2006 NISSAN X-TRAIL ESP

off-road through sand, mud or water or free-
ing a stuck vehicle. In this case, the 4WD
warning light blinks rapidly and the 4WD
mode changes to the 2WD mode to protect
the power train parts. If you stop driving with
the engine idling and wait until the warning
light stops blinking, the 4WD returns to the
AUTO mode.

Brake distance in the 4WD mode is the same
as 2WD.

Even if the mode automatically changes to
the AUTO mode when driving with the LOCK
mode selected, the indicator light stays in the
LOCK mode.
WARNING

Do not place a 4WD equipped vehicle
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 re-
sult in transmission damage or unex-
pected vehicle movement which
could result in serious vehicle dam-
age or personal injury.
When driving straight, shift the 4WD
lock switch to 2WD, AUTO or LOCK.
Do not operate the 4WD lock switch
when making a turn or reversing.

Do not operate the 4WD mode switch
(2WD, 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 4WD lock
switch set in AUTO.
4WD WARNING LIGHTThe 4WD warning light is located in the instru-
ment panel.
The 4WD warning light comes on when the key
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switch is turned to ON. It turns off soon after the
engine is started.
If any malfunction occurs in the 4WD system
when the key switch is ON, the warning light will
either remain illuminated or blink.
High-temperature power-train oil makes the
warning light blink rapidly (about twice per sec-
ond). The driving mode will change to 2WD.
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 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.
Change the 4WD mode switch into 2WD and
do not drive fast.
WARNING
Do not attempt to test a 4WD equipped
vehicle with two wheels on a two wheeldynamometer and the other two wheels
raised. Doing so may result in transmis-
sion damage or unexpected vehicle
movement which could result in serious
vehicle damage or personal injury.
CAUTION

If the 4WD warning light comes on
while driving, AUTO or LOCK mode
will be changed to two-wheel drive
condition. Reduce the vehicle speed
and be especially careful when driv-
ing. Have your vehicle checked by a
NISSAN dealer as soon as possible.

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.

The power-train may be damaged if
you continue driving with the warning
light blinking rapidly.
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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 uses 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.
Parking brake break-in
Break in the parking brake shoes whenever the
stopping effect of the parking brake is weakened
or whenever the parking brake shoes and/or
drums/rotors are replaced, in order to assure the
best braking performance.
POWER STEERING BRAKE SYSTEM
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vehicle to a NISSAN dealer for repair at your
earliest convenience.
WARNING
The anti-lock brake system is a sophis-
ticated device, but it cannot prevent ac-
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 fourwheels.

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 accelerating or driving on a slippery sur-
faces, the tires may spin or slide. With the
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system, sensors
detect these movements and control the braking
and engine output to help improve vehicle sta-
bility.

When the VDC system is operating, the
“SLIP” indicator in the instrument panel
blinks.

When only the Traction Control System
(TCS) portion of the VDC system is operat-
ing, the “SLIP” indicator in the instrument
panel blinks.

If the “SLIP” indicator blinks, the road condi-
tions are slippery. Be sure to adjust your
speed and driving to these conditions. Be
sure to drive carefully. See “Slip indicator
light”, and “Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
OFF indicator light” in the “2. Instruments and
controls” section.

Indicator light
If a malfunction occurs in the system, the
“SLIP” and “VDC OFF” indicator lights illumi-
nate in the instrument panel. As long as these
indicators are illuminated, the VDC system
function is canceled.
The VDC system uses an Active Brake Limited
Slip (ABLS) system to improve vehicle traction.
VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL
(VDC) SYSTEM (if so equipped)
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The ABLS system works when one of the driving
wheels is spinning on a slippery surface. The
ABLS system brakes the spinning wheel, which
distributes the driving power to the other driving
wheel. If the vehicle is operated with the VDC
system turned off, all VDC system functions and
TCS functions will be turned off. The ABLS
system and ABS will still operate with the VDC
system off. When the ABLS 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 normal and is not an indica-
tion of a malfunction.
While the VDC system is operating, you may feel
a pulsation in the brake pedal and hear a noise or
feel a vibration from under the hood. This is
normal and indicates that the VDC system is
working properly.
The VDC system computer has a built-in diag-
nostic feature that tests the system each time
you start the engine and move the vehicle for-
ward or backward. When the self-test occurs,
you may hear a clunk noise and/or feel a pulsa-
tion in the brake pedal. This is normal and is not
an indication of a malfunction.
WARNING

The VDC system is designed to help
improve driving stability but does not
prevent accidents due to abrupt
steering operation at high speeds or
due to careless or dangerous driving
techniques. Reduce vehicle speed
and be especially careful when driv-
ing and cornering on slippery sur-
faces and always drive carefully.

If engine related parts such as a muf-
fler are not standard equipment or
are extremely deteriorated, the “VDC
OFF” indicator or “SLIP” indicator or
both indicator lights may illuminate.

Do not modify the vehicle’s suspen-
sion. If suspension parts such as
shock absorbers, struts, springs, sta-
bilizer bars and bushings are not
NISSAN-approved or are extremely
deteriorated the VDC system may not
operate properly. This could ad-
versely affect vehicle handling per-
formance, and the “VDC OFF” indica-tor or “SLIP” indicator or both indica-
tor lights may illuminate.

If brake related parts such as brake
pads, rotors and calipers are not
standard equipment or are extremely
deteriorated, the “VDC OFF” indica-
tor or “SLIP” indicator or both indica-
tor lights may illuminate.

When driving on extremely inclined
surfaces such as higher banked cor-
ners, the VDC system may not oper-
ate properly and the “VDC OFF” indi-
cator or “SLIP” indicator or both
indicator lights may illuminate. Do
not drive on these types of roads.

When driving on an unstable surface
such as a turntable, ferry, elevator or
ramp, the “VDC OFF” indicator or
“SLIP” indicator or both indicator
lights may illuminate. This is not a
malfunction. Restart the engine after
driving onto a stable surface.

If wheels or tires other than those
recommended are used, the VDC sys-
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The jack should be used on level firm
ground.
2. Loosen each wheel nut one or two turns by
turning counterclockwise with the wheel nut
wrench.Do not remove the wheel nuts
until the tire is off the ground.
3. Carefully raise the vehicle until the tire clears
the ground. To lift the vehicle, securely hold
the jack lever and rod with both hands as
shown above. Remove the wheel nuts, and
then remove the tire.
WARNING

Never get under the vehicle while it is
supported only by the jack. If it is
necessary to work under the vehicle,
support it with safety stands.

Use only the jack provided with your
vehicle to lift the vehicle. Do not use
the jack provided with your vehicle
on other vehicles.
The jack is designed only for liftingyour vehicle during a tire change.

Use the correct jack up points; never
use any other part of the vehicle for
jack support.

Never jack up the vehicle more than
necessary.

Never use blocks on or under the
jack.

Do not start or run engine while ve-
hicle is on the jack, as it may cause
the vehicle to move. This is especially
true for vehicles with limited slip dif-
ferentials.

Do not allow passengers to stay in
the vehicle while it is on the jack.
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Machine compounding or aggressive pol-
ishing on a base coat/clear coat paint
finish may dull the finish or leave swirl
marks.GLASSUse glass cleaner to remove smoke and dust film
from the glass surfaces. It is normal for glass to
become coated with a film after the vehicle is
parked in the hot sun. Glass cleaner and a soft
cloth will easily remove this film.UNDERBODYIn areas where road salt is used in winter, the
underbody must be cleaned regularly. This will
prevent dirt and salt from building up and caus-
ing underbody and suspension corrosion. Be-
fore the winter period and again in the spring, the
underseal must be checked and, if necessary,
re-treated.ALUMINUM ALLOY WHEELSWash the wheels regularly with a sponge damp-
ened in a mild soap solution, especially during
winter in areas where road salt is used. The salt
residue from road salt could discolor the wheels
if it is not washed off regularly.
CAUTION
Follow the directions below to avoid
staining or discoloring the wheels:

Do not use a cleaner that uses strong
acid or alkali contents to clean the
wheels.

Do not apply wheel cleaners to the
wheels when they are hot. The wheel
temperature should be the same as
ambient temperature.

Rinse the wheel to completely re-
move the cleaner within 15 minutes
after the cleaner is applied.CHROME PARTSClean all chrome parts regularly with a non-
abrasive chrome polish to maintain the finish.TIRE DRESSINGNISSAN does not recommend the use of tire
dressings. Tire manufacturers apply a coating to
the tires to help reduce discoloration of the
rubber. If a tire dressing is applied to the tires, it
may react with the coating and form a com-pound. This compound may come off the tire
while driving and stain the vehicle paint.
If you choose to use a tire dressing, take the
following precautions:

Use a water-based tire dressing. The coating
on the tire dissolves more easily with an
oil-based tire dressing.

Apply a light coat of tire dressing to help
prevent it from entering the tire tread/grooves
(where it would be difficult to remove).

Wipe off excess tire dressing using a dry
towel. Make sure the tire dressing is com-
pletely removed from the tire tread/grooves.

Allow the tire dressing to dry as recom-
mended by tire dressing manufacturer.
PLASTIC PARTSPlastic parts can be cleaned with a mild soap
solution. If the dirt cannot be easily removed, use
a plastic cleaner. Do not use any solvents.
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GLASSUse glass cleaner to remove smoke and dust film
from the glass surfaces. It is normal for glass to
become coated with a film after the vehicle is
parked in the hot sun. Glass cleaner and a soft
cloth will easily remove this film.
CAUTION
When cleaning the inside of the win-
dows, do not use sharp-edged tools,
abrasive cleaners or chlorine-based dis-
infectant cleaners. They could damage
the electrical conductors, such as radio
antenna elements or rear window de-
froster elements.SEAT BELTSThe seat belts can be cleaned by wiping them
with a sponge dampened in a mild soap solution.
Allow the belts to dry completely before using
them.
WARNING
Do not allow wet belts to roll up in theretractor. NEVER use bleach, dye, or
chemical solvents since these may se-
verely weaken the seat belt webbing.
LUGGAGE FLOOR BOARDThe luggage floor board can be washed. To
wash the luggage floor board, remove it from the
luggage area. (See “LUGGAGE FLOOR
BOARD” in the “2. Instruments and controls”
section.)
CAUTION

Never use benzine, thinner or any
similar material for washing the lug-
gage floor board.

Wipe the luggage floor board dry
before putting it back in the vehicle.
MOST COMMON FACTORS
CONTRIBUTING TO VEHICLE
CORROSION
The accumulation of moisture-retaining dirt
and debris in body panel sections, cavities,
and other areas.

Damage to paint and other protective coat-
ings caused by gravel and stone chips or
minor traffic accidents.ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
INFLUENCE THE RATE OF
CORROSION
MoistureAccumulation of sand, dirt and water on the
vehicle body underside can accelerate corro-
sion. Wet floor coverings will not dry completely
inside the vehicle, and should be removed for
drying to avoid floor panel corrosion.Relative humidityCorrosion will be accelerated in areas of high
relative humidity, especially those areas where
the temperatures stay above freezing and where
atmospheric pollution exists and road salt is
used.CORROSIONPROTECTION
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