
1. Apply the parking brake.
2.CVT model
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or N (Neu-
tral) . P (Park) is recommended.
The shift lever cannot be moved out of
P (Park) and into any of the other gear
positions if the ignition switch is
turned to the OFF position or if the key
is removed from the ignition switch.
The starter is designed not to operate if
the shift lever is in any of the driving
positions.
Manual transmission model
Depress the clutch pedal to the floor, move
the shift lever to N (Neutral) position, and
crank the engine.
The starter is designed not to operate
unless the clutch pedal is fully de-
pressed.
The Intelligent Key must be carried
when operating the ignition switch.
3. Crank the engine with your foot off the
accelerator pedal by turning the ignition
switch to START. Release the switch when
the engine starts. If the engine starts, but
fails to run, repeat the above procedure. ●
If the engine is very hard to start in ex-
tremely cold weather or when restarting,
depress the accelerator pedal a little (ap-
proximately 1/3 to the floor) and hold it
and then crank the engine. Release the
switch and the accelerator pedal when
the engine starts.
● If the engine is very hard to start because
it is flooded, depress the accelerator
pedal all the way to the floor and hold it.
Crank the engine for 5-6 seconds. After
cranking the engine, release the accel-
erator pedal. Crank the engine with your
foot off the accelerator pedal by turn-
ing the ignition switch to START. Release
the key when the engine starts. If the
engine starts, but fails to run, repeat the
above procedure.
CAUTION
Do not operate the starter for more than
15 seconds at a time. If the engine does
not start, turn the ignition switch to off and
wait 10 seconds before cranking again,
otherwise the starter could be damaged. 4.
Warm-up
Allow the engine to idle for at least 30 sec-
onds after starting. Do not race the engine
while warming it up. Drive at moderate
speed for a short distance first, especially in
cold weather.
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.
STARTING THE ENGINE
5-14Starting and driving 

Overdrive (O/D) OFF switch
When the O/D OFF switch is pushed with the
shift lever in the D (Drive) position, the
light
in the instrument panel illuminates. For additional
information, refer to “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. Each time the engine is started, or when the shift
lever is shifted to any position other than D
(Drive) , the Overdrive off mode will be automati-
cally turned off.
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, the CVT will
not be shifted into the selected driving position.
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. The MIL may
come on to indicate the fail-safe mode is
activated. For additional information, refer
to “Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)” in the
“Instruments and controls” section of this
manual. 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
place the ignition switch back in the ON
position. The vehicle should return to its
normal operating condition. If it does notreturn to its normal operating condition,
have the transmission checked and re-
paired, if necessary. It is recommended you
visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
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 careful
when driving. If necessary, pull to the side
of the road at a safe place and allow the
transmission to return to normal opera-
tion, or have it repaired if necessary.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION (if so
equipped)
WARNING
●
Do not downshift abruptly on slippery
roads. This may cause a loss of control.
● Do not over-rev the engine when shift-
ing to a lower gear. This may cause a
loss of control or engine damage.
LSD2012
5-18Starting and driving 
![NISSAN VERSA NOTE 2016 2.G Owners Manual For quick acceleration in low altitude areas and
high altitude areas (over 4,000 ft [1219 m]):
Gear changemph (km/h)
1st to 2nd 15 (24)
2nd to 3rd 25 (40)
3rd to 4th 40 (64)
4th to 5th 45 (72)
5th — NISSAN VERSA NOTE 2016 2.G Owners Manual For quick acceleration in low altitude areas and
high altitude areas (over 4,000 ft [1219 m]):
Gear changemph (km/h)
1st to 2nd 15 (24)
2nd to 3rd 25 (40)
3rd to 4th 40 (64)
4th to 5th 45 (72)
5th —](/manual-img/5/505/w960_505-288.png)
For quick acceleration in low altitude areas and
high altitude areas (over 4,000 ft [1219 m]):
Gear changemph (km/h)
1st to 2nd 15 (24)
2nd to 3rd 25 (40)
3rd to 4th 40 (64)
4th to 5th 45 (72)
5th —
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.
GEARmph (km/h)
1st 29 (47)
2nd 53 (85)
3rd 78 (125)
4th —
5th —
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 the 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:
Pull the parking brake lever up
A.
To release: 1. Firmly apply the foot brake.
2. Manual transmission models:
Place the shift lever in the N (Neutral) posi-
tion.
Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) models:
Move the shift lever to the P (Park) position.
WSD0048
PARKING BRAKE
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.
● 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
● 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) for
CVT models or in an appropriate gear
for manual transmission models. Fail-
ure to do so could cause the vehicle to
move unexpectedly or roll away and re-
sult in an accident. Make sure the shift lever has been pushed as far forward as
it can go and cannot be moved without
depressing the foot brake pedal.
● Never leave the engine running while
the vehicle is unattended.
SSD0488
INCREASING FUEL ECONOMY PARKING/PARKING ON HILLS
Starting and driving5-25 

●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.
1. Firmly apply the parking brake.
2. Manual transmission models
Place the shift lever in the R (Reverse) posi-
tion. When parking on an uphill grade, place
the shift lever in 1st gear.
Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) models
Move the shift lever into the P (Park) posi-
tion.
3. To help prevent the vehicle from rolling into traffic when parked on an incline, it is a good
practice to turn the wheels as illustrated.
● HEADED DOWNHILL WITH CURB
1:
Turn the wheels into the curb and move the
vehicle forward until the curb side wheel
gently touches the curb. ●
HEADED UPHILL WITH CURB
2:
Turn the wheels away from the curb and
move the vehicle back until the curb side
wheel gently touches the curb.
● HEADED UPHILL OR DOWNHILL, NO
CURB
3:
Turn the wheels toward the side of the road
so the vehicle will move away from the cen-
ter of the road if it moves.
4. Place the ignition switch in the LOCK posi- tion and remove the key.
WARNING
●If the engine is not running or is turned
off while driving, the power assist for
the steering will not work. Steering will
be harder to operate.
●
When the power steering warning light
illuminates with the engine running,
there will be no power assist for the
steering. You will still have control of the
vehicle, but the steering will be harder to
operate. Have the power steering system
checked. It is recommended that you visit
a NISSAN dealer for this service.
The power steering system is designed to pro-
vide power assist while driving to operate the
steering wheel with light force.
When the steering wheel is operated repeatedly
or continuously while parking or driving at a very
low speed, the power assist for the steering
wheel will be reduced. This is to prevent over-
heating of the power steering system and protect
it from getting damaged. While the power assist
is reduced, steering wheel operation will become
heavy. When the temperature of the power steer-
ing system goes down, the power assist level will
return to normal. Avoid repeating such steering
wheel operations that could cause the power
steering system to overheat.
POWER STEERING
5-26Starting and driving 

6 In case of emergency
Hazard warning flasher switch......................6-2
Emergency engine shut off
(Push-button ignition models only) ...................6-2
Flat tire ...........................................6-3
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
(if so equipped) ................................6-3
Changing a flat tire .............................6-3 Jump starting
.................................... 6-12
Push starting ..................................... 6-14
If your vehicle overheats ........................... 6-14
Towing your vehicle ............................... 6-15
Towing recommended by NISSAN ..............6-16
Vehicle recovery (freeing a stuck vehicle) .........6-17 

Push the switch on to warn other drivers when
you must stop or park under emergency condi-
tions. All turn signal lights flash.
WARNING
●If stopping for an emergency, be sure to
move the vehicle well off the road.
● Do not use the hazard warning flashers
while moving on the highway unless
unusual circumstances force you to
drive so slowly that your vehicle might
become a hazard to other traffic.
● Turn signals do not work when the haz-
ard warning flasher lights are on. The flashers will operate with the ignition switch
placed in any position.
Some jurisdictions may prohibit the use of
the hazard warning flasher switch while
driving.
To shut off the engine in an emergency situation
while driving, perform the following procedure:
– Rapidly push the push-button ignition switch
three consecutive times in less than 1.5 sec-
onds, or
– Push and hold the push-button ignition switch for more than 2 seconds.
LIC0394
HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
SWITCH EMERGENCY ENGINE SHUT OFF
(Push-button ignition models only)
6-2In case of emergency 

CAUTION
●Never tow Continuously Variable Trans-
mission (CVT) models with the front
wheels on the ground or 4 wheels on
the ground (forward or backward) , as
this may cause serious and expensive
damage to the transmission. If it is nec-
essary to tow the vehicle with the rear
wheels raised always use towing dollies
under the front wheels.
● When towing Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT) models with the
front wheels on towing dollies, or when
towing manual transmission (M/T)
models with the front wheels on the
ground:
– Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position, and secure the steering
wheel in a straight-ahead position
with a rope or similar device. Never
secure the steering wheel by turning
the ignition switch to the LOCK posi-
tion. This may damage the steering
lock mechanism (for models
equipped with steering lock
mechanism) .
– Move the shift lever to the N (Neutral) position. ●
When towing Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT) or manual trans-
mission (M/T) models with the rear
wheels on the ground (if you do not use
towing dollies): Always release the
parking brake.
● Observe the following restricted towing
speeds and distances for manual trans-
mission (M/T) models only:
– Speed: Below 50 mph (80 km/h)
– Distance: Less than 50 miles (80 km)
VEHICLE RECOVERY (freeing a stuck
vehicle)
There are two options to recover a stuck vehicle:
pulling and rocking. For additional information,
regarding these options, please refer to the fol-
lowing sections.
Pulling a stuck vehicle
WARNING
To avoid vehicle damage, serious personal
injury or death when recovering a stuck
vehicle:
●
Contact a professional towing service to
recover the vehicle if you have any ques-
tions regarding the recovery procedure.
● Tow chains or cables must be attached
only to main structural members of the
vehicle.
● Do not use the vehicle tie-downs to tow
or free a stuck vehicle.
● Only use devices specifically designed
for vehicle recovery and follow the
manufacturer’s instructions.
● Always pull the recovery device straight
out from the front of the vehicle. Never
pull at an angle.
● Route recovery devices so they do not
touch any part of the vehicle except the
attachment point.
In case of emergency6-17