Turn signal/hazard indicator lightsLow washer fluid warning light
(For Canada)Automatic transmission oil temperature
warning light
orBrake warning light4-wheel drive indicator lightorMalfunction indicator light
High beam indicator light (Blue)CRUISE indicator lightDoor open warning light
Seat belt reminder light and buzzerAnti-lock brake warning light
(Except for Canada)Tire carrier open warning light
Engine oil pressure warning lightAnti-lock brake warning light
(For Canada)Supplemental air bag warning light
Charge warning lightOverdrive off indicator light
Low fuel warning lightAutomatic transmission park warning light
Checking bulbs
Turn the ignition key to ªONº without starting
the engine. The following lights will come on:
,,or,or,
The following lights come on briefly and then
go off:
or,,
If any light fails to come on, it may indicate a
burned-out bulb or an open circuit in the elec-
trical system. Have the system repaired
promptly.
Turn signal/hazard indicator
lights
The light flashes when the turn signal switch
lever or hazard switch is turned on.
orBrake warning light
This light functions for both the parking brake
and the foot brake systems.Parking brake indicator
The light comes on when the parking brake is
applied.
Low brake fluid warning
The light warns of a low brake fluid level. If the
light comes on while the engine is running,
stop the vehicle and perform the following:
1. Check the brake fluid level. Add brake fluid
as necessary. See ªBrake and clutch fluidº
in the ªDo-it-yourself operationsº section.
WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHT
AND BUZZER
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Z01.2.1/R50-DX
Key positions
ªOFFº (1)
The engine can be turned off without locking
the steering wheel.
ªACCº (Accessories) (2)
This position activates electrical accessories
such as the radio when the engine is not
running.
ªONº Normal operating position (3)
This position turns on the ignition system and
the electrical accessories.
ªSTARTº (4)
This position activates the starter motor, start-
ing the engine.IMake sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.
ICheck fluid levels such as engine oil, cool-
ant, brake and clutch fluid, window washer
fluid as frequently as possible, at least
whenever you refuel.
ICheck to be sure that all windows and light
lenses are clean.
IVisually inspect tires for their appearance
and condition. Also check tires for proper
inflation.
ILock all doors.
IPosition seat and adjust head restraints.
IAdjust inside and outside mirrors.
IFasten seat belts and ask all passengers to
do likewise.
ICheck the operation of warning lights when
key is turned to the ªON (3)º position.The automatic transmission in your vehicle is
electronically controlled by a microcomputer to
produce maximum power and smooth opera-
tion.
Shown on the following pages are the recom-
mended operating procedures for this trans-
mission. Follow these procedures for maxi-
mum vehicle performance and driving
enjoyment. If your vehicle is equipped with
four-wheel drive, see ª
Transfer case
shifting proceduresº in this section.
Starting the vehicle
IAfter starting the engine, fully depress the
foot brake pedal and push the selector lever
button before shifting the selector lever to
the ªDº, ªRº, ª2º or ª1º position. Be sure the
vehicle is fully stopped before attempting to
shift the selector lever.
This automatic transmission is designed
so that the foot brake pedal MUST be de-
pressed before shifting from ªPº to any
drive position while the ignition switch is
ªONº.
The selector lever cannot be moved out of
ªPº and into any of the other gear positions
if the ignition key is turned to ªLOCKº or if
the key is removed from the switch.
When the battery charge is low, the selec-
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
DRIVING WITH AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
4-7
Z01.2.1/R50-DX
the key back to the ªONº position. The
vehicle should return to its normal operat-
ing condition. If it does not return to its
normal operating condition have your
NISSAN dealer check the transmission and
repair if necessary.
IDo not downshift abruptly on slippery
roads. This may cause a loss of con-
trol.
IDo not over-rev the engine when
shifting to a lower gear. This may
cause a loss of control or engine
damage.
To change gears, fully depress the clutch
pedal, then move the gearshift lever. Aftershifting, release the clutch slowly.
You cannot shift directly from 5th gear into
Reverse. First shift into the Neutral position,
then into Reverse.
If it is difficult to move the shift lever into
Reverse or 1st, shift into Neutral, then release
the clutch pedal and shift into Reverse or 1st
again. If your vehicle is equipped with four-
wheel drive, see
ª
Transfer case shifting proceduresº in
this section.
Suggested shift-up speeds
The table below provides suggested speed
ranges for shifting into a higher gear. These
suggestions relate to fuel economy and ve-
hicle performance. Actual shift ranges should
be adjusted for specific road conditions,
weather conditions and individual driving hab-
its.
I2-wheel drive models and 4-wheel drive
models (2H and 4H position)
MPH (km/h)
1st to 2nd 15 (25)
2nd to 3rd 25 (40)
3rd to 4th 40 (65)
4th to 5th 45 (75)SSD0002
DRIVING WITH MANUAL
TRANSMISSION
4-11
Z01.2.1/R50-DX
*1 Acceleration:
Normal acceleration such as
standing start
*2 Cruise:
Driving without rapid acceleration
or deceleration at moderate speed
which permits maximum fuel
economy
I4-wheel drive model (4L position)
MPH (km/h)
1st to 2nd 8 (13)
2nd to 3rd 12 (20)
3rd to 4th 20 (32)
4th to 5th 22 (36)
Suggested maximum speed in each
gear
Downshift to a lower gear if the engine is not
running smoothly, or if you need to accelerate.
Do not exceed the maximum suggested speed
(shown below) in any gear. For level road
driving, use the highest gear suggested for
that speed. Always observe posted speed
limits, and drive according to the road condi-
tions which will ensure safe operation. Do not
overrev the engine when shifting to a lower
gear as it may cause engine damage or loss of
vehicle control.Allowable maximum speed in each gear
2-wheel drive models MPH (km/h)
4-wheel drive models
2H position
1st 22 (35)
2nd 37 (60)
3rd 56 (90)
4th & 5th 78 (125)
4-wheel drive models MPH (km/h)
4H position
1st 22 (35)
2nd 37 (60)
3rd 50 (80)
4th & 5th 50 (80)
4L position
1st 9 (15)
2nd 19 (30)
3rd 28 (45)
4th & 5th 31 (50)
IDo not rest your foot on the clutch
pedal while driving. This may cause
clutch damage.
IStop your vehicle completely before
shifting into Reverse.
IWhen the vehicle is stopped for aduration, for example at a stop light,
shift to ªNº and release the clutch
pedal with the foot brake applied.
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Z01.2.1/R50-DX
1. Apply the parking brake.
2.Automatic transmission:
Move the selector lever to ªPº (Park position
or ªNº (Neutral position). (ªPº preferred)
The selector lever cannot be moved out
of ªPº and into any of the other gear
positions if the ignition key is turned to
ªOFFº or if the key is removed from the
switch.
The starter is designed not to operate if
the selector lever is in one of the driving
positions.
Manual transmission:
Move the gearshift lever to ªNº (Neutral
position), and depress the clutch pedal to
the floor while starting the engine.
The starter is designed not to operate
unless the clutch pedal is depressed.
3. Crank the enginewith your foot off the
accelerator pedalby turning the ignition
key to ªSTARTº. Release the key when the
engine starts. If the engine starts, but fails
to run, repeat the above procedure.
Ð If the engine is very hard to start in
extremely cold or hot weather ÐUse the accelerator pedal to help start the
engine.
Do not crank the engine for more than 10
seconds at a time. If the engine does not
start, turn the key off and wait 10 sec-
onds before cranking again, otherwise
the starter could be damaged.
4.Warm-up
Always allow the engine to idle for at least
30 seconds after starting. Drive at moder-
ate speed for a short distance first, espe-
cially in cold weather.To apply:pull the lever up.
To release:
1. Firmly apply foot brake.
2.Manual transmission models:
Place the gearshift lever in the ªNº (Neutral)
position.
Automatic transmission models:
Move the selector lever to the ªPº (Park)
position.
3. While pulling up on the lever slightly, push
the button and lower completely.
PD1185M
STARTING THE ENGINE PARKING BRAKE
4-13
Z01.2.1/R50-DX
c) Turn the main switch off. Both the ªONº
indicator and ªCRUISEº light will go out.
IIf you depress the brake pedal while push-
ing the ªACCELº set switch and reset at the
cruising speed, turn the main switch off
once and then turn it on again.
IThe cruise control will automatically be can-
celled if the vehicle slows down more than
8 MPH (13 km/h) below the set speed.
IDepress the clutch pedal (manual transmis-
sion), or move the selector lever to ªNº
(automatic transmission). ªCRUISEº light
will go out.
To reset at a faster cruising speed,follow
either of these three methods:
a) Depress the accelerator pedal. When the
vehicle attains the desired speed, push and
release the ªCOAST/SETº switch.
b) Push and hold the ªACCELº set switch.
When the vehicle attains the speed you
desire, release the switch.c) Push, then quickly release the ªACCELº set
switch. Each time you do this, the set speed
will increase by about 1 MPH (1.6 km/h).
To reset at a slower cruising speed,follow
either of these three methods:
a) Lightly tap the brake pedal. When the ve-
hicle attains the desired speed, push the
ªCOAST/SETº switch and release it.
b) Push and hold the ªCOAST/SETº switch.
Release the switch when the vehicle slows
down to the desired speed.
c) Push, then quickly release the
ªCOAST/SETº switch. Each time you do
this, the set speed will decrease by about 1
MPH (1.6 km/h).
To resume the preset speed,push and re-
lease the ªRESUMEº set switch. The vehicle
will resume the last set cruising speed when
the vehicle speed is over 30 MPH (48 km/h).
Precautions
IThe cruise indicator may sometimes blink
when the cruise control switch (Main
switch) is turned ªONº while pushing the
ªRESUME/ACCELº switch or
ªCOAST/SETº switch or ªCANCELº switch
(located on the steering wheel). To properly
set the cruise control system perform thesteps above in the order indicated. (This is
a fail-safe mode. Turn the main switch
ªOFFº and turn it ªONº again without push-
ing the set switch to return to normal opera-
tion.)
IIf the cruise control system malfunctions, it
will cancel automatically. The cruise indica-
tor in the meter assembly will then blink to
warn the driver.
IWhen the cruise indicator blinks, turn the
cruise control switch (Main switch) ªOFFº
and have the system checked by your
NISSAN dealer.
Do not use the cruise control when driv-
ing under the following conditions:
Iwhen it is not possible to keep the
vehicle at set speed.
Iin heavy traffic or in traffic that varies
in speed.
Ion winding or hilly roads.
Ion slippery roads (rain, snow, ice,
etc.)
Iin very windy areas.
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Z01.2.1/R50-DX
Doing so could cause a loss of vehicle
control and result in an accident.
On the manual transmission model, do
not shift into neutral position without
depressing the clutch pedal when the
cruise control is on. This could cause
engine damage. If you shift into neutral
without depressing the pedal, depress
the clutch pedal and turn the main
switch off immediately.
During the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km), follow
these recommendations for the future reliabil-
ity and economy of your new vehicle. Failure to
follow these recommendations may result in
vehicle damage or shortened engine life.
IDo not run the engine over 4,000 rpm.
Do not drive over the following speed limits:
2-wheel drive models:
4-wheel drive models
(2H position):
55 MPH (90 km/h)
4-wheel drive models
(4H position):
50 MPH (80 km/h)
4-wheel drive models
(4L position):
30 MPH (50 km/h)
IDo not accelerate hard in top gear.
IAvoid quick starts and full acceleration.
IAvoid hard stops as much as possible.
I
For the first 300 miles (500 km), it is rec-
ommended that you drive in the 2-wheel
drive (2H) position.IDo not tow a trailer for the first 500 miles
(800 km).
BREAK-IN SCHEDULE
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Z01.2.1/R50-DX
Manual transmission models:
TO SHIFT
TRANSFER CASE:SHIFT PROCEDURE
From ª2Hº to ª4HºMove the transfer lever to ª4Hº. This can be done at any speed up to 50 MPH (80 km/h), and it is not necessary to depress the
clutch pedal. Perform this operation when driving straight.
From ª4Hº to ª2HºMove the transfer lever to ª2Hº. This can be done at any speed up to 50 MPH (80 km/h), and it is not necessary to depress the
clutch pedal. Perform this operation when driving straight.
From ª4Hº or ª4Lº to ª4Lº
or ª4Hº1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Depress the clutch pedal.
3. Depress the transfer lever and move it to the desired ª4Lº or ª4Hº position.
From ª2Hº to ª4Lº1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Depress the clutch pedal.
3. Depress the transfer lever and move it to ª4Lº. Change gears quickly and smoothly.
From ª4Lº to ª2Hº1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Depress the clutch pedal.
3. Depress the transfer lever and move it to ª2Hº.
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Z01.2.1/R50-DX