Nissan Altima: Manual shift mode (if so equipped) - Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
(if so equipped) - Driving the vehicle - Starting and driving - Nissan Altima Owners ManualNissan Altima: Manual shift mode (if so equipped)

When the shift selector is in the Ds (Drive Sport)

When the shift selector is in the Ds (Drive Sport) position, the transmission is ready for the manual shift mode. Shift ranges can be selected manually by moving the shift selector up (+) or down (–). To cancel the Ds mode, return shift selector to the D (Drive) position. The transmission returns to automatic driving mode.

When the shift selector is shifted from D (Drive) to the manual shift gate A 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:

13 2 4 3 5 4 6 5 M6 (6th): 6

M6 (6th):

Use this position for all normal forward driving at highway speeds.

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. M1 (1st):

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 (down) side. (Shifts to lower range.)

● The transmission will automatically downshift the gears. (For example, if you select the 3rd range, the transmission will shift down between the 3rd and 1st gears.)

● Moving the shift selector rapidly to the same side twice will shift the ranges in succession. When canceling the manual shift mode: Return the shift selector to the D (Drive) position to return the transmission to the normal driving mode.

● In the manual shift mode, the transmission may not shift to the selected gear. This helps maintain driving performance and reduces the chance of vehicle damage or loss of control.

● In the manual shift mode, the transmission may shift up automatically to a higher range than selected if the engine speed is too high. When the vehicle speed decreases, the transmission automatically shifts down and shifts 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 shift mode is selected. This is not a malfunction. When CVT fluid warms up, manual mode can be selected.

● When the CVT fluid temperature is high, the shift range may upshift in lower rpm than usual. This is not a malfunction.

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