Glossary
An explanation of technical terms used on the Nissan website.
The term you are looking for starts with a letter…
A-F
| Title | Description |
| 4WD | 4-Wheel-Drive. All four wheels are driven by the engine. |
| ABS | The Anti-lock Braking System, which repeatedly applies and releases the brakes, in a fraction of a second, to prevent the wheels from locking and to help keep the car in control. |
| Active Brake Limited Slip | The Active Brake Limited Slip (ABLS) system senses wheelspin, then automatically applies the brakes to the spinning wheel(s) and directs power to the wheel(s) with the best traction. |
| Active Engine Brake (AEB) |
A system that helps reduce vehicle speed by adding small amounts of engine braking to assist the brakes. |
| Active Noise Control/Active Noise Cancellation |
Active Noise Control (ANC), also known as Active Noise Cancellation, or Active Noise Reduction (ANR), is a method of reducing unwanted sound by the addition of a second sound specifically designed to cancel out the first. |
| Active Ride Control |
A system that adjusts engine torque and gently applies the brakes, in order to reduce fore-and-aft pitching. |
| Active Sound Enhancement |
Simulated engine sound provided through the car's audio system. |
| Active Trace Control |
Active Trace Control brakes the inside wheels during cornering, or on a slippery surface, to counter understeer. So it functions in much the same way as a limited-slip differential. |
| Airbag |
Air-filled bag that helps prevent head and upper-body injuries during severe collisions. Front airbags are deployed from the steering wheel and the instrument panel. Side airbags are deployed from the door and curtain airbags drop from the roof. |
| All Mode 4x4-i | A 4x4 system that engages automatically when conditions (such as mud, snow or slush) demand it. Provides maximum traction and instant responses. |
| Around View Monitor (AVM) | The Around View Monitor gives a 360-degree bird's eye view of the car. |
| Automatic gearbox | Transmission that upshifts and downshifts gears automatically. |
| Blind spot warning | Nissan's system uses a wide-view rear camera to detect vehicles in the hidden blind spot areas on both sides of the vehicle. If a car is detected in either blind spot, a warning light illuminates in the glass of the door mirror. |
| Body Motion Control | Body Motion Control manages movement of the car body to supplement the ride control offered by the suspension damping. |
| Body Type | The type of vehicle as determined by the shape or style of its body, e.g. sports car, off-road vehicle, etc. |
| Bore x Stroke | In an engine, the relation between the diameter of the cylinder bore and the length of the stroke of the piston. This measurement tells you if the engine is designed to deliver more speed or more torque. A long-stroke engine (where the length of the piston stroke is greater than the diameter of the bore of a cylinder) delivers more torque at the expense of maximum power; a short-stroke engine delivers more engine power with less low-end torque. |
| Chassis | The structure that supports the body, engine, drivetrain and suspension of a vehicle. |
| Chassis Control Technologies | Umbrella term for three distinct electronic systems: Active Ride Control, Active Engine Brake and Active Trace Control. |
| Clutch | A drivetrain component that connects the engine to a manual transmission. It is also used to disengage transmission from the engine in order to change gear. The driver depresses the clutch pedal to allow silent engagement of the gears. |
| CO2 emissions | The amount of carbon dioxide fumes produced by a vehicle. CO2 is a pollutant. |
| Coil spring | A spring of spiral shape. Coil springs are used in the suspension of most vehicles. |
| Comfort seat with spinal support | See Zero-gravity seat. |
| Common Rail | A diesel direct fuel-injection system that maintains a constant high pressure throughout the fuel line. The engine's electronics regulate the injection pressure and timing according to engine speed and load. |
| CVT gearbox | Continuously-Variable Transmission gearbox. The transmission ratio changes progressively and not in steps, as with a manual gearbox or a conventional automatic. The system uses a metallic V-belt – a V-roller type in the case of the Nissan CVT. |
| dCi | Short for 'direct common-rail injection', this refers to the direct-injection diesel system used on most Renault-Nissan vehicles. It incorporates a high-pressure rail supplying fuel to an individual injector for each cylinder. |
| Differential | Element of transmission located between the gearbox and driven wheels. The differential accommodates the speed difference between left and right wheels when cornering. A further differential on 4-wheel-drive vehicles, between front and rear axles, avoids wheel scrubbing when all four wheels are driven. |
| DIG-T | Direct Injection Gasoline (Turbo engine). |
| Direct injection | Engine system where petrol or diesel is injected directly into the engine cylinder instead of into a pre-combustion chamber or manifold. Direct injection gives more efficient combustion, with better fuel consumption and lower emissions. |
| Disc brake | A brake using a calliper to force a pair of brake pads against a rotating disc at the wheel. |
| Driver Attention Alert | Driver Attention Alert (DAA) helps prevent loss of concentration. Sensors monitor driving style, flashing an alert (a coffee-cup symbol) on the dashboard if steering becomes erratic, indicating that the driver should take a break. |
| Drum brake | A brake where one or more hydraulic cylinders forces a pair of brake shoes against the inner surface of a brake drum. |
| EBD | Electronic Brakeforce Distribution forms part of some ABS systems. It distributes braking effort between the front and the rear wheels in a way that is best for stability, whatever the load or the pressure on the brake pedal. |
| EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) | The EGR system collects exhaust gases and diverts them back to the engine via the intake manifold. This reduces the amount of oxygen used in the combustion process and so also reduces engine temperature and nitrogen oxide emissions. |
| ESP | Electronic Stability Program. ESP automatically stabilises the vehicle by applying braking to each wheel individually and reducing engine torque if necessary. It uses sensors to measure the turning speed of the wheels, the steering angle and the rotation of the vehicle around the vertical axis. |
| Forward Emergency Braking | A system detecting a possible collision. It gives an audible and visual warning, and if the driver fails to decelerate, it will apply the brakes. |
| Fuel cell | Propulsion system currently under development. The fuel cell generates electric power by combining oxygen and hydrogen. Its only waste product is water steam. |
| Fuel injection | Fuel injection delivers precisely-metred fuel to the engine's combustion chambers. It is more efficient than the carburettors that were previously used on petrol engines. |
G-L
| Title | Description |
| GPS | Global Positioning System, as used in navigation devices. Using satellite technology, GPS pinpoints the vehicle's location so the navigation system can provide directions to the driver. |
| Grille Shutter | The Grille Shutter system maximizes aerodynamic efficiency by closing off airflow through the radiator when not needed. The grille shutter automatically shuts at speeds over 30kph (18mph) and only opens if sensors detect that the engine needs additional cooling. |
| Ground clearance | Distance from the bottom of the car to the ground. |
| H5ft |
Code name for the 1.2 DIG-T engine available on Juke and Qashqai. |
| High Beam Assist (HI/LO beam assist) | A high-resolution camera combined with advanced software automatically switches the headlamps between high-beam and dipped-beam, in response to oncoming traffic. |
| Hill Descent Control | When engine braking is not slowing the car enough when driving down a steep slope in 4-wheel-drive, Hill Descent Control automatically maintains speed and brake pressure to provide a controlled descent. |
| Hill Start Assist | When starting on hills, hill-start assist will stop the car rolling backwards, by holding brake pressure for a few seconds, allowing time for the driver to switch from the brake pedal to the accelerator. |
| Intelligent Parking Assist | This measures the size of an available parallel parking space, and helps park the car. It requires only 2½ft of space in addition to the length of the vehicle to be able to automatically steer the car into position. All the driver has to do is follow the on-screen instructions and control forward and reverse and the accelerator and brakes. |
| Isofix child seat | The international standard for attachment points for child car seats, common to all car manufacturers. |
| Lane departure warning | System giving both a visual and audible alert if the car strays from its lane. The warning stops if the indicator is operated, signalling an intentional change of lane. |
M-R
| Title | Description |
| MacPherson strut suspension | Suspension component combining damper and coil spring in a single strut, with top of unit located directly on body. |
| Moving Object Detection | Detection of moving objects – either just to the rear, with a single camera, or all around the car, with a four-camera (Around View Monitor) system. |
| Multi Function Meter Display | Display a wide range of performance and vehicle related data to make driving more comfortable (e.g. Engine coolant temperature, Engine oil temperature, Engine oil pressure, Transmission oil pressure, Transmission oil temperature, Boost pressure etc.) |
| NATS | Nissan Anti-Theft System. An alarm upgrade with perimetric exterior and ultrasonic interior protection. |
| NBAS | Nissan Brake Assist System. This amplifies the pressure applied to brakes, helping stop faster in an emergency. The system measures the force the driver applies to the brake pedal. Once this exceeds a pre-set amount, brake assist applies the brakes fully. |
| Nissan Dynamic Control | A system that adjusts engine and steering responses (and gearbox responses on CVT-equipped cars) at the push of a button. |
| Nissan Intelligent Key (or I-key) | Hands-free entry system that allows you to open the door or boot just by pressing a button on the handle. Often linked to a push-button starter, so the traditional key is completely eliminated. |
| NissanConnect | Nissan's multi-media system for audio, communication and navigation, it provides Smartphone integration, streaming audio via Bluetooth, navigation functions, and iPod/USB inputs. With NissanConnect stay connected to outside world from inside your car. It’s loaded with features and a list of apps to help you stay more connected. This feature is available for Android and iOS devices. Service subscription, smartphone integration and package (services and application) content may differ depending on the model. |
| NissanConnect EV Services | Brand-new system for the 2016 Leaf, enabling customers to communicate with their car from a smartphone or a website; drivers can start to charge their Leaf by remote control, or operate the air-con, find their car, obtain driving data such as mileage, energy consumption or eco-scoring, and even compare themselves with the worldwide Nissan EV community. Simple to activate and use, services are provided free for 3 years. |
| Passive safety | Safety features that protect the occupants in an accident (eg crumple zone, seatbelt, airbag). |
| Payload | The load that a vehicle can carry, excluding passengers and fuel. |
| Power Panoramic Sunroof | Electrically-operated full-size transparent sunroof. |
| Power steering | A system using hydraulic or electrical assistance to make steering effort lighter. |
| Power Tailgate | Electrically-operated tailgate. |
| Propeller shaft | The shaft that transmits power from the transmission to the differential in a rear-drive vehicle. |
| R9M | Code name for the 1.6 dCi engine available on Qashqai and X-Trail. |
| Rear parking sensor and rear-view camera | Sensors in the bumper detect obstacles up to 1,5 metres (5ft) behind the vehicle and emit an intermittent signal to tell the driver how much space is left. The signal becomes continuous if the obstacle is closer than 30cm (1ft). The rear-view camera provides a view behind. |
S-Z
| Title | Description |
| Safety Shield | Nissan package of safety features that involve active vehicle response to avoid accidents (usually through sensors or cameras) – eg Lane Departure Warning, Blind-Spot Warning, Moving Object Detection. Package content may differ depending on the model. |
| Smart Rearview Mirror | Rear-view mirror with built-in LCD monitor, connected to a rear camera. |
| Suspension | The elements that connect the wheels to the understructure and determine ride and handling. Most suspensions feature coil springs or leaf springs. The movement of the springs is controlled by dampers, often called shock absorbers; additional control can be provided by an anti-roll bar, or perhaps two anti-roll bars, one at the front and one at the rear. |
| ThermaClear | Heated windscreen available on Qashqai. |
| Torque | Turning power produced by the engine. |
| TPMS | The Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is an electronic system that monitors the pressure in the tyres and alerts the driver if it falls low. |
| Traffic Sign Recognition | A front-facing camera that automatically reads speed signs and displays the information to the driver. This function works across Europe, regardless of national sign typography. It also recognises that some countries enforce a lower speed limit if it’s raining, and displays both dry-weather and wet-weather limits. |
| Transfer box | Drivetrain component found on 4-wheel-drive vehicles. When the vehicle is shifted into 4-wheel-drive mode, the transfer box sends power to the front wheels. |
| Turbo | Short for turbocharger, a rotary compressor or pump that is powered by exhaust gases. The turbo forces more air into the engine’s cylinders, allowing it to burn more fuel and produce more power. |
| Wheelbase | The distance between the centre of the front and rear wheels. A long-wheelbase vehicle typically gives more cabin space. |
| Xenon lamp | Lamp which generates light by an electric arc. Its lighting power is greater than a conventional halogen-bulb lamp, yet it consumes less energy. |
| Xtronic | Advanced constantly-variable (ie stepless) transmission with electronic control for fast adjustment of ratios. |
| Zero-gravity seat | Seating inspired by the neutral posture assumed by astronauts when in space, and using carefully calculated and varying levels of support for different parts of the body. |
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