2022 NISSAN PATHFINDER snow chain

to a non-slipping drive wheel. Theindicator light flashes if this occurs. All
other VDC functions are off and the
indicator 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.
The computer has a built-in diagnostic fea-
ture that tests the system each time you
start the engine and move the vehicle for-
ward 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 indica-
tion of a malfunction.
WARNING
• The VDC system is designed to help
the driver maintain 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 driv-
ing and cornering on slippery sur-
faces and always drive carefully. •
Do not modif y the vehicle's suspen-
sion. If suspension parts such as
shock absorbers, struts, springs, sta-
bilizer bars, bushings and wheels are
not NISSAN recommended for your
vehicle or are extremely deterio-
rated, the VDC system may not oper-
ate properly. This could adversely af-
fect vehicle handling performance,
and the
indicator light may flash
or both theandindicator
lights may illuminate.
• If brake related parts such as brake
pads, rotors and calipers are not
NISSAN recommended or are ex-
tremely deteriorated, the VDC sys-
tem may not operate properly and
both the
and theindicator
lights may illuminate.
• If engine control related parts are not
NISSAN recommended or are ex-
tremely deteriorated, both the
andindicator lights may
illuminate. •
When driving on extremely inclined
surfaces such as higher banked cor-
ners, the VDC system may not oper-
ate properly and the
indicator
light may flash or both theandindicator lights 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 light may
flash or both theandindi-
cator lights may illuminate. This is
not a malfunction. Restart the engine
af ter driving onto a stable surface.
• If wheels or tires other than the
NISSAN recommended ones are
used, the VDC system may not oper-
ate properly and the
indicator
light may flash or both theandindicator lights may illuminate.
• The VDC system is not a substitute
for winter tires or tire chains on a
snow covered road.
5-178Starting and driving

•Do not modif y the vehicle’s suspen-
sion. If suspension parts such as
shock absorbers, struts, springs, sta-
bilizer bars, bushings and wheels are
not NISSAN recommended for your
vehicle or are extremely deterio-
rated, the VDC system may not oper-
ate properly. This could adversely af-
fect vehicle handling performance,
and the
indicator light may flash
or both theandindicator
lights may illuminate.
• If brake related parts such as brake
pads, rotors and calipers are not
NISSAN recommended or are ex-
tremely deteriorated, the VDC sys-
tem may not operate properly and
both the
and theindicator
lights may illuminate.
• If engine control related parts are not
NISSAN recommended or are ex-
tremely deteriorated, both the
andindicator lights may
illuminate. •
When driving on extremely inclined
surfaces such as higher banked cor-
ners, the VDC system may not oper-
ate properly and the
indicator
light may flash or both theandindicator lights 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 light may
flash or both theandindi-
cator lights may illuminate. This is
not a malfunction. Restart the engine
af ter driving onto a stable surface.
• If wheels or tires other than the
NISSAN recommended ones are
used, the VDC system may not oper-
ate properly and the
indicator
light may flash or both theandindicator lights may illuminate.
• The VDC system is not a substitute
for winter tires or tire chains on a
snow covered road. The chassis control is an electric control
module that includes the following
functions:
• Intelligent Trace Control
• Active Ride Control (if so equipped)
INTELLIGENT TRACE CONTROL
(I-TC)
This system senses driving based on the
driver’s steering and acceleration/braking
patterns, and controls brake pressure at
individual wheels to aid tracing at corners
and help smooth vehicle response.
When the VDC system is turned off, the I-TC
is also turned off.
The amount of brake control is changed
based on Drive Mode Selector.
When the I-TC is not functioning properly,
the master warning light illuminates, and
the warning message “Chassis Control
System Error” will also appear in the vehicle
information display.
CHASSIS CONTROL
5-180Starting and driving

The sonar system sounds a tone to inform
the driver of obstacles around the vehicle
using the sonar sensors located in the
front and rear bumpers..
When the sonar system is turned on, the
sonar view will automatically appear in the
vehicle information display.
WARNING
• The sonar system is a convenience
but it is not a substitute for proper
parking.
• The driver is always responsible for
safety during parking and other ma-
neuvers. Always look around and
check that it is safe to do so before
parking.
• Read and understand the limitations
of the sonar system as contained in
this section. The colors of the corner
sonar indicator indicates different
distances to the object.
• Inclement weather or ultrasonic
sources such as an automatic car
wash, a truck's compressed-air
brakes or a pneumatic drill may af-
fect the function of the system; this
may include reduced performance or
a false activation.
• The sonar system is designed as an
aid to the driver in detecting large
stationary objects to help avoid
damaging the vehicle. •
The sonar system is not designed to
prevent contact with small or moving
objects. Always move slowly. The
system will not detect small objects
below the bumper, and may not de-
tect objects close to the bumper or
on the ground.
• The sonar system may not detect the
following objects: fluff y objects such
as snow, cloth, cotton, glass, wool,
etc.; thin objects such as rope, wire
and chain, etc.; or wedge-shaped
objects.
If your vehicle sustains damage to the
bumper fascia, leaving it misaligned or
bent, the sensing zone may be altered
causing inaccurate measurement of ob-
stacles or false alarms.
LSD4335
FRONT AND REAR SONAR SYSTEM
(if so equipped)
Starting and driving5-183

•The system is not designed to pre-
vent contact with small or moving
objects. Always move slowly. The
system will not detect small objects
below the bumper or on the ground.
• The system may not detect the fol-
lowing objects: fluff y objects such as
snow, cloth, cotton, glass-wool, etc.;
thin objects such as rope, wire and
chain, etc.; or wedge-shaped objects;
complex-shaped objects or multiple
objects in close.
• The sonar system may not detect ob-
jects at speeds above 3 mph (5 km/h)
and may not detect certain angular
or moving objects.
• The sonar system may not operate in
the following conditions:
– When rain, snow, ice, dirt, etc. ad- heres to the sonar.
– When a loud sound is heard in the area around the vehicle.
– When the surface of the obstacle is diagonal to the front or rear of
the vehicle.
– When a sonar or the area around the sensor is extremely hot or
cold. •
The sonar system may unintention-
ally operate in the following condi-
tions:
– When there is overgrown grass in the area around the vehicle.
– When there are bumps, protru- sions or manhole covers on the
road surface.
– When the vehicle drives through a draped flag or a curtain.
– When there is an accumulation of snow or ice behind the vehicle.
– When driving on a steep hill.
SYSTEM TEMPORARILY
UNAVAILABLE
When sonar blockage is detected, the sys-
tem will be deactivated automatically.
The system is not available until the condi-
tions no longer exist.
The sonar sensors may be blocked by tem-
porary ambient conditions such as splash-
ing water, mist or fog. The blocked condi-
tion may also be caused by objects such as
ice, frost or dirt obstructing the sonar
sensors.
Action to take:
When the above conditions no longer exist,
the system will resume automatically.
SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
The sonar sensorsOAandOBare located
on the front and rear bumpers.
• Always keep the area near the sonar sen- sors clean.
LSD4339
5-188Starting and driving

• When the Idling Stop System is deacti-vated af ter the engine has been auto-
matically stopped by the Idling Stop Sys-
tem, the engine will immediately restart if
suitable conditions are present. The en-
gine will then be prevented from auto-
matically stopping during the same
journey.
NOTE:
• The Idling Stop System ON or OFF mes- sage is displayed for a few seconds in
the vehicle information display when
the Idling Stop System OFF switch is
pushed. For additional information,
see “Idling Stop System ON or OFF”
(P. 5-191).
• The Idling Stop System resets to ON every time the ignition switch is
switched from the OFF position to the
ON position.
• It is best to disable the ISS system when towing a trailer. You can do this
by either pushing the Idling Stop OFF
switch, or by selecting TOW mode with
the Drive Mode Selector.
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 in-
serting it into the key hole, or use the
NISSAN Intelligent Key®.
ANTIFREEZE
In the winter when it is anticipated that the
temperature will drop below 32°F (0°C),
check the antifreeze to assure proper win-
ter protection. For additional information,
see “Engine cooling system” (P. 8-5).
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 efficiency,
the battery should be checked regularly.
For additional information, see “Battery”
(P. 8-14).
DRAINING OF COOLANT WATER
If the vehicle is to be lef t outside without
antifreeze, drain the cooling system, includ-
ing the engine block. Refill before operating
the vehicle. For additional information, see
“Changing engine coolant” (P. 8-6).
TIRE EQUIPMENT
1. SUMMER tires have a tread designed to provide superior performance on dry
pavement. However, the performance of
these tires will be substantially reduced
in snowy and icy conditions. If you oper-
ate your vehicle on snowy or icy roads,
NISSAN recommends the use of MUD &
SNOW or ALL SEASON TIRES on all four
wheels. It is recommended that you visit
a NISSAN dealer for the tire type, size,
speed rating and availability information.
2. For additional traction on icy roads, studded tires may be used. However,
some U.S. states and Canadian prov-
inces prohibit their use. Check local,
state and provincial laws before install-
ing studded tires.
Skid and traction capabilities of studded
snow tires on wet or dry surfaces may be
poorer than that of non-studded snow
tires.
3. Tire chains may be used. For additional information, see “Tire chains” (P. 8-37).
COLD WEATHER DRIVING
5-194Starting and driving

–Place the ignition switch in the
OFF position, and secure the
steering wheel in a straight-ahead
position with a rope or similar de-
vice. Never secure the steering
wheel by placing the ignition
switch in the LOCK position. This
may damage the steering lock
mechanism (for models with a
steering lock mechanism).
NOTE:
If the battery is completely drained the
transmission will not manually shif t to
other positions.
VEHICLE RECOVERY (freeing a
stuck vehicle)
WARNING
To avoid vehicle damage, serious per-
sonal injury or death when recovering a
stuck vehicle:
• Contact a professional towing ser-
vice to recover the vehicle if you have
any questions regarding the recov-
ery procedure. •
Tow chains or cables must be at-
tached only to main structural mem-
bers of the vehicle.
• Do not use the vehicle tie-downs to
tow or free a stuck vehicle.
• Only use devices specifically de-
signed for vehicle recovery and fol-
low the manufacturer's instructions.
• Always pull the recovery device
straight out from the front of the ve-
hicle. Never pull at an angle.
• Route recovery devices so they do
not touch any part of the vehicle ex-
cept the attachment point.
If your vehicle is stuck in sand, snow, mud,
etc., use a tow strap or other device de-
signed specifically for vehicle recovery. Al-
ways follow the manufacturer's instruc-
tions for the recovery device.
Rocking a stuck vehicle
WARNING
• Stand clear of a stuck vehicle.
• Do not spin your tires at high speed.
This could cause them to explode
and result in serious injury. Parts of
your vehicle could also overheat and
be damaged.
If your vehicle is stuck in sand, snow, mud,
etc., use the following procedure:
1. Turn off the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system or place the Drive Mode
Selector in MUD/RUT (4WD models) or
SAND (4WD models) mode.
2. Make sure the area in front and behind the vehicle is clear of obstructions.
3. Turn the steering wheel right and lef t to clear an area around the front tires.
4. Slowly rock the vehicle forward and backward.
• Shif t back and forth between R (Re- verse) and D (Drive).
• Apply the accelerator as little as pos- sible to maintain the rocking motion.
In case of emergency6-17

•Always use tires of the same type,
size, brand, construction and tread
pattern on all four wheels. Failure to
do so may result in a circumference
difference between tires on the front
and rear axles which can cause the
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) sys-
tem to malfunction resulting in per-
sonal injury or death, excessive tire
wear and may damage the transmis-
sion and differential gears.
• For additional information regarding
tires, refer to “Important Tire Safety
Information” (US) or “Tire Safety In-
formation” (Canada) in the Warranty
Information Booklet.
All season tires
NISSAN specifies All Season tires on some
models to provide good performance all
year, including snowy and icy road condi-
tions. All Season tires are identified by ALL
SEASON and/or M&S on the tire sidewall.
Snow tires have better snow traction than
All Season tires and may be more appropri-
ate in some areas.
Summer tires
NISSAN specifies summer tires on some
models to provide superior performance
on dry roads. Summer tire performance is
substantially reduced in snow and ice.
Summer tires do not have the tire traction
rating “M&S” on the tire sidewall.
If you plan to operate your vehicle in snowy
or icy conditions, NISSAN recommends the
use of SNOW tires or ALL SEASON tires on all
four wheels.
Snow tires
If snow tires are needed, it is necessary to
select tires equivalent in size and load rat-
ing to the original equipment tires. If you do
not, it can adversely affect the safety and
handling of your vehicle.
Generally, snow tires have lower speed rat-
ings than factory equipped tires and may
not match the potential maximum vehicle
speed. Never exceed the maximum speed
rating of the tire.
If you install snow tires, they must be the
same size, brand, construction and tread
pattern on all four wheels.
For additional traction on icy roads, stud-
ded tires may be used. However, some U.S. states and Canadian provinces prohibit
their use. Check local, state and provincial
laws before installing studded tires. Skid
and traction capabilities of studded snow
tires on wet or dry surfaces may be poorer
than that of non-studded snow tires.
TIRE CHAINS
Use of tire chains may be prohibited ac-
cording to location. Check the local laws
before installing tire chains. When installing
tire chains, make sure they are the proper
size for the tires on your vehicle and are
installed according to the chain manufac-
turer's suggestions.
Use only SAE class “S”
chains. Class “S” chains are used on ve-
hicles with restricted tire to vehicle clear-
ance. Vehicles that can use Class “S” chains
are designed to meet the minimum clear-
ances between the tire and the closest ve-
hicle suspension or body component re-
quired to accommodate the use of a
winter traction device (tire chains or
cables). The minimum clearances are de-
termined using the factory equipped tire
size. Other types may damage your vehicle.
Use chain tensioners when recommended
by the tire chain manufacturer to ensure a
tight fit. Loose end links of the tire chain
must be secured or removed to prevent
the possibility of whipping action damage
Do-it-yourself8-37

•When driving on roads covered with
snow or ice, the TEMPORARY USE
ONLY spare tire should be used on the
rear wheels and the original tire used
on the front wheels (drive wheels).
• Tire tread of the TEMPORARY USE
ONLY spare tire will wear at a faster
rate than the standard tire. Replace
the spare tire as soon as the tread
wear indicators appear.
• Do not use the spare tire on other
vehicles.
• Do not use more than one spare tire
at the same time.
• Do not tow a trailer when the TEMPO-
RARY USE ONLY spare tire is installed.CAUTION
• Do not use tire chains on a TEMPO-
RARY USE ONLY spare tire. Tire chains
will not fit properly and may cause
damage to the vehicle.
• Because the TEMPORARY USE ONLY
spare tire is smaller than the original
tire, ground clearance is reduced. To
avoid damage to the vehicle, do not
drive over obstacles. Also, do not
drive the vehicle through an auto-
matic car wash since it may get
caught.
8-42Do-it-yourself