
NOTE:
Care should be taken to avoid situations
that can lead to potential battery discharge
and potential no-start conditions such as:1. Installation or extended use of electronic accessories that consume battery power
when the engine is not running (Phone char-
gers, GPS, DVD players, etc.)
2. Vehicle is not driven regularly and/or only driven short distances. In these cases, the
battery may need to be charged to maintain
battery health.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. 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 warning/engine coolant temperature high indicator
il-
luminates, this may indicate a malfunction.
Move the vehicle off the road in a safe area
and allow the engine to cool. If after check-
ing the oil and coolant, the
remains
on, do not continue to drive and call a
NISSAN dealer.
The 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. For
additional information, refer to “Malfunction Indi-
cator Light (MIL)” in the “Instruments and con-
trols” section of this manual.
DRIVING THE VEHICLE
5-14Starting and driving

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. For additional
information, refer to “If your vehicle over-
heats” in the “In case of emergency” sec-
tion 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 1 (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 either the P (Park) or R
(Reverse) position while the vehicle is
moving forward and P (Park) or D
(Drive) position while the vehicle is re-
versing. This could cause an accident or
damage the transmission.
● Except in an emergency, do not shift to
the N (Neutral) position while driving.
Coasting with the transmission in the N
(Neutral) position may cause serious
damage to the transmission.
CAUTION
● When stopping the vehicle on an uphill
grade, do not hold the vehicle by de-
pressing the accelerator pedal. The foot
brake should be used for this purpose.
● Do not downshift abruptly on slippery
roads. This may cause a loss of control.
The automatic transmission in your vehicle is
electronically controlled 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 engine, fully depress the foot brake pedal before moving the shift
lever out of the P (Park) position.
2. Keep the foot brake pedal depressed and move the shift lever into a driving gear.
3. Release the foot brake, then gradually start the vehicle in motion.
Starting and driving5-15

The automatic transmission 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 lever cannot be moved out of the
P (Park) position and into any of the other
gear positions if the ignition switch is
placed in the LOCK or OFF position.To move the shift lever:
: Shift while depressing the brake pedal
: Shift without depressing brake pedal
Shifting
After starting the engine, fully depress the brake
pedal and move the shift lever out of the P (Park)
position.
WARNING
Apply the parking brake if the shift 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 vehicle is in N
(Neutral) , or any D (Drive) position, the ignition
switch cannot be turned to the LOCK position.
Move the shift lever to the P (Park) position, then
the ignition switch can be turned to LOCK.
P (Park)
CAUTION
To prevent transmission damage, use the
P (Park) position only when the vehicle is
completely stopped.
Use the P (Park) shift lever 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 lever from N (Neutral) or any
drive position to P (Park) .
WSD0187
5-16Starting and driving

Shift lock release
If the battery is discharged, the shift lever may not
be moved from the P (Park) position even with the
brake pedal depressed.
To move the shift lever, release the shift lock. The
shift lever can be moved to N (Neutral) . However,
the steering wheel will be locked unless the igni-
tion switch is placed in the ON position (for
models with a steering lock mechanism) . This
allows the vehicle to be moved if the battery is
discharged.To push the shift lock release, complete the fol-
lowing procedure:
1. Place the ignition switch in the LOCK posi- tion and remove the key.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Remove the shift lock release cover as shown.
4. Use a protective cloth on the tip of a small screwdriver before inserting it in the shift
lock release slot and pushing down.
5. Move the shift lever to the N (Neutral) posi- tion while holding down the shift lock re-
lease.
6. Place the ignition switch in the ON position to unlock the steering wheel (for models with
a steering lock mechanism) .
7. Now the vehicle may be moved to the de- sired location.
If the shift lever cannot be moved out of P (Park) ,
have a NISSAN dealer check the automatic
transmission system as soon as possible.
WARNING
If the shift lever cannot be moved from the
P (Park) position while the engine is run-
ning and the brake pedal is depressed, the
stop lights may not work. Malfunctioning
stop lights could cause an accident injur-
ing yourself and others.
Accelerator downshift
— in D (Drive) 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.
Fail-safe
When the fail-safe operation occurs, please note
that the transmission will be locked in any of the
forward gears according to the condition.
LSD0090
5-18Starting and driving

If the vehicle is driven under extreme con-
ditions, such as excessive wheel spinning
and subsequent hard braking, the fail-safe
system may be activated. This will occur
even if all electrical circuits are functioning
properly. In this case, turn the ignition
switch OFF and wait for 3 seconds. Then
turn the ignition 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 the transmission checked and re-
paired, it if necessary. It is recommended
you visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.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 lever in place of the
parking brake. When parking, be sure
the parking brake is fully engaged.
● To help avoid risk of injury or death
through unintended operation of the
vehicle and /or its systems, do not leave
children, people who require the assis-
tance of others or pets unattended in
your vehicle. Additionally, the tempera-
ture inside a closed vehicle on a warm
day can quickly become high enough to
cause a significant risk of injury or
death to people and pets. To engage:
Firmly depress the parking brake.
To release: 1. Firmly apply the foot brake.
2. Move the shift lever to the P (Park) position.
3. Firmly depress the parking brake pedal and it will release.
4. Before driving, be sure the brake warning light goes out.
LSD0158
PARKING BRAKE
Starting and driving5-19

PRECAUTIONS ON CRUISE
CONTROL
1. ACCEL/RES switch
2. COAST/SET switch
3. CANCEL switch
4. ON/OFF switch● If the cruise control system malfunctions, it
cancels automatically. The SET indicator
light illuminates in the vehicle information
display then blinks to warn the driver. For
additional information, refer to “Vehicle infor-
mation display” in the “Instruments and con-
trols” section of this manual. ●
If the SET indicator light blinks, push the
cruise control ON/OFF switch off and have
the system checked by a NISSAN dealer.
● The SET indicator light may blink when the
cruise control ON/OFF switch is pushed
ON while pushing the ACCEL/RES,
COAST/SET, or CANCEL switch. To prop-
erly set the cruise control system, use the
following procedures.
WARNING
Do not use the cruise control when driving
under the following conditions:
● When it is not possible to keep the
vehicle at a set speed.
● In heavy traffic or in traffic that varies in
speed.
● On winding or hilly roads.
● On slippery roads (rain, snow, ice, etc.) .
● In very windy areas.
Doing so could cause a loss of vehicle
control and result in an accident.
CRUISE CONTROL OPERATIONS
The cruise control allows driving at a speed be-
tween 25 - 89 mph (40 - 144 km/h) without
keeping your foot on the accelerator pedal.
To turn on the cruise control, push the
ON/OFF switch on. The CRUISE indicator light
in the vehicle information display will illuminate.
To set cruising speed, accelerate the vehicle to
the desired speed, push the COAST/SET switch
and release it. The SET indicator light in the
vehicle information display will illuminate. Take
your foot off the accelerator pedal. Your vehicle
maintains the set speed.
● To pass another vehicle, depress the ac-
celerator pedal. When you release the
pedal, the vehicle returns to the previously
set speed.
● The vehicle may not maintain the set speed
when going up or down steep hills. If this
happens, drive without the cruise control.
To cancel the preset speed, use one of the
following three methods:
● Push the CANCEL button; the SET indicator
light in the vehicle information display goes
out.
● Tap the brake pedal; the SET indicator light
goes out.
LSD2003
CRUISE CONTROL
5-20Starting and driving

●Keep your engine tuned up.
● Follow the recommended scheduled main-
tenance.
● Keep the tires inflated to the correct pres-
sure. Low tire pressure increases tire wear
and lowers fuel economy.
● Keep the wheels in correct alignment. Im-
proper alignment increases tire wear and
lowers fuel economy.
● For vehicles equipped with
, use 4H
or 4L position only when necessary. Four-
wheel drive operation lowers fuel economy.
● Use the recommended viscosity engine oil.
For additional information, refer to “Engine
oil and oil filter recommendations” in the
“Technical and consumer information” sec-
tion of this manual.
WARNING
● For 4WD equipped vehicles, do not at-
tempt to raise two wheels off the
ground and shift the transmission to
any drive or reverse position with the
engine running. Doing so may result in
drivetrain damage or unexpected ve-
hicle movement which could result in
serious vehicle damage or personal
injury.
● Do not attempt to test a 4WD equipped
vehicle on a 2-wheel dynamometer
(such as the dynamometers used by
some states, provinces or territories for
emissions testing) , or similar equip-
ment even if the other two wheels are
raised off the ground. Make sure you
inform test facility personnel that your
vehicle is equipped with 4WD before it
is placed on a dynamometer. Using the
wrong test equipment may result in
drivetrain damage or unexpected ve-
hicle movement which could result in
serious vehicle damage or personal
injury.
CAUTION
● Do not drive the vehicle in the 4H or 4LO
position on dry hard surface roads. Driv-
ing on dry, hard surfaces in 4H or 4LO
may cause unnecessary noise, tire wear
and increased fuel consumption.
If the 4WD warning light turns on when
you are driving on dry hard surface
roads:
– in the 4H position, shift the 4WD shift switch to 2WD.
– in the 4LO position, stop the vehicle, move the shift lever to the N position
with the brake pedal depressed, and
shift the 4WD shift switch to 2WD.
● If the warning light is still on after the
above operation, have your vehicle
checked by a NISSAN dealer as soon as
possible.
● The transfer case may be damaged if
you continue driving with the warning
light blinking.
INCREASING FUEL ECONOMYUSING 4-WHEEL DRIVE
(4WD) (if so equipped)
Starting and driving5-23

The 4WD shift switch electronically controls the
transfer case operation. Rotate the switch to
move between each mode, 2WD, AUTO, 4H and
4LO.
You must push the switch in to select 4LO,
and the vehicle MUST be stationary and the
shift lever in the N position 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 unexpectedly move even
if the automatic transmission is in the P
position.
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 vehicle
speed excessively, as the maximum speed
is approximately 31 MPH (50 km/h).
● When driving straight, shift the 4WD
shift switch to the 2WD, AUTO 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, AUTO and 4H) while driving
on steep downhill grades. Use the engine
brake and low automatic transmission
gears (D1 or D2) for engine braking.
● Do not operate the 4WD shift switch
(between 2WD, AUTO 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 or AUTO
position under these conditions.
●The 4WD transfer case may not be shifted
between 4H and 4LO at low ambient tem-
peratures 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 AUTO, 4H or
4LO.
● Drive carefully according to the road surface
conditions.
When the vehicle is stuck, ● Set the 4WD shift switch to 4H or 4LO.
● If it is difficult to free the vehicle, repeat
forward and backward movement to in-
crease the movement.
● If the vehicle is stuck deep in mud, place
stones or wooden blocks under the tires.
Then try the recovery procedures above. Tire
chains may be effective.
CAUTION
● Do not spin the tires excessively. Tires
will sink deep into the mud, making it
difficult to free the vehicle.
● Avoid shifting gears with the engine
running at high speeds as this may
cause malfunction.
5-26Starting and driving