2004 Nissan Xterra Owner's Manual - Page 164

DRIVING THE VEHICLE 4. Allow the engine to idle for at least 30 seconds after starting. Do not race the engine 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 of 2-3 minutes before shutting it off. Starting and stopping the engine over a short period of time may make the vehicle more difficult to start. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (if so equipped) WARNING ● Do not depress the accelerator pedal while shifting from P (Park) or N (Neutral) to R (Reverse), D (Drive), 2 or 1. Always depress the brake pedal until shifting is completed. 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. ● Never shift to P (Park) or R (Reverse) while the vehicle is moving. This could cause an accident. The automatic transmission in your vehicle is electronically controlled to produce maximum power and smooth operation. The recommended operating procedures for this transmission are shown on the following pages. Follow these procedures for maximum vehicle performance and driving enjoyment. Starting the vehicle 1. After starting the engine, fully depress the foot brake pedal before attempting to move the shift selector lever out of the P (Park) position. 2. Keep the foot brake pedal depressed and move the shift selector lever into a driving gear. 3. Release the foot brake, then gradually start the vehicle in motion. The automatic transmission is designed so the foot brake pedal MUST be depressed before shifting from P (Park) to any drive position while the ignition switch is in the ON position. The shift selector lever cannot be moved out of P (Park) and into any of the other gear positions if the ignition key is turned to the LOCK position or if the key is removed. CAUTION ● 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 purpose. ● On slippery roads, do not downshift. This may cause a loss of control. 5-10 Starting and driving