
Start the vehicle in 1st gear and shift to 2nd, 3rd,
4th, 5th and 6th gear in sequence according to
vehicle speed.
To back up depress the shift selector and then
move it to the R (Reverse) position after stopping
the vehicle completely.
On the 5-speed manual transmission model, you
cannot shift directly from the 5th gear into R
(Reverse) . First shift into N (Neutral) , then in to R
(Reverse) after stopping the vehicle completely.
If it is difficult to move the shift selector into R
(Reverse) or 1 (First) , shift into N (Neutral) , then
release the clutch pedal. Fully depress the clutch
pedal again and shift into R (Reverse) or 1 (First) .If your vehicle is equipped with 4-wheel drive, see
“Transfer case shifting procedures” later in this
section.
Suggested up-shift speeds
The following are suggested vehicle speeds for
shifting into a higher gear. These suggestions
relate to fuel economy and vehicle performance.
Actual upshift speeds will vary according to road
conditions, the weather and individual driving
habits.
● For QR25DE two-wheel drive models:
GEAR CHANGE MPH (km/h)
1st to 2nd 11 (17)
2nd to 3rd 15 (24)
3rd to 4th 24 (38)
4th to 5th 35 (56)
●For VQ40DE two-wheel drive models and
four-wheel drive models (2H and 4H posi-
tion):
GEAR CHANGE MPH (km/h)
1st to 2nd 11 (17)
2nd to 3rd 17 (27)
3rd to 4th 25 (40)
4th to 5th 32 (51)
5th to 6th 45 (72)
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 en-
sure 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.
Allowable maximum speed in each gear:
2–wheel drive models (QR25DE engine)
GEARMPH (km/h)
1st 34 (54)
2nd 58 (94)
3rd 89 (144)
4th —
5th —
6 - speed
LSD0148
Starting and driving5-19

The transfer case 4WD shift switch is used to
select either 2WD or 4WD depending on the
driving conditions. There are three types of drive
modes available, 2WD, 4H and 4LO.
The 4WD shift switch electronically controls the
transfer case operation. Rotate the switch to
move between each mode, 2WD, 4H and 4LO.
To change into or out of 4LO, the vehicle
MUST be stationary, shift the shift selector
to Neutral (N) , and for automatic transmis-
sion vehicles depress the brake pedal or
for manual transmission vehicles depress
the clutch pedal. The switch must be de-
pressed and turned when changing into or
out of 4LO.
WARNING
●When parking, apply the parking brake
before stopping the engine and make
sure that the 4WD shift indicator light is
on and the ATP warning light goes off.
Otherwise, the vehicle could unexpect-
edly move even if the automatic trans-
mission is in the P position. ●
The 4LO indicator light must stop blink-
ing and remain illuminated or turn off
before shifting the transmission into
gear. If the shift selector is shifted from
the (N) position to any other gear when
the 4LO indicator light is blinking, the
vehicle may move unexpectedly.
CAUTION
● Never shift the 4WD shift switch be-
tween 4LO and 4H while driving.
● The 4H position provides greater trac-
tion. Avoid excessive speed, as it will
cause increased fuel consumption and
higher oil temperatures, and could
damage drivetrain components.
Speeds over 62 MPH (100 km/h) in 4H is
not recommended
● The 4LO position provides maximum
power and traction. Avoid raising ve-
hicle speed excessively, as the maxi-
mum speed is approximately 31 MPH
(50 km/h).
● When driving straight, shift the 4WD
shift switch to the 2WD or 4H position.
Do not move the 4WD shift switch when
making a turn or reversing. ●
Do not shift the 4WD shift switch (be-
tween 2WD and 4H) while driving on
steep downhill grades. Use the engine
brake and low automatic transmission
gears (D1 or D2) or manual transmis-
sion (1st gear or 2nd gear) for engine
braking.
● Do not operate the 4WD shift switch
(between 2WD and 4H) with the rear
wheels spinning.
● Do not drive on dry hard surface roads
in the 4H or 4LO position. Driving on dry
hard surfaces in 4H or 4LO may cause
unnecessary noise and tire wear.
NISSAN recommends driving in the
2WD position under these conditions.
● The 4WD transfer case may not be
shifted between 4H and 4LO at low am-
bient temperatures and the transfer
4LO position indicator light may blink
even when the 4WD shift switch is
shifted. After driving for a while you can
change the 4WD transfer case between
4H and 4LO.
When driving on rough roads, ● Set the 4WD shift switch to 4H or 4LO.
● Drive carefully according to the road surface
conditions.
5-28Starting and driving

4WD shift indicator light
The 4WD shift indicator light is located in the
odometer display.
The light should turn off within 1 second after
turning the ignition switch to the ON position.
While the engine is running, the 4WD shift indi-
cator light will illuminate the position selected by
the 4WD shift switch.● The 4WD shift indicator light may blink
while shifting from one drive mode to
the other. When the shifting is com-
pleted, the 4WD shift indicator light
will come on. ●
If the 4WD warning light comes on, the
4WD indicator light goes out.
CAUTION
If the 4WD shift indicator light indication
changes to 2WD when the 4WD shift
switch is shifted to the 4H position at low
ambient temperatures, the 2WD mode
may be being engaged due to malfunc-
tioning drive system. If the indicator does
not return to normal and the 4WD warning
light comes on, have the system checked
by the nearest NISSAN dealer.
4WD warning light
Warning light Comes on or blinks
when:
Comes on There is a mal-
function in the4–wheel drive system
Blinks
slowly The difference in
wheel rotation is large
The 4WD warning light is located in the meter. The 4WD warning light comes on when the igni-
tion switch is turned to ON. It turns off soon after
the engine is started.
If any malfunction occurs in the 4WD system
when the ignition switch is ON, the warning light
will either remain illuminated or blink.
If the 4WD warning light comes on, the 4WD
shift indicator light goes out.
A large difference between the diameters of front
and rear wheels will make the warning light blink
slowly (about once per two seconds) . Change
the 4WD shift switch into 2WD and do not drive
fast.
CAUTION
●
If the warning light comes on or blinks
slowly during operation, have your ve-
hicle checked by a NISSAN dealer as
soon as possible.
● Shifting between 4H and 4LO is not
recommended when the 4WD warning
light turns on.
LSD0147
5-30Starting and driving

●If the low tire pressure warning light
illuminates while driving, avoid sudden
steering maneuvers or abrupt braking,
reduce vehicle speed, pull off the road
to a safe location and stop the vehicle
as soon as possible. Driving with under-
inflated tires may permanently damage
the tires and increase the likelihood of
tire failure. Serious vehicle damage
could occur and may lead to an acci-
dent and could result in serious per-
sonal injury. Check the tire pressure for
all four tires. Adjust the tire pressure to
the recommended COLD tire pressure
shown on the Tire and Loading Informa-
tion label to turn the low tire pressure
warning light OFF. If you have a flat tire,
replace it with a spare tire as soon as
possible.
● When a spare tire is mounted or a wheel
is replaced, the TPMS will not function
and the low tire pressure warning light
will flash for approximately 1 minute.
The light will remain on after 1 minute.
Contact your NISSAN dealer as soon as
possible for tire replacement and/or
system resetting. ●
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. Shift the manual transmission into R
(Reverse) , or the automatic transmission
into P (Park) .
4. Turn off the engine.
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 manual transmission is
shifted into R (Reverse) , or the auto-
matic transmission 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.
6-4In case of emergency

All models:3. Seat the T-shaped end of the jack rod into the T-shaped opening of the spare tire
winch. Apply pressure to keep the jack rod
engaged in the spare tire winch and turn the
jack rod counterclockwise to lower the
spare tire.
4. Once the spare tire is completely lowered, reach under the vehicle, remove the retainer
chain, and carefully slide the tire from under
the rear of the vehicle.
5. To reinstall the wheel, insert the tire chainthrough the wheel. Be sure the rubber
spacer is centered on the wheel before lift-
ing. Use the assembled jack rod and slowly
rotate the winch clockwise to raise the
wheel to the vehicle.
NOTE:
Inspect the spacer every six years and re-
place as necessary. Contact your NISSAN
dealer for replacement parts if necessary.CAUTION
● Be sure to center the spare tire sus-
pending plate on the wheel and then lift
the spare tire.
● Failure to use the spacer may allow the
chain to get stuck on the wheel nut
holes.
CAUTION
Be sure to center the spare tire suspend-
ing plate on the wheel and then lift the
spare tire.
Jacking up vehicle and removing the
damaged tire
WARNING
● Never get under the vehicle while it is
supported only by the jack. If it is nec-
essary to work under the vehicle, sup-
port it with safety stands.
● Use only the jack provided with your
vehicle to lift the vehicle. Do not use the
jack provided with your vehicle on other
vehicles. The jack is designed for lifting
only your vehicle during a tire change.
LCE2022
In case of emergency6-7

Seat beltsCheck that all parts of the seat belt
system (for example, buckles, anchors, adjusters
and retractors) operate properly and smoothly,
and are installed securely. Check the belt web-
bing for cuts, fraying, wear or damage.
Steering wheel Check for changes in the steer-
ing system, such as excessive freeplay, hard
steering or strange noises.
Warning lights and chimes Make sure all
warning lights and chimes are operating properly.
Windshield wiper and washer* Check that
the wipers and washer operate properly and that
the wipers do not streak.
Windshield defroster Check that the air
comes out of the defroster outlets properly and in
sufficient quantity when operating the heater or
air conditioner.
Under the hood and vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
checked periodically (for example, each time you
check the engine oil or refuel) .
Battery* Check the fluid level in each cell. It
should be between the MAX and MIN lines. Ve-
hicles operated in high temperatures or under
severe conditions require frequent checks of the
battery fluid level. Brake and clutch fluid levels*
Make sure that
the brake and clutch fluid level is between the
MIN and MAX lines on the reservoir.
Engine coolant level* Check the coolant level
when the engine is cold.
Engine drive belts* Make sure the drive belts
are not frayed, worn, cracked or oily.
Engine oil level* Check the level after parking
the vehicle on a level surface with the engine off.
Wait more than 10 minutes for the oil to drain
back into the oil pan.
Exhaust system Make sure there are no loose
supports, cracks or holes. If the sound of the
exhaust seems unusual or there is a smell of
exhaust fumes, immediately have the exhaust
system inspected by a NISSAN dealer. See the
carbon monoxide warning in the “Starting and
driving” section of this manual.
Fluid leaks Check under the vehicle for fuel, oil,
water or other fluid leaks after the vehicle has
been parked for a while. Water dripping from the
air conditioner after use is normal. If you should
notice any leaks or if gasoline fumes are evident,
check for the cause and have it corrected imme-
diately. Power steering fluid level* and lines
Check
the level when the fluid is cold, with the engine
off. Check the lines for proper attachment, leaks,
cracks, etc.
Radiator and hoses Check the front of the
radiator and clean off any dirt, insects, leaves,
etc., that may have accumulated. Make sure the
hoses have no cracks, deformation, rot or loose
connections.
Underbody The underbody is frequently ex-
posed to corrosive substances such as those
used on icy roads or to control dust. It is very
important to remove these substances from the
underbody, otherwise rust may form on the floor
pan, frame, fuel lines and exhaust system. At the
end of winter, the underbody should be thor-
oughly flushed with plain water, in those areas
where mud and dirt may have accumulated. See
the “Appearance and care” section of this
manual.
Windshield-washer fluid* Check that there is
adequate fluid in the reservoir.
8-4Maintenance and do-it-yourself

Replacing wheels and tires
When replacing a tire, use the same size, tread
design, speed rating and load carrying capacity
as originally equipped. Recommended types and
sizes are shown in “Wheels and tires” in the
“Technical and consumer information” section of
this manual.
WARNING
●The use of tires other than those recom-
mended or the mixed use of tires of
different brands, construction (bias,
bias-belted or radial) , or tread patterns
can adversely affect the ride, braking,
handling, VDC system, ground clear-
ance, body-to-tire clearance, tire chain
clearance, speedometer calibration,
headlight aim and bumper height.
Some of these effects may lead to acci-
dents and could result in serious per-
sonal injury.
● If your vehicle was originally equipped
with 4 tires that were the same size and
you are only replacing 2 of the 4 tires,
install the new tires on the rear axle.
Placing new tires on the front axle may
cause loss of vehicle control in some
driving conditions and cause an acci-
dent and personal injury. ●
If the wheels are changed for any reason,
always replace with wheels which have
the same off-set dimension. Wheels of a
different off-set could cause premature
tire wear, degrade vehicle handling char-
acteristics, affect the VDC system and/or
interference with the brake discs/drums.
Such interference can lead to decreased
braking efficiency and/or early brake
pad/shoe wear. Refer to “Wheels and
tires” in the “Technical and consumer in-
formation” section of this manual for
wheel off-set dimensions.
●When a spare tire is mounted or a wheel is
replaced, tire pressure will not be indi-
cated, the TPMS will not function and the
low tire pressure warning light will flash
for approximately 1 minute. The light will
remain on after 1 minute. Contact your
NISSAN dealer as soon as possible for tire
replacement and/or system resetting.
● Replacing tires with those not originally
specified by NISSAN could affect the
proper operation of the TPMS.
●
Do not install a damaged or deformed
wheel or tire even if it has been repaired.
Such wheels or tires could have structural
damage and could fail without warning.
● The use of retread tires is not
recommended. ●
For additional information regarding
tires, refer to “Important Tire Safety In-
formation” (US) or “Tire Safety Informa-
tion” (Canada) in the Warranty Informa-
tion Booklet.
Four-wheel drive models
CAUTION
Always use tires of the same type, size,
brand, construction (bias, bias-belted or ra-
dial) , and tread pattern on all four wheels.
Failure to do so may result in a circumfer-
ence difference between tires on the front
and rear axles which will cause excessive
tire wear and may damage the transmis-
sion, transfer case and differential gears.
If excessive tire wear is found, it is recommended
that all four tires be replaced with tires of the
same size, brand, construction and tread pattern.
The tire pressure and wheel alignment should
also be checked and corrected as necessary.
Contact a NISSAN dealer.
Wheel balance
Unbalanced wheels may affect vehicle handling
and tire life. Even with regular use, wheels can get
out of balance. Therefore, they should be bal-
anced as required.
8-42Maintenance and do-it-yourself

Wheel balance service should be per-
formed with the wheels off the vehicle.
Spin balancing the wheels on the vehicle
could lead to mechanical damage.● For additional information regarding
tires, refer to “Important Tire Safety
Information” (US) or “Tire Safety Infor-
mation” (Canada) in the Warranty In-
formation Booklet.
Care of wheels
● Wash the wheels when washing the vehicle
to maintain their appearance.
● Clean the inner side of the wheels when the
wheel is changed or the underside of the
vehicle is washed.
● Do not use abrasive cleaners when washing
the wheels.
● Inspect wheel rims regularly for dents or
corrosion. Such damage may cause loss of
pressure or poor seal at the tire bead.
● NISSAN recommends waxing the road
wheels to protect against road salt in areas
where it is used during winter.
Spare tire (FULL SIZE TEMPORARY
USE ONLY spare tire)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a full size
spare that is a different size or brand than the tires
originally installed on the vehicle. This full size
spare tire is intended for temporary use only and
should be replaced at the first opportunity.
Observe the following precautions if the full size
temporary use only spare tire must be used.
Otherwise, your vehicle could be damaged or
involved in an accident:
WARNING
● The spare tire should be used for emer-
gency use only. It should be replaced
with the standard tire at the first oppor-
tunity to avoid possible tire or differen-
tial damage.
● Drive carefully while the spare tire is
installed. Avoid sharp turns and abrupt
braking while driving. The vehicle driv-
ing performance may be affected when
driving on wet or snow covered roads.
● When the temporary full size spare is
installed, the following systems may
not work correctly: – Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) .
–
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) System.
● Periodically check spare tire inflation
pressure. Always keep the spare tire
inflated to the pressure specification
shown on the tire and loading informa-
tion label.
● With the spare tire installed do not drive
the vehicle at speeds faster than
50 MPH (80 km/h).
●
When driving on roads covered with
snow or ice, the temporary spare tire
should be used on the front wheels and
the original tire used on the rear wheels.
Use tire chains only on the drive wheels.
● Do not use the spare tire on other
vehicles.
● Do not use more than one spare tire at
the same time.
CAUTION
● Do not use tire chains on a spare tire.
Tire chains will not fit properly and may
cause damage to the vehicle.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-43