P and N Position

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Nissan Altima. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Fig 1: Power Transmission P And N Positions Diagram

Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.

P position
Similar to the N position, the clutches do not operate. The parking pawl engages with the parking gear to mechanically hold the output shaft so that the power train is locked.
N position
Power from the input shaft is not transmitted to the output shaft because the clutches do not operate.