transmission NISSAN SENTRA 2020 Owner´s Manual

CAUTION
To avoid possible damage to your ve-
hicle, 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 pur-
pose.
1. Af ter starting the engine, fully depress the foot brake pedal before moving the
shif t lever out of the P (Park) position.
2. Keep the foot brake pedal depressed and move the shif t lever into a driving
gear.
3. Release the foot brake, then gradually start the vehicle in motion.
4. Stop the vehicle completely before mov- ing the shif t lever into the P (Park)
position.
The Continuously Variable Transmission
is designed so the foot brake pedal MUST
be depressed before shif ting from P
(Park) to any drive position while the ig-
nition switch is in the ON position.
The shif t lever cannot be moved out of P
(Park) and into any of the other gear po-
sitions if the ignition switch is placed in
the LOCK, OFF or ACC position. To move the shif t lever:
Press the buttonOAwhile de-
pressing the brake pedal
Press the buttonOAto shif t
Shif t without pressing the button
OA
Shif ting
Af ter starting the engine, fully depress the
brake pedal and move the shif t lever from P
(Park) to any of the desired shif t positions.
WARNING
Apply the parking brake if the shif t le-
ver is in any position while the engine is
not running. Failure to do so could
cause the vehicle to move unexpect-
edly or roll away and result in serious
personal injury or property damage.
If the key is turned to the OFF or ACC posi-
tion for any reason while the vehicle is in N
(Neutral), or any drive position, the key can-
not be turned to the LOCK position and be
removed from the ignition switch. If this
occurs, perform the following steps:
1. Apply the parking brake when the ve- hicle is stopped.
2. Move the shif t lever to P (Park) to park the vehicle and place the ignition switch
in the LOCK position.
LSD3738
Starting and driving5-17

P (Park)
CAUTION
To prevent transmission damage, use
the P (Park) position only when the ve-
hicle is completely stopped.
Use the P (Park) shif t lever position when
the vehicle is parked or when starting the
engine. Make sure the vehicle is completely
stopped. The brake pedal must be de-
pressed and the shif t lever button
pressed in to move the shif t 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 place
the shif t lever into the P (Park) position.
R (Reverse)
CAUTION
To prevent transmission damage, use
the 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 de-
pressed and the shif t lever button pressed in to move the shif t lever from P
(Park), N (Neutral) or any drive position to
R (Reverse).
N (Neutral)
Neither forward nor reverse gear is en-
gaged. The engine can be started in this
position. You may shif t 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 ap-
proaching sharp bends. Do not use the L
(Low) position in any other circumstances.
Manual shif t mode (if so
equipped)
When the shif t lever is in the manual shif t
gate, the transmission is ready for the
manual shif t mode. Shif t ranges can be
selected manually by moving the shif t le-
ver up or down. To cancel manual shif t
mode, return the shif t lever to the D (Drive)position. The transmission returns to auto-
matic driving mode.
When the shif t lever is shif ted from D (Drive)
to the manual shif t gate with the vehicle
stopped or while driving, the transmission
enters the manual shif t mode. Shif t ranges
can be selected manually. In the manual
shif t mode, the shif t range is displayed on
the position indicator in the meter. When
moving the shif t lever to the manual shif t
gate, the position indicator displays 1 (1st)
up to 7 (7th) depending on vehicle speed.
Shif t ranges up or down one by one as
follows:
1⇔
2⇔ 3⇔ 4⇔ 5⇔ 6⇔ 7
M7 (7th)
Use this position for all normal forward
driving at highway speeds.
M6 (6th) and M5 (5th)
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.
5-18Starting and driving

M1 (1st)
Use this position when climbing steep hills
slowly or driving slowly through deep snow,
sand or mud, or for maximum engine brak-
ing on steep downhill grades.
• Remember not to drive at high speeds forextended periods of time in lower than
the 6th range. This reduces fuel economy.
When shif ting up
Move the shif t lever to the + (up) side. (Shif ts
to higher range.)
When shif ting down
Move the shif t lever to the − (down) side.
(Shif ts to lower range.)
• Moving the shif t lever rapidly to the same side twice will shif t the ranges in succes-
sion.
• The transmission will automatically downshif t the gears. (For example, if you
select the 3rd range, the transmission will
shif t down between the 3rd and 1st
gears.)
When canceling the manual shif t mode
Return the shif t lever to the D (Drive) posi-
tion to return the transmission to the nor-
mal driving mode. •
In the manual shif t mode, the trans-
mission may not shif t to the selected
gear. This helps maintain driving per-
formance and reduces the chance of
vehicle damage or loss of control.
• When this situation occurs, the Con-
tinuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
position indicator light will blink and
the chime will sound.
• In the manual shif t mode, the trans-
mission may shif t 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 shif ts down and
shif ts to 1st gear before the vehicle
comes to a stop.
• CVT operation is limited to automatic drive mode when CVT fluid temperature
is extremely low even if manual shif t
mode is selected. This is not a malfunc-
tion. When CVT fluid warms up, manual
mode can be selected.
• When the CVT fluid temperature is high, the shif t range may upshif t in lower rpm
than usual. This is not a malfunction.
Shif t lock release
If the battery charge is low or discharged,
the shif t lever may not be moved from the
P (Park) position even with the brake pedal
depressed and the shif t lever button
pressed.
It will be necessary to jump start or have
your battery charged. For additional infor-
mation, refer to “Jump starting” in the “In
case of emergency” section of this manual.
It is recommended that you contact a
NISSAN dealer or a professional towing ser-
vice.
LSD3739
Starting and driving5-19

To move the shif t lever, complete the fol-
lowing procedure:
1. Push the ignition switch to the LOCKposition.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Using a protective cloth on the tip of a 3 mm screwdriver, remove the shif t lock
release cover.
• If available, a plastic trim tool can also be used.
4. Insert the small screwdriver in the shif t lock release slot and push down.
5. Move the shif t lever to the N (Neutral) position while holding down the shif t
lock release.
6. Push the ignition switch to the ON posi- tion to unlock the steering wheel. Now
the vehicle may be moved to the desired
location.
If the shif t lever cannot be moved out of P
(Park), have the transmission checked as
soon as possible. It is recommended that
you visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.WARNING
If the shif t lever cannot be moved from
the P (Park) position while the engine is
running and the brake pedal is de-
pressed, the stop lights may not work.
Malfunctioning stop lights could cause
an accident injuring yourself and oth-
ers.
Drive sport mode switch
To select the drive sport mode, push the
drive sport mode switch with the shif t lever
in the D (Drive) position.
The drive sport mode indicator in the ve-
hicle information display illuminates next
to the Transmission Shif t Position indicator.
To turn off the drive sport mode, push the
drive sport mode switch again. The drive
sport mode indicator will turn off. When the
shif t lever is shif ted to any position other
than D (Drive), the drive sport mode will be
automatically turned off.
LSD2647
5-20Starting and driving

OFF position:
For normal driving and fuel economy, use
the OFF position.
ON position:
For driving up or down long slopes where
engine braking is necessary, or for powerful
acceleration, use the ON position. The
transmission will automatically select a dif-
ferent gear ratio, allowing the engine to
provide high output.
Remember not to drive at high speeds for
extended periods of time with the drive
sport mode in the ON position. This re-
duces fuel economy.
Accelerator downshif t
— in D (Drive) position —
For passing or hill climbing, depress the
accelerator pedal to the floor. This shif ts
the transmission down into a lower gear,
depending on the vehicle speed.
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 Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)may come on to indicate the fail-safe
mode is activated. For additional infor-
mation, refer to “Malfunction Indicator
Light (MIL)” in the “Instruments and con-
trols” section of this manual. This will oc-
cur even if all electrical circuits are func-
tioning 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 ve-
hicle should return to its normal operat-
ing condition. If it does not return to its
normal operating condition, have the
transmission checked and repaired, if
necessary. It is recommended that you
visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
WARNING
When the high fluid temperature pro-
tection mode or fail-safe operation oc-
curs, vehicle speed may be gradually
reduced. The reduced speed may be
lower than other traffic, which could in-
crease the chance of a collision. Be es-
pecially careful when driving. If neces-
sary, pull to the side of the road at a safe
place and allow the transmission to re-
turn to normal operation, or have it re-
paired if necessary.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION (if so
equipped)
WARNING
• Do not downshif t abruptly on slip-
pery roads. This may cause a loss of
control.
• Do not over-rev the engine when
shif ting to a lower gear. This may
cause a loss of control or engine
damage.
• Do not shif t to the N (Neutral) posi-
tion while driving. Doing so may re-
sult in an accident due to loss of en-
gine braking.
CAUTION
• Do not rest your foot on the clutch
pedal while driving. This may cause
clutch damage.
• Fully depress the clutch pedal before
shif ting to help prevent transmission
damage.
• Stop your vehicle completely before
shif ting into R (Reverse).
Starting and driving5-21

•When the vehicle is stopped with the
engine running (for example, at a
stop light), shif t to N (Neutral) and re-
lease the clutch pedal with the foot
brake applied.
• Do not shif t to the N (Neutral) posi-
tion while driving. Doing so may re-
sult in an accident due to loss of en-
gine braking.
Shif ting
To change gears or when upshif ting or
downshif ting, depress the clutch pedal
fully, shif t into the appropriate gear, then
release the clutch slowly and smoothly.
To ensure smooth gear changes, fully de-
press the clutch pedal before operating the
shif t lever. If the clutch pedal is not fully
depressed before the transmission is
shif ted, a gear noise may be heard. Trans-
mission damage may occur.
Start the vehicle in 1st gear and shif t to 2nd,
3rd, 4th and 5th up to 6th gear in sequence
according to vehicle speed. To back up, lif t up on the shif t lever ring
O1
and then move it to the R (Reverse) position
af ter stopping the vehicle completely.
The shif t lever ring
O1returns to its original
position when the shif t lever is moved to
the N (Neutral) position.
If it is difficult to move the shif t lever into R
(Reverse) or 1 (1st), shif t into N (Neutral), then
release the clutch pedal. Depress the
clutch pedal again and shif t into R (Re-
verse) or 1 (1st).
Suggested up-shif t speeds
The following are suggested vehicle
speeds for shif ting into a higher gear.
These suggestions relate to fuel economy
and vehicle performance. Actual upshif t
speeds will vary according to road condi-
tions, the weather and individual driving
habits.
MRA8DE engine models (6 M/T)
GEAR Change mph (km/h)
1st to 2nd 8(13)
2nd to 3rd 17 (27)
3rd to 4th 25 (40)
4th to 5th 36 (58)
5th to 6th 51 (82)
SSD0552
5-22Starting and driving

To engage:Pull the lever upOA.
To release:
1. Firmly apply the foot brake.
2. Manual transmission models:
Place the shif t lever in the N (Neutral)
position.
Continuously Variable Transmission
models:
Move the shif t lever to the P (Park) posi-
tion. 3. While pulling up on the parking brake
lever slightly, press the button and lower
completely
OB.
4. Before driving, be sure the brake warn- ing light goes out.
To engage:Firmly depress the parking
brake.
To release:
1. Firmly apply the foot brake.
2. Move the shif t lever to the P (Park) position.
3. Firmly depress the parking brake pedal and it will release.
4. Before driving, be sure the brake warn- ing light goes out.
LSD2197LSD0158
PEDAL TYPE
5-24Starting and driving

The ECO mode helps to enhance the fuel
economy by controlling the throttle sensi-
tivity and transmission points.
To turn on the ECO mode, push the ECO
mode switch. The ECO mode indicator light
(on the meter or vehicle information dis-
play) will remain lit while the mode is active.
To turn off the ECO mode, push the ECO
mode switch again. The ECO mode indica-
tor light (on the meter or vehicle informa-
tion display) will turn off.The ECO mode cannot be turned off while
the accelerator pedal is depressed, even if
the ECO mode switch is pushed off. Release
the accelerator pedal to turn off the ECO
mode.
The ECO mode will turn off automatically if
a malfunction occurs in the system.
Turn off the ECO mode or depress the ac-
celerator pedal fully when:
• Driving with a heavy load of passengers
or cargo in the vehicle
• Driving on a steep uphill slope
• ECO mode may affect air conditioner per- formanceNOTE:
Selecting this drive mode will not neces-
sarily improve fuel economy as many
driving factors influence its
effectiveness.
SHIFT LEVER INDICATOR (MRA8DE
engine Manual Transmission
models only)
The shif t lever indicator is used to support
the suitable timing of gear change. It oper-
ates only when the ECO mode is on.
The shif t indicator icon and recommended
gear position are displayed.
The shif t indicator icon indicates when to
upshif t or downshif t for fuel economy.
LSD3737LSD2143
ECO MODE SWITCH
Starting and driving5-25

The cruise control is automatically can-
celed if:
• You depress the brake or clutch pedal (forManual Transmission models) while
pushing the RES+ or SET- switch. The pre-
set speed is deleted from memory.
• The vehicle slows down more than 8 mph (13 km/h) below the set speed.
• You depress the clutch pedal (for Manual Transmission models), or move the shif t
lever to N (Neutral) (for Continuously Vari-
able Transmission models).
To reset at a faster cruising speed, use
one of the following three methods:
• Depress the accelerator pedal. When the vehicle attains the desired speed, push
and release the SET— switch.
• Push and hold the RES+ switch. When the vehicle attains the speed you desire, re-
lease the switch.
• Push and release the RES+ switch. Each time you do this, the set speed increases
by about 1 mph (1.6 km/h). To reset at a slower cruising speed,
use
one of the following three methods:
• Lightly tap the brake pedal. When the ve- hicle attains the desired speed, push the
SET— switch and release it.
• Push and hold the SET— switch. Release the switch when the vehicle slows to the
desired speed.
• Push and release the SET— switch. Each time you do this, the set speed decreases
by about 1 mph (1.6 km/h).
To resume the preset speed, push and
release the RES+ switch. The vehicle re-
turns to the last set cruising speed when
the vehicle speed is over 25 mph (40 km/h).WARNING
Failure to follow the warnings and in-
structions for proper use of the ICC sys-
tem could result in serious injury or
death.
• The ICC system is only an aid to assist
the driver and is not a collision warn-
ing or avoidance device. It is the driv-
er’s responsibility to stay alert, drive
safely and be in control of the vehicle
at all times.
• Always observe posted speed limits
and do not set the speed over them.
• Always drive carefully and atten-
tively when using the ICC system.
Read and understand the Owner’s
Manual thoroughly before using the
ICC system. To avoid serious injury or
death, do not rely on the system to
prevent accidents or to control the
vehicle’s speed in emergency situa-
tions. Do not use the ICC system ex-
cept in appropriate road and traffic
conditions.
INTELLIGENT CRUISE CONTROL (ICC)
(if so equipped)
Starting and driving5-59

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. •
Safe parking procedures require that
both the parking brake be set and the
transmission placed in P (Park) for
Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) models or in an appropriate
gear for manual transmission (M/T)
models. Failure to do so could cause
the vehicle to move unexpectedly or
roll away and result in an accident.
Make sure the shif t lever has been
pushed as far forward as it can go
and cannot be moved without de-
pressing the foot brake pedal.
• Never leave the engine running while
the vehicle is unattended. •
Do not leave children unattended in-
side the vehicle. They could unknow-
ingly activate switches or controls or
make the vehicle move. Unattended
children could become involved in
serious accidents.
• 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 assistance of others or pets unat-
tended in your vehicle. Additionally,
the temperature inside a closed ve-
hicle on a warm day can quickly be-
come high enough to cause a signifi-
cant risk of injury or death to people
and pets.
1. Firmly apply the parking brake.
2. M/T models
Place the shif t lever in the R (Reverse)
position. When parking on an uphill
grade, place the shif t lever in 1st gear.
CVT models
Move the shif t lever into the P (Park) po-
sition.
SSD0488
PARKING/PARKING ON HILLS
5-112Starting and driving