
5-8Starting and driving
WARNING
Do not operate the push-button
ignition switch while driving the ve-
hicle except in an emergency. (The
engine will stop when the ignition
switch is pushed 3 consecutive times
or the ignition switch is pushed and
held for more than 2 seconds.) If the
engine stops while the vehicle is
being driven, this could lead to a
crash and serious injury.
Before operating the push-button igni-
tion switch, be sure to move the shift
lever to the P (Park) position (for auto-
matic transmission model) or the shift
lever to the N (Neutral) position (for
manual transmission model).
SSD0825
OPERATING RANGE FOR ENGINE
START FUNCTION
The Intelligent Key can only be used for
starting the engine when the Intelligent
Key is within the specified operating
range
.
When the Intelligent Key battery is almost
discharged or strong radio waves are
present near the operating location, the
Intelligent Key system’s operating range
becomes narrower and may not function
properly.
If the Intelligent Key is within the operat-
ing range, it is possible for anyone, even
someone who does not carry the Intelli-
gent Key, to push the ignition switch to start the engine.
.
The cargo/trunk room area is not
included in the operating range but
the Intelligent Key may function.
. If the Intelligent Key is placed on the
instrument panel, rear parcel shelf,
inside the glove box or door pocket,
the Intelligent Key may not function.
. If the Intelligent Key is placed near the
door or window outside the vehicle,
the Intelligent Key may function.
PUSH-BUTTON IGNITION SWITCH

.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.
. 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.
Automatic Transmission (AT) model:
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.
Manual Transmission (MT) model:
Move the shift lever to the N (Neutral)
position. Depress the clutch pedal fully
to the floor.
The starter is designed not to operate
unless the clutch pedal is fully de-
pressed.
The Intelligent Key must be carried
when operating the ignition switch.
3. Push the ignition switch to the ON position. Firmly depress the brake
pedal (AT model) or the clutch pedal
(MT model) 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 or the
clutch 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 start
because 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.
Starting and driving5-11
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE STARTING THE ENGINE

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

1. Keep the foot brake pedal depressedand push the shift lever button to shift
into a driving gear.
2. Release the parking brake and foot brake, then gradually start the vehicle
in motion.
WARNING
.Do not depress the accelerator
pedal while shifting from P (Park)
or N (Neutral) to R (Reverse) D
(Drive), or manual shift mode. Al-
ways depress the brake pedal
until shifting is completed. Failure
to do so could cause you to lose
control and have an accident.
. Cold engine idle speed is high, so
use caution when shifting into a
forward or reverse gear before
the engine has warmed up.
. Never shift to either the P (Park)
or R (Reverse) position while the
vehicle is moving forward and P
(Park) or D (Drive) position while
the vehicle is reversing. This could
cause an accident or damage the
transmission.
. Do not downshift abruptly on
slippery roads. This may cause a loss of control.
CAUTION
.
Except in an emergency, do not
shift to the N (Neutral) position
while driving. Coasting with the
transmission in the N (Neutral)
position may cause serious da-
mage to the transmission.
. To avoid possible damage to your
vehicle; when stopping the vehi-
cle on an uphill grade, do not hold
the vehicle by depressing the
accelerator pedal. The foot brake
should be used for this purpose.
SSD0827Shift lever
To move the shift lever,
: Push the button while depressing the
brake pedal.
: Push the button.
: Just move the shift lever.
Shifting
After starting the engine, fully depress the
brake pedal and shift the shift lever from
P (Park) to R (Reverse), N (Neutral), D
(Drive) or Manual shift mode position.
Push the button to shift into P (Park) or R
(Reverse). All other positions can be
selected without pushing the button.
Starting and driving5-13

5-14Starting and driving
WARNING
Apply the parking brake if the shift
lever is in any position while the
engine is not running. Failure to do
so could cause the vehicle to move
unexpectedly or roll away and result
in serious personal injury or property
damage.
CAUTION
Make sure the vehicle is completely
stopped and the transmission is in
the P (Park) position.
P (Park) position:
Use this position when the vehicle is
parked or when starting the engine. Make
sure the vehicle is completely stopped.
The brake pedal must be depressed and
the shift lever button pushed in to move
the shift lever from the N (Neutral)
position or any drive position to the P
(Park) position. Apply the parking brake.
When parking on a hill, apply the parking
brake first, then move the shift lever to
the P (Park) position.
CAUTION
Use this position only when the
vehicle is completely stopped.
R (Reverse):
Use this position to back up. Always be
sure the vehicle is completely stopped
before selecting the R (Reverse) position.
The brake pedal must be depressed and
the shift lever button pushed in to move
the shift lever from the P (Park) posi-
tion, the N (Neutral) position or any
drive position to the R (Reverse) posi-
tion.
N (Neutral):
Neither forward nor reverse gear is en-
gaged. The engine can be started in this
position. You may shift to the N (Neutral)
position and restart a stalled engine while
the vehicle is moving.
D (Drive):
Use this position for all normal forward
driving.
SSD0828Paddle shifter (if so equipped)
Manual shift mode
When the shift lever is in the manual shift
gate, the transmission is ready for the
manual shift mode. Shift ranges can be
selected manually by moving the shift
lever up or down, or pulling the right-side
or left-side paddle shifter (if so equipped).
When shifting up, move the shift lever to
the + (up) side or pull the right-side paddle
shifter (if so equipped) (+)
. The trans-
mission shifts to the higher range.
When shifting down, move the shift lever
to the − (down) side or pull the left-side
paddle shifter (if so equipped) (−)
. The
transmission shifts to the lower range.

SSD0829
Shift lock release
If the battery charge is low or discharged,
the shift lever may not be moved from the
P (Park) position even with the brake
pedal depressed and the shift lever but-
ton pushed.
To move the shift lever, perform the
following procedure:
1. Push the ignition switch to the OFF orLOCK position.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Remove the shift lock cover
using a
suitable tool. 4. Push down the shift lock
using a
suitable tool as illustrated.
5. Push the shift lever button
and
move the shift lever to the N (Neutral)
position
while holding down the
shift lock.
Now the vehicle may be moved to the
desired location.
If the lever cannot be moved out of P
(Park), have the automatic transmission
system checked as soon as possible. It is
recommended you visit a NISSAN dealer
for this service.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
WARNING
. Do not downshift abruptly on
slippery roads. This may cause a
loss of control.
. Do not over-rev the engine when
shifting to a lower gear. This may
cause a loss of control or engine
damage.
CAUTION
.Do not rest your foot on the
clutch pedal while driving. This
may damage the clutch.
. Fully depress the clutch pedal
before shifting to help prevent
transmission damage.
. Stop your vehicle completely be-
fore shifting into R (Reverse).
. When the vehicle is stopped with
the engine running (for example,
at a stop light), shift to N (Neutral)
and release the clutch pedal with
the foot brake applied.
Starting and driving5-17

11 Index
A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) ....................... 5-28
Active noise cancellation....................................... 5-35
Active sound enhancement................................ 5-35
Advanced air bag system ..................................... 1-37
Air bag systemAdvanced air bag system .............................. 1-37
Front passenger air bag and
status light................................................................. 1-39
Front-seat mounted side-impact
supplemental air bag system..................... 1-42
Roof-mounted curtain side-impact
supplemental air bag system..................... 1-42
Air bag warning labels ............................................ 1-45
Air bag warning light................................. 1-45, 2-15
Air cleaner housing filter ....................................... 8-15
Air conditioner Air conditioner operation............................... 4-31
Air conditioner service...................................... 4-36
Air conditioner specification label....... 10-14
Air conditioning system refrigerant and
lubricant recommendations ......... 4-36, 10-8
In-cabin microfilter .............................................. 4-36
Air deflectors ................................................................ 10-18
Alarm, How to stop alarm (see vehicle
security system)............................................................ 2-32
Alcohol, drugs and driving ....................................... 5-7
Antenna........................................................................\
....... 4-80
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ....................... 5-28
Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
warning light ................................................................... 2-11
Appearance care Exterior appearance care ................................. 7-2
Interior appearance care................................... 7-5
Audible reminders....................................................... 2-18 Audio operation precautions ............................. 4-37
Audio system .................................................................. 4-37
FM-AM radio with Compact Disc
(CD) player .................................................................. 4-49
FM-AM-SAT radio with Compact Disc
(CD) player .................................................................. 4-58
Steering wheel audio controls................... 4-79
Autolight system.......................................................... 2-36
Automatic Air conditioner (Type A)................................... 4-32
Air conditioner (Type B)................................... 4-34
Automatic adjusting function
(front windows) ...................................................... 2-50
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) ........ 8-8
Door locks...................................................................... 3-5
Driving with
automatic transmission .................................. 5-12
Auxiliary input jacks................................................... 4-76
Average fuel consumption and speed ....... 2-26
Avoiding collision and rollover.............................. 5-6
B
Battery........................................................................\
.......... 8-11 Battery saver system......................................... 2-37
Intelligent Key.......................................................... 8-20
Variable voltage control system .............. 8-13
Before starting the engine................................... 5-11
Belts (See drive belts)............................................... 8-14
Bluetooth® hands-free phone system
(models with navigation system) ................... 4-82
Bluetooth® hands-free phone system
(models without navigation system) ........... 4-92
Bluetooth® streaming audio............................... 4-69
Booster seats.................................................................. 1-27 Brake
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ................ 5-28
Brake and clutch fluid ......................................... 8-9
Brake fluid ..................................................................... 8-9
Brake system ........................................................... 5-27
Parking brake operation................................. 5-21
Warning light............................................................ 2-11
Break-in schedule ....................................................... 5-24
Brightness control .......................................................... 4-8 Display ON/OFF button ...................................... 4-8
Instrument panel .................................................. 2-38
Bulb replacement ........................................................ 8-22
C
Cabin air filter ................................................................. 4-36
Capacities and
recommended fluids/lubricants...................... 10-2
Car phone or CB radio ............................................ 4-81
Cargo cover ..................................................................... 2-47
Catalytic converter, Three way catalyst ....... 5-3
CD/DVD/USB memory care
and cleaning.................................................................... 4-78
Center multi-function control panel
(models with navigation system) ....................... 4-4
Child restraints .............................................................. 1-20 Booster seats........................................................... 1-27
Precautions on child restraints................. 1-20
Top tether strap .................................................... 1-21
Child safety....................................................................... 1-17
Chimes Audible reminders................................................ 2-18
Seat belt warning light
and chime.................................................... 1-12, 2-14
Circuit breaker, Fusible link ................................. 8-18
Cleaning exterior and interior ................... 7-2, 7-5