode will be changed
to 2 wheel drive mode. Reduce the
vehicle speed and have your vehicle
checked by a NISSAN dealer as soon
as possible.

When the warning light comes on,
the 2 wheel drive may be engaged
even if the driving mode is in AUTO or
LOCK. Be especially careful when
driving.

Never drive on dry hard surface roads
in the LOCK mode, as this will over-
load the power-train and may cause a
serious malfunction.

If the warning light is still on after the
above operation, have your vehicle
checked by a NISSAN dealer as soon
as possible.

The power-train may be damaged if
you continue driving with the warning
light blinking rapidly.
SSD0314A
Starting and driving
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cidents resulting from careless or dan-
gerous driving techniques. It can help
maintain vehicle control during braking
on slippery surfaces, but remember that
the stopping distance on slippery sur-
faces will be longer than on normal
surfaces, even with the anti-lock sys-
tem. Stopping distances may also be
longer on rough, gravel or snow covered
roads, or if you are using tire chains.
Always maintain a safe distance from
the vehicle in front of you. Ultimately,
the responsibility for safety of self and
others rests in the hands of the driver.
Tire type and condition of tires may also
affect braking effectiveness.

When replacing tires, install the
specified size of tires on all four
wheels.

When installing a spare tire, make
sure it is the proper size and type as
specified on the tire placard. See
“Vehicle identification” in the “9.
Technical and consumer informa-
tion” section for tire placard location.When driving on slippery surfaces or suddenly
avoiding obstacles on roads, the vehicle might
swerve or slip. With the vehicle dynamic control
(VDC) system, sensors detect these movements
and control the braking and engine output to
help improve vehicle stability while driving. The
system also varies the brake fluid pressure to
prevent each wheel from locking.

When the VDC system is operating, the slip
indicator in the instrument panel blinks.

When only the traction control system portion
of the VDC system is operating, the slip
indicator will also blink.

If the slip indicator blinks, the vehicle is under
slippery conditions. Be sure to drive carefully.
See “Slip indicator light”, and “VDC off indi-
cator light” in the “2. Instruments and con-
trols” section.

Indicator light
If a malfunction occurs in the system, the
SLIP and
indicator lights come on in
the meter panel.
As long as these warning lights are on, the
traction control function is canceled.
The VDC uses a brake Limited Slip Differential
(LSD) system to improve vehicle traction. The
brake LSD system works when one of the driving
wheels in spinning on a slippery surface. Thebrake LSD system brakes the spinning wheel
which distributed the driving power to the other
drive wheel. If the vehicle is operated with the
vehicle dynamic control system turned off, all
VDC and traction control functions will be turned
off. The brake LSD and ABS system will still
operate with the VDC system off. If the brake
LSD system or the ABS system is activated, the
slip indicator light will blink and you may hear a
clunk noise and/or feel a pulsation in the brake
pedal. This is also normal and indicates the
brake fluid pressure is controlled properly.
While the VDC system is operating, 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 prop-
erly.
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 malfunction.
WARNING

The vehicle dynamic control system
VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL
(VDC) SYSTEM (if so equipped)
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is designed to help improve driving
stability but does not prevent acci-
dents due to abrupt steering opera-
tion at high speeds or by careless or
dangerous driving techniques. Re-
duce vehicle speed and be especially
careful when driving and cornering
on slippery surfaces and always drive
carefully.

If engine related parts such as muf-
fler are not standard equipment or
are extremely deteriorated, the ve-
hicle dynamic control off indicator
light and slip indicator light may
come on.

If suspension parts such as shock
absorbers, struts, springs and bush-
ings are not standard equipment or
are extremely deteriorated, the ve-
hicle dynamics control off indicator
light may come on.

When driving on extremely inclined
surfaces such as higher banked cor-
ners, the vehicle dynamic control sys-
tem may not operate properly orthe vehicle dynamic control off indi-
cator light may come on. Do not drive
on these types of roads.

If the tires other than the recom-
mended ones are used, the vehicle
dynamic control system may not op-
erate properly or the vehicle dynamic
control off indicator light may come
on.

The vehicle dynamic control system
is not a substitute for winter tires or
tire chains on a snow covered road.

When the vehicle is on a conveyance
such as a ferry, the vehicle dynamic
control off indicator light and slip
indicator light may come on. This is
not a malfunction. Restart the engine
after departing the conveyance.
FREEING A FROZEN DOOR LOCKTo prevent a door lock from freezing, apply
de-icer or glycerin to it through the key hole. If
the lock becomes frozen, heat the key before
inserting it into the key hole.ANTI-FREEZEIn the winter when it is anticipated that the
temperature will drop below 32°F (0°C), check
anti-freeze to assure proper winter protection.
For additional information, see “Engine cooling
system” in the “8. Maintenance and do-it-
yourself” section.BATTERYIf the battery is not fully charged during extremely
cold weather conditions, the battery fluid may
freeze and damage the battery. To maintain
maximum efficiency, the battery should be
checked regularly. For additional information,
see “Battery” in the “8. Maintenance and do-it-
yourself” section.DRAINING OF COOLANT WATERIf the vehicle is to be left outside without anti-
freeze, drain the cooling system by opening the
drain plug located under the radiator. Refill
before operating the vehicle. See “Engine cool-
ing system” in the “8. Maintenance and do-it-
yourself” section for changing engine coolant.COLD WEATHER DRIVING
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TIRE EQUIPMENT1. SUMMER tires are of a tread design to
provide superior performance on dry pave-
ment. However, the performance of these
tires will be substantially reduced in snowy
and icy conditions. If you operate your vehicle
on snowy or icy roads, NISSAN recommends
the use of MUD & SNOW or ALL SEASON
tires on all four wheels. Please consult your
NISSAN dealer for the tire type, size, speed
rating and availability information.
2. For additional traction on icy roads, studded
tires may be used. However, some provinces
and states prohibit their use. Check local,
state and provincial laws before installing
studded tires.
Skid and traction capabilities of studded
snow tires, on wet or dry surfaces, may be
poorer than that of non-studded snow
tires.
3. Tire chains may be used if desired. Make sure
they are of proper size for the tires on your
vehicle and are installed according to the
chain manufacturer’s suggestions. Use of tire
chains may be prohibited according to loca-
tion. Check the local laws before installing
tire chains. When installing tire chains, make
sure they are of proper size for the tires on
your vehicle and are installed according tothe chain manufacturer’s suggestions.Use
only SAE Class S chains.Class “S” chains
are used on vehicles with restricted tire to
vehicle clearance. Vehicles that can use
Class “S” chains are designed to meet the
SAE standard minimum clearances between
the tire and the closest vehicle suspension or
body component required to accommodate
the use of a winter traction device (tire chains
or cables). The minimum clearances are de-
termined using the factory equipped tire size.
Other types may damage your vehicle. Use
chain tensioners when recommended by the
tire chain manufacturer to ensure a tight fit.
Loose end links of the tire chain must be
secured or removed to prevent the possibility
of whipping action damage to the fenders or
underbody. If possible, avoid fully loading
your vehicle when using tire chains. In addi-
tion, drive at a reduced speed. Otherwise,
your vehicle may be damaged and/or vehicle
handling and performance may be adversely
affected.

Never install tire chains on TEMPO-
RARY USE ONLY spare tires.

Do not use tire chains on dry roads.
Tire chains must be installed only on the
front wheels and not on the rear wheels.
Do not drive with tire chains on paved roadswhich are clear of snow. Driving with chains in
such conditions can cause damage to the vari-
ous mechanisms of the vehicle due to some
overstress.
4. For all wheel drive:
If you install snow tires, they must also be the
same size, brand, construction and tread
pattern on all four wheels.
SPECIAL WINTER EQUIPMENTIt is recommended that the following items be
carried in the vehicle during winter:

a scraper and stiff-bristled brush to remove
ice and snow from the windows and wiper
blades.

a sturdy, flat board to be placed under the
jack to give it firm support.

a shovel to dig the vehicle out of snow-drifts.

extra window washer fluid to refill the reser-
voir tank.DRIVING ON SNOW OR ICE
WARNING

Wet ice (32°F, 0°C and freezing rain),
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LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING
SYSTEM (if so equipped)This vehicle is equipped with the low tire pres-
sure warning system, which displays the pres-
sure of each tire independently (except the spare
tire) on the display screen by sending a signal
from a sensor that is installed in each wheel. If
the vehicle is being driven with low tire pressure
(lower than 27 psi, 190 kPa), the low tire
pressure warning system will activate and warn
you of it by the low tire pressure warning light.
This system will activate only when the vehicle is
driven at speeds above 20 MPH (32 km/h). For
more details, please refer to “Warning/indicator
lights and audible reminders” in the “2. Instru-
ments and controls” section, “Tire pressure in-
formation” in the “4. Display screen, heater, air
conditioner and audio systems” section and
“Low tire pressure warning system” in the “5.
Starting and driving” section.
WARNING

If the low tire pressure warning light
blinks while driving, avoid sudden
steering maneuvers or abrupt brak-
ing, reduce vehicle speed, pull off the
road to a safe location and stop thevehicle as soon as possible. Serious
vehicle damage could occur and may
lead to an accident and could result
in serious personal injury. Check the
pressure for all four tires and adjust
the pressure to the COLD tire pres-
sure shown on the tire placard. If you
have a flat tire, replace it with a spare
tire as soon as possible.

When a spare tire is mounted or a
wheel is replaced, the pressure of
that tire will not be indicated or moni-
tored by the low tire pressure warn-
ing system. Contact your NISSAN
dealer as soon as possible for tire
replacement and/or system reset-
ting.

Do not inject any tire liquid or aerosol
tire sealant into the tires, as this may
cause a malfunction of the tire pres-
sure sensors.
CHANGING A FLAT TIREIf you have a flat tire, follow the instructions
below.
Stopping the vehicle1. Safely move the vehicle off the road away
from traffic.
2. Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
3. Park on a level surface and apply the parking
brake. Shift the selector lever in P (Park)
position.
4. Turn off the engine.
5. Raise the hood to warn other traffic, and to
signal professional road assistance person-
nel that you need assistance.
6. Have all passengers get out of the vehicle
and stand in a safe place, away from traffic
and clear of the vehicle.
WARNING

Make sure that the parking brake is
securely applied and the selector le-
ver is shifted into P (Park).

Never change tires when the vehicle
is on a slope, ice or slippery areas.
This is hazardous.

Never change tires if oncoming traffic
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For models equipped with the low tire
pressure warning system:
After adjusting tire pressure to the COLD tire
pressure, the display of the tire pressure infor-
mation may show higher pressure than the
COLD tire pressure after the vehicle has been
driven more than 1 mile (1.6 km). This is because
the tire pressurizes as the tire temperature rises.
This does not indicate a system malfunction.
WARNING
Retighten the wheel nuts when the ve-
hicle has been driven for 600 miles
(1,000 km) (also in cases of a flat tire,
etc.).
Stowing the damaged tire and toolsSecurely store the spare tire and jacking equip-
ment in the vehicle.
WARNING

Always make sure that the spare tire
and jacking equipment are properly
secured after use. Such items can
become dangerous projectiles in an
accident or sudden stop.

The T-type spare tire and small sizespare tire are designed for emer-
gency use. See “Wheels and tires” in
the “8. Maintenance and do-it-
yourself” section.
SCE0436
In case of emergency
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