To remove the key from the ignition switch:1. Shift the shift lever to the P (Park) position with the ignition switch in the ON position.
2. Place the ignition switch to the LOCK posi- tion.
3. Remove the key from the ignition.
If the shift lever is shifted to the P (Park) position
after the ignition switch is placed in the OFF
position or when the ignition switch cannot be
turned to the LOCK position, proceed as follows
to remove the key. 1. Move the shift lever into the P (Park) posi- tion.
2. Turn the ignition key slightly toward the ON position.
3. Turn the key to the LOCK position.
4. Remove the key.
The shift lever is designed so it cannot moved out
of P (Park) and into any of the other gear posi-
tions if the ignition key is turned to OFF position
or if the key is removed from the switch.
The shift lever can be moved if the ignition
switch is in the ON position and the foot
brake pedal is depressed. There is an OFF position between the
LOCK and ON positions. The OFF position
is indicated by a “1” on the ignition switch.
When the ignition is in the OFF position,
the steering wheel is not locked (for mod-
els with a steering lock mechanism) .
In order for the steering wheel to be locked, it
must be turned about 1/8 of a turn clockwise
from the straight up position.
To lock the steering wheel, turn the key to
the LOCK position. Remove the key. To
unlock the steering wheel, insert the key
and turn it gently while rotating the steer-
ing wheel slightly right and left.
If the key will not turn from the LOCK posi-
tion, turn the steering wheel to the left or
right while turning the key to unlock the key
cylinder.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION (if so
equipped)
The ignition switch includes a device that helps
prevent accidental removal of the key while driv-
ing.
The key can only be removed when the ignition
switch is in the LOCK position.
On manual transmission models, to turn the igni-
tion switch to the LOCK position from the ACC or
ON position, place the ignition switch in the OFF
position, push the key in, then place the ignition
switch in LOCK position.
WSD0052
Starting and driving5-11
KEY POSITIONS
LOCK: Normal parking position (0)
OFF: (Not used) (1)
ACC: (Accessories) (2)
This position activates electrical accessories
such as the radio when the engine is not running.
ON: Normal operating position (3)
This position turns on the ignition system and the
electrical accessories.
START: (4)
This position starts the engine. As soon as the
engine has started, release the key. It automati-
cally returns to the ON position.
NISSAN VEHICLE IMMOBILIZER
SYSTEM (if so equipped)
The NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System will not
allow the engine to start without the use of the
registered key.
If the engine fails to start using a registered key
(for example, when interference is caused by
another registered key, an automated toll road
device or automatic payment device on the key
ring) , restart the engine using the following pro-
cedures:1. Leave the ignition switch in the ON position for approximately 5 seconds.
2. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF or LOCK position, and wait approximately 10 sec-
onds.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2.
4. Restart the engine while holding the device (which may have caused the interference)
separate from the registered key.
If the no start condition re-occurs, NISSAN rec-
ommends placing the registered key on a sepa-
rate key ring to avoid interference from other
devices. ●
Make sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.
● Check fluid levels such as engine oil, cool-
ant, brake and clutch fluid (if so equipped) ,
and windshield-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.
● Check that all doors are closed.
● Position seat and adjust head
restraints/headrests.
● Adjust inside and outside mirrors.
● Fasten the seat belt and ask all passengers
to do likewise.
● Check the operation of warning lights when
the key is turned to the ON position. For
additional information, refer to “Warning
lights, indicator lights and audible remind-
ers” in the “Instruments and controls” sec-
tion of this manual.
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
5-12Starting and driving
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 the automatic transmission system checked
as soon as possible. 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.
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.
Overdrive (O/D) OFF switch
Each time your vehicle is started, the transmis-
sion is automatically “reset” to overdrive ON.
ON: With the engine running and the shift lever in the D (Drive) position,
the transmission upshifts into over-
drive as vehicle speed increases.
Overdrive does not engage until the engine
has reached operating temperature.
WSD0045
Starting and driving5-17
OFF: For driving up and down longslopes where engine braking is nec-
essary push the overdrive switch
once. The O/D OFF indicator light
in the instrument panel comes on at
this time.
When cruising at a low speed or climbing a
gentle slope, you may feel uncomfortable shift
shocks as the transmission shifts into and out of
overdrive repeatedly. In this case, depress the
overdrive switch to turn the overdrive off. The
O/D OFF indicator light in the instrument panel
comes on at this time.
When driving conditions change, depress the
overdrive switch to turn the overdrive on.
Remember not to drive at high speeds for ex-
tended periods of time with the overdrive off. This
reduces fuel economy.
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.
CAUTION
●Do not rest your foot on the clutch pedal
while driving. This may cause clutch
damage.
● Fully depress the clutch pedal before
shifting to help prevent transmission
damage.
● Stop your vehicle completely before
shifting into R (Reverse) .
● When the vehicle is stopped with the
engine running (for example, at a stop
light) , shift to N (Neutral) and release
the clutch pedal with the foot brake
applied.
Shifting
To change gears, or when upshifting or down-
shifting, depress the clutch pedal fully, shift into
the appropriate gear, then release the clutch
slowly and smoothly.
To ensure smooth gear changes, fully depress
the clutch pedal before operating the shift lever. If
the clutch pedal is not fully depressed before the
transmission is shifted, a gear noise may be
heard. Transmission damage could occur.
Start the vehicle in 1st gear and shift to 2nd, 3rd,
4th, 5th and 6th gear in sequence according to
vehicle speed.
5 - speed
WSD0154
5-18Starting and driving
2–wheel drive models (VQ40DE engine)
GEARmph (km/h)
1st 35 (56)
2nd 60 (97)
3rd 87 (141)
4th —
5th —
4–wheel drive models (VQ40DE engine)
2H/4H position
GEARmph (km/h)
1st 33 (54)
2nd 58 (93)
3rd 84 (135)
4th —
5th —
6th —
4L position
GEARmph (km/h)
1st 12 (20)
2nd 22 (35)
3rd 32 (51)
4th 43 (70)
5th 55 (89)
6th —
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:
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) position.
Automatic transmission models:
Move the shift lever to the P (Park) position.
3. While pulling up on the parking brake lever slightly, push the button
Band lower the
lever completely.
4. Before driving, be sure the brake warning light goes out.
WSD0048
PARKING BRAKE
5-20Starting and driving
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 in the instrument panel then blinks to
warn the driver. ●
If the SET indicator light blinks, turn the
cruise control main switch off and have the
system checked. It is recommended that you
visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
● The SET indicator light may blink when the
cruise control main switch is turned ON
while pushing the ACCEL/RES,
COAST/SET, or CANCEL switch (located
on the steering wheel) . To properly set the
cruise control system, use the following pro-
cedures.
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.
CAUTION
On manual transmission models, do not
shift into N (Neutral) without depressing
the clutch pedal when the cruise control is
set. Should this occur, depress the clutch
pedal and turn the main switch off imme-
diately. Failure to do so may cause engine
damage.
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 main
switch. The CRUISE indicator light in the instru-
ment panel comes on.
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
instrument panel comes on. 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.
LSD0159
CRUISE CONTROL (if so equipped)
Starting and driving5-21
●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 instrument panel goes out.
● Tap the brake pedal; the SET indicator light
goes out.
● Turn the main switch off. Both the CRUISE
indicator light and SET indicator light in the
instrument panel go out.
The cruise control is automatically canceled and
the SET light in the instrument panel goes out if: ● you depress the brake or clutch pedal (if so
equipped) while pushing the ACCEL/RES
or COAST/SET switch. The preset speed is
deleted from memory.
● the vehicle slows down more than 8 mph
(13 km/h) below the set speed.
● you depress the clutch pedal (manual trans-
mission) , or move the shift lever to N (Neu-
tral) (automatic transmission) . To reset at a faster cruising speed,
use one of
the following three methods.
● Depress the accelerator pedal. When the
vehicle attains the desired speed, push and
release the COAST/SET switch.
● Push and hold the ACCEL/RES switch.
When the vehicle attains the speed you de-
sire, release the switch.
● Push and release the ACCEL/RES switch.
Each time you do this, the set speed in-
creases by about 1 mph (1.6 km/h).
To reset at a slower cruising speed, use one
of the following three methods.
● Lightly tap the brake pedal. When the ve-
hicle attains the desired speed, push the
COAST/SET switch and release it.
● Push and hold the COAST/SET switch. Re-
lease the switch when the vehicle slows to
the desired speed.
● Push and release the COAST/SET switch.
Each time you do this, the set speed de-
creases by about 1 mph (1.6 km/h).
To resume the preset speed, push and re-
lease the ACCEL/RES switch. The vehicle re-
turns to the last set cruising speed when the
vehicle speed is over 25 mph (40 km/h).CAUTION
During the first 1,200 miles (2,000 km),
follow these recommendations to obtain
maximum engine performance and ensure
the future reliability and economy of your
new vehicle. Failure to follow these rec-
ommendations may result in shortened
engine life and reduced engine
performance.
● Avoid driving for long periods at constant
speed, either fast or slow, and do not run the
engine over 4,000 RPM.
● Do not accelerate at full throttle in any gear.
● Avoid quick starts.
● Avoid hard braking as much as possible.
● Do not tow a trailer for the first 500 mi
(805 km) . Your engine, axle or other parts
could be damaged.
BREAK-IN SCHEDULE
5-22Starting and driving
Follow these easy-to-use Fuel Efficient Driving
Tips to help you achieve the most fuel economy
from your vehicle.1. Use Smooth Accelerator and Brake
Pedal Application
● Avoid rapid starts and stops.
● Use smooth, gentle accelerator and
brake application whenever possible.
● Maintain constant speed while commut-
ing and coast whenever possible.
2. Maintain Constant Speed
● Look ahead to try and anticipate and mini-
mize stops.
● Synchronizing your speed with traffic
lights allows you to reduce your number
of stops.
● Maintaining a steady speed can minimize
red light stops and improve fuel effi-
ciency.
3. Use Air Conditioning (A/C) at Higher
Vehicle Speeds
● Below 40 mph (64 km/h), it is more effi-
cient to open windows to cool the vehicle
due to reduced engine load. ●
Above 40 mph (64 km/h), it is more effi-
cient to use A/C to cool the vehicle due to
increased aerodynamic drag.
● Recirculating the cool air in the cabin
when the A/C is on reduces cooling load.
4. Drive at Economical Speeds and Dis-
tances
● Observing the speed limit and not ex-
ceeding 60 mph (97 km/h) (where legally
allowed) can improve fuel efficiency due
to reduced aerodynamic drag.
● Maintaining a safe following distance be-
hind other vehicles reduces unnecessary
braking.
● Safely monitoring traffic to anticipate
changes in speed permits reduced brak-
ing and smooth acceleration changes.
● Select a gear range suitable to road con-
ditions.
5. Use Cruise Control
● Using cruise control during highway driv-
ing helps maintain a steady speed.
● Cruise control is particularly effective in
providing fuel savings when driving on flat
terrains. 6.
Plan for the Shortest Route
● Utilize a map or navigation system to de-
termine the best route to save time.
7. Avoid Idling
● Shutting off your engine when safe for
stops exceeding 30–60 seconds saves
fuel and reduces emissions.
8. Buy an Automated Pass for Toll Roads
● Automated passes permit drivers to use
special lanes to maintain cruising speed
through the toll and avoid stopping and
starting.
9. Winter Warm Up
● Limit idling time to minimize impact to fuel
economy.
● Vehicles typically need no more than
30 seconds of idling at start-up to effec-
tively circulate the engine oil before driv-
ing.
● Your vehicle will reach its ideal operating
temperature more quickly while driving
versus idling.
FUEL EFFICIENT DRIVING TIPS
Starting and driving5-23