2000 Nissan Xterra Owner's Manual - Page 150

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) Using the brakes Avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving. This will overheat the brakes, wear out the brake linings and pads faster, and reduce gas mileage. To help reduce brake wear, and to prevent the brakes from overheating, reduce speed and downshift to a lower gear before going down a slope or long grade. 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. Normal Operation The anti-lock brake system does not operate at speeds below 3 to 6 MPH (5 to 10 km/h). (The speeds vary according to road conditions.) When driving, the anti-lock brake system controls the wheels so they will not lock when braking abruptly or when braking on a slippery road. Thus, difficult steering and swerving of the vehicle due to locked wheels is minimized. The system detects the wheel rotation rate and electronically controls the pressure applied to each brake. Slight vibration on the brake pedal accompanied by noise usually occurs while the ABS system is operating. Such vibration and noise encountered during abrupt braking is not a problem, but indicates that the system is functioning. may hear a ''clunk'' noise and/or feel a pulsation in the brake pedal. This is normal and is not an indication of any malfunction. If the computer senses any malfunction, it switches the anti-lock brake system off and turns on the ABS brake warning light in the dashboard. The brake system then operates normally, but without anti-lock assistance. If an abnormality occurs in the system, the anti-lock function will cease but the ordinary brakes will continue to operate normally. The ABS brake warning light will then come on. If the light comes on while you are driving, contact an authorized NISSAN dealer for repair. Using the System Depress the brake pedal and hold it down. WARNING Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so may result in increased stopping distances. Self-test feature The anti-lock brake system consists of electronic sensors and hydraulic solenoids controlled by 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 Starting and driving 5-25