29 Useful Features of Nissan Safety Shield 360 Every Nissan Driver Should Know

The Nissan Safety Shield 360 is a cutting-edge safety feature suite that comes packed with advanced technologies designed to enhance driver awareness, protection, and confidence on the road. This comprehensive system includes an array of features that work together to provide an all-around safety net, making every drive safer and more secure. 

While many are familiar with its standard features, Nissan’s Safety Shield has a trove of hidden gems that often go unnoticed. 

Whether or not you’ve wondered what Nissan Safety Shield does or the full capabilities encapsulated in that little Safety Shield button, this article reveals 29 common and lesser-known facts and features of the Nissan Safety Shield 360, exploring its remarkable capabilities and role in promoting a secure driving experience for passengers and other road users. We'll also highlight all the Nissan vehicle models equipped with the Safety Shield safety suite. 

See also: The Nissan Ariya Is One Of The Safest SUVs Of The Year, According To The IIHS – An In-depth Review 

1. Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection

One of the standout features of the Safety Shield 360 is its Automatic Emergency Braking system. It uses forward-facing radar and camera technology to detect possible collisions and can even apply brakes autonomously to avoid or mitigate an impact. 

What some people may not realize is that Safety Shield 360 doesn't just protect occupants but extends its vigilance to pedestrians, employing automatic emergency braking to mitigate collisions. Using advanced image processing, it can identify pedestrians within the vehicle's path, providing alerts and assisting the driver in avoiding accidents. 

2. Rear Automatic Braking

^{Photo credit: IIHS}

When reversing, the Rear Automatic Braking system acts as an extra pair of eyes. It detects stationary objects behind the vehicle and can automatically apply the brakes if a collision is imminent, potentially preventing costly accidents. 

Going beyond traditional safety measures, this feature adds a layer of protection by automatically engaging the brakes to prevent collisions while reversing. 

3. Lane Departure Warning

The Lane Departure Warning system helps drivers stay within their intended lane by monitoring lane markings. If the vehicle starts to drift unintentionally, the system provides visual and audible warnings to prompt corrective action. 

Seamlessly integrated, this feature alerts drivers when unintentional lane departure occurs, reducing the risk of accidents caused by distraction or drowsiness. 

4. High Beam Assist

Driving at night becomes easier with High Beam Assist. It automatically adjusts the headlights between high and low beams to optimize visibility while avoiding dazzling other drivers. 

Enhancing nighttime visibility, the system automatically toggles between high and low beams based on oncoming traffic, ensuring optimal lighting without blinding others. 

5. Rear Cross Traffic Alert

When backing out of a parking space or driveway, the Nissan Safety Shield Rear Cross Traffic Alert feature detects oncoming vehicles from the side and warns the driver to prevent a potential collision. 

Ideal for busy parking lots, this feature warns drivers of approaching traffic from the sides when reversing, enhancing overall awareness. 

6. Blind Spot Warning

Changing lanes becomes safer with the Safety Shield 360 Blind Spot Warning feature. It uses radar sensors to monitor the vehicle's blind spots and alerts the driver through visual indicators and audio cues when it detects an approaching vehicle. 

It is an intuitive system that provides visual and audible alerts when a vehicle is detected in a blind spot, reducing the likelihood of lane-changing mishaps. 

7. Traffic Sign Recognition

With Traffic Sign Recognition, the Safety Shield 360 uses forward-facing cameras to read and interpret traffic signs. It then displays the speed limit, stop signs, and other vital information on the vehicle's instrument cluster to ensure the driver is well-informed. 

This advanced feature keeps drivers informed about speed limits, no-entry zones, and other crucial details. 

8. Intelligent Driver Alertness

Long drives can induce fatigue and increase the risk of accidents. To minimize this risk, the Intelligent Driver Alertness system detects signs of drowsiness or inattentiveness and alerts the driver to take a break. 

It’s a subtle but powerful feature that monitors driver behavior and provides alerts if signs of drowsiness or inattention are detected, promoting safer driving habits. 

9. Emergency Brake for Pedal Misapplication

Emergency Brake for Pedal Misapplication is one of the lesser-known features of Nissan Safety Shield 360. Designed to prevent accidents caused by pedal misapplication, this feature automatically engages the brakes if sudden acceleration is detected in parking lots or confined spaces. 

See also: 10 Best Features Of The 2023 Nissan Maxima 

10. Intelligent Forward Collision Warning

The Safety Shield 360's Intelligent Forward Collision Warning system continuously monitors the vehicle in front, providing alerts if it detects a potential collision. This feature helps drivers maintain a safe distance and prevent rear-end accidents. 

What some people don't know is that going beyond standard collision warnings, this system not only alerts the driver but also assesses the relative speed and distance of vehicles ahead, providing a more comprehensive safety net. 

11. Rear Door Alert

The Rear Door Alert feature addresses the risk of forgetting items or passengers in the rear seats. This feature might seem trivial but it, nonetheless, has plentiful, multifaceted benefits. 

It reminds the driver to check the backseat when exiting the vehicle, thus preventing accidents or the unfortunate abandonment of belongings. It’s not unheard of for children or pets to get left behind in a car. 

12. Traction Control System

The Nissan Safety Shield 360 isn't just about collision prevention; it also optimizes vehicle stability by adjusting engine power and brake force to prevent wheel spin during acceleration. 

13. Vehicle Dynamic Control

The NSS 360 Vehicle Dynamic Control helps optimize the vehicle's stability and traction by reducing engine power and/or applying brake pressure to specific wheels when it detects oversteer or understeer. 

As part of the Safety Shield suite, VDC works with other advanced safety features to provide a more comprehensive level of protection and driver assistance. Enhancing overall handling, this system continuously monitors steering and braking, making real-time adjustments to keep the vehicle on its intended path during slippery conditions. 

14. Hill Start Assist

Ideal for steep inclines, the Hill Start Assist feature momentarily holds the brakes to prevent rollback, allowing drivers to accelerate smoothly without the worry of sliding backward. 

15. Zone Body Construction

Many people, including Nissan owners, don’t realize that, beyond digital aids, Nissan incorporates physical design elements that disperse crash energy away from occupants, creating a protective safety zone within the vehicle. 

16. Dual-Stage Supplemental Front Airbags

This is another lesser-known but impressive capability of Safety Shield 360. The Dual-Stage Supplemental Front Airbags is a nuanced airbag system that adjusts inflation based on crash severity, optimizing protection for front-seat passengers. 

17. LATCH System (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children)

^{Photo credit: Nissan Owner Channel via YouTube}

Safety Shield 360 extends its protective reach to younger passengers with the LATCH system, ensuring the secure installation of child seats. 

Note that the LATCH system, which stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children, is not directly part of the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite. Instead, it is a standardized system for installing child safety seats in vehicles. 

LATCH provides standardized attachment points for child restraint systems, making the child seat installation process simpler and more secure. Many modern vehicles, including Nissan models, are equipped with the LATCH system, as it has been a standard feature in most vehicles since the early 2000s 

18. Energy-Absorbing Steering Column

The Energy-Absorbing Steering Column is another physical safety feature though not directly integral to the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite is designed to reduce the risk of injury during a collision by absorbing impact forces. 

In the event of a collision, the steering column’s design allows it to collapse or deform in a controlled manner, absorbing energy and reducing the likelihood of the column intruding into the occupant compartment. This can help minimize the risk of serious injury to the driver, particularly the chest and head. 

19. Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

Like the LATCH and Energy-Absorbing Steering Column, the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) is not a specific component of the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite but a fundamental yet crucial feature that prevents wheel lockup during hard braking, maintaining steering control and enhancing overall stopping performance. 

This feature is particularly important in emergency or slippery road conditions. It works by modulating the brake pressure to each wheel independently, allowing the driver to maintain steering control while braking. 

This helps to reduce the risk of skidding and loss of control, especially on wet or icy road surfaces. By preventing wheel lock-up, ABS can contribute to shorter stopping distances and improved vehicle stability during emergency braking situations. 

20. Brake Assist

A common safety feature in most modern vehicles, Brake Assist helps drivers apply maximum braking force in emergencies. While it isn’t a specific component of Safety Shield 360, it detects sudden, hard braking and applies additional force to maximize stopping power, reducing stopping distances in critical situations. 

By providing additional braking force in emergencies, Brake Assist can make a significant difference in the vehicle's ability to stop quickly and can help drivers respond effectively to sudden hazards on the road. 

See also: The 2024 Nissan Armada Goes On Sale With A $55,450 Starting Price: Here's Everything You Want To Know About The Pricing, Best Features, And Options 

21. Intelligent Rear View Mirror

^{Photo Credit: Driving Television via YouTube}

The Intelligent Rear View Mirror (I-RVM) is a modern automotive feature that uses a camera and display technology to provide an unobstructed view of the rear of the vehicle, even when the traditional rearview mirror's field of vision is impaired by passengers, cargo, or the vehicle's design. 

This feature is particularly useful where visibility through the rear window is compromised. While I-RVM isn’t a standard component of the Nissan Safety Shield, it is available in some Nissan models as part of their advanced technology offerings. 

The I-RVM allows drivers to switch between a traditional reflective rearview mirror and a digital display that shows a live video feed from a rear-facing camera. 

22. Intelligent Cruise Control

Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC), also known as adaptive cruise control, enhances the convenience and safety of traditional cruise control by automatically adjusting the vehicle's speed to maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle ahead. 

It’s not part of the original Nissan Safety Shield 360 but an option in many Nissan vehicles as part of their advanced driver-assist systems. 

Activated, Intelligent Cruise Control uses sensors like radar or cameras to monitor the traffic ahead. If the system detects a slower-moving vehicle in the same lane, it will automatically reduce the vehicle's speed to maintain a safe following distance. Once the road ahead is clear, the system will accelerate the vehicle back to the preset speed. It ultimately makes long highway drives more comfortable and safer. 

23. Intelligent Trace Control

Intelligent Trace Control is a driving assistance feature designed to improve cornering performance and vehicle stability during spirited driving or when navigating winding roads. It is a part of Nissan's suite of advanced driver-assist systems, which includes the ProPILOT Assist technology. 

Intelligent Trace Control works with the vehicle's stability control system and steering to help the driver navigate curves more smoothly. By selectively applying the brakes to individual wheels and adjusting the vehicle's torque, Intelligent Trace Control helps to reduce understeer and oversteer, allowing the vehicle to follow the driver's intended path more accurately. 

Additionally, this system can enhance vehicle stability by minimizing the need for abrupt steering corrections, especially in challenging driving conditions such as wet or slippery roads. 

24. Intelligent Engine Brake

Intelligent Engine Brake provides enhanced control and assistance during deceleration and braking, particularly when descending steep grades. This technology is part of Nissan's suite of advanced driver-assist systems, and it is aimed at improving overall driving comfort and control. 

When activated, the Intelligent Engine Brake works by adjusting the engine's power output and using the transmission to help slow the vehicle more effectively during deceleration, especially when going downhill.

By optimizing the engine's braking force, this feature can reduce the need for frequent or heavy use of the vehicle's brakes, which can help mitigate brake fade and improve overall braking performance. 

25. Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

The Safety Shield 360 incorporates a Tire Pressure Monitoring System to ensure optimal tire pressure at all times. It alerts the driver when a tire is underinflated to prevent potential tire failures and optimize fuel efficiency. 

While not part of the original Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite, TPMS is a standard feature on most modern vehicles, including Nissan. There are two types of TPMS: direct and indirect. Direct TPMS uses pressure sensors located within each tire to monitor tire pressure and provide real-time data to the driver. 

Indirect TPMS uses the vehicle's anti-lock braking system (ABS) to monitor tire rotation and detect changes in tire pressure based on differences in wheel speed. 

26. Intelligent Around View Monitor

The Intelligent Around View Monitor uses cameras positioned around the vehicle to provide a virtual 360-degree bird's-eye view of the surroundings. It aids in parking, maneuvering in tight spaces, and detecting potential obstacles. 

This feature is part of Nissan's suite of advanced driver-assist systems and may also include features such as moving object detection to alert the driver of nearby moving objects when the vehicle is in motion. 

The technology provides a significant safety benefit by helping to reduce the risk of collisions with objects or pedestrians in the vehicle's vicinity, particularly in situations where visibility may be limited. 

27. Intelligent Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection

Intelligent Emergency Braking (IEB) with Pedestrian Detection takes the Automatic Emergency Braking system a step further by incorporating Pedestrian Detection capabilities. It assists in preventing accidents involving pedestrians, even in low-visibility conditions, automatically applying the brakes if the system detects an imminent collision with a vehicle or a pedestrian. 

The IED with PD technology is part of Nissan's advanced driver-assist systems and is a key component of the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite. When the system's sensors detect a potential collision with a vehicle or pedestrian in the vehicle's path, it provides visual and audible warnings to alert the driver. 

It can automatically apply the brakes to reduce the severity of the impact or, in some cases, prevent the collision altogether if the driver does not respond and the system determines an imminent collision. 

28. Intelligent Forward Collision Warning with AEB

To enhance safety during congested traffic or sudden stops, the Safety Shield 360 offers an Intelligent Forward Collision Warning with Automatic Emergency Braking. It not only warns the driver of potential collisions but also applies the brakes if necessary to minimize the impact. 

This technology is a key component of Nissan's advanced driver-assist systems and is included in the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite. 

Integrating Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) means that if the driver does not take sufficient action to avoid the collision after receiving the warning, the system can independently engage the vehicle's brakes to help avoid or mitigate the impact. 

29. 360-Degree Protection

The Safety Shield 360 is aptly named as it offers a complete 360-degree view of the surrounding environment. Utilizing a combination of cameras, radar, and sensors, it constantly monitors the vehicle's surroundings to detect potential hazards from every angle. 

Nissan Models Equipped With Safety Shield 360