hill gradient. Overheated brakes may reduce brak-
ing performance and could result in loss of vehicle
control.
CAUTION
While driving on a slippery surface, be careful
when braking, accelerating or downshifting.
Abrupt braking actions or sudden acceleration
could cause the wheels to skid and result in an
accident.
Be aware that brakes will fade if repeated heavy
brake applications are made.
Driving uphill
When starting on a steep gradient, it is sometimes
difficult to operate the brake (AT models) or both the
brake and clutch (MT models). Use the handbrake
to hold the vehicle. Do not slip the clutch (MT mod-
els). When ready to start, slowly release the hand-
brake while depressing the accelerator pedal and
releasing the clutch (MT models) or depressing the
accelerator pedal (AT models).
Driving downhill
The engine braking action is effective for controlling
the vehicle while descending hills.
The gear lever (MT models) should be placed in a
gear position low enough to obtain sufficient engine
braking.
For AT models, the 2 (Second) or 1 (First) gear
should be selected.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS)
WARNING
•The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) is a so-
phisticated device, but it cannot prevent acci-
dents resulting from careless or dangerous
driving techniques. It can help maintain ve-
hicle control during braking on slippery sur-
faces. Remember that stopping distances
may also be longer on rough, gravel or snow
covered roads, or if you are using snow
chains. Always maintain a safe distance from
the vehicle in front of you. Ultimately, the
driver is responsible for safety.
•Tyre type and condition may also affect brak-
ing effectiveness.
– When replacing tyres, install the specified
size of tyres on all four wheels.
– When installing a spare tyre, make sure it
is the proper size and type as specified on
the tyre placard. See “Vehicle
identification” in the “9. Technical
information” section for the tyre placard
location.
– For detailed information, see “Wheels and
tyres” in the “8. Maintenance and
do-it-yourself” section.
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) controls the
brakes so that the wheels do not lock during hard
braking or when braking on slippery surfaces. The
system detects the rotation speed at each wheeland varies the brake fluid pressure to prevent each
wheel from locking and sliding. By preventing each
wheel from locking, the system helps the driver to
maintain steering control and helps to minimise
swerving and spinning on slippery surfaces.
Using the system
Depress the brake pedal and hold it down. Depress
the brake pedal with firm steady pressure, but do
not pump the brakes. The ABS will operate to pre-
vent the wheels from locking up. Steer the vehicle to
avoid obstacles.
WARNING
Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so may in-
crease the stopping distance.
Self-test feature
The ABS includes electronic sensors, electric
pumps, hydraulic solenoids and 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 does not indicate a malfunction. If the
computer senses a malfunction, it switches the ABS
off and illuminates the ABS warning light on the
instrument panel. The brake system then operates
normally, but without anti-lock assistance.
If the ABS warning light illuminates during the self-
test or while driving, have the vehicle checked by a
NISSAN dealer or qualified workshop.
5-28Starting and driving
NOTE
The ESP system cannot be switched off when
the ESP system is operating and the “SLIP” indi-
cator light (
) is blinking.
Push the ESP OFF switch again, or restart the en-
gine, to turn the system ON. See “Electronic Stabil-
ity Programme (ESP) system (where fitted)” earlier
in this section for operational details.
WARNING
•Whatever the conditions, drive with caution.
Accelerate and decelerate with great care. If
accelerating or decelerating too fast, the drive
wheels will lose even more traction.
•Allow more stopping distance in cold weather
driving. Braking should be started sooner than
on dry surfaces.
•Keep at a greater distance from the vehicle in
front of you on slippery roads.
•Wet ice (0°C, 32°F and freezing rain), very cold
snow and ice can be slick and very difficult to
drive on. The vehicle will have a lot less trac-
tion or grip under these conditions. Try to
avoid driving on wet ice until the road is salted
or sanded.
•Watch for slippery spots (black ice). These
may appear on an otherwise clear road in
shaded areas. If a patch of ice is seen ahead,
brake before driving on it. Try not to brake
while actually on the ice and avoid any sud-
den steering manoeuvres.
•Snow can trap dangerous exhaust gas under
your vehicle. Keep snow clear of the exhaust
pipe and from around your vehicle.
BATTERY
If the battery is not fully charged during extremely
cold weather conditions, the battery fluid may freeze
and damage the battery. To maintain maximum effi-ciency, the battery should be checked regularly. For
details, see “Battery” in the “8. Maintenance and
do-it-yourself” section.
ENGINE COOLANT
If the vehicle is to be left outside without anti-freeze,
drain the cooling system. Refill before operating the
vehicle. For details, see “Engine cooling system” in
the “8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section.
TYRE EQUIPMENT
1) The SUMMER tyres are of a tread design to pro-
vide superior performance on dry surfaces. How-
ever, the performance of these tyres will be sub-
stantially 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 tyres on all four wheels. Please
consult a NISSAN dealer or qualified workshop
for tyre type, size, speed rating and availability
information.
2) For additional traction on icy roads, studded
tyres may be used. However, some countries,
provinces and states prohibit their use. Check
applicable laws before installing studded tyres.
CAUTION
Skid and traction capabilities of studded snow
tyres on wet or dry surfaces may be poorer
than that of non-studded snow tyres.
3) Snow chains may be used, if desired. But the
use of snow chains may be prohibited in some
areas. Therefore, check the local laws before
COLD WEATHER DRIVING
Starting and driving5-31
A.Turn signal light
B.Stop/Tail light
C.Reverse light
Rear combination light
1. Open the backdoor.
2. Remove the bolts
j1 with a suitable tool.
3. Hold firmly the outboard edge of the light unit
j2
then pull carefully with force straight towards the
rear of the vehicle, as illustrated.
NOTE
If in doubt or you encounter any difficulties
when removing the light unit from its attach-
ments
jD , contact a NISSAN dealer or quali-
fied workshop.
CAUTION
In order to prevent body and paint damage,
ensure the vehicle body around the light unit
is protected when using lever tools to remove
the light unit.
4. Install the new bulb and check afterwards the
light operation.
5. Install the light unit in the reverse order of re-
moval (step 3 and 2) and close the backdoor.In case of a flat tyre, see “Flat tyre” in the “6. In case
of emergency” section.
TYRE INFLATION PRESSURE
Periodically check the tyre pressure (including the
spare tyre). An incorrect tyre pressure may ad-
versely affect tyre life and vehicle handling.
NOTE
Incorrectly inflated tyres can also lead to poor
steering ability and make the driver suspect a
steering problem: keep the vehicle’s tyres in-
flated to the correct pressure at all times.
The tyre pressure should be checked when tyres
are COLD. Tyres are considered COLD after the
vehicle has been parked for three or more hours, or
driven less than 1.6 km (1 mile). COLD tyre pres-
sures are shown on the tyre placard affixed to the
driver’s side centre pillar.
Insufficient pressure can lead to an overheating of
the tyre and subsequent internal damage. At high
speeds, this could result in tread separation and
even bursting of the tyre.
TYPES OF TYRES
CAUTION
•When changing or replacing tyres, be sure all
four tyres are of the same type (i.e., summer,
all season or snow) and construction.
•A NISSAN dealer or qualified workshop may
be able to help you with information about
tyre type, size, speed rating and availability.
•Replacement tyres may have a lower speed
rating than the factory equipped tyres, and
may not match the potential maximum vehicle
speed. Never exceed the maximum speed rat-
ing of the tyre.
All season tyres
NISSAN specifies all season tyres on some models
to provide good performance for use all year around,
including snowy and icy road conditions. All season
tyres are identified by ALL SEASON and/or M&S
on the tyre sidewall. Snow tyres have better snow
traction than all season tyres and may be more ap-
propriate in some areas.
Summer tyres
NISSAN specifies summer tyres as standard fit.
These tyres provide superior performance under
typical mild weather conditions.
If you plan to operate your vehicle in snowy or icy
conditions, NISSAN recommends the use of SNOW
or ALL SEASON tyres on all four wheels.
Snow tyres
If snow tyres are needed, it is necessary to select
tyres equivalent in size and load rating to the original
equipment tyres. If you do not, it can adversely af-
fect the safety and handling of your vehicle.
Generally, snow tyres will have lower speed ratings
than factory equipped tyres and may not match the
potential maximum vehicle speed. Never exceed the
maximum speed rating of the tyre.
For additional traction on icy roads, studded tyres
WHEELS AND TYRES
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-29