2023 NISSAN ALTIMA ECO mode

M4 (4th), M3 (3rd) and M2 (2nd)
Use for hill climbing or engine braking on
downhill grades.
M1 (1st)
Use this position when climbing steep hills
slowly or driving slowly through deep snow,
sand or mud, or for maximum engine brak-
ing on steep downhill grades.
• Remember not to drive at high speeds forextended periods of time in lower than
the 8th range. This reduces fuel economy.
When shif ting up
Use the + (up) side paddle shif ter. (Shif ts to
higher range.)
When shif ting down
Use the − (down) side paddle shif ter. (Shif ts
to lower range.)
When canceling the manual shif t mode
To cancel manual shif t mode, push the
drive sport mode switch on the shif t lever
or press and hold either paddle shif ter.
• In the manual shif t mode, the trans-
mission may not shif t to the selected
gear. This helps maintain driving per-
formance and reduces the chance of
vehicle damage or loss of control. •
In the manual shif t mode, the trans-
mission may shif t up automatically to a
higher range than selected if the en-
gine speed is too high. When the ve-
hicle speed decreases, the transmis-
sion automatically shif ts down and
shif ts to 1st gear before the vehicle
comes to a stop.
• Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) operation is limited to automatic
drive mode when CVT fluid temperature
is extremely low even if manual shif t
mode is selected. This is not a malfunc-
tion. When CVT fluid warms up, manual
mode can be selected.
• When the CVT fluid temperature is high, the shif t range may upshif t in lower rpm
than usual. This is not a malfunction.
Shif t lock release
If the battery charge is low or discharged,
the shif t lever may not be moved from the
P (Park) position even with the brake pedal
depressed and the shif t lever button
pressed.
It will be necessary to jump start or have
your battery charged. For additional infor-
mation, see “Jump starting” (P. 6-17). Con-
tact a NISSAN dealer or a professional tow-
ing service.
LSD2644
5-22Starting and driving

To move the shif t lever, complete the fol-
lowing procedure:
1. Push the ignition switch to the LOCKposition.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Using a protective cloth on the tip of a 3 mm screwdriver, remove the shif t lock
release cover.
• If available, a plastic trim tool can also be used.
4. Insert the small screwdriver in the shif t lock release slot and push down.
5. Move the shif t lever to the N (Neutral) position while holding down the shif t
lock release.
If the shif t lever cannot be moved out of P
(Park), have the transmission checked as
soon as possible. It is recommended that
you visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.WARNING
If the shif t lever cannot be moved from
the P (Park) position while the engine is
running and the brake pedal is de-
pressed, the stop lights may not work.
Malfunctioning stop lights could cause
an accident injuring yourself and
others.
Drive sport mode switch
When the drive sport mode switch is
pushed with the shif t lever in the D (Drive)
position, the drive sport mode indicator in
the instrument panel illuminates. For addi-
tional information, see “Drive sport mode
indicator” (P. 2-29) or (P. 2-46)
Use the drive sport mode when you need
improved engine braking.
To turn off the drive sport mode, push the
drive sport mode switch again. The drive
sport mode indicator will turn off.
LSD3250
Drive sport mode
Starting and driving5-23

Each time the engine is started, or when
the shif t lever is shif ted to any position
other than D (Drive), the drive sport mode
will automatically turn off.
Accelerator downshif t
— in D (Drive) position —
For passing or hill climbing, depress the
accelerator pedal to the floor. This shif ts
the transmission down into a lower gear,
depending on the vehicle speed.
High fluid temperature protection
mode
This transmission has a high fluid tem-
perature protection mode. If the fluid tem-
perature becomes too high (for example,
when climbing steep grades in high tem-
peratures with heavy loads, such as when
towing a trailer), engine power and, under
some conditions, vehicle speed will be de-
creased automatically to reduce the
chance of transmission damage. Vehicle
speed can be controlled with the accelera-
tor pedal, but the engine and vehicle speed
may be limited.
Fail-safe
If the vehicle is driven under extreme
conditions, such as excessive wheel
spinning and subsequent hard braking,
the fail-safe system may be activated.
The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
may come on to indicate the fail-safe
mode is activated. For additional infor-
mation, see “Malfunction Indicator Light
(MIL)” (P. 2-15). This will occur even if all
electrical circuits are functioning prop-
erly. In this case, place the ignition switch
in the OFF position and wait for 10 sec-
onds. Then push the switch back to the
ON position. The vehicle should return to
its normal operating condition. If it does
not return to its normal operating condi-
tion, have the transmission checked. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.
WARNING
When the high fluid temperature pro-
tection mode or fail-safe operation oc-
curs, vehicle speed may be gradually
reduced. The reduced speed may be
lower than other traffic, which could in-
crease the chance of a collision. Be es-
pecially careful when driving. If neces-
sary, pull to the side of the road at a safe
place and allow the transmission to re-
turn to normal operation, or have it re-
paired if necessary.
5-24Starting and driving

HOW TO SELECT THE CRUISE
CONTROL MODE
Selecting the vehicle-to-vehicle dis-
tance control mode:To choose the
vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode
O1, quickly push and release the ICC switch
OA. Selecting the conventional (fixed speed)
cruise control mode:
To choose the con-
ventional (fixed speed) cruise control mode
O2, push and hold the ICC switchOAfor
longer than approximately 1.5 seconds. For
additional information, see “Conventional
(fixed speed) cruise control mode” (P. 5-90).
VEHICLE-TO-VEHICLE DISTANCE
CONTROL MODE
In the vehicle-to-vehicle distance control
mode, the ICC system automatically main-
tains a selected distance from the vehicle
traveling in front of you according to that
vehicle’s speed (up to the set speed), or at
the set speed when the road ahead is clear.
The ICC system is intended to enhance the
operation of the vehicle when following a
vehicle traveling in the same lane and
direction.
LSD3295LSD3293
Starting and driving5-73

To set cruising speed,accelerate your ve-
hicle to the desired speed, push the SET–
switch
OCand release it. The ICC system
set indicator (green), vehicle ahead detec-
tion indicator, set distance indicator and
set vehicle speed indicator
OBwill come on.
Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Your vehicle will maintain the set speed. When the SET– switch is pushed under the
following conditions, the system cannot be
set and the ICC indicators will blink for ap-
proximately 2 seconds:
• When traveling below 20 mph (30 km/h)
and a vehicle ahead is not detected
• When the shif t lever is not in the D (Drive) or Manual mode
• When the parking brake is applied
• When the brakes are operated by the driver When the SET– switch is pushed under the
following conditions, the system cannot be
set.
A warning chime will sound and a message
will pop up:
• When the VDC system is off (To use the
ICC system, turn on the VDC system. Push
the ICC switch to turn off the ICC system
and reset the ICC switch by pushing the
ICC switch again.)
For additional information about the
VDC system, see “Vehicle Dynamic Con-
trol (VDC)” (P. 5-175).
• When VDC is operating
• When a wheel is slipping (To use the ICC system, make sure the wheels are no lon-
ger slipping.)
LSD3866LSD3102
5-78Starting and driving

NOTE:
The approach warning chime may sound
and the system display may blink when
the ICC sensor detects objects on the
side of the vehicle or on the side of the
road. This may cause the ICC system to
decelerate or accelerate the vehicle. The
ICC sensor may detect these objects
when the vehicle is driven on winding
roads, narrow roads, hilly roads, or when
entering or exiting a curve. In these
cases you will have to manually control
the proper distance ahead of your
vehicle.
Also, the sensor sensitivity can be affected
by vehicle operation (steering maneuver or
driving position in the lane) or traffic or ve-
hicle condition (for example, if a vehicle is
being driven with some damage).
Automatic cancellation
A chime sounds under the following condi-
tions and the control is automatically can-
celed:
• When the vehicle ahead is not detectedand your vehicle is traveling below the
speed of 15 mph (25 km/h)
• When the system judges the vehicle is at a standstill • When the shif t lever is not in the D (Drive)
position, Manual mode or L (Low) range.
• When the parking brake system is applied
• When the VDC system is turned off
• When VDC operates
• When distance measurement becomes impaired due to adhesion of dirt or ob-
struction to the sensor
• When a wheel slips
• When the radar signal is temporarily interrupted
VEHICLE-TO-VEHICLE DISTANCE
CONTROL MODE LIMITATIONS
WARNING
Listed below are the system limitations
for the ICC system. Failure to operate
the vehicle in accordance with these
system limitations could result in seri-
ous injury or death.
• The ICC system is primarily intended
for use on straight, dry, open roads
with light traffic. It is not advisable to
use the ICC system in city traffic or
congested areas. •
The ICC system will not adapt auto-
matically to road conditions. This
system should be used in evenly
flowing traffic. Do not use the system
on roads with sharp curves, or on icy
roads, in heavy rain or in fog.
• As there is a performance limit to the
distance control function, never rely
solely on the ICC system. This system
does not correct careless, inattentive
or absentminded driving, or over-
come poor visibility in rain, fog, or
other bad weather. Decelerate the
vehicle speed by depressing the
brake pedal, depending on the dis-
tance to the vehicle ahead and the
surrounding circumstances in order
to maintain a safe distance between
vehicles.
• If the vehicle ahead comes to a stop,
the vehicle decelerates to a standstill
within the limitations of the system.
The system will cancel once it judges
that the vehicle has come to a stand-
still and sound a warning chime. To
prevent the vehicle from moving, the
driver must depress the brake pedal.
5-82Starting and driving

•Always pay attention to the opera-
tion of the vehicle and be ready to
manually control the proper follow-
ing distance. The ICC system may not
be able to maintain the selected dis-
tance between vehicles (following
distance) or selected vehicle speed
under some circumstances.
• The system may not detect the ve-
hicle in front of you in certain road or
weather conditions. To avoid acci-
dents, never use the ICC system un-
der the following conditions:
– On roads where the traffic is heavy
or there are sharp curves
– On slippery road surfaces such as
on ice or snow, etc.
– During bad weather (rain, fog,
snow, etc.)
– When rain, snow or dirt adhere to
the bumper around the distance
sensor
– On steep downhill roads (the ve-
hicle may go beyond the set ve-
hicle speed and frequent braking
may result in overheating the
brakes)
– On repeated uphill and downhill
roads –
When traffic conditions make it
difficult to keep a proper distance
between vehicles because of fre-
quent acceleration or
deceleration
– Interference by other radar
sources
• Do not use the ICC system if you are
towing a trailer. The system may not
detect a vehicle ahead.
• In some road or traffic conditions, a
vehicle or object can unexpectedly
come into the sensor detection zone
and cause automatic braking. Al-
ways stay alert and avoid using the
ICC system where not recommended
in this warning section.
The radar sensor will not detect the follow-
ing objects:
• Stationary and slow moving vehicles
• Pedestrians or objects in the roadway
• Oncoming vehicles in the same lane
• Motorcycles traveling offset in the travel lane The sensor generally detects the signals
returned from the vehicle ahead. Therefore,
if the sensor cannot detect the reflection
from the vehicle ahead, the ICC system
may not maintain the selected distance.
The following are some conditions in which
the sensor cannot properly detect a ve-
hicle ahead and the system may not oper-
ate properly:
• When snow or road spray from traveling
vehicles reduces the sensor’s detection.
• When your vehicle is towing a trailer, etc.
• When excessively heavy baggage is loaded in the rear seat or cargo area of
your vehicle.
The ICC system is designed to automati-
cally check the sensor’s operation within
the limitations of the system.
When the sensor is covered with dirt or is
obstructed, the system will automatically
be canceled. If the sensor is covered with
ice, a transparent or translucent vinyl bag,
etc., the ICC system may not detect them.
In these instances, the vehicle-to-vehicle
distance control mode may not cancel and
may not be able to maintain the selected
following distance from the vehicle ahead.
Be sure to check and clean the sensor
regularly.
Starting and driving5-83

Action to take
If the warning light comes on, park the ve-
hicle in a safe place. Turn the engine off,
restart the engine, resume driving and set
the ICC system again.
If it is not possible to set the system or
the indicator stays on, it may indicate
that the system is malfunctioning. Al-
though the vehicle is still drivable under
normal conditions, have the vehicle
checked. It is recommended that you
visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
NOTE:
If the ICC system is temporarily unavail-
able, the conventional cruise control
mode may still be used. For additional
information, see “Conventional (fixed
speed) cruise control mode” (P. 5-90).
SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
The sensor for the ICC systemO1is located
on the front of the vehicle.
To keep the ICC system operating properly,
be sure to observe the following:
• Always keep the sensor area of the front bumper/emblem clean.
• Do not strike or damage the areas around the sensor.
• Do not attach a sticker (including trans- parent material) or install an accessory
near the sensor. This could cause failure
or malfunction.
LSD4448LSD3293
5-88Starting and driving