
REAR HATCH RELEASE
The rear hatch release mechanism allows the rear
hatch to be opened in the event of a discharged
battery.
To release the rear hatch from the inside of the
vehicle, perform the following operations:
1. Fold the rear seats down. See “Folding rear
seat” in the “Safety — seats, seat belts and
supplemental restraint system” section.
2. Put a hand or a suitable tool in the underside
of the rear hatch to access the release lever
A. Move the release lever to the right. The
rear hatch will be unlatched.3. Push the rear hatch up to open.
NOTE:
If you had to open the rear hatch using this
lever, have your vehicle checked by a
NISSAN dealer as soon as possible.
WARNING
●Do not drive with the trunk lid open. This
could allow dangerous exhaust gases
to be drawn into the vehicle. See “Ex-
haust gas” in the “Starting and driving”
section of this manual.
●Closely supervise children when they
are around cars to prevent them from
playing and becoming locked in the
trunk where they could be seriously in-
jured. Keep the car locked, with the rear
seatback and trunk lid securely latched
when not in use, and prevent children’s
access to car keys.
LPD0352
TRUNK LID (Sedan)
3-24Pre-driving checks and adjustments
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5. Other buttons can be set in the same man-
ner.
If the battery cable is disconnected, or if the fuse
opens, the radio memory will be canceled. In that
case, reset the desired stations.
Radio data system (RDS):
RDS stands for Radio Data System, and is a data
information service transmitted by some radio
stations on the FM band (not AM band) . Cur-
rently, most RDS stations are in large cities, but
many stations are now considering broadcasting
RDS data.
RDS can display:
●Station call sign, such as “WHFR 98.3”.
●Station name, such as “The Groove”.
●Music or programming type such as “Clas-
sical”, “Country”, or “Rock”.
●Artist and song information.
If the station broadcasts RDS information, the
RDS icon is displayed.
Compact disc (CD) changer operation
Turn the ignition key to the ACC or ON position
and insert the compact disc into the slot with the
label side facing up. The compact disc will beguided automatically into the slot and start play-
ing. To insert the disc, first press the
but-
ton.
If the radio is already operating, it will automati-
cally turn off and the compact disc will play.
If the system has been turned off while the com-
pact disc was playing, pressing the PWR button
will start the compact disc.
Do not use 3.1 in (8 cm) diameter compact discs
in the CD changer.
LOAD button:
To insert a CD in the CD changer, press the load
button
for less than 1.5 seconds. Select
the loading slot by pressing the CD insert select
button (1 – 6) , then insert the CD.
To insert 6 CDs to the CD changer, press the
load button for more than 1.5 seconds.
The slot numbers (1 – 6) will illuminate on the
display when CDs are loaded into the changer.
CD button:
When the CD button is pressed with the system
off and the compact disc loaded, the system will
turn on and the compact disc will start to play.When the CD button is pressed with the com-
pact disc loaded with the radio playing, the radio
will automatically be turned off and the compact
disc will start to play.
TUNE/FF·REW/FOLDER
(Fast Forward and
Rewind):
When the TUNE/FF·REW/FOLDER button is
pressed,
(fast forward) or(rewind)
while the compact disc is being played, the com-
pact disc will play while fast forwarding or re-
winding . When the button is released, the com-
pact disc will return to normal play speed.
SEEK/TRACK/FILE:
When the
button is pressed for less than
1.5 seconds while a compact disc is playing, the
track being played returns to its beginning. Press
several times to skip back through tracks. The
compact disc will go back the number of times
the button is pressed.
When the
button is pressed for less than
1.5 seconds while the compact disc is playing,
the next track will start to play from its beginning.
Press several times to skip through tracks. The
compact disc will advance the number of times
4-24Heater, air conditioner, audio and phone systems
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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
Avoiding collision and rollover....................5-5
Off-road recovery...............................5-5
Rapid air pressure loss..........................5-6
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving................5-6
Ignition switch. . ...................................5-7
NISSAN Intelligent Key™ (if so equipped).........5-7
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).........5-9
Automatic transmission.........................5-10
Manual transmission...........................5-11
Key positions.................................5-11
Nissan vehicle immobilizer system...............5-12
Before starting the engine.........................5-12
Starting the engine...............................5-13
Driving the vehicle................................5-14
Automatic transmission (if so equipped)..........5-14
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
(if so equipped)...............................5-17
Manual transmission (if so equipped)............5-21Parking brake....................................5-23
Cruise control (if so equipped).....................5-24
Precautions on cruise control...................5-24
Cruise control operations.......................5-24
Break-in schedule................................5-25
Increasing fuel economy...........................5-26
Parking/parking on hills............................5-27
Power steering...................................5-28
Brake system....................................5-28
Brake precautions.............................5-28
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
(if so equipped)...............................5-29
Cold weather driving..............................5-30
Freeing a frozen door lock......................5-30
Anti-freeze....................................5-30
Battery.......................................5-30
Draining of coolant water.......................
5-31
Tire equipment................................5-31
Special winter equipment.......................5-31
Driving on snow or ice.........................5-31
Engine block heater (if so equipped).............5-32
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WARNING
●Never remove or turn the key to the
LOCK position while driving. The steer-
ing wheel will lock. This may cause the
driver to lose control of the vehicle and
could result in serious vehicle damage
or personal injury.
●Never turn the ignition knob to the
LOCK position while driving. The steer-
ing wheel will lock. This may cause the
driver to lose control of the vehicle and
could result in serious vehicle damage
or personal injury.
NISSAN INTELLIGENT KEY™ (if so
equipped)
The Intelligent Key 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 vehicle.
●Never leave the Intelligent Key inside
the vehicle when you leave the vehicle.
●If the vehicle battery is discharged the
ignition switch cannot be moved from
the “LOCK” position and if the steering
lock is engaged, the steering wheel
cannot be moved. Charge the battery as
soon as possible. (See “JUMP START-
ING” in the “In case of emergency” sec-
tion of this manual.)
CVT models
SSD0435
M/T models
LSD0172
IGNITION SWITCH
Starting and driving5-7
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Operating range
The Intelligent Key functions can only be used
when the Intelligent Key is within the specified
operating range.
When the Intelligent Key battery is almost dis-
charged or strong radio waves are present near
the operating location, the Intelligent Key sys-
tem’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 operating range of the engine start function
is inside of the vehicle1.
●The luggage area (hatchback) or trunk (se-
dan) is not included in the operating range,
but the Intelligent Key may function.
●If the Intelligent Key is placed on the instru-
ment panel, rear parcel shelf, inside the
glove box, storage bin 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.
Hatchback
WSD0165
Sedan
WSD0191
Without Intelligent Key system
SSD0392
5-8Starting and driving
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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.
2 (Second gear):
Use this position for hill climbing or engine brak-
ing on downhill grades.
1 (Low gear):
Use this position when climbing steep hills slowly
or driving slowing through deep snow, sand or
mud, or for maximum engine braking on steep
downhill grades.
Do not shift into the gears when the vehicle
speed exceeds the following limits, otherwise the
engine may over-rev and cause engine damage.
Shift Selector position
12
HR16DE 31 MPH (50
km/h)62 MPH (100
km/h)
MR18DE 35 MPH (55
km/h)62 MPH (100
km/h)
Shift lock release
If the battery is discharged, the shift selector may
not be moved from the P (Park) position even with
the brake pedal depressed.
To move the shift selector, release the shift lock.
The shift selector can be moved to N (Neutral) .
However, the steering wheel will be locked un-
less the ignition switch is turned to the ON posi-
tion. 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 switch to the LOCK posi-
tion 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 to the N (Neutral)
position while holding down the shift lock
release.
6. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position to
unlock the steering wheel. Now the vehicle
may be moved to the desired location.
If the shift selector 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.
WSD0195
5-16Starting and driving
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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 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 not work. Malfunction-
ing stop lights could cause an accident
injuring yourself and others.
Overdrive (O/D) OFF switch
When the O/D OFF switch is pushed with the
shift selector in the D (Drive) position, the
light in the instrument panel illuminates. See
“Overdrive off indicator light” in the “Instruments
and controls” section of this manual.
Use the Overdrive off mode when you need im-
proved engine braking.
To turn off the Overdrive off mode, push the O/D
OFF switch again. The
indicator light will
turn off.
WSD0195WSD0164
5-20Starting and driving
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WARNING
Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so
may result in increased stopping
distances.
Self-test feature
The ABS includes electronic sensors, electric
pumps, hydraulic solenoids and a computer. The
computer has a built-in diagnostic feature that
tests the system each time you start the engine
and move the vehicle at a low speed in forward or
reverse. When the self-test occurs, you may hear
a “clunk” noise and/or feel a pulsation in the brake
pedal. This is normal and does not indicate a
malfunction. If the computer senses a malfunc-
tion, it switches the ABS off and illuminates the
ABS warning light on the instrument panel. The
brake system then operates normally, but without
anti-lock assistance.
If the ABS warning light illuminates during the
self-test or while driving, have the vehicle
checked by a NISSAN dealer.
Normal operation
The ABS operates at speeds above3-6MPH(5
- 10 km/h) . The speed varies according to road
conditions.
When the ABS senses that one or more wheels
are close to locking up, the actuator rapidly ap-
plies and releases hydraulic pressure. This action
is similar to pumping the brakes very quickly. You
may feel a pulsation in the brake pedal and hear a
noise from under the hood or feel a vibration from
the actuator when it is operating. This is normal
and indicates that the ABS is operating properly.
However, the pulsation may indicate that road
conditions are hazardous and extra care is re-
quired while driving.
FREEING A FROZEN DOOR LOCK
To prevent a door lock from freezing, apply de-
icer through the key hole. If the lock becomes
frozen, heat the key before inserting it into the key
hole or use the remote keyless entry keyfob (if so
equipped) .
ANTI-FREEZE
In the winter when it is anticipated that the tem-
perature will drop below 32°F (0°C) , check the
anti-freeze to assure proper winter protection.
For details, see “Engine cooling system” in the
“Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section of this
manual.
BATTERY
If the battery is not fully charged during extremely
cold weather conditions, the battery fluid may
freeze and damage the battery. To maintain maxi-
mum efficiency, the battery should be checked
regularly. For details, see “Battery” in the “Main-
tenance and do-it-yourself” section of this
manual.
COLD WEATHER DRIVING
5-30Starting and driving
REVIEW COPY—2009 Versa(vrs)
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