while driving, it may indicate the VDC system is
not functioning properly and may need servicing.
Have the system checked, and if necessary
repaired, by a NISSAN dealer promptly. (See
“VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC) SYS-
TEM” in the “5. Starting and driving” section.)
Turn signal/hazard indicator
lights
The light flashes when the turn signal switch
lever or hazard switch is turned on.
Vehicle Dynamic Control
(VDC) OFF indicator light (if so
equipped)
After turning the ignition switch to the ON
position, the light will illuminate. The light will turn
off in about 2 seconds if the Vehicle Dynamic
Control (VDC) system is operational.
The light comes on when the Vehicle Dynamic
Control (VDC) OFF switch is pushed to OFF.
This indicates the Vehicle Dynamic Control sys-
tem and traction control system are not operat-
ing. When the Vehicle Dynamic Control OFF
indicator light and slip indicator light come on
with the Vehicle Dynamic Control system turned
on, this light alerts the driver to the fact that the
Vehicle Dynamic Control system’s fail-safe
mode is operating, that is the system may not befunctioning properly. Have the system checked
by a NISSAN dealer. If a malfunction occurs in
the system, the Vehicle Dynamic Control system
function will be canceled but the vehicle is still
driveable. For additional information, see “Ve-
hicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system” in the “5.
Starting and driving” section of this manual.
AUDIBLE REMINDERS
Key reminder chimeThe key reminder chime sounds if the driver’s
side door is opened while the key is left in the
ignition switch and the ignition switch is in the
“ACC”, “OFF” or “LOCK” position. Remove the
key and take it with you when leaving the vehicle.Light reminder chimeThe light reminder chime sounds if the driver’s
side door is opened while the headlight switch is
at either the
or
position and the
ignition switch is in the ACC, OFF or LOCK
position.
Make sure to turn the light switch to the “OFF” or
“AUTO” position when you leave the vehicle.
Seat belt warning chimeThe chime will sound for about 6 seconds unless
the driver’s seat belt is securely fastened.
Brake pad wear warningThe disc brake pads have audible wear warn-
ings. When a brake pad requires replacement, it
will make a high pitched scraping sound when
the vehicle is in motion whether or not the brake
pedal is depressed. Have the brakes checked as
soon as possible if the warning sound is heard.Intelligent Key door buzzerWhen the chime or buzzer sounds from inside
and outside the vehicle, check for the following:
The ignition switch is turned to the LOCK
position.
The Intelligent Key is not left inside the
vehicle.
Doors are closed securely.
The selector lever is in the P position.
When the buzzer sounds, be sure to check both
the vehicle and the Intelligent Key.
See “INTELLIGENT KEY SYSTEM” in the “3.
Pre-driving checks and adjustments” section.
2-16
Instruments and controls
06.7.5/Z50-D/V5.0
best braking performance.
This procedure is described in the vehicle ser-
vice manual and can be performed by a NISSAN
dealer.Using the brakesAvoid 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.
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 powerassist for the brakes will not work.
Braking will be harder.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM
(ABS)
WARNING
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
is a sophisticated device, but it can-
not prevent accidents resulting from
careless or dangerous driving tech-
niques. It can help maintain vehicle
control during braking on slippery
surfaces. Remember that stopping
distances on slippery surfaces will be
longer than on normal surfaces even
with ABS. 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 driver is
responsible for safety.
Tire type and condition may also af-fect braking effectiveness.
— When replacing tires, install the
specified size of tires on all four
wheels.
— When installing a spare tire, make
sure that it is the proper size and type
as specified on the Tire and Loading
Information label. See “Tire and
Loading Information label” in the “9.
Technical and consumer informa-
tion” section of this manual.
— For detailed information, see
“Wheels and tires” in the “8. Mainte-
nance and do-it-yourself” section of
this manual.
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) controls
the brakes so the wheels do not lock during hard
braking 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 each wheel from locking, the system
helps the driver maintain steering control and
helps to minimize swerving and spinning on
slippery surfaces.
Starting and driving
5-31
06.7.5/Z50-D/V5.0
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 at a
low speed forward or backward. 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 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-
Starting and driving
5-33
06.7.5/Z50-D/V5.0
Contact a NISSAN dealer if checking or replace-
ment is required.
SELF-ADJUSTING BRAKESYour vehicle is equipped with self-adjusting
brakes.
The disc-type brakes self-adjust every time the
brake pedal is applied.
WARNING
See a NISSAN dealer and have it
checked if the brake pedal height does
not return to normal.BRAKE PAD WEAR INDICATORSThe disc brake pads on your vehicle have au-
dible wear indicators. When a brake pad re-
quires replacement, it will make a high pitched
scraping or screeching sound when the vehicle
is in motion whether or not the brake pedal is
depressed. Have the brakes checked as soon as
possible if the wear indicator sound is heard.
Under some driving or climate conditions, occa-
sional brake squeak, squeal or other noise may
be heard. Occasional brake noise during light to
moderate stops is normal and does not affect
the function or performance of the brake system.
Proper brake inspection intervals shouldbe followed.For additional information, see the
separate Service and Maintenance Guide.
REAR WINDOW WIPER BLADE BRAKES8-20
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
06.7.5/Z50-D/V5.0