NISSAN PATHFINDER HYBRID 2015 Owners Manual
Page 381 of 524
Shifting
Press the buttonAwhile depressing the
brake pedal
Press the buttonAto shift
Shift without pressingAbutton
After starting the engine, fully depress the brake
pedal, push and press 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.
CAUTION
Use the P (Park) or R (Reverse) position
only when the vehicle is completely
stopped.
P (Park):
CAUTION
To prevent transmission damage, use the
P (Park) or R (Reverse) position only when
the vehicle is completely stopped.
Use the P (Park) shift lever 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 into the P (Park)
position.R (Reverse):
CAUTION
To prevent transmission damage, use the
P (Park) or R (Reverse) position only when
the vehicle is completely stopped.
Use the R (Reverse) 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 drive po-
sition 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):
Use this position for engine braking on steep
downhill gradients/climbing steep slopes and
whenever approaching sharp bends. Do not use
the L (Low) position in any other circumstances.
LSD2127
5-16Starting and driving
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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. Place the ignition switch in the OFF or
LOCK position.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Remove the shift lock release cover
Aus-
ing a suitable tool.
4. Push down the shift lock release
Busing a
suitable tool.5. Press the shift lever button
Cand move the
shift lever to the N (Neutral) position
D
while holding down the shift lock release.
The vehicle may be moved to the desired
location. Replace the removed shift lock re-
lease cover after the operation. 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 run-
ning and the brake pedal is depressed, the
stop lights may not work. Malfunctioning
stop lights could cause an accident injur-
ing yourself and others.
Accelerator downshift
— in D position —
For passing or hill climbing, depress the accel-
erator pedal to the floor. This shifts the transmis-
sion 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 be-comes too high (for example, when climbing
steep grades in high temperatures 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 con-
ditions, such as excessive wheel spinning
and subsequent hard braking, the fail-safe
system may be activated. The MIL may
come on to indicate the fail-safe mode is
activated. For additional information, refer
to “Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)” in the
“Instrument and controls” section of this
manual. 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
push the switch back to the ON position.
The vehicle should return to its normal op-
erating condition. If it does not return to its
normal operating condition, have a
NISSAN dealer check the transmission and
repair if necessary.
LSD2128
Starting and driving5-17
Page 383 of 524
WARNING
When the high fluid temperature protec-
tion 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 opera-
tion, or have it repaired if necessary.
WARNING
●Be sure the parking brake is fully re-
leased before driving. Failure to do so
can cause brake failure and lead to an
accident.
●Do not release the parking brake from
outside the vehicle.
●Do not use the shift lever in place of the
parking brake. When parking, be sure
the parking brake is fully engaged.
●Do not leave children unattended in a
vehicle. They could release the parking
brake and cause an accident.
To engage:Firmly depress the parking brake.
To release:
1. Firmly apply the foot brake.
2. Move the shift lever to the P (Park) position.
3. Firmly depress the parking brake pedal and it
will release.
4. Before driving, be sure the brake warning
light goes out.
LSD0158
PARKING BRAKE
5-18Starting and driving
Page 384 of 524
●Blind Spot Warning (BSW) system
WARNING
●The BSW system is not a replacement
for proper driving procedure and are not
designed to prevent contact with ve-
hicles or objects. When changing lanes,
always use the side and rear mirrors
and turn and look in the direction you
will move to ensure it is safe to change
lanes. Never rely solely on the BSW
system.
●The BSW system operates above ap-
proximately 20 mph (32 km/h).
BLIND SPOT WARNING (BSW)
SYSTEM
The Blind Spot Warning (BSW) system helps
alert the driver of other vehicles in adjacent lanes
when changing lanes.The BSW system uses radar sensors
1in-
stalled near the rear bumper to detect other ve-
hicles in an adjacent lane.The radar sensors can detect vehicles on either
side of your vehicle within the detection zone
shown as illustrated. This detection zone starts
from the outside mirror of your vehicle and ex-
tends approximately 10 ft (3.0 m) behind the rear
bumper, and approximately 10 ft (3.0 m) side-
ways.
The BSW system operates above approximately
20 MPH (32 km/h). If the radar sensors detect
vehicles in the detection zone, the Blind Spot
Warning indicator light illuminates. If the driver
then activates the turn signal, a chime will sound
twice and the Blind Spot Warning indicator light
will flash.
LSD2221
Detection zone
SSD1030
BLIND SPOT WARNING (BSW)
SYSTEM (if so equipped)
Starting and driving5-19
Page 385 of 524
BSW SYSTEM OPERATION
If the radar sensors detect a vehicle in the detec-
tion zone, the Blind Spot Warning (BSW) indica-
tor light located by the outside mirrors illumi-
nates. If the turn signal is then activated, the
system chimes (twice) and the BSW indicator
light flashes. The BSW indicator light continues
to flash until the detected vehicles leave the
detection zone.
The BSW indicator light illuminates for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is placed in the
ON position.The brightness of the BSW indicator light is
adjusted automatically depending on the bright-
ness of the ambient light.
A chime sounds if the radar sensors have already
detected vehicles when the driver activates the
turn signal. If a vehicle comes into the detection
zone after the driver activates the turn signal, then
only the BSW indicator light flashes and no
chime sounds. For additional information, refer to
“BSW driving situations” in this section.
The BSW system automatically turns on every
time the engine is started, as long as it is acti-
vated using the settings menu on the vehicle
information display.
When the BSW and RCTA switch is turned off,
the indicator
1on the switch is off. The indicator
will also be off if the BSW/RCTA is deactivated.
How to enable/disable the BSW
system
Perform the following steps to enable or disable
the BSW system.
1. Press the
button until “Settings” dis-
plays in the vehicle information display. Use
the
button to select “Driver Assis-
tance”. Then press the ENTER button.
2. Select “Driver Aids”, and press the ENTER
button.
BSW indicator light
LSD2053LSD2208
5-20Starting and driving
Page 386 of 524
3. To set the BSW/RCTA system to on or off,
use the
buttons to navigate in the
menu and use the ENTER button to select or
change an item:
●Select “Blind Spot” and press the ENTER
button.
– To turn on the warning, use the ENTER
button to check box for “BSW/RCTA sys-
tem”
Temporarily not available
When radar blockage is detected, the system will
be deactivated automatically. The “Side Radar
Obstruction” warning message will appear and
the Blind spot indicator (in the meter display) will
blink
Ain the vehicle information display. The
Blind Spot Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert
switch indicator will also blink.
The systems are not available until the conditions
no longer exist.The radar sensors may be blocked by temporary
ambient conditions such as splashing water, mist
or fog. The blocked condition may also be caused
by objects such as ice, frost or dirt obstructing
the radar sensors.
Action to take:
When the above conditions no longer exist, the
system will resume automatically.
Malfunction
When the system malfunctions, it will turn off
automatically. The system malfunction warning
message with the Blind spot indicator (orange)
will appear in the vehicle information display. If
the BSW system fails, the RCTA system will also
fail.
Action to take:
Stop the vehicle in a safe location, place the
vehicle in the P (Park) position, turn the engine off
and restart the engine. If the message continues
to appear, have the system checked by a
NISSAN dealer.
LSD2247
Starting and driving5-21
Page 387 of 524
BSW SYSTEM PRECAUTIONS
WARNING
●The radar sensors may not be able to
detect and activate BSW when certain
objects are present such as:
– Pedestrians, bicycles, or animals.
– Vehicles such as motorcycles, low
height vehicles, or high ground clear-
ance vehicles.
– Oncoming vehicles.
– Vehicles remaining in the detection
zone when you accelerate from a
stop. For additional information, re-
fer to “BSW driving situations” in this
section.
– A vehicle merging into an adjacent
lane at a speed approximately the
same as your vehicle. For additional
information, refer to “BSW driving
situations” in this section.
– A vehicle approaching rapidly from
behind. For additional information,
refer to “BSW driving situations” in
this section.– A vehicle which your vehicle over-
takes rapidly. For additional informa-
tion, refer to “BSW driving situa-
tions” in this section.
– A vehicle that passes through the de-
tection zone quickly.
●The radar sensors detection zone is de-
signed based on a standard lane width.
When driving in a wider lane, the radar
sensors may not detect vehicles in an
adjacent lane. When driving in a narrow
lane, the radar sensors may detect ve-
hicles driving two lanes away.
●The radar sensors are designed to ig-
nore most stationary objects, however
objects such as guardrails, walls, foli-
age and parked vehicles may occasion-
ally be detected. The system malfunc-
tion warning message with the Blind
Spot indicator (orange) will appear in
the vehicle information display. This is a
normal driving condition.
●Severe weather or road spray condi-
tions may reduce the ability of the radar
to detect other vehicles.
●Excessive noise (e.g. audio system vol-
ume, open vehicle window) will inter-
fere with the chime sound, and it may
not be heard.
BSW DRIVING SITUATIONS
Another vehicle approaching from
behind
Illustration 1: The Blind Spot Warning indicator
light illuminates if a vehicle enters the detection
zone from behind in an adjacent lane.
However, if the overtaking vehicle is traveling much
faster than your vehicle, the indicator light may not
illuminate before the detected vehicle is beside
your vehicle. Always use the side and rear mirrors
and turn and look in the direction your vehicle will
move to ensure it is safe to change lanes.
Illustration 1 – Approaching from behind
SSD1026
5-22Starting and driving
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Illustration 2: If the driver activates the turn signal
then the system chimes a sound (twice) and the
Blind Spot Warning indicator light flashes.
NOTE:
If the driver activates the turn signal before
a vehicle enters the detection zone, the
Blind Spot Warning indicator light will flash
but no chime will sound when the other
vehicle is detected.NOTE:
Illustration 3: If you accelerate from a stop
with a vehicle in the detection zone, the
other vehicle may not be detected.Overtaking another vehicle
Illustration 4: The Blind Spot Warning indicator
light illuminates if you overtake a vehicle and that
vehicle stays in the detection zone for approxi-
mately 2 seconds.
The radar sensors may not detect slower moving
vehicles if they are passed quickly.
Illustration 2 – Approaching from behind
SSD1031
Illustration 3 – Accelerate from a stop
SSD1032
Illustration 4 – Overtaking another vehicle
SSD1033
Starting and driving5-23
Page 389 of 524
Illustration 5: If the driver activates the turn signal
while another vehicle is in the detection zone,
then the system chimes a sound (twice) and the
Blind Spot Warning indicator light flashes.NOTE:
Illustration 6: When overtaking several ve-
hicles in a row, the vehicles after the first
vehicle may not be detected if they are
traveling close together.
Illustration 5 – Overtaking another vehicle
SSD1034
Illustration 6 – Overtaking several vehicles
SSD1036
5-24Starting and driving
Page 390 of 524
Entering from the side
Illustration 7: The Blind Spot Warning indicator
light illuminates if a vehicle enters the detection
zone from either side.
NOTE:
The radar sensors may not detect a vehicle
which is traveling at about the same speed
as your vehicle when it enters the detection
zone.Illustration 8: If the driver activates the turn signal,
the Blind Spot Warning indicator light flashes
and a chime will sound twice.
NOTE:
If the driver activates the turn signal before
a vehicle enters the detection zone, the
Blind Spot Warning indicator light will flash
but no chime will sound when another ve-
hicle is detected.
WARNING
●The RCTA system is not a replacement
for proper driving procedure, is not de-
signed to prevent contact with vehicles
or objects. When backing out of parking
space, always use the side and rear
mirrors and turn and look in the direc-
tion you will move. Never rely solely on
the RCTA system.
Illustration 7– Entering from the side
LSD2050
Illustration 8– Entering from the side
SSD1038LSD2217
THE REAR CROSS TRAFFIC ALERT
(RCTA) SYSTEM (if so equipped)
Starting and driving5-25