2012 NISSAN Maxima - Shift Modes

Shift Modes (if so equipped)

Your vehicle is equipped with four shift modes: Drive, Drive Sport, Manual and Temporary Manual. For normal forward driving, use the DRIVE position. If you move the shift lever to Manual, the vehicle will shift into Drive Sport mode. In this mode, the transmission changes to a "sporty" driving, shift operation, creating a more aggressive acceleration feeling than the Drive mode and provides a gear change sensation when the driver accelerates quickly.

From the Drive Sport mode, you can shift into Manual mode in two ways - by moving the shift lever to the plus or minus side, or by pulling either paddle shifter, if so equipped. Manual shift mode offers the driver more control, for maximum performance.

Once engaged, the manual shift mode will display on the position indicator, and the transmission will automatically choose a range closest to your vehicle's current speed. In manual mode, you can choose different shift ranges using either the shift lever, or the paddle shifters on the steering wheel.

To shift up to a higher gear, push the shift lever forward to the PLUS side, or pull the right-side paddle shifter. When shifting to a lower gear, like when decelerating coming down a hill, pull the lever back once to the MINUS side, or pull the left-side paddle shifter. Moving the shift lever to the same side twice, or pulling the same paddle shifter twice, will shift through the ranges in succession.

To return to normal driving mode, move the shift lever from MANUAL to the DRIVE position or press and hold a paddle shifter for approximately three to five seconds.

With the shift lever in the DRIVE position, you can shift into Temporary Manual shift mode by pulling on either paddle shifter. If the paddle shifters are not used after five to ten seconds, the transmission will automatically return to normal driving mode.