Enhancing Durability
Numerous tests for excellent durability
To ensure a customer can use our products for as long as possible,Nissan carefully checks vehicle long-term performance from various perspectives.
Making a vehicle that will not rust
The
salt
damage
test
is
conducted
to
evaluate
and
confirm
the
durability
against
"rust“,
such
as
the
phenomenon
of
metal
corrosion
due
to
the
influence
of
the
components
contained
in
water
and
air.
In
order
to
evaluate
“rust
resistance”
over
long-term
use,
we
simulate
the
deterioration
condition
of
several
years
in
a
short
period
of
time
using
a
special
test
method
that
accelerates
corrosion.
Specifically,
using
prototype
vehicles
we
complete
tests
such
as
spraying
a
concentrated
salt-water
mixture
onto
a
vehicle
and
then
leave
it
in
a
hot,
humid,
sauna
like
room.In
addition,
vehicles
are
driven
many
times
on
a
gravel
road
test
course
containing
multiple
water
puddles.
These
tests
are
set
up
in
an
area
that
is
known
for
causing
severe
salt-damaged
to
vehicles.
Prototypes
that
have
been
tested
are
then
disassembled
so
each
metal
panel
can
be
checked.
If
rust
occurs
earlier
than
expected,
we
will
review
the
material
used
and
change
the
structure
to
improve
corrosion
performance.
Salt damage endurance test
Alternating between the salt spray room and the hot, humid room, after driving on a mud-covered road. Reproduce the usage of "the life of the vehicle" in a short period of time and check whether rust occurs.
Strength performance confirmation
Considering real-world driving conditions, tests are conducted to check for damaged parts when a large force is applied to the tire. For example, if a vehicle inadvertently impacts a sidewalk or a curb in a parking lot. These tests are conducted to confirm the vehicle strength in these scenarios.
1. Have you driven on to a curb unexpectedly? We check vehicle undercarriage strength in various situations to ensure driving performance even in unexpected situations.
2. Duplication test simulating a vehicle that slips on a wet or snowy road and the tire impacts the curb of the sidewalk.
3. Duplication test of accidentally driving into a deep hole.
Reliable quality check from the hot weather to the extreme cold
We are conducting tests in a dedicated facility to identify if any kind of deterioration occurs inside and outside the vehicle in both extremely hot or cold environments.Many vehicle parts consist of resins and rubber materials that are relatively sensitive to temperature changes and ultraviolet rays. Utilizing a thermostatic chamber, the effects of ultraviolet rays and temperature rise due to sunlight as well as deterioration due to low temperatures are all checked. We can duplicate various environmental conditions without going to an actual location such as the scorching temperatures of Arizona in USA or frigid temperatures of Russia where it is occasionally 40°C below zero.
Solar radiation
Many people have experienced a steering wheel that is too hot to touch when parked under the blazing sun. In solar radiation experiments, the surface temperature of the dashboard is 100°C or higher and damage in these harsh conditions is checked.
Low temperature
In the thermostatic chamber, low-temperature experiments down to 40°C below zero can be tested. Since it is necessary to check the vehicle while maintaining low temperatures for accurate evaluation under these extreme conditions, the engineer conducting the evaluation is required to wear winter weather clothes.
To check for deterioration concerns, strains of resin bumpers and headlight lenses, and plated parts such as grilles and emblems are also subject to inspection.In addition, there are a wide variety of interior parts such as dashboards, door trims, floor carpets, switches, and recently a camera cover located at the top of the windshield for advanced safety equipment that has been added to the inspection list. The results of the test are feedback to the design, along with appropriate suggestions on measures to prevent deformation and damage.
Air conditioning test
A low temperature solar radiation laboratory, similar to the thermostatic chamber, is used to evaluate air conditioner system performance. Nissan has facilities that can conduct experiments according to specific weather conditions in various regions of the world to confirm vehicle reliability even in extreme conditions.