5-124Starting and driving
to increased oil temperature. The driving
mode may change to Two-Wheel Drive
(2WD). If this warning is displayed, stop
the vehicle with the engine idling, as soon
as it is safe to do so. Then if the warning
turns off, you can continue driving.
The “Tire Size Incorrect” warning
may
appear if there is a large difference
between the diameters of front and rear
wheels. 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
excessively worn. Turn off the Intelligent
4x4 LOCK switch and do not drive fast.
If any warning message continues to be
displayed, have your vehicle checked by a
NISSAN dealer as soon as possible.
WARNING
. For AWD equipped vehicles, do
not attempt to raise two wheels
off the ground and shift the
transmission to any drive or re-
verse position with the engine
running. Doing so may result in
drivetrain damage or unexpected
vehicle movement which could
result in serious vehicle damage
or personal injury. .
Do not attempt to test an AWD
equipped vehicle on a 2–wheel
dynamometer (such as the dy-
namometers used by some
states for emissions testing) or
similar equipment even if the
other two wheels are raised off
the ground. Make sure that you
inform the test facility personnel
that your vehicle is equipped with
AWD before it is placed on a
dynamometer. Using the wrong
test equipment may result in
drive train damage or unex-
pected vehicle movement which
could result in serious vehicle
damage or personal injury.
CAUTION
.Do not operate the engine on a
free roller when any of the wheels
raised.
. The power train may be damaged
if you continue driving with the
“AWD Error” warning on.
. If the warning message remains
on after the above operation,
have your vehicle checked as
soon as possible. It is recom- mended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.
. If the “AWD Error” warning ap-
pears while driving, there may be
a malfunction in the AWD system.
Reduce the vehicle speed and
have your vehicle checked as
soon as possible. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.
. Never drive on dry, hard surface
roads in the LOCK mode, as this
will overload the powertrain and
may cause a serious malfunction.
5-130Starting 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 (if so equipped), make sure that
it is the proper size and type
as specified on the Tire and
Loading Information label.
See “Tire and Loading Infor-
mation label” (P.10-10) of this
manual.
— For detailed information, see “Wheels and tires” (P.8-29) 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-
BRAKE ASSIST
5-142Starting and driving
TIRE EQUIPMENT
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 operate
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 you consult a
NISSAN dealer for the tire type, size, speed
rating and availability information.
For additional traction on icy roads,
studded 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 may be used. For details, see
“Tire chains” (P.8-36) of this manual.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) model
If you install snow tires, they must also be
the same size, brand, construction and
tread pattern on all four wheels.
SPECIAL WINTER EQUIPMENT
It is recommended that the following
items be carried in the vehicle during
winter:
.A scraper and stiff-bristled brush to
remove ice and snow from the win-
dows and wiper blades.
. A sturdy, flat board to be placed under
the jack to give it firm support.
. A shovel to dig the vehicle out of
snow-drifts.
. Extra window washer fluid to refill the
reservoir tank.
DRIVING ON SNOW OR ICE
WARNING
. Wet ice (32°F, 0°C and freezing
rain), very cold snow or ice can be
slick and very hard to drive on.
The vehicle will have much less
traction or “grip” under these
conditions. Try to avoid driving
on wet ice until the road is salted
or sanded. .
Whatever the condition, drive
with caution. Accelerate and slow
down with care. If accelerating or
downshifting too fast, the drive
wheels will lose even more trac-
tion.
. Allow more stopping distance
under these conditions. Braking
should be started sooner than on
dry pavement.
. Allow greater following distances
on slippery roads.
. Watch for slippery spots (glare
ice). These may appear on an
otherwise clear road in shaded
areas. If a patch of ice is seen
ahead, brake before reaching it.
Try not to brake while on the ice,
and avoid any sudden steering
maneuvers.
. Do not use cruise control on
slippery roads.
. Snow can trap dangerous ex-
haust gases under your vehicle.
Keep snow clear of the exhaust
pipe and from around your vehi-
cle.
8-34Do-it-yourself
SDI1606
Example
Tire size (example: P215/60R16
94H)
1. P: The “P” indicates the tire is designed for passenger vehicles.
(Not all tires have this informa-
tion.)
2. Three-digit number (215): This number gives the width in milli-
meters of the tire from sidewall
edge to sidewall edge.
3. Two-digit number (60): This number, known as the aspect
ratio, gives the tire’s ratio of height to width.
4. R: The “R” stands for radial.
5. Two-digit number (16): This number is the wheel or rim
diameter in inches.
6. Two- or three-digit number (94): This number is the tire’s load
index. It is a measurement of
how much weight each tire can
support. You may not find this
information on all tires because
it is not required by law.
7. H: Tire speed rating. You should not drive the vehicle faster than
the tire speed rating.
JVM0694X
Example
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
for a new tire (example: DOT XX XX
XXX XXXX)
1. DOT: Abbreviation for the “De- partment of Transportation”.
The symbol can be placed
above, below or to the left or
right of the Tire Identification
Number.
2. Two-digit code: Manufacturer’s identification mark
3. Two-digit code: Tire size
8-36Do-it-yourself
.For additional information re-
garding tires, refer to “Important
Tire Safety Information” (US) or
“Tire Safety Information” (Cana-
da) in the Warranty Information
Booklet.
. 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 be-
tween tires on the front and rear
axles which can cause the Vehicle
Dynamic Control (VDC) system to
malfunction resulting in personal
injury or death, excessive tire
wear and may damage the trans-
mission, transfer case and differ-
ential gears.
All season tires
NISSAN specifies all season tires on some
models to provide good performance all
year, including snowy and icy road con-
ditions. All Season tires are identified by
ALL SEASON and/or M&S (Mud and Snow)
on the tire sidewall. Snow tires have
better snow traction than All Season tires
and may be more appropriate 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 trac-
tion rating M&S on the tire sidewall.
If you plan to operate your vehicle in
snowy or icy conditions, NISSAN recom-
mends 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
rating to the original equipment tires. If
you do not, it can adversely affect the
safety and handling of your vehicle.
Generally, snow tires will have lower
speed ratings than factory equipped tires
and may not match the potential max-
imum 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,
studded 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 sur-
faces, may be poorer than that of non-
studded snow tires.
TIRE CHAINS
Use of tire chains may be prohibited
according 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 manufacturer’s suggestions.
Use only SAE Class S chains.
Class “S”
chains are used on vehicles with re-
stricted tire to vehicle clearance. Vehicles
that can use Class “S” chains are designed
to meet the SAE standard minimum
clearances between the tire and the
closest vehicle suspension or body com-
ponent required to accommodate the
use of a winter traction device (tire chains
or cables). The minimum clearances are
determined using the factory equipped
tire size. Other types may damage your
vehicle. Use chain tensioners when re-
commended by the tire chain manufac-
turer 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 to the fenders
or underbody. If possible, avoid fully load-
ing your vehicle when using tire chains. In
8-38Do-it-yourself
SDI1663
1. Wear indicator
2. Wear indicator location mark
Tire wear and damage
WARNING
.Tires should be periodically
inspected for wear, cracking,
bulging or objects caught in
the tread. If excessive wear,
cracks, bulging or deep cuts
are found, the tire(s) should
be replaced.
.The original tires have built-
in tread wear indicators.
When wear indicators are
visible, the tire(s) should be
replaced.
.Tires degrade with age and
use. Have tires, including the
spare (if so equipped), over 6
years old checked by a qua-
lified technician, because
some tire damage may not
be obvious. Replace the tires
as necessary to prevent tire
failure and possible perso-
nal injury.
.Improper service of the
spare tire (if so equipped)
may result in serious perso-
nal injury. If it is necessary to
repair the spare tire, it is
recommended you visit a
NISSAN dealer for this ser-
vice.
.For additional information
regarding tires, refer to “Im-
portant Tire Safety Informa-
tion” (US) or “Tire SafetyInformation” (Canada) in the
Warranty Information Book-
let.
Replacing wheels and tires
When replacing a tire, use the same size,
tread design, speed rating and load
carrying capacity as originally equipped.
(See “Specifications” (P.10-7) for recom-
mended types and sizes of tires and
wheels.)
WARNING
. The use of tires other than those
recommended or the mixed use
of tires of different brands, con-
struction (bias, bias-belted or ra-
dial), or tread patterns can
adversely affect the ride, braking,
handling, VDC system, ground
clearance, body-to-tire clearance,
tire chain clearance, speed-
ometer calibration, headlight
aim and bumper height. Some of
these effects may lead to acci-
dents and could result in serious
personal injury.
. For Two-Wheel Drive (2WD) mod-
els, if your vehicle was originally
equipped with 4 tires that were
the same size and you are only
replacing 2 of the 4 tires, install
the new tires on the rear axle.
Placing new tires on the front
axle may cause loss of vehicle
control in some driving condi-
tions and cause an accident and
personal injury.
. If the wheels are changed for any
reason, always replace with
wheels which have the same off-
set dimension. Wheels of a differ-
ent off-set could cause prema-
ture tire wear, degrade vehicle
handling characteristics and/or
interference with the brake
discs/drums. Such interference
can lead to decreased braking
efficiency and/or early brake
pad/shoe wear. See “Wheels and
tires” (P.10-7) of this manual for
wheel off-set dimensions.
. Since the spare tire (if so
equipped) is not equipped with
the TPMS, when a spare tire is
mounted or a wheel is replaced,
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.
. The TPMS sensor may be da-
maged if it is not handled cor-
rectly. Be careful when handling
the TPMS sensor.
. When replacing the TPMS sensor,
the ID registration may be re-
quired. It is recommended you
visit a NISSAN dealer for ID regis-
tration.
. Do not use a valve stem cap that
is not specified by NISSAN. The
valve stem cap may become
stuck.
. Be sure that the valve stem caps
are correctly fitted. Otherwise the
valve may be clogged up with dirt
and cause a malfunction or loss
of pressure.
. Do not install a damaged or
deformed wheel or tire even if it
has been repaired. Such wheels
or tires could have structural
damage and could fail without warning.
. The use of retread tire is not
recommended.
. For additional information re-
garding tires, refer to “Important
Tire Safety Information” (US) or
“Tire Safety Information” (Cana-
da) in the Warranty Information
Booklet.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) models
CAUTION
.Always use tires of the same size,
brand, construction (bias, bias-
belted or radial), and tread pat-
tern on all four wheels. Failure to
do so may result in a circumfer-
ence difference between tires on
the front and rear axles which will
cause excessive tire wear and
may damage the transmission,
transfer case and rear differential
gears.
. Only use spare tires (if so
equipped) specified for each
AWD model.
If excessive tire wear is found, it is
Do-it-yourself8-39
8-40Do-it-yourself
recommended that all four tires be re-
placed with tires of the same size, brand,
construction and tread pattern. The tire
pressure and wheel alignment should
also be checked and corrected as neces-
sary. It is recommended you visit a
NISSAN dealer for this service.
Wheel balance
Unbalanced wheels may affect vehicle
handling and tire life. Even with regular
use, wheels can get out of balance.
Therefore, they should be balanced as
required.
Wheel balance service should be per-
formed with the wheels off the vehicle.
Spin balancing the wheels on the vehi-
cle could lead to mechanical damage.
For additional information regarding tires,
refer to “Important Tire Safety Informa-
tion” (US) or “Tire Safety Information”
(Canada) in the Warranty Information
Booklet.
Care of wheels
See “Cleaning exterior” (P.7-2) for details
about care of the wheels.
Spare tire (if so equipped)
Since the spare tire is not equipped with
the TPMS, when a spare tire is mounted
(TEMPORARY USE ONLY), the TPMS will
not function.
Observe the following precautions if the
TEMPORARY USE ONLY spare tire must be
used, otherwise your vehicle could be
damaged or involved in an accident.
WARNING
.The TEMPORARY USE ONLY spare
tire should be used for emer-
gency use. It should be replaced
with the standard tire at the first
opportunity to avoid possible tire
or differential damage.
. Drive carefully while the TEMPOR-
ARY USE ONLY spare tire is in-
stalled. Avoid sharp turns and
abrupt braking while driving.
. Periodically check spare tire in-
flation pressure. Always keep the
pressure of the TEMPORARY USE
ONLY spare tire at 60 psi (420
kPa, 4.2 bar).
. With the TEMPORARY USE ONLY
spare tire installed, do not drive
your vehicle at speeds faster than 50 MPH (80 km/h).
. When driving on roads covered
with snow or ice, the TEMPORARY
USE ONLY spare tire should be
used on the rear wheels and
original tire used on the front
wheels (drive wheels). Use tire
chains only on the front (original)
tires.
. 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.
CAUTION
.Do not use tire chains on a
TEMPORARY 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