5-16Starting and driving
.Make sure the area around the vehicle
is clear.
. Check fluid levels such as engine oil,
coolant, brake fluid and window
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 appear-
ance and condition. Also check tires
for proper inflation.
. Lock all doors.
. Position seat and adjust head re-
straints/headrests.
. Adjust inside and outside mirrors.
. Fasten seat belts and ask all passen-
gers to do likewise.
. Check the operation of warning lights
when the ignition switch is pushed to
the ON position. (See “Warning lights,
indicator lights and audible remin-
ders” (P.2-10).) 1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever to the P (Park) or N
(Neutral) position. (P is recommended.)
The starter is designed not to operate
unless the shift lever is in either of the
above positions.
3. Push the ignition switch to the ON position. Depress the brake pedal and
push the ignition switch to start the
engine.
To start the engine immediately, push
and release the ignition switch while
depressing the brake pedal with the
ignition switch in any position.
.If the engine is very hard to start inextremely cold weather or when
restarting, depress the accelerator
pedal a little (approximately 1/3 to
the floor) and while holding, crank
the engine. Release the accelerator
pedal when the engine starts.
.If the engine is very hard to startbecause it is flooded, depress the
accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and hold it. Push the ignition
switch to the ON position to start
cranking the engine. After 5 or 6
seconds, stop cranking by pushing
the ignition switch to OFF. After
cranking the engine, release the
accelerator pedal. Crank the engine
with your foot off the accelerator pedal
by depressing the brake
pedal and pushing the push-button
ignition switch to start the engine.
If the engine starts, but fails to run,
repeat the above procedure.
CAUTION
Do not operate the starter for more
than 15 seconds at a time. If the
engine does not start, push the
ignition switch to OFF and wait 10
seconds before cranking again,
otherwise the starter could be da-
maged.
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 4,000
rpm or more under the no load
condition, the engine will enter the
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE STARTING THE ENGINE
5-18Starting and driving
If:
1. The engine coolant temperature is notreduced.
2. The air conditioning cooling function does not turn back ON.
3. The engine oil pressure warning light
illuminates or engine coolant
temperature gauge does not return
to the normal range from the H
position, this may indicate a malfunc-
tion. Move the vehicle off the road to a
safe area and allow the engine to cool.
If after checking the oil and coolant,
the
remains on or engine coolant
temperature does not return to the
normal range, do not continue to
drive. It is recommended you contact
a NISSAN dealer.
The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
may also come ON. You do not need to
have your vehicle towed, unless it re-
mains on, but have it inspected soon. It is
recommended you contact a NISSAN
dealer for this service. See “Warning lights,
indicator lights and audible reminders”
(P.2-10).
WARNING
Overheating can result in reduced
engine power and vehicle speed.
The reduced speed may be lower
than other traffic, which could in-
crease the chance of a collision. Be
especially careful when driving. If the
vehicle cannot maintain a safe driv-
ing speed, pull to the side of the road
in a safe area. Allow the engine to
cool and return to normal operation.
See “If your vehicle overheats” (P.6-
14).
CAUTION
Running the engine with the engine
oil pressure warning light on could
cause serious damage to the engine
almost immediately. Such damage is
not covered by warranty. Turn off the
engine as soon as it is safe to do so.
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.
5-30Starting and driving
water, dirt, snow, etc.
— On roads where the discontin- ued lane markers are still
detectable.
— On roads where there are sharp curves.
— On roads where there are sharply contrasting objects,
such as shadows, snow,
water, wheel ruts, seams or
lines remaining after road re-
pairs. (The LDW and I-LI sys-
tems could detect these items
as lane markers.)
— On roads where the traveling lane merges or separates.
— When the vehicle’s traveling direction does not align with
the lane marker.
— When traveling close to the vehicle in front of you, which
obstructs the lane camera
unit detection range.
— When rain, snow or dirt ad- heres to the windshield in
front of the lane camera unit.
— When the headlights are not bright due to dirt on the lens
or if the aiming is not adjusted properly.
— When strong light enters the lane camera unit. (For exam-
ple, the light directly shines on
the front of the vehicle at
sunrise or sunset.)
— When a sudden change in brightness occurs. (For exam-
ple, when the vehicle enters or
exits a tunnel or under a
bridge.)
. Excessive noise will interfere with
the warning chime sound, and
the chime may not be heard.
switch to the brake pedal.
NOTE:
.The stop lights of the vehicle come
on when braking is performed by
the I-DC system.
. When the brake operates, a noise
may be heard and/or vibration may
be felt. This is not a malfunction.
Overriding the system:
The following driver’s operation overrides
the system operation.
. When the driver depresses the accel-
erator pedal even further while the
system is moving the accelerator
pedal upward, the I-DC system control
of the accelerator pedal is canceled.
. When the driver’s foot is on the accel-
erator pedal, the brake control by the
system is not operated.
. When the driver’s foot is on the brake
pedal, neither the brake control nor
the alert by the system operates.
. When the Intelligent Cruise Control
(ICC) system is set, the I-DC system
will be inactive.Approach warning
If your vehicle comes closer to the vehicle
ahead due to rapid deceleration of that
vehicle or if another vehicle cuts in, the
system warns the driver with the chime
and I-DC system display. Decelerate by
depressing the brake pedal to maintain a
safe vehicle distance if:
.The chime sounds.
. The vehicle ahead detection indicator
blinks.
The warning chime may not sound in
some cases when there is a short dis-
tance between vehicles. Some examples
are:
. When the vehicles are traveling at the
same speed and the distance be-
tween vehicles is not changing
. When the vehicle ahead is traveling
faster and the distance between ve-
hicles is increasing
. When a vehicle cuts in near your
vehicle
The warning chime will not sound when
your vehicle approaches vehicles that are
parked or moving slowly.
NOTE:
The approach warning chime may
sound and the system display may
blink when the radar sensor detects
objects on the side of the vehicle or on the side of the road. This may cause the
I-DC system to decelerate or accelerate
the vehicle. The radar sensor may de-
tect these objects when the vehicle is
driven on winding roads, narrow roads,
hilly roads or when entering or exiting a
curve. In these cases you will have to
manually control the proper distance
ahead of your vehicle.
Also, the sensor sensitivity can be af-
fected by vehicle operation (steering
maneuver or driving position in the lane)
or traffic or vehicle condition (for example,
if a vehicle is being driven with some
damage).
Starting and driving5-95
5-106Starting and driving
JVS1102X
Indicators and warnings (on the vehicle
information display)
AEB system warning light (on the instru-
ment panel)
Center multi-function control panel
AEB SYSTEM OPERATION
The AEB system operates at speeds
above approximately 3 MPH (5 km/h).
If a risk of a forward collision is detected,
the AEB system will provide the first
warning to the driver by blinking the
vehicle ahead detection indicator in the
vehicle information display and providing
an audible warning. In addition, the AEB
system pushes the accelerator pedal up.
If the driver releases the accelerator
pedal, then the system applies partial
braking.
If the driver applies the brakes quickly and
forcefully after the warning, and the AEB
system detects that there is still the
possibility of a forward collision, the
system will automatically increase the
braking force.
If a forward collision is imminent and the
driver does not take action, the AEB
system issues the second visual (flashing)
and audible warning and automatically
applies harder braking.
NOTE:
The vehicle’s stop lights come on when
braking is performed by the AEB sys-
tem.
Depending on vehicle speed and distance
to the vehicle ahead, as well as driving
and roadway conditions, the system may
WARNING
.Never rely solely on the hill start
assist system to prevent the ve-
hicle from moving backward on a
hill. Always drive carefully and
attentively. Depress the brake
pedal when the vehicle is stopped
on a steep hill. Be especially care-
ful when stopped on a hill on
frozen or muddy roads. Failure
to prevent the vehicle from rolling
backwards may result in a loss of
control of the vehicle and possi-
ble serious injury or death.
. The hill start assist system is not
designed to hold the vehicle at a
standstill on a hill. Depress the
brake pedal when the vehicle is
stopped on a steep hill. Failure to
do so may cause the vehicle to
roll backwards and may result in
a collision or serious personal
injury.
. The hill start assist system may
not prevent the vehicle from roll-
ing backwards on a hill under all
load or road conditions. Always
be prepared to depress the brake
pedal to prevent the vehicle from
rolling backwards. Failure to do so may result in a collision or
serious personal injury.
The hill start assist system automatically
keeps the brakes applied to help prevent
the vehicle from rolling backwards in the
time it takes the driver to release the
brake pedal and apply the accelerator
when the vehicle is stopped on a hill.
The hill start assist system will operate
automatically under the following condi-
tions:
. The transmission is shifted to a for-
ward or reverse gear.
. The vehicle is stopped completely on a
hill by applying the brake.
The maximum holding time is 2 seconds.
After 2 seconds the vehicle will begin to
roll back and the hill start assist system
will stop operating completely.
The hill start assist system will not
operate when the transmission is shifted
to the N (Neutral) or P (Park) position or
on a flat and level road.
When the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
warning light illuminates in the meter, the
hill start assist system will not operate.
(See “Warning lights, indicator lights and
audible reminders” (P.2-10).)
Starting and driving5-131
HILL START ASSIST SYSTEM
6-2In case of emergency
SIC2574
Push the switch on to warn other drivers
when you must stop or park under
emergency conditions. All turn signal
lights will flash.
WARNING
.If stopping for an emergency, be
sure to move the vehicle well off
the road.
. Do not use the hazard warning
flashers while moving on the
highway unless unusual circum-
stances force you to drive so
slowly that your vehicle might
become a hazard to other traffic. .
Turn signals do not work when
the hazard warning flasher lights
are on.
The flasher can be actuated with the
ignition switch in any position.
When an impact that could activate the
supplemental air bags is detected, the
hazard warning flasher lights blink auto-
matically. If the hazard warning flasher
switch is pushed twice, the hazard warn-
ing flashers will turn off.
WARNING
Do not turn the hazard warning
flasher switch to off until you can
make sure that it is safe to do so.
Also, the hazard flasher warning may
not blink automatically depending
on the force of impact.
Some state laws may prohibit the use of
the hazard warning flasher switch while
driving. In the event of a roadside emergency,
Roadside Assistance Service is available
to you. Please refer to your Warranty
Information Booklet (U.S.) or Warranty &
Roadside Assistance Information Booklet
(Canada) for details.
HAZARD WARNING FLASHER SWITCHROADSIDE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
8 Do-it-yourself
Maintenance precautions ...................................................... 8-2
Engine compartment check locations ........................ 8-3VK56VD engine ....................................................................... 8-3
Engine cooling system ............................................................. 8-4 Checking engine coolant level .................................... 8-5
Changing engine coolant ................................................ 8-5
Engine oil ........................................................................\
..................... 8-6 Checking engine oil level ................................................. 8-6
Changing engine oil and filter ..................................... 8-6
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) ............................. 8-8
Power steering fluid ................................................................... 8-8
Brake fluid ........................................................................\
.................. 8-9
Window washer fluid .............................................................. 8-10
Battery ........................................................................\
........................ 8-11 Jump starting ........................................................................\
. 8-13
Variable voltage control system ................................... 8-13
Drive belts ........................................................................\
................ 8-13
Spark plugs ........................................................................\
............. 8-14 Replacing spark plugs ..................................................... 8-14
Air cleaner ........................................................................\
............... 8-15 Windshield wiper blades ..................................................... 8-16
Cleaning ........................................................................\
........... 8-16
Replacing ........................................................................\
........ 8-16
Rear window wiper blades ............................................... 8-17
Brakes ........................................................................\
........................ 8-17 Self-adjusting brakes ..................................................... 8-17
Brake pad wear warning ............................................ 8-17
Brake booster ...................................................................... 8-17
Fuses ........................................................................\
........................... 8-18 Engine compartment .................................................... 8-18
Passenger compartment ........................................... 8-20
Intelligent Key battery replacement .......................... 8-21
Lights ........................................................................\
.......................... 8-24
Headlights ........................................................................\
...... 8-24
Exterior and interior lights ........................................ 8-26
Wheels and tires ........................................................................\
8-30
Tire pressure ........................................................................\
8-30
Tire labeling ........................................................................\
.. 8-34
Types of tires ....................................................................... 8-36
Tire chains ........................................................................\
...... 8-37
Changing wheels and tires ...................................... 8-37