2004 Nissan Armada Owners Manual

vice may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any inter- ference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.

CAR PHONE OR CB RADIO

When installing a CB, ham radio or car phone in your NISSAN, be sure to observe the following cautions, otherwise the new equipment may ad- versely affect the MFI (Multiport Fuel Injection) system and other electronic parts.

WARNING

c A cellular telephone should not be used while driving so full attention may be given to vehicle operation. Some juris- dictions prohibit the use of cellular tele- phones while driving.

c If you must make a call while your ve- hicle is in motion, the hands free cellu- lar phone operational mode (if so equipped) is highly recommended. Ex- ercise extreme caution at all times so full attention may be given to vehicle operation.

c If a conversation in a moving vehicle requires you to take notes, pull off the road to a safe location and stop your vehicle before doing so.

CAUTION

c Keep the antenna as far away as pos- sible from the Engine Control Module (ECM).

SAA0723
If the battery is removed for any reason other than replacement close the lid se- curely. c If you will not be using the remote control for long periods of time, remove the batteries.

c Replacement of

the batteries is needed when the remote control only functions at extremely close distances to the DVD player or not at all.

c Be careful not to touch the battery terminal. c An improperly disposed battery can harm the environment. Always confirm local regu- lations for battery disposal.

4-50 Display screen, heater, air conditioner and audio systems

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c Keep the antenna wire more than 8 in (20 cm) away from the Multiport Fuel Injection harness. Do not route the an- tenna wire next to any harness.

c Adjust the antenna standing-wave ratio as recommended by the manufacturer. c Connect the ground wire from the CB

radio chassis to the body.

c For details, consult a NISSAN dealer.

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MEMO

4-52 Display screen, heater, air conditioner and audio systems

5 Starting and driving

Precautions when starting and driving. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Three-way catalyst. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
On-pavement and off-road driving precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Low tire pressure warning system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Avoiding collision and rollover. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Driving safety precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Ignition switch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Automatic transmission. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Key positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Nissan vehicle immobilizer system (NVIS) . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Before starting the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Starting the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Driving the vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Engine protection mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Automatic transmission. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Parking brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Cruise control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Precautions on cruise control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14

Cruise control operations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15
Break-in schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16
Increasing fuel economy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16
Using four wheel drive (4WD) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
Transfer case shifting procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
Parking/parking on hills. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-23
Power steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
Brake system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
Brake precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25

Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) system (if so equipped) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-26
Rear sonar system (if so equipped) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-27
Cold weather driving. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-28
Freeing a frozen door lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-28
Anti-freeze. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-28
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-28
Draining of coolant water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-28
Tire equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-29
Special winter equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-29
Driving on snow or ice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-29

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PRECAUTIONS WHEN STARTING AND DRIVING

WARNING

c On hot, sunny days, temperatures in a closed vehicle could quickly become high enough to cause severe or possi- bly fatal injuries to people or animals. Do not leave children or adults who would normally require the support of others in your vehicle. Unattended pets should not be left alone either.

c Properly secure all cargo with ropes or straps to help prevent it from sliding or shifting. Do not place cargo higher than the seatbacks. In a sudden stop or col- lision, unsecured cargo could cause personal injury.

EXHAUST GAS (carbon monoxide)

WARNING

c Do not breathe exhaust gases; they contain colorless and odorless carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is danger- ous. It can cause unconsciousness or death.

c If you suspect that exhaust fumes are entering the vehicle, drive with all win- dows fully open, and have the vehicle inspected immediately.

5-2 Starting and driving

c Do not run the engine in closed spaces

such as a garage.

c Do not park the vehicle with the engine running for any extended length of time. c Keep the back door and rear vent win- dows closed while driving, otherwise exhaust gases could be drawn into the passenger compartment. If you must drive with the back door or rear vent windows these precautions: 1. Open all the windows. 2. Set the

air recirculation but- ton to off and the fan control dial to high to circulate the air.

follow

open,

c If electrical wiring or other cable con- nections must pass to a trailer through the seal on the back door or the body, follow the manufacturer(cid:146)s recommen- dation to prevent carbon monoxide en- try into the vehicle.

c The exhaust system and body should be inspected by a qualified mechanic whenever: a. The vehicle is raised for service.

b. You suspect that exhaust fumes are passenger

into

the

entering compartment.

c. You notice a change in the sound of

the exhaust system.

d. You have had an accident involving damage to the exhaust system, un- derbody, or rear of the vehicle.

THREE-WAY CATALYST The three-way catalyst is an emission control device installed in the exhaust system. Exhaust gases in the three-way catalyst are burned at high temperatures to help reduce pollutants.

WARNING

c The exhaust gas and the exhaust sys- tem are very hot. Keep people, animals or flammable materials away from the exhaust system components.

c Do not stop or park the vehicle over flammable materials such as dry grass, waste paper or rags. They may ignite and cause a fire.

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CAUTION

c Do not use leaded gasoline. Deposits from leaded gasoline will seriously re- duce the three-way catalyst(cid:146)s ability to help reduce exhaust pollutants.

c Keep your engine tuned up. Malfunc- tions in the ignition, fuel injection, or electrical systems can cause overrich fuel flow into the three-way catalyst, causing it to overheat. Do not keep driv- ing if the engine misfires, or if notice- able loss of performance or other un- usual are detected. Have the vehicle inspected promptly by a NISSAN dealer.

conditions

operating

c Avoid driving with an extremely low fuel level. Running out of fuel could cause the engine to misfire, damaging the three-way catalyst.

c Do not race the engine while warming it

up.

c Do not push or tow your vehicle to start

the engine.

ON-PAVEMENT AND OFF-ROAD DRIVING PRECAUTIONS Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than other types of vehicles. They have higher ground clearance than passen- ger cars to make them capable of performing in a variety of on-pavement and off-road applications. This gives them a higher center of gravity than ordinary cars. An advantage of higher ground clearance is a better view of the road, allowing you to anticipate problems. However, they are not designed for cornering at the same speeds as conventional two-wheel drive vehicles any more than low-slung sports cars are designed to per- form satisfactorily under off-road conditions. If at all possible, avoid sharp turns at high speeds. As with other vehicles of this type, failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss of control or vehicle rollover. In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt. Be sure to read the driving safety precautions later in this section.

LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING SYSTEM This vehicle is equipped with the low tire pres- sure warning system. It monitors tire pressure of all tires except the spare. When the tire pressure monitoring system warning light it lit, one or more of your If equipped, the system also displays pressure of all tires (except the spare tire) on the display screen by sending a signal from a sensor that is installed in each wheel.

tires is significantly underinflated.

The low tire pressure warning system will activate only when the vehicle is driven at speeds above 20 MPH (32 km/h). Also, this system may not detect a sudden drop in tire pressure (for ex- ample a flat tire while driving).

Tire pressure rises and falls depending on the heat caused by the vehicle(cid:146)s operation and the outside temperature. Low outside temperature can lower the temperature of the air inside the tire which can cause a lower tire inflation pressure. This may cause the low tire pressure warning light to illuminate.

If the warning light illuminates in low ambient temperature as described above, check the tire pressure for all four tires. Adjust the tire pressure to the recommended COLD tire pressure shown

Starting and driving 5-3

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on the Tire and Loading Information label to turn the low tire pressure warning light OFF.

Frequently check the tire pressure information display on the display screen (if so equipped) and adjust pressure of each tire properly. (The order of the tire pressure figures displayed on the screen does not correspond with the actual order of the tire position.) See (cid:147)Tire pressure informa- tion(cid:148) in the (cid:147)Display screen, heater, air condi- tioner and audio systems(cid:148) section for tire pres- sure monitor. the tire pressure information in the display (if so equipped), the FLAT TIRE warning message will be displayed. Low tire pressure warning If the vehicle is being driven with very low tire pressure (lower than 28 psi, 193 kPa), the low tire pressure warning light comes on and the chime sounds for about 10 seconds.

If you select

information regarding the above For additional warning, see (cid:147)Warning/indicator lights and au- dible reminders(cid:148) in the (cid:147)Instruments and con- trols(cid:148) section.

5-4 Starting and driving

WARNING

c If the low tire pressure warning light flashes while driving, avoid sudden steering maneuvers or abrupt braking, reduce vehicle speed, pull off the road to a safe location and stop the vehicle as soon as possible. Serious vehicle damage could occur and may lead to an accident and could result in serious personal injury. Check the tire pressure for all four tires. Adjust the tire pressure to the recommended COLD tire pres- sure shown on the Tire and Loading Information label to turn the low tire pressure warning light OFF. If you have a flat tire, replace it with a spare tire as soon as possible. (See (cid:147)Flat tire(cid:148) in the (cid:147)In case of emergency(cid:148) section for changing a flat tire.)

c When a spare tire is mounted or a wheel is replaced, tire pressure will not be indicated and the low tire pressure warning system will not function. Con- tact your NISSAN dealer as soon as possible for tire replacement and/or system resetting.

c Do not inject any tire liquid or aerosol tire sealant into the tires, as this may cause a malfunction of the tire pressure sensors.

CAUTION

Do not place metalized film or any metal parts (antenna, etc.) on the windows. This may cause poor reception of the signals from the tire pressure sensors, and the low tire pressure warning system will not function properly.

FCC Notice: Changes or modifications not expressly ap- proved by the manufacturer compliance could void the user(cid:146)s authority to operate the equipment. This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules and RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interface, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired op- eration of the device.

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AVOIDING COLLISION AND ROLLOVER

DRINKING ALCOHOL/DRUGS AND DRIVING

WARNING

WARNING

Failure to operate this vehicle in a safe and prudent manner may result in loss of control or an accident.

Be alert and drive defensively at all times. Obey all traffic regulations. Avoid excessive speed, high speed cornering, or sudden steering ma- neuvers, because these driving practices could cause you to lose control of your vehicle. As with any vehicle, loss of control could result in a collision with other vehicles or objects, or cause the vehicle to roll over, particularly if the loss of control causes the vehicle to slide sideways. Be attentive at all times, and avoid driving when tired. Never drive when under the influence of alcohol or drugs (including pre- scription or over-the-counter drugs which may cause drowsiness). Always wear your seat belt as outlined in the (cid:147)Safety (cid:150) Seats, seat belts and supplemental air bags(cid:148) section of this manual, and also instruct your passengers to do so. Seat belts help reduce the risk of injury in colli- sions and rollovers. In a rollover crash, an unbelted or improperly belted person is significantly more likely to be injured or killed than a person wearing a seat belt.

Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Alcohol in the bloodstream re- duces coordination, delays reaction time and impairs judgement. Driving after drinking alcohol increases the likelihood of being involved in an accident injuring yourself and others. Additionally, if you are injured in an accident, alcohol can increase the severity of the injury.

NISSAN is committed to safe driving. However, you must choose not to drive under the influence of alcohol. Every year thousands of people are injured or killed in alcohol-related accidents. Al- though the local laws vary on what is considered to be legally intoxicated, the fact is that alcohol affects all people differently and most people underestimate the effects of alcohol. Remember, drinking and driving don(cid:146)t mix! And that is true for drugs, too (over-the-counter, pre- scription, and illegal drugs). Don(cid:146)t drive if your ability to operate your vehicle is impaired by alco- hol, drugs, or some other physical condition.

DRIVING SAFETY PRECAUTIONS Your NISSAN is designed for both normal and off-road use. However, avoid driving in deep wa- ter or mud as your NISSAN is mainly designed for leisure use, unlike a conventional off-road ve- hicle.

Remember that two-wheel drive models are less capable than four-wheel drive models for rough road driving and extrication when stuck in deep snow or mud, or the like.

Please observe the following precautions:

WARNING

c Drive carefully when off the road and avoid dangerous areas. Every person who drives or rides in this vehicle should be seated with their seat belt fastened. This will keep you and your passengers in position when driving over rough terrain.

c Do not drive across steep slopes. In- stead drive either straight up or straight down the slopes. Off-road vehicles can tip over sideways much more easily than they can forward or backward.

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c Many hills are too steep for any vehicle. If you drive up them, you may stall. If you drive down them, you may not be able to control your speed. If you drive across them, you may roll over.

c Do not shift gears while driving on downhill grades as this could cause loss of control of the vehicle.

c Stay alert when driving to the top of a hill. At the top there could be a drop-off or other hazard that could cause an accident.

c If your engine stalls or you cannot make it to the top of a steep hill, never at- tempt to turn around. Your vehicle could tip or roll over. Always back straight down in R (Reverse) gear and apply brakes to control your speed.

c Heavy braking going down a hill could cause your brakes to overheat and fade, resulting in loss of control and an acci- dent. Apply brakes lightly and use a low gear to control your speed.

c Unsecured cargo can be thrown around when driving over rough terrain. Prop- erly secure all cargo so it will not be thrown forward and cause injury to you or your passengers.

5-6 Starting and driving

c To avoid raising the center of gravity excessively, do not exceed the rated capacity of the roof rack and evenly distribute the load. Secure heavy loads in the cargo area as far forward and as low as possible. Do not equip the ve- hicle with tires larger than specified in this manual. This could cause your ve- hicle to roll over.

c Do not grip the inside or spokes of the steering wheel when driving off-road. The steering wheel could move sud- denly and injure your hands. Instead drive with your fingers and thumbs on the outside of the rim.

c Before operating the vehicle, ensure that the driver and all passengers have their seat belts fastened.

c Lower your speed when encountering strong crosswinds. With a higher center of gravity, your NISSAN is more af- fected by strong side winds. Slower speeds ensure better vehicle control.

c Do not drive beyond the performance capablity of the tires, even with 4WD engaged.

c Accelerating quickly, sharp steering maneuvers or sudden braking may cause loss of control.

c If at all possible, avoid sharp turning maneuvers, particularly at high speeds. Your NISSAN four-wheel drive vehicle has a higher center of gravity than a two-wheel drive vehicle. The vehicle is not designed for cornering at the same speeds as conventional two-wheel drive vehicles. Failure to operate this vehicle correctly could result in loss of control and/or a rollover accident.

c Always use tires of the same type, size, brand, construction (bias, bias-belted, or radial), and tread pattern on all four wheels. Install tire chains on the rear wheels when driving on slippery roads and drive carefully.

c Be sure to check the brakes immedi- ately after driving in mud or water. See (cid:147)Brake system(cid:148) later in this section for (cid:147)Wet brakes(cid:148).

c Avoid parking your vehicle on steep hills. If you get out of the vehicle and it rolls forward, backward or sideways, you could be injured.

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IGNITION SWITCH

c Whenever you drive off-road through sand, mud or water as deep as the wheel hub, more frequent maintenance may be required. See (cid:147)Periodic mainte- nance(cid:148) in the (cid:147)NISSAN Service and Maintenance Guide.(cid:148)

WSD0041

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION The ignition lock is designed so the key cannot be turned to LOCK position and removed until the shift selector lever is moved to the P (Park) posi- tion.

When removing the key from the ignition, make sure the shift selector lever is in the P (Park) position.

If the selector lever is not returned to P (Park) position, the key cannot be moved to the LOCK position.

When the key cannot be turned to the LOCK position, proceed as follows to remove the key.

1. Move the shift selector lever into the P (Park)

position.

2. Turn the ignition key slightly toward the ON

position.

3. Turn the key to the LOCK position.

4. Remove the key.

The shift selector lever is designed so it cannot moved out of P (Park) and into any of the other gear positions if the ignition key is turned to OFF position or if the key is removed from the switch. The shift selector lever can be moved if the ignition switch is in the ON position and the foot brake pedal is depressed.

There is an OFF position between the LOCK and ACC positions. The OFF position is indicated by a (cid:147)1(cid:148) on the key cylinder. When the ignition is in the OFF position, the steering wheel is not locked.

In order for the steering wheel to be locked, it must be turned about 1/8 of a turn clockwise from the straight up position. To lock the steering wheel, turn the key to the LOCK position. Remove the key. To unlock the steering wheel, insert the key and turn it gently while rotating the steer- ing wheel slightly right and left.

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WARNING

Never remove or turn the key to the LOCK position while driving. The steering wheel will lock. This may cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle and could result in serious vehicle damage or personal injury. KEY POSITIONS LOCK: Normal parking position (0) OFF: (Not used) (1) ACC: (Accessories) (2) This position activates electrical accessories such as the radio when the engine is not running. ON: Normal operating position (3) This position turns on the ignition system and the electrical accessories. START: (4) This position starts the engine. As soon as the engine has started, release the key. It automati- cally returns to the ON position.

NISSAN VEHICLE IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM (NVIS) The NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System (NVIS) will not allow the engine to start without the use of the registered NVIS key. If the engine fails to start using the registered NVIS key, it may be due to interference caused by another NVIS key, an automated toll road device or automated payment device on the key ring. Restart the engine using the following proce- dures: 1. Leave the ignition switch in the ON position

for approximately 5 seconds.

2. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF or LOCK position and wait approximately 5 seconds.

3. Repeat step 1 and 2 again. 4. Restart the engine while holding the device (which may have caused the interference) separate from the registered NVIS key.

If this procedure allows the engine to start, NISSAN recommends placing the registered NVIS key on a separate key ring to avoid interfer- ence from other devices.

5-8 Starting and driving

BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE

c Make sure the area around the vehicle is

clear.

c Check fluid levels such as engine oil, cool- ant, brake fluid, and window washer fluid as frequently as possible, or at least whenever you refuel.

c Check that all windows and lights are clean. c Visually inspect tires for their appearance and condition. Also check tires for proper inflation.

c Lock all doors. c Position seat and adjust head restraints. c Adjust inside and outside mirrors. c Fasten seat belts and ask all passengers to

do likewise.

c Check the operation of warning lights when the key is turned to the ON (3) position. See (cid:147)Warning/indicator lights and audible re- minders(cid:148) in the (cid:147)Instruments and controls(cid:148) section of this manual.

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STARTING THE ENGINE

DRIVING THE VEHICLE

1. Apply the parking brake.

2. Move the shift selector lever to P (Park) or N

(Neutral). P (Park) is recommended. The shift selector lever cannot be moved out of P (Park) and into any of the other gear positions if the ignition key is turned to the OFF position or if the key is removed from the ignition switch. The starter is designed not to operate if the shift selector lever is in any of the driving positions.

3. Crank the engine with your foot off the accelerator pedal by turning the ignition key to START. Release the key when the engine starts. If the engine starts, but fails to run, repeat the above procedure. c If the engine is very hard to start in ex- tremely cold weather or when restarting, depress the accelerator pedal a little (ap- proximately 1/3 to the floor) and hold it and then crank the engine. Release the key and the accelerator pedal when the engine starts.

c If the engine is very hard to start because it is flooded, depress the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it. Crank the engine for 5-6 seconds. After

cranking the engine, release the accel- erator pedal. Crank the engine with your foot off the accelerator pedal by turn- ing the ignition key to START. Release the key when the engine starts. If the engine starts, but fails to run, repeat the above procedure.

CAUTION

Do not operate the starter for more than 15 seconds at a time. If the engine does not start, turn the key off and wait 10
seconds before cranking again, otherwise the starter could be damaged.

4. Allow the engine to idle for at least 30 sec- onds after starting. Do not race the engine while warming it up. Drive at moderate speed for a short distance first, especially in cold weather. In cold weather, keep the engine running for a minimum of 2(cid:150)3 minutes before shutting it off. Starting and stopping the engine over a short period of time may make the vehicle more difficult to start.

ENGINE PROTECTION MODE The engine has an engine protection mode to reduce the chance of damage if the coolant tem- perature becomes too high (for example, when climbing steep grades in high temperature with heavy loads, such as when towing a trailer). When the engine temperature reaches a certain level: c The engine coolant temperature gauge will

move toward the H position.

c Engine power may be reduced. c The air conditioning cooling function may be automatically turned OFF for a short time (the blower will continue to operate).

Engine power and, under some conditions, ve- hicle speed will decrease. Vehicle speed can be controlled with the accelerator pedal, but the vehicle may not accelerate at the desired speed. The transmission will downshift or upshift as it reaches prescribed shift points. You can also shift manually. As driving conditions change and engine coolant temperature is reduced, vehicle speed can be increased using the accelerator pedal, and air conditioning cooling function will automatically be turned back ON.

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If:

1. The engine coolant temperature is not re-

duced.

2. The air conditioning cooling function does

not turn back ON.

3. The engine oil pressure warning/engine coolant temperature high indicator il- luminates, this may indicate a malfunction. Move the vehicle off the road in a safe area and allow the engine to cool. If after check- remains ing the oil and coolant, the on, do not continue to drive and call a NISSAN dealer.

The malfunction indicator lamp may also come ON. If only it remains on, you do not need to have your vehicle towed, but have it inspected soon by a NISSAN dealer. See (cid:147)Malfunction indicator lamp(cid:148) in the (cid:147)Warning and indicator lights(cid:148) sec- tion of this manual.

5-10 Starting and driving

WARNING

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Overheating can result in reduced engine power and vehicle speed. The reduced speed may be lower than other traffic, which could increase the chance of a col- lision. Be especially careful when driving. Pull to the side of the road to a safe area. Allow the engine to cool and return to normal operation. See (cid:147)If your vehicle overheats(cid:148) in the (cid:147)In case of emergency(cid:148) section of this manual.

CAUTION

Running the engine with the engine oil pressure warning light on could cause se- rious damage to the engine almost imme- diately. Such damage is not covered by warranty. Turn off the engine as soon as it is safe to do so.

WARNING

c Do not depress the accelerator pedal while shifting from P (Park) or N (Neu- tral) to R (Reverse), or L (Low). Always depress the brake pedal until shifting is completed. Failure to do so could cause you to lose control and have an accident.

c Cold engine idle speed is high, so use caution when shifting into a forward or reverse gear before the engine has warmed up.

c Never shift to P (Park) or R (Reverse) while the vehicle is moving. This could cause an accident.

CAUTION

c When stopping the vehicle on an uphill grade, do not hold the vehicle by de- pressing the accelerator pedal. The foot brake should be used for this purpose. c Do not downshift abruptly on slippery roads. This may cause a loss of control.

The automatic transmission in your vehicle is electronically controlled to produce maximum power and smooth operation.

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The recommended operating procedures for this transmission are shown on the following pages. Follow these procedures for maximum vehicle performance and driving enjoyment. Starting the vehicle 1. After starting the engine, fully depress the foot brake pedal before attempting to move the shift selector lever out of the P (Park) position.

2. Keep the foot brake pedal depressed and move the shift selector lever into a driving gear.

3. Release the foot brake, then gradually start

the vehicle in motion.

The automatic transmission is designed so the foot brake pedal MUST be depressed before shifting from P (Park) to any drive position while the ignition switch is in the ON position. The shift selector lever cannot be moved out of P (Park) and into any of the other gear positions if the ignition key is turned to the LOCK, OFF or ACC position or if the key is removed.

WSD0098

To move the selector lever:

: Shift while depressing the brake pedal

: Shift without depressing brake pedal

Shifting After starting the engine, fully depress the brake pedal and move the shift selector lever out of the P (Park) position.

WARNING

Apply the parking brake if the selector lever is in any position while the engine is not running. Failure to do so could cause the vehicle to move unexpectedly or roll away and result in serious personal injury or property damage.

If the key is turned to the OFF or ACC position for any reason while the vehicle is in N (Neutral), or any D (Drive) position, the key cannot be turned to the LOCK position and be removed from the ignition switch. Move the selector lever to the P (Park) position, then the key can be turned to LOCK. P (Park):

Use this selector position when the vehicle is parked or when starting the engine. Make sure the vehicle is completely stopped. The brake pedal must be depressed to move the se- lector lever from N (Neutral) or any drive position to P (Park). Apply the parking brake. When parking on a hill, apply the parking brake first, then move the shift selector lever into the P (Park) position.

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R (Reverse):

CAUTION

Use this position only when the vehicle is completely stopped.

Use this position to back up. Make sure the vehicle is completely stopped before selecting the R (Reverse) position. The brake pedal must be depressed to move the selector lever from P (Park), N (Neutral) or any drive position to R (Reverse). N (Neutral): Neither forward nor reverse gear is engaged. The engine can be started in this position. You may shift to N (Neutral) and restart a stalled engine while the vehicle is moving. D (Drive): Use this position for all normal forward driving. 4 (Fourth gear): Use this position for driving up and down long slopes where engine braking would be advanta- geous. Do not downshift into the 4 position at speeds over the following and do not exceed the follow- ing speeds in the 4 position.

5-12 Starting and driving

4H:

62 MPH (100 km/h)

4LO:

31 MPH (50 km/h)

3 (Third gear):

Use this position for driving up and down long slopes where engine braking would be advanta- geous. 2 (Second gear):

Use this position for hill climbing or engine brak- ing on downhill grades.

Do not downshift into the 2 position at speeds over the following and do not exceed the follow- ing speeds in the 2 position.

2WD and AUTO:

71 MPH (115 km/h) w/o tow mode

62 MPH (100 km/h) w/tow mode

4H:

62 MPH (100 km/h)

4LO:

31 MPH (50 km/h)

1 (Low gear): Use this position when climbing steep hills slowly or slow driving through deep snow, sand or mud, or for maximum engine braking on steep downhill grades. Do not downshift into the 1 position at speeds over the following and do not exceed the follow- ing speeds in the 1 position.

2WD and AUTO: 43 MPH (70 km/h) w/o tow mode 37 MPH (60 km/h) w/tow mode 4H: 43 MPH (70 km/h) w/o tow mode 37 MPH (60 km/h) w/tow mode 4LO: 31 MPH (50 km/h)

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LSD0090

Shift lock release If the battery is discharged, the shift selector lever may not be moved from the P (Park) position even with the brake pedal depressed. To move the shift selector lever, release the shift lock. The shift selector lever can be moved to N (Neutral). However, the steering wheel will be locked unless the ignition switch is turned to the ON position. This allows the vehicle to be moved if the battery is discharged.

To push the shift lock release, complete the fol- lowing procedure:

1. Turn the ignition key to the LOCK position

and remove the key

2. Apply the parking brake.

3. Remove the shift

lock release cover as

shown.

4.

Insert a small screwdriver in the shift lock release slot and push down.

5. Move the shift selector lever to the N (Neu- tral) position while holding down the shift lock release.

6. Turn the key to the ON position to unlock the steering wheel. Now the vehicle may be moved to the desired location.

If the shift selector lever cannot be moved out of P (Park), have a NISSAN dealer check the auto- matic transmission system as soon as possible.

WARNING

If the selector lever cannot be moved from the P (Park) position while the engine is running and the brake pedal is depressed, the stop lights may not work. Malfunction- ing stop lights could cause an accident injuring yourself and others.

Accelerator downshift (cid:151) in D position (cid:151) For passing or hill climbing, depress the accel- erator pedal to the floor. This shifts the transmis- sion down into a lower gear, depending on the vehicle speed. Fail-safe When the fail-safe operation occurs, please note that the transmission will be locked in any of the forward gears according to the condition. If the vehicle is driven under extreme con- ditions, such as excessive wheel spinning and subsequent hard braking, the fail-safe system may be activated. This will occur even if all electrical circuits are functioning properly. In this case, turn the ignition key OFF and wait for 3 seconds. Then turn the key back to the ON position. The vehicle should return to its normal operating con- dition. If it does not return to its normal operating condition, have a NISSAN dealer check the transmission and repair it if nec- essary.

Starting and driving 5-13

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PARKING BRAKE

CRUISE CONTROL

WARNING

c Be sure the parking brake is fully re- leased before driving. Failure to do so can cause brake failure and lead to an accident.

c Do not release the parking brake from

outside the vehicle.

c Do not use the gear shift in place of the parking brake. When parking, be sure the parking brake is fully engaged.

c Do not leave children unattended in a vehicle. They could release the parking brake and cause an accident.

5-14 Starting and driving

LSD0091
To engage: Firmly depress the parking brake. To release: 1. Firmly apply the foot brake. 2. Move the shift selector lever to the P (Park)

position.

3. Firmly depress the parking brake pedal

again and it will release.

4. Before driving, be sure the brake warning

light goes out.

LSD0092

ACCEL/RES switch 1. 2. COAST/SET switch 3. ON/OFF switch 4. CANCEL switch PRECAUTIONS ON CRUISE CONTROL c If the cruise control system malfunctions, it cancels automatically. The SET indicator light in the instrument panel then blinks to warn the driver.

c If the SET indicator light blinks, turn the cruise control main switch off and have the system checked by a NISSAN dealer.

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pushing

c The SET indicator light may blink when the cruise control main switch is turned ON while ACCEL/RES, COAST/SET, or CANCEL switch (located on the steering wheel). To properly set the cruise control system, use the following pro- cedures.

the

WARNING

Do not use the cruise control when driving under the following conditions: c When it is not possible to keep the

vehicle at a set speed.

c In heavy traffic or in traffic that varies in

speed.

c On winding or hilly roads. c On slippery roads (rain, snow, ice, etc.). c In very windy areas. Doing so could cause a loss of vehicle control and result in an accident.

CRUISE CONTROL OPERATIONS The cruise control allows driving at a speed be- tween 30 - 90 MPH (48 - 144 km/h) without keeping your foot on the accelerator pedal.

To turn on the cruise control, push the main switch. The CRUISE indicator light in the instru- ment panel comes on. To set cruising speed, accelerate the vehicle to the desired speed, push the COAST/SET switch and release it. The SET indicator light in the instrument panel comes on. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal. Your vehicle maintains the set speed. c To pass another vehicle, depress the ac- celerator pedal. When you release the pedal, the vehicle returns to the previously set speed.

c The vehicle may not maintain the set speed when going up or down steep hills. If this happens, drive without the cruise control.

To cancel the preset speed, use one of the following three methods. c Push the CANCEL button; the SET indicator

light in the instrument panel goes out.

c Tap the brake pedal; the SET indicator light

goes out.

c Turn the main switch off. Both the CRUISE indicator light and SET indicator light in the instrument panel go out.

The cruise control is automatically canceled and the SET light in the instrument panel goes out if: c you depress the brake pedal while pushing the ACCEL/RES or SET/COAST switch. The preset speed is deleted from memory. c the vehicle slows down more than 8 MPH

(13 km/h) below the set speed.

c you move the shift selector lever to N (Neu-

tral).

To reset at a faster cruising speed, use one of the following three methods. c Depress the accelerator pedal. When the vehicle attains the desired speed, push and release the COAST/SET switch.

c Push and hold the RES/ACCEL switch. When the vehicle attains the speed you de- sire, release the switch.

c Push and release the RES/ACCEL switch. Each time you do this, the set speed in- creases by about 1 MPH (1.6 km/h).

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To reset at a slower cruising speed, use one of the following three methods. c Lightly tap the brake pedal. When the ve- hicle attains the desired speed, push the COAST/SET switch and release it.

c Push and hold the COAST/SET switch. Re- lease the switch when the vehicle slows to the desired speed.

c Push and release the COAST/SET switch. Each time you do this, the set speed de- creases by about 1 MPH (1.6 km/h).

To resume the preset speed, push and re- lease the RES/ACCEL switch. The vehicle re- turns to the last set cruising speed when the vehicle speed is over 30 MPH (48 km/h).

BREAK-IN SCHEDULE

INCREASING FUEL ECONOMY

CAUTION

During the first 1,200 miles (2,000 km), follow these recommendations to obtain maximum engine performance and en- sure the future reliability and economy of your new vehicle. Failure to follow these recommendations may result in short- ened engine life and reduced engine performance. c Avoid driving for long periods at constant speed, either fast or slow, and do not run the engine over 4,000 rpm.

c Do not accelerate at full throttle in any gear. c Avoid quick starts. c Avoid hard braking as much as possible. c Do not tow a trailer for the first 500 miles (800 km). Your engine, axle or other parts could be damaged.

c Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Maintain cruising speeds with a constant accelerator position.

c Drive at moderate speeds on the highway. Driving at high speed lowers fuel economy. c Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking. Maintain a safe distance behind other ve- hicles.

c Use a proper gear range which suits road conditions. On level roads, shift into high gear as soon as possible.

c Avoid unnecessary engine idling. c Keep your engine tuned up. c Follow the recommended periodic mainte-

nance schedule.

c Keep the tires inflated to the correct pres- sure. Low tire pressure increases tire wear and lowers fuel economy.

c Keep the front wheels in correct alignment. Improper alignment increases tire wear and lowers fuel economy.

c Air

conditioner operation

fuel economy. Use the air conditioner only when necessary.

lowers

5-16 Starting and driving

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c When cruising at highway speeds, it is more economical to use the air conditioner and leave the windows closed to reduce drag.

Use 4H or 4L position only when necessary. Four-wheel drive operation low- ers fuel economy.

TRANSFER CASE SHIFTING PROCEDURES All mode 4WD system provides 4 positions (AUTO, 2WD, 4H and 4LO), so you can select the desired drive mode according to the driving conditions. 2WD or 4WD shift procedure:

USING FOUR WHEEL DRIVE

(4WD)

CAUTION

c Do not drive the vehicle in the 4H or 4LO position on dry hard surface roads. Driv- ing on dry, hard surfaces in 4H or 4LO may cause unnecessary noise, tire wear and increased fuel consumption. If the 4WD warning light turns on when you are driving on dry hard surface roads: c in the 4H position, shift the 4WD shift

switch to 2WD.

c in the 4LO position, stop the vehicle, move the automatic transmission shift selector lever to the N position and shift the 4WD shift switch to 2WD. Have your vehicle checked by a NISSAN dealer as soon as possible.

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4WD Shift

Switch Position

Indicator Light

Wheels Driven

4WD shift

Transfer 4LO position

AUTO

2WD

4H

Rear wheels or 4
wheels

Rear wheels

4 wheels

Neutral

Use Conditions

4WD Shift Procedure

For driving on paved or slippery roads

For driving on dry, paved roads (Economy drive) or state dynamometer I/M testing

Move the 4WD switch. 2WD <(cid:151)> AUTO <(cid:151)> 4H 4WD shift indicator light will indicate transfer shift position engaged. IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO MOVE THE AUTO- MATIC TRANSMISSION SELECT LEVER TO THE N POSITION IN THIS OPERATION. PERFORM THIS OPERATION WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT.

For driving on rocky, sandy or snow-covered roads

*1
May blink

Neutral disengages the automatic transmission me- chanical parking lock, which will allow the vehicle to roll. Do not leave the transfer shift position in Neu- tral.*2

1. Stop the vehicle. 2. Move the automatic transmission selector lever

3. Push the 4WD shift switch and move it to 4LO

to the N position.

or 4H.

YOU CANNOT MOVE THE TRANSFER 4WD SHIFT SWITCH BETWEEN 4H AND 4LO (OR 4LO TO 4H)UNLESS YOU HAVE FIRST STOPPED THE VE- HICLE AND MOVED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMIS- SION SHIFT LEVER TO NEUTRAL. *3

4LO

4 wheels

Illuminated

For use when maximum power and traction is re- quired (for example: on steep grades or rocky, sandy, muddy roads)

*1: The transfer 4LO position indicator light may blink. Stop the vehicle. Be sure to shift the 4WD shift switch after the automatic transmission lever has been shifted to the N position. If the indicator light keeps blinking after the 4WD shift procedure in the previous page, drive slowly without abrupt maneuvers for a while. Then the light will turn on or off. (cid:149) Avoid making a turn or abrupt starts while shifting to 4LO. Otherwise gears may grind, damaging the drive system. *2: While changing in and out of 4LO, the ignition key must be ON and the vehicle(cid:146)s engine must be running for a shift to take place and for the indicator lights (4WD shift and 4LO position indicator) to be operable. Otherwise, the shift will not take place and no indicator lights will be on or flashing. *3: Make sure the transfer 4LO position indicator light turns on when you shift the 4WD shift switch to 4LO. 5-18 Starting and driving

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The transfer case 4WD shift switch is used to select either 2WD or 4WD depending on the driving conditions. There are four types of drive modes available, AUTO, 2WD, 4H and 4LO.

The 4WD shift switch electronically controls the transfer case operation. Rotate the switch to move between each mode, 2WD, AUTO, 4H and 4LO. You must push the switch in to select 4LO, and the vehicle MUST be stationary and the automatic transmission selector lever in the N position when changing into or out of 4LO.

WARNING

When parking, apply the parking brake before stopping the engine and make sure that the 4WD shift indicator light is on and the ATP warning light goes off. Otherwise, the vehicle could unexpectedly move even if the automatic transmission is in the P position.

CAUTION

c Never shift the 4WD shift switch be-

tween 4LO and 4H while driving.

c The 4H position provides greater trac- tion. Avoid excessive speed, as it will cause increased fuel consumption and temperatures, and could higher oil damage drivetrain components. Speeds over 62.5 MPH (100 km/h) in 4H is not recommend.

c The 4LO position provides maximum power and traction. Avoid raising ve- hicle speed excessively, as the maxi- mum speed is approximately 31 MPH (50 km/h).

c When driving straight, shift the 4WD shift switch to the 2WD, AUTO or 4H position. Do not move the 4WD shift switch when making a turn or reversing. c Do not shift the 4WD shift switch (be- tween 2WD, AUTO and 4H) while driving on steep downhill grades. Use the en- gine brake and low automatic transmis- sion gears (D1 or D2) for engine braking.

c Do not operate the 4WD shift switch (between 2WD, AUTO and 4H) with the rear wheels spinning.

c Do not drive on dry hard surface roads in the 4H or 4LO position. Driving on dry hard surfaces in 4H or 4LO may cause unnecessary noise and tire wear. NISSAN recommends driving in the 2WD or AUTO position under these conditions.

c The 4WD transfer case may not be shifted between 4H and 4LO at low am- bient temperatures and the transfer 4LO position indicator light may blink even when the 4WD shift switch is shifted. After driving for a while you can change the 4WD transfer case between 4H and 4LO.

When driving on rough roads, c Set the 4WD shift switch to AUTO, 4H or

4LO.

c Drive carefully according to the road surface

conditions.

When the vehicle is stuck, c Place stones or wooden blocks under the

tires to free the vehicle.

c Set the 4WD shift switch to 4H or 4LO.

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c If it is difficult to free the vehicle, repeat to in-

forward and backward movement crease the movement.

c If the vehicle is stuck deep in mud, tire chains

may be effective.

CAUTION

c Do not spin the tires excessively. Tires will sink deep into the mud, making it difficult to free the vehicle.

c Avoid shifting gears with the engine running at high speeds as this may cause malfunction.

4WD shift switch operations

5-20 Starting and driving

4LO, you may feel a jolt. This is not abnormal.

c When the vehicle is stopped after mak- ing a turn, you may feel a slight jolt after the selector lever is shifted to N or P. This occurs because the transfer clutch is released and not because of a malfunction.

CAUTION

c When driving straight, shift the 4WD shift switch to the 2WD, AUTO or 4H position. Do not move the 4WD shift switch when making a turn or reversing. c Do not shift the 4WD shift switch while driving on steep downhill grades. Use the engine brake and low automatic transmission gears (D1 or D2) for en- gine braking.

c Do not operate the 4WD shift switch

with the rear wheels spinning.

c Before placing the 4WD shift switch in the 4H position from 2WD or AUTO, ensure the vehicle speed is less than 62.5 MPH (100 km/h). Failure to do so can damage the 4WD system.

c Never shift the 4WD shift switch be-

tween 4LO and 4H while driving.

LSD0093
c Shift the 4WD shift switch to either the 2WD, AUTO, 4H or 4LO position, depend- ing on driving conditions.

c With the switch set to the AUTO position, distribution of torque to the front and rear wheels changes automatically, depending on road conditions encountered [ratio; 0 : 100 (2WD) ! 50 : 50 (4WD)]. This results in improved driving stability.

c If the 4WD shift switch is operated while making a turn, accelerating or decelerating or if the key switch is turned off while in the AUTO, 4H or

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c Engine idling speed is high while warm- ing up the engine. Be especially careful when starting or driving on slippery sur- faces with the 4WD shift switch set in AUTO.

4WD shift indicator light

drive the vehicle straight, accelerate or decelerate or move the vehicle in re- verse, then shift the 4WD shift switch. c If the 4WD warning light comes on, the

4WD indicator light goes out.

CAUTION

c When the 4WD shift switch is turned to the AUTO position at low ambient tem- peratures, the 4WD shift indicator light may show 4H. If this happens, all four wheels are driven as torque distribution is in the 4H position. Be careful as the vehicle may become difficult to turn. When the vehicle is driven, the 4WD shift indicator light should change to AUTO.

c If the 4WD shift indicator light indica- tion changes to 2WD when the 4WD shift switch is shifted to the AUTO or 4H position at low ambient temperatures, the 2WD mode may be being engaged due to malfunctioning drive system. If the indicator does not return to normal and the 4WD warning light comes on, have the system checked by the nearest NISSAN dealer.

Starting and driving 5-21

LSD0094
The 4WD shift indicator light is located in the odometer display.

The light should turn off within 1 second after turning the ignition switch to the ON position.

While the engine is running, the 4WD shift indi- cator light will illuminate the position selected by the 4WD shift switch. c The 4WD shift indicator light may blink while shifting from one drive mode to the other. When the shifting is com- pleted, the 4WD shift indicator light will come on. If the indicator light does not come on immediately, make sure the area around the vehicle is safe, and

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4WD warning light

Warning light

Comes on or blinks

when:

Comes on

Blinks rapidly

Blinks slowly

There is a malfunc- tion in the 4(cid:150)wheel

drive system

The transfer case oil temperature rises abnormally

The difference in wheel rotation is

large

The 4WD warning light is located in the meter.

The 4WD warning light comes on when the key switch is turned to ON. It turns off soon after the engine is started.

If any malfunction occurs in the 4WD system when the key switch is ON, the warning light will either remain illuminated or blink. If the 4WD warning light comes on, the 4WD shift indicator light goes out. 5-22 Starting and driving

High-temperature transfer case oil makes the warning light blink rapidly (about twice per sec- ond). If the warning light blinks rapidly during operation, stop the vehicle in a safe place imme- diately. Then if the light goes off after a while, you can continue driving.

A large difference between the diameters of front and rear wheels will make the warning light blink slowly (about once per two seconds). Change the 4WD shift switch into 2WD and do not drive fast.

CAUTION

c If the warning light comes on or blinks slowly during operation or rapidly after stopping the vehicle for a while, have your vehicle checked by a NISSAN dealer as soon as possible.

c Shifting between 4H and 4LO is not recommended when the 4WD warning light turns on.

c When the warning light comes on, the 2WD mode may be engaged even if the 4WD shift switch is in AUTO or 4H. Be especially careful when driving. If corre- sponding parts are malfunctioning, the 4WD mode will not be engaged even if the 4WD shift switch is shifted.

c Do not drive the vehicle in the 4H or 4LO position on dry hard surface roads. Driv- ing on dry, hard surfaces in 4H or 4LO may cause unnecessary noise, tire wear and increased fuel consumption. If the 4WD warning light turns on when you are driving on dry hard surface roads: c in the AUTO or 4H position, shift the

4WD shift switch to 2WD.

c in the 4LO position, stop the vehicle, move the automatic transmission shift selector lever to the N position with the brake pedal depressed, and shift the 4WD shift switch to 2WD.

c If the warning light is still on after the above operation, have your vehicle checked by a NISSAN dealer as soon as possible.

c The transfer case may be damaged if you continue driving with the warning light blinking rapidly.

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PARKING/PARKING ON HILLS

WARNING

c Do not stop or park the vehicle over flammable materials such as dry grass, waste paper or rags. They may ignite and cause a fire.

c Safe parking procedures require that both the parking brake be set and the transmission placed into P (Park). Fail- ure to do so could cause the vehicle to move unexpectedly or roll away and re- sult in an accident. Make sure the shift lever has been pushed as far forward as it can go and cannot be moved without depressing the foot brake pedal.

WSD0050

c Never leave the engine running while

the vehicle is unattended.

c Do not leave children unattended inside the vehicle. They could unknowingly ac- tivate switches or controls. Unattended children could become involved in seri- ous accidents.

1. Firmly apply the parking brake.

2. Move the shift selector lever to the P (Park)

position.

3. To help prevent the vehicle from rolling into traffic when parked on an incline, it is a good practice to turn the wheels as illustrated.

c HEADED DOWNHILL WITH CURB: sA

Turn the wheels into the curb and move the vehicle forward until the curb side wheel gently touches the curb.

c HEADED UPHILL WITH CURB: sB

Turn the wheels away from the curb and move the vehicle back until the curb side wheel gently touches the curb.

c HEADED UPHILL OR DOWNHILL, NO

CURB: sC Turn the wheels toward the side of the road so the vehicle will move away from the cen- ter of the road if it moves.

4. Turn the ignition key to the LOCK position

and remove the key.

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POWER STEERING

BRAKE SYSTEM

The power assisted steering is designed to use a hydraulic pump, driven by the engine, to assist steering. If the engine stops or the drive belt breaks, you will still have control of the vehicle. However, much greater steering effort is needed, especially in sharp turns and at low speeds.

WARNING

If the engine is not running or is turned off while driving, the power assist for the steering will not work. Steering will be much harder to operate.

5-24 Starting and driving

The brake system has two separate hydraulic circuits. If one circuit malfunctions, you will still have braking at two wheels. BRAKE PRECAUTIONS Vacuum assisted brakes The brake booster aids braking by using engine vacuum. If the engine stops, you can stop the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal. However, greater foot pressure on the brake pedal will be required to stop the vehicle and stopping dis- tance will be longer. Using the brakes Avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving. This will overheat the brakes, wear out the brake linings and pads faster, and reduce gas mileage.

To help reduce brake wear and to prevent the brakes from overheating, reduce speed and downshift to a lower gear before going down a slope or long grade. Overheated brakes may reduce braking performance and could result in loss of vehicle control.

WARNING

c While driving on a slippery surface, be careful when braking, accelerating or downshifting. Abrupt braking or accel- erating could cause the wheels to skid and result in an accident.

c If the engine is not running or is turned off while driving, the power assist for the brakes will not work. Braking will be harder.

Wet brakes When the vehicle is washed or driven through water, the brakes may get wet. As a result, your braking distance will be longer and the vehicle may pull to one side during braking.

To dry the brakes, drive the vehicle at a safe speed while lightly pressing the brake pedal to heat up the brakes. Do this until the brakes return to normal. Avoid driving the vehicle at high speeds until the brakes function correctly. Parking brake bedding The parking brake shoes must be (cid:147)bedded down(cid:148) whenever the stopping effect of the parking brake is weakened or whenever the parking brake shoes and/or drum/rotors are replaced, in order to assure the best brake performance.

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This procedure is described in the vehicle service manual and can be performed by a NISSAN dealer. ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) The anti-lock brake system controls the brakes so the wheels do not lock when braking abruptly or when braking on slippery surfaces. The system detects the rotation speed at each wheel and varies the brake fluid pressure to prevent each wheel from locking and sliding. By preventing wheel lockup, the system helps the driver main- tain steering control and helps to minimize swerv- ing and spinning on slippery surfaces. Using the system Depress the brake pedal and hold it down.

WARNING

in

result

increased

Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so may stopping distances. Normal operation The anti-lock brake system does not operate at speeds below 3 - 6 MPH (5 - 10 km/h). (The speeds vary according to road conditions.) When driving, the anti-lock brake system con- trols the wheels so they will not lock when brak-

ing abruptly or when braking on a slippery road. Thus, difficult steering and swerving of the ve- hicle due to locked wheels is minimized. The system detects the wheel rotation rate and elec- tronically controls the pressure applied to each brake. Slight vibration on the brake pedal accom- panied by noise usually occurs while the ABS system is operating. Such vibration and noise encountered during abrupt braking is not a prob- lem, but indicates that the system is functioning properly. However, the pulsation may indicate that road conditions are hazardous and extra care is required while driving. Self-test feature The anti-lock brake system consists of electronic sensors and hydraulic solenoids controlled by a computer. The computer has a built-in diagnostic feature that tests the system each time you start the engine and move the vehicle at a low speed in forward or reverse. When the self-test occurs, you may hear a (cid:145)(cid:145)clunk(cid:146)(cid:146) noise and/or feel a pulsa- tion in the brake pedal. This is normal and is not an indication of any malfunction. If the computer senses any malfunction, it switches the anti-lock brake system off and turns on the ABS brake warning light on the instrument panel. The brake system then operates normally, but without anti- lock assistance.

If a malfunction occurs in the system, the anti- lock function will not operate, but the standard vehicle brake system will continue to operate normally. The ABS brake warning light will then come on.

If the light comes on during the self-test or while driving, take the vehicle to a NISSAN dealer for repair.

WARNING

c The anti-lock brake system is a sophis- ticated device, but it cannot prevent ac- cidents resulting from careless or dan- gerous driving techniques. It can help maintain vehicle control during braking on slippery surfaces, but remember that the stopping distance on slippery sur- faces will be longer than on normal surfaces even with the anti-lock brake system. Stopping distances may also be longer on rough, gravel or snow cov- ered roads, or if you are using tire chains. Tire type and condition may also affect braking effectiveness. Always maintain a safe distance from the ve- hicle in front of you. Ultimately, the re- sponsibility for safety of self and others rests in the hands of the driver.

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c Tire type and condition of tires may also

affect braking effectiveness.

c When replacing tires, install the speci-

fied size of tires on all four wheels.

c When installing a spare tire, make sure it is the proper size and type as speci- fied on the Tire and Loading Informa- tion label. For tire placard location in- formation, refer to (cid:147)Tire and Loading Information label(cid:148) in the (cid:147)Technical and consumer information(cid:148) section of this manual.

c Refer to (cid:147)Wheels and tires(cid:148) in the (cid:147)Maintenance and do-it-yourself(cid:148) sec- tion of this manual.

VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC) SYSTEM (if so equipped)

When accelerating or driving on slippery sur- faces, the tires may spin or slide. With the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system, sensors detect these movements and control the braking and engine output to help improve vehicle stability. c When the vehicle dynamic control (VDC) system is operating, the slip indicator in the instrument panel blinks.

c When only the traction control system (TCS) portion of the vehicle dynamic control sys- tem is operating, the slip indicator will also blink.

c If the slip indicator blinks, the road condi- tions are slippery. Be sure to adjust your speed and driving to these conditions. See (cid:147)Slip indicator light(cid:148), and (cid:147)Vehicle dynamic control off indicator light(cid:148) in the (cid:147)Instruments and controls(cid:148) section.

c Indicator light

and

in the system, indicator lights come

If malfunction occurs the on in the instrument panel. As long as these warning lights are on, the traction control function is canceled.

ABLS system brakes the spinning wheel which distributes the driving power to the other drive wheel. If the vehicle is operated with the vehicle dynamic control system off using the VDC OFF switch, all VDC and TCS functions will be turned off. The ABLS system and ABS will still operate with the VDC system OFF. If the ABLS system is activated, the slip indicator light will blink and you may hear a clunk noise and/or feel a pulsation in the brake pedal. This is normal.

While the VDC system is operating, you may feel a pulsation in the brake pedal and hear a noise or vibration from under the hood. This is normal and indicates that the VDC system is working prop- erly.

The computer has a built in diagnostic feature that tests the system each time you start the engine and move the vehicle forward or in reverse at a slow speed. When the self-test occurs, you may hear a clunk noise and/or feel a pulsation in the brake pedal. This is normal and is not an indication of a malfunction.

5-26 Starting and driving

The VDC system uses an Active Brake Limited Slip (ABLS) system to improve vehicle traction. The ABLS system works when one of the driving wheels is spinning on a slippery surface. The

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c When driving on extremely inclined sur- faces such as higher banked corners, the vehicle dynamic control system may not operate properly and the vehicle dynamic control off indicator light may come on. Do not drive on these types of roads.

c If wheels or tires other than the recom- mended ones are used, the vehicle dy- namic control system may not operate properly and the vehicle dynamic con- trol off indicator light may come on.

c The vehicle dynamic control system is not a substitute for winter tires or tire chains on a snow covered road.

WARNING

c The vehicle dynamic control system is designed to help improve driving stabil- ity but does not prevent accidents due to abrupt steering operation at high speeds or by careless or dangerous driving techniques. Reduce vehicle speed and be especially careful when driving and cornering on slippery sur- faces and always drive carefully.

c If brake related parts such as brake pads, rotors and calipers are not stan- dard equipment or are extremely dete- riorated, the vehicle dynamic control system may not operate properly and the vehicle dynamic control off indica- tor light may come on.

c Do not modify the vehicle(cid:146)s suspension. If suspension parts such as shock ab- sorbers, struts, springs, stabilizer bars and bushings are not NISSAN approved for your vehicle or are extremely dete- riorated the vehicle dynamic control system may not operate properly. This could adversely affect vehicle handling performance, and the vehicle dynamic control off indicator light may come on.

REAR SONAR SYSTEM (if so equipped)

LSD0095

WARNING

c Always turn and look back before back- ing. The RSS is not a substitute for proper backing procedures.

c Read and understand the limitations of the rear sonar system as contained in this section. Inclement weather may af- fect the function of the RSS; this may include reduced performance or a false activation.

c This system is not designed to prevent

contact with small or moving objects.

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sound for only three seconds. Once the system detects an object approaching, the tone will sound again. The RSS automatically turns on when the gear selector is placed in R (Reverse) and the ignition is ON. The RSS OFF switch on the instrument panel allows the driver to turn the RSS on and off. To turn the RSS off, the ignition must be ON, and the gear selector in R (Reverse). An indicator light on the switch will illuminate when the system is turned off. If the indicator light illuminates when the RSS is not turned off, it may indicate a failure in the RSS. Keep the RSS sensors (located on the rear bumper fascia) free from snow, ice and large accumulations of dirt (do not clean the sensors with sharp objects). If the sensors are covered, it will affect the accuracy of the RSS.

c The system is designed as an aid to the driver in detecting large stationary ob- jects to help avoid damaging the ve- hicle. The system will not detect small objects below the bumper, and may not detect objects close to the bumper or on the ground.

c If your vehicle sustains damage to the rear bumper leaving it mis- aligned or bent, the sensing zone may be altered causing inaccurate measure- ment of obstacles or false alarms.

fascia,

The Rear Sonar System (RSS) sounds a tone to warn the driver of obstacles near the rear bumper when R (Reverse) is selected. The system may not detect objects at speeds above 3 mph (5
km/h) and may not detect certain angular or moving objects.

The RSS detects obstacles up to 6 ft. (1.8
meters) from the rear bumper with a decreased coverage area at the outer corners of the bumper, (refer to the illustration for approximate zone cov- erage areas). As you move closer to the obstacle, the rate of the tone increases. When the obstacle is less than 10 in. (25.0 cm) away, the tone will sound continuously. If the RSS detects a station-