How to use the D-gear shift in the new Qashqai?
2 Answers
New Qashqai's D-gear shift simulates manual gear shifting, a design exclusive to semi-automatic transmissions. Shifting towards the plus sign upshifts the gear, while shifting to the minus sign downshifts, typically used during uphill or downhill driving. The Qashqai is an SUV model under the Nissan Motor Group. The interior structure of the Qashqai remains largely unchanged from the previous model, with spaciousness continuing to be its strong suit. The top-tier model features beige leather seats, and the elevated seating position effectively enhances the driver's forward visibility. In terms of body dimensions, the Qashqai measures 4315mm in length, 1783mm in width, and 1606mm in height.
When I first bought my new Qashqai, I didn’t understand the D-gear shift at all. Later, a friend taught me: while driving in D-gear, if it’s in manual mode, simply push the gear lever toward the '+' direction to upshift and pull it toward the '−' direction to downshift. Alternatively, check if there are paddle shifters behind the steering wheel—pull the left one to downshift and push the right one to upshift, which is super convenient. I tried downshifting on mountain roads, and it significantly increased climbing power, making overtaking easier. However, avoid running at high RPM for extended periods, as it can damage the engine and waste fuel. In the city, automatic mode is sufficient, while manual mode is better for special road conditions. With a bit of practice, you’ll get the hang of it. Overall, this feature enhances driving pleasure, but safety always comes first.
