
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 theshift 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.
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.
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 is activated, the
automatic transmission will be locked in third
gear.
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. This will occur
even if all electrical circuits are functioning
properly. In this case:
● Place the shift lever in the P (Park)
position.
● Place the ignition switch in the OFF
position and wait for 3 seconds.
● Then place the ignition switch back in
the ON position.
The vehicle should return to its normal op-
erating condition. If it does not return to its
normal operating condition, have the trans-
mission checked and repaired, if necessary.
It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.
LSD2007
Starting and driving5-25

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.
● Do not shift to the N (Neutral) position
while driving. Doing so may result in an
accident due to loss of engine braking.
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 up to 5th gear in sequence according to
vehicle speed. On the manual transmission, you cannot shift
directly from 5th gear into R (Reverse) . First shift
into N (Neutral) , then into R (Reverse) .
The shift lever ring returns to its original position
when the shift lever is moved to the N (Neutral)
position.
If it is difficult to move the shift lever into R
(Reverse) or 1 (1st) , shift into N (Neutral) , then
release the clutch pedal. Depress the clutch
pedal again and shift into R (Reverse) or 1 (1st) .
Suggested up-shift speeds
The following are suggested vehicle speeds for
shifting into a higher gear. These suggestions
relate to fuel economy and vehicle performance.
Actual upshift speeds will vary according to road
conditions, the weather and individual driving
habits.
For normal acceleration in low altitude areas (less
than 4,000 ft [1219 m]):
GEAR CHANGE
mph (km/h)
1st to 2nd 9 (14)
2nd to 3rd 12 (19)
3rd to 4th 21 (34)
4th to 5th 28 (45)
5th —
SSD0535
5-26Starting and driving

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. 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.
BREAK-IN SCHEDULE FUEL EFFICIENT DRIVING TIPS
5-30Starting and driving

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. 10.
Keeping your Vehicle Cool
● Park your vehicle in a covered parking
area or in the shade whenever possible.
● When entering a hot vehicle, opening the
windows will help to reduce the inside
temperature faster, resulting in reduced
demand on your A/C system. ●
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.
INCREASING FUEL ECONOMY
Starting and driving5-31

MOST COMMON FACTORS
CONTRIBUTING TO VEHICLE
CORROSION
Most vehicle corrosion is caused by:● The accumulation of moisture-retaining dirt
and debris in body panel sections, cavities,
and other areas.
● Damage to paint and other protective coat-
ings caused by gravel and stone chips or
minor traffic collisions.
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
INFLUENCE THE RATE OF
CORROSION
Moisture
Accumulation of sand, dirt and water on the ve-
hicle body underside can accelerate corrosion.
Wet floor coverings will not dry completely inside
the vehicle and should be removed for drying to
avoid floor panel corrosion.
Relative humidity
Corrosion will be accelerated in areas of high
relative humidity, especially those areas where
the temperatures stay above freezing and where
atmospheric pollution exists and road salt is
used.
Temperature
High temperatures accelerate the rate of corro-
sion to those parts which are not well ventilated.
Air pollution
Industrial pollution, the presence of salt in the air
in coastal areas, or heavy road salt use acceler-
ates the corrosion process. Road salt also accel-
erates the disintegration of paint surfaces.
PROTECT YOUR VEHICLE FROM
CORROSION
●Wash and wax your vehicle often to keep the
vehicle clean.
● Always check for minor damage to the paint
and repair it as soon as possible.
● Keep drain holes at the bottom of the doors
open to avoid water accumulation.
● Check the underbody for accumulation of
sand, dirt or salt. If present, wash with water
as soon as possible.
CAUTION
●NEVER remove dirt, sand or other de-
bris from the passenger compartment
by washing it out with a hose. Remove
dirt with a vacuum cleaner or broom. ●
Never allow water or other liquids to
come in contact with electronic compo-
nents inside the vehicle as this may
damage them.
Chemicals used for road surface de-icing are
extremely corrosive. They accelerate corrosion
and deterioration of underbody components
such as the exhaust system, fuel and brake lines,
brake cables, floor pan and fenders.
In winter, the underbody must be cleaned
periodically.
For additional protection against rust and corro-
sion, which may be required in some areas, it is
recommended that you consult a NISSAN dealer.
CORROSION PROTECTION
Appearance and care7-7

When performing any inspection or maintenance
work on your vehicle, always take care to prevent
serious accidental injury to yourself or damage to
the vehicle. The following are general precau-
tions which should be closely observed.
WARNING
●Park the vehicle on a level surface, apply
the parking brake securely and block the
wheels to prevent the vehicle from mov-
ing. For manual transmission models,
move the shift lever to N (Neutral) . For
Automatic Transmission (A/T) or CVT
models, move the shift lever to P (Park) .
●Be sure the ignition switch is placed in
the OFF or LOCK position when perform-
ing any parts replacement or repairs.
●Your vehicle is equipped with an auto-
matic engine cooling fan. It may come
on at any time without warning, even if
the ignition switch is placed in the OFF
position and the engine is not running.
To avoid injury, always disconnect the
negative battery cable before working
near the fan.
● If you must work with the engine run-
ning, keep your hands, clothing, hair
and tools away from moving fans, belts
and any other moving parts. ●
It is advisable to secure or remove any
loose clothing and remove any jewelry,
such as rings, watches, etc. before
working on your vehicle.
● Always wear eye protection whenever
you work on your vehicle.
● If you must run the engine in an en-
closed space such as a garage, be sure
there is proper ventilation for exhaust
gases to escape.
● Never get under the vehicle while it is
supported only by a jack. If it is neces-
sary to work under the vehicle, support
it with safety stands.
● Keep smoking materials, flame and
sparks away from the fuel tank and
battery.
● Because the fuel lines on gasoline en-
gine models are under high pressure
even when the engine is off, it is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer
for service of the fuel filter or fuel lines.
CAUTION
●Do not work under the hood while the
engine is hot. Turn the engine off and
wait until it cools down. ●
Avoid contact with used engine oil and
coolant. Improperly disposed engine
oil, engine coolant and/or other vehicle
fluids can damage the environment. Al-
ways conform to local regulations for
disposal of vehicle fluid.
● Never leave the engine or the transmis-
sion related component harness con-
nector disconnected while the ignition
switch is in the ON position.
● Never connect or disconnect the battery
or any transistorized component while
the ignition switch is in the ON position.
This “Do-it-yourself” section gives instructions
regarding only those items which are relatively
easy for an owner to perform.
A Genuine NISSAN service manual is also avail-
able. For additional information, refer to “Owner’s
Manual/Service Manual order information” in the
“Technical and consumer information” section of
this manual.
You should be aware that incomplete or improper
servicing may result in operating difficulties or
excessive emissions, and could affect warranty
coverage. If in doubt about any servicing, it
is recommended that you have it done by a
NISSAN dealer.
MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS
8-2Do-it-yourself

●Never pour fuel into the throttle body or
attempt to start the engine with the air
cleaner removed. Doing so could result
in serious injury.
To remove the filter from the air cleaner, release
the retaining clips
A, then release the holders at
the back of the unit. Pull the unit upward
B.
The viscous paper type filter element (if so
equipped) should not be cleaned and reused.
The dry paper type filter element (if so equipped)
may be cleaned and reused. Replace the air filter
according to the maintenance log shown in a
separate maintenance booklet.
When replacing the air filter, wipe the inside of
the air cleaner housing and the cover with a damp
cloth.
IN-CABIN MICROFILTER (if so
equipped)
The in-cabin microfilter restricts the entry of air-
borne dust and pollen particles and reduces
some objectionable outside odors. The filter is
located behind the glove box. For additional in-
formation, refer to the Maintenance and Sched-
ules section of this manual for change intervals.
If replacement is required, it is recommended that
you visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
CLEANING
If your windshield is not clear after using the
windshield–washer or if a wiper blade chatters
when running, wax or other material may be on
the blade or windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with a washer
fluid or a mild detergent. Your windshield is clean
if beads do not form when rinsing with clear
water.
Clean each blade by wiping it with a cloth soaked
in a washer fluid or a mild detergent. Then rinse
the blades with clear water. If your windshield is
still not clear after cleaning the blades and using
the wiper, install new windshield wiper blades.
CAUTION
Worn windshield wiper blades can dam-
age the windshield and impair driver
vision.
REPLACING
Replace the wiper blades if they are worn.
1. Lift the wiper arm away from the windshield.
2. Push and hold the release tab
A, and then
move the wiper blade down
Bthe wiper
arm to remove.
3. Remove the wiper blade.
4. Insert the new wiper blade onto the wiper arm until it clicks into place.
LDI2725
WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES
8-16Do-it-yourself

smoothly and the locks (if so equipped) hold
securely in all latched positions.
Seat belts:Check that all parts of the seat belt
system (for example, buckles, anchors, adjusters
and retractors) operate properly and smoothly,
and are installed securely. Check the belt web-
bing for cuts, fraying, wear or damage.
Steering wheel: Check for changes in the
steering system, such as excessive free play,
hard steering or strange noises.
Warning lights and chimes: Make sure all
warning lights and chimes are operating properly.
Windshield defroster: Check that the air
comes out of the defroster outlets properly and in
sufficient quantity when operating the heater or
air conditioner.
Windshield wiper and washer*: Check that
the wipers and washer operate properly and that
the wipers do not streak.
Under the hood and vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
checked periodically (for example, each time you
check the engine oil or refuel) .
Battery*: Check the fluid level in each cell. It
should be between the MAX and MIN lines. Ve- hicles operated in high temperatures or under
severe conditions require frequent checks of the
battery fluid level.
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.
Brake and clutch (if so equipped) fluid
level*: Make sure that the brake and clutch fluid
levels are between the MIN and MAX lines on the
reservoir.
Engine coolant level*: Check the coolant level
when the engine is cold.
Engine drive belts*: Make sure the drive belts
are not frayed, worn, cracked or oily. Engine oil level*:
Check the level after parking
the vehicle on a level surface with the engine off.
Wait more than 15 minutes for the oil to drain
back into the oil pan.
Exhaust system: Make sure there are no loose
supports, cracks or holes. If the sound of the
exhaust seems unusual or there is a smell of
exhaust fumes, immediately have the exhaust
system inspected. It is recommended that you
visit a NISSAN dealer for this service. For addi-
tional information, refer to “Exhaust gas (carbon
monoxide)” in the “Starting and driving” section of
this manual.
Fluid leaks: Check under the vehicle for fuel, oil,
water or other fluid leaks after the vehicle has
been parked for a while. Water dripping from the
air conditioner after use is normal. If you should
notice any leaks or if fuel fumes are evident,
check for the cause and have it corrected imme-
diately.
Power steering fluid level* and lines: Check
the level when the fluid is cold, with the engine
off. Check the lines for proper attachment, leaks,
cracks, etc.
Radiator and hoses: Check the front of the
radiator and clean off any dirt, insects, leaves,
etc., that may have accumulated. Make sure the
hoses have no cracks, deformation, rot or loose
connections.
9-4Maintenance and schedules