system as soon as possible.Accelerator downshift
— In D position —For rapid passing or hill climbing, fully depress
the accelerator pedal to the floor. This shifts the
transmission down into lower range, depending
on the vehicle speed.High fluid temperature protection
modeThis transmission has a high fluid temperature
protection mode. If the fluid temperature be-
comes too high (for example, when climbing
steep grades in high temperature with heavy
loads, such as when towing a trailer), engine
power and, under some conditions, vehicle
speed will be decreased automatically to reduce
the chance of transmission damage. Vehicle
speed can be controlled with the accelerator
pedal, but the vehicle may not accelerate above
approximately 40 to 50 MPH (65 to 80 km/h).Fail-safeIf the vehicle is driven under extreme con-
ditions, such as excessive wheel spinning
and subsequent hard braking, the fail-safe
system may be activated. The MIL may
come on to indicate the fail-safe mode is
activated, see “Malfunction indicator lamp(MIL)” in the “2. Instrument and controls”
section. This will occur even if all electrical
circuits are functioning properly. In this
case, turn the ignition switch to the OFF
position and wait for 10 seconds. Then turn
the switch back to the ONposition. The
vehicle should return to its normal operat-
ing condition. If it does not return to its
normal operating condition, have a
NISSAN dealer check the transmission and
repair if necessary.
WARNING
When the high fluid temperature protec-
tion mode or fail-safe operation occurs,
vehicle speed may be gradually re-
duced. The reduced speed may be lower
than other traffic, which could increase
the chance of a collision. Be especially
careful when driving. If necessary, pull
to the side of the road at a safe place
and allow the transmission to return to
normal operation, or have it repaired if
necessary.
M-CVT (CVT with Manual shift mode)
Gate type shift with manual modeThe M-CVT in your vehicle is electronically con-
trolled by a transmission control module to pro-
duce maximum power and smooth operation.
Shown on the following pages are the recom-
mended operating procedures for this transmis-
sion. Follow these procedures for maximum ve-
hicle performance and driving enjoyment.Starting the vehicleAfter starting the engine, fully depress the foot
brake pedal before shifting the selector lever to
the R (Reverse), N (Neutral), D (Drive) or manual
shift mode position. Be sure the vehicle is fully
stopped before attempting to shift the selector
lever.
This M-CVT 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 out of
P (Park) and into any of the other gear
positions if the ignition switch 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
5-16
Starting and driving
05.8.26/Z50-D/V5.0
If it is necessary to park the vehicle, push the
shift lock release button, then move the selector
lever to the P (Park).
To push the shift lock release button, follow the
procedure as illustrated.
If the lever cannot be moved out of P (Park), have
a NISSAN dealer check the CVT 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 injur-
ing yourself and others.
Do not park the vehicle without shift-
ing to the P (Park) position.Accelerator downshift
— In D position —For passing or hill climbing, fully depress the
accelerator pedal to the floor. This shifts the
transmission down into the lower gear, depend-ing on the vehicle speed.
High fluid temperature protection
modeThis transmission has a high fluid temperature
protection mode. If the fluid temperature be-
comes too high (for example, when climbing
steep grades in high temperature with heavy
loads, such as when towing a trailer), engine
power and, under some conditions, vehicle
speed will be decreased automatically to reduce
the chance of transmission damage. Vehicle
speed can be controlled with the accelerator
pedal, but the vehicle may not accelerate above
approximately 40 to 50 MPH (65 to 80 km/h).Fail-safeIf the vehicle is driven under extreme con-
ditions, such as excessive wheel spinning
and subsequent hard braking, the fail-safe
system may be activated. The MIL may
come on to indicate the fail-safe mode is
activated, see “Malfunction indicator lamp
(MIL)” in the “2. Instrument and controls”
section. This will occur even if all electrical
circuits are functioning properly. In this
case, turn the ignition switch to the OFF
position and wait for 10 seconds. Then turn
the switch back to the ONposition. The
vehicle should return to its normal operat-ing condition. If it does not return to its
normal operating condition, have a
NISSAN dealer check the transmission and
repair if necessary.
WARNING
When the high fluid temperature protec-
tion mode or fail-safe operation occurs,
vehicle speed may be gradually re-
duced. The reduced speed may be lower
than other traffic, which could increase
the chance of a collision. Be especially
careful when driving. If necessary, pull
to the side of the road at a safe place
and allow the transmission to return to
normal operation, or have it repaired if
necessary.
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Starting and driving
05.8.26/Z50-D/V5.0
Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Maintain
cruising speeds with a constant accelerator
position.
Drive at moderate speeds on the highway.
Driving at high speed will lower fuel economy.
Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking.
Maintain a safe distance behind other ve-
hicles.
Use a proper gear range which suits road
conditions. On level roads, shift into high gear
as soon as possible.
Avoid unnecessary engine idling.
Keep your engine tuned up.
Follow the recommended periodic mainte-
nance schedule.
Keep the tires inflated at the correct pres-
sure. Low pressure will increase tire wear and
waste fuel.
Keep the front wheels in correct alignment.
Improper alignment will cause not only tire
wear but also lower fuel economy.
Air conditioner operation lowers fuel
economy. Use the air conditioner only when
necessary.
When cruising at highway speeds, it is more
economical to use the air conditioner andleave the windows closed to reduce drag.
WARNING
A vehicle equipped with AWD (All-
Wheel Drive) should never be tested
using a two wheel dynamometer, similar
to the dynamometers used by some
states for emissions testing, or similar
equipment. Make sure you inform the
test facility personnel that your vehicle
is an AWD equipped vehicle before it is
placed on a dynamometer. Failure to do
so may result in transmission damage
SSD0418
INCREASING FUEL ECONOMY
USING ALL-WHEEL DRIVE (AWD)
(if so equipped)5-24
Starting and driving
05.8.26/Z50-D/V5.0
AWD
modeWheel drivenAWD LOCK
indicator
lightUse conditions
AUTODistribution of torque to the front and rear
wheels changes automatically, depending
on road conditions encountered
[100:0]↔[50:50].
This results in improved driving stability.*1Goes off.For driving on paved or slippery
roads
LOCK All-wheel drive*2, *3 AWD LOCK For driving on rough roads
*1: When the rotation difference between the front and rear wheels is large, the AWD mode may change from
AUTO to LOCK for a while, however, this is not a malfunction.
*2: LOCK mode will change to AUTO mode automatically when the vehicle is accelerated or the vehicle speed is
over approximately 10 km/h (6 MPH). The AWD LOCK indicator light does not go off.
LOCK mode will change to AUTO mode automatically when the vehicle has been driven for a high speed. The
AWD LOCK indicator light goes off.
*3: LOCK mode will automatically be cancelled when the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position.If the AWD LOCK switch is operated while accelerating or decelerating, or if the ignition switch
is turned off, you may feel a jerk. This is normal.
The oil temperature of power train parts will increase if the vehicle is continuously operated under
conditions where the difference in rotation between the front and rear wheels is large (wheel slip),
such as when driving the vehicle on rough roads through sand, mud or freeing a stuck vehicle. In
these cases, the AWD warning light blinks rapidly and the AWD mode changes to 2WD condition
to protect the power train parts. If you stop driving with the engine idling and wait until the warning
light stops blinking, the AWD returns to the AUTO mode.
WARNING
Do not place an AWD equipped ve-
hicle on a two wheel dynamometer or
raise two wheels off the ground and
shift the transmission to any D (drive)
or R (reverse) position. Doing so may
result in transmission damage or un-
expected vehicle movement which
could result in serious vehicle dam-
age or personal injury.
When driving straight, shift the AWD
lock switch to AUTO. Do not operate
the AWD lock switch when making a
turn or backing up.
Do not operate the AWD lock switch
with the front wheel spinning.
Engine idling speed is high while
warming up the engine. Be especially
careful when starting or driving on
slippery surfaces with the AWD lock
switch set in AUTO or LOCK.
When turning the vehicle in LOCK
mode on paved roads, you may feel
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Starting and driving
05.8.26/Z50-D/V5.0
a braking effect. This is a normal
condition of the AWD model.
AWD WARNING LIGHTThe AWD warning light is located in the meter.
The AWD warning light comes on when the
ignition switch is turned to ON. It turns off soon
after the engine is started.If any malfunction occurs in the AWD system
when the ignition switch is ON, the warning light
will remain illuminated.
High-temperature power-train oil due to continu-
ous operation of the vehicle to free a stuck
vehicle makes the warning light blink rapidly
(about twice per second). The driving mode may
change to 2 wheel drive condition. AUTO mode
may change to LOCK mode before the warning
light blinks. This is normal. If the warning light
blinks rapidly during operation, stop the vehicle
with the engine idling in a safe place immedi-
ately. Then if the light goes off after a while, you
can continue driving.
A large difference between the diameters of
front and rear wheels will make the warning light
blink slowly (about once per two seconds). Pull
off the road in a safe area, and idle the engine.
Check that all tire sizes are the same, tire
pressure is correct and tires are not worn.
WARNING
Do not attempt to test an AWD
equipped vehicle with two wheels on a
two wheel dynamometer and the other
two wheels raised. Doing so may result
SSD0314A
Starting and driving
5-27
05.8.26/Z50-D/V5.0
in transmission damage or unexpected
vehicle movement which could result in
serious vehicle damage or personal in-
jury.
CAUTION
If the warning light comes on while
driving, AUTO or LOCK mode will be
changed to 2 wheel drive condition.
Reduce the vehicle speed and have
your vehicle checked by a NISSAN
dealer as soon as possible.
When the warning light comes on,
the 2 wheel condition may be en-
gaged even if the driving mode is in
AUTO or LOCK. Be especially careful
when driving.
Never drive on dry hard surface roads
in the LOCK mode, as this will over-
load the power-train and may cause a
serious malfunction.
The power-train may be damaged if
you continue driving with the warninglight blinking rapidly.5-28
Starting and driving
05.8.26/Z50-D/V5.0
WARNING
Do not stop or park the vehicle over
flammable materials such as dry
grass, waste paper or rags. They may
ignite and cause a fire.
Never leave the engine running while
the vehicle is unattended.
Do not leave children unattended in-
side the vehicle.1. Firmly apply the parking brake.
2. Move the selector lever to the P (Park) posi-
tion.
WARNING
Safe parking procedures require that
both the parking brake be set and the
transmission placed into P (Park).
Failure to do so could cause the ve-
hicle to move unexpectedly or roll
away and result in an accident.
Make sure the selector lever has
been pushed as far forward as it can
go and cannot be moved without de-
pressing the button at the end of the
lever.
3. To help prevent the vehicle from rolling into
the street when parked on a sloping drive
way, it is a good practice to turn the wheels
as illustrated.
HEADED DOWNHILL WITH CURB:
1
Turn the wheels into the curband move the
vehicle forward until the curbside wheel
gently touches the curb.
SD1006MA
PARKING/PARKING ON HILLS
Starting and driving
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05.8.26/Z50-D/V5.0
HEADED UPHILL WITH CURB:
2
Turn the wheels away from the curband
move the vehicle back until the curb side
wheel gently touches the curb.
HEADED UPHILL OR DOWNHILL, NO
CURB:
3
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 switch to the LOCK position
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 drive belt breaks, you will
still have control of the vehicle. However, much
greater steering effort is needed, especially in
sharp turns or 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.
BRAKING PRECAUTIONSThe brake system has two separate hydraulic
circuits. If one circuit malfunctions, you will still
have braking at two wheels.Vacuum assisted brakeThe 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 the stopping
distance will be longer.Wet brakesWhen 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 tapping 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.Parking brake break-inBreak in the parking brake shoes whenever the
stopping effect of the parking brake is weakened
or whenever the parking brake shoes and/or
drums/rotors are replaced, in order to assure the
POWER STEERING BRAKE SYSTEM
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05.8.26/Z50-D/V5.0