
The power assisted steering uses a hydraulic
pump, driven by the engine, to assist steering.
If the engine stops or the drive belt breaks, you
will still have control of the vehicle. However,
much greater steering effort is needed, especially
in sharp turns and 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
harder to operate.The brake system has two separate hydraulic
circuits. If one circuit malfunctions, you will still
have braking at two wheels.
BRAKE PRECAUTIONS
Vacuum assisted brakes
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 stopping dis-
tance will be longer.
Using the brakes
Avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal while
driving. This will overheat the brakes, wear out the
brake pads faster, and reduce gas mileage.
To help reduce brake wear 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, accelerating or
downshifting. Abrupt braking or accel-
erating could cause the wheels to skid
and result in an accident. ●
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.
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 the 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.
Parking brake break-in
Break-in the parking brake shoes whenever the
effect of the parking brake is weakened or when-
ever the parking brake shoes and/or
drums/rotors are replaced, in order to assure the
best braking performance.
This procedure is described in the vehicle service
manual. It is recommended you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.
POWER STEERING BRAKE SYSTEM
Starting and driving5-31

ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM
(ABS)
WARNING
●The ABS is a sophisticated device, but it
cannot prevent accidents resulting from
careless or dangerous driving tech-
niques. It can help maintain vehicle con-
trol during braking on slippery surfaces.
Remember that stopping distances on
slippery surfaces will be longer than on
normal surfaces even with ABS. Stop-
ping 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 ve-
hicle in front of you. Ultimately, the
driver is responsible for safety.
● Tire type and condition 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 that it is the proper size and type
as specified on the Tire and Loading
Information label. For additional in-
formation, refer to “Tire and loading
information label” in the “Technical
and consumer information” section
of this manual.
– For additional information, refer to “Wheels and tires” in the “Mainte-
nance and do-it-yourself” section of
this manual.
The ABS controls the brakes so the wheels do
not lock during hard braking or when braking on
slippery surfaces. The system detects the rota-
tion speed at each wheel and varies the brake
fluid pressure to prevent each wheel from locking
and sliding. By preventing each wheel from lock-
ing, the system helps the driver maintain steering
control and helps to minimize swerving and spin-
ning on slippery surfaces.
Using the system
Depress the brake pedal and hold it down. De-
press the brake pedal with firm steady pressure,
but do not pump the brakes. The ABS will oper-
ate to prevent the wheels from locking up. Steer
the vehicle to avoid obstacles.
WARNING
Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so
may result in increased stopping
distances.
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 malfunc-
tion, 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. It is recommended you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.
5-32Starting and driving

Normal operation
The ABS operates at speeds above3-6mph(5
- 10 km/h). The speed varies according to road
conditions.
When the ABS senses that one or more wheels
are close to locking up, the actuator rapidly ap-
plies and releases hydraulic pressure. This action
is similar to pumping the brakes very quickly. You
may feel a pulsation in the brake pedal and hear a
noise from under the hood or feel a vibration from
the actuator when it is operating. This is normal
and indicates that the ABS is operating properly.
However, the pulsation may indicate that road
conditions are hazardous and extra care is re-
quired while driving.The Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system uses
various sensors to monitor driver inputs and ve-
hicle motion. Under certain driving conditions,
the VDC System helps to perform the following
functions:
● Controls brake pressure to reduce wheel
slip on one slipping drive wheel so power is
transferred to a non slipping drive wheel on
the same axle.
● Controls brake pressure and engine output
to reduce drive wheel slip based on vehicle
speed (traction control function) .
● If the 4WD transfer case is shifted into 4LO
the
indicator light will come on and
the VDC system will be turned off. For addi-
tional information, refer to “Using 4-wheel
drive (4WD)” in this section.
● Controls brake pressure at individual wheels
and engine output to help the driver maintain
control of the vehicle in the following condi-
tions:
– understeer (vehicle tends to not follow the steered path despite increased steer-
ing input)
– oversteer (vehicle tends to spin due to certain road or driving conditions) The VDC system can help the driver to maintain
control of the vehicle, but it cannot prevent loss of
vehicle control in all driving situations.
When the VDC system operates, the
indi-
cator in the instrument panel flashes so note the
following:
● The road may be slippery or the system may
determine some action is required to help
keep the vehicle on the steered path.
● 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 properly.
● Adjust your speed and driving to the road
conditions.
For additional information, refer to “Slip indicator
light” and ”Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) OFF
indicator light” in the ”Instruments and controls”
section of this manual.
If a malfunction occurs in the system, the
indicator light will come on in the instrument
panel. The VDC system automatically turns off
when these indicator lights are off.
The VDC OFF switch is used to turn off the VDC
system. The
indicator illuminates to indi-
cate the VDC system is off.
VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC)
SYSTEM
Starting and driving5-33

When the VDC switch is used to turn off the
system, the VDC system still operates to prevent
one drive wheel from slipping by transferring
power to a non slipping drive wheel. The
indicator flashes if this occurs. All other VDC
functions are off and the
indicator will not
flash.
The VDC system is automatically reset to ON
when the ignition switch is placed in the off
position then back to the ON position.
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 VDC system is designed to help the
driver maintain stability but does not
prevent accidents due to abrupt steer-
ing operation at high speeds or by care-
less or dangerous driving techniques.
Reduce vehicle speed and be especially
careful when driving and cornering on
slippery surfaces and always drive
carefully. ●
Do not modify the vehicle’s suspension.
If suspension parts such as shock ab-
sorbers, struts, springs, stabilizer bars,
bushings and wheels are not NISSAN
recommended for your vehicle or are
extremely deteriorated, the VDC system
may not operate properly. This could
adversely affect vehicle handling per-
formance, and the
indicator may
flash or the
indicator light may
illuminate.
● If brake related parts such as brake
pads, rotors and calipers are not
NISSAN recommended or are extremely
deteriorated, the VDC system may not
operate properly and the
indica-
tor light may illuminate.
● If engine control related parts are not
NISSAN recommended or are extremely
deteriorated, the
indicator light
may illuminate.
● When driving on extremely inclined sur-
faces such as higher banked corners,
the VDC system may not operate prop-
erly and the
indicator may flash or
the
indicator light 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
indicator may flash or
the
indicator light may illuminate.
This is not a malfunction. Restart the
engine after driving onto a stable
surface.
● If wheels or tires other than the NISSAN
recommended ones are used, the VDC
system may not operate properly and
the
indicator may flash or
the
indicator light may illuminate.
● The VDC system is not a substitute for
winter tires or tire chains on a snow
covered road.
5-34Starting and driving

WARNING
●Always turn and look back before back-
ing up. The RSS is not a substitute for
proper backing procedures.
● Read and understand the limitations of
the rear sonar system as contained in
this section. Inclement weather may af-
fect the function of the RSS; this may
include reduced performance or a false
activation.
● This system is not designed to prevent
contact with small or moving objects. ●
The system is designed as an aid to the
driver in detecting large stationary ob-
jects to help avoid damaging the ve-
hicle. The system will not detect small
objects below the bumper, and may not
detect objects close to the bumper or
on the ground.
● If your vehicle sustains damage to the
rear bumper fascia, leaving it mis-
aligned or bent, the sensing zone may
be altered causing inaccurate measure-
ment of obstacles or false alarms.
The Rear Sonar System (RSS) sounds a tone to
warn the driver of obstacles near the rear bumper
when the shift lever is in R (Reverse) . The system
may not detect objects at speeds above 3 mph
(5 km/h) and may not detect certain angular or
moving objects.
The RSS detects obstacles up to 3 ft (1.0 m)
from the rear bumper with a decreased coverage
area at the outer corners of the bumper, (refer to
the illustration for approximate zone coverage
areas) . As you move closer to the obstacle, the
rate of the tone increases. When the obstacle is
less than 12 in (30.0 cm) away, the tone will
sound continuously. If the RSS detects a station-
ary or receding object further than 12 in
(30.0 cm) from the side of the vehicle, the tone will sound for only three seconds. Once the sys-
tem detects an object approaching, the tone will
sound again.
The RSS automatically turns on when the shift
lever is placed in R (Reverse) and the ignition
switch is ON. The front and rear sonar system off
switch on the instrument panel allows the driver
to turn the RSS on and off. To turn the RSS off,
the ignition switch must be ON, and the shift lever
in R (Reverse) . An indicator light on the switch
will illuminate when the system is turned off. If the
indicator light illuminates when the RSS is not
turned off, it may indicate a malfunction in the
RSS.
Keep the RSS sensors (located on the rear bum-
per fascia) free from snow, ice and large accumu-
lations of dirt (do not clean the sensors with sharp
objects) . If the sensors are covered, it will affect
the accuracy of the RSS.
LSD0095
REAR SONAR SYSTEM (if so
equipped)
Starting and driving5-35

than 10 inches (25.0 cm) from the side of the
vehicle, the tone will sound for only 3 seconds.
Once the system detects an object approaching,
the tone will sound again.
The Front Sonar System sounds a tone to warn
the driver of obstacles near the front bumper. The
front sonar system automatically turns on when
the shift lever is placed in a forward gear and the
ignition switch is in the ON position. The system
may not detect objects at speeds above 3 mph
(5 km/h) and may not detect certain angular or
moving objects.
The Front Sonar System detects obstacles up to
3 feet (1.0 m) from the front bumper with a
decreased coverage area at the outer corners of
the bumper, (refer to the illustration for approxi-
mate zone coverage areas) . As you move closer
to the obstacle, the rate of the tone increases.
When the obstacle is less than 10 inches
(25.0 cm) away, the tone will sound continuously.
If it detects a stationary or receding object further
than 10 inches (25.0 cm) from the side of the
vehicle, the tone will sound for only 3 seconds.
Once the system detects an object approaching,
the tone will sound again.The front and rear sonar system OFF switch on
the instrument panel allows the driver to turn the
sonar system on and off. To turn the system off,
the ignition must be ON, and the shift lever in R
(Reverse) or D (Drive) . An indicator light on the
switch will illuminate when the system is turned
off. If the indicator light illuminates when the
system is not turned off, it may indicate a failure in
the sonar system.
Keep the front and rear sonar sensors (located on
the bumper fascia) free from snow, ice and large
accumulations of dirt (do not clean the sensors
with sharp objects) . If the sensors are covered, it
will affect the accuracy of the sonar system.FREEING A FROZEN DOOR LOCK
To prevent a door lock from freezing, apply de-
icer through the key hole. If the lock becomes
frozen, heat the key before inserting it into the key
hole, or use the remote keyless entry key fob or
the NISSAN Intelligent Key®.
ANTIFREEZE
In the winter when it is anticipated that the tem-
perature will drop below 32°F (0°C) , check the
antifreeze to assure proper winter protection. For
additional information, refer to “Engine cooling
system” in the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself”
section of this manual.
BATTERY
If the battery is not fully charged during extremely
cold weather conditions, the battery fluid may
freeze and damage the battery. To maintain maxi-
mum efficiency, the battery should be checked
regularly. For additional information, refer to “Bat-
tery” in the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” sec-
tion of this manual.
COLD WEATHER DRIVING
Starting and driving5-37

Push the switch on to warn other drivers when
you must stop or park under emergency condi-
tions. All turn signal lights flash.
WARNING
●If stopping for an emergency, be sure to
move the vehicle well off the road.
● Do not use the hazard warning flashers
while moving on the highway unless
unusual circumstances force you to
drive so slowly that your vehicle might
become a hazard to other traffic.
● Turn signals do not work when the haz-
ard warning flasher lights are on. The flashers will operate with the ignition switch
placed in any position.
Some jurisdictions may prohibit the use of
the hazard warning flasher switch while
driving.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING
SYSTEM (TPMS)
This vehicle is equipped with TPMS. It monitors
tire pressure of all tires except the spare. When
the low tire pressure warning light is lit, 1 or more
of your tires is significantly under-inflated. If the
vehicle is being driven with low tire pressure, the
TPMS will activate and warn you of it by the low
tire pressure warning light. This system will acti-
vate only when the vehicle is driven at speeds
above 16 mph (25 km/h). For additional informa-
tion, refer to “Warning/indicator lights and au-
dible reminders” in the “Instruments and con-
trols” section.
WARNING
●
Radio waves could adversely affect
electric medical equipment. Those who
use a pacemaker should contact the
electric medical equipment manufac-
turer for the possible influences before
use.
LIC0394
HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
SWITCH FLAT TIRE
6-2In case of emergency

●If the low tire pressure warning light
illuminates 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 possible. Driving with under-
inflated tires may permanently damage
the tires and increase the likelihood of
tire failure. Serious vehicle damage
could occur and may lead to an accident
and could result in serious personal in-
jury. Check the tire pressure for all four
tires. Adjust the tire pressure to the
recommended COLD tire pressure
shown on the Tire and Loading Informa-
tion label to turn the low tire pressure
warning light OFF. 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, tire pressure will not be
indicated, the TPMS will not function
and the low tire pressure warning light
will flash for approximately 1 minute.
The light will remain on after 1 minute.
Have your tires replaced and/or TPMS
system reset as soon as possible. It is
recommended you visit a NISSAN
dealer for these services. ●
Replacing tires with those not originally
specified by NISSAN could affect the
proper operation of the TPMS.
● Do not inject any tire liquid or aerosol
tire sealant into the tires, as this may
cause a malfunction of the tire pressure
sensors.
CHANGING A FLAT TIRE
If you have a flat tire, follow the instructions be-
low:
Stopping the vehicle
1. Safely move the vehicle off the road and
away from traffic.
2. Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
3. Park on a level surface and apply the parking brake. Move the shift lever to P (Park) .
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 the parking brake is securely
applied and the shift lever 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 is
close to your vehicle. Wait for profes-
sional road assistance.
In case of emergency6-3