What is the function of the button on the gear lever of the Classic Sylphy?
3 Answers
Used for gear shifting. The purpose of the gear lock button: To ensure safety and prevent accidental gear engagement, which could lead to unintended forward or backward movement and cause accidents. More information about automatic transmission gear positions is as follows: 1. Gear positions N, D, R: For most automatic transmission models, shifting between N, D, and R can be done without pressing the shift button. However, when shifting from other positions, the shift button must be pressed. When shifting from lower to higher gears, the shift button does not need to be pressed. 2. Gear positions P, N: An automatic transmission vehicle can only be started when the gear is in either P or N, and the brake pedal must also be depressed. To start moving, the gear must be shifted from P to D, and the brake pedal must be pressed during this operation. 3. Coasting in N gear: It is important to avoid coasting in N gear while driving an automatic transmission vehicle. This is because the gears in the automatic transmission require lubrication, and when the gear is in N, the oil pump does not operate, preventing normal lubrication of the gears. This can cause the internal temperature of the transmission to rise rapidly, leading to irreversible damage to the transmission.
The first time I drove the classic Sylphy, I was also puzzled about the button on the gear lever. Later, I figured out it's actually a safety lock. Every time you need to shift gears, especially from P to R or D, you must press this button to pull the gear lever. The design intention is to prevent accidental gear shifts while driving, such as when you bump the gear lever on a rough road—this button ensures no unintended gear changes. Nissan's design is quite user-friendly, and once you get used to it, it feels very convenient. Moreover, I noticed that in models with an electronic parking brake, this button is more ingeniously linked with the brake pedal—it automatically unlocks when you press the brake.
When working on a Nissan Sylphy's transmission area, that shift lever button is actually the core mechanical shift lock mechanism. It unlocks the internal retaining spring when you attempt to shift without pressing the brake pedal. This design follows the same philosophy as airbags - preventive protection. Veteran drivers often encounter sticky button issues, usually caused by dust buildup or spring fatigue. I've fixed this several times myself - just cleaning grease around the button restores function. Remember never to force the shift lever; a malfunctioning button requires replacing the entire shift assembly.
