(SRS)” in the “Safety—Seats, seat belts and
supplemental restraint system” section of
this manual.
WARNING
If the supplemental air bag warning
light is on, it could mean that the front
air bag, side air bag, curtain air bag
and/or pretensioner systems will not
operate in an accident. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have your
vehicle checked as soon as possible. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.
INDICATOR LIGHTS
This vehicle has various indicator lights
that may illuminate to indicate a system
status. For additional information, refer to
the specific light in this section.
Automatic Transmissionposition indicator light (A/T
models only)
When the ignition switch is in the ON posi-
tion, this indicator light shows the shif t le-
ver position. For additional information, re-
fer to “Driving the vehicle” in the “Starting
and driving” section of this manual.
CRUISE indicator light (if soequipped)
The light comes on when the CRUISE
ON/OFF switch is pushed. The light goes
out when the CRUISE ON/OFF switch is
pushed again. When the CRUISE indicator
light comes on, the cruise control system is
operational.
For additional information, refer to “Cruise
control” in the “Starting and driving” section
of this manual.
Front fog light indicatorlight (if so equipped)
The front fog light indicator light illumi-
nates when the front fog lights are on. For
additional information, refer to “Front fog
lights” in this section.
Front passenger air bagstatus light
The front passenger air bag status
light
will be lit and the passenger front
air bag will be off depending on how the
front passenger seat is being used.
For additional information, refer to “Front
passenger air bag and status light” in the
“Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemen-
tal restraint system” section of this manual.
High beam indicator light
(blue)
This blue light comes on when the head-
light high beams are on and goes out when
the low beams are selected.
The high beam indicator light also comes
on when the passing signal is activated.
Malfunction Indicator Light(MIL)
If this indicator light comes on steady or
blinks while the engine is running, it may
indicate a potential emission control mal-
function.
The
may also come on steady if the
fuel-filler cap is loose or missing or if the
vehicle runs out of fuel. Check to make sure
the fuel-filler cap is installed and closed
tightly and that the vehicle has at least 3 gal
(11.4 L) of fuel in the fuel tank.
Af ter a few driving trips, the
light
should turn off if no other potential emis-
sion control system malfunction exists.
If this indicator light comes on steady for
20 seconds and then blinks for 10 seconds
when the engine is not running, it indicates
that the vehicle is not ready for an emission
control system inspection/maintenance
2-12Instruments and controls
test. For additional information, refer to
“Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance
(I/M) test” in the “Technical and consumer
information” section of this manual.
Operation
The MIL will come on in one of two ways:∙ MIL on steady — An emission control system malfunction has been de-
tected. Check the fuel-filler cap if the
LOOSE FUEL CAP warning appears in
the trip computer. If the fuel-filler cap is
loose or missing, tighten or install the
cap and continue to drive the vehicle.
The
light should turn off af ter a
few driving trips. If the
light does
not turn off af ter a few driving trips, have
the vehicle inspected. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer
for this service. You do not need to have
your vehicle towed to the dealer.
∙ MIL blinking — An engine misfire has been detected which may damage the
emission control system. To reduce or
avoid emission control system dam-
age:
– do not drive at speeds above 45 mph (72 km/h). – avoid hard acceleration or decelera-
tion.
– avoid steep uphill grades.
– if possible, reduce the amount of cargo being hauled or towed.
The MIL may stop blinking and come on
steady. Have the vehicle inspected. It is rec-
ommended that you visit a NISSAN dealer
for this service. You do not need to have
your vehicle towed to the dealer.
CAUTION
Continued vehicle operation without
having the emission control system
checked and repaired as necessary
could lead to poor driveability, reduced
fuel economy, and possible damage to
the emission control system.
Overdrive OFF indicator light (A/T models only)
This light comes on when the overdrive
function is OFF.
The automatic transmission overdrive
function is controlled by the overdrive
switch. For additional information, refer to “Driving
the vehicle” in the “Starting and driving” sec-
tion of this manual.
Security indicator light
This light blinks when the ignition switch is
placed in the OFF, LOCK or ACC position.
The blinking security indicator light indi-
cates that the security systems equipped
on the vehicle are operational.
For additional information, refer to “Security
systems” in this section.
Slip indicator light
This indicator will blink when the Vehicle
Dynamic Control (VDC) system is operat-
ing, thus alerting that the vehicle is nearing
its traction limits. The road surface may be
slippery.
Turn signal/hazard
indicator lights
The appropriate light flashes when the turn
signal switch is activated.
Both lights flash when the hazard switch is
turned on.
Instruments and controls2-13
5 Starting and driving
Precautions when starting and driving..........5-2
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) ..............5-2
Three-way catalyst ...........................5-2
Avoiding collision and rollover ................5-3
Off-roadrecovery ............................5-3
Rapid air pressure loss .......................5-4
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving ...........5-5
Ignition switch ...................................5-5
Automatic transmission
(if so equipped) ...............................5-5
Manual transmission (if so equipped) .........5-6
Ignition switch positions ......................5-7
NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System ..........5-7
Before starting the engine .......................5-7
Starting the engine ..............................5-8
Driving the vehicle ...............................5-9
Automatic transmission
(if so equipped) ...............................5-9
Manual transmission (if so equipped) ........5-13
Parking brake .................................. 5-15
Cruise control (if so equipped) ..................5-16
Precautions on cruise control ................5-16Cruise control operations
....................5-16
Break-in schedule .............................. 5-17
Fuel efficient driving tips ........................5-18
Increasing fuel economy .......................5-19
Parking/parking on hills ........................5-20
Power steering ................................. 5-21
Brake system ................................... 5-22
Brake precautions ........................... 5-22
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ..............5-22
Brake assist ................................. 5-24
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system .........5-24
Brake force distribution ......................5-25
Cold weather driving ........................... 5-26
Freeing a frozen door lock ...................5-26
Antifreeze ................................... 5-26
Battery...................................... 5-26
Draining of coolant water ....................5-27
Tire equipment .............................. 5-27
Special winter equipment ...................5-27
Driving on snow or ice .......................5-27
Engine block
heater ......................... 5-28
To remove the key from the ignition switch:1. Move the shif t lever to the P (Park) posi- tion with the ignition switch in the ON
position.
2. Place the ignition switch in the LOCK position.
3. Remove the key from the ignition switch.
If the shif t lever is shif ted to the P (Park)
position af ter the ignition switch is turned
to the OFF position or when the ignition
switch cannot be turned to the LOCK posi-
tion, proceed as follows to remove the key: 1. Move the shif t lever into the P (Park) position.
2. Turn the ignition switch slightly toward the ON position.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position.
4. Remove the key.
The shif t lever is designed so it cannot be
moved out of P (Park) and into any of the
other gear positions if the ignition switch is
turned to the OFF position
1or if the key is
removed from the switch. The shif t lever can be moved if the igni-
tion switch is in the ON position and the
foot brake pedal is depressed.
There is an OFF position
1between the
LOCK and ACC positions. The OFF posi-
tion is indicated by a “1” on the key cylin-
der.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
(if so equipped)
The ignition switch includes a device that
helps prevent accidental removal of the
key while driving.
The key can only be removed when the
ignition switch is in the LOCK position.
In order for the steering wheel to be locked,
it must be turned about 1/8 of a turn clock-
wise from the straight up position.
To lock the steering wheel, place the ig-
nition switch in the LOCK position. Re-
move the key. To unlock the steering
WSD0052
5-6Starting and driving
1. Apply the parking brake.
2.Automatic transmission:
Move the shif t lever to P (Park) or N
(Neutral). P (Park) is recommended.
The shif t lever cannot be moved out
of the P (Park) position and into any
of the other gear positions if the ig-
nition switch is placed in the OFF po-
sition or if the key is removed from
the ignition switch.
The starter is designed not to oper-
ate if the shif t lever is in any of the
driving positions.
Manual transmission:
Move the shif t lever to N (Neutral). De-
press the clutch pedal to the floor
while cranking the engine.
3. Crank the engine with your foot off
the accelerator pedal by placing the
ignition switch in the START position.
Release the key when the engine
starts. If the engine starts, but fails to
run, repeat the above procedure.
∙ If the engine is very hard to start in extremely cold weather or when re-
starting, depress the accelerator
pedal a little (approximately 1/3 to the floor) and hold it and then crank the
engine. Release the key and the ac-
celerator pedal when the engine
starts.
∙ If the engine is very hard to start be- cause it is flooded, depress the accel-
erator pedal all the way to the floor
and hold it. Crank the engine for
5-6 seconds. Af ter cranking the en-
gine, release the accelerator pedal.
Crank the engine with your foot off
the accelerator pedal by placing the
ignition in the START position. Re-
lease the key when the engine starts.
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, turn the key off and wait
10 seconds before cranking again, oth-
erwise the starter could be damaged.
4. Allow the engine to idle for at least 30 seconds af ter starting. Do not race
the engine while warming it up. Drive at
moderate speed for a short distance
first, especially in cold weather. NOTE:
Care should be taken to avoid situations
that can lead to potential battery dis-
charge and potential no-start conditions
such as:
1. Installation or extended use of elec-
tronic accessories that consume bat-
tery power when the engine is not
running (phone chargers, GPS, DVD
players, etc.).
2. The 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.
STARTING THE ENGINE
5-8Starting and driving
Overdrive (O/D) OFF switch
Each time your vehicle is started, the trans-
mission is automatically “reset” to overdrive
ON.
ON: With the engine running andthe shif t lever in the D (Drive)
position, the transmission up-
shif ts into overdrive as vehicle
speed increases.
Overdrive does not engage until the en-
gine has reached operating tempera-
ture.
OFF: For driving up and down longslopes where engine braking is
necessary push the overdrive
switch once. The Overdrive 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
shif t shocks as the transmission shif ts into
and out of overdrive repeatedly. In this
case, depress the overdrive switch to turn
the overdrive off. The Overdrive OFF indica-
tor 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
extended periods of time with the over-
drive off. This reduces fuel economy.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
(if so equipped)
WARNING
∙ Do not downshif t abruptly on slipperyroads. This may cause a loss of
control. ∙ Do not over-rev the engine when
shif ting to a lower gear. This may
cause a loss of control or engine
damage.
CAUTION
∙ Do not rest your foot on the clutchpedal while driving. This may cause
clutch damage.
∙ Fully depress the clutch pedal before shif ting to help prevent transmission
damage.
∙ Stop your vehicle completely before shif ting into R (Reverse).
∙ When the vehicle is stopped with the engine running (for example, at a stop
light), shif t to N (Neutral) and release
the clutch pedal with the foot brake
applied.
∙ Do not shif t to the N (Neutral) position while driving. Doing so may result in
an accident due to loss of engine
braking.
LSD2012
Starting and driving5-13
HR16DE engine model (5 M/T)
GEARkm/h (mph)
1st 43 (27)
2nd 79 (49)
3rd 116 (72)
4th 157 (97)
5th —
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 shif t 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
assistance of others or pets unat-
tended in your vehicle. Additionally,
the temperature inside a closed ve-
hicle on a warm day can quickly be-
come high enough to cause a signifi-
cant 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 shif t lever in the N (Neutral)
position.
Automatic transmission models:
Move the shif t lever to the P (Park) po-
sition.
WSD0048
PARKING BRAKE
Starting and driving5-15
WARNING
∙ Do not stop or park the vehicle overflammable materials such as dry
grass, waste paper or rags. They may
ignite and cause a fire. ∙ Safe parking procedures require that
both the parking brake be set and the
transmission placed into P (Park) for
automatic transmission models or in
an appropriate gear for manual trans-
mission models. Failure to do so could
cause the vehicle to move unexpect-
edly or roll away and result in an acci-
dent. Make sure the shif t lever has
been pushed as far forward as it can
go and cannot be moved without de-
pressing the foot brake pedal.
∙ Never leave the engine running while the vehicle is unattended. ∙ Do not leave children unattended in-
side the vehicle. They could unknow-
ingly activate switches or controls.
Unattended children could become
involved in serious accidents.
∙ 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
assistance of others or pets unat-
tended in your vehicle. Additionally,
the temperature inside a closed ve-
hicle on a warm day can quickly be-
come high enough to cause a signifi-
cant risk of injury or death to people
and pets.
1. Firmly apply the parking brake.
2. Manual transmission models:
Place the shif t lever in the R (Reverse)
position. When parking on an uphill
grade, place the shif t lever in 1st gear.
Automatic transmission models:
Move the shif t lever to the P (Park) po-
sition.
WSD0050
PARKING/PARKING ON HILLS
5-20Starting and driving