N (Neutral):
Neither forward or 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.Manual shift modeWhen the selector lever is shifted from D to the
manual shift gate with the vehicle stopped or
while driving, the transmission enters the manual
shift mode. Shift ranges can be selected manu-
ally.
In the manual shift mode, the shift range is
displayed on the position indicator in the meter.
Shift ranges up or down one by one as follows:M1→
←M2→
←M3→
←M4→
←M5→
←M6M6 (Sixth):
Use this position for all normal forward driving.
M5 (Fifth):
For driving up or down long slopes where engine
braking would be advantageous.M4 (Fourth), M3 (Third) and M2 (Second):
Use for hill climbing or engine braking on down-
hill grades.
M1 (First):
Use this position when climbing steep hills
slowly or driving slowly through deep snow, or
for maximum engine braking on steep downhill
grades.
Remember not to drive at high speeds for
extended periods of time in lower than M6
range. This reduces fuel economy.
When shifting up, move the selector lever to
the + (up) side. (Shifts to higher range.)
When shifting down, move the selector lever
to the − (down) side. (Shifts to lower range.)
Moving the selector lever to the same side
twice will shift the ranges in succession.
However, if this motion is rapidly done, the
second shifting may not be completed prop-
erly.
In the manual shift mode, the transmis-
sion automatically shifts down to M1
(First) before the vehicle comes to a
stop. When accelerating again, it is nec-
essary to shift up to the desired range.
When canceling the manual shift mode, re-
turn the selector lever to the D position. Thetransmission returns to the normal driving
mode.
In the manual shift mode, the transmis-
sion may not shift to the selected gear.
This helps maintain driving performance
and reduces the chance of vehicle dam-
age or loss of control.
When the CVT fluid temperature is extremely
low, the manual shift mode may not work and
automatically shift as a drive mode. This is not
a malfunction. In this case, return the selector
lever to D range and drive for a while and then
shift to the manual shift mode.
When the CVT fluid temperature is high, the
shift range may upshift in lower rpm than
usual. This is not a malfunction.
Starting and driving
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06.7.5/Z50-D/V5.0
Shift lock releaseIf the battery is discharged, the selector lever
may not be moved from the P (Park) position
even with the brake pedal depressed.
To move the selector lever, push the shift lock
release button while depressing the foot brake
and applying the parking brake. The selector
lever can be moved to N (Neutral). This allows
the vehicle to be moved if the battery is dis-
charged, after releasing the parking brake.
If the battery is discharged in N (Neutral), D
(Drive) or Manual shift mode, the selector lever
may not be moved to the P (Park) position.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 light
(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-
SSD0352
5-20
Starting and driving
06.7.5/Z50-D/V5.0
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.To apply:Fully depress the parking brake pedal
1.
To release:
1. Firmly apply the foot brake
2.
2. Depress the parking brake pedal1
and the
parking brake will be released.
3. Before driving, be sure the brake warning
light goes out.
WARNING
Be sure the parking brake is fully
released before driving. Failure to do
so can cause brake failure and lead
to an accident.
Do not release the parking brake
from outside the vehicle.
Do not use the gear shift in place of
the parking brake. When parking, be
sure the parking brake is fully en-
gaged.
Do not leave children unattended in a
vehicle. They could release the park-
ing brake and cause an accident.
SPA2331
PARKING BRAKE
Starting and driving
5-21
06.7.5/Z50-D/V5.0
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 damageor unexpected vehicle movement which
could result in serious vehicle damage
or personal injury.
AWD LOCK SWITCH OPERATIONSThe AWD LOCK switch located in front of the
selector lever is used to select AUTO/LOCK
depending on the driving conditions.
Each time you push the lower part of the switch,
the AWD mode will switch: AUTO→LOCK→
AUTO.
The AWD system electronically controls the
coupling.
Push the lower part of the AWD LOCK switchAto select the AUTO or LOCK mode depend-
ing on the driving conditions.
LOCK modePush the lower part of the switch
A
when the
vehicle is stopped or driving under approximately
10 km/h (6 MPH).
The AWD LOCK indicator light will come on.
AUTO modePush the lower part of the switch
A. The AWD
LOCK indicator light will go off.
SSD0418
USING ALL-WHEEL DRIVE (AWD)
(if so equipped)
Starting and driving
5-25
06.7.5/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
5-26
Starting and driving
06.7.5/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
06.7.5/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
5-29
06.7.5/Z50-D/V5.0
tioner temperature control to maximum hot
and fan control to high speed.
3. If engine overheating is caused by climbing a
long hill on a hot day, run the engine at a fast
idle (approximately 1,500 rpm) until the tem-
perature gauge indication returns to normal.
4. Get out of the vehicle. Look and listen for
steam or coolant escaping from the radiator
before opening the hood. (If steam or coolant
is escaping, turn off the engine.) Do not open
the hood further until no steam or coolant can
be seen.
5. Open the engine hood.
WARNING
If steam or water is coming from the
engine, stand clear to prevent getting
burned.
6. Visually check if the cooling fan is running.
The radiator hoses and radiator should not
leak water.
If coolant is leaking or the cooling fan does
not run, stop the engine.
WARNING
Be careful not to allow your hands,
hair, jewelry or clothing to come into
contact with, or get caught in, drive
belt, or cooling fan.
The engine cooling fan can start at
any time when the coolant tempera-
ture is high.
7. After the engine cools down, check the cool-
ant level in the reservoir tank with the engine
running. Add coolant to the reservoir tank if
necessary. Have your vehicle repaired at the
nearest NISSAN dealer.When towing your vehicle, all State, provincial
and local regulations for towing must be fol-
lowed. Incorrect towing equipment could dam-
age your vehicle. Towing instructions are avail-
able from a NISSAN dealer. Local service
operators are generally familiar with the appli-
cable laws and procedures for towing. To assure
proper towing and to prevent accidental damage
to your vehicle, NISSAN recommends having a
service operator tow your vehicle. It is advisable
to have the service operator carefully read the
following precautions.
WARNING
Never ride in a vehicle that is being
towed.
Never get under your vehicle after it
has been lifted by a tow truck.
CAUTION
When towing, make sure that the
transmission, axles, steering system
and powertrain are in working condi-
tion. If any unit is damaged, dolliesTOWING YOUR VEHICLE
6-12
In case of emergency
06.7.5/Z50-D/V5.0