2018 NISSAN ALTIMA SL service

Fail-safe
If the vehicle is driven under extreme
conditions, such as excessive wheel
spinning and subsequent hard braking,
the fail-safe system may be activated.
The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
may come on to indicate the fail-safe
mode is activated. For additional infor-
mation, refer to “Malfunction Indicator
Light (MIL)” in the “Instruments and con-
trols” section of this manual. This will oc-
cur even if all electrical circuits are func-
tioning properly. In this case, place the
ignition switch in the OFF position and
wait for 10 seconds. Then push the
switch back to the ON position. The ve-
hicle should return to its normal operat-
ing condition. If it does not return to its
normal operating condition, have the
transmission checked. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer
for this service.

If it is not possible to set or the indicator
stays on, it may indicate that the system
is malfunctioning. Although the vehicle
is still drivable under normal conditions,
have the vehicle checked. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer
for this service.

∙ Once the automatic brake controloperates, it does not operate again if
the vehicle approaches the same
obstacle.
∙ The automatic brake control can only operate for a short period of time.
Therefore, the driver must depress
the brake pedal.
∙ In the following situations, the RAB system may not operate properly or
may not function sufficiently:
– The vehicle is driven in bad weather (rain, fog, snow, etc.).
– The vehicle is driven on a steep hill.
– The vehicle’s posture is changed (e.g., when driving over a bump).
– The vehicle is driven on a slippery road.
– The vehicle is turned sharply by turning the steering wheel fully.
– Snow chains are used.
– Wheels or tires other than NISSAN recommended are used. – The brakes are cold at low ambient
temperatures or immediately af ter
driving has started.
– The braking force becomes poor due to wet brakes af ter driving
through a puddle or washing the
vehicle.
∙ Turn the RAB system off in the follow- ing conditions to prevent the occur-
rence of an unexpected accident
resulting from sudden system
operation:
– The vehicle is towed.
– The vehicle is carried on a flatbed truck.
– The vehicle is on the chassis dynamometer.
– The vehicle drives on an uneven road surface.
– Suspension parts other than those designated as Genuine NISSAN
parts are used. (If the vehicle
height or the vehicle body inclina-
tion is changed, the system may
not detect an obstacle correctly.) ∙ Excessive noise (e.g., audio system
volume, an open vehicle window) will
interfere with the chime sound, and it
may not be heard.
SYSTEM MALFUNCTION
If the RAB system malfunctions, it will be
turned off automatically, the RAB system
warning light will illuminate, and the “Sys-
tem fault” warning message will appear in
the vehicle information display.
Action to take
If the warning light illuminates, park the ve-
hicle in a safe location, turn the engine off,
and restart the engine. If the warning light
continues to illuminate, have the RAB sys-
tem checked. It is recommended that you
visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
NOTE:
If the RAB system cannot be operated
temporarily, the RAB system warning
light blinks.
Starting and driving5-129

SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
Observe the following items to ensure
proper operation of the system:∙ Always keep the parking sensors
1
clean.
∙ If the parking sensors are dirty, wipe them off with a sof t cloth while being
careful to not damage them. ∙ Do not subject the area around the
parking sensors
1to strong impact.
Also, do not remove or disassemble the
parking sensors. If the parking sensors
and peripheral areas are deformed in
an accident, etc., have the sensors
checked. It is recommended that you
visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
∙ Do not install any stickers (including transparent stickers) or accessories on
the parking sensors
1and their sur-
rounding areas. This may cause a mal-
function or improper operation.

∙ If the tire size incorrect message isdisplayed while you are driving, pull
off the road in a safe area with the
engine idling. Check that all tire sizes
are the same, that the tire pressure is
correct and that the tires are not ex-
cessively worn.
∙ If a warning message continues to be displayed af ter the above operations,
have your vehicle checked as soon as
possible. It is recommended that you
visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.

light will illuminate. In a safe location, stop
the engine and place the ignition switch in
the OFF position. The temperature of the
power steering system will go down af ter a
period of time and the power assist level
will return to normal af ter starting the en-
gine. The power steering warning light will
go off. Avoid repeating such steering wheel
operations that could cause the power
steering system to overheat.
You may hear a noise from the front of the
vehicle when the steering wheel is oper-
ated. This is a normal operational noise
and is not a malfunction.
If the power steering warning light illumi-
nates while the engine is running, it may
indicate the power steering system is not
functioning properly and may need servic-
ing. Have the power steering system
checked. It is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN dealer for this service.
When the power steering warning light illu-
minates with the engine running, the
power assist for the steering will cease op-
eration but you will still have control of the
vehicle. At this time, greater steering efforts
are required to operate the steering wheel,
especially in sharp turns and at low speeds.The brake system has two separate hy-
draulic 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 pres-
sure on the brake pedal will be required to
stop the vehicle and stopping distance 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 downshif t 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.

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 perfor-
mance.
This procedure is described in the vehicle
service manual. It is recommended that
you visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS)

If the ABS warning light illuminates during
the self-test or while driving, have the ve-
hicle checked. It is recommended that you
visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
Normal operation
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) oper-
ates 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 applies and releases hydraulic pres-
sure. This action is similar to pumping the
brakes very quickly. You may feel a pulsa-
tion 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 op-
erating properly. However, the pulsation
may indicate that road conditions are haz-
ardous and extra care is required while
driving.
BRAKE ASSIST
When the force applied to the brake pedal
exceeds a certain level, the Brake Assist is
activated generating greater braking force
than a conventional brake booster even
with light pedal force.