Nissan Versa: Monitor, climate, audio, phone and voice recognition systems - Starting the engine (models without NISSAN Intelligent Key system)

1. Firmly apply the mechanical parking brake.

2. Continuously Variable Transmission models:

Move the transmission shift lever to either the P (Park) or N (Neutral) position.

Selecting P (Park) is always the recommended and safest practice.

The gear shift lever on your Nissan Versa cannot be moved out of the P (Park) position and into any of the active driving gear positions if the ignition key is turned over to the OFF position or if the physical key is pulled out from the ignition switch cylinder.

The starter motor is electrically designed not to operate or engage if the shift lever is left in any of the driving speed positions.

Manual transmission (M/T) models:

For the best driving practice when operating a manual transmission Nissan Versa, fully depressing the clutch pedal before moving the shift lever is ideal.

Move the gear shift lever to the N (Neutral) position. Depress the clutch pedal firmly all the way to the floor while cranking the engine over.

The vehicle starter is engineered so that it will not operate unless the clutch pedal is fully depressed.

3. Crank the engine while keeping your foot completely off the accelerator pedal by turning the ignition key to the START position. Release the key the moment the engine catches and starts. If the engine fires up successfully but fails to keep running, repeat the starting procedure outlined above.

• If the engine is exceptionally hard to start during extremely freezing winter weather or right after a previous stall, depress the accelerator pedal down just a little bit—approximately 1/3 of the way to the floor—hold it there, and then crank the engine. Release both the key and the accelerator pedal as soon as the engine starts up.
• If the engine proves very difficult to start because it has become flooded with excess fuel, depress the accelerator pedal all the way to the floorboards and hold it there steadily. Crank the engine for 5 to 6 seconds. After cranking, release the accelerator pedal completely. Then, crank the engine with your foot off the accelerator by turning the ignition key to START. Release the key when the engine finally starts. If the engine starts but fails to run smoothly, repeat this procedure.

CAUTION

Never operate the starter motor continuously for more than 15 seconds at any one time. If the engine does not start promptly, turn the key off and wait at least 10 seconds before attempting to crank again, otherwise the starter motor could overheat and suffer permanent damage.

4. Allow the engine of your Nissan Versa to idle smoothly for at least 30 seconds immediately after starting. Do not race or rev the engine while it is warming up. Drive off at a moderate, gentle speed for a short distance first, especially when operating in cold weather conditions.

NOTE:

Care should be taken to actively avoid everyday driving situations that can lead to potential 12V battery discharge and unexpected no-start conditions, such as:

1. The installation or extended use of aftermarket electronic accessories that continue to consume battery power when the engine is switched off (such as phone chargers, portable GPS units, DVD players, dash cams, etc.).

In these specific cases, the vehicle battery may periodically need to be charged with an external battery tender to maintain optimum battery health and longevity.