1999 Nissan Pathfinder Owner's Manual - Page 158

DRIVING THE VEHICLE extremely cold or hot weather - Use the accelerator pedal to help start the engine. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION The automatic transmission in your vehicle is electronically controlled by a transmission control module to produce maximum power and smooth operation. Shown on the following pages are the recommended operating procedures for this transmission. Follow these procedures for maximum vehicle performance and driving enjoyment. If your vehicle is equipped with four wheel drive, see "Using four wheel drive" later in this section. ¼ After starting the engine, fully depress the foot brake pedal and push the selector lever button before shifting the selector lever to the D, R, 2 or 1 position. Be sure the vehicle is fully stopped before attempting to shift the selector lever. This automatic transmission is designed so that the foot brake pedal MUST be depressed before shifting from P to any drive position while the ignition switch is ON. The selector lever cannot be moved out of P and into any of the other gear positions if the ignition key is turned to LOCK or if the key is removed from the switch. When the battery charge is low, the selec- tor lever can be moved if the ignition switch is in the ACC position. 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. Do not operate the starter for more than 10 seconds at a time. If the engine does not start, turn the key off and wait 10 seconds before cranking again, otherwise the starter could be damaged. 4. Warm-up Always allow the engine to idle for at least 30 seconds after starting. Drive at moderate speed for a short distance first, especially in cold weather. ¼ Do not depress the accelerator pedal while shifting from P or N to R, D, 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. ¼ Cold engine idle speed is high, so use caution when shifting into a forward or reverse gear before the engine has warmed up. ¼ Never shift to P or R while the vehicle is moving. This could cause an accident. ¼ On slippery roads, do not downshift. This may cause a loss of control. Starting and driving 5-9