NISSAN VEHICLE IMMOBILIZER
SYSTEM
The NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System will not
allow the engine to start without the use of the
registered key.
If the engine fails to start using a registered key
(for example, when interference is caused by
another registered key, an automated toll road
device or automatic payment device on the key
ring) , restart the engine using the following pro-
cedures:
1. Leave the ignition switch in the ON position
for approximately 5 seconds.
2. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF or LOCK
position, and wait approximately 10 sec-
onds.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2.
4. Restart the engine while holding the device
(which may have caused the interference)
separate from the registered key.
If the no start condition re-occurs, NISSAN rec-
ommends placing the registered key on a sepa-
rate key ring to avoid interference from other
devices.cMake sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.
cCheck fluid levels such as engine oil, cool-
ant, brake and clutch fluid, and window
washer fluid as frequently as possible, or at
least whenever you refuel.
cCheck that all windows and lights are clean.
cVisually inspect tires for their appearance
and condition. Also check tires for proper
inflation.
cLock all doors.
cPosition seat and adjust head restraints.
cAdjust inside and outside mirrors.
cFasten seat belts and ask all passengers to
do likewise.
cCheck the operation of warning lights when
the key is turned to the ON (3) position. See
“Warning/indicator lights and audible re-
minders” in the “Instruments and controls”
section of this manual.1. Apply the parking brake.
2.CVT model:
Move the shift selector lever to P (Park) or N
(Neutral) . P (Park) is recommended.
The shift selector lever cannot be
moved out of P (Park) and into any of
the other gear positions if the ignition
key is turned to the OFF position or if
the key is removed from the ignition
switch.
The starter is designed not to operate if
the shift selector lever is in any of the
driving positions.
Manual transmission model:
Move the shift lever to N (Neutral) . Depress
the clutch pedal to the floor while cranking
the engine.
The starter is designed not to operate
unless the clutch pedal is fully de-
pressed.
Intelligent Key system models:Slowly
“PUSH ON” the ignition switch. When the
Intelligent Key system warning light
in
the meter illuminates in green, the ignition
switch can be turned.
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE STARTING THE ENGINE
Starting and driving5-9
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2007 Sentra(sen)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
11/28/06Ðarosenma
X
CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE
TRANSMISSION (CVT) (if so
equipped)
WARNING
cDo not depress the accelerator pedal
while shifting from P (Park) or N (Neu-
tral) to R (Reverse) , D (Drive) or L (Low) .
Always depress the brake pedal until
shifting is completed. Failure to do so
could cause you to lose control and
have an accident.
cCold engine idle speed is high, so use
caution when shifting into a forward or
reverse gear before the engine has
warmed up.
cDo not downshift abruptly on slippery
roads. This may cause a loss of control.
cNever shift to P (Park) or R (Reverse)
while the vehicle is moving. This could
cause an accident.
CAUTION
When stopping the vehicle on an uphill
grade, do not hold the vehicle by depress-
ing the accelerator pedal. The foot brake
should be used for this purpose.The CVT in your vehicle is electronically con-
trolled 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.
NOTE:
Engine power may be automatically re-
duced to protect the CVT if the engine
speed increases quickly when driving on
slippery roads or while being tested on
some dynamometers.
Starting the vehicle
1. After starting the engine, fully depress the
foot brake pedal before moving the shift
selector lever out of the P (Park) position.
2. Keep the foot brake pedal depressed and
move the shift selector lever into a driving
gear.
3. Release the foot brake, then gradually start
the vehicle in motion.
4. Stop the vehicle completely before shifting
the selector lever to the P (Park) position.The CVT is designed so the foot brake
pedal MUST be depressed before shifting
from P (Park) to any drive position while
the ignition switch is in the ON position.
The shift selector lever cannot be moved
out of 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.
DRIVING THE VEHICLE
Starting and driving5-11
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2007 Sentra(sen)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
11/28/06Ðarosenma
X
lever button pushed in 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.
L (Low):
Use this position for maximum engine braking on
steep downhill gradients/climbing steep slopes
and whenever approaching sharp bends. Do not
use the L (Low) position in any other circum-
stances.
Manual shift mode (if so equipped)
When the manual shift mode buttonsAis
pressed with the vehicle stopped or while driving,
the transmission enters the manual shift mode.
Shift ranges can be selected manually using the
paddles on the steering wheel
sBandsC.In the manual shift mode, the shift range is dis-
played on the position indicator in the meter.
Shift ranges up or down one by one as follows:
M1Ã!M2Ã!M3Ã!M4Ã!M5Ã!M6
WSD0192LSD0193
Starting and driving5-13
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2007 Sentra(sen)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
11/28/06Ðarosenma
X
M6 (6th):
Use this position for all normal forward driving.
M5 (5th):
Use this position when driving up long slopes, or
for engine braking when driving down long
slopes.
M4 (4th) , M3 (3rd) and M2 (2nd):
Use for hill climbing or engine braking on downhill
grades.
M1 (1st):
Use this position when climbing steep hills slowly
or driving slowly through deep snow, sand or
mud, or for maximum engine braking on steep
downhill grades.
cRemember not to drive at high speeds for
extended periods of time in lower than M6
range. This reduces fuel economy.
When shifting up:
Pull the +
sCpaddle on the steering wheel
towards you. (Shifts to higher range.)When shifting down:
Pull the2
sBpaddle on the steering wheel
towards you. (Shifts to lower range.)
cPulling the same paddle twice will shift the
ranges in succession. However, if this mo-
tion is rapidly done, the second shifting may
not be completed properly.
When canceling the manual shift mode:
Press the manual shift mode button
sAto return
the transmission to the normal driving mode.
cIn the manual shift mode, the transmis-
sion may not shift to the selected gear.
This helps maintain driving perfor-
mance and reduces the chance of ve-
hicle damage or loss of control.
cIn the manual shift mode, the transmis-
sion may shift up automatically to a
higher range than selected if the en-
gine speed is too high. When the ve-
hicle speed decreases, the transmis-
sion automatically shifts down. The
transmission shifts to M1 (1st) gear
before the vehicle comes to a com-
plete stop. When accelerating again, it
is necessary to shift up to the desired
range.cWhen the CVT fluid temperature is ex-
tremely low, the manual shift mode may not
work and automatically shift as a drive mode.
This is not a malfunction. In this case, press
the manual shift button
sAoff and drive for a
while and then reactivate the manual shift
mode.
cWhen the CVT fluid temperature is high, the
shift range may upshift in lower rpm than
usual. This is not a malfunction.
5-14Starting and driving
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2007 Sentra(sen)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
11/28/06Ðarosenma
X
D (Drive) , the Overdrive off mode will be auto-
matically turned off.
Accelerator downshift
— in D position —
For passing or hill climbing, depress the accel-
erator pedal to the floor. This shifts the transmis-
sion down into a lower gear, depending on the
vehicle speed.
Fail-safe
When the fail-safe operation occurs, the CVT will
not be shifted into the selected driving position.
If 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 “Instrument and controls” sec-
tion. 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 ON position. 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 reduced.
The reduced speed may be lower than
other traffic, which could increase the
chance of a collision. Be especially care-
ful when driving. If necessary, pull to the
side of the road at a safe place and allow
the transmission to return to normal op-
eration, or have it repaired if necessary.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION (if so
equipped)
WARNING
cDo not downshift abruptly on slippery
roads. This may cause a loss of control.
cDo not over-rev the engine when shift-
ing to a lower gear. This may cause a
loss of control or engine damage.
CAUTION
cDo not rest your foot on the clutch pedal
while driving. This may cause clutch
damage.
cFully depress the clutch pedal before
shifting to help prevent transmission
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.
5-16Starting and driving
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2007 Sentra(sen)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
11/28/06Ðarosenma
X
Shifting
To change gears, or when upshifting or down-
shifting, depress the clutch pedal fully, shift into
the appropriate gear, then release the clutch
slowly and smoothly.
To ensure smooth gear changes, fully depress
the clutch pedal before operating the shift lever. If
the clutch pedal is not fully depressed before the
transmission is shifted, a gear noise may be
heard. Transmission damage may occur.
Start the vehicle in 1st gear and shift to 2nd, 3rd,
4th and 5th up to 6th gear in sequence according
to vehicle speed.To back up, lift up on the shift lever ring
s1and
then move it to the R (Reverse) position after
stopping the vehicle completely.
The shift lever ring returns to its original position
when the shift lever is moved to the N (Neutral)
position.
If it is difficult to move the shift lever into R
(Reverse) or 1 (1st) , shift into N (Neutral) , then
release the clutch pedal. Depress the clutch
pedal again and shift into R (Reverse) or 1 (1st) .
Suggested upshift speeds
The following are suggested vehicle speeds for
shifting into a higher gear. These suggestions
relate to fuel economy and vehicle performance.
Actual upshift speeds will vary according to road
conditions, the weather and individual driving
habits.
GEAR CHANGE MPH (km/h)
1st to 2nd 8 (13)
2nd to 3rd 17 (27)
3rd to 4th 25 (40)
4th to 5th 36 (58)
5th to 6th 51 (82)
Suggested upshift speeds
The following are suggested vehicle speeds for
shifting into a higher gear. These suggestions
relate to fuel economy and vehicle performance.
Actual upshift speeds will vary according to road
conditions, the weather and individual driving
habits.
GEAR CHANGE km/h (MPH)
1st to 2nd 13 (8)
2nd to 3rd 27 (17)
3rd to 4th 40 (25)
4th to 5th 58 (36)
5th to 6th 82 (51)
Suggested maximum speed in each
gear
Downshift to a lower gear if the engine is not
running smoothly, or if you need to accelerate.
Do not exceed the maximum suggested speed
(shown below) in any gear. For level road driving,
use the highest gear suggested for that speed.
Always observe posted speed limits, and drive
according to the road conditions, which will en-
sure safe operation. Do not over-rev the engine
when shifting to a lower gear as it may cause
engine damage or loss of vehicle control.
LSD0180
Starting and driving5-17
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2007 Sentra(sen)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
11/28/06Ðarosenma
X
MR20DE engine models:
GEAR MPH (km/h)
1st 27 (44)
2nd 49 (79)
3rd 68 (109)
4th —
5th —
6th —
QR25DE engine models:
GEAR MPH (km/h)
1st 33 (53)
2nd 53 (86)
3rd 75 (121)
4th —
5th —
6th —
WARNING
cBe sure the parking brake is fully re-
leased before driving. Failure to do so
can cause brake failure and lead to an
accident.
cDo not release the parking brake from
outside the vehicle.
cDo not use the gear shift in place of the
parking brake. When parking, be sure
the parking brake is fully engaged.
cDo not leave children unattended in a
vehicle. They could release the parking
brake and cause an accident.
To engage:Pull the lever up
sA.
To release:
1. Firmly apply the foot brake.
2.Manual transmission models:
Place the shift lever in the N (Neutral) position.
Automatic transmission models:
Move the shift selector lever to the P (Park)
position.
3. While pulling up on the parking brake lever
slightly, push the button and lower com-
pletely
sB.
4. Before driving, be sure the brake warning
light goes out.
WSD0048
PARKING BRAKE
5-18Starting and driving
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2007 Sentra(sen)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
11/28/06Ðarosenma
X
1. ACCEL/RES switch
2. COAST/SET switch
3. CANCEL switch
4. ON/OFF switch
PRECAUTIONS ON CRUISE
CONTROL
cIf the cruise control system malfunctions, it
cancels automatically. The SET indicator
light in the instrument panel then blinks to
warn the driver.
cIf the SET indicator light blinks, turn the
cruise control switch off and have the sys-
tem checked by a NISSAN dealer.cThe SET indicator light may blink when the
cruise control switch is turned ON while
pushing the ACCEL/RES, COAST/SET, or
CANCEL switch. To properly set the cruise
control system, use the following proce-
dures.
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 varies in
speed.
cOn winding or hilly roads.
cOn 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 depressing
the clutch pedal when the cruise control is
set. Should this occur, depress the clutch
pedal and turn the main switch off imme-
diately. Failure to do so may cause engine
damage.
CRUISE CONTROL OPERATIONS
The cruise control allows driving at a speed be-
tween 25 - 89 MPH (40 - 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 instru-
ment panel comes on.
To set cruising speed,accelerate the vehicle to
the desired speed, push the COAST/SET switch
and release it. The SET indicator light in the instru-
ment panel comes on. Take your foot off the accel-
erator pedal. Your vehicle maintains the set speed.
cTo pass another vehicle,depress the ac-
celerator pedal. When you release the
pedal, the vehicle returns to the previously
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.
LSD0176
CRUISE CONTROL (if so equipped)
Starting and driving5-19
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2007 Sentra(sen)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
11/28/06Ðarosenma
X