ECO mode NISSAN X-TRAIL 2006 Owner's Manual

5 Starting and drivingPrecautions when starting and driving ............................ 5-2
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) ................................. 5-2
Three way catalyst .......................................................... 5-3
Avoiding collision and rollover ..................................... 5-3
On-pavement and offroad driving precautions ....... 5-4
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving ............................ 5-4
Driving safety precautions ............................................ 5-4
Ignition switch ....................................................................... 5-6
Automatic transmission (AT) ........................................ 5-6
Manual transmission (MT) ............................................ 5-7
Key positions ................................................................... 5-8
NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System ........................ 5-8
Before starting the engine ................................................. 5-9
Starting the engine ............................................................... 5-9
Driving the vehicle ............................................................. 5-10
Automatic transmission ............................................... 5-10
Manual transmission .................................................... 5-14
Parking brake ...................................................................... 5-15
Cruise control ..................................................................... 5-16
Precautions on cruise control ................................... 5-16
Cruise control operations ........................................... 5-17Break-in schedule .............................................................. 5-18
Increasing fuel economy .................................................. 5-18
Using four-wheel drive (4WD) (if so equipped) ........ 5-19
4WD mode switch operations .................................. 5-20
4WD warning light ....................................................... 5-21
Parking/parking on hills .................................................... 5-23
Power steering .................................................................... 5-24
Brake system ....................................................................... 5-24
Braking precautions ..................................................... 5-24
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) .................................. 5-25
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) system
(if so equipped) .................................................................. 5-26
Cold weather driving ......................................................... 5-28
Freeing a frozen door lock ......................................... 5-28
Antifreeze ........................................................................ 5-28
Battery ............................................................................. 5-28
Draining of coolant water ........................................... 5-28
Tire equipment .............................................................. 5-28
Special winter equipment .......................................... 5-29
Driving on snow or ice ................................................ 5-29
Engine block heater ..................................................... 5-30


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Make sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.

Maintenance items should be checked peri-
odically, for example, each time you check
engine oil.

Check that all windows and lights are clean.

Visually inspect tires for their appearance and
condition. Also, check tires for proper infla-
tion.

Lock all doors.

Position seat and adjust head restraints.

Adjust inside and outside mirrors.

Fasten seat belts and ask all passengers to
do likewise.

Check the operation of warning lights when
key is turned to the ON (3) position.1. Apply the parking brake.
2.Automatic transmission:
Move the selector lever to P or N. (P is
preferred.)
The starter is designed so that the starter
does not operate unless the selector lever is
in either one of the above positions.
Manual transmission:
Move the shift lever to the N position. De-
press the clutch pedal fully to the floor.
The starter is designed so that it does not
operate unless the clutch pedal is fully de-
pressed.
3. Turn the ignition switch to START (4) to
crank the enginewith your foot off the
accelerator pedal.Release the key when
the engine starts.
If the engine starts, but fails to run, repeat the
above procedure.

If the engine is very hard to start in extremely
cold weather or when restarting, depress the
accelerator pedal a little (approximately 1/3
to the floor) and hold it then crank the engine.
Release the key and the accelerator pedal
when the engine starts.

If the engine is very hard to start because it isflooded, depress the accelerator pedal all the
way to the floor and hold it. Crank the engine
for 5 to 6 seconds. After cranking the engine,
release the accelerator pedal. Crank the en-
ginewith your foot off the accelerator
pedalby turning the ignition key to START.
Release the key when the engine starts. If the
engine starts, but fails to run, repeat the
above procedure.
CAUTION
Do not operate the starter for more than
15 seconds at a time. If the engine does
not start, turn the key off and wait 10
seconds before cranking again, other-
wise the starter could be damaged.
4.Warm-up
Allow the engine to idle for at least 30
seconds after starting. Do not race the en-
gine while warming it up. Drive at moderate
speed for a short distance first, especially in
cold weather.
In cold weather, keep the engine running for
a minimum of2-3minutes before shutting it
off. Starting and stopping the engine over a
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE STARTING THE ENGINE
Starting and driving
5-9


06.4.14/T30-J/V5.0


short period of time may make the vehicle
more difficult to start.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONThe automatic transmission in your vehicle is
electronically controlled by a transmission con-
trol module to produce maximum efficiency and
smooth operation.
Shown on the following pages are the recom-
mended operating procedures for this transmis-
sion. Follow these procedures for maximum ve-
hicle performance and driving enjoyment.Starting the vehicleAfter starting the engine, fully depress the foot
brake pedal and push the selector lever button
before shifting the selector lever to the R (Re-
verse), N (Neutral), D (Drive), 2 (Second) or 1
(Low) position. Be sure the vehicle is fully
stopped before attempting to shift the selector
lever.
This automatic transmission model is de-
signed so that the foot brake pedal must
be depressed before shifting from P (Park)
to any drive position while the ignition
switch is ON.
The selector lever cannot be moved out of
the P (Park) position and into any of the
other gear positions if the ignition key is
turned to the LOCK, OFF or ACC position
or if the key is removed from the switch.1. Keep the foot brake pedal depressed and
push the selector lever button to shift into a
driving gear.
2. Release the parking brake and foot brake,
then gradually start the vehicle in motion.
WARNING

Do not depress the accelerator pedal
while shifting from P (Park) or N
(Neutral) to R (Reverse) or D (Drive).
Always depress the brake pedal until
shifting is complete. 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.

On slippery roads, do not downshift.
This may cause a loss of control.

Never shift to P (Park) or R (Reverse)
while vehicle is moving forward.
Never shift to P (Park) or D (Drive)
while vehicle is moving rearward.
DRIVING THE VEHICLE
5-10
Starting and driving


06.4.14/T30-J/V5.0


CAUTION

Do not rest your foot on the clutch
pedal while driving. This may damage
the clutch.

Fully depress the clutch pedal before
shifting to help prevent transmission
damage.

Stop your vehicle completely before
shifting into R (Reverse).

When the vehicle is stopped for a
period of time, for example at a stop
light, shift to N(Neutral) and release
the clutch pedal with the foot brake
applied.Suggested upshift speedsShown below are suggested vehicle speeds for
shifting into a higher gear. These suggestions
relate to fuel economy and vehicle performance.
Actual upshift speeds will vary according to road
conditions, the weather and individual driving
habits.Gear change km/h (MPH)
1st to 2nd 24 (15)
2nd to 3rd 40 (25)
3rd to 4th 64 (40)
4th to 5th 72 (45)
Suggested maximum speed in each
gearDownshift to a lower gear if the engine is not
running smoothly, or if you need to accelerate.
Do not exceed the maximum suggested speed
(shown below) in any gear. For level road driving,
use the highest gear suggested for that speed.
Always observe posted speed limits, and drive
according to the road conditions which will
ensure safe operation. Do not over-rev the en-
gine when shifting to a lower gear as it may
cause engine damage or loss of vehicle control.
Gear km/h (MPH)
1st 45 (28)
2nd 85 (53)
3rd 135 (84)
4th to 5th — (—)To apply:pull the parking brake lever up
1.
To release:
1. Firmly apply the foot brake.
2.Manual transmission models:
Place the shift lever in the N (Neutral) posi-
tion.
Automatic transmission models:
Move the selector lever to the P (Park) posi-
tion.
3. While pulling up on the parking brake lever
slightly, push the button
2
and lower com-
pletely
3.
SPA2110
PARKING BRAKE
Starting and driving
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To resume the preset speed,push and re-
lease the ACCEL/RES set switch. The vehicle
will resume the last set cruising speed when the
vehicle speed is over 40 km/h (25 MPH).
CAUTION
During the first 2,000 km (1,200 miles),
follow these recommendations to ob-
tain maximum engine performance and
ensure the future reliability and
economy of your new vehicle. Failure to
follow these recommendations may re-
sult in shortened engine life and re-
duced engine performance.

Avoid driving for long periods at constant
speed, either fast or slow. Do not run the
engine over 4,000 rpm.

Do not accelerate at full throttle in any gear.

Avoid quick starts.

Avoid hard braking as much as possible.

Do not tow a trailer for the first 800 km (500
miles).
Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Maintain
cruising speeds with a constant accelerator
position.

Drive at moderate speeds on the highway.
Driving at high speed will lower fuel economy.

Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking.
Maintain a safe distance behind other ve-
hicles.

Use a proper gear range which suits road
conditions. On level roads, shift into high gear
as soon as possible.

Avoid unnecessary engine idling.

Keep your engine tuned up.

Follow the recommended periodic mainte-
nance schedule.

Keep the tires inflated at the correct pres-
sure. Low pressure will increase tire wear and
waste fuel.

Keep the front wheels in correct alignment.
Improper alignment will cause not only tire
wear but also lower fuel economy.

Air conditioner operation lowers fuel
economy. Use the air conditioner only when
necessary.

When cruising at highway speeds, it is more
economical to use the air conditioner andBREAK-IN SCHEDULE INCREASING FUEL ECONOMY
5-18
Starting and driving


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4WD mode switch Wheels driven4WD mode indicator light
(
,
) Use conditions
2WDFront wheels
The wheel drive mode is in
Two-Wheel Drive (2WD) when
driving on the normal road.*1Goes offFor driving on dry, paved
roads (Economy drive)
AUTODistribution of torque to the
front and rear wheels changes
automatically, depending on
road conditions encountered
[ratio; 100 : 0 (2WD)→50 :
50 (4WD)]. This results in im-
proved driving stability.
For driving on paved or
slippery roads
LOCK Four-Wheel Drive (4WD)*2
/
For driving on rough
roads
*1: 2WD mode may change to 4WD mode automatically during quick acceleration.
The 4WD mode indicator light does not illuminate.
*2: LOCK mode will change to AUTO mode automatically, when the vehicle is accelerated.
4WD MODE SWITCH OPERATIONSThe 4WD mode switch electronically controls
the coupling. Move the switch to select between
each mode, 2WD, AUTO and LOCK, depending
on driving conditions.
WARNING
Depending on the driving condition, the
4WD mode may automatically changefrom 2WD to 4WD even when the 2WD
mode switch is selected.*
Do not start engine while in the 2WD,
AUTO or LOCK mode in the following
cases:

When on a free-roller or jacking up
the front tires with the rear tires on
the ground.

When towing with the rear tires
raised from the ground.
* The 4WD mode indicator light does not illumi-
nate even if the mode automatically changes
from 2WD to 4WD while driving.
4WD shift tips
If the 4WD mode switch is operated while
making a turn, accelerating or decelerating,
or if the key switch is turned off while in the
AUTO or LOCK, you may feel a jerk. This is
normal.

The oil temperature of power train parts will
increase if the vehicle is continuously oper-
ated under conditions where the difference in
rotation between the front and rear wheels is
large (wheels slip) by driving the vehicle
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Starting and driving


06.4.14/T30-J/V5.0


switch is turned to ON. It turns off soon after the
engine is started.
If any malfunction occurs in the 4WD system
when the key switch is ON, the warning light will
either remain illuminated or blink.
High-temperature power-train oil makes the
warning light blink rapidly (about twice per sec-
ond). The driving mode will change to 2WD.
AUTO mode may change to LOCK mode before
the warning light blinks. This is normal. If the
warning light blinks rapidly during operation,
stop the vehicle in a safe place immediately.
Then if the light goes off after a while, you can
continue driving.
A large difference between the diameters of
front and rear wheels will make the warning light
blink slowly (about once per two seconds). Pull
off the road in a safe area, and idle the engine.
Check that all tire sizes are the same, tire
pressure is correct and tires are not worn.
Change the 4WD mode switch into 2WD and
do not drive fast.
WARNING
Do not attempt to test a 4WD equipped
vehicle with two wheels on a two wheeldynamometer and the other two wheels
raised. Doing so may result in transmis-
sion damage or unexpected vehicle
movement which could result in serious
vehicle damage or personal injury.
CAUTION

If the 4WD warning light comes on
while driving, AUTO or LOCK mode
will be changed to two-wheel drive
condition. Reduce the vehicle speed
and be especially careful when driv-
ing. Have your vehicle checked by a
NISSAN dealer as soon as possible.

Never drive on dry hard surface roads
in the LOCK mode, as this will over-
load the power-train and may cause a
serious malfunction.

The power-train may be damaged if
you continue driving with the warning
light blinking rapidly.
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Starting and driving


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WARNING
Always follow the instructions below.
Failure to do so could result in damage
to the charging system and cause per-
sonal injury.
1. If the booster battery is in another vehicle,
position the two vehicles to bring their bat-
teries into close proximity to each other.
Do not allow the two vehicles to touch.
2. Apply parking brake. Move the shift lever tothe N (Neutral) position (On automatic trans-
mission models, move the selector lever to
the P (Park) position). Switch off all unnec-
essary electrical systems (light, heater, air
conditioner, etc.).
3. Remove vent caps on the battery (if so
equipped). Cover the battery with an old
cloth as illustrated to reduce explosion haz-
ard.
4. Connect jumper cables in the sequence as
illustrated.
CAUTION

Always connect positive (+) to posi-
tive (+) and negative (−) to body
ground not to the battery.

Make sure that cables do not touch
moving parts in the engine compart-
ment and that clamps do not contact
any other metal.
5. Start the engine of the other vehicle and let it
run for a few minutes.
6. Keep the engine speed of the other vehicle at
about 2,000 rpm, and start your engine in the
normal manner.
CAUTION
Do not keep starter motor engaged for
more than 10 seconds. If the engine
does not start right away, turn the key
off and wait 3 to 4 seconds before trying
again.
7. After starting your engine, carefully discon-
nect the negative cable and then the positive
cable.
8. Replace the vent caps (if so equipped). Be
sure to dispose of the cloth used to cover the
vent holes as it may be contaminated with
corrosive acid.
SCE0389A
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In case of emergency


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TOWING RECOMMENDED BY
NISSAN
Two-Wheel drive modelsNISSAN recommends that your vehicle be
towed with the driving (front) wheels off the
ground or place the vehicle on a flatbed truck as
illustrated.
CAUTION

Never tow automatic transmission
models with the front wheels on theground or four wheels on the ground
(forward or backward) as this may
cause serious and expensive damage
to the transmission.
If it is necessary to tow the vehicle
with the rear wheels raised, always
use towing dollies under the front
wheels.

When towing automatic transmission
models with the front wheels on tow-
ing dollies:•Turn the ignition key to the OFF
position, and secure the steering
wheel in a straight ahead position
with a rope or similar device.
Never secure the steering wheel
by turning the ignition key to the
LOCK position. This may damage
the steering lock mechanism.
•Move the selector lever to the N
(Neutral) position.

When towing Two-Wheel drive auto-
matic transmission model with the
rear wheels on the ground (if you do
not use towing dollies): Always re-
lease the parking brake.
SCE0495
Two-Wheel drive models
In case of emergency
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06.4.14/T30-J/V5.0


Four-Wheel drive modelsNISSAN recommends that towing dollies be
used when towing your vehicle or the vehicle be
placed on a flat bed truck as illustrated.
CAUTION
Never tow 4WD models with any of the
wheels on the ground as this may cause
serious and expensive damage to the
drive train.
SCE0496
Four-Wheel drive models
SCE0478
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In case of emergency


06.4.14/T30-J/V5.0