Warninglight Name Page
Anti-lock Braking
System (ABS)
warning light 2-9
Brake warning
light
2-9
Charge warning
light2-9
Door open
warning light2-10
Engine oil pres-
sure warning light2-10
High temperature
warning light (red)2-10
Low windshield-
washer fluid
warning light2-10
Warning
light Name Page
Power steering
warning light
(if so equipped) 2-11
Seat belt warning
light and chime
2-11
Supplemental air
bag warning light2-11
Indicator
light Name Page
Automatic Trans-
mission position
indicator light
(A/T models only) 2-12
CRUISE indicator
light (if so equipped)
2-12
Front fog light
indicator light
(if so equipped)
2-12
Indicator
light Name Page
Front passenger air
bag status light2-12
High beam indi-
cator light (blue) 2-12
Malfunction Indi-
cator Light (MIL)2-12
Overdrive OFF
indicator light
(A/T models only) 2-13
Security indicator
light
2-13
Slip indicator light 2-13
Turn signal/hazard
indicator lights2-13
Vehicle Dynamic
Control (VDC) OFF
indicator light2-14
WARNING AND INDICATOR LIGHTS
Illustrated table of contents0-9
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
warning lightPower steering warning light
(if so equipped)High beam indicator light (blue)
Brake warning lightSeat belt warning light and chimeMalfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
Charge warning lightSupplemental air bag warning lightOverdrive OFF indicator light
(A/T models only)
Door open warning lightAutomatic Transmission position
indicator light (A/T models only)Security indicator light
Engine oil pressure warning lightCRUISE indicator light (if so equipped)Slip indicator light
High temperature warning light (red)Front fog light indicator light
(if so equipped)Turn signal/hazard indicator lights
Low windshield-washer fluid warning lightFront passenger air bag status lightVehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
OFF indicator light
CHECKING LIGHTS
With all doors closed, apply the parking
brake, fasten the seat belts and place the
ignition switch in the ON position without
starting the engine.The following lights (if so equipped) will
come on:
,,,,,
The following lights (if so equipped) come
on briefly and then go off:
,,,,,
If any light fails to come on or operate in a
way other than described, it may indicate a
burned-out bulb and/or a system mal-
function. Have the system checked. It is
WARNING LIGHTS, INDICATOR LIGHTS
AND AUDIBLE REMINDERS
2-8Instruments and controls
Power steering warninglight (if so equipped)
WARNING
∙ If the engine is not running or is turned off while driving, the power as-
sist for the steering will not work.
Steering will be harder to operate.
∙ When the power steering warning light illuminates with the engine run-
ning, there will be no power assist for
the steering. You will still have control
of the vehicle, but the steering will be
harder to operate. Have the power
steering system checked. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer
for this service.
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the power steering warning light
illuminates. Af ter starting the engine, the
power steering warning light turns off. This
indicates the power steering is operational.
If the power steering warning light illumi-
nates while the engine is running, it may
indicate the power steering is not function-
ing properly and may need servicing. Have
the power steering checked. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for
this service. When the power steering warning light illu-
minates with the engine running, there will
be no power assist for the steering, but you
will still have control of the vehicle. At this
time, greater steering effort is required to
operate the steering wheel, especially in
sharp turns and at low speeds.
For additional information, refer to “Power
steering” in the “Starting and driving” sec-
tion of this manual.
Seat belt warning light and
chime
The light and chime remind you to fasten
your seat belts. The light illuminates when-
ever the ignition switch is placed in the ON
or START position and remains illuminated
until the driver’s seat belt is fastened.
The seat belt warning light may also illumi-
nate if the front passenger’s seat belt is not
fastened when the front passenger’s seat
is occupied .
For additional information, refer to “Seat
belts” in the “Safety—Seats, seat belts and
supplemental restraint system” section of
this manual.
Supplemental air bagwarning light
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
or START position, the supplemental air
bag warning light illuminates for about
7 seconds and then turns off. This means
the system is operational.
If any of the following conditions occur, the
front air bag, side air bag, curtain air bag,
and pretensioner seat belt systems need
servicing:
∙ The supplemental air bag warning light remains on af ter approximately 7 sec-
onds.
∙ The supplemental air bag warning light flashes intermittently.
∙ The supplemental air bag warning light does not come on at all.
It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for these services.
Unless checked and repaired, the supple-
mental restraint system (air bag system)
and/or the pretensioner(s) may not func-
tion properly. For additional information, re-
fer to “Supplemental Restraint System
Instruments and controls2-11
3 Pre-driving checks and adjustments
Keys.............................................3-2NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System
keys..........................................3-3
Doors ...........................................3-3
Locking with key ..............................3-4
Locking with inside lock knob .................3-5
Locking with power door lock switch
(if so equipped) ...............................3-5
Automatic door locks (if so equipped) ........3-6
Child safety rear door lock ....................3-6
Remote keyless entry system (if so equipped) . . . 3-6 How to use remote keyless entry
system ....................................... 3-7
Hood ............................................3-9 Rear hatch (Hatchback)
........................3-10
Opening the rear hatch ......................3-10
Closing the rear hatch ........................ 3-11
Fuel-filler door ................................... 3-11
Opener operation ............................ 3-11
Fuel-filler cap ................................. 3-11
Steering wheel ................................. 3-14
Tilt operation ................................ 3-14
Sun visors ...................................... 3-14
Vanity mirrors (if so equipped) ...............3-15
Card holder (driver’s side only)
(if so equipped) .............................. 3-15
Mirrors ......................................... 3-15
Rearview mirror ............................. 3-15
Outside mirrors ............................. 3-16
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
3. To help prevent the vehicle from rollinginto traffic when parked on an incline, it
is a good practice to turn the wheels as
illustrated.
∙ HEADED DOWNHILL WITH CURB
A:
Turn the wheels into the curb and
move the vehicle forward until the curb
side wheel gently touches the curb.
∙ HEADED UPHILL WITH CURB
B:
Turn the wheels away from the curb
and move the vehicle back until the
curb side wheel gently touches the
curb.
∙ HEADED UPHILL OR DOWNHILL, NO CURB
C:
Turn the wheels toward the side of the
road so the vehicle will move away
from the center of the road if it moves.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position and remove the key.
WARNING
∙ If the engine is not running or isturned off while driving, the power as-
sist for the steering will not work.
Steering will be harder to operate.
∙ When the power steering warning light illuminates with the engine run-
ning, there will be no power assist for
the steering. You will still have control
of the vehicle but the steering will be
harder to operate. Have the power
steering system checked. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer
for this service.
The power steering system is designed to
provide power assist while driving to oper-
ate the steering wheel with light force.
When the steering wheel is operated re-
peatedly or continuously while parking or
driving at a very low speed, the power as-
sist for the steering wheel will be reduced.
This is to prevent overheating of the power
steering system and protect it from getting
damaged. While the power assist is re-
duced, steering wheel operation will be-
come heavy. When the temperature of the
power steering system goes down, the
power assist level will return to normal. Avoid repeating such steering wheel op-
erations that could cause the power steer-
ing system to overheat.
You may hear a sound when the steering
wheel is operated quickly. However, this is
not a malfunction.
If the electric power steering warning light
PS
illuminates while the engine is running,
it may indicate the power steering system
is not functioning properly and may need
servicing. Have the power steering system
checked. It is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN dealer for this service.
When the electric power steering warning
light illuminates with the engine running,
there will be no power assist for the steer-
ing but you will still have control of the ve-
hicle. At this time, greater steering effort is
required to operate the steering wheel, es-
pecially in sharp turns and at low speeds.
For additional information, refer to “Power
steering warning light” in the “Instruments
and controls” section of this manual.
POWER STEERING
Starting and driving5-21
BRAKE ASSIST
When the force applied to the brake pedal
exceeds a certain level, the brake assist is
activated generating greater braking force
than a conventional brake booster even
with light pedal force.
WARNING
The brake assist is only an aid to assist
braking operation and is not a collision
warning or avoidance device. It is the
driver’s responsibility to stay alert, drive
safely and be in control of the vehicle at
all times.The VDC system uses various sensors to
monitor driver inputs and vehicle motion.
Under certain driving conditions, the VDC
system helps to perform the following
functions:
∙ Controls brake pressure to reduce wheel slip on one slipping drive wheel
so power is transferred to a non slipping
drive wheel on the same axle.
∙ Controls brake pressure and engine output to reduce drive wheel slip based
on vehicle speed (traction control func-
tion).
∙ Controls brake pressure at individual wheels and engine output to help the
driver maintain control of the vehicle in
the following conditions:
– Understeer (vehicle tends to not fol- low the steered path despite in-
creased steering input)
– Oversteer (vehicle tends to spin due to certain road or driving conditions)
The VDC system can help the driver to
maintain control of the vehicle, but it can-
not prevent loss of vehicle control in all driv-
ing situations. When the VDC system operates, the
indicator in the instrument panel flashes
so note the following:
∙ The road may be slippery or the system may determine some action is required
to help keep the vehicle on the steered
path.
∙ You may feel a pulsation in the brake pedal and hear a noise or vibration from
under the hood. This is normal and indi-
cates that the VDC system is working
properly.
∙ Adjust your speed and driving to the road conditions.
For additional information, refer to “Slip in-
dicator light” and “Vehicle Dynamic Control
(VDC) OFF indicator light” in the “Instru-
ments and controls” section of this manual.
If a malfunction occurs in the system,
the
andindicator lights come
on in the instrument panel. The VDC sys-
tem automatically turns off when these in-
dicator lights are on.
The VDC OFF switch is used to turn off the
VDC system. The
indicator illumi-
nates to indicate the VDC system is off.
When the VDC switch is used to turn off the
system, the VDC system still operates to
VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC)
SYSTEM
5-24Starting and driving
prevent one drive wheel from slipping by
transferring power to a non slipping drive
wheel. The
indicator flashes if this oc-
curs. All other VDC functions are off and
the
indicator will not flash.
The VDC system is automatically reset to
on when the ignition switch is placed in the
off position then back to the on position.
The computer has a built in diagnostic fea-
ture that tests the system each time you
start the engine and move the vehicle for-
ward or in reverse at a slow speed. When
the self-test occurs, you may hear a clunk
noise and/or feel a pulsation in the brake
pedal. This is normal and is not an indica-
tion of a malfunction.
WARNING
∙ The VDC system is designed to help the driver maintain stability but does
not prevent accidents due to abrupt
steering operation at high speeds or
by careless or dangerous driving
techniques. Reduce vehicle speed and
be especially careful when driving and
cornering on slippery surfaces and al-
ways drive carefully. ∙ Do not modif y the vehicle’s suspen-
sion. If suspension parts such as
shock absorbers, struts, springs, sta-
bilizer bars, bushings and wheels are
not NISSAN recommended for your
vehicle or are extremely deteriorated,
the VDC system may not operate
properly. This could adversely affect
vehicle handling performance and
the
indicator may flash.
∙ If brake related parts such as brake pads, rotors and calipers are not
NISSAN recommended or are ex-
tremely deteriorated, the VDC system
may not operate properly and
the
indicator light may
illuminate.
∙ If engine control related parts are not NISSAN recommended or are ex-
tremely deteriorated, the
indi-
cator light may illuminate.
∙ When driving on extremely inclined surfaces such as higher banked cor-
ners, the VDC system may not operate
properly and the
indicator may
flash or the
indicator light may
illuminate. Do not drive on these types
of roads. ∙ When driving on an unstable surface
such as a turntable, ferry, elevator or
ramp, the
indicator may flash or
the
indicator light may illumi-
nate. This is not a malfunction. Re-
start the engine af ter driving onto a
stable surface.
∙ If wheels or tires other than the NISSAN recommended ones are used,
the VDC system may not operate
properly and the
indicator may
flash and the
indicator light may
illuminate.
∙ The VDC system is not a substitute for winter tires or tire chains on a snow
covered road.
BRAKE FORCE DISTRIBUTION
During braking while driving through turns,
the system optimizes the distribution of
force to each of the front and rear wheels
depending on the radius of the turn.
Starting and driving5-25