2009 Maxima Owner's Manual

5-12 Starting and driving
LSD0238
WARNING
● Do not depress the accelerator pedal
while shifting from P (Park) or N (Neutral)
to R (Reverse), D (Drive), Ds (Drive
Sport) or (M) Manual shift mode. 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.
● Do not downshift abruptly on slippery
roads. This may cause a loss of control.
● Never shift to P (Park) or R (Reverse)
while the vehicle is moving. This could
cause an accident.
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.
The CVT in your vehicle is electronically controlled
to produce maximum power and smooth
operation.
The CVT can operate in two different automatic
drive modes:
● D (Drive) mode - Move the shift selector to D
(Drive), the transmission is in the normal
forward automatic driving mode. The position
indicator in the meter shows a “D”. The
D mode does not produce a gear change
sensation like a traditional automatic transmission.
● Ds (Drive Sport) mode - Move the shift selector
over from D (Drive) to the left into the
manual shift gate. The position indicator in
the meter shows a “Ds”. In Ds (Drive Sport)
mode, transmission operation changes to
�Sporty” driving shift operation, creating a
more aggressive acceleration feeling than
the D (Drive) mode and a gear change sensation
when the driver accelerates quickly.
When the driver selects M (Manual) mode
ratio with shift selector or shift paddles (if so
equipped) during Ds (Drive Sport) mode
operation, the driver must move the shift
selector from Ds mode to D mode and back
again to re-select Ds (Drive Sport) mode.
● To cancel the Ds mode, return the shift selector
to the D (Drive) position. The transmission
returns to the automatic drive mode.