2017 NISSAN ALTIMA Owners Manual

●In the manual shift mode, the transmis-
sion may shift up automatically to a
higher range than selected if the en-
gine speed is too high. When the ve-
hicle speed decreases, the transmis-
sion automatically shifts down and
shifts to 1st gear before the vehicle
comes to a stop.
● CVT operation is limited to automatic drive
mode when CVT fluid temperature is ex-
tremely low even if manual shift mode is
selected. This is not a malfunction. When
CVT fluid warms up, manual mode can be
selected.
● When the CVT fluid temperature is high, the
shift range may upshift in lower rpm than
usual. This is not a malfunction.
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.
It will be necessary to jump start or have your
battery charged. For additional information, refer
to “Jump starting” in the “In case of emergency”
section of this manual. Contact a NISSAN dealer
or a professional towing service.
To move the shift lever, complete the following
procedure:
1.
Push the ignition switch to the LOCK position.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Using a protective cloth on the tip ofa3mm screwdriver, remove the shift lock release
cover.
● If available, a plastic trim tool can also be
used.
4. Insert the small screwdriver in the shift lock release slot and push down.
5. Move the shift lever to the N (Neutral) posi- tion while holding down the shift lock re-
lease.
If the shift lever cannot be moved out of P (Park) ,
have the transmission checked as soon as pos-
sible. It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.
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.
LSD2087
5-18Starting and driving

Overdrive (O/D) OFF mode switch (if
so equipped)
When the O/D 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
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 D (Drive)
and Ds (Drive Sport) , the Overdrive OFF mode
will automatically turn 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.
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 temperatures 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 con-
ditions, such as excessive wheel spinning
and subsequent hard braking, the fail-safesystem may be activated. The Malfunction
Indicator Light (MIL) may come on to indi-
cate the fail-safe mode is activated. For
additional information, refer to “Malfunc-
tion Indicator Light (MIL)” in the “Instru-
ments 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 push 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 the transmission checked.
It is recommended that 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.
Overdrive off mode
LSD2090
Starting and driving5-19

1. To engage, firmly depress the foot brake.
2. To release:●Move the shift lever to the P (Park) posi-
tion.
● Firmly depress the parking brake pedal
and it will release.
● Before driving, be sure the brake warning
light goes out.
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.
WARNING
Failure to follow the warnings and instruc-
tions for proper use of the BSW system
could result in serious injury or death.
● The BSW system is not a replacement
for proper driving procedures and is not
designed to prevent contact with ve-
hicles or objects. When changing lanes,
always use the side and rear mirrors
and turn and look in the direction your
vehicle will move to ensure it is safe to
change lanes. Never rely solely on the
BSW system.
The BSW system helps alert the driver of other
vehicles in adjacent lanes when changing lanes.
LSD2177
PARKING BRAKE BLIND SPOT WARNING (BSW) (if so
equipped)
5-20Starting and driving

The BSW system uses radar sensors1in-
stalled near the rear bumper to detect other ve-
hicles in an adjacent lane. The radar sensors can detect vehicles on either
side of your vehicle within the detection zone
shown as illustrated. This detection zone starts
from the outside mirror of your vehicle and ex-
tends approximately 10 ft (3.0 m) behind the rear
bumper, and approximately 10 ft (3.0 m) side-
ways.
LSD2475
Detection zone
SSD1030
Starting and driving5-21

1. Side BSW/RCTA Indicator Light
2. BSW/RCTA Indicator
BSW SYSTEM OPERATION
The BSW system operates above approximately
20 mph (32 km/h).
If the radar sensors detect a vehicle in the detec-
tion zone, the BSW/RCTA indicator light (1) illu-
minates. If the turn signal is then activated, the
system chimes (twice) and the BSW/RCTA indi-
cator light flashes. The BSW indicator light con-
tinues to flash until the detected vehicle leaves
the detection zone.
The BSW/RCTA indicator light illuminates for a
few seconds when the ignition switch is placed in
the ON position.
The brightness of the BSW/RCTA indicator light
is adjusted automatically depending on the
brightness of the ambient light.
If a vehicle comes into the detection zone after
the driver activates the turn signal, then only the
side BSW/RCTA indicator light flashes and no
chime sounds. For additional information, refer to
“BSW driving situations” in this section.
The BSW system automatically turns on every
time the engine is started, as long as it is acti-
vated using the settings menu on the vehicle
information display.
LSD2476
5-22Starting and driving

HOW TO ENABLE/DISABLE THE
BSW SYSTEM
Perform the following steps to enable or disable
the BSW system.1. Press the
button until “Settings” dis-
plays in the vehicle information display and
then press ENTER. Use the
button to
select “Driver Assistance”. Then press the
ENTER button.
2. Select “Driving Aids” and press the ENTER button.
3. Select “Blind Spot” and press the ENTER button.
4. Use the ENTER button to turn the system on or off.
NOTE: ● When enabling/disabling the system, the
system will retain current settings even if the
engine is restarted.
● The RCTA system (if so equipped) is inte-
grated into the BSW system. There is not a
separate selection in the vehicle information
display for the RCTA system. When the
BSW is disabled, the RCTA system is also
disabled.
LSD2477
Starting and driving5-23

●When the BSW system is turned on, the
BSW/RCTA indicator (white) in the vehicle
information display illuminates.
BSW SYSTEM LIMITATIONS
WARNING
Listed below are the system limitations for
the BSW system. Failure to operate the
vehicle in accordance with these system
limitations could result in serious injury or
death.
● The BSW system cannot detect all ve-
hicles under all conditions.
● The radar sensors may not be able to
detect and activate BSW when certain
objects are present such as:
– Pedestrian, bicycles, animals.
– Vehicles such as motorcycles, low height vehicles, or high ground clear-
ance vehicles.
– Oncoming vehicles.
– Vehicles remaining in the detection zone when you accelerate from a
stop. – A vehicle merging into an adjacent
lane at a speed approximately the
same as your vehicle.
– A vehicle approaching rapidly from behind.
– A vehicle which your vehicle over- takes rapidly.
– A vehicle that passes through the de- tection zone quickly.
– When overtaking several vehicles in a row, the vehicles after the first ve-
hicle may not be detected if they are
traveling close together.
● The radar sensors’ detection zone is
designed based on a standard lane
width. When driving in a wider lane,
the radar sensors may not detect ve-
hicles in an adjacent lane. When driv-
ing in a narrow lane, the radar sen-
sors may detect vehicles driving two
lanes away.
● The radar sensors are designed to
ignore most stationary objects, how-
ever objects such as guardrails,
walls, foliage and parked vehicles
may occasionally be detected. This is
a normal operation condition. ●
The following conditions may reduce
the ability of the radar to detect other
vehicles:
– Severe weather
– Road spray
– Ice/frost/snow build-up on the vehicle
– Dirt build-up on the vehicle
● Do not attach stickers (including trans-
parent material) , install accessories or
apply additional paint near the radar
sensors. These conditions may reduce
the ability of the radar to detect other
vehicles.
● Excessive noise (for example, audio
system volume, open vehicle window)
will interfere with the chime sound, and
it may not be heard.
5-24Starting and driving

BSW DRIVING SITUATIONS
Indicator
on
Indicator
off
Indicator
flashing
Another vehicle approaching from
behind
Illustration 1:The side BSW/RCTA indicator
light illuminates if a vehicle enters the detection
zone from behind in an adjacent lane.
Illustration 2:If the driver activates the turn
signal when another vehicle is in the detection
zone, then the system chimes (twice) and the
side indicator light flashes.
NOTE:
● The radar sensors may not detect vehicles
which are approaching rapidly from behind.
● If the driver activates the turn signal before a
vehicle enters the detection zone, the side
indicator light will flash but no chime will
sound when the other vehicle is detected.
Illustration 1 – Approaching from behind
LSD2299
Illustration 2 – Approaching from behind
LSD2300
Starting and driving5-25