Nissan ARMADA 2022 Brake Assist and Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system 

The Brake Assist and Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) systems in the 2022 Nissan Armada are among the most advanced and complete in the world of car safety technology. A key part of this system, Brake Assist, quickly recognises emergency stopping situations and adds the maximum braking force to the driver’s pedal input, allowing faster and more controlled stops in critical situations. It was designed to give drivers a lot of peace of mind on the road. The Vehicle Dynamic Control system (VDC) also helps keep the vehicle stable by watching how it moves and automatically adjusting the engine’s power and each wheel’s braking to prevent skidding, oversteering, and understeering. This makes for better handling and grip on different types of roads and during sudden turns. All of these high-tech features show that the 2022 Nissan Armada is serious about safety, making sure that both the driver and passengers feel safe and confident while driving.

2023 Nissan Armada Specs, Price, Features and Mileage (Brochure)

BRAKE SYSTEM

BRAKING PRECAUTIONS
The brake system has two separate hydraulic circuits. If one circuit malfunctions, you will still have braking ability at two wheels.
You may feel a small click and hear a sound when the brake pedal is fully depressed slowly. This is not a malfunction and indicates that the brake assist mechanism is operating properly.
Hydraulically-assisted brakes
The hydraulically-assisted brake system is designed to use a hydraulic pump driven electrically, to assist braking. If the engine stops, you can stop the vehicle by depressing the foot brake pedal. However, greater foot pressure on the foot brake pedal will be required to stop the vehicle. The stopping distance will be longer.
Wet brakes When the vehicle is washed or driven through water, the brakes may get wet. As a result, your braking distance will be longer and the vehicle may pull to one side during braking.
To dry brakes, drive the vehicle at a safe speed while lightly tapping the brake pedal to heat up the brakes. Do this until the brakes return to normal. Avoid driving the vehicle at high speeds until the brakes
5-142 Starting and driving function correctly.

PARKING BRAKE BREAK-IN

Break in the parking brake shoes whenever the stopping effect of the parking brake is weakened or whenever the parking brake shoes and/or drums/rotors are replaced, in order to assure the best braking performance.
This procedure is described in the vehicle service manual. It is recommended you visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.

Using the brakes
Avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving. This will cause overheating of the brakes, wearing out the brake and pads faster and reducing gas mileage.
To help save the brakes and to prevent the brakes from overheating, reduce speed and downshift to a lower gear before going down a slope or long grade. Overheated brakes may reduce braking performance and could result in loss of vehicle control.

WARNING

• While driving on a slippery surface, be careful when braking, accelerating or downshifting. Abrupt braking or accelerating could cause the wheels to skid and result in an accident.
• If the engine is not running or is turned off while driving, the power assist for the brakes will not work. Braking will be harder.

BRAKE ASSIST

When the force applied to the brake pedal exceeds a certain level, Brake Assist is activated generating greater braking force than a conventional brake booster even with light pedal force.

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.

ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS)

WARNING

• The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) is a sophisticated device, but it cannot prevent accidents resulting from careless or dangerous driving techniques. It can help maintain vehicle control during braking on slippery surfaces. Remember that stopping distances on slippery surfaces will be longer than on normal surfaces even with ABS. Stopping distances may also be longer on rough, gravel or snow-covered roads, or if you are using tire chains. Always maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you. Ultimately, the driver is responsible for safety.
• Tire type and condition may also affect braking effectiveness.
  • When replacing tires, install the specified size of tires on all four wheels.
  •  When installing a spare tire, make sure that it is the proper size and type as specified on the Tire and Loading Information label. 
• The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) controls the brakes so the wheels do not lock during hard braking or when braking on slippery surfaces. The system detects the rotation speed at each wheel and varies the brake fluid pressure to prevent each wheel from locking and sliding. By preventing each wheel from locking, the system helps the driver maintain steering control and helps to minimize swerving and spinning on slippery surfaces.
  Using the system
  Depress the brake pedal and hold it down. Depress the brake pedal with firm steady pressure, but do not pump the brakes. The ABS will operate to prevent the wheels from locking up. Steer the vehicle to avoid obstacles.

WARNING
Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so may result in increased stopping distances.

Self-test feature
The ABS includes electronic sensors, electric pumps, hydraulic solenoids and a computer. The computer has a built-in diagnostic feature that tests the system each time you start the engine and move the vehicle at a low speed in forward or reverse. When the self-test occurs, you may hear a “clunk” noise and/or feel a pulsation in the brake pedal. This is normal and does not indicate a malfunction. If the computer senses a malfunction, it switches the ABS off and illuminates the ABS warning light on the instrument panel. The brake system then operates normally but without anti-lock assistance.
If the ABS warning light illuminates during the self-test or while driving, have the vehicle checked. It is recommended you visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.

Normal operation
The ABS operates at speeds above 3 to 6 MPH (5 to 10 km/h). The speed varies according to road conditions.
When the ABS senses that one or more wheels are close to locking up, the actuator rapidly applies and releases hydraulic pressure. This action is similar to pumping the brakes very quickly. You may feel a pulsation in the brake pedal and hear a noise from under the hood or feel a vibration from the actuator when it is operating. This is normal and indicates that the ABS is operating properly. However, the pulsation may indicate that road conditions are hazardous and extra care is required while driving.

VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC) SYSTEM

The Vehicle Dynamic Control (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 function).
• 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 follow the steered path despite increased 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 cannot prevent loss of vehicle control in all driving situations.
When the VDC system operates, the VDC warning light 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 indicates that the VDC system is working properly.
• Adjust your speed and driving to the
  road conditions.
  If a malfunction occurs in the system, the VDC warning light illuminates in the instrument panel. The VDC system automatically turns off.
  The VDC OFF switch is used to turn off the VDC system. The VDC off indicator illuminates to indicate the VDC system is off. When the VDC switch is used to turn off the system, the VDC system still operates to prevent one drive wheel from slipping by transferring power to a non-slipping drive wheel. The VDC warning light flashes if this occurs. All other VDC functions are off, and the VDC warning light 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.
  When the 4L position is selected with the 4WD shift switch, the VDC system is disabled and the VDC off indicator light illuminates (for 4WD models).
  The computer has a built-in diagnostic feature that tests the system each time you start the engine and move the vehicle forward 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 indication of a malfunction.

WARNING

• The VDC system is designed to help improve driving 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 always drive carefully.
• Do not modify the vehicle’s suspension. If suspension parts such as shock absorbers, struts, springs, stabilizer 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 VDC warning light may illuminate.
• If brake-related parts such as brake pads, rotors and callipers are not NISSAN-recommended or are extremely deteriorated, the VDC system may not operate properly and the VDC warning light may illuminate.
• If engine control-related parts are not NISSAN-recommended or are extremely deteriorated, the VDC warning light may illuminate.
• When driving on extremely inclined surfaces such as higher banked corners, the VDC system may not operate properly and the VDC warning light 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 VDC warning light may illuminate. This is not a malfunction. 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 VDC warning light may illuminate.
• The VDC system is not a substitute for winter tires or tire chains on a snow-covered road.

VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC) NOFF SWITCH

The vehicle should be driven with the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system ON for most driving conditions.
When the vehicle is stuck in mud or snow, the VDC system reduces the engine out-put to reduce wheel spin. The engine speed will be reduced even if the accel-erator is depressed to the floor. If maximum engine power is needed to free a stuck vehicle, turn the VDC system off.
To turn off the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system, push the VDC OFF switch. The VDC off indicator light will illuminate. Push the VDC OFF switch again or restart the engine to turn ON the system.

FAQ