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
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
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.
SSD0830
SynchroRev Match mode (S-MODE)
warning:
The SynchroRev Match mode (S-MODE)
warning will appear on the vehicle infor-
mation display and the S-MODE indicator
will turn off if a system malfunction
occurs.
If the warning appears, the S-MODE func-
tion will not operate, but manual trans-
mission will operate normally and driving
can be continued. Have the system
checked. It is recommended you visit a
NISSAN dealer for this service.
SSD0831
Activating the system:
To activate the S-MODE, push the S-
MODE switch
. The S-MODE indicatoron the tachometer will show “S”. To
deactivate, push and hold the S-MODE
switch for more than 1 second. The S-
MODE indicator will turn off.While the S-MODE is off, you can drive the
vehicle as a conventional manual trans-
mission model.
Note that the status of the S-MODE (on or
off) is memorized even after the ignition
switch is turned off; however, it will be
initialized (off) when the battery is dis-
connected.
The transmission position indicator
shows the selected gear: N (Neutral), 1, 2,
3, 4, 5, 6, R (Reverse).
SynchroRev Match mode (S-MODE) op-
eration:
The SynchroRev Match mode (S-MODE)
automatically adjusts the engine speed
by controlling the engine throttle. The
accelerator pedal does not have to be
depressed.
The system detects the clutch pedal and
shift lever operations, and then calculates
the target engine speed using the shifting
gear position and the vehicle speed
information.
The system provides accurate engine
speed control that helps achieve quick
gear shifting and reduces shift shock on
clutch engagement.
.
When downshifting:
The engine speed is automatically
increased to the target engine speed
Starting and driving5-19
5-20Starting and driving
before the clutch is engaged.
. When upshifting:
The engine speed is automatically
kept after the engine speed lowers to
the target engine speed.
Rapid clutch engagement before the
engine speed lowers to the target
engine speed may cause shift shock.
. When depressing the clutch pedal
with the gear engaged:
The engine speed is automatically
kept at the proper engine speed for
the engaged gear.
This function will not operate when
low (1st) gear is selected.
There is a delay between the clutch
pedal operation and the S-MODE op-
eration. Make sure the engine speed is
adjusted before engaging the clutch
again.
SSD0832
Upshift indicator
The up-shift indicator is located in the
tachometer and shows the driver the
timing to shift into a higher gear by
illuminating. The use of the up-shift
indicator will help you to upshift at a
constant engine speed from any gear.
The up-shift indicator will start flashing
when the engine speed reaches about
500 rpm before the set figure while
driving, and then illuminate after the
engine speed reaches the set figure.
The engine speed for upshifting can be
set on the vehicle information display. See
“Trip computer” (P.2-25). There may be a slight difference be-
tween the timing of the up-shift indica-
tor illumination and the tachometer
indication.
Suggested up-shift speeds
Shown below are suggested vehicle
speeds for shifting into a higher gear.
These suggestions relate to fuel economy
and vehicle performance. Actual up-shift
speeds will vary according to road condi-
tions, the weather and individual driving
habits.
For normal acceleration in low altitude
areas [less than 4,000 ft (1,219 m)]:
Gear change
MPH (km/h)
1st to 2nd 8 (13)
2nd to 3rd 16 (26)
3rd to 4th 25 (40)
4th to 5th 28 (45)
5th to 6th 33 (53)
5-22Starting and driving
SPA2110
To apply:Pull the parking brake lever up.
To release:
1. Firmly apply the foot brake.
2. While pulling up on the parking brake lever slightly, push the button
and
lower the lever completely.
3. Before driving, be sure the brake warning light goes out.
PRECAUTIONS ON CRUISE CON-
TROL
.If the cruise control system malfunc-
tions, it will cancel automatically. The
CRUISE indicator light on the meter
panel will then blink to warn the driver.
. If the engine coolant temperature
becomes excessively high, the cruise
control system will cancel automati-
cally.
. If the CRUISE indicator light blinks,
turn the cruise control main switch
off and have the system checked. It is
recommended you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.
. The CRUISE indicator light may blink
when the cruise control main switch is
turned ON while pushing the ACCEL/
RES, COAST/SET or CANCEL switch. To
properly set the cruise control system,
perform the following procedures.
WARNING
Do not use the cruise control when
driving under the following condi-
tions:
.when it is not possible to keep the
vehicle at a set speed .
in heavy traffic or in traffic that
varies in speed
. on winding or hilly roads
. on slippery roads (rain, snow, ice,
etc.)
. in very windy areas
Doing so could cause a loss of
vehicle control and result in an acci-
dent.
CAUTION
On manual transmission models, do
not shift into N (Neutral) without
depressing the clutch pedal when
the cruise control is set. Should this
occur, depress the clutch pedal and
turn the main switch off immedi-
ately. Failure to do so may cause
engine damage.
CRUISE CONTROL
5-26Starting and driving
SD1006MA
WARNING
.Do not stop or park the vehicle
over flammable materials such as
dry grass, waste paper or rags.
They may ignite and cause a fire.
. Never leave the engine running
while the vehicle is unattended.
. Do not leave children unattended
inside the vehicle. They could
unknowingly activate switches
or controls. Unattended children
could become involved in serious
accidents. .
To help avoid risk of injury or
death through unintended opera-
tion of the vehicle and/or its
systems, do not leave children,
people who require the assis-
tance of others or pets unat-
tended in your vehicle.
Additionally, the temperature in-
side a closed vehicle on a warm
day can quickly become high
enough to cause a significant risk
of injury or death to people and
pets.
. Safe parking procedures require
that both the parking brake be
applied and the transmission placed into P (Park) for Automatic
Transmission (AT) model or in an
appropriate gear for Manual
Transmission (MT) model. Failure
to do so could cause the vehicle
to move unexpectedly or roll
away and result in an accident.
. Make sure the automatic trans-
mission shift lever has been
pushed as far forward as it can
go and cannot be moved without
depressing the foot brake pedal.
1. Firmly apply the parking brake.
2. Automatic transmission models:
Move the shift lever to the P (Park)
position.
Manual transmission models:
Place the shift lever in the R (Reverse)
gear. When parking on an uphill grade,
place the shift lever in the 1st gear.
3. To help prevent the vehicle from roll- ing into the street when parked on a
sloping drive way, it is a good practice
to turn the wheels as illustrated.
.HEADED DOWNHILL WITH CURB:
Turn the wheels into the curb and
move the vehicle forward until the
curb side wheel gently touches the
curb.
PARKING/PARKING ON HILLS
5-32Starting and driving
JVS0446X
1. Front performance damper
2. Rear performance damper
The performance dampers are installed in
the front and rear parts of the NISMO
models for improved handling and ride.
WARNING
.High-pressure nitrogen gas is
sealed inside the performance
dampers. Do not attempt to mod-
ify or disassemble them.
. For disposal of the performance
dampers or when scrapping the
vehicle, it is recommended you
visit a NISSAN dealer for this
service. Never burn or puncture
the performance dampers. Incor-
rect disposal procedures could
cause serious personal injury.
PERFORMANCE DAMPERS (NISMO models)