Brake Assist

[Hmason]

I was driving in a strange city and must admit, I didn't see the red traffic signal. I was traveling at about 35 mph through the intersection when a vehicle crossed directly in front of me. A T-bone was a certainty. I hit the brakes as fast as I could but I knew I would never stop in time---but I did, with barely inches to spare. A potential tragedy was averted. I can only believe it was the ABS and brake assist system that saved the day. I still cannot believe I stopped in time. God bless MO and Nissan. My wife had quite a fit. Wonder if Nissan could develop a button to push for that.

[kerrton]

Brake assist and ABS can be useful options under certain circumstances, but in your case I assume it was dry, clean pavement so the biggest factor (other than the mass of the vehicle) in stopping you was the 4-wheel disc brakes, the rotors and calipers are a pretty good size on the Murano so I'd attribute your stopping distance to good disc brake design - a purely mechanical reason for your great stopping distance. Sometimes we get pre-occupied by the electronic gismos and overhyped add-ons, which don't get my wrong can save your life under certain cirumstances, but the basic mechanical set up of brakes for example is still more significant in my opionion.

[Poyzinous]

Yes the brake assist is smart. The car's abs computer takes notice how quickly you press your brake pedal and will apply full force immediately instead of gradually with pedal movement, helping shorten your brake distance a few feet. But from your example, 3 feet can be the difference between a near miss and a new bumper.

[Hmason]

And a critical few INCHES it was!!

[Q45tech]

Take some time and study the Tire Rack Tests of panic stopping distance dry and wet in same sizes on same model test cars......................across tire brands there is an up to 33 feet difference worse to best. In the ultra performance expensive class it is usually 10-15 feet from best to worst.

These tests are for brand new tires so you can expect a widening span as the tires exceed 8,000 miles. Half worn is down right dangerous in cold wet conditions where the compounds harden and lose friction coefficient.