2015 NISSAN QASHQAI four wheel drive

be able to detect or signal low tyre pressure as
intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a vari-
ety of reasons including the installation of replace-
ment or alternate tyres or wheels on the vehicle that
prevent the TPMS from functioning properly. Always
check the TPMS indicator light after replacing one
or more tyres or wheels on your vehicle to ensure
that the replacement or alternate tyres and wheels
allow the TPMS to continue to function properly.
•The TPMS does not monitor the tyre pressure of
the spare tyre.
•The TPMS will activate only when the vehicle is
driven at speeds above 25 km/h (16 MPH). Also,
this system may not detect a sudden drop in tyre
pressure (for example a flat tyre while driving).
•The TPMS indicator light may not automatically
turn off when the tyre pressure is adjusted.After
the tyre is inflated to the recommended COLD
tyre pressure, drive the vehicle at speeds above
25 km/h (16 MPH) to activate the TPMS. See
“TPMS sensor ID and position recognition” later
in this section
•Following a change in the outside temperature,
the TPMS indicator light may illuminate even if
the tyre pressure has been adjusted properly.
Adjust the tyre pressure to the recommended
COLD tyre pressure again when the tyres are
cold, and reset the TPMS.
For additional information, see “[Check cold tyre]
message” later in this section.
WARNING
•If the TPMS indicator light illuminates while
driving:
– avoid sudden steering manoeuvres
– avoid abrupt braking
– reduce vehicle speed
– pull off the road to a safe location
– stop the vehicle as soon as possible
•Driving with under-inflated tyres may perma-
nently damage the tyres and increase the like-
lihood of tyre failure. Serious vehicle damage
could occur which may lead to an accident
and could result in serious personal injury.
•Check the tyre pressure for all four tyres. Ad-
just the tyre pressure to the recommended
COLD tyre pressure shown on the tyre plac-
ard to turn the TPMS indicator light “OFF”. In
case of a flat tyre, replace it with a spare tyre
as soon as possible. (See “Flat tyre” in the
“6. In case of emergency” section for chang-
ing a flat tyre.)
•When a spare tyre is mounted or a wheel is
replaced, the TPMS will not function and the
TPMS indicator light will flash for approxi-
mately 1 minute. The light will remain on after
1 minute. Be sure to follow all instructions for
wheel replacement and mount the TPMS sys-
tem correctly.
•Replacing tyres with those not originally speci-
fied by NISSAN could affect the proper opera-
tion of the TPMS.
•The Genuine NISSAN Emergency Tyre Repair
Sealant or equivalent can be used for tempo-
rarily repairing a tyre. Do not inject any other
tyre liquid or aerosol tyre sealant into the
tyres, as this may cause a malfunction of the
tyre pressure sensors.
•NISSAN recommends using only Genuine
NISSAN Emergency Tyre Sealant provided
with your vehicle. Other tyre sealants may
damage the valve stem seal which can cause
the tyre to lose air pressure. Visit a NISSAN
dealer or qualified workshop as soon as pos-
sible after using tyre repair sealant (for mod-
els equipped with the emergency tyre punc-
ture repair kit).
CAUTION
•The TPMS may not function properly when the
wheels are equipped with tyre chains or the
wheels are buried in snow.
•Do not place metalised film or any metal parts
(antenna, etc.) on the windows. This may
cause poor reception of the signals from the
tyre pressure sensors, and the TPMS will not
function properly.
Starting and driving5-5

The Four Wheel Drive (4WD) system is used to
select 2WD, AUTO, or LOCK depending on the
driving conditions.
The Four Wheel Drive (4WD) system controls the
coupling operation. Switch the control switch (see
illustration) to select each mode: 2WD, AUTO or
LOCK depending on the driving conditions.AUTO: Switch the control switch to the neutral
(AUTO) position and the Four-Wheel Drive (4WD)
AUTO indicator light
on the combination meter
illuminates.
2WD: Switch the control switch to the 2WD posi-
tion.
LOCK: When the control is switched to the LOCK
position, it springs back to the AUTO position when
released. The 4WD LOCK mode indicator light
illuminates on the combination meter, to show
LOCK mode is engaged. To disengage LOCK
mode, switch the control switch again to the LOCK
position and release. The 4WD LOCK mode indica-
tor light will go out.NSD494Right hand drive (RHD)
NSD495Left hand drive (LHD)
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4WD)
(where fitted)
5-26Starting and driving

4WD MODE OPERATIONSCAUTION
Depending on the driving conditions, the 4WD
mode may automatically change from 2WD to
4WD even when the 2WD mode is selected.
If this occurs while driving, the 4WD mode indi-
cator light will not illuminate.
Do not start the engine while in the 2WD, AUTO,
or LOCK mode:
•When on free-roller or jacking the front tyres
with the rear tyres on the ground.
•When towing with the rear tyres raised from
the ground.
4WD SHIFT TIPS
•If the 4WD mode control is operated while cor-
nering, accelerating or decelerating, or if the ig-
nition is turned OFF while in the AUTO or LOCK
position you may feel a jolt - this is normal.
•The oil temperature of power train parts will in-
crease 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 or mud, or when freeing a
stuck vehicle. In these cases, the message [4WD
High Temp. Stop Vehicle] will appear in the ve-
hicle information display and the 4WD mode
changes to the 2WD condition to protect the
power train parts. If you stop the vehicle, with
4WD Mode Wheels driven4WD mode
indicator light
(
m,m)Driving conditions
2WDFront wheels-
The wheel drive mode is in
2WD when driving on a normal
road
*1Goes off For driving on dry, paved roads
AUTODistribution of torque to the
front and rear wheels changes
automatically, depending on
road conditions encountered
[ratio; 100:0 (2WD)→50:50
(4WD)]. This results in
improved driving stability
m
For driving on paved or slippery roads
LOCK Four wheels
*2m/mFor driving on rough roads
*1The 2WD mode may change to the 4WD mode automatically depending on the driving condition. The 4WD mode indi-
cator light does not illuminate.
*2LOCK mode changes to AUTO mode automatically when the vehicle is sharply accelerated or when the vehicle speed
is over approximately 40 km/h (25 MPH). The 4WD LOCK indicator light goes off. Turning off the ignition automatically
cancels LOCK mode.
Starting and driving5-27

the engine idling, and wait until the warning mes-
sage is no longer displayed, the 4WD mode re-
turns to the AUTO mode.
•Braking distance in 4WD mode is the same as in
2WD mode.
•Even if the mode automatically changes to AUTO
mode, when driving in the LOCK mode, the indi-
cator light stays in the LOCK mode.
CAUTION
•Only use the 4WD mode control when driving
in a straight direction (to select 2WD, AUTO or
LOCK).
•Do not use the 4WD mode control when turn-
ing or reversing.
•Do not use the 4WD mode control with the
front wheels spinning (to select 2WD, AUTO,
or LOCK).
•Be especially careful when starting or driving
on slippery surfaces with the 4WD mode set
to AUTO.
•Never drive on dry hard surface roads in the
LOCK position as this will overload the power
train and may cause serious malfunctions.
4WD MODE INDICATOR LIGHTS
•4WD mode indicator light (LOCK):
This light comes on when the ignition switch is
turned to the ON position, and turns off within 1
second. When selecting LOCK mode while theengine is running, this light will illuminate simul-
taneously along with the 4WD mode indicator
light (AUTO).
•4WD mode indicator light (AUTO):
This light comes on when the ignition switch is
turned to the ON position, and turns off within 1
second. If the engine is running, this light will illu-
minate when selecting AUTO mode.
The 4WD mode indicator light is located in the
instrument panel.
The light should turn off within 1 second of the
ignition switch being turned to the ON position.
While the engine is running, the 4WD mode indi-
cator light will display the position selected by
the 4WD mode control.
NOTE
The 4WD mode indicator light may blink while
shifting from one drive mode to another. Once
shifting is completed, the 4WD mode indicator
light will come on. If the indicator light does not
come on immediately, make sure that the area
around the vehicle is safe and free from ob-
stacles. Drive the vehicle straight (DO NOT ac-
celerate, decelerate or reverse), then turn the
4WD mode control.
If the 4WD warning lights comes on, the 4WD indi-
cator light(s) will go out.
DRIVING FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4WD)
SAFELY
Your NISSAN is designed for both normal and off-
road use. However, avoid driving in deep water or
mud as your NISSAN is mainly designed for leisure
use, unlike a conventional off-road vehicle.
Remember that Two-Wheel drive (2WD) models are
less capable than Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) models
for rough road driving and extrication when stuck,
for example, in deep snow or mud.
Please observe the following precautions:
•Drive carefully when off-road and avoid danger-
ous areas. Always wear seat belts to help keep
you and your passengers in position when driv-
ing over rough terrain.
•Do not drive across steep slopes. Instead drive
either straight up or straight down the slope. Off-
road vehicles can tip over sideways much more
easily than they can forwards or backwards.
•Many hills are too steep for any vehicle. If you
drive up them, you may stall. If you drive down
them, you may not be able to control your speed.
If you drive across them, you may roll over.
•Do not shift gears when driving on downhill
grades as this could cause loss of control of the
vehicle.
•Stay alert when driving to the top of a hill. At the
top there could be a drop-off or other hazard that
could cause an accident.
5-28Starting and driving

•If the engine of the vehicle stalls or you cannot
make it to the top of a steep grade, never at-
tempt to turn around. Your vehicle could tip or
roll over. Always drive backwards and straight
down in R (reverse) gear.
Never drive backwards with the shift lever in N
(Neutral) and/or with the clutch depressed and
using the brake as this could result in loss of
control.
•Heavy braking down a hill could cause your
brakes to overheat and fade, resulting in loss of
control and an accident. Apply the brakes lightly
and use a low gear to control your vehicle speed.
•Unsecured cargo can be thrown around when
driving over rough terrain. Properly secure it so
that it will not be thrown forwards and cause
injury to you or your passengers.
•To avoid raising the centre of gravity excessively,
do not exceed the rated capacity of the roof rack/
gear bin (where fitted) and evenly distribute the
load. Secure heavy loads in the luggage area as
far forwards and as low as possible. Do not equip
the vehicle with tyres larger than specified. This
could cause your vehicle to roll over.
•Accelerating quickly, sharp steering manoeuvres
or sudden braking may cause loss of control.
•Do not drive beyond the performance of the
tyres, even with 4WD. Sudden acceleration,
steering or braking may result in loss of control
and could cause the vehicle to become stuck.
•If at all possible, avoid sharp turning manoeuvres,
particularly at high speeds. Your 4WD vehicle
has a higher centre of gravity than a 2WD ve-
hicle and can tip over more easily. The vehicle is
not designed for cornering at the same speeds
as conventional 2WD models any more than low
sports cars are designed to perform satisfacto-
rily under off-road conditions. Failure to operate
this vehicle correctly could result in loss of con-
trol and/or a rollover accident.
•Do not grip the inside or spokes of the steering
wheel when driving off-road. The steering wheel
could jerk and injure your hands. Instead, drive
with your fingers and thumbs on the outside of
the rim.
•Before operating the vehicle, ensure that the
driver and all passengers have their seat belts
fastened.
•Always drive with the floor mats in place as the
floor may become very hot. Particular care
should be taken if you are barefoot.
•Lower your speed when encountering strong
crosswinds. With its higher centre of gravity your
NISSAN is more affected by gusty side winds.
Slower speeds ensure better vehicle control.
•Be sure to check the brakes immediately after
driving in mud or water as specified in “Wet
brakes” later in this section.
•Whenever you drive off-road through sand, mud
or water as deep as the wheel hub, more fre-quent maintenance may be required. For details,
refer to the separately provided Warranty Infor-
mation and Maintenance Booklet.
•Rinse the underside of the vehicle with fresh
water after driving through mud or sand. Re-
move any brush or sticks that are trapped.
•Install the same size of winter tyres on all four (4)
wheels (such as studless tyres) or install snow
chains to the front wheels when driving on slip-
pery roads (e.g. after a snowfall) and drive care-
fully using 4WD.
•Avoid parking your vehicle on steep hills. If you
get out of the vehicle and it rolls forwards, back-
wards or sideways, you could be injured.
Starting and driving5-29

Driving downhill
The engine braking action is effective for controlling
the vehicle while descending hills.
The shift lever (MT models) should be placed in a
gear position low enough to obtain sufficient engine
braking.
For XTRONIC transmission models, a low gear po-
sition in the manual shift mode, low enough to obtain
sufficient engine braking, should be selected.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 on
slippery surfaces will be longer than on nor-
mal surfaces even with ABS. Stopping dis-
tances 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
that it is the proper size and type as speci-
fied on the tyre placard. (See “Vehicle
identification” in the “9. Technical
information” section.)
– 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 the wheels do not lock during hard brak-
ing or when braking on slippery surfaces. The sys-
tem detects the rotation speed at each wheel and
varies the brake fluid pressure to prevent each wheelfrom locking and sliding. By preventing each wheel
from locking, the system helps the driver maintain
steering control and helps to minimise swerving and
spinning on slippery surfaces.
USING 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 re-
sult 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 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.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM
(ABS)
Starting and driving5-59

ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL
This system senses upper body motion based on
wheel speed information and controls engine torque
(MR20DD engines only) and four wheel brake pres-
sure to enhance ride comfort in an effort to restrain
uncomfortable upper body movement. This system
come into effect above 40 km/h (25 MPH).
When the ESP OFF switch is used to turn off the
ESP system, the active ride control is also turned
off.
When the brake control of active ride control is op-
erated and the “Chassis Control” mode is selected
in the trip computer, the active ride control graphics
are shown in the vehicle information display see
“28. [Chassis control system fault] warning” in the
“2. Instruments and controls” section for more infor-
mation.
If the chassis control warning message appears in
the vehicle information display, it may indicate that
the active ride control is not functioning properly.Have the system checked by a NISSAN dealer or
qualified workshop as soon as possible.
When the active ride control is operating, you may
hear noise and sense slight deceleration. This is
normal and indicates that the active ride control is
operating properly.
WARNING
•Never rely solely on the hill start assist system
to prevent the vehicle from moving backward
on a hill. Always drive carefully and attentively.
Depress the brake pedal when the vehicle is
stopped on a steep hill. Be especially careful
when stopped on a hill on frozen or muddy
roads. Failure to prevent the vehicle from roll-
ing backwards may result in a loss of control
of the vehicle and possible serious injury or
death.
•The hill start assist system is not designed to
hold the vehicle at a standstill on a hill. De-
press the brake pedal when the vehicle is
stopped on a steep hill. Failure to do so may
cause the vehicle to roll backwards and may
result in a collision or serious personal injury.
•The hill start assist system may not prevent
the vehicle from rolling backwards on a hill
under all load or road conditions. Always be
prepared to depress the brake pedal to pre-
vent the vehicle from rolling backwards. Fail-
ure to do so may result in a collision or seri-
ous personal injury.
The hill start assist system automatically keeps the
brakes applied to help prevent the vehicle from roll-
ing backwards in the time it takes the driver to re-
lease the brake pedal and apply the accelerator
when the vehicle is stopped on a hill.
NSD527Chassis control
HILL START ASSIST (HSA)
SYSTEM
5-64Starting and driving

•Turn off the ECO mode system when accelera-
tion is required, such as when:
– driving with a heavy load of passengers or
cargo in the vehicle
– driving on a steep uphill slopeWARNING
•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.
•Do not use cruise control (where fitted) on
slippery roads.
•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.
COLD WEATHER DRIVING
5-66Starting and driving