Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)

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

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

3. Release the parking brake and foot brake pedal, and then gradually start the vehicle in motion.

- Do not depress the accelerator pedal while shifting from P (Park) or N (Neutral) to R (Reverse), D (Drive), L (Low). Always 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 P (Park) or R (Reverse) while vehicle is moving. Failure to do so could cause you to lose control and have an accident.

- Except in an emergency, do not shift to the N (Neutral) position while driving. Doing so can cause a loss of engine braking which may result in a collision, serious personal injury or death. In addition, 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.

The foot brake should be used for this purpose.

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

Shifting

To move the selector lever,

Push the button A while depressing the brake pedal.

Push the button.

Just move the selector lever.

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

Apply the parking brake if the selector 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 turned to the OFF or ACC position for any reason while the selector lever is in any positions other than the P (Park), the ignition switch cannot be turned to the LOCK position.

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

2. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position while depressing the foot brake pedal.

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

4. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position.

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

P (Park):

Use this selector 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 selector lever button pushed in to move the selector 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 selector 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 selector lever button pushed in to move the selector 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.

L (Low) (if so equipped):

Use this position for maximum engine braking on steep downhill gradients/climbing steep slopes and whenever approaching sharp bends. Do not use the L position in any other circumstances.

SPORT mode switch

SPORT mode switch

In the SPORT mode, the engine and transmission are controlled to set the engine speed higher than in the D (Drive) position. This enhances throttle response for a “sporty” driving feeling.

To turn on the SPORT mode, push the SPORT mode switch. The SPORT mode indicator light in the instrument panel illuminates. To turn off the SPORT mode, push the SPORT mode switch again. The SPORT mode indicator light on the instrument panel turns off.

If the SPORT mode indicator light does not illuminate when the SPORT mode switch is turned on, the switch or system may have a malfunction. In this case, contact your NISSAN dealer. Even if there is a malfunction in the switch or system, this will not affect normal driving.

- The SPORT mode automatically turns off if a malfunction occurs.

- The SPORT mode only operates at speeds of above 20 MPH (30km/h).

- If the engine is switched off with the SPORT mode on, the SPORT mode resets to off when the engine is restarted.

- In the SPORT mode, fuel economy may be reduced.

- If the overdrive off mode is set when the SPORT mode is on, the overdrive off mode will take priority.

Overdrive (O/D) OFF switch

When the O/D OFF switch is pushed with the selector lever in the D (Drive) position, the indicator light in the instrument panel illuminates.

Use the overdrive off mode when you need improved engine braking.

To turn off the overdrive off mode, push the O/D OFF switch again. The indicator light will turn off.

Each time the engine is started, or when the selector lever is shifted to any position other than the D (Drive) position, the overdrive off mode will be automatically turned off.

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, such as when towing a trailer), 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)” in the “2. Instruments and controls” section.) This will occur even if all electrical circuits are functioning properly. In this case, turn the ignition switch to 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.

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

Shift lock release

If the battery charge is low or discharged, the selector lever may not be moved from the P (Park) position even with the brake pedal depressed and the selector lever button pushed.

To move the selector lever, release the shift lock.

The selector lever can be moved to the N (Neutral) position. This allows the vehicle to be moved if the battery is discharged.

To release the shift lock, perform the following procedure:
1. Turn the ignition switch to 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 B using a suitable tool.

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

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

Replace the removed shift lock release cover after the operation.

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

If the selector 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.