TRANSFER CASE SHIFTING
PROCEDURES
The part time 4WD system provides 3 positions
(2WD, 4H and 4LO) , so you can select the desired
drive mode according to the driving conditions.
2WD or 4WD shift procedure:
4WD Shift SwitchPosition Wheels Driven Indicator Light
Use Conditions 4WD Shift Procedure
4WD shift Transfer 4LO position
2WD
Rear wheels
For driving on dry, paved
roads (Economy drive) Move the 4WD switch.
2WD <—> 4H
4WD shift indicator light will indicate transfer shift posi-
tion engaged.
IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO MOVE THE SHIFT SE-
LECT TO THE N POSITION IN THIS OPERATION.
PERFORM THIS OPERATION WHEN DRIVING
STRAIGHT.
4H
4 wheels
For driving on rocky, sandy
or snow-covered roads
(N) Neutral
*1
May blink (N) Neutral disengages the
automatic transmission me-
chanical parking lock,
which will allow the vehicle
to roll. Do not leave the
transfer shift position in (N)
Neutral.*2 1. Stop the vehicle.
2. With the brake pedal depressed, move the shift
lever to the N position.
3. With the brake pedal depressed, depress and turn the 4WD shift switch to 4LO or 4H.
THE TRANSFER CASE DOES NOT ENGAGE BE-
TWEEN 4H AND 4LO (OR 4LO TO 4H) UNLESS YOU
HAVE FIRST STOPPED THE VEHICLE, DEPRESSED
THE BRAKE PEDAL AND MOVED THE SHIFT LEVER
TO (N) NEUTRAL. *3
4LO
4 wheels
Illuminated For use when maximum
power and traction is re-
quired (for example: on
steep grades or rocky,
sandy, muddy roads)
*1: Before moving the shift lever from (N) Neutral, wait until the 4LO indicator light stays on steady. This indicates that the 4WD shift procedure is completed
and the transfer gear is correctly set in the 4LO position. If the vehicle is shifted into gear before the indicator is on steady, the transfer gear may grind,
not engage correctly or stay in the (N) Neutral position.
Starting and driving5-45
- If the 4WD warning light or vehicle information display warning message illuminates, perform the following procedure to return the transfer case to
correct operating condition.
1. Turn off the engine by turning the ignition switchOFF.
2. Start the engine.
- Check that the 4WD warning light or vehicle information display warning message turns off. If the 4WD light illuminates, have the system checked. It
is recommended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
3. Apply the parking brake, depress the brake pedal and move the shift lever to (N) Neutral position.
4. With the brake pedal depressed, move the 4WD shift switch to desired mode.
- Be sure to wait until the transfer gear change completes before shifting the shift lever from (N) Neutral position.
*2: While changing in and out of 4LO, the ignition key must be ON and the vehicle’s engine must be running for a shift to take place and for the indicator lights (4WD shift and 4LO position indicator) to be operable. Otherwise, the shift will not take place and no indicator lights will be on or flashing.
*3: Make sure the transfer 4LO position indicator light turns on when you shift the 4WD shift switch to 4LO. The
indicator light will also turn on when
4LO is selected. For additional information, refer to “Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system” in this section.
5-46Starting and driving
The transfer case 4WD shift switch is used to
select either 2WD or 4WD depending on the
driving conditions. There are three types of drive
modes available, 2WD, 4H and 4LO.
The 4WD shift switch electronically controls the
transfer case operation. Rotate the switch to
move between each mode, 2WD, 4H and 4LO.
To change into or out of 4LO, the vehicle
MUST be stationary, shift the shift lever to
(N) Neutral, and depress the brake pedal.
The switch must be pushed and turned to
select 4LO.
WARNING
●When parking, apply the parking brake
before stopping the engine and make
sure that the 4WD shift indicator light is
on and the ATP warning light goes off.
Otherwise, the vehicle could unexpect-
edly move even if the automatic trans-
mission is in the P position.
● The 4LO indicator light must stop blink-
ing and remain illuminated or turn off
before shifting the transmission into
gear. If the shift lever is shifted from the
“N” position to any other gear when the
4LO indicator light is blinking, the ve-
hicle may move unexpectedly.
CAUTION
● Never shift the 4WD shift switch be-
tween 4LO and 4H while driving.
● The 4H position provides greater trac-
tion. Avoid excessive speed, as it will
cause increased fuel consumption and
higher oil temperatures, and could
damage drivetrain components. Speeds
over 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4H is not
recommended.
● The 4LO position provides maximum
power and traction. Avoid raising ve-
hicle speed excessively, as the maxi-
mum speed is approximately 31 mph
(50 km/h).
● When driving straight, shift the 4WD
shift switch to the 2WD or 4H position.
Do not move the 4WD shift switch when
making a turn or reversing.
● Do not shift the 4WD shift switch (be-
tween 2WD and 4H) while driving on
steep downhill grades. Use the engine
brake and low automatic transmission
gears (D1 or D2) for engine braking.
● Do not operate the 4WD shift switch
(between 2WD and 4H) with the rear
wheels spinning. ●
Do not drive on dry hard surface roads
in the 4H or 4LO position. Driving on dry
hard surfaces in 4H or 4LO may cause
unnecessary noise and tire wear.
NISSAN recommends driving in the
2WD position under these conditions.
● The 4WD transfer case may not be
shifted between 4H and 4LO at low am-
bient temperatures and the transfer
4LO position indicator light may blink
even when the 4WD shift switch is
shifted. After driving for a while you can
change the 4WD transfer case between
4H and 4LO.
When driving on rough roads, ● Set the 4WD shift switch to 4H or 4LO.
● Drive carefully according to the road surface
conditions.
When the vehicle is stuck, ● Set the 4WD shift switch to 4H or 4LO.
● Place stones or wooden blocks under the
tires to free the vehicle.
Starting and driving5-47
4WD shift indicator light
The 4WD shift indicator light is located in the
vehicle information display.
While the engine is running, the 4WD shift indi-
cator light will illuminate the position selected by
the 4WD shift switch.● The 4WD shift indicator light may come
on while shifting from one drive mode
to the other. When the shifting is com-
pleted, the 4WD shift indicator light will
stay on. ●
If the 4WD warning light or the vehicle infor-
mation display warning message comes on,
the 4WD indicator light goes out.
CAUTION
● If the 4WD shift indicator light indica-
tion changes to 2WD when the 4WD
shift switch is shifted to the 4H position
at low ambient temperatures, the 2WD
mode may be being engaged due to
malfunctioning drive system. If the indi-
cator does not return to normal and the
4WD warning light or the vehicle infor-
mation display warning message
comes on, have the system checked. It
is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN dealer for this service.
LSD2328
Starting and driving5-49
Warning light or warning message
Warning light (if soequipped) Warning message Warning light or warning
message comes on when:
Trip computer (if so
equipped) Vehicle information display
(if so equipped)
Illuminates 4WD ERROR4WD Error: See Owner’s
Manual There is a malfunction in
the 4–wheel drive system
— 4WD TIRES FRT & RR tire size differ-
ence: See Owner’s Manual The difference in wheel ro-
tation is large
The 4WD warning light comes on when the key
switch is turned to ON. It turns off soon after the
engine is started.
If any malfunction occurs in the 4WD system
when the key switch is ON, the warning light will
either remain illuminated or blink.
If the 4WD warning light comes on, the 4WD
shift indicator light goes out.
If the “4WD TIRES” warning message comes on,
change the 4WD shift switch into 2WD and do
not drive fast.
CAUTION
●
If the warning light or warning message
comes on during operation or rapidly
after stopping the vehicle for a while,
have your vehicle checked as soon as
possible. It is recommended that you
visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
● Shifting between 4H and 4LO is not
recommended when the 4WD warning
light or warning message turns on.
●
When the warning light or warning mes-
sage comes on, the 2WD mode may be
engaged even if the 4WD shift switch is in
4H. Be especially careful when driving. If
corresponding parts are malfunctioning,
the 4WD mode will not be engaged even
if the 4WD shift switch is shifted.
5-50Starting and driving
CAUTION
●After using the E-lock system, or during
normal driving, turn the switch off to
prevent possible damage to drivetrain
components from extended use.
● Avoid quick starts while the E-lock sys-
tem is in operation. Otherwise, the
drivetrain components could be
damaged.
● When the E-lock system is in operation,
turning the vehicle becomes difficult.
This can be dangerous, especially at
high speeds. Doing so could damage
drivetrain components.
● Do not operate the E-lock system when
the vehicle is turning or when one side
wheel is rotating. Otherwise, the drive-
train components could be damaged.
● The E-lock system operates only when
the engine is running.
● In 4H mode, the E-lock system does not
operate when the E-lock system switch
is turned to the ON position. (The E-lock
system indicator light will flash.)
● Observe the above cautions. Otherwise,
loss of normal steering control may
result. When the ignition switch is in the OFF position,
ECO management display appears.
1Previous 5 times (History)
2Current fuel economy
3Best fuel economy
The result of ECO evaluation is displayed 30 sec-
onds after the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position and the vehicle is driven at least
1/3 miles (500 meters) .
1The average fuel economy for the previous 5
times will be displayed.
2The average fuel economy since the last
reset will be displayed.
3The best fuel economy of the past history will
be displayed.
The ECO drive report can be set to be ON or
OFF.
LSD2472
ECO DRIVE REPORT (if so equipped)
5-52Starting and driving
4. Lower the vehicle slowly until the tiretouches the ground. Then, with the wheel
nut wrench, tighten the wheel nuts securely
in the sequence illustrated
(
1,2,3,4,5,6) . Lower the vehicle
completely.
WARNING
● Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly
tightened wheel nuts can cause the
wheel to become loose or come off.
This could cause an accident.
● Do not use oil or grease on the wheel
studs or nuts. This could cause the nuts
to become loose.
● Retighten the wheel nuts when the ve-
hicle has been driven for 600 miles
(1,000 km) (also in cases of a flat tire,
etc.) .
As soon as possible, tighten the wheel nuts
to the specified torque with a torque
wrench.
Wheel nut tightening torque:
Non-XD models: 98 ft-lb (133 N·m) XD models:
131 ft-lb (177 N·m)
The wheel nuts must be kept tightened to
specification at all times. It is recom-
mended that wheel nuts be tightened to
specifications at each lubrication interval.
Adjust tire pressure to the COLD pressure.
COLD pressure: After vehicle has been
parked for 3 hours or more or driven less
than 1 mi. (1.6 km) .
COLD tire pressures are shown on the Tire
and Loading Information label affixed to
the driver side center pillar.
After adjusting tire pressure to the COLD
tire pressure, the display(if so equipped) of
the tire pressure information may show
higher pressure than the COLD tire pres-
sure after the vehicle has been driven more
than 1 mi. (1.6 km) . This is because the tire
pressure increases as the tire temperature
rises. This does not indicate a system mal-
function. 5. Securely store the flat tire, tools and jacking equipment in the vehicle. For additional in-
formation about storing the flat tire, refer to
the “Getting the spare tire and tools” in this
section.
WARNING
●Always make sure that the spare tire
and jacking equipment are properly se-
cured after use. Such items can become
dangerous projectiles in an accident or
sudden stop.
● The spare tire is designed for emer-
gency use. For additional information,
refer to “Wheels and tires” in the “Do-
it-yourself” section of this manual.
6-10In case of emergency
Rear-Wheel Drive models
NISSAN recommends that your vehicle be towed
with the driving (rear) wheels off the ground or
place the vehicle on a flat bed truck as illustrated.
CAUTION
●Never tow automatic transmission
models with the rear wheels on the
ground or four wheels on the ground
(forward or backward) , as this may
cause serious and expensive damage to
the transmission. If it is necessary to
tow the vehicle with the front wheels
raised always use towing dollies under
the rear wheels.
● When towing automatic transmission
models with the front wheels on the
ground or on towing dollies:
– Place the ignition switch in 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 placing
the ignition switch in the LOCK posi-
tion. This may cause damage to the
lock mechanism (if so equipped) .
When towing long distances or speeds in excess
of 60 mph (97 km/h), remove the propeller shaft
before towing to prevent damage to the transmis-
sion. It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for more information.
LCE2140
In case of emergency6-15