Nissan Versa: Monitor, climate, audio, phone and voice recognition systems - Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system

The advanced Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system in your Nissan Versa utilizes a sophisticated array of sensors to continuously monitor driver inputs, steering angles, and overall vehicle motion.

Under certain challenging driving conditions, the VDC system helps to perform the following critical functions:

• Controls individual brake pressure to reduce wheel slip on a single slipping drive wheel, ensuring that engine power is effectively transferred to the non-slipping drive wheel on the same axle.
• Controls brake pressure and engine output simultaneously to reduce drive wheel slip based on current vehicle speed, providing an advanced traction control function.
• Controls brake pressure at individual wheels and modulates engine output to help the driver maintain absolute command of the vehicle in the following hazardous conditions:
  • Understeer situations, where the vehicle tends to drift wide and not follow the steered path despite increased steering input.
  • Oversteer situations, where the rear of the vehicle tends to swing out or spin due to slippery road surfaces or sudden driving maneuvers.

While the VDC system is designed to help the driver maintain control of your Nissan Versa, it cannot defy the laws of physics or completely prevent a loss of vehicle control in all possible driving situations.

When the VDC system operates actively to stabilize the vehicle, the indicator light in the instrument panel flashes, so please note the following important points:

• The road surface may be slick or slippery, or the system has determined that corrective action is required to help keep your Nissan Versa securely on its intended steered path.
• You may feel a distinct pulsation in the brake pedal and hear a mechanical noise or vibration originating from under the hood. This behavior is entirely normal and indicates that the VDC system is working properly to stabilize the vehicle.
• Always adjust your driving speed and style to match prevailing road conditions.

If an internal malfunction occurs within the system, the indicator light comes on permanently in the instrument panel. The VDC system will automatically turn itself off whenever this warning indicator light is illuminated.

The dedicated VDC OFF switch (if so equipped) is provided to turn off the VDC system manually. Alternatively, the VDC system can also be enabled or disabled directly through the vehicle information display screen (if so equipped).

The indicator light, the RAB warning light, and the AEB with Pedestrian Detection warning light illuminate simultaneously to indicate that the VDC, RAB, and AEB with Pedestrian Detection systems have been turned off.

When the VDC OFF switch (if so equipped) or the vehicle information display menu (if so equipped) is used to turn off the main system, the VDC system still continues to operate its core safety feature to prevent a single drive wheel from spinning by actively transferring power to the opposing non-slipping drive wheel.

The indicator light flashes if this specific slip-control intervention occurs.

All other advanced VDC stability functions remain turned off, and the indicator light will not flash during these events.

The VDC system is automatically reset to the ON state whenever the ignition switch is cycled from the OFF position back to the ON position.

The onboard computer features a built-in self-diagnostic routine that tests the system every single time you start the engine and drive your Nissan Versa forward or in reverse at a low speed. When this automated self-test occurs, you may hear a faint "clunk" noise and/or feel a slight pulsation in the brake pedal. This is entirely normal and is never an indication of a system malfunction.

WARNING

The VDC system is engineered to assist the driver in maintaining stability, but it cannot prevent severe accidents caused by abrupt, reckless steering operations at excessive speeds or by careless, aggressive driving techniques. Always reduce your vehicle speed, exercise extreme caution when driving and cornering on slippery surfaces, and practice safe driving habits at all times.

• Do not modify the factory suspension system of your Nissan Versa.

  If aftermarket suspension components—such as shock absorbers, struts, coil springs, stabilizer bars, bushings, and wheels—are not recommended by Nissan for your specific vehicle or are allowed to become extremely deteriorated, the VDC system may fail to operate properly. This can severely compromise vehicle handling performance, causing the indicator light to flash or remain illuminated.

• If brake-related components—such as brake pads, rotors, and calipers—are not genuine Nissan-recommended parts or are worn down to extreme deterioration, the VDC system may not function correctly, and the indicator light may illuminate.
• If engine control components are not recommended by Nissan or have suffered extreme deterioration, the indicator light may illuminate.
• When driving on unusually steep inclined surfaces—such as heavily banked corners or extreme race tracks—the VDC system may not operate correctly and the indicator light may flash or stay on. Avoid driving on such extreme road grades.
• When transporting your vehicle or driving on unstable moving surfaces—such as an automated turntable, a ferry deck, a car elevator, or a moving ramp—the indicator light may flash or illuminate. This is not a mechanical malfunction.

  Simply restart the engine after driving off onto a stable, solid road surface.

• If wheel rims or tires other than those specifically recommended by Nissan are installed, the VDC system may experience operational faults, causing the indicator light to flash or stay on.
• The VDC system is never a replacement for proper winter tires or certified tire chains when navigating deeply snow-covered roads.

Brake force distribution

During active braking while executing turns and curves, your Nissan Versa system automatically optimizes the distribution of braking force to each individual front and rear wheel depending on the precise radius of the turn.

WARNING

• The VDC system is engineered to assist the driver in maintaining stability, but it cannot prevent severe accidents caused by abrupt, reckless steering operations at excessive speeds or by careless, aggressive driving techniques. Always reduce your vehicle speed, exercise extreme caution when driving and cornering on slippery surfaces, and practice safe driving habits at all times.
• Do not modify the factory suspension system of your Nissan Versa.

  If aftermarket suspension components—such as shock absorbers, struts, coil springs, stabilizer bars, bushings, and wheels—are not recommended by Nissan for your specific vehicle or are allowed to become extremely deteriorated, the VDC system may fail to operate properly. This can severely compromise vehicle handling performance, causing the indicator light may flash or illuminate.

• If brake-related components—such as brake pads, rotors, and calipers—are not genuine Nissan-recommended parts or are worn down to extreme deterioration, the VDC system may not function correctly, and the indicator light may illuminate.
• If engine control components are not recommended by Nissan or have suffered extreme deterioration, the indicator light may illuminate.
• When driving on unusually steep inclined surfaces—such as heavily banked corners or extreme race tracks—the VDC system may not operate correctly and the indicator light may flash or stay on. Avoid driving on such extreme road grades.
• When transporting your vehicle or driving on unstable moving surfaces—such as an automated turntable, a ferry deck, a car elevator, or a moving ramp—the indicator light may flash or illuminate. This is not a mechanical malfunction.

  Simply restart the engine after driving off onto a stable, solid road surface.

• If wheel rims or tires other than those specifically recommended by Nissan are installed, the VDC system may experience operational faults, causing the indicator light to flash or stay on.
• The VDC system is never a replacement for proper winter tires or certified tire chains when navigating deeply snow-covered roads.