NISSAN MAXIMA 2016 A36 / 8.G Owners Manual

Manual shift mode
The transmission enters the manual shift mode by
moving the shift lever to the left side in the “D”
range. You can select the manual shift range
either by moving the shift lever up or down, or by
pulling the right-side or left-side paddle shifter (if
so equipped) . To cancel the manual shift mode,
return shift lever to the right D (Drive) position.
The transmission returns to automatic driving
mode.
When the shift lever is shifted from D (Drive) to
the manual shift gate
Awith the vehicle stopped
or while driving, the transmission enters the
manual shift mode. Shift ranges can be selected manually. Shift ranges can also be selected using
the shift paddles (if so equipped) on the steering
wheel
BandC. In the manual shift mode, the
shift range is displayed on the position indicator
in the meter. When shifting the shift lever to the
manual shift gate, the position indicator displays
1 (first) up to 7 (seventh) depending on vehicle
speed.
Shift ranges up or down one by one as follows:
1⇔ 2⇔ 3⇔ 4⇔ 5⇔ 6⇔ 7
7 (7th)
Use this position for all normal forward driving at
highway speeds. M5 (5th) and M6 (6th)
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 6
range. This reduces fuel economy.
When shifting up
Move the shift lever to the + (up) side. (Shifts to
higher range.)
When shifting down
Move the shift lever to the (down) side. (Shifts
to lower range.)
● Moving the shift lever rapidly to the same
side twice will shift the ranges in succession.
LSD2359LSD0193
5-18Starting and driving

●The transmission will automatically down-
shift the gears. (For example, if you select the
3rd range, the transmission will shift down
between the 3rd and 1st gears.)
When canceling the manual shift mode
Return the shift lever to the D (Drive) position to
return the transmission to the normal driving
mode. ● In the manual shift mode, the transmis-
sion may not shift to the selected gear.
This helps maintain driving perfor-
mance and reduces the chance of ve-
hicle damage or loss of control.
● When this situation occurs, the CVT
position indicator light will blink and
the chime will sound.
● In the manual shift mode, the transmis-
sion may shift up automatically to a
higher range than selected if the en-
gine speed is too high. When the ve-
hicle speed decreases, the transmis-
sion automatically shifts down and
shifts to 1st gear before the vehicle
comes to a stop. ●
CVT operation is limited to automatic drive
mode when CVT fluid temperature is ex-
tremely low even if manual shift mode is
selected. This is not a malfunction. When
CVT fluid warms up, manual mode can be
selected.
● When the CVT fluid temperature is high, the
shift range may upshift in lower rpm than
usual. This is not a malfunction.
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 pressed.
It will be necessary to jump start or have your
battery charged, For additional information, refer
to “Jump starting” in the “In case of emergency”
section of this manual. Contact a NISSAN dealer
or a professional towing service.
LSD2360
Starting and driving5-19

To move the shift lever, complete the following
procedure:1. Press the ignition switch to the LOCK posi- tion.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Using a protective cloth on the tip ofa3mm screwdriver, remove the shift lock release
cover.
● If available, a plastic trim tool can also be
used.
4. Insert the small screwdriver in the shift lock release slot and rotate clockwise.
5. Move the shift lever to the N (Neutral) posi- tion while holding down the shift lock re-
lease.
6. Push the ignition switch to the ON position to unlock the steering wheel. Now the ve-
hicle may be moved to the desired location.
If the shift lever cannot be moved out of P (Park) ,
have a NISSAN dealer check the transmission as
soon as possible.
CAUTION
Make sure to take extra care during the
removal of the shift lock cap as this part is
easily damaged.
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 (Drive) position and manual
shift mode
For passing or hill climbing, depress the accel-
erator pedal to the floor. This shifts the transmis-
sion down into lower range, 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.
5-20Starting and driving

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.
● To help avoid risk of injury or death
through unintended operation of the
vehicle and /or its systems, do not leave
children, people who require the assis-
tance of others or pets unattended in
your vehicle. Additionally, the tempera-
ture inside 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. 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.
LSD2176
PARKING BRAKE
Starting and driving5-21

Two driving modes can be selected by using the
drive mode selector switches, NORMAL and
SPORT.
NOTE:● When the drive mode select switch selects a
mode, the mode may not switch quickly. This
is not a malfunction.
● Select the NORMAL mode for normal driv-
ing.
NORMAL MODE
NORMAL mode is recommended for normal driv-
ing. Push the NORMAL mode button to select
this mode.
SPORT MODE
The SPORT mode adjusts the engine, transmis-
sion, and steering to enhance performance. Push
the SPORT mode button to select this driving
mode.
NOTE:
In the SPORT mode, fuel economy may be
reduced.
WARNING
Failure to follow the warnings and instruc-
tions for proper use of the BSW system
could result in serious injury or death.
● The BSW system is not a replacement
for proper driving procedures and is 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 your
vehicle will move to ensure it is safe to
change lanes. Never rely solely on the
BSW system.
The BSW system helps alert the driver of other
vehicles in adjacent lanes when changing lanes.
Drive mode selector switches
LSD2361
DRIVE MODE SELECTOR BLIND SPOT WARNING (BSW) (if so
equipped)
5-22Starting and driving

The BSW system uses radar sensors1in-
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.
LSD2362
Detection zone
SSD1030
Starting and driving5-23

1. Side BSW/RCTA Indicator Light
2. BSW/RCTA Indicator
BSW SYSTEM OPERATION
The BSW system operates above approximately
20 mph (32km/h) .
If the radar sensors detect a vehicle in the detec-
tion zone, the side BSW/RCTA indicator light (1)
illuminates. If the turn signal is then activated, the
system chimes (twice) and the side BSW/RCTA
indicator light flashes. The side BSW/RCTA indi-
cator light continues to flash until the detected
vehicle leaves the detection zone.
The side BSW/RCTA indicator light illuminates
for a few seconds when the ignition switch is
placed in the ON position.
The brightness of the side BSW/RCTA indicator
light is adjusted automatically depending on the
brightness of the ambient light.
If a vehicle comes into the detection zone after
the driver activates the turn signal, then only the
side BSW/RCTA 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.
LSD2417
5-24Starting and driving

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 and
then press OK. Use the
button to
select “Driver Assistance”. Then press the
OK button.
2. Select “Blind Spot” and press the OK but- ton.
NOTE: ● When enabling/disabling the system, the
system will retain current settings even if the
engine is restarted.
● The RCTA system (if so equipped) is inte-
grated into the BSW system. There is not a
separate selection in the vehicle information
display for the RCTA system. When the
BSW is disabled, the RCTA system is also
disabled.
● When the BSW system is turned on, the
BSW/RCTA indicator (white) in the vehicle
information display illuminates.
LSD2412
Starting and driving5-25

BSW SYSTEM LIMITATIONS
WARNING
Listed below are the system limitations for
the BSW system. Failure to operate the
vehicle in accordance with these system
limitations could result in serious injury or
death.
●The BSW system cannot detect all ve-
hicles under all conditions.
● The radar sensors may not be able to
detect and activate BSW when certain
objects are present such as:
– Pedestrian, bicycles, 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.
– A vehicle merging into an adjacent lane at a speed approximately the
same as your vehicle.
– A vehicle approaching rapidly from behind. – A vehicle which your vehicle over-
takes rapidly.
– A vehicle that passes through the de- tection zone quickly.
– When overtaking several vehicles in a row, the vehicles after the first ve-
hicle may not be detected if they are
traveling close together.
● The radar sensors’ detection zone is
designed based on a standard lane
width. When driving in a wider lane,
the radar sensors may not detect ve-
hicles in an adjacent lane. When driv-
ing in a narrow lane, the radar sen-
sors may detect vehicles driving two
lanes away.
● The radar sensors are designed to
ignore most stationary objects, how-
ever objects such as guardrails,
walls, foliage and parked vehicles
may occasionally be detected. This is
a normal operation condition.
● The following conditions may reduce
the ability of the radar to detect other
vehicles:
– Severe weather
– Road spray – Ice/frost/snow build-up on the
vehicle
– Dirt build-up on the vehicle
● Do not attach stickers (including trans-
parent material) , install accessories or
apply additional paint near the radar
sensors. These conditions may reduce
the ability of the radar to detect other
vehicles.
● Excessive noise (for example, audio
system volume, open vehicle window)
will interfere with the chime sound, and
it may not be heard.
5-26Starting and driving

BSW DRIVING SITUATIONS
Indicator
on
Indicator
off
Indicator
flashing
Another vehicle approaching from
behind
Illustration 1:The side BSW/RCTA indicator
light illuminates if a vehicle enters the detection
zone from behind in an adjacent lane.Illustration 2:If the driver activates the turn sig-
nal when another vehicle is in the detection zone,
then the system chimes (twice) and the side
indicator light flashes.
NOTE:● The radar sensors may not detect vehicles
which are approaching rapidly from behind.
● If the driver activates the turn signal before a
vehicle enters the detection zone, the side
indicator light will flash but no chime will
sound when the other vehicle is detected.
Illustration 1 – Approaching from behind
LSD2299
Illustration 2 – Approaching from behind
LSD2300
Starting and driving5-27