
Black plate (202,1)
Model "Z12-D" EDITED: 2009/ 1/ 28
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.
When racing the engine up to 4,000 rpm or
more under no load condition, the engine
will enter the fuel cut mode.
5. To stop the engine, move the selector lever
to the P (Park) position, and push the
ignition switch to the OFF position.
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 placed in 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) 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.
.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.
DRIVING THE VEHICLE
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Starting and driving
ProCarManuals.com

Black plate (203,1)
Model "Z12-D" EDITED: 2009/ 1/ 28
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.
SSD0862
ShiftingTo move the selector lever,
: Push the button
*A
while depressing
the brake pedal.
: Push the button
*A
.
: Just move the selector lever.
After starting the engine, fully depress the brake
pedal, push the selector lever button and move
the selector lever from the P (Park) position to
any of the desired shift positions.
WARNING
Apply the parking brake if the selector
lever is in any position while the engine
is not running. Failure to do so could
cause the vehicle to move unexpectedly
or roll away and result in serious
personal injury or property damage.
If the ignition switch is placed in the OFF or
ACC position for any reason while the selector
lever is in any positions other than the P (Park) ,
the ignition switch cannot be placed in the
LOCK position.
If the ignition switch cannot be placed in the
LOCK position, perform the following steps:
1. Apply the parking brake when the vehicle is
stopped.
2. Place the ignition switch in the ON position
while depressing the foot brake pedal.
3. Move the selector lever to the P (Park)
position.
4.Models with Intelligent Key system:
Place the ignition switch in the OFF position.
Models without Intelligent Key system:
Place the ignition switch in the LOCK
Starting and driving
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Black plate (205,1)
Model "Z12-D" EDITED: 2009/ 1/ 28
Accelerator downshift
— In D position —For passing or hill climbing, fully depress the
accelerator pedal to the floor. This shifts the
transmission down into a lower gear, depending
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) , engine power and, under some condi-
tions, vehicle speed will be decreased auto-
matically to reduce the chance of transmission
damage. Vehicle speed can be controlled with
the accelerator pedal, but the engine and vehicle
speed may be limited.Fail-safeIf the vehicle is driven under extreme
conditions, such as excessive wheel spin-
ning and subsequent hard braking, the
fail-safe system may be activated. The MIL
may illuminate to indicate the fail-safe
mode is activated. (See “Malfunction In-
dicator Light (MIL)” in the “2. Instruments
and controls” section.) This will occur even
if all electrical circuits are functioning
properly. In this case, place the ignition
switch in the OFF position and wait for 10
seconds. Then turn the switch back to theON position. The vehicle should return to
its normal operating condition. If it does
not return to its normal operating condi-
tion, have a NISSAN dealer check the
transmission and repair if necessary.
WARNING
When the high fluid temperature pro-
tection 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 careful when driving. If ne-
cessary, 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.
SSD0864
Shift lock releaseIf the battery charge is low or discharged, the
selector lever may not be moved from the P
(Park) position even with the brake pedal
depressed and the selector lever button pushed.
To move the selector lever, perform the following
procedure:
1.Models with Intelligent Key system:
Place the ignition switch in the OFF or
LOCK position.
Models without Intelligent Key system:
Place the ignition switch in the LOCK
position, and remove the key if it is inserted.
Starting and driving
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Black plate (206,1)
Model "Z12-D" EDITED: 2009/ 1/ 28
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Remove the shift lock release cover
*A
using a suitable tool.
4. Push down the shift lock release using a
suitable tool.
5. Push the selector lever button and move the
selector lever to the N (Neutral) position
while holding down the shift lock release.
Place the ignition switch in the ON position to
unlock the steering wheel. The vehicle may be
moved to the desired location.
Replace the removed shift lock release cover
after the operation.
For models with Intelligent Key system: If the
battery is discharged completely, the steering
wheel cannot be unlocked. Do not move the
vehicle with the steering wheel locked.
If the selector lever cannot be moved out of the
P (Park) position, 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 notwork. Malfunctioning stop lights could
cause an accident injuring yourself and
others.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION (MT)
WARNING
.Do not downshift abruptly on slip-
pery roads. This may cause a loss of
control.
.Do not over-rev the engine when
shifting to a lower gear. This may
cause a loss of control or engine
damage.
CAUTION
.Do not rest your foot on the clutch
pedal while driving. This may da-
mage the clutch.
.Fully depress the clutch pedal be-
fore shifting to help prevent trans-
mission damage.
.Stop your vehicle completely before
shifting into R (Reverse) .
.When the vehicle is stopped for a
period of time, for example at a stoplight, shift to N (Neutral) and release
the clutch pedal with the foot brake
applied.
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Starting and driving
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Black plate (208,1)
Model "Z12-D" EDITED: 2009/ 1/ 28
Suggested maximum speed in each gearDownshift 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 ensure 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.
Gear MPH (km/h)
1st 28 (46)
2nd 50 (82)
3rd 73 (119)
4th —
5th —
6th
—
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
engaged.
.Do not leave children unattended in
a vehicle. They could release the
parking brake and cause an acci-
dent.
SPA2110
To apply:Pull the parking brake lever up
*1.
To release:
1. Firmly apply the foot brake.
2. While pulling up on the parking brake lever
slightly, push the button
*2
and lower the
lever completely
*3.
3. Before driving, be sure the brake warning
light goes out.
PARKING BRAKE
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Starting and driving
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Black plate (209,1)
Model "Z12-D" EDITED: 2009/ 1/ 28
PRECAUTIONS ON CRUISE CON-
TROL.If the cruise control system malfunctions, it
will cancel automatically. The CRUISE in-
dicator light on the meter panel will then
blink to warn the driver.
.If the engine coolant temperature becomes
excessively high, the cruise control system
will cancel automatically.
.If the CRUISE indicator light blinks, turn the
cruise control MAIN switch off and have the
system checked by a NISSAN dealer.
.The CRUISE indicator light may blink when
the cruise control MAIN switch is turned ON
while pushing the RESUME/ACCELERATE,
SET/COAST or CANCEL switch. To prop-
erly set the cruise control system, perform
the following procedures.
WARNING
Do not use the cruise control when
driving under the following conditions:
.when it is not possible to keep the
vehicle at a set speed
.in heavy traffic or in traffic that
varies in speed
.on winding or hilly roads.on slippery roads (rain, snow, ice,
etc.)
.in very windy areas
Doing so could cause a loss of vehicle
control and result in an accident.
CAUTION
On Manual Transmission (MT) 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 immediately. Failure to
do so may cause engine damage.
SSD0861
1. RESUME/ACCELERATE switch
2. SET/COAST switch
3. CANCEL switch
4. MAIN (ON·OFF) switchCRUISE CONTROL OPERATIONSThe cruise control allows driving at a speed
between 25 to 89 MPH (40 to 144 km/h)
without keeping your foot on the accelerator
pedal.
To turn on the cruise control,push the MAIN
switch on. The CRUISE indicator light will
illuminate.
To set cruising speed,accelerate the vehicle
to the desired speed, push the SET/COAST
CRUISE CONTROL (if so equipped)
Starting and driving
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Black plate (212,1)
Model "Z12-D" EDITED: 2009/ 1/ 28
SSD0723
WARNING
.The sonar system is a convenience
but it is not a substitute for proper
parking. Always look around and
check that it is safe to do so before
parking. Always move slowly.
.Read and understand the limita-
tions of the sonar system as con-
tained in this section. Inclement
weather may affect the function of
the sonar system; this may include
reduced performance or a false
activation..This system is not designed to
prevent contact with small or mov-
ing objects.
.The system is designed as an aid to
the driver in detecting large station-
ary objects to help avoid damaging
the vehicle. The system will not
detect small objects below the
bumper, and may not detect objects
close to the bumper or on the
ground.
.If your vehicle sustains damage to
the bumper fascia, leaving it mis-
aligned or bent, the sensing zonemay be altered causing inaccurate
measurement of obstacles or false
alarms.
CAUTION
Excessive noise will interfere with the
warning chime sound and the chime
may not be heard.
When the ignition switch is in the ON position,
the sonar system is operational.
The sonar system sounds a tone to warn the
driver of obstacles near the bumper. The system
detects rear obstacles when the selector lever is
in the R (Reverse) position. The system may not
detect objects at speeds above 6 MPH (10
km/h) and may not detect certain angular or
moving objects.
The sonar system detects obstacles up to 3.9 ft
(1.2 m) from the rear bumper with a decreased
coverage area at the outer corners of the rear
bumper. Refer to the illustration for approximate
zone coverage areas. As you move closer to the
obstacle, the rate of the tone increases. When
the obstacle is less than 11.8 in (30 cm) away,
the tone will sound continuously.
Keep the sonar sensors (located on the bumper
fascia) free from snow, ice and large accumula-
SONAR SYSTEM (if so equipped)5-24
Starting and driving
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Black plate (213,1)
Model "Z12-D" EDITED: 2009/ 1/ 28
tions of dirt (do not clean the sensors with sharp
objects) . If the sensors are covered, it will affect
the accuracy of the sonar system.
If the sonar system malfunctions, the beep
sounds for 3 seconds when the ignition
switch is placed in the ON position. Have
the system checked by a NISSAN dealer.
SSD0488
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
inside the vehicle. They could un-
knowingly activate switches or con-
trols. Unattended children could
become involved in serious acci-dents.
.Safe parking procedures require
that both the parking brake be
applied and the transmission placed
into P (Park) for Continuously Vari-
able Transmission (CVT) model or in
an appropriate gear for Manual
Transmission (MT) model. Failure
to do so could cause the vehicle to
move unexpectedly or roll away and
result in an accident.
.Make sure the continuously variable
transmission selector lever has
been pushed as far forward as itPARKING/PARKING ON HILLS
Starting and driving
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