2008 NISSAN XTERRA manual transmission

Do not downshift into the 1 position at speeds
over the following and do not exceed the follow-
ing speeds in the 1 position.
2WD:
43 MPH (70 km/h)
4H:
43 MPH (70 km/h)
4LO:
31 MPH (50 km/h)
Shift lock release
If the battery is discharged, the shift selector lever
may not be moved from the P (Park) position even
with the brake pedal depressed.
To move the shift selector lever, release the shift
lock. The shift selector lever can be moved to N
(Neutral) . However, the steering wheel will be
locked unless the ignition switch is turned to the
ON position. This allows the vehicle to be moved
if the battery is discharged.
To push the shift lock release, complete the fol-
lowing procedure:1. Turn the ignition key to the LOCK position
and remove the key
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Remove the shift lock release cover as
shown.
4. Insert a small screwdriver in the shift lock
release slot and push down.
5. Move the shift selector lever to the N (Neu-
tral) position while holding down the shift
lock release.
6. Turn the key to the ON position to unlock the
steering wheel. Now the vehicle may be
moved to the desired location.
If the shift selector lever cannot be moved out of
P (Park) , have a NISSAN dealer check the auto-
matic transmission 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. Malfunction-
ing stop lights could cause an accident
injuring yourself and others.
LSD0141
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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.
Overdrive switch
Each time your vehicle is started, the transmis-
sion is automatically “reset” to overdrive ON.
ON: With the engine running and the
shift selector lever in the D (Drive)
position, the transmission upshifts
into Overdrive as vehicle speed
increases.
Overdrive does not engage until the engine
has reached operating temperature.
OFF: For driving up and down long
slopes where engine braking is nec-
essary push the Overdrive switch
once. The O/D OFF indicator light
in the instrument panel comes on at
this time.
When cruising at a low speed or climbing a
gentle slope, you may feel uncomfortable shift
shocks as the transmission shifts into and out of
Overdrive repeatedly. In this case, depress the
Overdrive switch to turn the Overdrive off. The
O/D OFF indicator light in the instrument panel
comes on at this time.
When driving conditions change, depress the
Overdrive switch to turn the Overdrive on.
Remember not to drive at high speeds for ex-
tended periods of time with the Overdrive off.
This reduces fuel economy.
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.
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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.
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 could occur.
Start the vehicle in 1st gear and shift to 2nd, 3rd,
4th, 5th and 6th gear in sequence according to
vehicle speed.To back up depress the shift lever and then move
it to the R (Reverse) position after stopping the
vehicle completely.
If it is difficult to move the shift lever into R
(Reverse) or 1 (First) , shift into N (Neutral) , then
release the clutch pedal. Fully depress the clutch
pedal again and shift into R (Reverse) or 1 (First) .
If your vehicle is equipped with 4-wheel drive, see
“Transfer case shifting procedures” later in this
section.
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.
cTwo-wheel drive models and four-wheel
drive models (2H and 4H position):
GEAR CHANGE MPH (km/h)
1st to 2nd 11 (18)
2nd to 3rd 17 (27)
3rd to 4th 25 (40)
4th to 5th 32 (51)
5th to 6th 45 (72)
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To engage:Pull the lever upsA.
To release:
1. Firmly apply the foot brake.
2.Manual transmission models:
Place the shift lever in the N (Neutral) posi-
tion.
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.
1. ACCEL/RES switch
2. COAST/SET switch
3. ON/OFF switch
4. CANCEL 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 main switch off and have the
system checked by a NISSAN dealer.
LSD0150WSD0153
CRUISE CONTROL
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cThe SET indicator light may blink when the
cruise control main switch is turned ON
while pushing the ACCEL/RES,
COAST/SET, or CANCEL switch (located
on the steering wheel) . To properly set the
cruise control system, use the following pro-
cedures.
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
instrument panel comes on. Take your foot off the
accelerator 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.cThe vehicle may not maintain the set speed
when going up or down steep hills. If this
happens, drive without the cruise control.
To cancel the preset speed,use one of the
following three methods.
cPush the CANCEL button; the SET indicator
light in the instrument panel goes out.
cTap the brake pedal; the SET indicator light
goes out.
cTurn the main switch off. Both the CRUISE
indicator light and SET indicator light in the
instrument panel go out.
The cruise control is automatically canceled and
the SET light in the instrument panel goes out if:
cyou depress the brake or clutch pedal while
pushing the ACCEL/RES or COAST/SET
switch. The preset speed is deleted from
memory.
cthe vehicle slows down more than 8 MPH
(13 km/h) below the set speed.
cyou depress the clutch pedal (manual trans-
mission) , or move the shift selector lever to N
(Neutral) (automatic transmission) .
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cWhen cruising at highway speeds, it is more
economical to use the air conditioner and
leave the windows closed to reduce drag.
c
Use 4H or 4L position only when
necessary. Four-wheel drive operation low-
ers fuel economy.
WARNING
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.
CAUTION
cDo not drive the vehicle in the 4H or 4LO
position on dry hard surface roads. Driv-
ing on dry, hard surfaces in 4H or 4LO
may cause unnecessary noise, tire wear
and increased fuel consumption.
If the 4WD warning light turns on when
you are driving on dry hard surface
roads:
– in the 4H position, shift the 4WD shift
switch to 2WD.
– in the 4LO position for automatic
transmission vehicles, stop the ve-
hicle and shift the transmission se-
lector to the N position with the
brake pedal depressed and shift the
4WD shift switch to 2WD.
– in the 4LO position for manual trans-
mission vehicles, stop the vehicle
and shift the transmission shift lever
to the N position with the clutch
pedal depressed and shift the 4WD
shift switch to 2WD.
cIf the warning light is still on after the
above operation, have your vehicle
checked by a NISSAN dealer as soon as
possible.
USING FOUR WHEEL DRIVE
(4WD)
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TRANSFER CASE SHIFTING
PROCEDURES
The part time 4WD system provides 3 positions
(2WD, 4H and 4LO) , so you can select the desired
drive mode according to the driving conditions.
2WD or 4WD shift procedure:
4WD Shift
Switch PositionWheels
DrivenIndicator Light
Use Conditions 4WD Shift Procedure
4WD shift Transfer 4LO position
2WDRear wheels
For driving on dry, paved roads
(Economy drive) or state dyna-
mometer I/M testingMove the 4WD switch.
2WD <—> 4H
4WD shift indicator light will indicate transfer shift position en-
gaged.
4H4 wheels
For driving on rocky, sandy or
snow-covered roads
Neutral
*1
May blinkNeutral disengages the auto-
matic transmission mechanical
parking lock, which will allow
the vehicle to roll. Do not leave
the transfer shift position in
Neutral.*21. Stop the vehicle.
2. For automatic transmission vehicles: Shift the transmission
selector to the (N) position with the brake pedal depressed.
For manual transmission vehicles: Shift the transmission shift
lever to the (N) position with the clutch depressed.
3. For automatic transmission vehicles: Depress and turn the
4WD shift switch to 4LO or 4H with the brake pedal de-
pressed.
For manual transmission vehicles: Depress and turn the 4WD
switch to 4LO or 4H with the clutch pedal depressed.
THE TRANSFER CASE DOES NOT ENGAGE BETWEEN 4H
AND 4LO (OR 4LO TO 4H) UNLESS YOU HAVE FIRST
STOPPED THE VEHICLE, DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL
AND MOVED THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR TO NEUTRAL
FOR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION VEHICLES. FOR MANUAL
TRANSMISSION VEHICLES YOU MUST MOVE THE TRANS-
MISSION SHIFT LEVER TO NEUTRAL. *3
4LO
4 wheels
IlluminatedFor use when maximum power
and traction is required (for
example: on steep grades or
rocky, sandy, muddy roads)
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*1: Before moving the transmission selector or shift lever from neutral, wait until the 4LO indicator light stays on steady. This indicates that the 4WD shift
procedure is completed and the transfer gear is correctly set in the 4LO position. If the vehicle is shifted into gear before the indicator is on steady,the
transfer gear may grind, not engage correctly or stay in the neutral position.
- If the 4WD warning light illuminates, perform the following procedure to return the transfer case to correct operating condition.
1. Turn off the engine by turning the ignition switch9OFF9.
2. Start the engine.
- Check that the 4WD warning light turns off. If the 4WD warning light illuminates, have the system checked by a NISSAN dealer.
3. Apply the parking brake, for automatic transmission vehicles, depress the brake pedal and move the transmission selector to Neutral position. For
manual transmission vehicles, move the transmission shift lever to Neutral position.
4. With the brake pedal depressed on automatic transmission vehicles or with the clutch pedal depressed on manual transmission vehicles, move the
4WD shift switch to desired mode.
- Be sure to wait until the transfer gear change completes before shifting the transmission selector or transmission shift lever from Neutral position.
*2: While changing in and out of 4LO, the ignition key must be ON and the vehicle’s engine must be running for a shift to take place and for the indicator
lights (4WD shift and 4LO position indicator) to be operable. Otherwise, the shift will not take place and no indicator lights will be on or flashing.
*3: Make sure the transfer 4LO position indicator light turns on when you shift the 4WD shift switch to 4LO. The
indicator light (if so equipped) will
also turn on when 4LO is selected. See “Vehicle dynamic control system” later in this section.
Starting and driving5-23
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