2002 NISSAN XTERRA transmission

OIf the engine is very hard to start in
extremely cold or hot weather, depress
the accelerator pedal fully and hold it
to help start the engine.
OIn 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
Always allow the engine to idle for at
least 30 seconds after starting. Drive at a
moderate speed for a short distance first,
especially in cold weather.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (if
so equipped)
WARNING
ODo not depress the accelerator pedal
while shifting from P (Park) or N
(Neutral) to R (Reverse), D (Drive), 2
or 1. Always depress the brake pedal
until shifting is completed. Failure to
do so could cause you to lose con-
trol and have an accident.
OCold engine idle speed is high, so
use caution when shifting into a for-
ward or reverse gear before the en-
gine has warmed up.
ONever shift to P (Park) or R (Reverse)
while the vehicle is moving. This
could cause an accident.
CAUTION
OWhen stopping the vehicle on an
uphill grade, do not hold the vehicle
by depressing the accelerator pedal.
The foot brake should be used for
this purpose.
OOn slippery roads, do not downshift.
This may cause a loss of control.The automatic transmission in your vehicle
is electronically controlled by a transmission
control module to produce maximum power
and smooth operation.
The recommended operating procedures for
this transmission are shown on the following
pages. Follow these procedures for maximum
vehicle performance and driving enjoyment.
Starting the vehicle
OAfter starting the engine, fully depress
the foot brake pedal to ensure the ve-
hicle is at a complete stop before at-
tempting to shift the selector lever.
OKeep the foot brake pedal depressed
and shift the selector lever into a driving
gear.
ORelease the foot brake, then gradually
start the vehicle in motion.
This automatic transmission is designed
so the foot brake pedal MUST be de-
pressed before shifting from P (Park) to
any drive position while the ignition
switch is ON.
DRIVING THE VEHICLE
Starting and driving5-9
ZX

Shift lock release
If the battery charge is low, 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, complete 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 cover.
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 the selector lever cannot be moved 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
the vehicle speed.
Overdrive switch
ON: With the engine running and the se-
lector lever in the D (Drive) position,
the transmission upshifts into OVER-
DRIVE as vehicle speed increases.
OVERDRIVE does not engage until the
engine has reached operating tempera-
ture.
OFF: For driving up and down long slopes
where engine braking is necessary
push the OVERDRIVE switch once.
The O/D OFF indicator light in the
instrument panel comes on at this time.
ASD1023
5-12Starting and driving
ZX

When cruising at a low speed or
climbing a gentle slope, you may feel
uncomfortable shift shocks as the
transmission shifts between third gear
and overdrive repeatedly. In this case,
depress the OVERDRIVE switch to
turn the OVERDRIVE off. The O/D
OFF indicator light in the instrument
panel comes on at this time.
When driving conditions change, depress
the overdrive switch to turn the OVER-
DRIVE on.
Remember not to drive at high speeds for
extended periods of time with the OVER-
DRIVE off. This reduces fuel economy.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
WARNING
ODo not downshift abruptly on slip-
pery roads. This may cause a loss of
control.
ODo not over-rev the engine when
shifting to a lower gear. This may
cause a loss of control or engine
damage.
CAUTION
ODo not rest your foot on the clutch
pedal while driving. This may cause
clutch damage.
OStop your vehicle completely before
shifting into R (Reverse).
OWhen 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 up shifting or
down shifting, 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 the N (Neutral)
position, then into R (Reverse).
If it is difficult to move the shift lever into R
(Reverse) or 1st, shift into N (Neutral), then
release the clutch pedal. Depress the clutch
pedal and shift into R (Reverse) or 1st
again.
WDI0049
Starting and driving5-13
ZX

To engage:Firmly depress the parking
brake.
To release:
1. Firmly apply foot brake.
2. Manual transmission models:
Place the gearshift in the N (Neutral)
position.
Automatic transmission models:
Move the shift selector lever to the P
(Park) position.
3. Pull out the parking brake release lever.4. Before driving, be sure the brake warning
light goes out.PRECAUTIONS ON CRUISE
CONTROL
cThe cruise control system cancels auto-
matically if it is not functioning properly.
The SET indicator light in the instrument
panel then blinks to warn the driver.
cIf the SET indicator light blinks, turn the
cruise control main switch off and have
the system checked by an authorized
NISSAN dealer.
cThe SET indicator light may blink when
the cruise control main switch is turned
ON while pushing the RES/ACCEL,
WSD0021WSD0013
CRUISE CONTROL (if so
equipped)
Starting and driving5-15
ZX

COAST/SET, or CANCEL switch (located
on the steering wheel). To properly use
the cruise control system, use the follow-
ing procedures.
WARNING
Do not use the cruise control when
driving under the following conditions.
cWhen it is not possible to keep the
vehicle at a set speed.
cIn heavy traffic or in traffic that var-
ies in speed.
cOn winding or hilly roads.
c
On slippery roads (rain, snow, ice, etc.).
cIn very windy areas.
Doing so could cause a loss of vehicle
control and result in an accident.
CAUTION
On manual transmission models, do
not shift into N (Neutral) without de-
pressing the clutch pedal when the
cruise control is set. Should this occur,
depress the clutch pedal and turn the
main switch off immediately. Failure to
do so may cause engine damage.
CRUISE CONTROL OPERA-
TIONS
The cruise control allows driving at a speed
between 25 to 90 MPH (40 to 144 km/h)
without keeping your foot on the accelerator
pedal.
To turn on the cruise control,push the
main switch. The CRUISE indicator light in
the instrument panel comes on.
To set cruising speed,accelerate the ve-
hicle to the desired speed, push the
COAST/SET switch and release it. The SET
light in the instrument cluster comes on.
Take your foot off the accelerator 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 SET light
in the instrument cluster goes out.b) Tap the brake pedal; the SET light goes
out.
c) Turn the main switch off. Both the
CRUISE indicator on the main switch and
SET light in the instrument cluster go out.
The cruise control is automatically can-
celled and the SET light in the instrument
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.
5-16Starting and driving
ZX

OKeep your engine tuned up.
OFollow the recommended periodic main-
tenance schedule.
OKeep the tires inflated to the correct
pressure. Low tire pressure increases
tire wear and wastes fuel.
OKeep the front wheels in correct align-
ment. Improper alignment increases tire
wear and lowers fuel economy.
OAir conditioner operation lowers fuel
economy. Use the air conditioner only
when necessary.
OWhen cruising at highway speeds, it is
more economical to use the air condi-
tioner and leave the windows closed to
reduce drag.
O
Use 4H or 4L position only when neces-
sary. Four-wheel drive operation lowers
fuel economy.
TRANSFER CASE SHIFTING
PROCEDURES
CAUTION
Do not drive on dry, hard surface roadsin four-wheel drive. Driving on dry
hardsurfaces in 4H or 4L may cause
unnecessary noise, tire wear and in-
creased fuel consumption. NISSAN
recommends driving in the 2H position
under these conditions.
WARNING
OWhen parking the vehicle, apply the
parking brake and shift the transfer
control lever into the 2H, 4H or 4L
position.
ODo not leave the transfer control le-
ver in the N (Neutral) position. Oth-
erwise, the vehicle could roll unex-
pectedly even if the manual
transmission is in any gear or the
automatic transmission is in the P
(Park) position. If the ATP light is on,
this indicates that the automatic
transmission P position will not
function and the transfer control le-
ver is in the N position.
WSD0019
USING FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE
5-18Starting and driving
ZX

TO SHIFT
TRANSFER CASE:SHIFT PROCEDURE FOR AUTO-LOCK FREE-RUNNING HUBS
From 2H to 4HMove the transfer case shift lever to 4H at speeds below 25 MPH (40 km/h). It is not necessary to depress the clutch pedal. Perform
this operation when driving straight, not while cornering.
From 4H to 2H1. Move the transfer case shift lever to 2H. This can be done at any speed, and it is not necessary to depress the clutch pedal. Per-
form this operation when driving straight, not while cornering.
2. Disengage the AUTO-LOCK hubs following the procedure outlined below.
NOTE:
The 4WD indicator light may not turn off immediately under certain driving conditions, such as when the vehicle is driven
uphill. This is normal and it will shut off as the vehicle is driven further.
AUTO-LOCK HUB DISENGAGEMENT (FREE MODE)
The AUTO-LOCK hubs will not disengage until the vehicle is completely stopped and is then moved in a straight line, approximately
7-10 feet (2-3 m), in the opposite direction of travel. For example:
If you were driving the vehicle forward, stop and move the vehicle 7-10 feet (2-3 m) backward.
If you were driving the vehicle in reverse, stop and move the vehicle 7-10 feet (2-3 m) forward.
It is not necessary to immediately return the AUTO-LOCK hubs to FREE MODE when shifting from 4H to 2H. The vehicle may be
operated under normal 2H conditions with the AUTO-LOCK hubs engaged. However, disengaging the AUTO-LOCK hubs will allow
for better fuel economy, quieter ride and less component wear. Leaving the hubs locked while driving in 2H may be desirable so that
you can easily shift to 4H at speeds greater than 25 MPH (40 km/h).
From 4H to 4L or 4L to
4H1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Depress the clutch pedal, or place the transmission selector lever in the N (Neutral) position.
3. Depress the transfer case shift lever and move it to the 4L or 4H position. Change gears quickly and smoothly.
From 2H to 4L1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Depress the clutch pedal, or place the transmission selector lever in the N (Neutral) position.
3. Depress the transfer case shift lever and move it to the 4L position. Change gears quickly and smoothly.
From 4L to 2H1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Depress the clutch pedal, or place the transmission selector lever in the N (Neutral) position.
3. Depress the transfer case shift lever and move it to the 2H position. Change gears quickly and smoothly.
4. Disengage the AUTO-LOCK hubs following the procedure outlined above.
Starting and driving5-21
ZX

WARNING
ODo not park the vehicle over flam-
mable materials such as dry grass,
waste paper or rags. They may ignite
and cause a fire.
O
The transfer control lever
must be in the 2H, 4H or 4L position
and the parking brake set to prevent
the vehicle from rolling.
ONever place the transfer control le-
ver in the N (Neutral) position. Oth-
erwise, the vehicle could roll unex-pectedly even if the manual trans-
mission is in gear or the automatic
transmission is in the P (Park) posi-
tion. This could result in serious in-
jury or property damage.
OSafe parking procedures require that
both the parking brake be set and
the transmission placed into P (Park)
for automatic transmission models
or in an appropriate gear for manual
transmission models. Failure to do
so could cause the vehicle to move
unexpectedly or roll away and resultin an accident. Make sure the shift
lever has been pushed as far forward
as it can go and cannot be moved
without depressing the foot brake
pedal.
ONever leave the engine running while
the vehicle is left unattended.
O
Do not leave children unattended in-
side the vehicle. They could unknow-
ingly activate switches or controls.
Unattended children could become
involved in serious accidents.
OIf the ATP lamp is ON, this indicates
that the automatic transmission P
(park) position will not function and
the transfer control lever is in the N
(neutral) position. Failure to engage
the transfer control lever in the 2H,
4H or 4L position could result in the
vehicle moving unexpectedly, result-
ing in serious personal injury or
property damage.
1. Firmly apply the parking brake.
2.Manual transmission models:
Place the gearshift lever in the R (Re-
verse) position. When parking on an up-MSD0002
PARKING/PARKING ON HILLS
5-24Starting and driving
ZX