WARNING
.Make sure the hood is completely
closed and latched before driving.
Failure to do so could cause the
hood to fly open and result in an
accident.
. If you see steam or smoke coming
from the engine compartment, to
avoid injury do not open the hood.
SPA2412
When opening the hood:
1. Pull the hood release handle
*1located
below the instrument panel; the hood will
then spring up slightly.
2. Pull the lever
*2up at the front of the hood
with your fingertips.
3. Raise the hood.
4. Remove the support rod from the hood and insert it into the slot
*3.
Hold the coated part
*Awhen removing or
resetting the support rod. Avoid direct
contact with the metal parts, as they may
be hot immediately after the engine has
been stopped. When closing the hood:
1. While supporting the hood, retune the
support rod to its original position.
2. Slowly lower the hood to about 8 to 12 in (20 to 30cm) above the hood lock, then let it
drop.
3. Make sure it is securely latched.
Pre-driving checks and adjustments3-9
HOOD
SPA2415
OPENING THE FUEL-FILLER DOOR
To open the fuel-filler door, pull the left side of
the door.
SPA2338
FUEL-FILLER CAP
To remove the fuel-filler cap:
1. Turn the fuel-filler cap counterclockwise toremove.
2. Put the fuel-filler cap on the cap holder
*Awhile refueling.
To install the fuel-filler cap:
1. Insert the fuel-filler cap straight into the fuel- filler tube.
2. Turn the fuel-filler cap clockwise until a single click is heard.
WARNING
.Gasoline is extremely flammable
and highly explosive under certain
conditions. You could be burned or
seriously injured if it is misused or
mishandled. Always stop engine
and do not smoke or allow open
flames or sparks near the vehicle
when refueling.
. Do not attempt to top off the fuel
tank after the fuel pump nozzle
shuts off automatically. Continued
refueling may cause fuel overflow,
resulting in fuel spray and possibly
a fire.
. Use only an original equipment type
fuel-filler cap as a replacement. It
has a built-in safety valve needed
for proper operation of the fuel
system and emission control sys-
tem. An incorrect cap can result in a
serious malfunction and possible
injury. It could also cause the mal-
function indicator light to come on.
. Never pour fuel into the throttle
body to attempt to start your vehi-
cle.
Pre-driving checks and adjustments3-11
FUEL-FILLER DOOR
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
JVS0097X
Overdrive (O/D) OFF switch
When the O/D OFF switch is pushed with the
shift lever in the D (Drive) position, the
indicator light in the instrument panel illuminates.
Use the overdrive off mode when you need
improved engine braking.
To turn off the overdrive off mode, push the O/D
OFF switch again. The
indicator light will
turn off.
Each time the engine is started, or when the shift
lever is shifted to any position other than the D
(Drive) position, the overdrive off mode will be
automatically turned off.
Accelerator downshift — In D position —
For passing or hill climbing, fully depress the
accelerator pedal to the floor. This shifts the
transmission 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
conditions, such as excessive wheel spin-
ning and subsequent hard braking, the
fail-safe system may be activated. The MIL
may illuminate to indicate the fail-safe
mode is activated. (See “Malfunction In-
dicator Light (MIL)” (P.2-15) .) This will
occur even if all electrical circuits are
functioning properly. In this case, turn the
ignition switch to the OFF position and wait for 10 seconds. Then turn the 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 a NISSAN dealer
check the transmission and repair if ne-
cessary.
WARNING
When the high fluid temperature pro-
tection 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 careful when driving. If ne-
cessary, pull to the side of the road at a
safe place and allow the transmission
to return to normal operation, or have it
repaired if necessary.
Starting and driving5-15
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)
5-22Starting and driving
ning.
. Engine idling speed is high while
warming up the engine. Be espe-
cially careful when starting or driv-
ing on slippery surfaces.
. When turning the vehicle in LOCK
mode on paved roads, you may feel
a braking effect. This is a normal
condition of the AWD model.
SSD0336B
AWD WARNING LIGHT
The AWD warning light is located in the meter.
The AWD warning light illuminates when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON position. It
turns off soon after the engine is started.
If any malfunction occurs in the AWD system while the engine is running, the warning light will
come on.
The warning light may blink rapidly (about twice
per second) while trying to free a stuck vehicle
due to high powertrain oil temperature. The
driving mode may change to 2WD. AUTO mode
may change to LOCK mode before the warning
light blinks. If the warning light blinks rapidly
during operation, stop the vehicle with the
engine idling in a safe place immediately. Then
if the light turns off after a while, you can
continue driving.
A large difference between the diameters of
front and rear wheels will make the warning light
blink slowly (about once per two seconds) . Pull
off the road in a safe area, and idle the engine.
Check that all tire sizes are the same, tire
pressure is correct and tires are not worn.
CAUTION
.
If the warning light remains on after
the above operation, have your
vehicle checked by a NISSAN dealer
as soon as possible.
. If the warning light comes on while
driving there may be a malfunction
in the AWD system. Reduce the
vehicle speed and have your vehicle
checked by a NISSAN dealer as
soon as possible.
. The powertrain may be damaged if
you continue driving with the warn-
ing light blinking rapidly.
. Never drive on dry hard surface
roads in the LOCK mode, as this
will overload the powertrain and
may cause a serious malfunction.
SSD0488
WARNING
.Do not stop or park the vehicle over
flammable materials such as dry
grass, waste paper or rags. They
may ignite and cause a fire.
. Safe parking procedures require
that both the parking brake be set
and the transmission placed into P
(Park) . Failure to do so could cause
the vehicle to move unexpectedly or
roll away and result in an accident.
Make sure the shift lever has been
pushed as far forward as it can go and cannot be moved without de-
pressing the foot brake pedal.
. Never leave the engine running
while the vehicle is unattended.
. Do not leave children unattended
inside the vehicle. They could un-
knowingly activate switches or con-
trols. Unattended children could
become involved in serious acci-
dents.
1. Firmly apply the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever to the P (Park) position.
Starting and driving5-23
PARKING/PARKING ON HILLS