To start the NISSAN PURE DRIVE® Hybrid
System, depress the brake pedal and place
the ignition switch in the ON position when
the transmission is in the P (Park) position.
CAUTION
Do not start the system in the N (Neu-
tral) position under cold condition of
the system. Start in the P (Park) position
in that case.
The READY to drive indicator light
flashes until the hybrid system is ready to
drive.
If starting in a low temperature environ-
ment, the flashing time of the READY to
drive indicator light
becomes longer.
It cannot move out from the P (Park) range
during flashing.
When the READY to drive indicator
light
illuminates, the vehicle can be
driven, even if the gasoline engine is not
running.
NOTE:
The gasoline engine starts and stops au-
tomatically. It may stop during decelera-
tion or when the vehicle is stopped. The gasoline engine may automatically
run in the following conditions:
∙ The level of remaining charge in the Li- ion battery is low. The engine runs to
charge the Li-ion battery and to provide
power to drive the vehicle.
∙ The temperature of the engine coolant is low.
∙ When the A/C is used.
∙ When opening the door.
∙ When the engine hood is opened.
∙ When applying the brakes.
∙ Based on driving conditions.
∙ The shif t lever is moved to the P (Park) position, the driver’s seat belt is re-
leased and the driver’s side door is then
opened.
The hybrid system operates as follows
based on driving conditions and the Li-ion
battery charge.
The engine is hard to stop during these
driving conditions:
∙ When the A/C is on and outside tem- perature is high/low. ∙ When repeatedly starting and stopping
the engine.
STARTING AND SLOW SPEED
DRIVING
In some cases, the vehicle can be driven by
the electric motor during extremely slow
speed creep, but the engine starts when
accelerating or releasing the brakes.
MEDIUM OR HIGH SPEED DRIVING
The system automatically controls the
gasoline engine and electric motor in order
to obtain the optimum fuel mileage and
performance, depending on the driving
situation and available Li-ion battery
charge.
When the remaining battery level is low, the
Li-ion battery is charged by the electric
motor that is driven to generate electric
power while the vehicle is driving.
RAPID ACCELERATION
The vehicle is accelerated using both the
gasoline engine and the electric motor de-
pending on the available Li-ion battery
charge.
OPERATION OF THE HYBRID SYSTEM
HEV OverviewHEV-5
the hybrid system and push the ignition
switch to the OFF position. The tempera-
ture of the power steering system will go
down af ter a period of time and the power
assist level will return to normal af ter start-
ing the hybrid system. The power steering
warning light will go off. Avoid repeating
such steering wheel operations that could
cause the power steering system to over-
heat.
You may hear a noise from the front of the
vehicle when the steering wheel is oper-
ated. This is a normal operational noise
and is not a malfunction.
If the power steering warning lightPSillu-
minates while the hybrid system 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 power steering warning light illu-
minates with the hybrid system 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.
The brake system has two separate hy-
draulic circuits. If one circuit malfunctions,
you will still have braking at two wheels.
BRAKE PRECAUTIONS
Vacuum assisted brakes
The brake booster aids braking by using
engine vacuum. If the engine stops, you
can stop the vehicle by depressing the
brake pedal. However, greater foot pres-
sure on the brake pedal will be required to
stop the vehicle and stopping distance will
be longer.
Using the brakes
Avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal
while driving. This will overheat the brakes,
wear out the brake pads faster, and reduce
gas mileage.
To help reduce brake wear and to prevent
the brakes from overheating, reduce speed
and downshif t to a lower gear before going
down a slope or long grade. Overheated
brakes may reduce braking performance
and could result in loss of vehicle control.
BRAKE SYSTEM
5-104Starting and driving
