Hill descent control system (if so equipped) -34 – NISSAN 2010 Xterra User Manual

Page 229

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When driving on extremely inclined sur-

faces such as higher banked corners,
the VDC system may not operate prop-
erly and the SLIP indicator may flash or

both the SLIP and

indicator lights

may illuminate. Do not drive on these
types of roads.

When driving on an unstable surface

such as a turntable, ferry, elevator or
ramp, the SLIP indicator may flash or

both the SLIP and

indicator lights

may illuminate. This is not a malfunc-
tion. Restart the engine after 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 SLIP indicator may flash or both the

SLIP and

indicator lights may

illuminate.

The VDC system is not a substitute for

winter tires or tire chains on a snow
covered road.

WARNING

Never rely solely on the hill descent

control system to control vehicle speed
when driving on steep down hill grades.
Always drive carefully and attentively
when using the hill descent control sys-
tem and decelerate the vehicle speed
by depressing the brake pedal if neces-
sary. Be especially careful when driving
on frozen, muddy or an extremely steep
downhill roads. Failure to control ve-
hicle speed may result in a loss of con-
trol of the vehicle and possible serious
injury or death.

The hill descent control may not control

the vehicle speed on a hill under all load
or road conditions. Always be prepared
to depress the brake pedal to control
vehicle speed. Failure to do so may re-
sult in a collision or serious personal
injury.

The hill descent control system helps maintain
vehicle speed when driving under 15-21 mph
(25-35 km/h) on steeper downhill grades. Hill
descent control is useful when engine braking
alone in 4H or 4L cannot control vehicle speed.
Hill descent control applies the vehicle brakes to
control vehicle speed allowing the driver to con-

centrate on steering while reducing the burden of
brake and accelerator operation.

● When additional braking is required on

steep downhill roads activate the hill de-
scent control system by pushing the switch
ON, see “Hill descent control switch” in the
“Instruments and controls” section.

● Once the system is activated the indicator

light will remain on in the instrument panel,
see “Hill descent control system on indicator
light” in the “Instruments and controls” sec-
tion.

If the accelerator or brake pedal is depressed
while the hill descent control system is on, the
system will stop operating temporarily. As soon
as the accelerator or brake pedal is released, the
hill descent control system begins to function
again if the hill descent control operating condi-
tions are fulfilled.

For the best results, when descending steep
downhill grades, the hill descent control switch
should be ON and the shift selector in 2 (Second
gear) or 1 (Low gear) for engine braking.

HILL DESCENT CONTROL SYSTEM (if
so equipped)

5-34

Starting and driving

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