2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER transmission

The malfunction indicator light may stop blinking
and come on steady. Have the vehicle inspected
by a NISSAN dealer. You do not need to have
your vehicle towed to the dealer.
CAUTION
Continued vehicle operation without hav-
ing the emission control system checked
and repaired as necessary could lead to
poor driveability, reduced fuel economy,
and possible damage to the emission con-
trol system.
Overdrive off indicator light
(A/T model) (if so equipped)
This light comes on when the overdrive function
is OFF.
The automatic transmission overdrive function is
controlled by the overdrive switch.
For additional information, see “Driving the ve-
hicle” in the “Starting and driving” section of this
manual.
Security indicator light
This light blinks whenever the ignition switch is in
the LOCK, OFF or ACC position. This function
indicates the security system equipped on the
vehicle is operational.For additional information, see “Security sys-
tems” later in this section.
Slip indicator light
This indicator light will blink when the traction
control system is limiting wheel spin. Slippery
road conditions may exist if the slip indicator
blinks on. If this happens, adjust your driving
accordingly.
The slip indicator light also comes on when you
turn the ignition key to the ON position. The light
will turn off after about 2 seconds if the system is
operational. If the light does not come on or does
not go off, have the traction control system
checked by a NISSAN dealer.
If the battery is removed or discharged, the trac-
tion control system is disabled and the slip indi-
cator light will not turn off after 2 seconds when
the ignition switch is turned to the ON position.
To reset the system, you must perform the reset
procedure. Refer to “Vehicle dynamic control
(VDC) system” in the “Starting and driving” sec-
tion of this manual.
If the light does not go off after performing the
reset procedure, have the traction control system
checked by a NISSAN dealer.
Transfer 4LO position
indicator light (
model)
The light should turn off within 1 second after
turning the ignition switch to ON.
This light comes on when the 4WD shift switch is
set in the 4LO position with the ignition key in the
ON position.
The transfer case may be damaged if you shift the
switch while driving.
Make sure the transfer 4LO position indicator
light turns on when you shift the 4WD shift switch
to 4LO.
The indicator light may blink while shifting
from one drive mode to the other.
All mode 4WD (if so equipped)
If the 4WD shift switch is set in the 4LO position
and the light blinks, stop the vehicle, drive slowly
forward and the light will turn on.
When you shift between 4H and 4LO, stop the
vehicle and shift the transmission selector lever
to the N position with the brake pedal depressed,
then depress and turn the 4WD shift switch to
4LO or 4H.
2-20Instruments and controls
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You cannot move the transfer 4WD shift switch
between 4H and 4LO unless you stop the vehicle
and shift the transmission selector lever to the N
position with the brake pedal depressed.
Part time 4WD (if so equipped)
The 4LO indicator light must stop blinking and
remain illuminated or turn off before shifting the
transmission into gear. If the transmission selec-
tor lever is shifted from the N position to any other
gear when the 4LO indicator light is blinking, the
vehicle may move unexpectedly.
When you shift between 4H and 4LO, stop the
vehicle and shift the transmission selector lever
to the N position with the brake pedal depressed,
then depress and turn the 4WD shift switch to
4LO or 4H.
You cannot move the transfer 4WD shift switch
between 4H and 4LO unless you stop the vehicle
and shift the transmission selector lever to the N
position with the brake pedal depressed.
Turn signal/hazard indicator
lights
The appropriate light flashes when the turn signal
switch is activated.
Both lights flash when the hazard switch is turned
on.
Vehicle dynamic control off
indicator light
This indicator light comes on when the vehicle
dynamic control off switch is pushed to OFF, the
transfer case is in the 4LO position (
model) , or when the vehicle dynamic control sys-
tem is not functioning properly. This indicates the
vehicle dynamic control system is not operating.
Push the vehicle dynamic control off switch again
or restart the engine and the system will operate
normally. See “Vehicle dynamic control (VDC)
system” in the “Starting and driving” section of
this manual.
The vehicle dynamic control light also comes on
when you turn the ignition key to the ON position.
The light will turn off after about 2 seconds if the
system is operational. If the light stays on or
comes on along with the SLIP indicator light
while you are driving, have the vehicle dynamic
control system checked by a NISSAN dealer.
If the battery is removed or discharged, the ve-
hicle dynamic control system is disabled and the
VDC indicator light will not turn off after 2 sec-
onds when the ignition switch is turned to the ON
position. To reset the system, you must perform
the reset procedure. Refer to “Vehicle dynamic
control (VDC) system” in the “Starting and driv-
ing” section of this manual.If the light does not go off after performing the
reset procedure, have the traction control system
checked by a NISSAN dealer.
While the vehicle dynamic control system is op-
erating, you might feel slight vibration or hear the
system working when starting the vehicle or ac-
celerating, but this is normal.
AUDIBLE REMINDERS
Brake pad wear warning
The disc brake pads have audible wear warnings.
When a disc brake pad requires replacement, it
makes a high pitched scraping sound when the
vehicle is in motion, whether or not the brake
pedal is depressed. Have the brakes checked as
soon as possible if the warning sound is heard.
Key reminder chime
A chime sounds if the driver’s door is opened while
the key is left in the ignition switch. Remove the key
and take it with you when leaving the vehicle.
Light reminder chime
With the ignition switch in the OFF position, a
chime sounds when the driver’s door is opened if
the headlights or parking lights are on.
Turn the headlight control switch off before leav-
ing the vehicle.
Instruments and controls2-21
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cThe hill descent control may not control
the vehicle speed on a hill under all load
or road conditions. Always be prepared
to depress the brake pedal to control
vehicle speed. Failure to do so may re-
sult in a collision or serious personal
injury.
CAUTION
When the hill descent control system op-
erates continuously for a long time, the
temperature of the brake pads may in-
crease and the hill descent control system
may be temporarily disabled (the indicator
light will blink) . If the indicator light does
not come on continuously after blinking,
stop using the system.
The hill descent control system is designed to
reduce driver workload when going down steep
hills. The hill descent control system helps to
control vehicle speed so the driver can concen-
trate on steering the vehicle.
To activate the hill descent control system:
cthe automatic transmission selector lever
must be in forward or reverse gear,
cthe 4WD switch must be in the 4L position
and the vehicle speed must be under 15
mph (25 km/h) orcthe 4WD switch must be in the 4H position
and the vehicle speed must be under 21
mph (35 km/h) , and
cthe hill descent control system switch must
be ON.
The hill descent control indicator light will come
on when the system is activated. Also, the
stop/tail lights illuminate while the hill descent
control system applies the brakes to control ve-
hicle speed.
If the accelerator or brake pedal is depressed
while the hill descent control system is on, the
system will stop operating temporarily. As soon
as the accelerator or brake pedal is released, the
hill descent control system begins to function
again if the hill descent control operating condi-
tions are fulfilled.
The hill descent control indicator light blinks if the
switch is on and all conditions for system activa-
tion are not met or if the system becomes disen-
gaged for any reason.
To turn off the hill descent control system, push
the switch to the OFF position.
For additional information, see “Hill descent con-
trol system on indicator light” earlier in this sec-
tion and “Hill descent control system” in the
“Starting and driving” section of this manual.The power outlets are for powering electrical
accessories such as cellular telephones.
The bottom power outlet located on instrument
panel and the power outlet located in the cargo
area are powered directly by the vehicle’s battery.
The top power outlet (if so equipped) located on
the instrument panel and the power outlet lo-
cated inside the center console are powered only
when the ignition key is in the ACC or ON posi-
tion.
Open the cap to use a power outlet.
Front row
WIC1268
POWER OUTLET
2-34Instruments and controls
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Move the shift selector lever to R (Reverse) . The
selected mirror will turn downward.
The selected mirror surface will return to its origi-
nal position when any of the following have oc-
curred:
cThe shift selector lever is moved to any po-
sition other than R (Reverse) .
cThe outside mirror control switch is set to the
N (Neutral) position.
cThe ignition switch is turned OFF.
NOTE:
If the outside mirror control switch is in the
neutral position, neither mirror will turn
downward when the shift selector lever is
moved to R (Reverse) .
For more information regarding this feature and
how to save the R (Reverse) mirror tilt-down
adjustment in the automatic drive positioner
memory, refer to “Automatic drive positioner” later
in this section.The automatic drive positioner system has two
features:
cMemory storage function
cEntry/exit function
MEMORY STORAGE FUNCTION
Two positions for the driver’s seat, accelerator
and brake pedals, and outside mirrors can be
stored in the automatic drive positioner memory.
Follow these procedures to use the memory sys-
tem.
1. Set the automatic transmission selector le-
ver to the P (Park) position.
2. Turn the ignition ON.
LPD0306
AUTOMATIC DRIVE POSITIONER (if
so equipped)
Pre-driving checks and adjustments3-29
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5 Starting and driving
Precautions when starting and driving................5-2
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide)..................5-2
Three-way catalyst..............................5-2
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)..........5-3
On-pavement and off-road driving
precautions....................................5-5
Avoiding collision and rollover....................5-5
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving................5-6
Driving safety precautions.......................5-6
Ignition switch.....................................5-8
Intelligent Key System (if so equipped)............5-8
Ignition switch positions.........................5-9
Automatic transmission.........................5-10
Key positions.................................5-10
Nissan vehicle immobilizer system...............5-11
Before starting the engine.........................5-11
Starting the engine...............................5-11
Driving the vehicle................................5-12
Automatic transmission.........................5-12
Parking brake....................................5-17
Cruise control....................................5-18
Precautions on cruise control...................5-18Cruise control operations.......................5-18
Break-in schedule................................5-20
Increasing fuel economy...........................5-20
Using four wheel drive (4WD).............5-21
Parking/parking on hills............................5-30
Power steering...................................5-31
Brake system....................................5-31
Brake precautions.............................5-31
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).................5-32
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) system..............5-33
Hill descent control system (if so equipped).........5-34
Hill start assist (HSA) system (if so equipped).......5-35
Cold weather driving..............................5-36
Freeing a frozen door lock......................5-36
Anti-freeze....................................5-36
Battery.......................................5-36
Draining of coolant water.......................5-36
Tire equipment................................5-36
Special winter equipment.......................5-36
Driving on snow or ice.........................5-36
Engine block heater (if so equipped).............5-37
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significantly more likely to be injured or
killed than a person properly wearing a
seat belt.
DRINKING ALCOHOL/DRUGS AND
DRIVING
WARNING
Never drive under the influence of alcohol
or drugs. Alcohol in the bloodstream re-
duces coordination, delays reaction time
and impairs judgement. Driving after
drinking alcohol increases the likelihood
of being involved in an accident injuring
yourself and others. Additionally, if you
are injured in an accident, alcohol can
increase the severity of the injury.
NISSAN is committed to safe driving. However,
you must choose not to drive under the influence
of alcohol. Every year thousands of people are
injured or killed in alcohol-related accidents. Al-
though the local laws vary on what is considered
to be legally intoxicated, the fact is that alcohol
affects all people differently and most people
underestimate the effects of alcohol.
Remember, drinking and driving don’t mix! And
that is true for drugs, too (over-the-counter, pre-
scription, and illegal drugs) . Don’t drive if yourability to operate your vehicle is impaired by alco-
hol, drugs, or some other physical condition.
DRIVING SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Your NISSAN is designed for both normal and
off-road use. However, avoid driving in deep wa-
ter or mud as your NISSAN is mainly designed for
leisure use, unlike a conventional off-road ve-
hicle.
Remember that two-wheel drive models are less
capable than four-wheel drive models for rough
road driving and extrication when stuck in deep
snow or mud, or the like.
Please observe the following precautions:
WARNING
cDrive 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.
cDo not drive across steep slopes. In-
stead 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.cMany hills are too steep for any vehicle.
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.
cDo not shift gears while driving on
downhill grades as this could cause
loss of control of the vehicle.
cStay 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.
cIf your engine stalls or you cannot make
it to the top of a steep hill, never at-
tempt to turn around. Your vehicle
could tip or roll over. Always back
straight down in R (Reverse) gear. Never
back down in N (Neutral) or with the
clutch depressed (manual transmission
vehicles) , using only the brake, as this
could cause loss of control.
cHeavy braking going down a hill could
cause your brakes to overheat and fade,
resulting in loss of control and an acci-
dent. Apply brakes lightly and use a low
gear to control your speed. Use the Hill
Descent Control feature (if so
equipped) .
5-6Starting and driving
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cUnsecured cargo can be thrown around
when driving over rough terrain. Prop-
erly secure all cargo so it will not be
thrown forward and cause injury to you
or your passengers.
cTo avoid raising the center of gravity
excessively, do not exceed the rated
capacity of the roof rack/gear bin (if so
equipped) and evenly distribute the
load. Secure heavy loads in the cargo
area as far forward and as low as pos-
sible. Do not equip the vehicle with tires
larger than specified in this manual.
This could cause your vehicle to roll
over.
cDo not grip the inside or spokes of the
steering wheel when driving off-road.
The steering wheel could move sud-
denly and injure your hands. Instead
drive with your fingers and thumbs on
the outside of the rim.
cBefore operating the vehicle, ensure
that the driver and all passengers have
their seat belts fastened.
cAlways drive with the floor mats in
place as the floor may become hot.cLower your speed when encountering
strong crosswinds. With a higher center
of gravity, your NISSAN is more af-
fected by strong side winds. Slower
speeds ensure better vehicle control.
cDo not drive beyond the performance
capability of the tires, even with 4WD
engaged.
cFor 4WD equipped vehicles, do not at-
tempt to raise two wheels off the
ground and shift the transmission to
any drive or reverse position with the
engine running. Doing so may result in
drivetrain damage or unexpected ve-
hicle movement which could result in
serious vehicle damage or personal
injury.cDo not attempt to test a 4WD equipped
vehicle on a 2-wheel dynamometer
(such as the dynamometers used by
some states for emissions testing) , or
similar equipment even if the other two
wheels are raised off the ground. Make
sure you inform test facility personnel
that your vehicle is equipped with 4WD
before it is placed on a dynamometer.
Using the wrong test equipment may
result in drivetrain damage or unex-
pected vehicle movement which could
result in serious vehicle damage or per-
sonal injury.
cAccelerating quickly, sharp steering
maneuvers or sudden braking may
cause loss of control.
cIf at all possible, avoid sharp turning
maneuvers, particularly at high speeds.
Your NISSAN four-wheel drive vehicle
has a higher center of gravity than a
two-wheel drive vehicle. The 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.
Starting and driving5-7
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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
The ignition lock is designed so the key cannot be
turned to the LOCK position and removed until
the shift selector lever is moved to the P (Park)
position.
When removing the key from the ignition, make
sure the shift selector lever is in the P (Park)
position.
If the selector lever is not returned to P (Park)
position, the key cannot be moved to the LOCK
position.To remove the key from the ignition switch:
1. Shift the selector lever to the P (Park) posi-
tion with the key in the ON position.
2. Turn the key to the LOCK position.
3. Remove the key from the ignition.
If the selector lever is shifted to the P (Park)
position after the key is turned to the OFF posi-
tion or when the key cannot be turned to the
LOCK position, proceed as follows to remove the
key.
1. Move the shift selector lever into the P (Park)
position.
2. Turn the ignition key slightly toward the ON
position.
3. Turn the key to the LOCK position.
4. Remove the key.
The shift selector lever is designed so it cannot
moved out of P (Park) and into any of the other
gear positions if the ignition key is turned to OFF
position or if the key is removed from the switch.
The shift selector lever can be moved if the
ignition switch is in the ON position and the
foot brake pedal is depressed.There is an OFF position between the
LOCK and ACC positions. The OFF position
is indicated by a “1” on the key cylinder.
When the ignition is in the OFF position,
the steering wheel is not locked.
In order for the steering wheel to be locked, it
must be turned about 1/8 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.
If the key will not turn from the LOCK posi-
tion, turn the steering wheel to the left or
right while turning the key to unlock the
key cylinder.
KEY POSITIONS
LOCK: Normal parking position (0)
OFF: (Not used) (1)
ACC: (Accessories) (2)
This position activates electrical accessories
such as the radio when the engine is not running.
ON: Normal operating position (3)
This position turns on the ignition system and the
electrical accessories.
WSD0041
5-10Starting and driving
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