2009 Nissan Altima Owner's Manual - Page 251

R (Reverse): 6 (Sixth): CAUTION To prevent transmission damage, use the P (Park) or 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 depressed to move the shift selector from P (Park), N (Neutral) or any drive position to R (Reverse). N (Neutral): Neither forward nor reverse gear is engaged. The engine can be started in this position. You may shift to N (Neutral) and restart a stalled engine while the vehicle is moving. D (Drive): Use this position for all normal forward driving. LSD0182 Use this position for all normal forward driving at highway speeds. 5 (Fifth): Use this position when driving up long slopes, or for engine braking when driving down long slopes. 4 (Fourth), 3 (Third) and 2 (Second): Use for hill climbing or engine braking on downhill grades. M1 (First): 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 selector to the + (up) side. (Shifts to higher range.) When shifting down: Move the shift selector to the (Shifts to lower range.) (down) side. Manual shift mode When the shift selector is shifted from D to the manual shift gate with the vehicle stopped or while driving, the transmission enters the manual shift mode. Shift ranges can be selected manually. In the manual shift mode, the shift range is displayed on the position indicator in the meter. When shifting the shift selector to the manual shift gate, the position indicator displays 1 (first) up to 6 (sixth) depending on vehicle speed. Shift ranges up or down one by one as follows: 1⇔ 2 ⇔ 3 ⇔ 4 ⇔ 5 ⇔ 6 Starting and driving 5-13