traction control NISSAN MURANO 2008 Owners Manual

Black plate (84,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2008/ 6/ 26
emission control system and/or CVT mal-
function has been detected. Check the fuel-
filler cap. If the fuel-filler cap is loose or
missing, tighten or install the cap and
continue to drive the vehicle. The
light
should turn off after a few driving trips. If the
light does not turn off after a few
driving trips, have the vehicle inspected by a
NISSAN dealer. You do not need to have
your vehicle towed to the dealer.
.Malfunction indicator light blinking — An
engine misfire has been detected which may
damage the emission control system.
To reduce or avoid emission control system
damage:
a) Do not drive at speeds above 45 MPH
(72 km/h) .
b) Avoid hard acceleration or deceleration.
c) Avoid steep uphill grades.
d) If possible, reduce the amount of cargo
being hauled or towed.
The malfunction indicator light may stop
blinking and remain on.
Have the vehicle inspected by a NISSAN
dealer. You do not need to have your vehicle
towed to the dealer.
CAUTION
Continued vehicle operation without
having the emission control system
and/or CVT system checked and re-
paired as necessary could lead to poor
driveability, reduced fuel economy, and
possible damage to the emission con-
trol system.
Overdrive off indicator light
The overdrive off indicator light illuminates when
the overdrive off mode is selected.
For additional information, see ““CONTINU-
OUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (CVT)” in
the “5. Starting and driving” section of this
manual.
Slip indicator light
This light will blink when the Vehicle Dynamic
Control (VDC) system is operating, thus alerting
the driver to the fact that the road surface is
slippery and the vehicle is nearing its traction
limits.
Small light indicator light
The light comes on when the front park, side
marker, tail and license plate lights are on.
Turn signal/hazard indicator lights
The light flashes when the turn signal switch
lever or hazard switch is turned on.
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) off
indicator light
The light comes on when the Vehicle Dynamic
Control (VDC) off switch is pushed to OFF. This
indicates that the VDC system is not operating.
When the VDC off indicator light and slip
indicator light come on with the VDC system
turned on, this light alerts the driver to the fact
that the VDC system’s fail-safe mode is operat-
ing, for example the VDC system may not be
functioning properly. Have the system checked
by a NISSAN dealer. If a malfunction occurs in
the system, the VDC system function will be
canceled but the vehicle is still driveable. For
additional information, see “VEHICLE DYNAMIC
CONTROL (VDC) SYSTEM” in the “5. Starting
and driving” section of this manual.
2-16
Instruments and controls

Black plate (340,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2008/ 6/ 26
feel a vibration from the actuator when it is
operating. This is normal and indicates that the
ABS is operating properly. However, the pulsa-
tion may indicate that road conditions are
hazardous and extra care is required while
driving.When accelerating or driving on slippery sur-
faces, the tires may spin or slide. With the
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system, sensors
detect these movements and control the braking
and engine output to help improve vehicle
stability.
.When the VDC system is operating, the
“SLIP” indicator in the instrument panel
blinks.
.If the “SLIP” indicator blinks, the road
conditions are slippery. Be sure to adjust
your speed and driving to these conditions.
Be sure to drive carefully. (See “Slip
indicator light” in the “2. Instruments and
controls” section, and “Vehicle Dynamic
Control (VDC) off indicator light” in the “2.
Instruments and controls” section.)
.Indicator light
If a malfunction occurs in the system, the
“SLIP” and “VDC OFF” indicator lights
illuminate in the instrument panel. As long
as these indicators are illuminated, the VDC
system function is canceled.
The VDC system uses an Active Brake Limited
Slip (ABLS) function to improve vehicle traction.
The ABLS system works when one of the driving
wheels is spinning on a slippery surface. The
ABLS system brakes the spinning wheel, which
distributes the driving power to the other drivewheel. If the vehicle is operated with the VDC
OFF switch pushed and the VDC system turned
off, all VDC systems will be turned off. The
ABLS system and ABS will still operate with the
VDC system off. If the ABLS system is activated,
the “SLIP” indicator will blink and you may hear a
clunk noise and/or feel a pulsation in the brake
pedal. This is normal and is not an indication of a
malfunction.
While the VDC system is operating, you may feel
a pulsation in the brake pedal and hear a noise
or feel a vibration from under the hood. This is
normal and indicates that the VDC system is
working properly.
The VDC system 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 forward or backward. 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 indication of a malfunction.
WARNING
.The VDC system is designed to help
improve driving stability but does
not prevent accidents due to abrupt
steering operation at high speeds or
due to careless or dangerous driv-
ing techniques. Reduce vehicle
VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC)
SYSTEM
5-28
Starting and driving

Black plate (342,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2008/ 6/ 26
TIRE EQUIPMENTSUMMER tires have a tread designed to provide
superior performance on dry pavement. How-
ever, the performance of these tires will be
substantially reduced in snowy and icy condi-
tions. 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.
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” in the “8. Maintenance and do-it-
yourself” section of this manual.All-Wheel Drive (AWD) modelIf you install snow tires, they must also be the
same size, brand, construction and tread pattern
on all four wheels.
SPECIAL WINTER EQUIPMENTIt 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 windows 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 (328F, 08C 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 down-
shifting too fast, the drive wheelswill lose even more traction.
.Allow more stopping distance under
these conditions. Braking should be
started sooner than on dry pave-
ment.
.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 slip-
pery roads.
.Snow can trap dangerous exhaust
gases under your vehicle. Keep
snow clear of the exhaust pipe and
from around your vehicle.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER (if so
equipped)Engine block heatersare available through
NISSAN dealers to assist in cold temperature
starting. The engine block heater should be
used when the outside temperature is 208F
(78C) or lower.
5-30
Starting and driving

Black plate (28,1)
9 Technical and consumer information
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2008/ 6/ 23
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants............ 9-2
Fuel recommendation...................................... 9-3
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation............... 9-5
Air conditioning system refrigerant and lubricant
recommendations........................................... 9-6
Specifications.................................................... 9-7
Engine......................................................... 9-7
Wheels and tires............................................ 9-7
Dimensions and weights.................................. 9-8
When traveling or registering your vehicle in
another country.................................................. 9-8
Vehicle identification........................................... 9-8
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate.............. 9-8
Vehicle identification number (chassis number)...... 9-9
Engine serial number...................................... 9-9
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label............... 9-9
Emission control information label.................... 9-10
Tire and loading information label..................... 9-10
Air conditioner specification label..................... 9-10
Installing front license plate................................ 9-11
Vehicle loading information................................. 9-12
Terms........................................................ 9-12Vehicle load capacity.................................... 9-12
Securing the load......................................... 9-14
Loading tips................................................ 9-15
Measurement of weights................................ 9-15
Towing a trailer................................................ 9-15
Maximum load limits...................................... 9-16
Maximum Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)/
maximum Gross Axle Weight (GAW)................ 9-17
Towing load/specification............................... 9-19
Towing safety.............................................. 9-19
Flat towing................................................. 9-23
Uniform tire quality grading................................. 9-24
Treadwear.................................................. 9-24
Traction AA, A, B and C................................ 9-24
Temperature A, B and C................................ 9-24
Emission control system warranty......................... 9-25
Reporting safety defects (US only)....................... 9-25
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test . ..... 9-25
Event data recorders (EDR)................................ 9-26
Owner’s Manual/Service Manual order information . . . 9-27
In the event of a collision............................... 9-27

Black plate (430,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2008/ 6/ 26
DOT (Department Of Transportation) Quality
Grades: All passenger car tires must conform to
federal safety requirements in addition to these
grades.
Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature ATREADWEARThe treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified
government test course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and one-half
(1 1/2) times as well on the government course
as a tire graded 100. The relative performance
of tires depends upon actual conditions of their
use, however, and may depart significantly from
the norm due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in road char-
acteristics and climate.TRACTION AA, A, B AND CThe traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B and C. Those grades represent the
tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as
measured under controlled conditions on spe-
cified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire
is based on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning,
or peak traction characteristics.TEMPERATURE A, B AND CThe temperature grades A (the highest) , B, and
C, representing the tire’s resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled conditions on
a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sus-
tained high temperature can cause the material
of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire
failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger car tires must
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum required by law.
WARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, under-inflation, or excessiveloading, either separately or in combi-
nation, can cause heat build-up and
possible tire failure.
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING9-24
Technical and consumer information