2008 NISSAN ROGUE Owners Manual

Black plate (189,1)
Model "S35-D" EDITED: 2007/ 12/ 19
pressure sensors, and the TPMS will
not function properly.
Some devices and transmitters may temporarily
interfere with the operation of the TPMS and
cause the low tire pressure warning light to
illuminate. Some examples are:
.Facilities or electric devices using similar
radio frequencies are near the vehicle.
.If a transmitter set to similar frequencies is
being used in or near the vehicle.
.If a computer (or similar equipment) or a DC/
AC converter is being used in or near the
vehicle.
FCC Notice:
Changes or modifications not expressly
approved by the party responsible for
compliance 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 Cana-
da.
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,
including interference that may cause un-
desired operation of the device.
AVOIDING COLLISION AND ROLL-
OVER
WARNING
Failure to operate this vehicle in a safe
and prudent manner may result in loss
of 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
maneuvers, 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 as outlined in the “SEAT
BELTS” in the “1. Safety — Seats, seat belts and
supplemental restraint system” section of this
manual, and also instruct your passengers 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 issignificantly more likely to be injured or
killed than a person properly wearing a
seat belt.
ON-PAVEMENT AND OFF-ROAD
DRIVING PRECAUTIONSUtility vehicles have a significantly higher
rollover rate than other types of vehicles.
They have higher ground clearance than pas-
senger cars to make them capable of performing
in a variety of on-pavement and off-road
applications. 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 passenger
cars any more than low-slung sports cars are
designed to perform satisfactorily under off-road
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
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.
Be sure to read “DRIVING SAFETY PRECAU-
TIONS” later in this section.
Starting and driving
5-5

Black plate (190,1)
Model "S35-D" EDITED: 2007/ 12/ 19
DRINKING ALCOHOL/DRUGS AND
DRIVING
WARNING
Never drive under the influence of
alcohol or drugs. Alcohol in the blood-
stream reduces 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 se-
verity 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.
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 underestimate the effects of
alcohol.
Remember, drinking and driving don’t mix! And
that is true for drugs, too (over-the-counter,
prescription, and illegal drugs) . Don’t drive if
your ability to operate your vehicle is impaired by
alcohol, drugs, or some other physical condition.
DRIVING SAFETY PRECAUTIONSYour NISSAN is designed for both normal and
off-road use. However, avoid driving in deep
water or mud as your NISSAN is mainly
designed for leisure use, unlike a conventional
off-road vehicle.
Remember that Two-Wheel Drive (2WD) mod-
els are less capable than All-Wheel Drive
(AWD) models for rough road driving and
extrication when stuck in deep snow, mud, or
the like.
Please 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.
.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 anyvehicle. 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.
.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
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Starting and driving

Black plate (191,1)
Model "S35-D" EDITED: 2007/ 12/ 19
terrain. Properly secure all cargo so
it will not be thrown forward and
cause injury to you or your passen-
gers.
.To avoid raising the center of gravity
excessively, do not exceed the rated
capacityoftheroofrack(ifso
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 speci-
fied in this manual. This could cause
your vehicle 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. Instead drive with your fin-
gers 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 became hot.
.Lower your speed when encounter-
ing strong crosswinds. With a highercenter of gravity, your NISSAN is
more affected by strong side winds.
Slower speeds ensure better vehicle
control.
.Do not drive beyond the perfor-
mance capability of the tires, even
with AWD engaged.
.For AWD equipped vehicles, do not
attempt 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 un-
expected vehicle movement which
could result in serious vehicle da-
mage or personal injury.
.Do not attempt to test an AWD
equipped vehicle on a 2-wheel dy-
namometer (such as the dynam-
ometers used by some states for
emissions testing) , or similar equip-
ment even if the other two wheels
are raised off the ground. Make sure
you inform test facility personnel
that your vehicle is equipped with
AWDbeforeitisplacedona
dynamometer. Using the wrong test
equipment may result in drivetrain
damage or unexpected vehiclemovement which could result in
serious vehicle damage or personal
injury.
.When a wheel is off the ground due
to an unlevel surface, do not spin
the wheel excessively. (AWD mod-
els)
.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 vehicle has a higher
center of gravity than a conventional
passenger car. The vehicle is not
designed for cornering at the same
speeds as conventional passenger
cars. 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 traction
devices on the front wheels when
driving on slippery roads and drive
carefully.
.Be sure to check the brakes imme-
Starting and driving
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Black plate (192,1)
Model "S35-D" EDITED: 2007/ 12/ 19
diately after driving in mud or water.
See “BRAKE SYSTEM” later in this
section for wet brakes.
.Avoid parking your vehicle on steep
hills. If you get out of the vehicle
and it rolls forward, backward or
sideways, you could be injured.
.Whenever you drive off-road
through sand, mud or water as deep
as the wheel hub, more frequent
maintenance may be required. See
the maintenance information in the
“NISSAN Service and Maintenance
Guide”.
.Spinning the front wheels on slip-
pery surfaces may cause the AWD
warning light to flash and the AWD
system to automatically switch from
the AWD mode to the 2WD mode.
This could reduce traction. Be espe-
cially careful when towing a trailer.
(AWD models)
SSD0669
INTELLIGENT KEY SYSTEM (if so
equipped)The Intelligent Key system can operate the
ignition switch without taking the key out from
your pocket or purse. The operating environment
and/or conditions may affect the Intelligent Key
system operation.
CAUTION
.Be sure to carry the Intelligent Key
with you when operating the vehi-
cle.
.Never leave the Intelligent Key in-
side the vehicle when you leave thevehicle.
.If the vehicle battery is discharged,
the ignition switch cannot be moved
from the LOCK position and if the
steering lock is engaged, the steer-
ing wheel cannot be moved. Charge
the battery as soon as possible. See
“JUMP STARTING” in the “6. In case
of emergency” section.IGNITION SWITCH
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Starting and driving

Black plate (193,1)
Model "S35-D" EDITED: 2007/ 12/ 19
SSD0436
Operating rangeThe Intelligent Key functions can only be used
for starting the engine when the Intelligent Key is
within the specified operating range
*1.
When the Intelligent Key battery is almost
discharged or strong radio waves are present
near the operating location, the Intelligent Key
system’s operating range becomes narrower
and may not function properly.
If the Intelligent Key is within the operating
range, it is possible for anyone, even someone
who does not carry the Intelligent Key, to turn
the ignition switch to start the engine.
.The cargo area is not included in theoperating range, but the Intelligent Key may
function.
.If the Intelligent Key is placed on the
instrument panel, inside the glove box or
door pocket, the Intelligent Key may not
function.
.If the Intelligent Key is placed near the door
or window outside the vehicle, the Intelligent
Key may function.
SSD0392
Without Intelligent Key system
SSD0437A
With Intelligent Key system
Starting and driving
5-9

Black plate (194,1)
Model "S35-D" EDITED: 2007/ 12/ 19
CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANS-
MISSION (CVT)The ignition lock is designed so that the ignition
switch cannot be turned to the LOCK position
until the selector lever is moved to the P (Park)
position.
.When turning the ignition switch to the
LOCK position, make sure that the selector
lever is in the P (Park) position.
.When removing the key from the ignition
switch (if it is inserted) , make sure that the
selector lever is in the P (Park) position.
When the ignition switch cannot be turned to
the LOCK position:
1. Move the selector lever to the P (Park)
position.
2. Turn the ignition switch slightly in the ON
direction.
3. TurntheignitionswitchtotheLOCK
position.
4. Remove the key, if it is inserted in the ignition
switch.
If the ignition switch is turned to the LOCK
position, the selector lever cannot be moved
from the P (Park) position. The selector lever can
be moved if the ignition switch is in the ON
position with the foot brake pedal depressed.The OFF position
*1
is between the LOCK and
ACC positions, although it is not marked on the
ignition switch.
STEERING LOCK
To lock steering wheel1. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK
position.
2. Remove the key, if it is inserted in the ignition
switch.
3. Turn the steering wheel 1/6 of a turn
clockwise from the straight up position.To unlock steering wheel1. Insert the key into the ignition switch, if
necessary.
2. Gently turn the ignition switch while rotating
the steering wheel slightly right and left.KEY POSITIONS
LOCK (0)Except for the Intelligent Key equipped
model:
The key can only be removed from the ignition
switch at this position.
The steering lock can only be locked at this
position.For the Intelligent Key equipped model:
PUSH OFF -
The steering lock can only be locked at this
position.
PUSH ON -
The ignition switch will be unlocked while
carrying the Intelligent Key.
OFF (1)The engine is turned off with the steering wheel
unlocked.ACC (2)The electrical accessory power activates without
the engine turned on.ON (3)The ignition system and the electrical accessory
power activate without the engine turned on.START (4)The engine starter activates and the engine will
start. The ignition switch, when released, will
automatically turn to the ON position.
CAUTION
As soon as the engine has started,
release the ignition switch immediately.
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Starting and driving

Black plate (195,1)
Model "S35-D" EDITED: 2007/ 12/ 19
.Make sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.
.Check fluid levels such as engine oil, cool-
ant, brake fluid, and window washer fluid as
frequently as possible, or at least whenever
you refuel.
.Check that all windows and lights are clean.
.Visually inspect tires for their appearance
and condition. Also check tires for proper
inflation.
.Lock all doors.
.Position seat and adjust head restraints.
.Adjust inside and outside mirrors.
.Fasten seat belts and ask all passengers to
do likewise.
.Check the operation of warning lights when
the ignition key is turned to the ON position.
(See “WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS
AND AUDIBLE REMINDERS” in the “2.
Instruments and controls” section.)1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Move the selector lever to the P (Park) or N
(Neutral) position. (P is recommended.)
The starter is designed so that it does not
operate unless the selector lever is in either
of the above positions.
3. Crank the enginewith your foot off the
accelerator pedalby turning the ignition
switch to START. Release the switch when
the engine starts. If the engine starts, but
fails to run, repeat the above procedure.
.If the engine is very hard to start in
extremely cold weather or when restart-
ing, depress the accelerator pedal a little
(approximately 1/3 to the floor) and hold
it and then crank the engine. Release the
accelerator pedal when the engine
starts.
.If the engine is very hard to start
because it is flooded, depress the
accelerator pedal all the way to the floor
and hold it. Crank the engine for 5 - 6
seconds. After cranking the engine,
release the accelerator pedal. Crank
the enginewith your foot off the
accelerator pedalby turning the igni-
tion switch to START. Release the
ignition switch when the engine starts.
If the engine starts, but fails to run,repeat the above procedure.
CAUTION
Do not operate the starter for more
than 15 seconds at a time. If the engine
does not start, turn the ignition switch
off and wait 10 seconds before cranking
again, otherwise the starter could be
damaged.
4.Warm-up
Allow the engine to idle for at least 30
seconds after starting. Do not race the
engine while warming it up. Drive at
moderate speed for a short distance first,
especially in cold weather. In cold weather,
keep the engine running for a minimum of 2 -
3 minutes before shutting it off. Starting and
stopping the engine over a short period of
time may make the vehicle more difficult to
start.
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE STARTING THE ENGINE
Starting and driving
5-11

Black plate (196,1)
Model "S35-D" EDITED: 2007/ 12/ 19
CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANS-
MISSION (CVT)The Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
in your vehicle is electronically controlled 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.
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 vehicle1. After starting the engine, fully depress the
foot brake pedal before moving the selector
lever out of the P (Park) position.
This CVT is designed so that the foot
brake pedal must be depressed before
shifting from P (Park) to any driving
position while the ignition switch is in
the ON position.
The selector lever cannot be moved out
of the P (Park) position and into any of
the other positions if the ignition
switch is turned to the LOCK, OFF or
ACC position or if the key is removed.2. Keep the foot brake pedal depressed, push
the selector lever button and move the
selector lever to a driving position.
3. Release the parking brake and foot brake
pedal, and then gradually start the vehicle in
motion.
WARNING
.Do not depress the accelerator
pedal while shifting from P (Park)
or N (Neutral) to R (Reverse) , D
(Drive) , L (Low) or manual shift
mode. Always depress the brake
pedal until shifting is completed.
Failure to do so could cause you to
lose control and have an accident.
.Cold engine idle speed is high, so
use caution when shifting into a
forward or reverse gear before the
engine has warmed up.
.Never shift to P (Park) or R (Re-
verse) while vehicle is moving. Fail-
ure to do so could cause you to lose
control and have an accident.
CAUTION
.When stopping the vehicle on an
uphill grade, do not hold the vehicle
by depressing the accelerator pedal.
The foot brake should be used for
this purpose.
.Do not downshift abruptly on slip-
pery roads. This may cause a loss of
control.
DRIVING THE VEHICLE5-12
Starting and driving