Nissan Versa: Monitor, climate, audio, phone and voice recognition systems - Brake system
The dual hydraulic brake system on your Nissan Versa features two separate, independent hydraulic circuits. If one circuit should ever experience an unexpected malfunction, you will still retain reliable braking control across two of the wheels.
Brake precautions
Vacuum assisted brakes
The brake booster enhances braking performance by utilizing engine vacuum pressure. If the engine ever stops running while in motion, you can still bring your Nissan Versa to a stop by firmly depressing the brake pedal. However, significantly greater foot pressure on the brake pedal will be required to slow the vehicle, and your overall stopping distance will be noticeably longer.
Using the brakes
Avoid resting your foot lightly on the brake pedal while driving. This bad habit causes the brakes to overheat continuously, wears out the brake pads prematurely, and noticeably reduces your fuel economy.
To help minimize brake wear and prevent the brake components from overheating, reduce your speed and downshift into a lower gear before descending a steep slope or long grade. Overheated brakes can severely reduce braking performance and could potentially lead to a dangerous loss of vehicle control.
WARNING
- When driving your Nissan Versa on slippery, icy, or wet road surfaces, exercise extreme caution when braking, accelerating, or downshifting. Abrupt braking maneuvers or sudden acceleration can cause the wheels to lose traction and skid, resulting in a severe accident.
- If the engine is not running or is turned off while the vehicle is in motion, the vacuum-powered assist for the brakes will cease to function.
Consequently, operating the brake pedal will require much greater physical effort.
Wet brakes
When your Nissan Versa is washed or driven through deep water or heavy puddles, the brake components can become wet. As a direct result, your stopping distance will be longer, and the vehicle may pull uncomfortably to one side during braking.
To dry out the wet brakes quickly, drive the vehicle at a safe, controlled speed while lightly pressing the brake pedal to generate friction and heat up the brake components. Continue this process until the brakes return to their normal operating feel. Avoid driving at high speeds until you are certain the brakes are functioning correctly.
Parking brake break-in
You must break in the parking brake shoes whenever the holding effect of the parking brake becomes weakened, or whenever the brake shoes, drums, or rotors are replaced, in order to guarantee optimal braking performance.
This specialized adjustment procedure is detailed fully in the official vehicle service manual. It is recommended that you visit an authorized NISSAN dealer to perform this professional service.
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
WARNING
- The Anti-lock Braking System is a sophisticated safety device, but it cannot prevent accidents caused by careless, reckless, or dangerous driving techniques. It is designed solely to help you maintain steering control during hard braking on slippery surfaces. Remember that stopping distances on slippery, wet, or icy surfaces will always be longer than on normal dry pavement, even when using ABS. Furthermore, stopping distances may also be extended on rough gravel tracks, deep snow-covered roads, or when using tire chains. Always maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle ahead of you. Ultimately, the driver remains entirely responsible for road safety.
- Tire type, tread pattern, and overall condition will also directly affect your braking effectiveness.
- When replacing tires on your Nissan Versa, always install the exact specified size and rating of tires across all four wheels.
- When installing a temporary spare tire, ensure it is the proper size and type as explicitly specified on the vehicle's Tire and Loading Information label.
The advanced Anti-lock Braking System actively controls the brakes to prevent the wheels from locking up during emergency braking or when stopping on slippery road surfaces. The system continuously detects the individual rotation speed at each wheel and dynamically modulates brake fluid pressure to prevent locking and sliding.
By preventing individual wheels from locking, the system helps the driver maintain crucial steering control and helps minimize dangerous swerving or spinning on slippery roads.
Using the system
Firmly depress the brake pedal and hold it down securely.
Apply consistent, steady pressure to the brake pedal, but do not pump the brakes. The Anti-lock Braking System will automatically modulate pressure to prevent wheel lockup, allowing you to steer your Nissan Versa around unexpected obstacles.
WARNING
Never pump the brake pedal when an ABS-equipped vehicle is braking hard. Doing so interrupts system operation and may result in significantly increased stopping distances.
Self-test feature
The Anti-lock Braking System comprises advanced electronic sensors, electric pumps, hydraulic solenoids, and a central computer controller. The computer features a built-in diagnostic routine that tests the system automatically every time you start the engine and drive the vehicle forward or in reverse at a low speed. During this self-test sequence, you may hear a distinct "clunk" sound and/or feel a slight pulsation beneath your foot in the brake pedal.
This mechanical feedback is entirely normal and does not indicate any system malfunction.
If the diagnostic computer senses an internal malfunction, it will automatically switch the ABS off and illuminate the dedicated ABS warning light on the instrument cluster. The standard foundation brake system will continue to operate normally, but without anti-lock electronic assistance.
If the ABS warning light illuminates during the initial self-test or while driving down the road, have your vehicle inspected promptly. It is recommended that you visit an authorized NISSAN dealer for this specialized service.
Normal operation
The Anti-lock Braking System begins operating automatically once your vehicle exceeds speeds of 3 to 6 mph (5 to 10 km/h), though this engagement speed may vary slightly depending on prevailing road conditions.
When the ABS senses that one or more wheels are approaching lockup, the hydraulic actuator rapidly applies and releases brake pressure.
This rapid modulation mimics manual brake pumping executed at high speed. You may feel a distinct pulsation in the brake pedal accompanied by a mechanical noise from under the hood or a slight vibration from the actuator assembly. This behavior is completely normal and confirms that your Nissan Versa ABS is operating properly. However, continuous pedal pulsation serves as a warning that road conditions are hazardous, requiring extra care and reduced speed.
Brake Assist
When the physical force applied to the brake pedal exceeds a predetermined threshold, the Brake Assist system activates instantly, generating substantially greater braking force than a conventional brake booster can provide, even when light pedal force is applied by the driver.
WARNING
The Brake Assist system is intended strictly as a supportive aid to enhance braking operation and is not a substitute for a forward collision warning or automated avoidance device. It remains the absolute responsibility of the driver to stay alert, drive safely, and maintain full command of the vehicle at all times.