2009 Maxima Owner's Manual

The CVT can operate in two manual drive modes:
● M (Manual) mode - With the shift selector in
the manual shift gate Ds (Drive Sport) mode,
M (Manual) mode can be selected by moving
the shift selector up (+) or down (–) or
using the shift paddles (if so equipped) up
(+) or down (–). In M mode, the transmission
will produce noticeable upshifts and downshifts.
The position indicator in the meter
shows a “M”.
● Temporary M (Manual) shift mode - With the
shift selector in the D (Drive) mode and if the
shift paddle is moved + (up) or - (down), the
transmission will temporarily switch to the M
(Manual) mode. If the shift paddles are not
used after 5-10seconds, the transmission
will return to the D (Drive) mode.
● To cancel the M (Manual) mode and return to
the D (Drive) mode, press and hold either
shift paddle for 3-5seconds.
Follow these procedures for maximum vehicle
performance and driving enjoyment.
NOTE:
Engine power may be automatically reduced
to protect the CVT if the engine
speed increases quickly when driving on
slippery roads or while being tested on
some dynamometers.
Starting the vehicle
1. After starting the engine, fully depress the
foot brake pedal before moving the shift
selector out of the P (Park) position.
2. Keep the foot brake pedal depressed and
move the shift selector into a driving gear.
3. Release the foot brake, then gradually start
the vehicle in motion.
4. Stop the vehicle completely before shifting
the shift selector to the P (Park) position.
The CVT 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 cannot be moved out of P
(Park) and into any of the other gear positions
if the ignition switch is pushed to the
LOCK or ACC position.
To move the shift selector:
Shifting
Push the button while depressing the brake
pedal
Push the button to shift
Shift without pushing button
WSD0234
After starting the engine, fully depress the brake
pedal and move the shift selector from P (Park) to
any of the desired shift positions.
Starting and driving 5-13