Vehicle information display warnings
and indicators
1. Door open warning
2. Low fuel warning
3. Low windshield-washer fluid warning4. Parking brake warning
5.
Cruise main switch indicator (if so equipped)
6. Cruise set switch indicator (if so equipped)
7. Transfer 4LO position indicator (
model)
8. 4WD shift indicator (
model)
9. Automatic transmission position indicator
10. Loose fuel cap warning
11. Check tire pressure warning
LIC2006
Instruments and controls2-23
ProCarManuals.com
Door open warning
This warning illuminates when a door has been
opened and the engine is running.
Low fuel warning
This warning illuminates when the fuel level in the
fuel tank is getting low. Refuel as soon as it is
convenient, preferably before the fuel gauge
reaches E (Empty) .There will be a small re-
serve of fuel in the tank when the fuel
gauge needle reaches E (Empty) .
Low windshield-washer fluid warning
This warning illuminates when the windshield-
washer fluid is at a low level. Add windshield-
washer fluid as necessary. See “Windshield-
washer fluid” in the “Maintenance and do-it-
yourself” section of this manual.
Parking brake warning
This warning illuminates when the parking brake
is set and the vehicle is driven.
Cruise main switch indicator (if so
equipped)
This indicator illuminates when the cruise control
main switch is pushed. The indicator turns off
when the main switch is pushed again. When the
cruise main switch indicator illuminates, the
cruise control system is operational. Cruise set switch indicator (if so
equipped)
This indicator illuminates while the vehicle speed
is controlled by the cruise control system. If the
indicator blinks while the engine is running, it may
indicate the cruise control system is not function-
ing properly. Have the system checked by a
NISSAN dealer.
Transfer 4LO position indicator (
model)
This indicator illuminates when the 4WD shift
switch is set in the 4LO position with the ignition
switch placed in the ON position.
If the 4WD shift switch is set in the 4LO position
and the indicator blinks, stop the vehicle, drive
slowly forward and the indicator will turn on.
When you shift between 4H and 4LO, stop the
vehicle, move the shift selector to the N (Neutral)
position, then depress and turn the 4WD shift
switch to 4LO or 4H.
The transfer case may be damaged if you shift the
switch while driving.
You cannot move the transfer 4WD shift switch
between 4H and 4LO unless you have first
stopped the vehicle and moved the shift selector
to N (Neutral) . Make sure the transfer 4LO posi-
tion indicator illuminates when you shift the 4WD
shift switch to 4LO.
The indicator may blink while shifting from
one drive mode to the other.
4WD shift indicator (
model)
While the engine is running, the 4WD shift indi-
cator will illuminate the position selected by the
4WD shift switch.
The 4WD shift indicator may blink while
shifting from one drive mode to the other.
Automatic transmission position indicator
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, this indicator shows the shift selector
position. See “Driving the vehicle” in the “Starting
and driving” section of this manual.
Loose fuel cap warning
This warning appears when the fuel-filler cap is
not tightened correctly after the vehicle has been
refueled. See “Fuel-filler cap” in the “Pre-driving
checks and adjustments” section.
Check tire pressure warning
This warning appears when the low tire pressure
warning light in the meter illuminates and low tire
pressure is detected. If this warning appears,
stop the vehicle and adjust the tire pressure to
2-24Instruments and controls
ProCarManuals.com
Tow mode should be used when pulling a heavy
trailer or hauling a heavy load. Driving the vehicle
in the tow mode with no trailer/load or light
trailer/light load will not cause any damage. How-
ever, fuel economy may be reduced, and the
transmission/engine driving characteristics may
feel unusual.
Press the tow mode switch to activate tow mode.
The indicator light on the tow mode switch illumi-
nates when tow mode is selected. Press the tow
mode switch again to turn tow mode OFF.
Tow mode is automatically canceled when the
ignition switch is placed in the OFF position.For additional information, refer to “Tow mode” in
the “Technical and consumer information” sec-
tion later in this manual.
LIC0594
Front row
WIC1404
TOW MODE SWITCH
POWER OUTLET
2-38Instruments and controls
ProCarManuals.com
From the inside, pull the inside door handle to-
ward you. The door will unlock automatically.3. Open the door to the desired position.
AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS (if so
equipped)
●
All doors lock automatically when the vehicle
speed reaches 15 MPH (24 km/h) .
● All doors unlock automatically when the
transmission is placed in the P (Park) posi-
tion. The automatic unlock function can be de-
activated or activated.
To deactivate or acti-
vate the automatic door unlock system, perform
the following procedure:
1. Close all doors.
2. Place the ignition switch in the ON position.
3. Within 20 seconds of performing Step 2, push and hold the power door lock switch to
the
position (UNLOCK) for more than
5 seconds.
4. When activated, the hazard indicator will flash twice. When deactivated, the hazard
indicator will flash once.
LPD0267LPD0265
3-6Pre-driving checks and adjustments
ProCarManuals.com
5 Starting and driving
Precautions when starting and driving................5-2
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) ..................5-2
Three-way catalyst ..............................5-2
On-pavement and off-road driving
precautions ....................................5-3
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ..........5-3
Avoiding collision and rollover ....................5-6
Off-road recovery ...............................5-6
Rapid air pressure loss ..........................5-6
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving ................5-7
Driving safety precautions .......................5-7
Ignition switch .....................................5-9
Automatic transmission ......................... 5-10
Key positions ................................. 5-11
NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System
(if so equipped) ............................... 5-11
Before starting the engine ......................... 5-11
Starting the engine ............................... 5-12
Driving the vehicle ................................ 5-12
Engine protection mode ........................ 5-12
Automatic transmission ......................... 5-13
Parking brake .................................... 5-20
Cruise control (if so equipped) .....................5-20Precautions on cruise control
...................5-20
Cruise control operations .......................5-21
Break-in schedule ................................ 5-22
Increasing fuel economy ........................... 5-22
Using four wheel drive (4WD)
(if so equipped) .................................. 5-23
Transfer case shifting procedures ...............5-24
Electronic locking rear differential (E-Lock) system
(if so equipped) .................................. 5-29
Parking/parking on hills ............................ 5-30
Power steering ................................... 5-31
Brake system .................................... 5-31
Brake precautions ............................. 5-31
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) .................5-32
Active brake limited slip (ABLS) system .............5-33
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system .............5-34
Rear sonar system (if so equipped) .................5-36
Cold weather driving .............................. 5-37
Freeing a frozen door lock ......................5-37
Anti-freeze .................................... 5-37
Battery ....................................... 5-37
Draining of coolant water .......................5-37
Tire equipment ................................ 5-37
ProCarManuals.com
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
The ignition lock is designed so the ignition
switch cannot be placed in the LOCK position
and the key cannot be removed until the shift
selector is moved to the P (Park) position.
When removing the key from the ignition switch,
make sure the shift selector is in the P (Park)
position.
If the shift selector is not returned to P (Park)
position, the ignition switch cannot be placed in
the LOCK position.To remove the key from the ignition switch:
1. Shift the shift selector to the P (Park) posi- tion with the ignition switch in the ON posi-
tion.
2. Place the ignition switch in the LOCK posi- tion.
3. Remove the key from the ignition switch.
If the shift selector is shifted to the P (Park)
position after the ignition switch is placed in the
OFF position or when the ignition switch cannot
be placed in the LOCK position, proceed as
follows to remove the key. 1. Move the shift selector into the P (Park) position.
2. Place the ignition switch slightly toward the ON position.
3. Place the ignition switch in the LOCK posi- tion.
4. Remove the key.
The shift selector is designed so it cannot move
out of P (Park) and into any of the other gear
positions if the ignition switch is placed in the
OFF position or if the key is removed from the
switch. The shift selector can be moved if the igni-
tion switch is in the ON position and the
foot brake pedal is depressed.
There is an OFF position between the
LOCK and ON positions. The OFF position
is indicated by a “1” on the ignition switch.
For models without NISSAN vehicle immo-
bilizer system: when the ignition switch is
in the OFF position, the steering wheel is
not locked.
In order for the steering wheel to be locked, it
must be turned about 1/8 of a turn clockwise
from the straight up position.
To lock the steering wheel, turn the ignition
to the LOCK position. Remove the key. To
unlock the steering wheel, insert the key
and turn it gently while rotating the steer-
ing wheel slightly right and left.
If the key will not turn from the LOCK posi-
tion, turn the steering wheel to the left or
right while turning the key to unlock the
key cylinder.
WSD0041
5-10Starting and driving
ProCarManuals.com
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Move the shift selector to P (Park) or N(Neutral) . P (Park) is recommended.
The shift selector cannot be moved out
of P (Park) and into any of the other
gear positions if the ignition switch is
turned to the OFF position or if the key
is removed from the ignition switch.
The starter is designed not to operate if
the shift selector is in any of the driving
positions.
3. Crank the engine with your foot off the
accelerator pedal by placing the ignition
switch in the START position. Release the
key when the engine starts. If the engine
starts, but fails to run, repeat the above
procedure.
● If the engine is very hard to start in ex-
tremely cold weather or when restarting,
depress the accelerator pedal a little (ap-
proximately 1/3 to the floor) and hold it
and then crank the engine. Release the
key and the accelerator pedal when the
engine starts.
● If the engine is very hard to start because
it is flooded, depress the accelerator
pedal all the way to the floor and hold it.
Crank the engine for 5 to 6 seconds. After cranking the engine, release the accel-
erator pedal. Crank the engine
with your
foot off the accelerator pedal by turn-
ing the ignition key to START. Release the
key when the engine starts. If the engine
starts, but fails to run, repeat the above
procedure.
CAUTION
Do not operate the starter for more than
15 seconds at a time. If the engine does
not start, turn the key off and wait 10
seconds before cranking again, otherwise
the starter could be damaged.
4. Allow the engine to idle for at least 30 sec- onds 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.
ENGINE PROTECTION MODE
The engine has an engine protection mode to
reduce the chance of damage if the coolant tem-
perature becomes too high (for example, when
climbing steep grades in high temperature with
heavy loads, such as when towing a trailer) .
When the engine temperature reaches a certain
level: ● The engine coolant temperature gauge will
move toward the H position.
● Engine power may be reduced.
● The air conditioning cooling function may be
automatically turned OFF for a short time
(the blower will continue to operate) .
Engine power and, under some conditions, ve-
hicle speed will decrease. Vehicle speed can be
controlled with the accelerator pedal, but the
vehicle may not accelerate at the desired speed.
The transmission will downshift or upshift as it
reaches prescribed shift points. You can also
shift manually.
As driving conditions change and engine coolant
temperature is reduced, vehicle speed can be
increased using the accelerator pedal, and air
conditioning cooling function will automatically
be turned back ON.
STARTING THE ENGINE DRIVING THE VEHICLE
5-12Starting and driving
ProCarManuals.com
If:1. The engine coolant temperature is not re- duced.
2. The air conditioning cooling function does not turn back ON.
3. The engine oil pressure low/engine coolant temperature high warning light
illumi-
nates, this may indicate a malfunction. Move
the vehicle off the road in a safe area and
allow the engine to cool. If after checking the
oil and coolant, the
remains on, do not
continue to drive and call a NISSAN dealer.
The malfunction indicator light (MIL) may also
come ON. If onlyit remains on, you do not need
to have your vehicle towed, but have it inspected
soon by a NISSAN dealer. See “Malfunction in-
dicator light (MIL)” in the “Instruments and con-
trols ” section of this manual.
WARNING
Overheating can result in reduced engine
power and vehicle speed. The reduced
speed may be lower than other traffic,
which could increase the chance of a col-
lision. Be especially careful when driving.
If the vehicle cannot maintain a safe driv-
ing speed, pull to the side of the road in a
safe area. Allow the engine to cool and
return to normal operation. See “If your
vehicle overheats” in the “In case of emer-
gency” section of this manual.
CAUTION
Running the engine with the engine oil
pressure warning light on could cause se-
rious damage to the engine almost imme-
diately. Such damage is not covered by
warranty. Turn off the engine as soon as it
is safe to do so.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WARNING
● Do not depress the accelerator pedal
while shifting from P (Park) or N (Neu-
tral) to R (Reverse) , 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 (Reverse)
while the vehicle is moving. This could
cause an accident.
● 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 injury or death. In ad-
dition, coasting with the transmission
in the N (Neutral) position may cause
serious damage to the transmission.
Starting and driving5-13
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