
narrow tunnel, a parking lot
gate) near the side of the
vehicle.
— There are bumps, protrusions, or manhole covers on the
road surface.
— The vehicle is driving through a draped flag or a curtain.
— The vehicle is driving on a steep hill.
— There is an accumulation of snow or ice behind the vehi-
cle.
— An ultrasonic wave source, such as another vehicle’s so-
nar, is near the vehicle.
. Once the automatic brake control
operates, 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 chan- ged (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 im-
mediately after driving has
started.
— The braking force becomes poor due to wet brakes after
driving through a puddle or
washing the vehicle.
. Turn the RAB system off in the
following conditions to prevent
the occurrence 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 un- even road surface.
— Suspension parts other than those designated as genuine
parts are used. (If the vehicle
height or the vehicle body
inclination is changed, the
system may not detect an
obstacle correctly.)
. Excessive noise (e.g., audio sys-
tem volume, an open vehicle win-
dow) 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
OFF warning light will illuminate, and the
“Malfunction See Owner’s Manual” warn-
ing message will appear in the vehicle
information display.
Starting and driving5-147

5-148Starting and driving
Action to take
If the warning light illuminates, park the
vehicle in a safe location, turn the engine
off, and restart the engine. If the warning
light continues to illuminate, have the
RAB system 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 OFF warn-
ing light blinks.
WAF0647XModels with 4 sonar sensors
WAF0536XModels with 6 sonar sensors
SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
The sonar sensorsare located on the
rear bumper. Observe the following items
to ensure proper operation of the system:
. Always keep the sonar sensors clean.
. If the sonar sensors are dirty, wipe
them off with a soft cloth while being
careful to not damage them.
. The sonar sensors may be blocked by
temporary ambient conditions such
as splashing water, mist or fog. The
blocked condition may also be caused
by objects such as ice, frost or dirt
obstructing the sonar sensors. Check
for and remove objects obstructing
the area around the sonar sensors.
. Do not subject the area around the
sonar sensors to strong impact. Also,
do not remove or disassemble the
sonar sensors. If the sonar sensors
and peripheral areas are deformed in
an accident, etc., have the sonar
sensors checked. It is recommended
that you visit a NISSAN dealer for this
service.
. Do not attach stickers (including
transparent material), install acces-
sories or apply additional paint on
the sonar sensors and their surround-
ing areas. This may cause a malfunc-
tion or improper operation.

.When washing the vehicle using a
high-pressure washer, do not apply
direct washer pressure on the sonar
sensors. This may cause a malfunction
of the sonar sensors.
CAUTION
During the first 1,200 miles (2,000
km), follow these recommendations
to obtain maximum engine perfor-
mance and ensure the future relia-
bility and economy of your new
vehicle. Failure to follow these re-
commendations may result in shor-
tened engine life and reduced engine
performance.
. Avoid driving for long periods at con-
stant speed, either fast or slow. Do not
run the engine over 4,000 rpm.
. Do not accelerate at full throttle in any
gear.
. Avoid quick starts.
. Avoid hard braking as much as possi-
ble.
. Do not tow a trailer for the first 500
miles (800 km). Your engine, axle or
other parts could be damaged. Follow these easy-to-use Fuel Efficient
Driving Tips to help you achieve the most
fuel economy from your vehicle.
1. Use smooth accelerator and brake
pedal application.
.Avoid rapid starts and stops..Use smooth, gentle accelerator andbrake application whenever possi-
ble.
.Maintain constant speed whilecommuting and coast whenever
possible.
2. Maintain constant speed.
.Look ahead to try and anticipate and minimize stops.
.Synchronizing your speed with traf-fic lights allows you to reduce your
number of stops.
.Maintaining a steady speed canminimize red light stops and im-
prove fuel efficiency.
3. Use air conditioning (A/C) at higher vehicle speeds.
.Below 40 MPH (64 km/h), it is moreefficient to open windows to cool
the vehicle due to reduced engine
load.
.Above 40 MPH (64 km/h), it is more
efficient to use A/C to cool the
vehicle due to increased aerody-
namic drag.
Starting and driving5-149
BREAK-IN SCHEDULE FUEL EFFICIENT DRIVING TIPS

5-154Starting and driving
4. Place the ignition switch in the OFFposition.
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.
. When the electric power steering
warning light illuminates with the
engine running, the power assist
for the steering will cease opera-
tion. You will still have control of
the vehicle but the steering will
be harder to operate.
The electric power steering is designed to
provide power assist while driving to
operate the steering wheel with light
force.
When SPORT mode is selected, the steer-
ing wheel effort is moderately increased
for a sporty feel. (See “SPORT mode” (P.5-
33).)
When the steering wheel is operated
repeatedly or continuously while parking
or driving at a very low speed, the power
assist for the steering wheel will be
reduced. This is to prevent overheating
of the electric power steering and protect
it from getting damaged. While the power assist is reduced, steering wheel opera-
tion will become heavy. If the steering
wheel operation is still performed, the
electric power steering may stop and the
electric power steering warning light
will illuminate. In a safe location, stop the
engine and place the ignition switch in
the OFF position. When the temperature
of the electric power steering goes down,
the power assist level will return to
normal. Avoid repeating such steering
wheel operations that could cause the
electric power steering to overheat.
You may hear a noise when the steering
wheel is operated quickly. However, this is
not a malfunction.
If the electric power steering warning
light illuminates while the engine is run-
ning, it may indicate the electric power
steering is not functioning properly and
may need servicing. Have the electric
power steering checked. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer
for this service. (See “Electric power steer-
ing warning light” (P.2-17).)
When the electric power steering warning
light illuminates with the engine running,
the power assist for the steering will
cease operation. You will still have control
of the vehicle. However, greater steering
effort is needed, especially in sharp turns
and at low speeds.
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING

BRAKING PRECAUTIONS
The brake system has two separate
hydraulic circuits. If one circuit malfunc-
tions, you will still have braking at two
wheels.
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 the stopping dis-
tance will be longer.
Using the brakes
Avoid resting your foot on the brake
pedal while driving. This will cause over-
heating of the brakes, wearing out the
brake pads faster and reduce gas mile-
age.
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 sur-
face, be careful when braking,
accelerating or downshifting.
Abrupt braking or accelerating
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 brakes, drive the vehicle at a safe
speed while lightly tapping 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 pads when-
ever the stopping effect of the parking
brake is weakened or whenever the
parking brake pads and/or calipers/ro-
tors 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.
Starting and driving5-155
BRAKE SYSTEM

5-156Starting and 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.
WARNING
The Brake Assist is only an aid to
assist braking operation and is not a
collision warning or avoidance de-
vice. It is the driver’s responsibility to
stay alert, drive safely and be in
control of the vehicle at all times.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS)
WARNING
.The Anti-lock Braking System
(ABS) is a sophisticated device,
but it cannot prevent accidents
resulting from careless or dan-
gerous driving techniques. It can
help maintain vehicle control dur-
ing braking on slippery surfaces.
Remember that stopping dis-
tances on slippery surfaces will
be longer than on normal sur- faces 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
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 Informa-
tion label. See “Tire and Load-
ing Information label” (P.10-11)
of this manual.
— For detailed information, see “Wheels and tires” (P.8-25) of
this manual.
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) con-
trols 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 pre- venting each wheel from locking, the
system helps the driver maintain steering
control and helps to minimize 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 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, elec-
tric 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 malfunc-
tion. If the computer senses a malfunc-
BRAKE ASSIST

tion, it switches the ABS off and illumi-
nates 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.
Normal operation
The ABS operates at speeds above 3 to 6
MPH (5 to 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 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. How-
ever, the pulsation may indicate that road
conditions are hazardous and extra care
is required while driving.The Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) sys-
tem uses various sensors to monitor
driver inputs and vehicle motion. Under
certain driving conditions, the VDC sys-
tem helps to perform the following func-
tions.
.
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 con-
trol function).
. Controls brake pressure at individual
wheels and engine output to help the
driver maintain control of the vehicle
in the following conditions:
— understeer (vehicle tends to not
follow the steered path despite
increased steering input)
— oversteer (vehicle tends to spin due to certain road or driving condi-
tions).
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 slip
indicator light
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.
If a malfunction occurs in the system, the
slip indicator light
illuminates in the
instrument panel. The VDC system auto-
matically turns off.
The vehicle information display is used to
turn off the VDC system. The VDC off
indicator
illuminates to indicate the
VDC system is off. When the VDC system
is turned off, the VDC system still oper-
ates to prevent one drive wheel from
slipping by transferring power to a non
slipping drive wheel. The slip indicator
light
flashes if this occurs. All other
VDC functions are off, and the slip in-
dicator light
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.
See “Slip indicator light” (P.2-20) and
“Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) off indi-
cator light” (P.2-20).
Starting and driving5-157
VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC) SYSTEM

5-158Starting and driving
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 improve driving stability but
does not prevent accidents due
to abrupt steering operation at
high speeds or by careless or
dangerous driving techniques.
Reduce vehicle speed and be
especially careful when driving
and cornering on slippery sur-
faces and always drive carefully.
. Do not modify the vehicle’s sus-
pension. If suspension parts such
as shock absorbers, struts,
springs, stabilizer bars, bushings
and wheels are not NISSAN re-
commended for your vehicle or
are extremely deteriorated, the
VDC system may not operate
properly. This could adversely
affect vehicle handling perfor-
mance, and the slip 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 slip indicator
light
may illuminate.
. If engine control related parts are
not NISSAN recommended or are
extremely deteriorated, the slip
indicator light
may illuminate.
. When driving on extremely in-
clined surfaces such as higher
banked corners, the VDC system
may not operate properly and the
slip indicator light
may illu-
minate. Do not drive on these
types of roads.
. When driving on an unstable sur-
face such as a turntable, ferry,
elevator or ramp, the slip indica-
tor 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 slip
indicator light
may illuminate. .
The VDC system is not a substi-
tute for winter tires or tire chains
on a snow covered road.
HOW TO TURN OFF THE VDC SYS-
TEM
The vehicle should be driven with the
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system ON
for most driving conditions.
When the vehicle is stuck in mud or snow,
the VDC system reduces the engine out-
put to reduce wheel spin. The engine
speed will be reduced even if the accel-
erator is depressed to the floor. If max-
imum engine power is needed to free a
stuck vehicle, turn the VDC system off.