2003 NISSAN MURANO stop start

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
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WARNING

Do not stop or park the vehicle over
flammable materials such as dry
grass, waste paper or rags. They may
ignite and cause a fire.

Never leave the engine running while
the vehicle is unattended.

Never leave children unattended in
the vehicle.1. Firmly apply the parking brake.
2. Move the selector lever to the P (Park) posi-
tion.
WARNING

Safe parking procedures require that
both the parking brake be set and the
transmission placed into P (Park).
Failure to do so could cause the ve-
hicle to move unexpectedly or roll
away and result in an accident.

Make sure the selector lever has
been pushed as far forward as it can
go and cannot be moved without de-
pressing the button at the end of the
lever.
3. To help prevent the vehicle from rolling into
the street when parked on a sloping drive
way, it is a good practice to turn the wheels
as illustrated.

HEADED DOWNHILL WITH CURB:
1
Turn the wheels into the curband move the
vehicle forward until the curbside wheel
gently touches the curb.
MSD0002
PARKING/PARKING ON HILLS5-20
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HEADED UPHILL WITH CURB:
2
Turn the wheels away from the curband
move the vehicle back until the curb side
wheel gently touches the curb.

HEADED UPHILL OR DOWNHILL, NO
CURB:
3
Turn the wheels toward the side of the road
so the vehicle will move away from the center
of the road if it moves.
4. Turn the ignition key to the LOCK position
and remove the key.The power assisted steering is designed to use
a hydraulic pump, driven by the engine, to assist
steering.
If the engine stops or drive belt breaks, you will
still have control of the vehicle. However, much
greater steering effort is needed, especially in
sharp turns or at low speeds.
WARNING
If the engine is not running or is turned
off while driving, the power assist for
the steering will not work. Steering will
be much harder to operate.
BRAKING PRECAUTIONSThe brake system has two separate hydraulic
circuits. If one circuit malfunctions, you will still
have braking at two wheels.
Vacuum assisted brake
The brake booster aids braking by using engine
vacuum. If the engine stops, you can stop the
vehicle by depressing the brake pedal. However,
greater foot pressure on the brake pedal will be
required to stop the vehicle and the stopping
distance will be longer.
Wet brakes
When the vehicle is washed or driven through
water, the brakes may get wet. As a result, your
braking distance will be longer and the vehicle
may pull to one side during braking.
To dry brakes, drive the vehicle at a safe speed
while lightly pressing the brake pedal to heat-up
the brakes. Do this until the brakes return to
normal. Avoid driving the vehicle at high speeds
until the brakes function correctly.
Using the brakes
Avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal while
driving. This overheats the brakes, increases
wear on the brake linings and pads, and reduces
gas mileage.
POWER STEERING BRAKE SYSTEM
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To help save the brakes and to prevent the
brakes from overheating, reduce speed and
downshift to a lower gear before going down a
slope or long grade. Overheated brakes may
reduce braking performance and could result in
loss of vehicle control.
WARNING

While driving on a slippery surface,
be careful when braking, accelerat-
ing or downshifting. Abrupt braking
or accelerating could cause the
wheels to skid and result in an acci-
dent.

If the engine is not running or is
turned off while driving, the power
assist for the brakes will not work.
Braking will be harder.ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS)The anti-lock brake system controls the brakes
at each wheel so the wheels will not lock when
braking abruptly or when braking on slippery
surfaces. The system detects the rotation speed
at each wheel and varies the brake fluid pressure
to prevent each wheel from locking and sliding.By preventing wheel lockup, the system helps
the driver maintain steering control and helps to
minimize swerving and spinning on slippery sur-
faces.
Using the systemDepress the brake pedal and hold it down.
WARNING
Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so
may result in increased stopping dis-
tances.Normal operationThe anti-lock brake system will not operate at
speeds below 3 to 6 MPH (5 to 10 km/h) to
completely stop the vehicle. (The speeds will
vary according to road conditions.) When the
anti-lock system senses that one or more wheels
are close to locking up, the actuator (under the
hood) rapidly applies and releases hydraulic
pressure (like pumping the brakes very quickly).
While the actuator is working, you may feel a
pulsation in the brake pedal and hear a noise or
vibration from the actuator under the hood. This
is normal and indicates that the anti-lock system
is working properly. However, the pulsation mayindicate that road conditions are hazardous and
extra care is required while driving.
Self-test featureThe anti-lock brake system consists of electronic
sensors, electric pumps, and hydraulic solenoids
controlled by a computer. The computer has a
built-in diagnostic feature that tests the system
each time you start the engine and move the
vehicle at a low speed in forward or reverse.
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 any
malfunction. If the computer senses any mal-
function, it switches the anti-lock brake system
OFF and turns on the ABS warning light in the
meter. The brake system will then behave nor-
mally, but without anti-lock assistance.
If the light comes on during the self check, or
while you are driving, you should take your
vehicle to your NISSAN dealer for repair at your
earliest convenience.
WARNING
The anti-lock brake system is a sophis-
ticated device, but it cannot prevent ac-
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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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very cold snow or ice can be slick and
very hard to drive on. The vehicle will
have a lot less traction or grip under
these conditions. Try to avoid driving
on wet ice until the road is salted or
sanded.

Whatever the condition, drive with
caution. Accelerate and slow down
with care. If accelerating or down-
shifting too fast, the drive wheels will
lose even more traction.

Allow more stopping distance under
these conditions. Braking should be
started sooner than on dry pavement.

Allow greater following distances on
slippery roads.

Watch for slippery spots (glare ice).
These may appear on an otherwise
clear road in shaded areas. If a patch
of ice is seen ahead, brake before
reaching it. Try not to brake while
actually on the ice, and avoid any
sudden steering maneuvers.
Do not use cruise control on slippery
roads.

Snow can trap dangerous exhaust
gases under your vehicle. Keep snow
clear of the exhaust pipe and from
around your vehicle.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER (if so
equipped)An engine block heater to assist extreme cold
temperature starting is available through your
NISSAN dealer.
WARNING
Do not use your heater with an un-
grounded electrical system or two-
pronged (cheater) adapters. You can be
injured by an electrical shock if you use
an ungrounded connection.
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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
FLAT TIRE6-2
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