The Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) in your vehicle is electronically controlled to produce maximum power and smooth operation.

The recommended operating procedures for this transmission are shown on the following pages.

Follow these procedures for maximum vehicle performance and driving enjoyment.

Engine power may be automatically reduced to protect the CVT if the engine speed increases quickly when driving on slippery roads or while being tested on some dynamometers.

Starting the vehicle

1. After starting the engine, fully depress the foot brake pedal before moving the shift lever out of the P (Park) position.

This CVT is designed so that the foot brake pedal must be depressed before shifting from P (Park) to any driving position while the ignition switch is in the ON position.

The shift lever cannot be moved out of the P (Park) position and into any of the other positions if the ignition switch is placed in the LOCK, OFF or ACC position or if the key is removed.

2. Keep the foot brake pedal depressed, push the shift lever button and move the shift lever to a driving position.

3. Release the parking brake and foot brake pedal, and 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) or D (Drive). Always depress the brake pedal until shifting is completed.

• Never shift to P (Park) or R (Reverse) while vehicle is moving. Failure to do so could cause you to lose control and have an accident.

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 damage to the transmission.

• When stopping the vehicle on an uphill grade, do not hold the vehicle by depressing the accelerator pedal.

• Do not downshift abruptly on slippery roads. This may cause a loss of control.

To move the shift lever,

: Push the buttonA while depressing
the brake pedal.

: Push the buttonA .

: Just move the shift lever.

Shifting

After starting the engine, fully depress the brake pedal, push the shift lever button and move the shift lever from the P (Park) position to any of the desired shift positions.

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.

If the ignition switch is placed in the OFF or ACC position for any reason while the shift lever is in any positions other than the P (Park), the ignition switch cannot be placed in the LOCK position.

If the ignition switch cannot be placed in the LOCK position, perform the following steps: 1. Apply the parking brake when the vehicle is stopped.

2. Place the ignition switch in the ON position while depressing the foot brake pedal.

3. Move the shift lever to the P (Park) position.

4. Models with Intelligent Key system: Place the ignition switch in the OFF position.

Models without Intelligent Key system: Place the ignition switch in the LOCK position.

CAUTION

To prevent transmission damage, move the shift lever to the P (Park) or R (Reverse) position only when the vehicle is completely stopped.

P (Park):

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 N (Neutral) or any drive position to P (Park).

Apply the parking brake. When parking on a hill, apply the parking brake first, then move the shift lever to the P (Park) position.

R (Reverse):

Use this position to back up. Make 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 P (Park), N (Neutral) or any driving position to R (Reverse).

N (Neutral):

Neither forward nor reverse gear is engaged.

The engine can be started in this position. You may shift to N (Neutral) and restart a stalled engine while the vehicle is moving.

D (Drive):

Use this position for all normal forward driving.

Manual shift mode (if so equipped) When the shift lever is shifted from the D position to the manual shift gate, the transmission enters the manual shift mode. Shift ranges can be selected manually.

In the manual shift mode, the shift range is displayed on the position indicator in the meter.

Shift ranges up or down one by one as follows:

: NISMO models

• When shifting up, move the shift lever to the + (up) side. The transmission shifts to a higher range.

• When shifting down, move the shift lever to the − (down) side. The transmission shifts to a lower range.

• Moving the shift lever to the same side twice will shift the ranges in succession. However, if this motion is rapidly done, the second shifting may not be completed properly.

•  When canceling the manual shift mode, return the shift lever to the D (Drive) position.

The transmission returns to the normal driving mode.

M6 (6th) (except for NISMO models):

M7 (7th) (NISMO models):

Use this position for all normal forward driving at highway speeds.

M5 (5th) (except for NISMO models):

M6 (6th) and M5 (5th) (NISMO models):

Use this position when driving up long slopes, or for engine braking when driving down long slopes.

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 braking on steep downhill grades.

• Remember not to drive at high speeds for extended periods of time in lower than M6 or M7 (NISMO models) range. This reduces fuel economy.

• In the manual shift mode, the transmission may not shift to the selected range. This helps maintain driving performance and reduces the chance of vehicle damage or loss of control.

• When the CVT fluid temperature is extremely low, the manual shift mode may not work and automatically shift as a drive mode.

This is not a malfunction. In this case, return the shift lever to the D position and drive for a while and then shift to the manual shift mode.

• When the CVT fluid temperature is high, the shift range may upshift at a lower engine speed than usual. This is not a malfunction.

Accelerator downshift — In D position —

For passing or hill climbing, fully depress the accelerator pedal to the floor. This shifts the transmission down into a lower gear, depending on the vehicle speed.

High fluid temperature protection mode

This transmission has a high fluid temperature protection mode. If the fluid temperature becomes too high (for example, when climbing steep grades in high temperature with heavy loads), engine power and, under some conditions, vehicle speed will be decreased automatically to reduce the chance of transmission damage. Vehicle speed can be controlled with the accelerator 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 MIL may illuminate to indicate the fail-safe mode is activated. (See “Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)” .) This will occur even if all electrical circuits are functioning properly. In this case, place the ignition switch in the OFF position and wait for 10 seconds. Then turn 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 condition, have a NISSAN dealer check the transmission and repair if necessary.

WARNING

When the high fluid temperature protection mode or fail-safe operation occurs, vehicle speed may be gradually reduced. The reduced speed may be lower than other traffic, which could increase the chance of a collision. Be especially careful when driving. If necessary, pull to the side of the road at a safe place and allow the transmission to return to normal operation, or have it repaired if necessary.

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 button pushed.

To move the shift lever, perform the following procedure:

1. Models with Intelligent Key system: Place the ignition switch in the OFF or LOCK position.

Models without Intelligent Key system: Place the ignition switch in the LOCK position, and remove the key if it is inserted.

2. Apply the parking brake.

3. Remove the shift lock release cover A using a suitable tool.

4. Push down the shift lock release using a suitable tool.

5. Push the shift lever button and move the shift lever to the N (Neutral) position while holding down the shift lock release.

Place the ignition switch in the ON position. The vehicle may be moved to the desired location.

Replace the removed shift lock release cover after the operation.

For models with Intelligent Key system: If the battery is discharged completely, the steering wheel cannot be unlocked. Do not move the vehicle with the steering wheel locked.

If the shift lever cannot be moved out of the P (Park) position, have a NISSAN dealer check the CVT system as soon as possible.

WARNING

If the shift lever cannot be moved from the P (Park) position while the engine is running and the brake pedal is depressed, the stop lights may not work.

Malfunctioning stop lights could cause an accident injuring yourself and others.