AWD LOCK SWITCH OPERATIONSThe AWD system is used to select OFF/AUTO, ON/LOCK depending on the driving conditions.
The AWD system electronically controls the coupling.
Push the AWD LOCK switch to move between each mode OFF/AUTO and ON/LOCK, depending
on driving conditions.AWD LOCK
switchWheel drivenAWD LOCK
indicator
lightUse conditions
OFF/AUTODistribution 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
ON/LOCK *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 OFF/AUTO or ON/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 OFF/AUTO mode.
WARNING
Do not place an AWD equipped ve-
hicle on a two wheel dynamometer or
raise two wheels off the ground and
shift the transmission to any D (drive)
or R (reverse) position. Doing so may
result in transmission damage or un-
expected vehicle movement which
could result in serious vehicle dam-
age or personal injury.
When driving straight, shift the AWD
lock switch to OFF/AUTO or
ON/LOCK. Do not operate the AWD
lock switch when making a turn or
backing up.
Do not operate the AWD lock switch
(OFF/AUTO and ON/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.
Starting and driving
5-23
04.4.5/Z50-D/V5.0
When turning the vehicle in
ON/LOCK mode on paved roads, you
may feel a braking effect. This is a
normal condition of the AWD model.
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. OFF/AUTO mode may
change to ON/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 immedi-
ately. 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.
WARNING
Do not attempt to test an AWD
equipped vehicle with two wheels on a
two wheel dynamometer and the other
two wheels raised. Doing so may result
SSD0314A
5-24
Starting and driving
04.4.5/Z50-D/V5.0
in transmission damage or unex-
pected vehicle movement which
could result in serious vehicle dam-
age or personal injury.
CAUTION
If the warning light comes on while
driving, OFF/AUTO mode will be
changed to 2 wheel drive mode. Re-
duce 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
OFF/AUTO or ON/LOCK. Be espe-
cially careful when driving.
Never drive on dry hard surface roads
in the ON/LOCK mode, as this will
overload 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.
Starting and driving
5-25
04.4.5/Z50-D/V5.0
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 tapping 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 will cause overheating of the brakes,
increases wear on the brake linings and pads,
and reduces gas mileage.
POWER STEERING BRAKE SYSTEM
Starting and driving
5-27
04.4.5/Z50-D/V5.0
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 ABS operationmay indicate 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-
5-28
Starting and driving
04.4.5/Z50-D/V5.0
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 an Active Brake Limited Slip
(ABLS) system to improve vehicle traction. The
Active Brake Limited Slip system works when
one of the driving wheels in spinning on a
slippery surface. The ABLS system brakes thespinning wheel which distributed the driving
power to the other drive wheel. If the vehicle is
operated with the vehicle dynamic control sys-
tem turned off, all VDC and traction control
functions will be turned off. The ABLS and ABS
system will still operate with the VDC system off.
If the ABLS system or the ABS system is
activated, the slip indicator light will blink and
you may hear a clunk noise and/or feel a pulsa-
tion 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)
Starting and driving
5-29
04.4.5/Z50-D/V5.0
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 light comes on while driving,
avoid sudden steering maneuvers or
abrupt braking, reduce vehicle speed,
pull off the road to a safe location
and stop the vehicle as soon as pos-sible. Serious vehicle damage could
occur and may lead to an accident
and could result in serious personal
injury. Check the tire pressure for all
four tires. Adjust the tire pressure to
the recommended COLD tire pres-
sure shown on the Tire and Loading
Information label to turn the low tire
pressure warning light OFF. If the
light still comes on while driving after
adjusting the tire pressure, a tire may
be flat. If you have a flat tire, replace
it with a spare tire as soon as pos-
sible.
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 into 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
FLAT TIRE6-2
In case of emergency
04.4.5/Z50-D/V5.0
WARNING
Always follow the instructions below.
Failure to do so could result in damage
to the charging system and cause per-
sonal injury.
1. If the booster battery is in another vehicle,
position the two vehicles to bring their bat-
teries into close proximity to each other.
Do not allow the two vehicles to touch.
2. Apply parking brake. Move the selector leverto the P (Park) position. Switch off all unnec-
essary electrical systems (light, heater, air
conditioner, etc.).
3. Remove vent caps on the battery (if so
equipped). Cover the battery with an old
cloth as illustrated to reduce explosion haz-
ard.
4. Connect jumper cables in the sequence as
illustrated (
A
→
B
→
C
→
D).
CAUTION
Always connect positive (+) to posi-
tive (+) and negative (−) to body
ground (for example, strut mounting
bolt, etc. — not to the battery).
Make sure that cables do not touch
moving parts in the engine compart-
ment and that clamps do not contact
any other metal.
5. Start the engine of the other vehicle and let it
run for a few minutes.
6. Keep the engine speed of the other vehicle at
about 2,000 rpm, and start your engine in the
normal manner.
CAUTION
Do not keep starter motor engaged for
more than 10 seconds. If the engine
does not start right away, turn the key
off and wait 3 to 4 seconds before trying
again.
SCE0479
In case of emergency
6-9
04.4.5/Z50-D/V5.0