VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL
(VDC)/ELECTRONIC STABILITY
PROGRAM (ESP) SYSTEM
Except for Europe: Vehicle Dynamic Control
types of roads.
prevent loss of vehicle control in all driving
situations.
(VDC) system
For Europe: Electronic Stability Program
(ESP) system
.
When driving on an unstable surface such
as a turntable, ferry, elevator or ramp, the
When the VDC/ESP system operates, the VDC/
VDC/ESP warning light
may illumi-
ESP warning light
note the following:
in the meter flashes so
nate. This is not a malfunction. Restart
the engine after driving onto a stable
surface.
WARNING:
.
.
The road may be slippery or the system
may determine some action is required to
help the vehicle on the steered path.
.
.
The VDC/ESP 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 driving and cornering on slippery
surfaces and always drive carefully.
Do not modify the vehicle’s suspension. If
suspension parts such as shock absor-
bers, struts, springs, stabilizer bars, bush-
ings and wheels are not NISSAN
recommended for your vehicle or are
extremely deteriorated, the VDC/ESP sys-
tem may not operate properly. This could
adversely affect vehicle handling perfor-
mance, and the VDC/ESP warning light
may illuminate.
.
.
If wheels or tires other than the NISSAN
recommended ones are used, the VDC/
ESP system may not operate properly
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/ESP system is working properly.
and the VDC/ESP warning light
illuminate.
may
The VDC/ESP system is not a substitute
for winter tires or tire chains on a snow
covered road.
.
Adjust your speed and driving to the road
conditions.
If a malfunction occurs in the system, the VDC/
ESP warning light
illuminates in the meter.
The Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)/Electronic
Stability Program (ESP) system uses various
sensors to monitor driver inputs and vehicle
motion. Under certain driving conditions, the
VDC/ESP system helps to perform the following
functions.
The VDC/ESP system automatically turns off.
The VDC/ESP OFF switch is used to turn off the
VDC/ESP system. The VDC/ESP off indicator
light
illuminates to indicate the VDC/ESP
system is off. When the VDC/ESP OFF switch is
used to turn off the system, the VDC/ESP
system still operates to prevent one drive
wheel from slipping by transferring power to
.
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 control function).
Controls brake pressure at individual
wheels and engine output to help the driver
maintain control of the vehicle in the
following conditions:
a
non slipping drive wheel. The VDC/ESP
.
If brake related parts such as brake pads,
rotors and calipers are not NISSAN re-
commended or are extremely deterio-
rated, the VDC/ESP system may not
operate properly and the VDC/ESP warn-
warning light
flashes if this occurs. All
.
.
other VDC/ESP functions are off and the VDC/
ESP warning light
will not flash. The VDC/
ESP system is automatically reset to on when
the ignition switch is placed in the “OFF”
position then back to the “ON” position.
ing light
may illuminate.
.
.
If engine control related parts are not
NISSAN recommended or are extremely
deteriorated, the VDC/ESP warning light
may illuminate.
See “Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) warning
light/Electronic Stability Program (ESP) warning
light” (P.2-18) and “Vehicle Dynamic Control
(VDC) off indicator light/Electronic Stability
Program (ESP) off indicator light” (P.2-21).
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
— understeer (vehicle tends to not follow
the steered path despite increased
steering input)
When driving on extremely inclined sur-
faces such as higher banked corners, the
VDC/ESP system may not operate prop-
erly and the VDC/ESP warning light
— oversteer (vehicle tends to spin due to
certain road or driving conditions).
The VDC/ESP system can help the driver to
maintain control of the vehicle, but it cannot
may illuminate. Do not drive on these
5-34 Starting and driving
