2002 NISSAN ALTIMA stop start

Gate type shift
The automatic transmission in your vehicle
is electronically controlled by a transmission
control module to produce maximum power
and smooth operation.
Shown on the following pages are the rec-
ommended operating procedures for this
transmission. Follow these procedures for
maximum vehicle performance and driving
enjoyment.
Starting the vehicle
cAfter starting the engine, fully depress
the foot brake pedal before shifting the
selector lever to the R (Reverse), N
(Neutral), D (Drive), 3, 2 or 1. Be sure
the vehicle is fully stopped before at-
tempting to shift the selector lever.
This automatic transmission is designed
so that the foot brake pedal MUST be
depressed before shifting from P (Park)
to any drive position while the ignition
switch is ON.
The selector lever cannot be moved outof P (Park) and into any of the other gear
positions if the ignition key is turned to
the LOCK, OFF or ACC position or if the
key is removed from the ignition switch.
1. Keep the foot brake pedal depressed and
shift the selector lever into a driving gear.
2. Release the parking brake and foot
brake, then gradually start the vehicle in
motion.
WARNING
cIf the selector lever cannot be moved
from the P (Park) position while the
engine is running and the brake
pedal is depressed, the stoplights
may not work. Malfunctioning stop-
lights could cause an accident injur-
ing yourself and others.
cDo not depress the accelerator pedal
while shifting from P (Park) or N
(Neutral) to R (Reverse), D (Drive), 3,
2, or 1. Always depress the brake
pedal until shifting is completed.
Failure to do so could cause you to
lose control and have an accident.
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5-8Starting and driving
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cCold engine idle speed is high, so
use caution when shifting into a for-
ward or reverse gear before the en-
gine has warmed up.
cNever shift to P (Park) or R (Reverse)
while vehicle is moving. This could
cause an accident.
cOn slippery roads, do not downshift.
This may cause a loss of control.
CAUTION
When stopping the vehicle on an uphill
grade, do not hold the vehicle by de-
pressing the accelerator pedal. The
foot brakes should be used for this
purpose.
Shifting
After starting the engine, fully depress the
brake pedal and shift the selector lever from
P (Park) to R (Reverse), D (Drive), 3, 2 or 1.
WARNING
Apply the parking brake if the selector
lever is in any position while the engine
is not running. Failure to do so could
cause the vehicle to move unexpect-
edly or roll away and result in serious
personal injury or property damage.
If the key is turned to OFF or ACC for any
reason while the vehicle is in N (Neutral), or
any D (Drive) position, the selector lever
cannot be moved to P (Park). Additionally,
the key cannot be turned to LOCK and be
removed from the ignition switch. If this
occurs, perform the following steps:
1. Apply the parking brake when the vehicle
is stopped.
2. Turn the key to ON.
3. Depress the foot brake pedal.
4. Move the selector lever to P (Park) or N
(Neutral) to restart the vehicle (P is pre-
ferred). Move the selector lever to P
(Park) to park the vehicle and turn the
ignition key to LOCK to remove the key.
LSD0022
Starting and driving5-9
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P (Park):
Use this selector position when the vehicle
is parked or when starting the engine. Make
sure the vehicle is completely stopped. For
maximum safety, depress the brake pedal,
then move the lever to the P (Park) position.
The brake pedal must be depressed any
time the selector lever is moved to P (Park).
Apply the parking brake. When parking on a
hill, apply the parking brake first, then move
the lever to the P (Park) position.
R (Reverse):
Use this position to back up. Always be sure
the vehicle is completely stopped when
selecting R (Reverse). The brake pedal
must be depressed to move the selector
lever from P (Park), N (Neutral), or any drive
position to R (Reverse).
N (Neutral):
Neither forward nor reverse gear is engaged.
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.3 (Third gear):
For driving up or down long slopes where
engine braking would be advantageous.
2 (Second gear):
Use for hill climbing or engine braking on
downhill grades.
Do not exceed 68 MPH (110 km/h) in the 2
(Second gear) position.
1 (Low gear):
Use this position when climbing steep hills
slowly or driving slowly through deep snow,
sand or mud, or for maximum engine brak-
ing on steep downhill grades.
Do not exceed 37 MPH (60 km/h) in the 1
(Low gear) position.
Shift lock release
If the battery is discharged, the shift selector
lever may not be moved from the P (Park)
position even with the brake pedal de-
pressed.
To move the shift selector lever, release the
shift lock. The selector lever can be moved
to N (Neutral). However, the steering wheel
will be locked unless the ignition switch is
turned to the ON position. This allows the
vehicle to be moved if the battery is dis-
charged.
To push the shift lock release button, per-
LSD0024
5-10Starting and driving
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form the following procedure.
1. Turn the ignition key to the LOCK posi-
tion and remove the key.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Remove the shift lock release cover as
shown.
4. Insert a small screwdriver in the shift lock
release slot and push down.
5. Move the shift selector lever to the N
(neutral) position while holding down the
shift lock release.
6. Turn the key to the ON position to unlock
the steering wheel.
Now the vehicle may be moved to the
desired location.
If the lever cannot be moved out of P (Park),
have your authorized NISSAN dealer check
the automatic transmission system as soon
as possible.WARNING
If the selector lever cannot be moved
from the P (Park) position while the
engine is running and the brake pedal
is depressed, the stop lights may not
work. Malfunctioning stop lights could
cause an accident injuring yourself and
others.
Accelerator downshift Ð In D posi-
tion Ð
For passing or hill climbing, fully depress
the accelerator pedal to the floor. This shifts
the transmission down into second gear or
first gear, depending on the vehicle speed.
Fail-safe
When the fail-safe operation occurs, the
next time the key is turned to the ON
position, the light in the instrument cluster of
the selected shift position will blink for ap-
proximately 8 seconds after the ignition is
turned ON. While the vehicle can be driven
under these circumstances, please note
that the gears in the automatic transmission
will be locked in third gear.
If the vehicle is driven under extremeconditions, such as excessive wheel
spinning and subsequent hard braking,
the fail-safe system may be activated.
This will occur even if all electrical cir-
cuits are functioning properly. In this
case, turn the ignition key OFF and wait
for 3 seconds. Then turn the key back to
the ON position. The vehicle should re-
turn to its normal operating condition. If
it does not return to its normal operating
condition, have your NISSAN retailer
check the transmission and repair if nec-
essary.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
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.
Starting and driving
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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 with the
engine running (for example at a
stop light), shift to N (Neutral) and
release the clutch pedal with the foot
brake applied.
Shifting
To change gears, or when upshifting or
downshifting, depress the clutch pedal fully,
shift into the appropriate gear, then release
the clutch slowly and smoothly.
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.
Suggested up-shift 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)
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cAccelerate slowly and smoothly. Main-
tain cruising speeds with a constant ac-
celerator position.
cDrive at moderate speeds on the high-
way. Driving at high speed lowers fuel
economy.
cAvoid unnecessary stopping and brak-
ing. Maintain a safe distance behind
other vehicles.
cUse a proper gear range which suits road
conditions. On level roads, shift into high
gear as soon as possible.
cAvoid unnecessary engine idling.cKeep your engine tuned up.
cFollow the recommended periodic main-
tenance schedule.
cKeep the tires inflated at the correct
pressure. Low tire pressure increases
tire wear and wastes fuel.
cKeep the front wheels in correct align-
ment. Improper alignment increases tire
wear and lowers fuel economy.
cAir conditioner operation lowers fuel
economy. Use the air conditioner only
when necessary.
cWhen cruising at highway speeds, it is
more economical to use the air condi-
tioner and leave the windows closed to
reduce drag.
SD1001M
INCREASING FUEL
ECONOMY
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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 malfunctions,
you will still have braking at two wheels.
BRAKING PRECAUTIONS
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.
Using the brakes
Avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal
while driving. This overheats the brakes,
increases wear on the brake linings and
pads, and reduces gas mileage.
To help save the brakes and to prevent the
brakes from overheating, reduce speed and
downshift to a lower gear before going down
a slope or long grade. Overheated brakes
may reduce braking performance and could
result in loss of vehicle control.
Parking brake bedding
The parking brake shoes must be ``bedded
down'' whenever the stopping effect of the
POWER STEERING BRAKE SYSTEM
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parking brake is weakened or whenever the
parking brake shoes and/or drums are re-
placed, in order to assure the best braking
performance.
This procedure is described in the Vehicle
service manual and can be performed by
your NISSAN dealer.
WARNING
c
While driving on a slippery surface,
be careful when braking, accelerating
or downshifting. Abrupt braking or
accelerating could cause the wheels
to skid and result in an accident.
cIf the engine is not running or is
turned off while driving, the power
assist for the brakes will not work.
Braking will be harder.
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 pedalto heat-up the brakes. Do this until the
brakes return to normal. Avoid driving the
vehicle at high speeds until the brakes
function correctly.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
(ABS) (if so equipped)
The anti-lock brake system installed in
some models controls the brakes at each
wheel so the wheels do not lock when
braking abruptly or when braking on slip-
pery surfaces. The system detects the rota-
tion speed at each wheel and varies the
brake fluid pressure to prevent each wheel
from locking and sliding. By preventing
wheel lockup, the system helps the driver
maintain steering control and helps to mini-
mize swerving and spinning on slippery
surfaces.
Using the system
Depress the brake pedal and hold it down.
WARNING
Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so
may result in increased stopping dis-
tances.
Normal operation
The anti-lock brake system does not oper-
ate at speeds below 3 to 6 MPH (5 to 10
km/h). The speeds vary according to road
conditions. When the anti-lock system
senses that one or more wheels are close to
locking up, the actuator (under the hood)
rapidly applies and releases hydraulic pres-
sure (like pumping the brakes very quickly).
While the actuator is working, you may feel
a pulsation in the brake pedal and hear a
noise or vibration from the actuator under
the hood. This is normal and indicates that
the anti-lock system is working properly.
However, the pulsation may indicate that
road conditions are hazardous and extra
care is required while driving.
Self-test feature
The anti-lock brake system is sophisticated,
with electronic sensors, electric pumps, and
hydraulic solenoids controlled by a com-
puter. The computer has a built-in diagnos-
tic feature that tests the system each time
you start the engine and move the vehicle at
a low speed in forward or reverse. When the
self-test occurs, you may hear a ``clunk''
noise and/or feel a pulsation in the brake
pedal. This is normal and is not an indica-
Starting and driving
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