2013 NISSAN ALTIMA Owners Manual

NOTE:
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 vehicle
1. After starting the engine, fully depress thefoot 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 CVT 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:
Press the buttonAwhile depressing the
brake pedal
Press the buttonAto shift
Shift without pressing buttonA
Shifting
After starting the engine, fully depress the brake
pedal and move the shift selector from P (Park) to
any of the desired shift positions.
WARNING
Apply the parking brake if the shift selec-
tor 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.
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) shift selector position when the
vehicle is parked or when starting the engine.
Make sure the vehicle is completely stopped.
The brake pedal should be depressed 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 move the shift selector
into the P (Park) position.
LSD2085
5-14Starting and driving

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. 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.
Ds (Drive Sport):
When the shift selector is shifted from the D
(Drive) to Ds (Drive Sport) position, the transmis-
sion enters the Ds (Drive Sport) mode. Moving
the shift selector to the Ds (Drive Sport) position
allows you to enjoy “sporty” driving shift operation
on a winding road and feel smooth acceleration
or deceleration on a hilly road by moving in a lower gear automatically. When canceling the DS
mode, return the shift selector to the D (Drive)
position. The transmission returns to the normal
driving mode.
Manual shift mode (if so equipped)
When the shift selector is in the Ds (Drive Sport)
position, the transmission is ready for the manual
shift mode. Shift ranges can be selected manu-
ally by pulling the right-side or left-side paddle
shifter.
When shifting up, pull the right side paddle
shifter (+)
C(if so equipped) . The transmission
shifts to the higher range.
When shifting down, pull the left side paddle
shifter ()
B(if so equipped) . The transmission
shifts to the lower range.
LSD2086
Starting and driving5-15

When canceling the manual shift mode, return
the selector lever to the D (Drive) position. The
transmission returns to the normal driving mode.
When you pull the paddle shifter (if so equipped)
while in the D (Drive) position, the transmission
will shift to the upper or lower range temporarily.
The transmission will automatically return to the D
(Drive) position after a short period of time. If you
want to return to the D (Drive) position manually,
pull and hold the paddle shifter for about 1.5 sec-
onds.
In the manual shift mode, the shift range is dis-
played on the position indicator in the meter.
Shift ranges up or down one by one as follows:
1⇔2⇔ 3⇔ 4⇔ 5⇔ 6⇔ 7
M7 (7th):
Use this position for all normal forward driving at
highway speeds.
M6 (6th) and M5 (5th):
Use this position when driving up long slopes, or
for engine braking when driving down long
slopes.
M4 (4th) , M3 (3rd) and M2 (2nd):
Use for hill climbing or engine braking on downhill
grades. M1 (First):
Use this position when climbing steep hills slowly
or driving slowly through deep snow, sand or
mud, or for maximum engine braking on steep
downhill grades.
● Remember not to drive at high speeds for
extended periods of time in lower than 7
range. This reduces fuel economy.
When shifting up:
Move the shift selector to the + (up) side. (Shifts
to higher range.)
When shifting down:
Move the shift selector to the (down) side.
(Shifts to lower range.)
● Moving the shift selector rapidly to the same
side twice will shift the ranges in succession.
When canceling the manual shift mode:
Return the shift selector to the D (Drive) position
to return the transmission to the normal driving
mode. ● In the manual shift mode, the transmis-
sion may not shift to the selected gear.
This helps maintain driving perfor-
mance and reduces the chance of ve-
hicle damage or loss of control. ●
In the manual shift mode, the transmis-
sion may shift up automatically to a
higher range than selected if the en-
gine speed is too high. When the ve-
hicle speed decreases, the transmis-
sion automatically shifts down and
shifts to 1st gear before the vehicle
comes to a stop.
● CVT operation is limited to automatic drive
mode when CVT fluid temperature is ex-
tremely low even if manual shift mode is
selected. This is not a malfunction. When
CVT fluid warms up, manual mode can be
selected.
● When the CVT fluid temperature is high, the
shift range may upshift in lower rpm than
usual. This is not a malfunction.
5-16Starting and driving

Shift lock release
If the battery charge is low or discharged, the
shift selector may not be moved from the P (Park)
position even with the brake pedal depressed
and the shift selector button pushed.
It will be necessary to jump start or have your
battery charged, see “Jump starting” in the “In
case of emergency” section. Contact your
NISSAN dealer or a professional towing service.
To move the shift selector, complete the following
procedure:1. Push the ignition switch to the LOCK posi- tion. 2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Using a protective cloth on the tip ofa3mm
screwdriver, remove the shift lock release
cover.
● If available, a plastic trim tool can also be
used.
4. Insert the 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.
If the shift selector cannot be moved out of P
(Park) , have a NISSAN dealer check the trans-
mission as soon as possible.WARNING
If the shift selector 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 (if so
equipped)
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.
LSD2087LSD2090
Starting and driving5-17

Each time the engine is started, or when the shift
selector is shifted to any position other than D
(Drive) , the Overdrive off mode will be automati-
cally turned off.
Accelerator downshift
— in D position —
For passing or hill climbing, depress the accel-
erator pedal to the floor. This shifts the transmis-
sion 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, such as when towing a trailer) , engine
power and, under some conditions, vehicle
speed will be decreased automatically 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 con-
ditions, such as excessive wheel spinning
and subsequent hard braking, the fail-safesystem may be activated. The MIL may
come on to indicate the fail-safe mode is
activated, see “Malfunction Indicator Light
(MIL)” in the “Instrument and controls” sec-
tion. 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
push the switch back to the ON position.
The vehicle should return to its normal op-
erating condition. If it does not return to its
normal operating condition, have a
NISSAN dealer check the transmission and
repair if necessary.
WARNING
When the high fluid temperature protec-
tion 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 care-
ful when driving. If necessary, pull to the
side of the road at a safe place and allow
the transmission to return to normal op-
eration, or have it repaired if necessary.
1. To engage, firmly depress the foot brake.
2. To release:
●Move the shift selector to the P (Park)
position
● Firmly depress the parking brake pedal
and it will release.
● Before driving, be sure the brake warning
light goes out.
LSD0158
5-18Starting and driving

WARNING
●Be sure the parking brake is fully re-
leased 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 shift selector 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 accident. The Blind Spot Warning (BSW) system helps
alert the driver of other vehicles in adjacent lanes
when changing lanes.
The Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system
helps alert the driver when the vehicle is traveling
close to either the left or the right of a traveling
lane.
The BSW/LDW systems use the rear view moni-
tor camera unit
1with automatic washer and
blower.
WARNING
● The BSW system is not a replacement
for proper driving procedure and is not
designed to prevent contact with ve-
hicles or objects. When changing lanes,
always use the side and rear mirrors
and turn and look in the direction you
will move to ensure it is safe to change
lanes. Never rely solely on the BSW
system.
LSD2091
PARKING BRAKEBLIND SPOT WARNING (BSW) SYSTEM /
LANE DEPARTURE WARNING (LDW)
SYSTEM (if so equipped)
Starting and driving5-19

●The LDW system is only a warning de-
vice to help inform the driver of a poten-
tial unintended lane departure. It will
not steer the vehicle or prevent loss of
control. It is the driver’s responsibility
to stay alert, drive safely, keep the ve-
hicle in the traveling lane, and be in
control of the vehicle at all times.
● The camera unit may not function prop-
erly under the following conditions:
– When towing a trailer.
– When strong light enters the camera unit. (e.g. light directly shines on the
rear of the vehicle at sunrise or
sunset.)
– When ambient brightness changes suddenly. (e.g. when the vehicle en-
ters or exits a tunnel or passes under
a bridge.)
● If the camera lens is excessively dirty,
the automatic washer may not be able
to completely clean the lens. This could
result in the camera not detecting ve-
hicles or lane markers.
● Excessive noise (e.g. audio system vol-
ume, open vehicle window) will inter-
fere with the chime sound, and it may
not be heard.
BSW SYSTEM OPERATION
The BSW system operates above approximately
20 MPH (32 km/h).
When the camera unit detects vehicles in the
detection zone, the Blind spot indicator light lo-
cated inside the outside mirrors will illuminate. If
the turn signal is then activated, the system
chimes (twice) and the Blind spot indicator light
flashes to alert the driver.
The Blind spot indicator light continues to flash
until the detected vehicle(s) leave the detection
zone.
LSD2053LSD2105
5-20Starting and driving

Detection zone
The camera unit can detect vehicles on either
side of your vehicle when part of another vehicle
is within the detection zone shown as illustrated.
This detection zone typically starts from the out-
side mirror of your vehicle and extends approxi-
mately 10 ft (3.0 m) behind the rear bumper, and
approximately 10 ft (3.0 m) sideways.NOTE:
The Blind spot indicator light will illuminate
for a few seconds when the ignition switch
is placed in the ON position.
The brightness of the Blind spot indicator lights is
adjusted automatically depending on the bright-
ness of the ambient light.
A chime sounds if the camera unit has already
detected vehicles when the driver activates the
turn signal. If a vehicle comes into the detection
zone after the driver activates the turn signal, then
only the Blind spot indicator light flashes and no
chime sounds. (See “BSW driving situations”
later in this section.)Turning on or off the BSW system
The BSW system is turned on or off using the
settings menu in the vehicle information display.
SYSTEM ON:
The BSW light (white) on the instrument panel
will light up.
SYSTEM OFF:
The BSW light (white) on the instrument panel
will go out.
1. Press the
button until “Settings” dis-
plays in the vehicle information display. Use the
to select “Driver Assistance”.
Then press the ENTER button.
2. Select “Driving Aids”, and press the ENTER button.
3. To set the BSW system to on or off, use the
buttons to navigate in the menu
and use the ENTER button to select or
change an item:
● Select “Blind Spot” and press the ENTER
button.
● To turn on the warning, use the ENTER
button to check box for “Warning (BSW)”
The warning systems switch is used to temporar-
ily turn off the warning systems (Lane Departure
Warning (LDW) and Blind Spot Warning (BSW)
systems) that are activated using the settings
menu in the vehicle information display.
WARNING
● The camera unit may not be able to
detect when certain objects are present
such as:
– Pedestrians, bicycles, animals
– Some types of small vehicles such as motorcycles, and very short length
vehicles
SSD1026
Starting and driving5-21