2006 NISSAN MURANO wheel

5 Starting and drivingPrecautions when starting and driving ............................. 5-2
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) .................................. 5-2
Three-way catalyst ........................................................... 5-3
Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
(if so equipped) ............................................................... 5-3
Avoiding collision and rollover ...................................... 5-5
On-pavement and offroad driving precautions
(AWD) ................................................................................. 5-6
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving .............................. 5-6
Driving safety precautions.............................................. 5-6
Ignition switch (Except for Intelligent Key equipped
model) ....................................................................................... 5-9
Key positions ..................................................................... 5-9
NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System (NVIS) ......... 5-10
Ignition switch (Intelligent Key System equipped
model)..................................................................................... 5-10
Ignition switch positions .............................................. 5-11
NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System (NVIS) ......... 5-12
Before starting the engine ................................................ 5-12
Starting the engine ............................................................. 5-12
Driving the vehicle ............................................................... 5-13
CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission)............. 5-13
M-CVT (CVT with Manual shift mode)..................... 5-16
Parking brake........................................................................ 5-21Cruise control ....................................................................... 5-21
Precautions on cruise control .................................... 5-21
Cruise control operations ............................................ 5-22
Break-in schedule .............................................................. 5-23
Increasing fuel economy .................................................... 5-24
Using all-wheel drive (AWD) (if so equipped) ............ 5-24
AWD lock switch operations...................................... 5-25
AWD warning light ........................................................ 5-27
Parking/parking on hills...................................................... 5-29
Power steering ..................................................................... 5-30
Brake system ........................................................................ 5-30
Braking precautions ...................................................... 5-30
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) .................................... 5-31
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) system
(if so equipped) .................................................................. 5-32
Cold weather driving .......................................................... 5-34
Freeing a frozen door lock .......................................... 5-34
Antifreeze ......................................................................... 5-34
Battery .............................................................................. 5-34
Draining of coolant water ............................................ 5-34
Tire equipment................................................................ 5-34
Special winter equipment ............................................ 5-35
Driving on snow or ice ................................................. 5-35
Engine block heater (if so equipped) ....................... 5-36


05.8.26/Z50-D/V5.0


to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire
pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a
TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when the
system is not operating properly. The TPMS
malfunction indicator is combined with the low
tire pressure telltale. When the system detects a
malfunction, the telltale will flash for approxi-
mately one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon
subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the
malfunction exists. When the malfunction indica-
tor is illuminated, the system may not be able to
detect or signal low tire pressure as intended.
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of
reasons, including the installation of replacement
or alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that
prevent the TPMS from functioning properly.
Always check the TPMS malfunction telltale after
replacing one or more tires or wheels on your
vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alter-
nate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to con-
tinue to function properly.Additional information
The TPMS does not monitor the tire pressure
of the spare tire.

The TPMS will activate only when the vehicle
is driven at speeds above 16 MPH (25 km/h).
Also, this system may not detect a suddendrop in tire pressure (for example a flat tire
while driving).

Tire pressure rises and falls depending on the
heat caused by the vehicle’s operation and
the outside temperature. Low outside tem-
perature can lower the temperature of the air
inside the tire which can cause a lower tire
inflation pressure. This may cause the low tire
pressure warning light to illuminate. If the
warning light illuminates in low ambient tem-
perature, check the tire pressure for all four
tires.

You can also check the pressure of all tires
(except the spare tire) on the display screen.
The order of the tire pressure figures dis-
played on the screen does not correspond
with the actual order of the tire position. See
“Tire pressure information” in the “4. Display
screen, heater, air conditioner and audio sys-
tem” section.
For additional information, see “Low tire pres-
sure warning light” in the “2. Instruments and
controls” section and “Tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS)” in the “6. In case of emergency”
section.
WARNING

If the low tire pressure warning light
illuminates while driving, avoid sud-
den steering maneuvers or abrupt
braking, reduce vehicle speed, pull
off the road to a safe location and
stop the vehicle as soon as possible.
Serious vehicle damage could occur
and may lead to an accident and
could result in serious personal in-
jury. Check the tire pressure for all
four tires. Adjust the tire pressure to
the recommended COLD tire pres-
sure shown on the Tire and Loading
Information label to turn the low tire
pressure warning light OFF. If the
light still illuminates while driving af-
ter adjusting the tire pressure, a tire
may be flat or the TPMS may be
malfunctioning. If you have a flat tire,
replace it with a spare tire as soon as
possible. (See “Flat tire” in the “In
case of emergency” section for
changing a flat tire.) If no tire is flat
and all tires are properly inflated,
5-4
Starting and driving


05.8.26/Z50-D/V5.0


have the TPMS system checked by a
NISSAN dealer.

When a spare tire is mounted or a
wheel is replaced, tire pressure will
not be indicated, the TPMS will not
function and the low tire pressure
warning light will flash. Contact your
NISSAN dealer as soon as possible
for tire replacement and/or system
resetting.

Replacing tires with those not origi-
nally specified by NISSAN could af-
fect the proper operation of the
TPMS.

Do not inject any tire liquid or aerosol
tire sealant into the tires, as this may
cause a malfunction of the tire pres-
sure sensors.
CAUTION
Do not place metalized film or any metal
parts (antenna, etc.) on the windows.This may cause poor reception of the
signals from the tire pressure sensors,
and the TPMS will not function properly.
FCC Notice:
Changes or modifications not expressly
approved by the party responsible for com-
pliance could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment.
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC Rules and RSS-210 of Industry
Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) This device may not cause
harmful interference, and (2) this device
must accept any interference received, in-
cluding interference that may cause undes-
ired operation of the device.
AVOIDING COLLISION AND
ROLLOVER
WARNING
Failure to operate this vehicle in a safe
and prudent manner may result in lossof control or an accident.
Be alert and drive defensively at all times. Obey
all traffic regulations. Avoid excessive speed,
high speed cornering, or sudden steering ma-
neuvers, because these driving practices could
cause you to lose control of your vehicle.As
with any vehicle, a loss of control could
result in a collision with other vehicles or
objects, or cause the vehicle to rollover,
particularly if the loss of control causes the
vehicle to slide sideways.Be attentive at all
times, and avoid driving when tired. Never drive
when under the influence of alcohol or drugs
(including prescription or over-the-counter
drugs which may cause drowsiness). Always
wear your seat belt. See “Seat belts” in the “1.
Safety — seats, seat belts and supplemental
restraint system” section. Also instruct your pas-
sengers to do so.
Seat belts help reduce the risk of injury in
collisions and rollovers.In a rollover crash, an
unbelted or improperly belted person is
significantly more likely to be injured or
killed than a person properly wearing a
seat belt.
Starting and driving
5-5


05.8.26/Z50-D/V5.0


ON-PAVEMENT AND OFFROAD
DRIVING PRECAUTIONS (AWD)Utility vehicles have a significantly higher
rollover rate than other types of vehicles.
They have higher ground clearance than passen-
ger cars to make them capable of performing in
a variety of on-pavement and offroad applica-
tions. This gives them a higher center of gravity
than ordinary cars. An advantage of higher
ground clearance is a better view of the road,
allowing you to anticipate problems. However,
they are not designed for cornering at the same
speeds as conventional two-wheel drive ve-
hicles any more than low-slung sports cars are
designed to perform satisfactorily under offroad
conditions. If at all possible, avoid sharp turns or
abrupt maneuvers, particularly at high speeds.
As with other vehicles of this type, failure to
operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss
of control or vehicle rollover. Seat belts help
reduce the risk of injury in collisions and roll-
overs. In a rollover crash, an unbelted or improp-
erly belted person is significantly more likely to
be injured or killed than a person properly wear-
ing a seat belt.
Be sure to read the driving safety precautions
later in this section.
DRINKING ALCOHOL/DRUGS AND
DRIVING
WARNING
Never drive under the influence of alco-
hol or drugs. Alcohol in the bloodstream
reduces coordination, delays reaction
time and impairs judgement. Driving af-
ter drinking alcohol increases the likeli-
hood of being involved in an accident
injuring yourself and others. Addition-
ally, if you are injured in an accident,
alcohol can increase the severity of the
injury.
NISSAN is committed to safe driving. You must
not drive under the influence of alcohol. Every
year thousands of people are injured or killed in
alcohol related accidents. Although the local
laws vary on what is considered to be legally
intoxicated, the fact is that alcohol affects all
people differently and most people underesti-
mate the effects of alcohol.
Remember, drinking and driving don’t mix!
And that’s true for drugs too (over the counter,
prescription, and illegal drugs). Don’t drive ifyour ability to operate your vehicle is impaired by
alcohol, drugs, or some other physical condition.
DRIVING SAFETY PRECAUTIONSPlease observe the following precautions:
WARNING

Drive carefully when off the road and
avoid dangerous areas. Every person
who drives or rides in this vehicle
should be seated with their seat belt
fastened. This will keep you and your
passengers in position when driving
over rough terrain.

Before driving up or down grades,
check the road surface for bumps or
potholes. Be sure to climb a gentle
slope and descend a gentle slope.

Do not drive across steep slopes.
Instead drive either straight up or
straight down the slopes. Off-road
vehicles can tip over sideways much
more easily than they can forward or
backward.

Many hills are too steep for any ve-
5-6
Starting and driving


05.8.26/Z50-D/V5.0


hicle. If you drive up them, you may
stall. If you drive down them, you may
not be able to control your speed. If
you drive across them, you may roll
over.

Do not shift ranges while driving on
downhill grades as this could cause
loss of control of the vehicle.

Be sure to use the engine brake. The
foot brake performance may be re-
duced, resulting in a possible acci-
dent.

Stay alert when driving to the top of a
hill. At the top there could be a drop-
off or other hazard that could cause
an accident.

If your engine stalls or you cannot
make it to the top of a steep hill,
never attempt to turn around. Your
vehicle could tip or roll over. Always
back straight down in R (Reverse)
range. Never back down in N (Neu-
tral), using only the brake, as this
could cause loss of control.
Heavy braking going down a hill
could cause your brakes to overheat
and fade, resulting in loss of control
and an accident. Apply brakes lightly
and use a low range to control your
speed.

Unsecured cargo can be thrown
around when driving over rough ter-
rain. Properly secure all cargo so it
will not be thrown forward and cause
injury to you or your passengers.

To avoid raising the center of gravity
excessively, do not exceed the rated
capacity of the roof rack (if so
equipped) and evenly distribute the
load. Secure heavy loads in the cargo
area as far forward and as low as
possible. Do not equip the vehicle
with tires larger than specified in this
manual. This could cause your ve-
hicle to roll over.

Do not grip the inside or spokes of
the steering wheel when driving off-
road. The steering wheel could move
suddenly and injure your hands. In-stead drive with your fingers and
thumbs on the outside of the rim.

Before operating the vehicle, ensure
that the driver and all passengers
have their seat belts fastened.

Always drive with the floor mats in
place as the floor may become hot.

Lower your speed when encountering
strong crosswinds. With a higher
center of gravity, your NISSAN is
more affected by strong side winds.
Slower speeds ensure better vehicle
control.

Do not drive beyond the performance
capability of the tires, even with AWD
engaged.
Accelerating quickly, sharp steering
maneuvers or sudden braking may
cause loss of control.

If at all possible, avoid sharp turning
maneuvers, particularly at high
speeds. Your NISSAN all-wheel drive
vehicle has a higher center of gravity
than a two-wheel drive vehicle. The
Starting and driving
5-7


05.8.26/Z50-D/V5.0


vehicle is not designed for cornering
at the same speeds as conventional
two-wheel drive vehicles. Failure to
operate this vehicle correctly could
result in loss of control and/or a
rollover accident.

Always use tires of the same type,
size, brand, construction (bias, bias-
belted or radial), and tread pattern on
all four wheels. Install tire chains on
the front wheels when driving on slip-
pery roads and drive carefully.

Be sure to check the brakes immedi-
ately after driving in mud or water.
See “Brake system” later in this sec-
tion for wet brakes.

Avoid parking your vehicle on steep
hills. If you get out of the vehicle and
it rolls forward, backward or side-
ways, you could be injured.

Whenever you drive off-road through
sand, mud or water as deep as the
wheel hub, more frequent mainte-
nance may be required. See “Periodic maintenance” in the “Service
and Maintenance Guide”.

Do not drive continuously on sandy
or muddy roads with the front wheels
spinning. The AWD warning light
blinks and the driving mode changes
to 2WD. This could reduce traction
force remarkably. Be especially care-
ful when towing a trailer. (AWD mod-
els)

Do not use 2-wheel chassis dyna-
mometers or 2-wheel free rollers.
(AWD models)

Never operate the accelerator pedal
with the front wheels raised and the
rear wheels on the ground while jack-
ing up or with the front wheels on the
roller and the rear wheels on the
ground. Otherwise, the vehicle could
jump. (AWD models)

When a wheel is suspended due to
running off the road, do not idle the
wheel excessively. (AWD models)

When the vehicle is on a free roller orthe front or rear wheels are jacked
up, do not start the engine. (AWD
models)
5-8
Starting and driving


05.8.26/Z50-D/V5.0


On CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission)
models, the ignition lock is designed so that the
key cannot be turned to LOCK and removed
until the selector lever is moved to the P (Park)
position.
When removing the key from the ignition, make
sure the selector lever is in the P (Park) position.
If the selector lever is not returned to P (Park)
position, the key cannot be moved toward
LOCK.
When the key cannot be turned toward the
LOCK position, proceed as follows to remove
the key:1. Move the selector lever into the P (Park)
position.
2. Turn the ignition key slightly in the ON direc-
tion.
3. Turn the key toward the LOCK position.
4. Remove the key.
If the key is removed from the ignition switch, the
selector lever cannot be moved from P (Park)
position.The selector lever can be moved if
the ignition switch is in the ONposition
and the foot brake pedal is depressed.
There is an OFF position
1
in between LOCK
and ACC, although it does not show on the lock
cylinder. When the ignition is in OFF the steering
wheel is not locked.
In order for the steering wheel to be locked, it
must be turned about 1/6 of a turn clockwise
from the straight up position.
To lock the steering wheel, turn the key to
the LOCK position. Remove the key. To
unlock the steering wheel, insert the key
and turn it gently while rotating the steer-
ing wheel slightly right and left.
WARNING
Never remove or turn the key to the
LOCK position while driving. The steer-
ing wheel will lock. This may cause the
driver to lose control of the vehicle and
could result in serious vehicle damage
or personal injury.KEY POSITIONSThe switch includes an anti-theft steering lock
device.
LOCK (Normal parking position) (0)
The ignition key can only be removed when the
switch is in this position.
OFF (1)
The engine can be turned off without locking the
steering wheel.
ACC (Accessories) (2)
This position activates electrical accessories
such as the radio when the engine is not running.
SSD0392
IGNITION SWITCH (Except for
Intelligent Key equipped model)
Starting and driving
5-9


05.8.26/Z50-D/V5.0


2. Turn the ignition switch slightly in the ON
direction.
3. Turn the key toward the LOCK position.
The selector lever can be moved from P
position if the ignition switch is in the ON
position and the foot brake pedal is de-
pressed.
There is an OFF position in between LOCK and
ACC, although it does not show on the lock
cylinder. When the ignition is in OFF the steering
wheel is not locked.
In order for the steering wheel to be locked, it
must be turned about 1/6 of a turn counterclock-
wise from the straight up position.
To lock the steering wheel, turn the igni-
tion switch to the LOCK position. To unlock
the steering wheel, push the ignition
switch in and turn it gently while rotating
the steering wheel slightly right and left.
If the battery of the vehicle equipped with
the Intelligent Key system is discharged,
the ignition switch cannot be turned from
the LOCK position, even using the me-
chanical key or valet key.
WARNING
Never turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK position while driving. The steer-
ing wheel will lock. This may cause the
driver to lose control of the vehicle and
could result in serious vehicle damage
or personal injury.IGNITION SWITCH POSITIONSPush in the ignition switch to the
B
position
when you turn it.
LOCK (Normal parking position)
A:
The ignition switch can only be locked in the
LOCK position.
The ignition switch will be unlocked when it is
pushed in, and turned to the ACC position
C
while carrying the Intelligent Key.
ACC (Accessories)
C:
This position activates electrical accessories
such as the radio, when the engine is not
running.ON(Normal operating position)
D:
This position turns on the ignition system and
electrical accessories.
START
E:
This position starts the engine. As soon as the
engine has started, release the knobimmedi-
ately. It will automatically return to the ON posi-
tion.
The ignition switch cannot be turned back to the
LOCK position unless the selector lever is in P
position. (It can be turned only to the
B
posi-
tion.)
CAUTION
Do not leave the vehicle with the igni-
tion switch in ACC or ONpositions when
the engine is not running for an ex-
tended period. This can discharge the
battery.
Starting and driving
5-11


05.8.26/Z50-D/V5.0