2012 NISSAN CUBE warning

5-8Starting and driving
WARNING
Never remove or turn the key to the
LOCK position while driving. This may
cause the driver to lose control of the
vehicle and could result in serious
vehicle damage or personal injury.
SSD0392
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, 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. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position.
4. Remove the key.
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.
There is an OFF position
*1between the
LOCK and ACC positions, although it is not
marked on the ignition switch.
IGNITION SWITCH (models without
Intelligent Key system)

SSD0503
MANUAL TRANSMISSION (MT)
The ignition switch includes a device that helps
prevent accidental removal of the key while
driving.
The key can only be removed when the ignition
switch is in the LOCK position.
To turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position
from the ACC or ON position, turn the key to the
OFF position, push the key in, then turn the key
to the LOCK position.
There is an OFF position
*1in between the
LOCK and ACC positions. The OFF position is
indicated by a “1” on the key cylinder.
KEY POSITIONS
LOCK (0)
The key can only be removed from the ignition
switch at this position.
OFF (1)
The engine is turned off. The power supply is
turned off.
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.
WARNING
Do not operate the push-button ignition
switch while driving the vehicle except
in an emergency. (The engine will stop
when the ignition switch is pushed 3
consecutive times or the ignition switch
is pushed and held for more than 2
seconds.) If the engine stops while the
vehicle is being driven, this could lead
to a crash and serious injury.
Before operating the push-button ignition
switch, be sure to move the selector lever to
the P (Park) position.
Starting and driving5-9
PUSH-BUTTON IGNITION SWITCH
(models with Intelligent Key system)

5-12Starting and driving
SSD0860
INTELLIGENT KEY BATTERY DIS-
CHARGE
If the battery of the Intelligent Key is discharged,
or environmental conditions interfere with the
Intelligent Key operation, start the engine
according to the following procedure:
1. Move the selector lever to the P (Park)position.
2. Firmly apply the foot brake.
3. Touch the ignition switch with the Intelligent Key as illustrated. (A chime will sound.)
4. Push the ignition switch while depressing the brake pedal within 10 seconds after the
chime sounds. The engine will start. After step 3 is performed, when the ignition
switch is pushed without depressing the brake
pedal, the ignition switch position will change to
ACC.
NOTE:
.
When the ignition switch is pushed to
the ACC or ON position or the engine is
started by the above procedures, the
Intelligent Key system warning light
may blink in yellow even if the Intelli-
gent Key is inside the vehicle. This is
not a malfunction. To stop the warning
light from blinking, touch the ignition
switch with the Intelligent Key again.
. If the Intelligent Key system warning
light in the meter is blinking in green,
replace the battery as soon as possible.
(See “Key battery replacement” (P.8-
23) .) .
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 switch is placed in the ON
position. (See “Warning/indicator lights and
audible reminders” (P.2-11) .)
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE

2. Keep the foot brake pedal depressed, pushthe 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.
CAUTION
.Except in an emergency, do not shift
to the N (Neutral) position while
driving. Doing so can cause a loss
of engine braking which may result
in a collision, serious personal in-
jury or death. In addition, coasting
with the transmission in the N
(Neutral) position may cause ser-
ious damage to the transmission.
. 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
To move the selector lever,
: Push the button*Awhile depressing the
brake pedal.
: Push the button*A.
: Just move the selector lever.
Shifting
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.
Starting and driving5-15

5-16Starting and driving
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
position.
CAUTION
To prevent transmission damage, move
the selector lever to the P (Park) or R
(Reverse) position only when the vehi-
cle is completely stopped.
P (Park):
Use this selector position when the vehicle is
parked or when starting the engine. Make sure
the vehicle is completely stopped. The brake
pedal must be depressed and the selector
lever button pushed in to move the selec-
tor lever 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 move the selector lever to the P (Park)
position.
R (Reverse):
Use this position to back up. Make sure the
vehicle is completely stopped before selecting
the R (Reverse) position. The brake pedal
must be depressed and the selector lever
button pushed in to move the selector
lever from P (Park) , N (Neutral) or any
driving position to R (Reverse) . 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.
L (Low):
Use this position for maximum engine braking on
steep downhill gradients/climbing steep slopes
and whenever approaching sharp bends. Do not
use the L (Low) position in any other circum-
stances.

SSD0863
Overdrive (O/D) OFF switch (if so
equipped)
When the O/D OFF switch is pushed with the
selector lever in the D (Drive) position, the
indicator light in the instrument panel illuminates.
Use the overdrive off mode when you need
improved engine braking.
To turn off the overdrive off mode, push the O/D
OFF switch again. The
indicator light will
turn off.
Each time the engine is started, or when the
selector lever is shifted to any position other
than the D (Drive) position, the overdrive off
mode will be automatically turned off.
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 mode
This 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-safe
If 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)” (P.2-17) .) 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 the ON position. The vehicle
should return to its normal operating
condition. If it does not return to its normal
operating condition, have a NISSAN dealer
check the transmission and repair if ne-
cessary.
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.
Starting and driving5-17

5-18Starting and driving
SSD0864
Shift lock release
If 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. 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. The
vehicle may be moved to the desired location.
Replace the removed shift lock release cover
after the operation.
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 not
work. 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 stop
light, shift to N (Neutral) and release
the clutch pedal with the foot brake

5-20Starting and driving
For normal acceleration in high altitude areas
[over 4,000 ft (1,219 m)]:
Gear changeMPH (km/h)
1st to 2nd 15 (24)
2nd to 3rd 25 (40)
3rd to 4th 40 (64)
4th to 5th 45 (72)
5th to 6th 51 (82)
Suggested maximum speed in each gear
Downshift 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.
PARKING BRAKE