
WARNING
∙ The air conditioner cooling functionoperates only when the engine is
running.
∙ Do not leave children or adults who would normally require the assis-
tance of others alone in your vehicle.
Pets should also not be lef t alone.
They could accidentally injure them-
selves or others through inadvertent
operation of the vehicle. Also, on hot,
sunny days, temperatures in a closed
vehicle could quickly become high
enough to cause severe or possibly
fatal injuries to people or animals.
∙ Do not use the recirculation mode for long periods as it may cause the inte-
rior air to become stale and the win-
dows to fog up. NOTE:
∙ Odors from inside and outside the ve-
hicle can build up in the air condi-
tioner unit. Odor can enter the pas-
senger compartment through the
vents.
∙ When parking, set the heater and air
conditioner controls to turn off air re-
circulation to allow fresh air into the
passenger compartment. This should
help reduce odors inside the vehicle.
HEATER AND AIR CONDITIONER
(manual) (if so equipped)
4-20Heater, air conditioner, audio and phone systems

∙ to prevent traffic fumes from enteringpassenger compartment.
∙ for maximum cooling when using the air conditioner.
A/C (air conditioner) button
Start the engine, turn thefan control
dial to the desired position and press
the
button to turn on the air condi-
tioner. The indicator light comes on when
the air conditioner is operating. To turn off
the air conditioner, press the
button
again.
The air conditioner cooling function op-
erates only when the engine is running.
Rear window and outside mirror
(if so equipped) defroster switch
For additional information, refer to “Rear
window and outside mirror (if so equipped)
defroster switch” in the “Instruments and
controls” section of this manual.
HEATER OPERATION
Heating
This mode is used to direct heated air to
the foot outlets. Some air also flows from
the defrost outlets. 1. Move the air intake lever to the
position for normal heating.
2. Turn the air flow control dial to the
position.
3. Turn the
fan control dial to the
desired position.
4. Turn the temperature control dial to the desired position between the
middle and the hot position.
Ventilation
This mode directs outside air to the side
and center vents.
1. Move the air intake lever to the
position.
2. Turn the air flow control dial to the
position.
3. Turn the
fan control dial to the
desired position.
4. Turn the temperature control dial to the desired position.
Defrosting or defogging
This mode directs the air to the defrost
outlets to defrost/defog the windows. 1. Move the air intake lever to the
position.
2. Turn the air flow control dial to the
position.
3. Turn the
fan control dial to the
desired position.
4. Turn the temperature control dial to the desired position between the
middle and the hot position.
∙ To quickly remove ice or fog from the windows, turn the fan control dial to the
maximum position and the tempera-
ture control dial to the full hot position.
When the
orposition is se-
lected, press the
button to turn on
the air conditioner for better performance.
This will dehumidif y the air and help defog
the windows.
Bi-level heating
This mode directs cooler air from the side
and center vents and warmer air from the
floor outlets. When the temperature con-
trol dial is moved to the full hot or full cool
position, the air between the vents and the
floor outlets is the same temperature.
4-22Heater, air conditioner, audio and phone systems

1. Move the air intake lever to theposition.
2. Turn the air flow control dial to the
position.
3. Turn the
fan control dial to the
desired position.
4. Turn the temperature control dial to the desired position.
Heating and defogging
This mode heats the cabin and defogs the
windshield.
1. Move the air intake lever to the
position.
2. Turn the air flow control dial to the
position.
3. Turn the
fan control dial to the
desired position.
4. Turn the temperature control dial to the desired position between the
middle and the hot position.
When the
orposition is se-
lected, press the
button to turn on
the air conditioner for better performance.
This will dehumidif y the air and help defog
the windows.
Operating tips
Clear snow and ice from the wiper blades
and air inlet in front of the windshield.
This improves heater operation.
AIR CONDITIONER OPERATION
Start the engine, turn thefan control
dial to the desired position, and press
the
button to activate the air condi-
tioner. When the air conditioner is on, cool-
ing and dehumidif ying functions are
added to the heater operation.
The air conditioner cooling function op-
erates only when the engine is running.
Cooling
This mode is used to cool and dehumidif y
the air.
1. Move the air intake lever to the
position.
2. Turn the air flow control dial to the
position.
3. Turn the
fan control dial to the
desired position.
4. Press the
button. The indicator
light comes on. 5. Turn the temperature control dial to
the desired position.
∙ For quick cooling when the outside temperature is high, move the air intake
lever to the
position. Be sure to
return to the
position for normal
cooling.
Dehumidified heating
This mode is used to heat and dehumidif y
the air.
1. Move the air intake lever to the
position.
2. Turn the air flow control dial to the
position.
3. Turn the
fan control dial to the
desired position.
4. Press the
button. The indicator
light comes on.
5. Turn the temperature control dial to the desired position.
Dehumidified defogging
This mode is used to defog the windows
and dehumidif y the air.
1. Move the air intake lever to the
position.
Heater, air conditioner, audio and phone systems4-23

2. Turn the air flow control dial tothe
position.
3. Turn the
fan control dial to the de-
sired position.
4. Turn the temperature control dial to the desired position.
Operating tips
∙ Keep the windows closed while the airconditioner is in operation.
∙ Af ter parking in the sun, drive for 2 or 3 minutes with the windows open to
vent hot air from the passenger com-
partment. Then, close the windows.
This allows the air conditioner to cool
the interior more quickly.
∙ The air conditioning system should
be operated for approximately
10 minutes at least once a month.
This helps prevent damage to the
system due to lack of lubrication.
∙ A visible mist may be seen coming from the ventilators in hot, humid conditions
as the air is cooled rapidly. This does not
indicate a malfunction. ∙
If the engine coolant temperature
gauge indicates engine coolant tem-
perature over the normal range, turn
the air conditioner off. For additional
information, refer to “If your vehicle
overheats” in the “In case of emer-
gency ” section of this manual.
AIR FLOW CHARTS
The following charts show the button and
dial positions for MAXIMUM AND QUICK
heating, cooling or defrosting. The air in-
take lever should always be in the
position for heating and defrosting.
4-24Heater, air conditioner, audio and phone systems

The air conditioner system in your NISSAN
vehicle is charged with a refrigerant de-
signed with the environment in mind.
This refrigerant does not harm the
earth’s ozone layer.
Special charging equipment and lubricant
is required when servicing your NISSAN air
conditioner. Using improper refrigerants or
lubricants will cause severe damage to
your air conditioner system. For additional
information, refer to “Air conditioner sys-
tem (if so equipped) refrigerant and oil rec-
ommendations” in the “Technical and con-
sumer information” section of this manual.
It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer to service your “environmentally
friendly” air conditioning system.
WARNING
The air conditioner system contains re-
frigerant under high pressure. To avoid
personal injury, any air conditioner ser-
vice should be done only by a NISSAN
dealer.
RADIO
Place the ignition switch in the ACC or ON
position and press the PUSH
(power)
button to turn the radio on. If you listen to
the radio with the engine not running, the
ignition switch should be placed in the ACC
position.
Radio reception is affected by station sig-
nal strength, distance from radio transmit-
ter, buildings, bridges, mountains and other
external influences. Intermittent changes
in reception quality normally are caused by
these external influences.
Using a cellular phone in or near the ve-
hicle may influence radio reception qual-
ity.
Radio reception
Your NISSAN radio system is equipped with
state-of-the-art electronic circuits to en-
hance radio reception. These circuits are
designed to extend reception range and to
enhance the quality of that reception.
However, there are some general charac-
teristics of both FM and AM radio signals
that can affect radio reception quality in a
moving vehicle, even when the finest
equipment is used. These characteristics
are completely normal in a given reception area and do not indicate any malfunction
in your NISSAN radio system.
Reception conditions will constantly
change because of vehicle movement.
Buildings, terrain, signal distance and inter-
ference from other vehicles can work
against ideal reception. Described below
are some of the factors that can affect your
radio reception.
Some cellular phones or other devices may
cause interference or a buzzing noise to
come from the audio system speakers.
Storing the device in a different location
may reduce or eliminate the noise.
FM RADIO RECEPTION
Range: FM range is normally limited to 40 –
48 km (25 – 30 mi) with monaural (single
channel) FM having slightly more range
than stereo FM. External influences may
sometimes interfere with FM station re-
ception even if the FM station is within
40 km (25 mi). The strength of the FM signal
is directly related to the distance between
the transmitter and receiver. FM signals fol-
low a line-of-sight path, exhibiting many of
the same characteristics as light. For ex-
ample, they will reflect off objects.
SERVICING AIR CONDITIONER (if so
equipped)
AUDIO SYSTEM
4-28Heater, air conditioner, audio and phone systems

When installing a CB, ham radio or car
phone in your vehicle, be sure to observe
the following precautions; otherwise, the
new equipment may adversely affect the
engine control system and other electronic
parts.
WARNING
∙ A cellular phone should not be usedfor any purpose while driving so full
attention may be given to vehicle op-
eration. Some jurisdictions prohibit
the use of cellular phones while
driving.
∙ If you are unable to devote full atten- tion to vehicle operation while talking
on the phone, pull off the road to a
safe location and stop your vehicle.
CAUTION
∙ Keep the antenna as far away as pos-sible from the electronic control
modules.
∙ Keep the antenna wire more than 20 cm (8 in) away from the electronic
control system harnesses. Do not
route the antenna wire next to any
harness.
∙ Adjust the antenna standing-wave ratio as recommended by the
manufacturer.
∙ Connect the ground wire from the CB radio chassis to the body.
∙ For additional information, it is rec- ommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer.
WARNING
∙ Use a phone af ter stopping your ve-hicle in a safe location. If you have to
use a phone while driving, exercise ex-
treme caution at all times so full at-
tention may be given to vehicle
operation.
∙ If you are unable to devote full atten- tion to vehicle operation while talking
on the phone, pull off the road to a
safe location and stop your vehicle.
CAUTION
To avoid discharging the vehicle bat-
tery, use a phone af ter starting the
engine.
CAR PHONE OR CB RADIO BLUETOOTH® HANDS-FREE PHONE
SYSTEM
Heater, air conditioner, audio and phone systems4-51

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) ...............................5-6
Manual transmission (if so equipped) .........5-7
Ignition switch positions ......................5-7
NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System ..........5-7
Before starting the engine .......................5-8
Starting the engine ..............................5-8
Driving the vehicle ...............................5-9
Automatic transmission (A/T) (if so
equipped) ....................................5-9
Manual transmission (if so equipped) ........5-14
Parking brake .................................. 5-16
Cruise control (if so equipped) ..................5-17
Precautions on cruise control ................5-17Cruise control operations
....................5-17
Break-in schedule .............................. 5-18
Fuel efficient driving tips ........................5-19
Increasing fuel economy .......................5-20
Parking/parking on hills ........................5-21
Power steering ................................. 5-22
Brake system ................................... 5-23
Brake precautions ........................... 5-23
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ..............5-23
Brake assist ................................. 5-24
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system .........5-25
Brake force distribution ......................5-26
Cold weather driving ........................... 5-27
Freeing a frozen door lock ...................5-27
Antifreeze ................................... 5-27
Battery...................................... 5-27
Draining of coolant water ....................5-27
Tire equipment .............................. 5-28
Special winter equipment ...................5-28
Driving on snow or ice .......................5-28
Engine
block heater (if so equipped) .........5-29

WARNING
∙ Do not leave children or adults whowould normally require the assis-
tance of others alone in your vehicle.
Pets should also not be lef t alone.
They could accidentally injure them-
selves or others through inadvertent
operation of the vehicle. Also, on hot,
sunny days, temperatures in a closed
vehicle could quickly become high
enough to cause severe or possibly
fatal injuries to people or animals.
∙ Properly secure all cargo to help pre- vent it from sliding or shif ting. Do not
place cargo higher than the seat-
backs. In a sudden stop or collision,
unsecured cargo could cause per-
sonal injury.
EXHAUST GAS (carbon monoxide)
WARNING
∙ Do not breathe exhaust gases; theycontain colorless and odorless carbon
monoxide. Carbon monoxide is dan-
gerous. It can cause unconsciousness
or death. ∙ If you suspect that exhaust fumes are
entering the vehicle, drive with all
windows fully open, and have the ve-
hicle inspected immediately.
∙ Do not run the engine in closed spaces such as a garage.
∙ Do not park the vehicle with the en- gine running for any extended length
of time.
∙ Keep the rear vent windows, lif tgates, doors and trunk lids (if so equipped)
closed while driving, otherwise ex-
haust gases could be drawn into the
passenger compartment. If you must
drive with one of these open, follow
these precautions:
1. Open all the windows.
2. Turn the air recirculation mode off and set the fan speed control to
the highest level to circulate the
air.
∙ The exhaust system and body should be inspected by a qualified mechanic
whenever:
a. The vehicle is raised for service. b. You suspect that exhaust fumes
are entering into the passenger
compartment.
c. You notice a change in the sound of the exhaust system.
d. You have had an accident involving damage to the exhaust system,
underbody, or rear of the vehicle.
THREE-WAY CATALYST
The three-way catalyst is an emission con-
trol device installed in the exhaust system.
Exhaust gases in the three-way catalyst
are burned at high temperatures to help
reduce pollutants.
WARNING
∙ The exhaust gas and the exhaust sys-tem are very hot. Keep people, ani-
mals or flammable materials away
from the exhaust system
components.
∙ 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.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN STARTING AND
DRIVING
5-2Starting and driving