1999 NISSAN ALTIMA brake

3. Remove the key and turn it to the ACC
position.
4. Depress the foot brake pedal, and move
the selector lever to N (Neutral).
5. Start the engine.
These instructions for starting the vehicle in
N (Neutral) should only be used until service
can be obtained at an authorized NISSAN
dealership. Never drive the vehicle if the
stop lights are not operating properly.
R (Reverse):
Use this position to back up. Always be sure
the vehicle is at a complete stop before
moving the shift selector lever to the R
(Reverse) position. Check to ensure the
area behind the vehicle is clear. With the
brake pedal depressed, push in the selector
lever button and move the shift selector
lever to the R (Reverse) position.
N (Neutral):
Neither forward nor reverse gear is en-
gaged. The engine can be started in this
position. You may shift to N (Neutral) and
restart a stalled engine while the vehicle is
moving.D (Drive):
Use this position for all normal forward
driving.
2 (Second gear):
Use this position for hill climbing or engine
braking on downhill grades.
Do not shift into the 2 position at speeds
above 74 MPH (118 Km/h). Do not exceed
74 MPH (118 Km/h) in the 2 position.
1 (Low gear):
Use this position when climbing steep hills
slowly or slow driving through deep snow,
sand or mud, or for maximum engine brak-
ing on steep downhill grades.
Do not shift into the 1 position at speeds
above 41 MPH (66 km/h). Do not exceed 41
MPH (66 km/h) in the 1 position.
ASD1018
5-8Starting and driving
ZX

Selector lever lock release
If the battery is discharged, the selector
lever may not be moved from the P position
even with the brake pedal depressed and
the selector lever button pushed.
To move the selector lever, push the shift
lock release and selector lever button. The
selector lever can be moved to N (Neutral).
To push the shift lock release, follow the
following procedure:
1. Turn the ignition key to the lock position
and remove the key
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Remove the shift lock release cap.
4. Insert a small screwdriver in the shift lock
release slot, and push down.
5. Push the selector lever button and move
the selector lever to N (Neutral) position
while holding down the shift lock release.
6. Start the engine.
If there is any problem moving the selector
lever out of P (Park), take your vehicle to an
authorized NISSAN dealership as soon as
possible.Accelerator downshift
in D position
For rapid passing or hill climbing while driv-
ing, fully depress the accelerator pedal to
the floor. This shifts the transmission down
into second gear or first gear, depending on
vehicle speed.
OVERDRIVE SWITCH
ON: With the engine running and the
selector lever in the D (Drive) posi-
tion, the transmission upshifts into
OVERDRIVE as vehicle speed in-
creases.
OVERDRIVE does not engage until the
engine has reached operating tempera-
ture.
ASD1004
Starting and driving5-9
ZX

OFF: For driving up and down long slopes
where engine braking is necessary,
push the OVERDRIVE switch once.
The O/D OFF indicator light on the
instrument panel comes on at this
time.
When cruising at a low speed or
climbing a gentle slope, you may feel
uncomfortable shift shocks as the
transmission shifts between 3rd gear
and overdrive repeatedly. In this
case, depress the OVERDRIVE
switch to turn the OVERDRIVE off.
The O/D off indicator light on the
instrument panel comes on at this
time.
When driving conditions change, depress
the overdrive switch on the selector/lever to
turn the OVERDRIVE on.
Remember not to drive at high speeds for
extended periods of time with the OVER-
DRIVE off. This reduces fuel economy.WARNING
cDo not downshift abruptly on slip-
pery roads. This may cause a loss of
control.
cDo not over-rev the engine when
shifting to a lower gear. This may
cause a loss of control or engine
damage.
CAUTION
cDo not rest your foot on the clutch
pedal while driving. This may cause
clutch damage.
cStop your vehicle completely before
shifting into R (Reverse).
cWhen the vehicle is stopped for a
duration, for example at a stop light,
shift to N (Neutral) and release the
clutch pedal with the foot brake ap-
plied.
Shifting with manual transmission
To change gears, fully depress the clutch
pedal, and then move the shift lever to the
desired gear. After shifting, release the
clutch pedal slowly.
You cannot shift directly from 5th gear into
R (Reverse). First shift into N (Neutral), then
into R (Reverse).
If it is difficult to move the shift lever into R
(Reverse) or 1st, shift into N (Neutral), then
release and depress the clutch pedal again
and shift into R (Reverse) or 1st.
SD1022
DRIVING WITH MANUAL
TRANSMISSION
5-10Starting and driving
ZX

Suggested shift-up speeds
Shown below are suggested vehicle speeds
for shifting into a higher gear. These sug-
gestions relate to fuel economy and vehicle
performance. Actual shift-up speeds will
vary according to road conditions, the
weather and individual driving habits.
For normal acceleration in low altitude ar-
eas (less than 4,000 ft [1,219 m]):
GEAR
CHANGEACCEL
shift point
MPH (km/h)CRUISE
shift point
MPH (km/h)
1st to 2nd 15 (24) 15 (24)
2nd to 3rd 25 (40) 18 (29)
3rd to 4th 36 (58) 30 (48)
4th to 5th 40 (64) 39 (63)
For quick acceleration in low altitude areas
and high altitude areas (over 4,000 ft [1,219
m]):
GEAR CHANGE MPH (km/h)
1st to 2nd 15 (24)
2nd to 3rd 25 (40)
3rd to 4th 40 (64)
4th to 5th 45 (72)
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 sug-
gested for that speed. Always observe
posted speed limits, and drive according to
the road conditions, which will ensure safe
operation. Do not over-rev the engine when
shifting to a lower gear as it may cause
engine damage or loss of vehicle control.
GEAR MPH (km/h)
1st 30 (48)
2nd 60 (96)
3rd 90 (144)
4th þ
5th þ1. Apply the parking brake.
2.Automatic transmission:
Move the shift selector lever to P (Park)
or N (Neutral). (P is recommended.)The shift selector lever cannot be
moved out of P (Park) and into any of
the other gear positions if the ignition
key is turned to OFF or if the key is
removed.
The starter is designed not to operate
if the shift selector lever is in any of
the driving positions.
Manual transmission:
Move the shift lever to N (Neutral), and
depress the clutch pedal to the floor while
cranking the engine.
The starter is designed not to operate
unless the clutch pedal is fully de-
pressed.
3. Crank the enginewith your foot off the
accelerator pedalby turning the ignition
key to START. 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, de-
press and hold the accelerator pedal
STARTING THE ENGINE
Starting and driving5-11
ZX

to help start the engine.
Ð In the summer, when restarting the
engine within 30 minutes after it has
been stopped, keep the accelerator
pedal fully depressed while starting.
CAUTION
Do not operate the starter for more than
15 seconds at a time. If the engine does
not
start, turn the key off and wait 10
seconds before cranking again, other-
wise the starter could be damaged.
4.Warm-up
Allow the engine to idle for at least 30
seconds after starting. Drive at moderate
speed for a short distance first, especially
in cold weather.
WARNING
cBe sure the parking brake is fully
released before driving. Failure to do
so can cause brake failure and lead
to an accident.
cDo not release the parking brake
from outside the vehicle.
cDo not use the gear shift in place of
the parking brake. When parking, be
sure the parking brake is fully en-
gaged.
c
Do not leave children unattended in a
vehicle. They could release the park-
ing brake and cause an accident.
To engage:pull the lever up.
To release:
1. Firmly apply foot brake.
2. Manual transmission models:
Place the shift selector lever in the N
(neutral) position.
Automatic transmission models:
Move the shift selector lever to the P
(park) position.
3. While pulling up on the parking brake
lever slightly, push the button and lower
completely.
4. Before driving, be sure the brake warning
light goes out.
ASD1001
PARKING BRAKE
OPERATION
5-12Starting and driving
ZX

pedal. Your vehicle maintains the set
speed.
cTo pass another vehicle,depress the
accelerator pedal. When you release the
pedal, the vehicle returns to the previ-
ously set speed.
c
The vehicle may not maintain the set speed
when going up or down steep hills. If this
happens, drive without the cruise control.
To cancel the preset speed,use one of
the following three methods:
a) Push the CANCEL button; the CRUISE
light in the instrument cluster goes out.
b) Tap the brake pedal; the CRUISE light
goes out.
c) Turn the main switch off. Both the ON
indicator on the main switch and CRUISE
light in the instrument cluster go out.
The cruise control is automatically can-
celled and the CRUISE light in the instru-
ment panel goes out if:
cyou depress the brake or clutch pedal
while pushing the RES/ACCEL or
COAST/SET switch.
cthe vehicle slows down more than 8 MPH(13 km/h) below the set speed.
cyou depress the clutch pedal (manual
transmission), or move the shift selector
lever to N (Neutral) (automatic transmis-
sion).
To reset at a faster cruising speed,use
one of the following three methods.
a) Depress the accelerator pedal. When the
vehicle attains the desired speed, push
and release the COAST/SET switch.
b) Push and hold the RES/ACCEL switch.
When the vehicle attains the speed you
desire, release the switch.
c)
Push and release the RES/ACCEL switch.
Each time you do this, the set speed
increases by about 1 MPH (1.6 km/h).
To reset at a slower cruising speed,use
one of the following three methods:
a) Lightly tap the brake pedal. When the
vehicle attains the desired speed, push
the COAST/SET switch and release it.
b) Push and hold the COAST/SET switch.
Release the switch when the vehicle
slows to the desired speed.
c) Push and release the COAST/SETswitch. Each time you do this, the set
speed decreases by about 1 MPH (1.6
km/h).
To resume the preset speed,push and re-
lease the RES/ACCEL switch. The vehicle
returns to the last set cruising speed when the
vehicle speed is over 30 MPH (48 km/h).
5-14Starting and driving
ZX

WARNING
Do not park the vehicle over flammable
materials such as dry grass, waste pa-
per or rags. They may ignite and cause
a fire.
1. Firmly apply the parking brake.
2.Manual transmission models:
Place the shift lever in the R (Reverse)
position. When parking on an uphill
grade, place the shift lever in 1 (First)
gear.Automatic transmission models:
Move the selector lever to the P (Park)
position.
WARNING
cSafe parking procedures require that
both the parking brake be set and
the transmission placed into P (Park)
position (automatic) or in the appro-
priate gear (manual). Failure to do so
could cause the vehicle to move un-
expectedly or roll away and result inan accident. Make sure the shift le-
ver has beenpushed as far forward
as it can go and cannot be moved
without depressing the button at the
end of the lever.
cNever leave the engine running while
the vehicle is unattended.
cDo not leave children unattended in-
side the vehicle. They could un-
knowingly activate switches or con-
trols. Unattended children could
become involved in serious acci-
dents.
3. To help prevent the vehicle from rolling
into traffic when parked on an incline, it is
a good practice to turn the wheels as
illustrated.
cHEADED DOWNHILL WITH CURB:s1
Turn the wheels into the curb and move
the vehicle forward until the curb side
wheel gently touches the curb.
SD1006M
PARKING/PARKING ON HILLS
5-16Starting and driving
ZX

cHEADED UPHILL WITH CURB:s2
Turn the wheels away from the curb and
move the vehicle back until the curb side
wheel gently touches the curb.
cHEADED UPHILL OR DOWNHILL, NO
CURB:
s3
Turn the wheels toward the side of the
road so the vehicle will move away from
the center of the road if it moves.
4. Turn the ignition key to the LOCK posi-
tion and remove the key.The power assisted steering is designed to
use a hydraulic pump, driven by the engine,
to assist steering.
If the engine stops or the hydraulic pump
drive belt breaks, you will still have control of
the vehicle. However, much greater steer-
ing effort is needed, especially in sharp
turns and at low speeds.
WARNING
If the engine is not running or is turned
off while driving, the power assist for
the steering will not work. Steering will
be much harder to operate.The brake system has two separate
hydraulic circuits. If one circuit develops a
problem, you will still have braking at two
wheels.
Vacuum assisted brake
The brake booster aids braking by using
engine vacuum. If the engine stops, you can
stop the vehicle by depressing the brake
pedal. However, greater foot pressure on
the brake pedal will be required to stop the
vehicle and stopping distance will be longer.
Wet brakes
When the vehicle is washed or driven
through water, the brakes may get wet. As a
result, your braking distance will be longer
and the vehicle may pull to one side during
braking.
To dry brakes, drive the vehicle at a safe
speed while lightly pressing the brake pedal
to heat-up the brakes. Do this until the
brakes return to normal. Avoid driving the
vehicle at high speeds until the brakes
function correctly.
Using the brakes
Avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal
while driving. This overheats the brakes,
POWER STEERING SYSTEM BRAKE SYSTEM
Starting and driving5-17
ZX