2012 NISSAN Altima - Shift Modes

Shift Modes (if so equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with three shift modes: Drive, Drive Sport and 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 by moving the shift lever to the plus or minus side. 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 the shift lever.
To shift UP to a higher gear, push the shift lever forward to the PLUS side.
When shifting to a LOWER GEAR, like when decelerating coming down a hill, pull the lever back once to the MINUS side.
Moving the shift lever to the same side twice will shift through the ranges in succession.
To return to normal driving mode, move the shift lever from Manual to the Drive position.