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 shoes when-
ever the stopping effect of the parking
brake is weakened or whenever the
parking brake shoes and/or drums/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 driving5-129
BRAKE SYSTEM
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
5-136Starting and driving
WARNING
.Never rely solely on the hill start
assist system to prevent the ve-
hicle 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 care-
ful when stopped on a hill on
frozen or muddy roads. Failure
to prevent the vehicle from rolling
backwards may result in a loss of
control of the vehicle and possi-
ble serious injury or death.
. The hill start assist system is not
designed to hold the vehicle at a
standstill on a hill. Depress 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 roll-
ing backwards on a hill under all
load or road conditions. Always
be prepared to depress the brake
pedal to prevent the vehicle from
rolling backwards. Failure to do so may result in a collision or
serious personal injury.
The hill start assist system automatically
keeps the brakes applied to help prevent
the vehicle from rolling backwards in the
time it takes the driver to release the
brake pedal and apply the accelerator
when the vehicle is stopped on a hill.
The hill start assist system will operate
automatically under the following condi-
tions:
. The transmission is shifted to a for-
ward or reverse gear.
. The vehicle is stopped completely on a
hill by applying the brake.
The maximum holding time is 2 seconds.
After 2 seconds the vehicle will begin to
roll back and the hill start assist system
will stop operating completely.
The hill start assist system will not
operate when the transmission is shifted
to the N (Neutral) or P (Park) position (CVT
models) or on a flat and level road.
When the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
warning light illuminates in the meter, the
hill start assist system will not operate.
(See “Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
warning light” (P.2-17).)
WAF0072X
The RSS sounds a tone to inform the
driver of obstacles near the rear bumper.
When the “Display” key is on, the sonar
view will automatically appear in the
touchscreen display. An additional view
of the sonar status will appear in the
vehicle information display for reference.
WARNING
. The RSS is a convenience but it is
not a substitute for proper park-
ing.
. The driver is always responsible
for safety during parking and
HILL START ASSIST SYSTEM REAR SONAR SYSTEM (RSS)
other maneuvers. Always look
around and check that it is safe
to do so before parking.
. Read and understand the limita-
tions of the RSS as contained in
this section. The colors of the
sonar indicator and the distance
guide lines in the rear view in-
dicate 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
affect the function of the system;
this may include reduced perfor-
mance or a false activation.
. The RSS is designed as an aid to
the driver in detecting large sta-
tionary objects to help avoid da-
maging the vehicle.
. The RSS is not designed to pre-
vent contact with small or mov-
ing objects. Always move slowly.
The system will not detect small
objects below the bumper, and
may not detect objects close to
the bumper or on the ground.
. The RSS may not detect the
following objects: fluffy objects
such as snow, cloth, cotton, glass, wool, etc.; thin objects such as
rope, wire and chain, etc.; or
wedge-shaped objects.
. The RSS detects the distance
between the vehicle and the ob-
stacle by detecting the sound
wave reflected from the surface
of an obstacle. When there is a
sound such as horn, or an ultra-
sonic source (such as sonar of
other vehicles) around the vehi-
cle, the sonar may not detect
objects properly.
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.
CAUTION
. Excessive noise (such as audio
system volume or an open vehi-
cle window) will interfere with the
tone and it may not be heard.
. Keep the sonar sensors (located
on the rear bumper fascia) free
from snow, ice and large accu-
mulations of dirt. Do not clean the
sensors with sharp objects. If the sensors are covered, the accuracy
of the sonar function will be
diminished.
SYSTEM OPERATION
The system informs with a visual and
audible alert of rear obstacles when the
shift lever is in the R (Reverse) position.
Range Rear sonar
Sound Display
P (Park) B C
R (Reverse) O O
N (Neutral) B C
D (Drive) B C
O = Display / Beep when detect
C = Display on camera view
B = No display and beep
The system is deactivated at speeds
above 6 MPH (10 km/h). It is reactivated
at lower speeds.
The intermittent tone will stop after 3
seconds when an obstacle is detected by
only the corner sensor and the distance
does not change. The tone will stop when
the obstacle gets away from the vehicle.
When the object is detected, the indicator
(green) appears and blinks and the tone
sounds intermittently. When the vehicle
moves closer to the object, the color of
Starting and driving5-137
5-138Starting and driving
the indicator turns yellow and the rate of
the blinking increases. When the vehicle is
very close to the object, the indicator
stops blinking and turns red, and the tone
sounds continuously.
WAF0074X
Example
When the corner of the vehicle moves
closer to an object, the corner sonar
indicator
appears. When the center of
the vehicle moves close to an object, the
center sonar indicator
appears.
WAF0075X
Example
The system indicatorswill appear when
the vehicle moves closer to an object (if
so equipped).
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.
If your vehicle is overheating (indicated by
an extremely high temperature gauge
reading), or if you feel a lack of engine
power, detect abnormal noise, etc., take
the following steps:
1. Move the vehicle safely off the roadand apply the parking brake.
2. Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) models:
Move the shift lever to the P (Park)
position.
Manual Transmission (MT) models:
Move the shift lever to the N (Neutral)
position.
Do not stop the engine.
3. Turn off the air conditioner (if so equipped). Open all the windows,
move the heater or air conditioner
temperature control to maximum hot
and fan control to high speed.
4. Get out of the vehicle. Look and listen for steam or coolant escaping from
the radiator before opening the hood.
(If steam or coolant is escaping, turn
off the engine.) Do not open the hood
further until no steam or coolant can
be seen.
5. Open the engine hood.
WARNING
If steam or water is coming from the
engine, stand clear to prevent get-
ting burned.
6. Visually check the drive belt for da- mage or looseness. Also check if the
cooling fan is running. The radiator
hoses and radiator should not leak
water. If coolant is leaking or the
cooling fan does not run, stop the
engine.
WARNING
Be careful not to allow your hands,
hair, jewelry or clothing to come into
contact with, or get caught in, engine
belts or the engine cooling fan. The
engine cooling fan can start at any
time.
7. After the engine cools down, check the coolant level in the reservoir with
the engine running. Add coolant to
the reservoir if necessary. Have your
vehicle repaired. It is recommended
you visit a NISSAN dealer for this
service. When towing your vehicle, all jurisdic-
tional and local regulations for towing
must be followed. Incorrect towing equip-
ment could damage your vehicle. Towing
instructions are available from a NISSAN
dealer. Local service operators are gen-
erally familiar with the applicable laws
and procedures for towing. To assure
proper towing and to prevent accidental
damage to your vehicle, NISSAN recom-
mends that you have a service operator
tow your vehicle. It is advisable to have
the service operator carefully read the
following precautions.
WARNING
.
Never ride in a vehicle that is
being towed.
. Never get under your vehicle after
it has been lifted by a tow truck.
CAUTION
.When towing, make sure that the
transmission, axles, steering sys-
tem and powertrain are in work-
ing condition. If any of these
conditions apply, dollies or a
flatbed tow truck must be used.
In case of emergency6-17
TOWING YOUR VEHICLE
WAI0158X
AIR DUCT REMOVAL
1. Remove the clipwith a suitable tool.
2. While pulling off the lock, pull out the
clipand pull up the air duct.
WAI0159X
1. Remove the clipsand open the air
cleaner filter cover.
2. Pull up the air cleaner filter
.
AIR CLEANER FILTER REPLACEMENT
WARNING
. Operating the engine with the air
cleaner filter off can cause you or
others to be burned. The air
cleaner filter not only cleans the
intake air, it also stops flame if
the engine backfires. If the air
cleaner filter is not installed and
the engine backfires, you could
be burned. Never drive with the
air cleaner filter off. Be cautious
working on the engine when the
air cleaner filter is off.
. Never pour fuel into the throttle
body or attempt to start the
engine with the air cleaner re-
moved. Doing so could result in
serious injury.
Do-it-yourself8-15
AIR CLEANER