INDICATORS FOR OPERATION
The design of the warnings and alerts may differ
depending on the model.
1. Door open warning
This warning appears if any of the doors are
open or not closed securely. The vehicle icon
indicates which door is open on the display.
2. Lift gate open warning
This warning appears if the lift gate is open or
not closed securely. When theswitch is
pushed, the lift gate open warning turns off.
3. 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” (P.3-11) .)
4. Check tire pressure warning
This warning appears when the low tire pressure
warning light in the meter illuminates and low tire
pressure is detected. The warning appears each
time the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position as long as the low tire pressure warning
light remains illuminated. If this warning appears,
stop the vehicle and adjust the tire pressure to
the recommended COLD tire pressure shown
on the Tire and Loading Information label. The
check tire pressure warning turns off after a period of time. (See “Low tire pressure warning
light” (P.2-12) and “Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)” (P.5-3) .)
5. Parking brake release warning
This warning appears when the vehicle speed is
above 4 MPH (7 km/h) and the parking brake is
applied.
6. Setting menu operation warning
The warning appears when you try to operate
the setting menu while driving. The setting menu
can only be entered when the vehicle is
stationary.
7. Low outside temperature warning
This warning appears if the outside temperature
drops below 378F(3
8C) with the ignition switch
in the ON position. The outside temperature
display flashes at the same time. These warning
features can be turned off. (See “Trip computer”
(P.2-21) .)
8. Low fuel warning
This warning appears when the fuel level in the
tank is getting low. Refuel as soon as it is
convenient, preferably before the fuel gauge
reaches the empty (0) position.
There is a small reserve of fuel remaining
in the tank when the fuel gauge reaches
the empty (0) position.
9. Driver alert
This warning appears when the previously set
time for a break is reached. You can set the time
for up to 6 hours in the setting menu. (See “Trip
computer” (P.2-21).)
10. Cruise control indicator (if so
equipped)
The cruise main switch indicator (CRUISE) is
displayed when the cruise control main switch is
pushed. When the main switch is pushed again,
the CRUISE indicator disappears. When the
CRUISE indicator is displayed, the cruise
control system is operational.
The cruise control set indicator (SET) is
displayed while the vehicle speed is controlled
by the cruise control system. If the SET indicator
blinks while the engine is running, it may indicate
that the cruise control system is not functioning
properly. Have the system checked by a
NISSAN dealer.
For more details, see “Cruise control” (P.5-17) .
11. Extended storage fuse warning (if so
equipped)
This warning may appear if the extended storage
fuse switch is not pushed in (switched on) .
When this warning appears, push in (switch on)
the extended storage fuse switch to turn off the
Instruments and controls2-19
5 Starting and driving
Precautions when starting and driving ................................ 5-2Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) ...................................... 5-2
Three-way catalyst .............................................................. 5-3
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) .................... 5-3
Avoiding collision and rollover ......................................... 5-5
On-pavement and off-road driving precautions .......... 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 Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) ................... 5-9
Key positions ..................................................................... 5-10
Before starting the engine ................................................... 5-10
Starting the engine ................................................................ 5-11
Driving the vehicle ................................................................. 5-12 Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) ................ 5-12
Parking brake ........................................................................\
.. 5-16
Cruise control (if so equipped) .......................................... 5-17 Precautions on cruise control ....................................... 5-17
Cruise control operations ............................................... 5-18 Break-in schedule ................................................................. 5-19
Fuel efficient driving tips ..................................................... 5-19
Increasing fuel economy ...................................................... 5-20
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) (if so equipped) ........................ 5-20
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) lock switch operations ..... 5-21
AWD warning light ........................................................ 5-22
Parking/parking on hills ........................................................ 5-23
Electric power steering system ......................................... 5-24
Brake system ........................................................................\
.. 5-25 Braking precautions ...................................................... 5-25
Parking brake break-in .................................................. 5-25
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ............................... 5-25
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system ......................... 5-27
Cold weather driving ............................................................ 5-28 Freeing a frozen door lock ........................................... 5-28
Anti-freeze ........................................................................\
5-28
Battery ........................................................................\
....... 5-28
Draining of coolant water ............................................. 5-28
Tire equipment ................................................................ 5-29
Special winter equipment ............................................ 5-29
Driving on snow or ice ................................................. 5-29
may cause a collision and result in
personal injury.
.The vehicle generally moves or pulls
in the direction of the flat tire.
. Do not rapidly apply the brakes.
. Do not rapidly release the accelera-
tor pedal.
. Do not rapidly turn the steering
wheel.
1. Remain calm and do not overreact.
2. Maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel with both hands and try to hold a straight
course.
3. When appropriate, slowly release the accel- erator pedal to gradually slow the vehicle.
4. Gradually steer the vehicle to a safe location off the road and away from traffic if possible.
5. Lightly apply the brake pedal to gradually stop the vehicle.
6. Turn on the hazard warning flashers and either contact a roadside emergency service
to change the tire or see “Changing a flat
tire” (P.6-3) of this Owner’s Manual.DRINKING ALCOHOL/DRUGS AND
DRIVING
WARNING
Never drive under the influence of
alcohol or drugs. Alcohol in the blood-
stream reduces coordination, delays
reaction time and impairs judgement.
Driving after drinking alcohol increases
the likelihood of being involved in an
accident injuring yourself and others.
Additionally, if you are injured in an
accident, alcohol can increase the se-
verity of the injury.
NISSAN is committed to safe driving. However,
you must choose not to drive under the influence
of alcohol. Every year thousands of people are
injured or killed in alcohol-related accidents.
Although the local laws vary on what is
considered to be legally intoxicated, the fact is
that alcohol affects all people differently and
most people underestimate the effects of
alcohol.
Remember, drinking and driving don’t mix! And
that is true for drugs, too (over-the-counter,
prescription, and illegal drugs) . Don’t drive if
your ability to operate your vehicle is impaired by alcohol, drugs, or some other physical condition.
DRIVING SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Your NISSAN is designed for both normal and
off-road use. However, avoid driving in deep
water or mud as your NISSAN is mainly
designed for leisure use, unlike a conventional
off-road vehicle.
Remember that Two-Wheel Drive (2WD) mod-
els are less capable than All-Wheel Drive
(AWD) models for rough road driving and
extrication when stuck in deep snow, mud, or
the like.
Please observe the following precautions:
WARNING
.
Drive carefully when off the road
and avoid dangerous areas. Every
person who drives or rides in this
vehicle should be seated with their
seat belt fastened. This will keep
you and your passengers in position
when driving over rough terrain.
. Do not drive across steep slopes.
Instead drive either straight up or
straight down the slopes. Off-road
vehicles can tip over sideways much
more easily than they can forward or
Starting and driving5-7
5-8Starting and driving
backward.
. Many hills are too steep for any
vehicle. If you drive up them, you
may stall. If you drive down them,
you may not be able to control your
speed. If you drive across them, you
may roll over.
. Do not shift ranges while driving on
downhill grades as this could cause
loss of control of the vehicle.
. Stay alert when driving to the top of
a hill. At the top there could be a
drop-off or other hazard that could
cause an accident.
. If your engine stalls or you cannot
make it to the top of a steep hill,
never attempt to turn around. Your
vehicle could tip or roll over. Always
back straight down in R (Reverse)
range. Never back down in N (Neu-
tral) , using only the brake, as this
could cause loss of control.
. Heavy braking going down a hill
could cause your brakes to overheat
and fade, resulting in loss of control
and an accident. Apply brakes
lightly and use a low range to
control your speed. .
Unsecured cargo can be thrown
around when driving over rough
terrain. Properly secure all cargo
so it will not be thrown forward
and cause injury to you or your
passengers.
. To avoid raising the center of gravity
excessively, do not exceed the rated
capacity of the roof rack (if so
equipped) and evenly distribute the
load. Secure heavy loads in the
cargo area as far forward and as
low as possible. Do not equip the
vehicle with tires larger than speci-
fied in this manual. This could cause
your vehicle to roll over.
. Do not grip the inside or spokes of
the steering wheel when driving off-
road. The steering wheel could
move suddenly and injure your
hands. Instead drive with your fin-
gers and thumbs on the outside of
the rim.
. Before operating the vehicle, ensure
that the driver and all passengers
have their seat belts fastened.
. Always drive with the floor mats in
place as the floor may became hot. .
Lower your speed when encounter-
ing strong crosswinds. With a higher
center of gravity, your NISSAN is
more affected by strong side winds.
Slower speeds ensure better vehicle
control.
. Do not drive beyond the perfor-
mance capability of the tires, even
with AWD engaged.
. For AWD equipped vehicles, do not
attempt 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 un-
expected vehicle movement which
could result in serious vehicle da-
mage or personal injury.
. Do not attempt to test an AWD
equipped vehicle on a 2-wheel dy-
namometer (such as the dynam-
ometers used by some states 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
AWD before it is placed on a
dynamometer. Using the wrong test
equipment may result in drivetrain
damage or unexpected vehicle
movement which could result in
serious vehicle damage or personal
injury.
. When a wheel is off the ground due
to an unlevel surface, do not spin
the wheel excessively. (AWD mod-
els)
. Accelerating quickly, sharp steering
maneuvers or sudden braking may
cause loss of control.
. If at all possible, avoid sharp turning
maneuvers, particularly at high
speeds. Your vehicle has a higher
center of gravity than a conventional
passenger car. The vehicle is not
designed for cornering at the same
speeds as conventional passenger
cars. Failure to operate this vehicle
correctly could result in loss of
control and/or a rollover accident.
. Always use tires of the same type,
size, brand, construction (bias, bias-
belted or radial) , and tread pattern
on all four wheels. Install traction
devices on the front wheels when
driving on slippery roads and drive
carefully. .
Be sure to check the brakes imme-
diately after driving in mud or water.
See “Brake system” (P.5-25) for wet
brakes.
. Avoid parking your vehicle on steep
hills. If you get out of the vehicle
and it rolls forward, backward or
sideways, you could be injured.
. Whenever you drive off-road
through sand, mud or water as deep
as the wheel hub, more frequent
maintenance may be required. See
the maintenance information in the
“NISSAN Service and Maintenance
Guide”.
. Spinning the front wheels on slip-
pery surfaces may cause the AWD
warning light to flash and the AWD
system to automatically switch from
the AWD mode to the 2WD mode.
This could reduce traction. Be espe-
cially careful when towing a trailer.
(AWD models)
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 shift lever is moved to the P (Park)
position.
.When turning the ignition switch to the
LOCK position, make sure that the shift lever
is in the P (Park) position.
. When removing the key from the ignition
switch, make sure that the shift lever is in the
P (Park) position.
Starting and driving5-9
IGNITION SWITCH
5-10Starting and driving
When the ignition switch cannot be turned to
the LOCK position:
1. Move the shift lever to the P (Park) position.
2. Turn the ignition switch slightly in the ONdirection.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position.
4. Remove the key.
If the ignition switch is turned to the LOCK
position, the shift lever cannot be moved from
the P (Park) position. The shift lever can be
moved if the ignition switch is in the ON position
with the foot brake pedal depressed.
The OFF position
*1is between the LOCK and
ACC positions, although it is not marked on the
ignition switch.
KEY POSITIONS
LOCK (0)
The key can only be removed from the ignition
switch at this position.
OFF (1)
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. .
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/
headrests.
. Adjust inside and outside mirrors.
. Fasten seat belts and ask all passengers to
do likewise.
. Check the operation of warning lights when
the ignition key is turned to the ON position.
(See “Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders” (P.2-9).)
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
5-16Starting and driving
SSD0667
Shift lock release
If the battery charge is low or discharged, the
shift lever may not be moved from the P (Park)
position even with the brake pedal depressed
and the shift lever button pushed.
To move the shift lever, release the shift lock.
The shift lever can be moved to the N (Neutral)
position. This allows the vehicle to be moved if
the battery is discharged.
To release the shift lock, perform the following
procedure:
1. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCKposition, and remove the key. 2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Remove the shift lock release cover
*Ausing a suitable tool.
4. Push down the shift lock release
*Busing a
suitable tool.
5. Push the shift lever button
*Cand move the
shift lever to the N (Neutral) position
*Dwhile holding down the shift lock release.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON position. The
vehicle may be moved to the desired location.
Replace the removed shift lock release cover
after the operation.
If the shift 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 shift lever cannot be moved from
the P (Park) position while the engine is
running and the brake pedal is de-
pressed, the stop lights may not work.
Malfunctioning stop lights could cause
an accident injuring yourself and
others.
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
SPA2331
To apply:Fully depress the parking brake pedal
*1.
To release:
1. Firmly apply the foot brake
*2.
2. Depress the parking brake pedal
*1and
the parking brake will be released.
3. Before driving, be sure the brake warning light goes out.
PRECAUTIONS ON CRUISE CON-
TROL
.If the cruise control system malfunctions, it
will cancel automatically. The SET indicator
on the vehicle information display will then
blink to warn the driver.
. If the engine coolant temperature becomes
excessively high, the cruise control system
will cancel automatically.
. If the SET indicator on the vehicle informa-
tion display blinks, turn the cruise control
main switch off and have the system
checked by a NISSAN dealer.
. The SET indicator on the vehicle information
display may blink when the cruise control
main switch is turned ON while pushing the
ACCEL/RES, COAST/SET or CANCEL
switch. To properly set the cruise control
system, perform 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.
Starting and driving5-17
CRUISE CONTROL (if so equipped)