2011 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID transmission

5 Starting and driving
Precautions when starting and driving................5-2
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) ..................5-2
Three-way catalyst ..............................5-3
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ..........5-3
Avoiding collision and rollover ....................5-5
Off-road recovery ...............................5-6
Rapid air pressure loss ..........................5-6
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving ................5-7
Push-Button Ignition Switch ........................5-7
Push-button ignition switch positions .............5-8
Emergency engine shut off ......................5-9
NISSAN Intelligent Key™ battery discharge ........5-9
NISSAN vehicle immobilizer system .............5-10
Before starting the Hybrid System ..................5-10
Starting the Hybrid System ........................5-11
Driving the vehicle ................................ 5-11
Electronically controlled Continuously
Variable Transmission (eCVT) . ..................5-11
Parking brake .................................... 5-14
Cruise control .................................... 5-15Precautions on cruise control
...................5-15
Cruise control operations .......................5-15
Break-in schedule ................................ 5-17
Increasing fuel economy ........................... 5-17
Parking/parking on hills ............................ 5-18
Power steering ................................... 5-19
Brake system .................................... 5-19
Brake precautions ............................. 5-19
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) .................5-21
Traction Control System (TCS) .....................5-22
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system .............5-23
Cold weather driving .............................. 5-24
Freeing a frozen door lock ......................5-24
Anti-freeze .................................... 5-24
Draining of coolant water .......................5-24
Tire equipment ................................ 5-24
Special winter equipment .......................5-24
Driving on snow or ice ......................... 5-24
Engine block heater (if so equipped) .............5-25

1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Move the shift selector to P (Park) .The Hybrid System is designed not to
operate if the shift selector is not in the
P (Park) position.
3. Place the ignition switch in the ON position. Depress the brake pedal and push the igni-
tion switch to start the Hybrid System. The
READY light will illuminate on the meter.
NOTE:
When starting the Hybrid System at very
low outside temperatures, the READY light
will flash and it may take longer for the
READY light to illuminate. ●The engine may not start even with the
READY light illuminated. Once the
READY light is illuminated you may begin
driving the vehicle.
● You may hear a sound in the engine com-
partment when the brake pedal is de-
pressed with the Hybrid System off. This
does not indicate a problem.
● When the Hybrid System is started or
stopped, you may hear a sound coming
from the high voltage battery located un- der the rear seats. This does not indicate
a problem.
● When the Hybrid System is started or
stopped, or while the vehicle is idling, you
may hear a sound coming from the trans-
mission. This does not indicate a prob-
lem.
● When the gasoline engine is started or
stopped with the Hybrid System on, you
may feel a vibration and hear a rattling
sound. This does not indicate a problem.
4. To turn off the Hybrid System, shift the shift selector to the P (Park) position and place
the ignition switch to the OFF position.ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED
CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE
TRANSMISSION (eCVT)
WARNING
●Do not attempt to test the vehicle on a
dynamometer (such as the dynamom-
eters used by some states for emissions
testing) , or similar equipment. Doing so
may cause damage to the drivetrain or
the high voltage battery. Make sure you
inform test facility personnel that your
vehicle is a hybrid. Using the wrong test
equipment may result in drivetrain dam-
age or unexpected vehicle movement
which could result in serious vehicle
damage or personal injury.
● Do not depress the accelerator pedal
while shifting from P (Park) or N (Neu-
tral) to R (Reverse) , D (Drive) or B
(Brake) . Always depress the brake
pedal until shifting is completed. Fail-
ure to do so could cause you to lose
control and have an accident.
● Never shift to P (Park) or R (Reverse)
while the vehicle is moving. This could
cause an accident.
STARTING THE HYBRID SYSTEM DRIVING THE VEHICLE
Starting and driving5-11

CAUTION
When stopping the vehicle on an uphill
grade, do not hold the vehicle by depress-
ing the accelerator pedal. The foot brake
should be used for this purpose.
The eCVT in your vehicle is electronically con-
trolled 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.
Starting the vehicle
1. After starting the Hybrid System, fully de- press the foot brake pedal before moving the
shift selector out of the P (Park) position.
2. Keep the foot brake pedal depressed and move the shift selector into a driving gear.
3. Release the foot brake, then gradually start the vehicle in motion.
4. Stop the vehicle completely before shifting the shift selector to the P (Park) position. The eCVT is designed so the foot brake
pedal MUST be depressed before shifting
from P (Park) to any drive position while
the ignition switch is in the ON position.
The shift selector cannot be moved out of P
(Park) and into any of the other gear posi-
tions if the ignition switch is pushed to the
LOCK position.
To move the shift selector:Push the button while depressing the brake
pedal
Push the button to shift
Shift without pushing button
Shifting
After starting the vehicle, fully depress the brake
pedal and move the shift selector from P (Park) to
any of the desired shift positions.
LSD0189
5-12Starting and driving

WARNING
Apply the parking brake if the shift selec-
tor is in any position while the READY
light is OFF. Failure to do so could cause
the vehicle to move unexpectedly or roll
away and result in serious personal injury
or property damage.
P (Park):
CAUTION
To prevent transmission damage, use the
P (Park) or R (Reverse) position only when
the vehicle is completely stopped.
Use the P (Park) selector position when the ve-
hicle is parked or when turning the Hybrid Sys-
tem ON. Make sure the vehicle is completely
stopped. The brake pedal must be de-
pressed to move the shift selector from N
(Neutral) or any drive position to P (Park) .
Apply the parking brake. When parking on a hill,
apply the parking brake first, then shift the shift
selector into the P (Park) position. R (Reverse):
CAUTION
To prevent transmission damage, use the
P (Park) or R (Reverse) position only when
the vehicle is completely stopped.
Use the R (Reverse) position to back up. Make
sure the vehicle is completely stopped before
selecting the R (Reverse) position. The brake
pedal must be depressed to move the shift
selector from P (Park) , N (Neutral) or any
drive position to R (Reverse) .
N (Neutral):
Neither forward nor reverse gear is engaged. Do
not leave the shift selector in the N (Neutral)
position for a long period of time. In the N (Neu-
tral) position, the gasoline engine operates but
electricity cannot be generated. The high voltage
battery will be discharged requiring unnecessary
engine power to recharge.
Depending on the status of the engine before
shifting into the N (Neutral) position, the engine
may not operate. D (Drive):
Use this position for all normal forward driving.
B (Brake) low gear:
Downshift into the B position with your foot off
the accelerator pedal to use engine braking while
driving.
You may feel that engine braking is less effective
than a conventional vehicle when driving at higher
speeds.
Driving with the transmission in the B position for
long periods of time may cause a decrease in fuel
economy.
Starting and driving5-13

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.
●
Safe parking procedures require that
both the parking brake be set and the
transmission placed into P (Park) . Fail-
ure to do so could cause the vehicle to
move unexpectedly or roll away and re-
sult in an accident. Make sure the shift
selector has been pushed as far forward
as it can go and cannot be moved without
depressing the foot brake pedal.
● Never leave the Hybrid System in the
READY mode while the vehicle is
unattended.
● Do not leave children unattended inside
the vehicle. They could unknowingly ac-
tivate switches or controls. Unattended
children could become involved in seri-
ous accidents.
1. Firmly apply the parking brake.
2. Move the shift selector to the P (Park) position. 3. To help prevent the vehicle from rolling into
traffic when parked on an incline, it is a good
practice to turn the wheels as illustrated.
● HEADED DOWNHILL WITH CURB:
A
Turn the wheels into the curb and move the
vehicle forward until the curb side wheel
gently touches the curb.
● HEADED UPHILL WITH CURB:
B
Turn the wheels away from the curb and
move the vehicle back until the curb side
wheel gently touches the curb.
● HEADED UPHILL OR DOWNHILL, NO
CURB:
C
Turn the wheels toward the side of the road
so the vehicle will move away from the cen-
ter of the road if it moves.
4. Place the ignition switch in the LOCK posi- tion.
WSD0050
PARKING/PARKING ON HILLS
5-18Starting and driving

●Replacing tires with those not originally
specified by NISSAN could affect the
proper operation of the TPMS.
● Do not inject any tire liquid or aerosol
tire sealant into the tires, as this may
cause a malfunction of the tire pressure
sensors.
CHANGING A FLAT TIRE
If you have a flat tire, follow the instructions be-
low:
Stopping the vehicle
1. Safely move the vehicle off the road and
away from traffic.
2. Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
3. Park on a level surface and apply the parking brake. Move the shift selector to P (Park) .
4. Turn Hybrid System OFF.
5. Raise the hood to warn other traffic and to signal professional road assistance person-
nel that you need assistance.
6. Have all passengers get out of the vehicle and stand in a safe place, away from traffic
and clear of the vehicle.
WARNING
●Make sure the parking brake is securely
applied and the transmission is shifted
into P (Park) .
● Never change tires when the vehicle is
on a slope, ice or slippery areas. This is
hazardous.
● Never change tires if oncoming traffic is
close to your vehicle. Wait for profes-
sional road assistance.
Blocking wheels
Place suitable blocks1at both the front and
back of the wheel diagonally opposite the flat tire
2to prevent the vehicle from moving when it is
jacked up.
WARNING
Be sure to block the wheel as the vehicle
may move and result in personal injury.
WCE0044
In case of emergency6-3

WARNING
●If the Hybrid System stops operating
while driving, the power assist for the
brakes and steering will not work. Brak-
ing and steering will be harder.
● If the Hybrid System stops operating
while driving, do not open any door until
the vehicle comes to a complete stop.
Opening a door will lock the steering
wheel. This may cause the driver to lose
control of the vehicle and could result in
serious vehicle damage or personal
injury.
The Hybrid System may stop operating while
driving if the high voltage battery becomes dis-
charged, the 12-volt battery becomes dis-
charged or the fuel tank is empty. If the Hybrid
System stops operating while driving, perform
the following: 1. Reduce your speed gradually. Pull to the side of the road to a safe area.
2. Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
3. Set the “POWER” switch at ACC or OFF, and try to start the Hybrid System.
4. If the Hybrid System will not start, see “Ve- hicle does not start” in this section. Before attempting to jump start the vehicle, make
sure the fuel tank is not empty and the correct
starting procedure is followed. See “Starting the
Hybrid System” in the “Starting and driving” sec-
tion. Do not drive the vehicle on battery power
only if the fuel tank is empty. The high voltage
battery will become discharged and the Hybrid
System will turn off.
CONFIRM BATTERY IS
DISCHARGED
Confirm the battery is discharged by pushing the
ignition switch to the ON position. Confirm the
instrument cluster or head lights come on at the
normal brightness levels or that other accesso-
ries such as the audio system come on. Push the
ignition switch to turn the Hybrid System on.
● If the lights do not dim or the accessories do
not turn off, see “Emergency start” in this
section.
● If the lights become dim or the accessories
turn off, check the following:
1. Check that the 12-volt battery terminals are tight and clean. See “12-volt Battery” in the
“Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section.
The battery is located on the right hand side
of the trunk behind an access panel. If the
12-volt battery terminals are loose, contact
your NISSAN dealer. 2. If the 12-volt battery terminals are tight and
clean, try to jump start the vehicle. See
“Jump starting” in this section.
EMERGENCY START
When the Hybrid System cannot be started, the
following procedure can be used if the Hybrid
System and “POWER” switch function normally:
1. Put the transmission in P (Park) position.
2. Push the ignition switch to the ACC posi- tion.
3. Depress the brake pedal.
4. Push and hold the ignition switch for about 15 seconds. Even if the Hybrid System
starts using this procedure, the system may
be malfunctioning. Do not continue to use
this emergency procedure to start the sys-
tem. Have the vehicle checked by your
NISSAN dealer.
If the Hybrid System still does not start, contact
you NISSAN dealer.
HYBRID SYSTEM STOPS OPERATING
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE DOES NOT START
In case of emergency6-7

8. Hold down the brake pedal and press theSTART button. The vehicle instruments and
gauges will light up, and the green READY
light will come ON.
CAUTION
If the green READY light does not come
on, press the START button to turn the
Hybrid System OFF. Carefully disconnect
the negative cable then the positive cable.
Have vehicle taken to dealership for
repair.
9. After the green READY light in the meter display comes ON, carefully disconnect the
negative cable and then the positive cable.
10. Replace the vent caps (if so equipped) . Be sure to dispose of the cloth used to cover
the vent holes as it may be contaminated
with corrosive acid.
WARNING
Do not push start this vehicle. The three-
way catalyst may be damaged.
CAUTION
Hybrid models cannot be push-started or
tow-started. Attempting to do so may
cause electrical or transmission damage. If your vehicle is overheating (indicated by the
high temperature warning light) , or if you feel a
lack of engine power, detect abnormal noise, etc.
take the following steps.
WARNING
●
Do not continue to drive if your vehicle
overheats. Doing so could cause engine
damage or a vehicle fire.
● To avoid the danger of being scalded,
never remove the radiator cap while the
engine and/or inverter is still hot. When
the radiator cap is removed, pressur-
ized hot water will spurt out, possibly
causing serious injury.
● Do not open the hood if steam is com-
ing out.
1. Move the vehicle safely off the road, apply the parking brake and move the shift selector
to P (Park) .
Do not turn the Hybrid System off.
2. Turn off the air conditioner. Open all the windows, move the heater or air conditioner
temperature control to maximum hot and fan
control to high speed.
PUSH STARTING IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS
6-10In case of emergency