NISSAN ARMADA 2018 Owner´s Manual

5-126Starting and driving
*3: Make sure that the 4LO indicator turns on when shifting the 4WD shift switch to the 4L position. The Vehicle Dynamic Control
(VDC) off indicator light will also turn on when 4L is selected. (See “Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system” (P.5-140).)

The 4WD shift switch is used to select the
4WD mode depending on the driving
conditions. There are 3 types of drive
modes available, AUTO, 4HI and 4LO.
The 4WD shift switch electronically con-
trols the transfer case operation. Rotate
the switch to move between each mode,
AUTO, 4H and 4L.
You must depress the 4WD shift switch
to select 4L, and the vehicle MUST be
stationary and the shift lever in the N
(Neutral) position when changing into
or out of 4L.
WARNING
.When parking, apply the parking
brake before stopping the engine
and make sure that the 4WD shift
indicator is on and the ATP warn-
ing light turns off. Otherwise, the
vehicle could unexpectedly move
even if the automatic transmis-
sion is in the P (Park) position.
. The 4LO and 4HI indicators must
stop blinking and the 4LO or 4HI
indicator must remain illumi-
nated or turn off before shifting
the transmission into gear. If the
shift lever is shifted from the N
(Neutral) position to any other gear while the 4LO and 4HI in-
dicators are blinking alternately,
the vehicle may move unexpect-
edly.
CAUTION
.
Never shift the 4WD shift switch
between 4L and 4H while driving.
. The 4HI position provides greater
traction. Avoid excessive speed,
as it will cause increased fuel
consumption and higher oil tem-
peratures, and could damage dri-
vetrain component. Speeds over
62 MPH (100 km/h) in 4HI is not
recommended.
. The 4LO position provides max-
imum traction. Avoid raising ve-
hicle speed excessively, as the
maximum speed is approxi-
mately 31 MPH (50 km/h).
. When driving straight, shift the
4WD shift switch to the AUTO or
4H position. Do not move the 4WD
shift switch when making a turn
or reversing.
. Do not shift the 4WD shift switch
(between AUTO and 4H) while
driving on steep downhill grades. Use the engine brake and low
automatic transmission gears
for engine braking.
. Do not operate the 4WD shift
switch (between AUTO and 4H)
with the rear wheels spinning.
. Do not drive on dry hard surface
roads in the 4HI or 4LO position.
Driving on dry hard surfaces in
4HI or 4LO may cause unneces-
sary noise and tire wear. NISSAN
recommends driving in the AUTO
position under these conditions.
. The 4WD transfer case may not
be shifted between 4HI and 4LO
at low ambient temperatures and
the 4LO and 4HI indicators may
blink even when the 4WD shift
switch is shifted. After driving for
a while you can change the 4WD
shift switch between 4H and 4L.
When driving on rough roads,
. Drive carefully according to the road
surface conditions.
When the vehicle is stuck,
. Place stones or wooden blocks under
the tires to free the vehicle.
. Set the 4WD shift switch to 4H or 4L.
Starting and driving5-127

5-128Starting and driving
.If it is difficult to free the vehicle,
repeat forward and backward move-
ment to increase the movement.
. If the vehicle is stuck deep in mud, tire
chains may be effective.
CAUTION
.Do not spin the tires excessively.
Tires will sink deep into the mud,
making it difficult to free the
vehicle.
. Avoid shifting gears with the en-
gine running at high speeds as
this may cause malfunction.
SSD1048
4WD SHIFT SWITCH
.Shift the 4WD shift switch to either the
AUTO, 4H or 4L position, depending on
driving conditions.
. With the switch set to the AUTO
position, distribution of torque to the
front and rear wheels changes auto-
matically, depending on road condi-
tions encountered [ratio; 0 : 100 (2WD)
? 50 : 50 (4WD)]. This results in
improved driving stability.
. If the 4WD shift switch is operated
while making a turn, accelerating or
decelerating or if the ignition switch
is placed in the OFF position while in
the AUTO, 4H or 4L, you may feel a jolt. This is not abnormal.
. When the vehicle is stopped after
making a turn, you may feel a slight
jolt after the shift lever is shifted to N
(Neutral) or P (Park) position. This
occurs because the transfer clutch is
released and not because of a mal-
function.
CAUTION
.When driving straight, shift the
4WD shift switch to the AUTO or
4H position. Do not move the 4WD
shift switch when making a turn
or reversing.
. Do not shift the 4WD shift switch
while driving on steep downhill
grades. Use the engine brake and
low automatic transmission
gears for engine braking.
. Do not operate the 4WD shift
switch with the rear wheels spin-
ning.
. Before placing the 4WD shift
switch in the 4H position from
AUTO, ensure the vehicle speed is
less than 62 MPH (100 km/h).
Failure to do so can damage the
4WD system.

.Never shift the 4WD shift switch
between 4L and 4H while driving.
. Engine idling speed is high while
warming up the engine. Be espe-
cially careful when starting or
driving on slippery surfaces with
the 4WD shift switch in AUTO.
SSD1058
4WD shift indicator
4WD SHIFT INDICATOR
The 4WD shift indicator is displayed in the
vehicle information display.
The indicator should turn off within 1
second after placing the ignition switch
in the ON position.
While the engine is running, the 4WD shift
indicator will illuminate the position se-
lected by the 4WD shift switch. (See the
4WD shift procedure list shown in the
“NISSAN all-mode 4WD® system” (P.5-124).)
.The 4WD shift indicator may blink
while shifting from one drive mode
to the other. When the shifting is
completed, the 4WD shift indicator will come on. If the indicator does
not come on immediately, make
sure the area around the vehicle is
safe, and drive the vehicle straight,
accelerate or decelerate or move the
vehicle in reverse, then shift the 4WD
shift switch.
. If the 4WD warning light comes on, the
4WD shift indicator turns off.
4WD WARNING LIGHT
Warning light Comes on or
blinks when:
Illuminates There is a mal-
function in the 4WD system
Blinks ra- pidly The transfer
case oil tem-
perature is ab- normally high
Blinks slowly The difference
in wheel rota- tion is large
The 4WD warning light is located in the
meter.
The 4WD warning light comes on when
the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position. It turns off soon after the engine
is started.
If any malfunction occurs in the 4WD
system when the ignition switch is placed
in the ON position, the 4WD warning light
Starting and driving5-129

5-130Starting and driving
will either remain illuminated or blink.
If the 4WD warning light comes on, the
4WD shift indicator turns off.
High-temperature transfer case oil makes
the 4WD warning light blink rapidly (about
twice per second). If the warning light
blinks rapidly during operation, stop the
vehicle in a safe place immediately. Then
if the light turns off after a while, you can
continue driving.
A large difference between the diameters
of front and rear wheels will make the
4WD warning light blink slowly (about
once per two seconds). Change the 4WD
shift switch to AUTO and do not drive fast.
CAUTION
.If the 4WD warning light comes
on or blinks slowly during opera-
tion or rapidly after stopping the
vehicle for a while, have your
vehicle checked as soon as pos-
sible. It is recommended you visit
a NISSAN dealer for this service.
. Shifting between 4HI and 4LO is
not recommended when the 4WD
warning light turns on.
. When the 4WD warning light
comes on, the 2WD mode may be engaged even if the 4WD shift
switch is in AUTO or 4H. Be
especially careful when driving. If
corresponding parts are malfunc-
tioning, the 4WD mode will not be
engaged even if the 4WD shift
switch is shifted.
. Do not drive the vehicle in the 4HI
or 4LO position on dry hard sur-
face roads. Driving on dry, hard
surfaces in 4HI or 4LO may cause
unnecessary noise, tire wear and
increased fuel consumption.
If the 4WD warning light turns on
when driving on dry hard surface
roads:
— in the AUTO or 4HI position,
shift the 4WD shift switch to
AUTO.
— in the 4LO position, stop the vehicle and shift the transmis-
sion shift lever to the N (Neu-
tral) position and shift the
4WD shift switch to AUTO.
. If the 4WD warning light is still on
after the above operation, have
your vehicle checked as soon as
possible. It is recommended you
visit a NISSAN dealer for this
service. .
The transfer case may be da-
maged if you continue driving
with the warning light blinking.

WARNING
.Never rely solely on the hill start
assist system to prevent the ve-
hicle from moving backward on a
hill. Always drive carefully and
attentively. Depress the brake
pedal when the vehicle is stopped
on a steep hill. Be especially care-
ful when stopped on a hill on
frozen or muddy roads. Failure
to prevent the vehicle from rolling
backwards may result in a loss of
control of the vehicle and possi-
ble serious injury or death.
. The hill start assist system is not
designed to hold the vehicle at a
standstill on a hill. Depress the
brake pedal when the vehicle is
stopped on a steep hill. Failure to
do so may cause the vehicle to
roll backwards and may result in
a collision or serious personal
injury.
. The hill start assist system may
not prevent the vehicle from roll-
ing backwards on a hill under all
load or road conditions. Always
be prepared to depress the brake
pedal to prevent the vehicle from
rolling backwards. Failure to do so may result in a collision or
serious personal injury.
The hill start assist system automatically
keeps the brakes applied to help prevent
the vehicle from rolling backwards in the
time it takes the driver to release the
brake pedal and apply the accelerator
when the vehicle is stopped on a hill.
The hill start assist system will operate
automatically under the following condi-
tions:
. The transmission is shifted to a for-
ward or reverse gear.
. The vehicle is stopped completely on a
hill by applying the brake.
The maximum holding time is 2 seconds.
After 2 seconds the vehicle will begin to
roll back and the hill start assist system
will stop operating completely.
The hill start assist system will not
operate when the transmission is shifted
to the N (Neutral) or P (Park) position or
on a flat and level road.
When the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
warning light illuminates in the meter, the
hill start assist system will not operate.
(See “Warning lights, indicator lights and
audible reminders” (P.2-10).)
Starting and driving5-131
HILL START ASSIST SYSTEM

5-132Starting and driving
SD1006MA
WARNING
.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.
. Never leave the engine running
while the vehicle is unattended.
. Do not leave children unattended
inside the vehicle. They could
unknowingly activate switches
or controls. Unattended children
could become involved in serious
accidents. .
To help avoid risk of injury or
death through unintended opera-
tion of the vehicle and/or its
systems, do not leave children,
people who require the assis-
tance of others or pets unat-
tended in your vehicle.
Additionally, the temperature in-
side a closed vehicle on a warm
day can quickly become high
enough to cause a significant risk
of injury or death to people and
pets.
. Safe parking procedures require
that both the parking brake be
applied and the transmission be placed in the P (Park) position.
Failure to do so could cause the
vehicle to move unexpectedly or
roll away and result in an acci-
dent.
. Make sure the automatic trans-
mission shift lever has been
pushed as far forward as it can
go and cannot be moved without
depressing the foot brake pedal.
1. Firmly apply the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever to the P (Park) position.
3. To help prevent the vehicle from roll- ing into the street when parked on a
sloping drive way, it is a good practice
to turn the wheels as illustrated..HEADED DOWNHILL WITH CURB:
Turn the wheels into the curb and
move the vehicle forward until the
curb side wheel gently touches the
curb.
.HEADED UPHILL WITH CURB:
Turn the wheels away from the curb
and move the vehicle back until the
curb side wheel gently touches the
curb.
.HEADED UPHILL OR DOWNHILL, NOCURB:
PARKING/PARKING ON HILLS

Turn the wheels toward the side of
the road so the vehicle will move away
from the center of the road if it moves.
4. Push the ignition switch to the OFF position.
SIC4474
The TOW MODE should be used when
pulling a heavy trailer or hauling a heavy
load. Driving the vehicle in the TOW MODE
with no trailer/load or light trailer/light
load will not cause any damage. However,
fuel economy may be reduced, and the
transmission/engine driving characteris-
tics may feel unusual.
Push the TOW MODE switch to activate
TOW MODE. The indicator light on the
TOW MODE switch illuminates when the
TOW MODE is selected. Push the TOW
MODE switch again to turn the TOW
MODE OFF.
TOW MODE is automatically canceled
when the ignition switch is placed in the OFF position.
Starting and driving5-133
TOW MODE

5-134Starting and driving
SIC4454
For driving or starting the vehicle on
snowy roads or slippery areas, turn the
SNOW mode on.
To turn the SNOW mode on, push the
SNOW mode switch. The SNOW mode
indicator light on the meter panel will
illuminate. When the SNOW mode is
activated, engine output is controlled to
avoid wheel spin.
To turn the SNOW mode off, push the
switch and the indicator on the meter
panel will turn off. Turn the SNOW mode
off for normal driving and fuel economy.
SSD0622
WARNING
.The sonar system is a conveni-
ence but it is not a substitute for
proper parking. Always look
around and check that it is safe
to do so before parking. Always
move slowly.
. Read and understand the limita-
tions of the sonar system as
contained in this section. Incle-
ment weather may affect the
function of the sonar system; this
may include reduced perfor-
mance or a false activation. .
This system is not designed to
prevent contact with small or
moving objects.
. The system is designed as an aid
to the driver in detecting large
stationary objects to help avoid
damaging the vehicle. The sys-
tem will not detect small objects
below the bumper, and may not
detect objects that are too close
to the bumper or on the ground.
. If your vehicle sustains damage
to the bumper fascia, leaving it
misaligned or bent, the sensing
zone may be altered causing in-
SNOW MODE SONAR SYSTEM (if so equipped)

accurate measurement of obsta-
cles or false alarms.
CAUTION
Keep the interior of the vehicle as
quiet as possible to hear the tone
clearly.
The sonar system sounds a tone to warn
the driver of obstacles near the bumper.
When the “Interrupt Display” is turned on
in the Sonar settings, the sonar indicator
will also appear in the center display. (See
“Sonar indicator” (P.5-136).) The system
detects front obstacles when the shift
lever is in the D (Drive) position or N
(Neutral) position. The system detects
both front and rear obstacles when the
shift lever is in the R (Reverse) position.
The system may not detect objects at
speeds above 6 MPH (10 km/h) and may
not detect certain angular or moving
objects.
The sonar system detects obstacles up to
3.9 ft (1.2 m) from the bumper with a
decreased coverage area at the outer
corners of the bumper. Refer to the
illustration for approximate zone cover-
age areas. As you move closer to the obstacle, the rate of the tone increases.
When the obstacle is less than 11.8 in (30
cm) away, the tone will sound continu-
ously.
Keep the corner/center sensors (located
on the bumper fascia) free from snow, ice
and large accumulations of dirt (do not
clean the sensors with sharp objects). If
the sensors are covered, it will affect the
accuracy of the sonar system.
The sensitivity level of the corner/center
sensors can be adjusted (higher or lower)
in the Sonar settings on the center dis-
play. (See “Sonar settings” (P.5-135).)
The intermittent tone will stop in 3
seconds when an obstacle is detected
by only the corner sensor and the dis-
tance does not change.
JVS1043X
SONAR SETTINGS
To set up the sonar function to your
preferred settings, push the SETTING
button
, select the “Camera/Sonar” key
and then select the “Sonar” key on the
center display.
Sonar:
When this item is turned on, the front and
rear sonars are activated. When this item
is turned off (indicator turns off), the front
and rear sonars are deactivated.
FR sensor only:
When this item is turned on, only the front
sonar is activated.
Starting and driving5-135