Trip Computer

Function

The display of the trip computer is situated in the triple meter. When the ignition switch is turned to ON, the display scrolls all the modes of the trip computer and then shows the mode chosen before the ignition switch is turned OFF.

The trip computer can indicate the following items.

Vehicle speed
Outside air temperature
DTE (distance to empty)
Average fuel consumption
Average vehicle speed
Trip time
Trip distance
Stopwatch
Tire pressure
Shift-up indicator setting

Vehicle speed indication

With ignition switch ON or START position, trip computer displays vehicle speed according to vehicle speed signal from unified meter and A/C amp. Unified meter and A/C amp. received this signal from the combination meter.

The vehicle speed indication is displayed in km/h (MPH) while driving.

Outside air temperature indication

With ignition switch ON position, trip computer displays outside air temperature according to signal of outside air temperature from unified meter and A/C amp. Unified meter and A/C amp. receives these signals from outside air temperature sensor.

The outside air temperature is displayed while the ignition switch is in the ON position.

Signal is supplied

through ambient sensor terminal 1
to unified meter and A/C amp. terminal 39.
through unified meter and A/C amp. terminal 10
to triple meter terminal 5.

Indication range is between -30 and 55°C (-22 and 131°F). When outside air temperature is less than -30°C (-22°F) or more than 55°C (131°F), display shows "-". When outside temperature is less than 3°C (37°F) continuously, display will "ICY" Indicator illuminate as warning. In this case, the display will change to the outside air temperature mode even though the display is showing a different mode. The "ICY" Indicator will continue illuminate as long as the temperature remains below 4°C (39°F).

DTE (Distance to empty) indication

With ignition switch ON position, trip computer displays DTE according to signal to DTE from unified meter and A/C amp.

The DTE indication provides the driver with an estimation of the distance that can be driven before refueling.

The DTE is calculated by signals from the fuel level sensor unit (fuel remaining), ECM (fuel consumption) and VDC/TCS/ABS control unit or ABS actuator and electric unit (control unit) [vehicle speed].

The indication will be refreshed every 30 seconds. When fuel remaining is less than approximately 10 l (10-5/8 US quarts, 8-3/4 Imp quarts), the indication will "dte" Indicator blink as a warning. If the fuel remaining is less than approximately 8 l (8-1/2 US quarts, 7 Imp quarts), the indication will show "---". In this case, the display will change to the DTE mode even though the display is showing a different mode. Press trip computer mode switch if you wish to return to the mode that was selected before the warning occurred. The "dte" Indicator will remain blinking until the vehicle is refueled. When the battery is disconnected and reconnected, DTE mode will display "---" for 30 seconds.

Average fuel consumption indication

With ignition switch ON position, trip computer displays average fuel consumption according to signal of average fuel consumption from unified meter and A/C amp. Average fuel consumption is calculated by signals from the VDC/TCS/ABS control unit or ABS actuator and electric unit (control unit) [vehicle speed] and the ECM (fuel consumption). The indication will be refreshed every 30 seconds. If average fuel consumption is reset, average vehicle speed will be reset at the same time. At about 1/3 miles (500 m) or for 80 seconds after resetting, the display shows "---".

Average vehicle speed indication

With ignition switch ON position, trip computer displays average vehicle speed according to signal of average vehicle speed from unified meter and A/C amp.

Average vehicle speed indication is calculated by running distance and running time. The indication will be refreshed every 30 seconds. If average vehicle speed is reset, average fuel consumption will be reset at the same time. After resetting, the display will show "---" for 30 seconds.

Trip time indication

With ignition switch ON position, trip computer displays trip time according to trip time signal from unified meter and A/C amp.

Trip time displays accumulate ignition switch ON time. If trip time is reset, trip distance will be reset at the same time.

Trip distance indication

With ignition switch ON position, trip computer displays trip distance according to trip distance signal from unified meter and A/C amp.

Trip distance is calculated by vehicle speed signal from the VDC/TCS/ABS control unit or ABS actuator and electric unit (control unit) [vehicle speed] with CAN communication line. If trip distance is reset, trip time will be reset at the same time.

Stopwatch indication

With ignition switch ON position, trip computer displays stopwatch according to trip computer setting switch signal from unified meter and A/C amp.

Stopwatch can be changed in START, STOP or RESET by pressing trip computer setting switch. After 100 hours, the time will start from the reset display again. Even if the display is switched to the other mode while the time is starting, the stopwatch continues to advance until you stop the time in the stopwatch mode. When the ignition switch is turned OFF, the time is reset.

Tire pressure indication

With ignition switch ON position, trip computer displays tire pressure according to signals of each tire pressure indication, tire pressure warning and tire pressure irregular from unified meter and A/C amp. Unified meter and A/C amp. receives these signals from tire pressure warning control unit with CAN communication line.

The tire pressure indicator shows tire pressure 0-51 psi (0-353kPa, 0-3.6kg/cm² ) of all wheels (except the spare tire) by sending a signal from a tire pressure sensor that is installed in each wheel. If the tire pressure signal cannot be received correctly, the display shows "---". If the vehicle is being driven with very low tire pressure or a flat tire, the tire pressure indicator mode is automatically selected and "PSI" Indicator will blink as warning. When pressing the trip computer mode switch, return to the mode that was selected before the warning occurred. The "PSI" Indicator will continue blinking until the tire pressure of each tire is properly adjusted.

Shift-up indicator setting indication

With ignition switch ON position, trip computer displays shift-up indicator setting according to trip computer setting switch signal from unified meter and A/C amp. Shift-up indicator in combination meter is setting according to trip computer setting switch signal from unified meter and A/C amp.

The shift-up indicator setting indication is used to set the desired engine speed (RPM) for the shift-up indicator (situated in the tachometer) to illuminate. When the engine speed approaches or reaches the set figure, the shift-up indicator will flash or illuminate to show the driver the timing for shifting into a higher gear. The shift-up indicator will start flashing when the engine speed is within 500 RPM of the set figure while driving, and then illuminate after the engine speed reaches the set figure. The figure of engine speed can changed between 2,000 and 8,000 RPM by pressing trip computer setting switch. Pressing the trip computer setting switch for less than approximately 1 second will add the figure by 100 RPM. If pressing for more than approximately 1 second, the figure will increase by 500 RPM.

For example, you can use the shift-up indicator when driving as follows:

If the maximum engine speed is desired, set the figure at 6,600 RPM. (The indicator starts flashing from about 6,100 RPM and comes on steady at 6,600 RPM.)
If the maximum acceleration performance is desired, set the figure at 4,800 RPM. (The indicator starts flashing from about 4,300 RPM and comes on steady at 4,800 RPM.)

Fig 1: Locating Trip Distance Indicator
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.

NOTE:

There may be a lag between the timing of the shift-up indicator illumination and the tachometer indication.
If the battery cable is disconnected, the set engine speed will be returned to the initial figure (6,600 RPM).
This is also available for the purpose of breaking in to the vehicle.

How to change/reset indication

When the ignition switch is turned to ON, modes of the trip computer can be selected by pressing trip computer mode switch. The switches for the trip computer are located on the right side of the combination meter. Indication can be changed in the following order by momentarily depressing the trip computer mode switch. Vehicle speed --> Outside air temperature --> DTE --> Average fuel consumption and average vehicle speed --> Trip time and trip distance --> Stopwatch --> Tire pressure --> Shift-up indicator setting.

Holding the trip computer setting switch for more than 0.8 second will reset the indication of the currently displayed mode (Average fuel consumption, average vehicle speed, trip time, trip distance or stopwatch).

Fig 2: Identifying Trip Computer Switch

Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.

NOTE: When the OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE warning, TIRE PRESSURE warning and the DTE warning match warning conditions at the same time, the display automatically indicates the OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE.