NISSAN 2012 Altima Sedan - Owner's Manual - Manual (Page 333)

Shifting
To change gears or when upshifting or down-
shifting, depress the clutch pedal fully, shift into
the appropriate gear, then release the clutch
slowly and smoothly.
To ensure smooth gear changes, fully depress
the clutch pedal before operating the shift selec-
tor. If the clutch pedal is not fully depressed
before the transmission is shifted, a gear noise
may be heard. Transmission damage may occur.
Start the vehicle in 1st gear and shift to 2nd, 3rd,
4th and 5th up to 6th gear in sequence according
to vehicle speed.
To back up, lift up on the shift selector ring
᭺
1 and
then move it to the R (Reverse) position after
stopping the vehicle completely.
The shift selector ring
᭺
1 returns to its original
position when the shift selector is moved to the N
(Neutral) position.
If it is difficult to move the shift selector into R
(Reverse) or 1 (1st), shift into N (Neutral), then
release the clutch pedal. Depress the clutch
pedal again and shift into R (Reverse) or 1 (1st).
Suggested up-shift speeds
The following are suggested vehicle speeds for
shifting into a higher gear. These suggestions
relate to fuel economy and vehicle performance.
Actual upshift speeds will vary according to road
conditions, the weather and individual driving
habits.
For normal acceleration in low altitude areas (less
than 4,000 ft [1219 m]):
For QR25DE:
GEAR CHANGE MPH (km/h)
1st to 2nd 8 (24)
2nd to 3rd 17 (27)
3rd to 4th 25 (40)
4th to 5th 36 (58)
5th to 6th 51 (82)
For VQ35DE:
GEAR CHANGE MPH (km/h)
1st to 2nd 9 (14)
2nd to 3rd 19 (30)
3rd to 4th 26 (42)
4th to 5th 31 (50)
5th to 6th 37 (59)
For acceleration in high altitude areas
(over 4,000 ft [1219 m]):
For QR25DE:
Gear change MPH (km/h)
1st to 2nd 8 (13)
2nd to 3rd 17 (27)
3rd to 4th 25 (40)
4th to 5th 36 (58)
5th to 6th 51 (82)
For VQ35DE:
Gear change MPH (km/h)
1st to 2nd 15 (24)
2nd to 3rd 25 (40)
3rd to 4th 40 (64)
4th to 5th 45 (72)
5th to 6th 50 (80)
LSD0180
5-18 Starting and driving