Nissan Sentra B18 (2020-2025) Owner's Manual: RAB system limitations

WARNING

The following list outlines the operational limitations of the Rear Automatic Braking (RAB) system. Failure to comply with these warnings and usage instructions may result in serious injury or death.

• When the Nissan Sentra approaches an obstacle while the accelerator or brake pedal is being pressed, the RAB system may not activate, or activation may be delayed. System performance can also be reduced due to vehicle condition, driving environment, traffic flow, weather, or road surface conditions. Do not wait for the system to respond. Apply the brake pedal manually whenever necessary.
• If it becomes necessary to override RAB system operation, firmly depress the accelerator pedal.
• Always check your surroundings and physically look behind the vehicle before and while reversing. The RAB system detects stationary objects behind the Nissan Sentra but does not detect the following:
  • Moving objects
  • Low-profile objects
  • Narrow objects
  • Wedge-shaped objects
  • Objects very close to the rear bumper (less than approximately 1 ft [30 cm])
  • Objects that suddenly appear behind the vehicle
  • Thin objects such as rope, wire, or chains
• The RAB system may not respond properly to the following types of obstacles:
  • Objects positioned high above the ground
  • Objects located off-center relative to the vehicle
  • Objects with soft or absorbent surfaces, such as snow or spongy materials, that absorb ultrasonic waves
• The RAB system may not function correctly under the following conditions:
  • Rain, snow, ice, mud, or dirt is adhering to the sonar sensors
  • Loud noises are present around the vehicle
  • The obstacle surface is angled relative to the rear of the Nissan Sentra
• The RAB system may activate unintentionally under the following conditions:
  • Overgrown grass is present behind the vehicle
  • Structures such as walls, toll gate equipment, narrow tunnels, or parking barriers are located close to the vehicle
  • Bumps, raised pavement, or manhole covers are present on the road surface
  • The vehicle passes through hanging objects such as flags or curtains
  • Snow or ice is accumulated behind the vehicle
  • An ultrasonic signal source, such as another vehicle’s parking sonar, is nearby
• Once automatic braking has been applied, the system will not activate again if the vehicle approaches the same obstacle.
• Automatic braking operates only for a short duration.

  Therefore, the driver must promptly depress the brake pedal to maintain braking force.

• RAB system performance may be reduced or insufficient in the following situations:
  • Driving in adverse weather conditions such as rain, fog, or snow
  • Driving on steep inclines or declines
  • Sudden changes in vehicle posture, such as when crossing speed bumps
  • Driving on slippery road surfaces
  • Sharp steering inputs with full steering lock
  • Use of snow chains
  • Use of wheels or tires not recommended by NISSAN
  • Cold brake conditions in low ambient temperatures or immediately after starting to drive
  • Reduced braking effectiveness due to wet brakes after driving through water or washing the vehicle
• To prevent unintended braking and possible accidents, turn the RAB system OFF under the following conditions:
  • When the Nissan Sentra is being towed
  • When the vehicle is transported on a flatbed truck
  • When the vehicle is placed on a chassis dynamometer
  • When driving on severely uneven road surfaces
  • When suspension components other than Genuine NISSAN parts are installed, which may alter vehicle height or body angle and affect sensor accuracy
  • When accessories such as bike racks or cargo carriers obstruct the rear sensors

System malfunction

If the Rear Automatic Braking (RAB) system on the Nissan Sentra malfunctions, the system will automatically deactivate. The RAB warning light will illuminate, and the “Not Available System Malfunction” message will appear in the vehicle information display.

Action to take

If the warning light illuminates, safely park the Nissan Sentra, turn the engine off, and then restart the engine. If the warning light continues to remain illuminated after restarting, have the Rear Automatic Braking (RAB) system inspected. It is strongly recommended that you visit an authorized NISSAN dealer for professional diagnosis and service.

NOTE:

If the RAB system on the Nissan Sentra becomes temporarily unavailable, the RAB system warning light will blink to notify the driver.

System maintenance

Observe the following maintenance guidelines to ensure proper and reliable operation of the Rear Automatic Braking (RAB) system on your Nissan Sentra:

• Always keep the rear parking sensors 1 clean to ensure accurate object detection.
• If the parking sensors become dirty, gently wipe them using a soft, clean cloth, taking care not to scratch or damage the sensor surfaces.
• Do not expose the area around the parking sensors 1 to strong impacts. Do not remove, modify, or disassemble the sensors. If the sensors or surrounding areas are damaged due to a collision or deformation, have the system inspected as soon as possible. It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
• Do not attach stickers (including transparent stickers), covers, or accessories to the parking sensors 1 or their surrounding areas. Such modifications may interfere with sensor performance and cause malfunction or improper operation of the RAB system.

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