power steering NISSAN VERSA 2018 Owners Manual

Warning
lightName Page
or
Anti-lock Braking
System (ABS)
warning light2-13
or
Brake warning
light2-13
Charge warning
light2-14
Door open warn-
ing light2-14
Engine oil pres-
sure warning light2-14
High temperature
warning light (red)
(if so equipped)2-14
Warning
lightName Page
or
Low fuel warning
light2-15
Low tire pressure
warning light2-15
Power steering
warning light2-17
Seat belt warning
light and chime (if
so equipped)2-17
Supplemental air
bag warning light2-17
Indicator
lightName Page
Continuously
Variable Trans-
mission (CVT) po-
sition indicator
light2-18
Cruise main
switch indicator
light (if so
equipped)2-18
Front fog light in-
dicator light (if so
equipped)2-18
Front passenger
air bag status
light2-18
High beam indi-
cator light (blue)2-18
Malfunction Indi-
cator Light (MIL)2-18
WARNING AND INDICATOR LIGHTS
Illustrated table of contents0-9

orAnti-lock Braking System
(ABS) warning lightPower steering warning lightMalfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
orBrake warning lightSeat belt warning light and chime (if so
equipped)Overdrive OFF indicator light (if so
equipped)
Charge warning lightSupplemental air bag warning lightSide light and headlight indicator light
(green) (if so equipped)
Door open warning lightContinuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
position indicator lightSlip indicator light
Engine oil pressure warning lightCruise main switch indicator light (if so
equipped)Turn signal/hazard indicator lights
High temperature warning light (red) (if
so equipped)Front fog light indicator light (if so
equipped)Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) OFF indica-
tor light
orLow fuel warning lightFront passenger air bag status light
Low tire pressure warning lightHigh beam indicator light (blue)
CHECKING LIGHTS
With all doors closed, apply the parking
brake, fasten the seat belts and place the
ignition switch in the ON position withoutstarting the engine. The following lights (if
so equipped) will come on:
or,,,,
The following lights (if so equipped) will
come on briefly and then go off:
WARNING LIGHTS, INDICATOR LIGHTS
AND AUDIBLE REMINDERS
2-12Instruments and controls

Power steering warning
light
WARNING
∙ If the engine is not running or is
turned off while driving, the power as-
sist for the steering will not work.
Steering will be harder to operate.
∙ When the power steering warning
light illuminates with the engine run-
ning, there will be no power assist for
the steering. You will still have control
of the vehicle, but the steering will be
harder to operate. Have the power
steering system checked. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer
for this service.
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the power steering warning light
illuminates. Af ter starting the engine, the
power steering warning light turns off. This
indicates the power steering is operational.
If the power steering warning light illumi-
nates while the engine is running, it may
indicate the power steering is not function-
ing properly and may need servicing. Have
the power steering checked. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for
this service.When the power steering warning light illu-
minates with the engine running, there will
be no power assist for the steering, but you
will still have control of the vehicle. At this
time, greater steering effort is required to
operate the steering wheel, especially in
sharp turns and at low speeds.
For additional information, refer to “Power
steering” in the “Starting and driving” sec-
tion of this manual.
Seat belt warning light and
chime (if so equipped)
The light and chime remind you to fasten
your seat belts. The light illuminates when-
ever the ignition switch is placed in the ON
or START position and remains illuminated
until the driver’s seat belt is fastened. At the
same time, the chime sounds for about
6 seconds unless the driver’s seat belt is
securely fastened.
The seat belt warning light may also illumi-
nate if the front passenger’s seat belt is not
fastened when the front passenger’s seat
is occupied . For 7 seconds af ter the igni-
tion switch is placed in the ON position, the
system does not activate the warning light
for the front passenger.For additional information, refer to “Seat
belts” in the “Safety—Seats, seat belts and
supplemental restraint system” section of
this manual.
Supplemental air bag
warning light
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
or START position, the supplemental air
bag warning light illuminates for about
7 seconds and then turns off. This means
the system is operational.
If any of the following conditions occur, the
front air bag, side air bag, curtain air bag,
and pretensioner seat belt systems need
servicing:
∙ The supplemental air bag warning light
remains on af ter approximately 7 sec-
onds.
∙ The supplemental air bag warning light
flashes intermittently.
∙ The supplemental air bag warning light
does not come on at all.
It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for these services.
Unless checked and repaired, the supple-
mental restraint system (air bag system)
and/or the pretensioner(s) may not func-
Instruments and controls2-17

FOG LIGHT SWITCH (if so
equipped)
To turn the fog lights on, turn the headlight
switch to the
position, then turn the
fog light switch to the
position.
To turn the fog lights off, turn the fog light
switch to the OFF position.
The headlights must be on and the low
beams selected for the fog lights to oper-
ate. The fog lights automatically turn off
when the high beam headlights are se-
lected.To sound the horn, push the center pad
area of the steering wheel.
WARNING
Do not disassemble the horn. Doing so
could affect proper operation of the
supplemental front air bag system.
Tampering with the supplemental front
air bag system may result in serious
personal injury.The vehicle should be driven with the VDC
system on for most driving conditions.
If the vehicle is stuck in mud or snow, the
VDC system reduces the engine output to
reduce wheel spin. The engine speed will
be reduced even if the accelerator is de-
pressed to the floor. If maximum engine
power is needed to free a stuck vehicle,
turn the VDC system off.
To turn off the VDC system, push the VDC
OFF switch. The
indicator will come
on.
WIC1513LIC2419LIC3344
HORN VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC)
OFF SWITCH
Instruments and controls2-25

3 Pre-driving checks and adjustments
Keys.............................................3-2
Doors...........................................3-3
Locking with key..............................3-4
Locking with inside lock knob.................3-4
Locking with power door lock switch
(if so equipped)...............................3-5
Automatic door locks (if so equipped)........3-5
Child safety rear door lock....................3-5
Remote keyless entry system (if so equipped) . . . 3-6
How to use remote keyless entry
system....................................... 3-7
Hood...........................................3-10
Trunk lid.........................................3-11Key operation................................3-11
Opener operation (if so equipped)............3-11
Interior trunk lid release.....................3-12
Fuel-filler door..................................3-13
Opener operation...........................3-13
Fuel-filler cap................................3-13
Steering wheel.................................3-15
Tilt operation................................3-15
Sun visors......................................3-16
Vanity mirror................................3-16
Mirrors.........................................3-17
Rearview mirror.............................3-17
Outside mirrors.............................3-17

5 Starting and driving
Precautions when starting and driving..........5-2
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide)..............5-2
Three-way catalyst...........................5-2
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)........................................5-3
Avoiding collision and rollover................5-6
Off-roadrecovery ............................5-6
Rapid air pressure loss.......................5-7
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving...........5-8
Ignition switch...................................5-8
Continuously Variable Transmission
(if so equipped)...............................5-8
Manual transmission (if so equipped).........5-9
Ignition switch positions......................5-9
Before starting the engine......................5-10
Starting the engine.............................5-10
Driving the vehicle...............................5-11
Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) (if so equipped).........................5-11
Manual transmission (if so equipped)........5-16
Parking brake..................................5-18
Cruise control (if so equipped)..................5-19Precautions on cruise control................5-19
Cruise control operations....................5-19
Break-in schedule..............................5-20
Fuel efficient driving tips........................5-21
Increasing fuel economy.......................5-22
Parking/parking on hills........................5-23
Power steering.................................5-24
Brake system...................................5-25
Brake precautions...........................5-25
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)..............5-25
Brake assist.................................5-26
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system.........5-27
Brake force distribution......................5-28
Cold weather driving...........................5-29
Freeing a frozen door lock...................5-29
Antifreeze...................................5-29
Battery......................................5-29
Draining of coolant water....................5-30
Tire equipment..............................
5-30
Special winter equipment...................5-30
Driving on snow or ice.......................5-30
Engine block heater (if so equipped).........5-31

∙ HEADED DOWNHILL WITH CURB1:
Turn the wheels into the curb and
move the vehicle forward until the curb
side wheel gently touches the curb.
∙ HEADED UPHILL WITH CURB
2:
Turn the wheels away from the curb
and move the vehicle back until the
curb side wheel gently touches the
curb.
∙ HEADED UPHILL OR DOWNHILL, NO
CURB
3:
Turn the wheels toward the side of the
road so the vehicle will move away
from the center of the road if it moves.
4. Place the ignition switch in the LOCK
position and remove the key.
WARNING
∙ If the engine is not running or is
turned off while driving, the power as-
sist for the steering will not work.
Steering will be harder to operate.
∙ When the power steering warning
light illuminates with the engine run-
ning, there will be no power assist for
the steering. You will still have control
of the vehicle, but the steering will be
harder to operate. Have the power
steering system checked. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer
for this service.
The power steering system is designed to
provide power assist while driving to oper-
ate the steering wheel with light force.
When the steering wheel is operated re-
peatedly or continuously while parking or
driving at a very low speed, the power as-
sist for the steering wheel will be reduced.
This is to prevent overheating of the power
steering system and protect it from getting
damaged. While the power assist is re-
duced, steering wheel operation will be-
come heavy. When the temperature of the
power steering system goes down, the
power assist level will return to normal.
Avoid repeating such steering wheel op-erations that could cause the power steer-
ing system to overheat.
You may hear a sound when the steering
wheel is operated quickly. However, this is
not a malfunction.
If the power steering warning light illumi-
nates while the engine is running, it may
indicate the power steering system is not
functioning properly and may need servic-
ing. Have the power steering system
checked. It is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN dealer for this service.
When the power steering warning light illu-
minates with the engine running, there will
be no power assist for the steering, but you
will still have control of the vehicle. At this
time, greater steering effort is required to
operate the steering wheel, especially in
sharp turns and at low speeds.
For additional information, refer to “Power
steering warning light” in the “Instruments
and controls” section of this manual.
POWER STEERING
5-24Starting and driving

WARNING
The brake assist is only an aid to assist
braking operation and is not a collision
warning or avoidance device. It is the
driver’s responsibility to stay alert, drive
safely and be in control of the vehicle at
all times.The VDC system uses various sensors to
monitor driver inputs and vehicle motion.
Under certain driving conditions, the VDC
system helps to perform the following
functions:
∙ 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 func-
tion).
∙ Controls brake pressure at individual
wheels and engine output to help the
driver maintain control of the vehicle in
the following conditions:
– Understeer (vehicle tends to not fol-
low the steered path despite in-
creased steering input)
– Oversteer (vehicle tends to spin due
to certain road or driving conditions)
The VDC system can help the driver to
maintain control of the vehicle, but it can-
not prevent loss of vehicle control in all driv-
ing situations.When the VDC system operates, theindicator in the instrument panel flashes
so note the following:
∙ 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 indi-
cates that the VDC system is working
properly.
∙ Adjust your speed and driving to the
road conditions.
For additional information, refer to “Slip in-
dicator light” and “Vehicle Dynamic Control
(VDC) OFF indicator light” in the ”Instru-
ments and controls” section of this manual.
If a malfunction occurs in the system,
the
indicator light comes on in the
instrument panel. The VDC system auto-
matically turns off when this indicator light
is on.
The VDC OFF switch is used to turn off the
VDC system. The
indicator illumi-
nates to indicate the VDC system is off.
When the VDC switch is used to turn off the
system, the VDC system still operates to
VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC)
SYSTEM
Starting and driving5-27

prevent one drive wheel from slipping by
transferring power to a non-slipping drive
wheel. The
indicator flashes if this oc-
curs. All other VDC functions are off and
the
indicator 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.
The computer has a built-in diagnostic fea-
ture that tests the system each time you
start the engine and move the vehicle for-
ward or in reverse at a slow speed. 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 indica-
tion of a malfunction.
WARNING
∙ The VDC 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 al-
ways drive carefully.∙ Do not modif y the vehicle’s suspen-
sion. If suspension parts such as
shock absorbers, struts, springs, sta-
bilizer bars, bushings and wheels are
not NISSAN recommended for your
vehicle or are extremely deteriorated,
the VDC system may not operate
properly. This could adversely affect
vehicle handling performance, and
the
indicator light may flash or
illuminate.
∙ If brake related parts such as brake
pads, rotors and calipers are not
NISSAN recommended or are ex-
tremely deteriorated, the VDC system
may not operate properly and
the
indicator light may
illuminate.
∙ If engine control related parts are not
NISSAN recommended or are ex-
tremely deteriorated, the
indi-
cator light may illuminate.
∙ When driving on extremely inclined
surfaces such as higher banked cor-
ners, the VDC system may not operate
properly and the
indicator light
may flash or illuminate. Do not drive
on these types of roads.∙ When driving on an unstable surface
such as a turntable, ferry, elevator or
ramp, the
indicator light may
flash or illuminate. This is not a mal-
function. Restart the engine af ter
driving onto a stable surface.
∙ If wheels or tires other than the
NISSAN recommended ones are used,
the VDC system may not operate
properly and the
indicator light
may flash or illuminate.
∙ The VDC system is not a substitute for
winter tires or tire chains on a snow
covered road.
BRAKE FORCE DISTRIBUTION
During braking while driving through turns,
the system optimizes the distribution of
force to each of the front and rear wheels
depending on the radius of the turn.
5-28Starting and driving

When towing your vehicle, all State (Provin-
cial in Canada) and local regulations for
towing must be followed. Incorrect towing
equipment could damage your vehicle.
Towing instructions are available from a
NISSAN dealer. Local service operators are
generally familiar with the applicable laws
and procedures for towing. To assure
proper towing and to prevent accidental
damage to your vehicle, NISSAN recom-
mends having a service operator tow your
vehicle. It is advisable to have the service
operator carefully read the following pre-
cautions:
WARNING
∙ Never ride in a vehicle that is being
towed.
∙ Never get under your vehicle af ter it
has been lif ted by a tow truck.
CAUTION
∙ When towing, make sure that the
transmission, axles, steering system
and powertrain are in working condi-
tion. If any of these conditions apply,
dollies or a flatbed tow truck must be
used.
∙ Always attach safety chains before
towing.
For additional information, refer to “Flat
towing” in the “Technical and Consumer In-
formation” section of this manual.
TOWING RECOMMENDED BY
NISSAN
NISSAN recommends towing your vehicle
based upon the type of drivetrain. For addi-
tional information, refer to the diagrams in
this section to ensure that your vehicle is
properly towed.
TOWING YOUR VEHICLE
6-12In case of emergency