Basic Information

The Nissan Murano brake system uses two separate hydraulic circuits. If one hydraulic circuit develops a malfunction, braking force will remain available at two wheels through the other circuit. Braking performance may be reduced under this condition, so the vehicle should be stopped safely and inspected as soon as possible.

Brake precautions

Vacuum assisted brakes

The brake booster uses engine vacuum to reduce the amount of pedal effort required during normal braking. If the engine stops, the vehicle can still be brought to a stop by pressing the brake pedal. However, the vacuum assistance will no longer be available, significantly greater foot pressure will be required, and the stopping distance will be longer than under normal operating conditions.

Using the brakes

Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while driving. Even light, continuous pedal pressure can cause the brakes to remain partially applied, resulting in excessive heat buildup, accelerated brake pad wear, and reduced fuel economy.

Before descending a long or steep slope, reduce vehicle speed and select a lower gear range when appropriate. Using a lower gear helps control speed and reduces the amount of continuous braking required. Prolonged brake application can overheat the braking components, reduce braking effectiveness, and increase the risk of losing control of the Nissan Murano.

WARNING

• Use particular care when braking, accelerating, or downshifting on wet, icy, snowy, or otherwise slippery surfaces. Sudden braking or rapid acceleration may cause the wheels to lose traction and skid, which could result in loss of vehicle control and an accident.
• If the engine is not running or is switched off while the vehicle is moving, the power assistance for the brakes will not operate.

  The brakes will continue to function, but substantially greater pedal effort will be required and the stopping distance may increase.

Wet brakes

After the vehicle has been washed or driven through standing water, the brake components may become wet. Wet brakes can increase stopping distance and may cause the vehicle to pull toward one side when the brake pedal is applied.

To dry the brakes, drive at a safe, moderate speed while applying light, steady pressure to the brake pedal. The resulting heat will gradually remove moisture from the braking surfaces. Continue only until normal braking performance returns, and avoid driving the Nissan Murano at high speed until the brakes respond evenly and effectively.

Parking brake break-in

The parking brake shoes should be properly broken in whenever parking brake effectiveness becomes weaker or after the parking brake shoes have been replaced. Correct break-in helps restore and maintain the intended holding performance of the parking brake.

The required break-in procedure is described in the vehicle service manual and should be completed correctly to avoid damaging the braking components. It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

Basic Information

WARNING

• The ABS is an advanced braking aid, but it cannot prevent accidents caused by careless, unsafe, or inappropriate driving. It can help the driver maintain directional control during braking on slippery surfaces, but it does not eliminate the limits of tire traction. Stopping distances on slippery roads will be longer than on dry, normal pavement even when ABS is operating. Stopping distance may also increase on rough roads, gravel, snow-covered surfaces, or when tire chains are installed. Always maintain a safe following distance and adjust speed to road and weather conditions. The driver remains fully responsible for safe vehicle operation.
• Tire type, size, pressure, wear, and overall condition can affect braking performance and ABS operation.
  • When replacing tires, install tires of the specified size on all four wheels. Using tires with incorrect or mismatched dimensions may interfere with accurate wheel-speed detection and vehicle stability.
  • When installing a spare tire, confirm that it is the correct size and type specified on the Tire and Loading Information label.

The Anti-lock Braking System controls hydraulic brake pressure to help prevent the wheels from locking during hard braking or while braking on a slippery surface. Wheel-speed sensors monitor the rotation of each wheel, and the system adjusts brake fluid pressure rapidly whenever a wheel approaches the point of locking and sliding.

By helping the wheels continue rotating during severe braking, ABS allows the driver to retain more steering control. This can reduce the likelihood of uncontrolled swerving or spinning and may allow the Nissan Murano to be steered around an obstacle while maximum practical braking force is applied.

Using the system

Press the brake pedal firmly and keep it depressed while steering the vehicle as necessary.

Apply firm, steady pressure to the brake pedal and do not pump it. The Anti-lock Braking System automatically varies hydraulic pressure to help prevent wheel lockup. Maintain pedal pressure and steer in the direction needed to avoid obstacles while bringing the vehicle under control.

WARNING Do not pump the brake pedal during emergency braking. Pumping the pedal can interfere with ABS operation and may increase the distance required to stop the vehicle.

Self-test feature

The Anti-lock Braking System includes electronic wheel-speed sensors, electric pumps, hydraulic solenoids, and a control computer. A built-in diagnostic function checks the system each time the engine is started and the vehicle begins moving at a low speed in either the forward or reverse direction. During this self-test, a brief “clunk” may be heard and a slight pulsation may be felt through the brake pedal.

These sounds and sensations are part of normal ABS self-testing and do not indicate a malfunction.

If the control computer detects a malfunction, it switches off the anti-lock function and illuminates the ABS warning light in the instrument panel. The conventional hydraulic brake system will continue to operate, but anti-lock assistance will not be available.

If the ABS warning light illuminates during the self-test or remains on while driving, have the Nissan Murano inspected. It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.

Normal operation

The Anti-lock Braking System normally operates at vehicle speeds above approximately 3–6 mph (5–10 km/h). The exact activation speed may vary depending on road conditions.

When ABS determines that one or more wheels are approaching lockup, the actuator rapidly increases and decreases hydraulic brake pressure at the affected wheels.

This action is similar to pumping the brakes at a very high rate. During ABS operation, the driver may feel pulsation through the brake pedal, hear mechanical noise from beneath the hood, or notice vibration produced by the actuator. These sensations are normal and indicate that the system is actively controlling wheel lockup. They may also indicate that available road traction is limited, so speed should be reduced and additional care should be used.

Brake Assist

Brake Assist monitors the force applied to the brake pedal. When pedal force exceeds a predetermined level, the system interprets the input as an emergency braking request and provides greater braking force than a conventional brake booster would produce with the same pedal effort. The driver should continue pressing the pedal firmly while the system assists.

WARNING Brake Assist is designed only to support the driver during braking. It does not warn of an approaching collision, steer the vehicle, or guarantee that a collision will be avoided. The driver must remain attentive, maintain a safe following distance, drive according to current conditions, and retain control of the vehicle at all times.