5-12Starting and driving
4.Warm-up
Allow the engine to idle for at least 30
seconds after starting. Do not race the
engine while warming it up. Drive at
moderate speed for a short distance
first, especially in cold weather. In cold
weather, keep the engine running for
a minimum of 2 - 3 minutes before
shutting it off. Starting and stopping
the engine over a short period of time
may make the vehicle more difficult to
start.
When racing the engine up to 4,500
rpm or more under no load condition,
the engine will enter the fuel cut
mode.
5. To stop the engine, shift the shift lever to the P (Park) position (AT model) or
move the shift lever to the N (Neutral)
position (MT model), and push the
ignition switch to the OFF position.
NOTE:
Care should be taken to avoid situations
that can lead to potential battery dis-
charge and potential no-start condi-
tions such as:
1. Installation or extended use of elec-
tronic accessories that consume
battery power when the engine is
not running (Phone chargers, 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.AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
7 speed automatic transmission
The automatic transmission in your vehi-
cle is electronically controlled by a trans-
mission control module to produce
maximum efficiency and smooth opera-
tion.
Shown on the following pages are the
recommended operating procedures for
this transmission. Follow these proce-
dures for maximum vehicle performance
and driving enjoyment.
Starting the vehicle
After starting the engine, fully depress the
foot brake pedal and push the shift lever
button before shifting the shift lever to
the R (Reverse), N (Neutral), D (Drive) or
Manual shift mode position. Be sure the
vehicle is fully stopped before attempting
to shift the shift lever.
This automatic transmission model is
designed so that the foot brake pedal
must be depressed before shifting from
P (Park) to any drive position while the
ignition switch position is ON.
The shift lever cannot be moved out of
the P (Park) position and into any of the
other gear positions if the ignition
switch is pushed to the LOCK, OFF or
ACC position.
DRIVING THE VEHICLE
1. Keep the foot brake pedal depressedand push the shift lever button to shift
into a driving gear.
2. Release the parking brake and foot brake, then gradually start the vehicle
in motion.
WARNING
.Do not depress the accelerator
pedal while shifting from P (Park)
or N (Neutral) to R (Reverse) D
(Drive), or manual shift mode. Al-
ways depress the brake pedal
until shifting is completed. Failure
to do so could cause you to lose
control and have an accident.
. Cold engine idle speed is high, so
use caution when shifting into a
forward or reverse gear before
the engine has warmed up.
. Never shift to either the P (Park)
or R (Reverse) position while the
vehicle is moving forward and P
(Park) or D (Drive) position while
the vehicle is reversing. This could
cause an accident or damage the
transmission.
. Do not downshift abruptly on
slippery roads. This may cause a loss of control.
CAUTION
.
Except in an emergency, do not
shift to the N (Neutral) position
while driving. Coasting with the
transmission in the N (Neutral)
position may cause serious da-
mage to the transmission.
. To avoid possible damage to your
vehicle; when stopping the vehi-
cle on an uphill grade, do not hold
the vehicle by depressing the
accelerator pedal. The foot brake
should be used for this purpose.
SSD0827
Shift lever
To move the shift lever,
: Push the button while depressing the
brake pedal.
: Push the button.
: Just move the shift lever.
Shifting
After starting the engine, fully depress the
brake pedal and shift the shift lever from
P (Park) to R (Reverse), N (Neutral), D
(Drive) or Manual shift mode position.
Push the button to shift into P (Park) or R
(Reverse). All other positions can be
selected without pushing the button.
Starting and driving5-13
5-14Starting and driving
WARNING
Apply the parking brake if the shift
lever is in any position while the
engine is not running. Failure to do
so could cause the vehicle to move
unexpectedly or roll away and result
in serious personal injury or property
damage.
CAUTION
Make sure the vehicle is completely
stopped and the transmission is in
the P (Park) position.
P (Park) position:
Use this position when the vehicle is
parked or when starting the engine. Make
sure the vehicle is completely stopped.
The brake pedal must be depressed and
the shift lever button pushed in to move
the shift lever from the N (Neutral)
position or any drive position to the P
(Park) position. Apply the parking brake.
When parking on a hill, apply the parking
brake first, then move the shift lever to
the P (Park) position.
CAUTION
Use this position only when the
vehicle is completely stopped.
R (Reverse):
Use this position to back up. Always be
sure the vehicle is completely stopped
before selecting the R (Reverse) position.
The brake pedal must be depressed and
the shift lever button pushed in to move
the shift lever from the P (Park) posi-
tion, the N (Neutral) position or any
drive position to the R (Reverse) posi-
tion.
N (Neutral):
Neither forward nor reverse gear is en-
gaged. The engine can be started in this
position. You may shift to the N (Neutral)
position and restart a stalled engine while
the vehicle is moving.
D (Drive):
Use this position for all normal forward
driving.
SSD0828
Paddle shifter (if so equipped)
Manual shift mode
When the shift lever is in the manual shift
gate, the transmission is ready for the
manual shift mode. Shift ranges can be
selected manually by moving the shift
lever up or down, or pulling the right-side
or left-side paddle shifter (if so equipped).
When shifting up, move the shift lever to
the + (up) side or pull the right-side paddle
shifter (if so equipped) (+)
. The trans-
mission shifts to the higher range.
When shifting down, move the shift lever
to the − (down) side or pull the left-side
paddle shifter (if so equipped) (−)
. The
transmission shifts to the lower range.
When canceling the manual shift mode,
return the shift lever to the D (Drive)
position. The transmission returns to the
normal driving mode.
When you pull the paddle shifter (if so
equipped) while in the D (Drive) position,
the transmission will shift to the upper or
lower range temporarily. The transmis-
sion will automatically return to the D
(Drive) position after a short period of
time. If you want to return to the D (Drive)
position manually, pull and hold the
paddle shifter (if so equipped) for about
1.5 seconds.
In the manual shift mode, the shift range
is displayed on the transmission position
indicator in the meter.
Shift ranges up or down one by one as
follows:
1M?
/2M?
/3M?
/4M?
/5M?
/6M?
/ 7M
7M(7th):
Use this position for all normal forward
driving at highway speeds.
6
M(6th) and 5M(5th):
Use these positions when driving up long
slopes, or for engine braking when driving
down long slopes. 4
M(4th), 3M(3rd) and 2M(2nd):
Use these positions for hill climbing or
engine braking on downhill grades.
1
M(1st):
Use this position when climbing steep
hills slowly or driving slowly through deep
snow, or for maximum engine braking on
steep downhill grades.
. Remember not to drive at high speeds
for extended periods of time in lower
than 7th gear. This reduces fuel econ-
omy.
. Moving the shift lever rapidly to the
same side twice will shift the ranges in
succession.
. In the manual shift mode, the trans-
mission may not shift to the se-
lected gear or may automatically
shift to the other gear. This helps
maintain driving performance and
reduces the chance of vehicle da-
mage or loss of control.
. When the transmission does not
shift to the selected gear, the Auto-
matic Transmission (AT) position in-
dicator light (on the instrument
panel) will blink and the buzzer will
sound.
. In the manual shift mode, the trans-
mission automatically shifts down
to 1st gear before the vehicle comes to a stop. When accelerating again, it
is necessary to shift up to the
desired range.
Starting and driving5-15
SSD0829
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 but-
ton pushed.
To move the shift lever, perform the
following procedure:
1. Push the ignition switch to the OFF orLOCK position.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Remove the shift lock cover
using a
suitable tool. 4. Push down the shift lock
using a
suitable tool as illustrated.
5. Push the shift lever button
and
move the shift lever to the N (Neutral)
position
while holding down the
shift lock.
Now the vehicle may be moved to the
desired location.
If the lever cannot be moved out of P
(Park), have the automatic transmission
system checked as soon as possible. It is
recommended you visit a NISSAN dealer
for this service.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
WARNING
. Do not downshift abruptly on
slippery roads. This may cause a
loss of control.
. Do not over-rev the engine when
shifting 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 damage the clutch.
. Fully depress the clutch pedal
before shifting to help prevent
transmission damage.
. Stop your vehicle completely be-
fore 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.
Starting and driving5-17
5-18Starting and driving
SSD0536
Shifting
To change gears, or when upshifting or
downshifting, fully depress the clutch
pedal, shift into an appropriate gear, and
then slowly and smoothly release the
clutch pedal.
This vehicle is equipped with a short
throw shifter manual transmission. To
ensure smooth gear changes, be sure to
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 upshift to2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th gear in
sequence according to the vehicle speed.
To back up, depress the shift knob and
then move the shift lever to the R
(Reverse) position after stopping the ve-
hicle completely.
The shift knob 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 1st (Low gear), shift to N
(Neutral), then release the clutch pedal.
Fully depress the clutch pedal again and
shift into R or 1st.
SynchroRev Match mode (S-MODE)
(if so equipped for Manual Trans-
mission models)
The SynchroRev Match mode (S-MODE)
automatically adjusts the engine speed to
match the selecting gear ratio while
changing gears.
Precautions:
.
Shift lever and clutch pedal operations
are not different than a conventional
manual transmission.
. Fully depress the clutch pedal. Insuffi-
cient pedal depression may cause
slow response of this system. .
When the clutch pedal is depressed
with the gear still engaged, the engine
speed is kept at the proper level for
the engaged gear. Thus, the engine
speed may be kept high depending on
the gear position and vehicle speed.
. When the clutch pedal is depressed
with the transmission in neutral, the
system operates for approximately 2
seconds, and then the engine speed
will decrease to the idle speed.
. When the engine coolant temperature
is low right after starting the engine,
engine speed synchronization will be
delayed or may be insufficient.
. The system controls the engine speed
up to the rev limit. Note that S-MODE
is not a function that prevents over-
revving resulting from shifting mis-
takes.
. The system does not operate while
the vehicle is backing up.
. If the engine speed is limited lower
than usual when the engine oil tem-
perature is extremely high, the system
will control up to the limited engine
speed.
. If the malfunction indicator light illu-
minates, the system may not operate
and the S-MODE indicator turns off.
5-24Starting and driving
To reset at a slower cruising speed,use
one of the following methods:
. Lightly tap the brake pedal. When the
vehicle attains the desired speed,
push the COAST/SET switch and re-
lease it.
. Push and hold the COAST/SET switch.
Release the switch when the vehicle
slows down to the desired speed.
. Push, then quickly release the COAST/
SETT switch. Each time you do this,
the set speed will decrease by about 1
MPH (1.6 km/h).
To resume the preset speed, push and
release the ACCEL/RES switch. The vehi-
cle will resume 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 perfor-
mance and ensure the future relia-
bility and economy of your new
vehicle.
Failure to follow these recommenda-
tions may result in shortened engine
life and reduced engine perfor-
mance.
. Avoid driving for long periods at con-
stant speed, either fast or slow. 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 possi-
ble. 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 andbrake application whenever possi-
ble.
.Maintain constant speed whilecommuting and coast whenever
possible.
2. Maintain constant speed.
.Look ahead to try and anticipate and minimize stops.
.Synchronizing your speed with traf-fic lights allows you to reduce your
number of stops.
.Maintaining a steady speed canminimize red light stops and im-
prove fuel efficiency.
3. Use air conditioning (A/C) at higher vehicle speeds.
.Below 40 MPH (64 km/h), it is moreefficient to open windows to cool
the vehicle due to reduced engine
load.
.Above 40 MPH (64 km/h), it is more
efficient to use A/C to cool the
vehicle due to increased aerody-
namic drag.
BREAK-IN SCHEDULE FUEL EFFICIENT DRIVING TIPS
.Recirculating the cool air in thecabin when the A/C is on reduces
cooling load.
4. Drive at economical speeds and dis- tances.
.Observing the speed limit and notexceeding 60 MPH (97 km/h)
(where legally allowed) can improve
fuel efficiency due to reduced aero-
dynamic drag.
.Maintaining a safe following dis-tance behind other vehicles re-
duces unnecessary braking.
.Safely monitoring traffic to antici- pate changes in speed permits
reduced braking and smooth accel-
eration changes.
.Select a gear range suitable to roadconditions.
5. Use cruise control.
.Using cruise control during highway driving helps maintain a steady
speed.
.Cruise control is particularly effec-tive in providing fuel savings when
driving on flat terrains.
6. Plan for the shortest route.
.Utilize a map or navigation system to determine 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 cruis-
ing 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 morethan 30 seconds of idling at start-
up to effectively circulate the en-
gine oil before driving.
.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 when-
ever possible.
.When entering a hot vehicle, open- ing the windows will help to reduce
the inside temperature faster, re-
sulting in reduced demand on your
A/C system. .
Keep your engine tuned up.
. Follow the recommended scheduled
maintenance.
. Keep the tires inflated to the correct
pressure. Low tire pressure increases
tire wear and lowers fuel economy.
. Keep the wheels in correct alignment.
Improper alignment increases tire
wear and lowers fuel economy.
. Use the recommended viscosity en-
gine oil. (See “Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation” (P.10-7).)
Starting and driving5-25
INCREASING FUEL ECONOMY