Get Starting and driving -> Brake assist Guide for Nissan Qashqai SUV 2020

BRAKE SYSTEM

BRAKING PRECAUTIONS

Parking brake break-in

WARNING

The brake system has two separate

hydraulic circuits. If one circuit malfunc-

tions, you will still have braking at two

wheels.

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.

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.

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.

This procedure is described in the vehicle

service manual. It is recommended you

visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.

Using the brakes

Wet 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.

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 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.

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.

Starting and driving 5-127

BRAKE ASSIST

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.

BRAKE ASSIST

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.

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.

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

Tire type and condition may also

affect braking effectiveness.

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.

— 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.

WARNING

Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing

so may result in increased stopping

distances.

ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS)

WARNING

Self-test feature

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-

— For detailed information, see

“Wheels and tires” (P.8-29) of

this manual.

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-

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

5-128 Starting and driving

VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC) SYSTEM

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.

tion. If the computer senses a malfunc-

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.

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.

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:

Adjust your speed and driving to the

road conditions.

Normal operation

The ABS operates at speeds above 3 to 6

MPH (5 to 10 km/h). The speed varies

according to road conditions.

If a malfunction occurs in the system, the

VDC warning light

illuminates in the

instrument panel. The VDC system auto-

matically turns off.

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 VDC OFF switch is used to turn off the

VDC system. The VDC off indicator

illuminates to indicate the VDC system is

off. When the VDC switch is used to turn

off the system, the VDC system still

operates to prevent one drive wheel from

slipping by transferring power to a non

slipping drive wheel. The VDC warning

— 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).

light

flashes if this occurs. All other

VDC functions are off, and the VDC

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.

warning 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.

When the VDC system operates, the VDC

See “Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) warn-

ing light” (P.2-15) and “Vehicle Dynamic

Control (VDC) off indicator light” (P.2-18).

warning light

in the instrument panel

flashes so note the following:

Starting and driving 5-129

Starting and driving -> Brake assist for Your Nissan Qashqai SUV 2020

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