Wishing everyone a safe and happy Halloween! You "auto" have one!

Active Engine Brake

Nissan's Dynamic Performance R&D initiative can be summed up as two closely-related aims: to interpret driver's input more insightfully than ever before, and to execute those intentions with greater speed and precision than ever before.

One of those technologies, Nissan's Active Engine Brake, is best described as the CVT equivalent to what you do with a manual gearbox as you enter a tight curve: shift down to decelerate smoothly, then shift back up again as your accelerate through the curve's apex.

Active Engine Brake harnesses the advantages of Nissan's CVT technology to intelligently automate this function in a subtle way. The result is smoother cornering - especially for novice drivers.

The system is also effective in straight-line deceleration, for example slowing down before a red light. Many less-skilled drivers apply the brakes several times between initial slowing and final stop - which can feel like a jerky and inelegant maneuver. With Active Engine Brake everyone performs more smoothly, which reduces driving stress.

"It is deliberately subtle to avoid startling the driver," says Naoki Miyashita of Nissan's driving control development team. "But the effective is clearly measurable, in terms of reduced wear on the brakes and also in smoother driver performance with both cornering and straight-line deceleration."

Happy Monday everyone!

Every single time.

Would you be brave enough to introduce your wheels to one of the most dangerous roads in the world?

This is Stelvio Pass Road located in Italy and is the highest paved mountain pass in the Eastern Alps.

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Here's to you late night and early morning drivers out there.

Nissan is developing "fatigue-free seats" to cut driver and passenger fatigue and make long periods of driving a pleasant experience.

How To Share The Road With Truckers

Everybody has a horror story to tell about an encounter they've had with an 18-wheeler on the Interstate, and how they were nearly killed by the inattentiveness of the truck driver. News programs like Dateline NBC and 60 Minutes feed this fear with selectively edited stories regarding truck safety. But what nobody seems to consider is that they themselves may have caused the problem because of ignorance about what is involved in driving a truck, or by engaging in righteous driving behavior that did nothing but endanger their own lives and those of the people they care most about.

Personally, we've seen rude truckers hog the road, and we've seen dimwitted drivers set themselves up for what could be a very painful, if not deadly, lesson. Furthermore, not all trucks traveling the nation's highways are properly maintained, due to a lack of finances or pure laziness. But for most truck drivers, who are paid by the mile and are held responsible for damaged goods, their lives and livelihoods depend on driving a well-maintained truck carefully, and getting freight to its destination on time.

Tractor trailer trucks are responsible for carrying nearly 30 percent of all the cargo shipped in the United States. Technology and improved roadways have allowed the use of trucks for shipping to increase steadily since the 1920s, resulting in larger vehicles and heavier loads. Yet, traffic fatalities involving trucks have steadily declined during the past 50 years, except for a small spike upward in the early 1980s right after the trucking industry was deregulated. Fatalities due to accidents involving semi trucks total 5,000 annually on average, with the vast majority of those fatalities suffered by occupants of passenger vehicles that collided with a truck. As motorists who must share the road with semi trucks, we can do our part to help reduce this number even further if we simply take the time to follow a few simple driving rules and try to understand how difficult it is to maneuver a tractor-trailer in traffic.

We asked Michael Taylor, transportation special programs developer for the Tractor Trailer Training Program at Triton College in River Grove, Ill., what the top five pet peeves truckers had with fellow motorists were. Here is his list:

1) Riding in a trucker's blind spots. Trucks have large blind spots to the right and rear of the vehicle. Smaller blind spots exist on the right front corner and mid-left side of the truck. The worst thing a driver can do is chug along in the trucker's blind spot, where he cannot be seen. If you're going to pass a truck, do it and get it over with. Don't sit alongside with the cruise control set 1 mph faster than the truck is traveling.

2) Cut-offs. Don't try to sneak into a small gap in traffic ahead of a truck. Don't get in front of a truck and then brake to make a turn. Trucks take as much as three times the distance to stop as the average passenger car, and you're only risking your own life by cutting a truck off and then slowing down in front of it.

3) Impatience while reversing. Motorists need to understand that it takes time and concentration to back a 48-foot trailer up without hitting anything. Sometimes a truck driver needs to make several attempts to reverse into tight quarters. Keep your cool and let the trucker do her job.

4) Don't play policeman. Don't try to make a truck driver conform to a bureaucrat's idea of what is right and wrong on the highway. As an example, Taylor cited the way truck drivers handle hilly terrain on the highway. A fully loaded truck slows way down going up a hill. On the way down the other side of the hill, a fully loaded truck gathers speed quickly. Truckers like to use that speed to help the truck up the next hill. Do not sit in the passing lane going the speed limit. Let the truck driver pass, and let the Highway Patrol worry about citing the trucker for breaking the law.

5) No assistance in lane changes or merges. It's not easy to get a 22-foot tractor and 48-foot trailer into traffic easily. If a trucker has his turn signal blinking, leave room for the truck to merge or change lanes. Indicate your willingness to allow the truck in by flashing your lights.

According to "Sharing the Road," a booklet distributed by John Deere Transportation Insurance, the three most common types of accidents involving heavy trucks involve the following:

1) Crashes caused by the truck's inability to stop in time.2) Crashes caused by a motorist trying to pass a truck on the right while the truck is making a right-hand turn. Also known as the right turn squeeze.3) Crashes caused by a motorist riding in the trucker's blind spots. Use the following rule of thumb: If you cannot see the truck driver in his mirrors, he probably cannot see you.

By taking simple common-sense steps to protect yourself and your family when driving near large trucks, traffic fatalities will continue to drop. Over the years, the trucking industry has improved the quality of truck drivers by making it more difficult to qualify for and keep a Commercial Driver's License (CDL). Mandatory drug testing has also been instituted. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published the following data in 2008. The intoxication rate for drivers involved in fatal accidents was:

27% for motorcycle riders 23% for light truck drivers (pickups and SUVs, that is) 23% for passenger car drivers 1% for truck drivers

Still, more work must be done to combat tightly scheduled deliveries, overbearing stacks of paperwork and driver fatigue caused by federal regulations that work against the human body's natural circadian rhythm.

After meeting with truck driving instructors at Triton College, with representatives from the Illinois Transportation Association and learning what it takes to pilot a tractor-trailer by taking the wheel myself, we joined Taylor for a ride in a brand-new empty tanker truck.

We covered suburban roads during a half-hour loop just to the southeastern side of O'Hare airport. During our 30-minute ride, two motorists turned left across traffic directly in front of the truck. One young woman in a Toyota Celica crossed no more than 50 feet in front of us as she zoomed onto a side street. An older couple in a Dodge Grand Caravan turned in front of our International tractor, and incredibly, slowed so they wouldn't scrape the van on a steep driveway apron to a convenience store. A dude in a Camaro RS blasted by on the left, cut in front of the truck and stopped at a red light we were approaching. When the light turned green, he turned right.

These are the kinds of driving habits that we must break for truck-related accident rates to drop even lower. After a day at truck driving school, we left Chicago for Denver in a Subaru Outback. During that evening and the next day traveling I-80 and I-76, we were keenly aware of the needs of the truckers with whom we shared the road. We behaved more courteously toward truck drivers and fellow motorists than usual, and exercised more patience. We doubt very much that by driving more defensively and less aggressively we arrived in Denver any sooner than we would have had we not let that Kenworth into our lane back in Iowa or had we tried to beat that Freightliner to the construction zone near Lincoln, Neb. We do feel, however, that our trip was a safer one, that we had done our part to make highway travel better. Now it's time to do yours.

Source: Edmunds

Nissan Records Strong September Sales in Europe

• September sales increase of 58% from August 2012 - fourth successive month of growth
• Juke, Qashqai and Micra continue to fuel sales pipeline despite tough economic climate
• Russia and UK remain high performing markets given strong industrial footprint

ROLLE, Switzerland - Nissan announced European sales of 66,074 units in September 2012,recording an increase for the fourth successive month, up 58% from August 2012.

Despite the challenging economic conditions across Europe, Nissan's calendar year to date sales volume continues to track ahead of 2011 at 1.2% up over the same period last year.

Market share is also up, with Nissan achieving a 4.1% share in September and 3.9% for the first nine months of the year.

Sales in the UK saw a fivefold increase between August 2012 and September 2012, driven by demand for the Sunderland-produced Juke, Qashqai and Note. Meanwhile sales in Russia have steadily grown since the beginning of 2012, due to brisk crossover sales and the popularity of the X-Trail SUV.

Contributing to this European growth was the iconic Nissan Micra, which saw sales more than double in September 2012, with Nissan's family of crossovers also delivering strong performance - Nissan Juke up 77% from August 2012 and Nissan Qashqai up 48%.

Nissan Vice President for Sales Operations in Europe, Guillaume Cartier, said: "Nissan continues to buck the trend in Europe by demonstrating strong month-on-month sales and significant growth across some of our flagship models."

"Nissan continues to expand the regional business and we have announced over half a billion Euros investment in new models this calendar year alone. This will add to our exciting model line-up, which is already amongst the broadest of any manufacturer.

"Although the remainder of the year will continue to be turbulent for all manufacturers in Europe, Nissan is optimistic that it can maintain its strong sales and production performance in the last quarter and into 2013."

About Nissan in Europe
Nissan has one of the most comprehensive European presences of any overseas manufacturer, employing more than 14,500 staff across locally-based design, research & development, manufacturing, logistics and sales & marketing operations. Last year Nissan plants in the UK, Spain and Russia produced more than 677,000 vehicles including mini-MPVs, award-winning crossovers, SUVs and commercial vehicles. Nissan now offers 24 diverse and innovative products for sale in Europe today, and is positioned to become the number one Asian brand in Europe.

About Nissan
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 248,000 employees globally, Nissan provided customers with more than 4.8 million vehicles in 2011, generating revenue of 9.4 trillion yen ($US118.95 billion). With a strong commitment to developing exciting and innovative products for all, Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of 64 models under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. A pioneer in zero-emission mobility, Nissan made history with the introduction of the Nissan LEAF, the first affordable, mass-market, pure-electric vehicle and winner of numerous international accolades, including the prestigious 2011-2012 Car of the Year Japan and 2011 World Car of the Year awards.

 

Nissan News

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Charging CEATEC

 

 

CHIBA, Japan – There's a growing trend in consumer electronics and IT: cars.

Japan's largest showcase of electronics and information technology, CEATEC, kicked off with three carmakers displaying products in which mobility, electronics and IT intersect.

This is Nissan's sixth year at CEATEC, where market-ready technologies and those capturing a glimpse of the distant future converge.

Last year Mitsubishi joined; this year it's Toyota with a new concept called "Smart INSECT", a single-seater, mini EV that uses motion detectors to recognize a driver's behavior.

"The increased presence of automakers at CEATEC not only underscores the importance of information technology and electronics for autos, but also greater potential for collaboration between the auto industry and the electronics industry."

With 70% of electric vehicles comprised of electronic parts, one might consider cars the biggest of consumer electronics.

Said Nissan COO Toshiyuki Shiga, "The distance between appliance companies and electricity management and the automotive industry is closing more and more."

Nissan proves that, powering its lights and stage with LEAF batteries. That technology debuted last year in Nissan's LEAF-to-Home exhibit, after 3/11 underscored the need for alternate power sources for the community.

Nissan is looking to solve other problems, including traffic congestion and accidents.

The NSC-2015 is focused on time management and security, said Toru Futami, Expert Leader for Nissan's IT & ITS Development department.

"With 90% of accidents caused by human error, we aimed to make a machine that could reduce error to as close to zero as possible and prevent an accident before it happens. Another objective was to reduce time-loss, such as that spent on looking for parking. That can be about 10 minutes lost door-to-door, when all you need to do is get to the entrance," said Futami.

To save you time, the NSC-2015 parks itself and returns to pick you up. A smartphone connected to the Automated Valet Parking technology allows a driver to maintain full control, remotely.

And a new feature to catch any unsuspecting thief by surprise, an all-around view camera can react to suspicious behavior and alert the driver. The driver can then opt to set off an alarm.

As its name suggests, the NSC-2015 will be fully viable by 2015. By then, who knows, the car might even be able to make an arrest.

 

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The world's fastest man owns one of the world's fastest cars, the Nissan GT-R. Coincidence? We don't think so!

Winter Driving Tips: How to Drive in the Snow

In a perfect world, all roads would be dry and untrafficked. But in the real world, drivers face a wide variety of weather conditions, and when snow is added to the mix, the potential for automotive disaster can increase exponentially.

Whether you venture to the ski slopes once in a blue moon or spend six months of every year in snowy climes, we’ve assembled a few crucial points to remember while braving snow-covered roads. Follow these tips, and you might even look forward to cold weather driving!

Slow, Turn, Go!
Dynamically speaking, a car can only do three things: accelerate, turn and brake. While it’s possible to combine those commands from the behind the wheel, vehicles are far easier to control when those actions are performed separately. Let’s say you’re approaching a sharp bend on a snowy road: first, gently apply the brakes in advance of the turn. After taking your foot off the brake, coast through the corner while turning the wheel. Only after you’ve exited the turn and straightened the steering wheel, gently accelerate. “As easy as that sounds intellectually, it’s really hard for most people to put into practice,” says Mark Cox, Director of the Bridgestone Winter Driving School.

Limit Your Speed, and Think Ahead
Excessive speed is the single biggest reason people lose control in the snow, and slowing down will give you enough wiggle room to correct your course in case your vehicle loses control. “It takes 4 to 10 times longer to stop in ice and snow,” explains Cox. “Adjust your speed to the conditions,” he adds, “but also remember that going too slow can be just as problematic as going too fast.”

If You Start to Slide…
… don’t panic! A proper response will ensure that car control is regained. If the vehicle oversteers (i.e., the back end swings out), accelerate lightly in order to transfer weight to the rear and increase traction. It may feel counterintuitive to press the gas pedal while a car is sliding, but that action can straighten out the tail-happy yawing motion. Conversely, if the car understeers (i.e., slides forward without turning), straightening the steering and gently touching the brakes will shift more weight over the front wheels and enable the tires to “bite” again. As with all winter driving maneuvers, using a gentle hand and not stabbing the gas, brake or steering wheel is the most effective way to recover from a slide.

Humans tend to target fixate. Couple that with the natural reflex to go where you’re looking, and it’s no wonder so many out-of-control cars head straight into curbs and lampposts. By training yourself to look where you want to go, your hands will follow your eyes and steer away from danger.

Smooth and Easy Wins the Race
Race drivers swear by smoothness when it comes to driving technique, and that practice becomes even more important in wintry conditions. “Pretend you’ve got a cup of coffee on the dashboard,” advises Matt Edmonds, Vice President of TireRack.com. “If you make sudden or abrupt movements, you’ll go from grip to no grip very quickly.” On the other hand, “[smooth inputs] will help you sense the limits of your tire’s grip before your car starts to slide.”

Know Your Limits and Your Car’s Limits
Becoming familiar with your car’s handling dynamics will prepare you for the unexpected. When the going gets slippery, does your car understeer (plow forward), oversteer (fishtail) or drift sideways? Weight distribution, suspension and drivetrain setups (like front-, rear- or all-wheel drive) affects how your car reacts to adverse conditions. If you can’t attend a driving school and learn about vehicle dynamics from the pros, carefully explore your car’s limits in a safe area like an abandoned parking lot. Once your sense memory develops, you’ll be better prepared to handle a slide when it arrives unannounced.

Don’t Rely Too Much on Technology
Electronic aids like anti-lock brakes and traction control have done wonders for vehicle safety, but icy conditions can render those features useless. Once a tire loses its mechanical grip on a slick surface, all the high-tech gizmos in the world won’t stop that vehicle from spinning out of control. Avoid the inescapable laws of physics by keeping your speed reasonable and maintaining a safe distance from cars and objects around you.

Pick Your Tires Like You’d Pick Your Shoes
“Some shoes are good at everything, but not great at one thing,” says Edmonds. Following that logic, you wouldn’t wear flip-flops in the rain—and likewise, you shouldn’t drive through winter snow on summer tires. Edmonds advises looking for the international symbol for winter tires, which is a snowflake on a mountain. A number of winter tire varieties exist; snowbelt states call for dedicated winter rubber which is referred to as a “studless ice and snow tire,” featuring more aggressive tread and deeper blocks. In regions where snow falls more occasionally, you might opt for so-called performance winter tires, which offer better grip under dry conditions.

A Question of Chains

Unless the law demands it, avoid installing chains and choose instead to invest in a solid set of winter tires. As it stands, winter tires are so effective that several provinces in Canada actually make it a legal requirement to install them during certain months of the year. California is the last U.S. state that requires chains on mountain passes, and those regulations may someday be eliminated.

Keep Your Car Maintained
A reliably running car can help avoid a world of complications in inclement weather. Make sure your tire pressure hasn’t dipped with the drop in ambient temperature, and your vehicle will be easier to control as a result. Install winter wiper blades in order to maximize visibility, and test your battery to make sure it can handle the challenges of cold weather cranking. Take care of your car, and it will take care of you.

Car Care