Download PDF Manual

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


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


WSD0067


To move the transfer case lever:


: Push down on the lever to shift


: Shift without pushing down on the lever


TRANSFER CASE SHIFTING PROCEDURES


WARNING


c When parking always make sure the transfer control lever is in the 2H, 4H or 4L position and the parking brake is applied.


Starting and driving 5-21


Z REVIEW COPY—2004 Truck/Frontier (d22) Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna) 06/08/04—debbie X


drive in the 2H position (for example, driving at normal speeds on snow covered, icy, wet, muddy or sandy roads). The 4H position provides greater power and traction. Avoid excessive speed as it will cause increased fuel consumption, higher oil tempera- ture and could damage drivetrain components. Speed over 50 MPH (80 km/h) in 4H are not recommended. 4L (cid:151) (4WD, low range) Four wheels are driven. Use when climbing or descending steep hills, or during driving in sand, mud or deep snow. The 4L position provides maximum power and traction. Avoid raising vehicle speed excessively, as the recommended maximum speed is approximately 30 MPH (48 km/h). N (cid:151) No wheels are driven. Always keep the transfer lever out of the N (Neutral) position. Shift the lever quickly and smoothly when moving across the N (Neutral) position with the vehicle stopped.


c Do not leave the transfer control lever in the N (Neutral) position. Otherwise, the vehicle could roll unexpectedly even if the manual transmission is in any gear or the automatic transmission is in the P (Park) position. This could result in serious personal injury or property damage.


c Failure to engage the transfer control lever in 2H, 4H or 4L could result in the vehicle moving unexpectedly, which could cause serious personal injury or property damage.


CAUTION


Do not drive on dry hard surface roads in four-wheel drive. Driving on dry hard sur- faces in 4H or 4L may cause unnecessary noise, tire wear, and increased fuel con- sumption. NISSAN recommends driving in the 2H position under these conditions.


2H (cid:151) (2WD, high range) Only the rear wheels are driven. Use for driving under the same condi- tions as standard 2WD vehicles or state dyna- mometer I/M testing. 4H (cid:151) (4WD, high range) Four wheels are driven. Use when driving on roads where it is difficult to


5-22 Starting and driving


SD0021


AUTO-LOCK FREE-


RUNNING HUBS The auto-lock free-running hub is designed to allow for automatic four-wheel drive engagement when the shift lever is moved to the 4H or 4L position. Follow these operational cautions:


CAUTION


c The auto-locking hubs will make a clicking noise when engaging and dis- engaging. This is normal.


Z REVIEW COPY—2004 Truck/Frontier (d22) Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna) 06/08/04—rhinson X


c Accelerating quickly from a stop after shifting from two-wheel drive to four- wheel drive may not allow engagement of the auto-locking free-running hubs and may cause a clattering noise. If this occurs, release the accelerator pedal to reduce the engine speed or stop the vehicle. Continued use of the vehicle with this noise may damage the hub lock.


c If the auto-locking hubs make a clatter- ing noise after shifting from four-wheel drive to two-wheel drive, stop and move the vehicle in reverse gear, in a straight line, about 7 to 10 feet (2 to 3 m).


c Under extremely cold conditions [below 5(cid:176)F (-15(cid:176)C)], the front axle shafts may rotate even with the transfer lever in the 2H position. If this occurs, the auto- locking hubs may make a clattering noise. To avoid this, drive first in four- wheel drive to warm up the vehicle and differential gear oil. Then, shift to two- wheel drive.


c In cold weather, it may be necessary to reduce speed or stop the vehicle in or- der to shift from two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive.


c When shifting into or out of four-wheel drive while driving, do not stop shift lever movement midway. An incomplete shift may cause a clattering noise from the auto-locking hubs. Continued use of the vehicle with this noise may dam- age the hub lock. Drive in four-wheel drive to stop the noise. Shift to two- wheel drive as described.


For Automatic transmission models:


When moving the transfer lever from 4H or 4L to 4L or 4H, you must always move it quickly through the N position. If you are slow to shift, the engine idle speed will allow the transfer gears to speed up and gear clashing will occur.


Do not move the transfer lever from 4H or 4L to 4L or 4H, from 2H to 4L and from 4L to 2H with the engine turned off. Otherwise, you may have difficulty in moving the transfer lever to the de- sired position.


Do not leave the transfer lever in the N position with the engine running. Stopping with the trans- fer case in the N position may cause gear grind- ing when selecting another gear. Changing the transfer case gear quickly and smoothly will elimi- nate this.


Starting and driving 5-23


Z REVIEW COPY—2004 Truck/Frontier (d22) Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna) 05/25/04—arosenma X


TO SHIFT


TRANSFER CASE


From 2H to 4H


From 4H to 2H


SHIFT PROCEDURE FOR AUTO-LOCK FREE RUNNING HUBS


Move the transfer case shift lever to 4H at speeds below 25 MPH (40 km/h). It is not necessary to depress the clutch pedal. Perform this operation when driving straight, not while cornering. 1. Move the transfer case shift lever to 2H. This can be done at any speed, and it is not necessary to depress the clutch pedal. Perform this operation when driving straight, not while cornering. 2. Disengage the AUTO-LOCK hubs following the procedure outlined below. NOTE: The 4WD indicator light may not turn off immediately under certain driving conditions, such as when the vehicle is driven uphill. This is normal and it will shut off as the vehicle is driven further. AUTO-LOCK HUB DISENGAGEMENT (FREE MODE) The AUTO-LOCK hubs will not disengage until the vehicle is completely stopped and is then moved in a straight line, approxi- mately 7-10 ft (2-3 m), in the opposite direction of travel. For example: If you were driving the vehicle forward, stop and move the vehicle 7-10 ft (2-3 m) backward. If you were driving the vehicle in reverse, stop and move the vehicle 7-10 ft (2-3 m) forward. It is not necessary to immediately return the AUTO-LOCK hubs to FREE MODE when shifting from 4H to 2H. The vehicle may be operated under normal 2H conditions with the AUTO-LOCK hubs engaged. However, disengaging the AUTO-LOCK hubs will allow for better fuel economy, quieter ride and less component wear. Leaving the hubs locked while driving in 2H may be desirable so that you can easily shift to 4H at speeds greater than 25 MPH (40 km/h). 1. Stop the vehicle.


From 4H to 4L or 4L to 4H


From 2H to 4L


From 4L to 2H


Keep the engine running.


2. Depress the clutch pedal, or place the transmission selector lever in the N (Neutral) position. 3. Depress the transfer case shift lever and move it to the 4L or 4H position. Change gears quickly and smoothly. 1. Stop the vehicle.


Keep the engine running.


2. Depress the clutch pedal, or place the transmission selector lever in the N (Neutral) position. 3. Depress the transfer case shift lever and move it to the 4L position. Change gears quickly and smoothly. 1. Stop the vehicle.


Keep the engine running.


2. Depress the clutch pedal, or place the transmission selector lever in the N (Neutral) position. 3. Depress the transfer case shift lever and move it to the 2H position. Change gears quickly and smoothly. 4. Disengage the AUTO-LOCK hubs following the procedure outlined above.


5-24 Starting and driving


Z REVIEW COPY—2004 Truck/Frontier (d22) Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna) 05/25/04—arosenma X


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.


The transfer control lever must be in the 2H, 4H or 4L position and the parking brake set to prevent the vehicle from rolling.


WSD0050


c Never place the transfer control lever in the N (Neutral) position. Otherwise, the vehicle could roll unexpectedly even if the manual transmission is in gear or the automatic transmission is in the P (Park) position. This could result in se- rious injury or property damage.


c Safe parking procedures require that both the parking brake be set and the transmission placed into P (Park) for automatic transmission models or in an appropriate gear for manual transmis- sion models. Failure to do so could cause the vehicle to move unexpectedly or roll away and result 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.


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.


c If the ATP lamp is ON, this indicates that the automatic transmission P (Park) po- sition will not function and the transfer control shift lever is in the N (Neutral) position. Failure to engage the transfer control lever in the 2H, 4H or 4L position could result in the vehicle moving unex- pectedly, resulting in serious personal injury or property damage.


Starting and driving 5-25


Z REVIEW COPY—2004 Truck/Frontier (d22) Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna) 05/25/04—arosenma X


4. Turn the ignition key to the LOCK position


and remove the key.


POWER STEERING


The power assisted steering uses 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.


1. Firmly apply the parking brake. 2. Manual transmission models:


Place the shift lever in the R (Reverse) posi- tion. When parking on an uphill grade, place the shift lever in 1st gear. Automatic transmission models:


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: s1


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: s2


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: s3
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.


5-26 Starting and driving


Z REVIEW COPY—2004 Truck/Frontier (d22) Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna) 05/25/04—arosenma X


BRAKE SYSTEM


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 brakes 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. 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 (4-wheel ABS) Depress the brake pedal and hold it down.


WARNING


Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so may stopping distances.


increased


result


in


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 Starting and driving 5-27


Z REVIEW COPY—2004 Truck/Frontier (d22) Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna) 05/25/04—arosenma X


c When installing a spare tire, make sure it is the proper size and type as speci- fied on the tire placard. For tire placard location information, refer to (cid:147)Tire plac- ard(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.


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.


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.


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.


5-28 Starting and driving


Z REVIEW COPY—2004 Truck/Frontier (d22) Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna) 06/09/04—tmchalpi X


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


If malfunction occurs in the system,


the indicator lights come on in


and


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


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


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 ABLS functions will be turned off. The 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.


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.


Starting and driving 5-29


Z REVIEW COPY—2004 Truck/Frontier (d22) Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna) 06/09/04—tmchalpi X


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 When driving on unstable surfaces such as a turntable, ferry, elevator or ramp, the vehicle dynamic control off indica- tor light may illuminate. This is not a malfunction. Restart the engine after driving onto a stable surface


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.


5-30 Starting and driving


COLD WEATHER DRIVING


FREEING A FROZEN DOOR LOCK To prevent a door lock from freezing, apply de- icer through the key hole. If the lock becomes frozen, heat the key before inserting it into the key hole. ANTI-FREEZE In the winter when it is anticipated that the tem- perature will drop below 32(cid:176)F (0(cid:176)C), check the anti-freeze to assure proper winter protection. For details, see (cid:145)(cid:145)Engine cooling system(cid:146)(cid:146) in the (cid:145)(cid:145)Maintenance and do-it-yourself(cid:146)(cid:146) section of this manual. BATTERY If the battery is not fully charged during extremely cold weather conditions, the battery fluid may freeze and damage the battery. To maintain maxi- mum efficiency, the battery should be checked regularly. For details, see (cid:145)(cid:145)Battery(cid:146)(cid:146) in the (cid:145)(cid:145)Main- tenance and do-it-yourself(cid:146)(cid:146) section of this manual. DRAINING OF COOLANT WATER If the vehicle is to be left outside without anti- freeze, drain the cooling system, including the engine block. Refill before operating the vehicle.


For details, see (cid:145)(cid:145)Changing engine coolant(cid:146)(cid:146) in the (cid:145)(cid:145)Maintenance and do-it-yourself(cid:146)(cid:146) section of this manual. TIRE EQUIPMENT 1. SUMMER tires have a tread designed to provide superior performance on dry pave- ment. However, the performance of these tires will be substantially reduced in snowy and icy conditions. If you operate your ve- hicle on snowy or icy roads, NISSAN recom- mends the use of MUD & SNOW or ALL SEASON TIRES on all four wheels. Please consult a NISSAN dealer for the tire type, size, speed rating and availability informa- tion.


2. For additional traction on icy roads, studded tires may be used. However, some U.S. states and Canadian provinces prohibit their use. Check local, state and provincial laws before installing studded tires.


Skid and traction capabilities of studded snow tires on wet or dry surfaces may be poorer than that of non-studded snow tires. 3. Tire chains may be used.


Use of tire chains may be prohibited accord- ing to location. Check the local laws before installing tire chains. When installing tire chains, make sure they are of proper size for


Z REVIEW COPY—2004 Truck/Frontier (d22) Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna) 06/09/04—tmchalpi X


the tires on your vehicle and are installed according to the chain manufacturer(cid:146)s sug- gestions. Use only SAE Class (cid:147)S(cid:148) chains. Class (cid:147)S(cid:148) chains are used on ve- hicles with restricted tire to vehicle clear- ance. Vehicles that can use Class (cid:147)S(cid:148) chains are designed to meet the minimum clear- ances between the tire and the closest ve- hicle suspension or body component re- quired to accommodate the use of a winter traction device (tire chains or cables). The minimum clearances are determined using the factory equipped tire size. Other types may damage your vehicle. Use chain ten- sioners when recommended by the tire chain manufacturer to ensure a tight fit. Loose end links of the tire chain must be secured or removed to prevent the possibil- ity of whipping action damage to the fenders or underbody. If possible, avoid fully loading your vehicle when using tire chains. In addi- tion, drive at a reduced speed. Otherwise, your vehicle may be damaged and/or vehicle handling and performance may be adversely affected. Never install tire chains on spare tires. Do not use tire chains on dry roads.


SPECIAL WINTER EQUIPMENT It is recommended that the following items be carried in the vehicle during winter: c A scraper and stiff-bristled brush to remove ice and snow from the windows and wiper blades.


c A sturdy, flat board to be placed under the


jack to give it firm support.


c A shovel to dig the vehicle out of snowdrifts. c Extra window washer fluid to refill the reser-


voir tank.


DRIVING ON SNOW OR ICE


WARNING


c Wet ice (32(cid:176)F, 0(cid:176)C and freezing rain), very cold snow or ice can be slick and very hard to drive on. The vehicle will have much less traction or (cid:147)grip(cid:148) under these conditions. Try to avoid driving on wet the road is salted or sanded.


ice until


c Whatever the condition, drive with cau- tion. Accelerate and slow down with care. If accelerating or downshifting too fast, the drive wheels will lose even more traction.


c Allow more stopping distance under these conditions. Braking should be started sooner than on dry pavement.


c Allow greater following distances on


slippery roads.


c Watch for slippery spots (glare ice). These may appear on an otherwise clear road in shaded areas. If a patch of ice is seen ahead, brake before reach- ing it. Try not to brake while on the ice, and steering avoid maneuvers.


sudden


any


c Do not use the cruise control on slip-


pery roads.


c Snow can trap dangerous exhaust gases under your vehicle. Keep snow clear of the exhaust pipe and from around your vehicle.


ENGINE BLOCK HEATER (if so equipped) An engine block heater to assist in extreme cold temperature starting is available through a NISSAN dealer.


Starting and driving 5-31


Z REVIEW COPY—2004 Truck/Frontier (d22) Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna) 05/25/04—arosenma X


WARNING


Do not use your heater with an un- grounded electrical two- pronged (cheater) adapters. You can be injured by an electrical shock if you use an ungrounded connection.


system or


5-32 Starting and driving


Z REVIEW COPY—2004 Truck/Frontier (d22) Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna) 05/25/04—arosenma X


6 In case of emergency


First aid kit (if so equipped) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Flat tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2


Low tire pressure warning system (if so equipped) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Changing a flat tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Jump starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9


Push starting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-11
If your vehicle overheats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-11
Towing your vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-12
Towing recommended by NISSAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-13
Vehicle recovery (freeing a stuck vehicle) . . . . . . . . . 6-15


Z REVIEW COPY—2004 Truck/Frontier (d22) Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna) 05/25/04—arosenma X


FIRST AID KIT (if so equipped)


FLAT TIRE


LCE0068
A first aid kit is located behind the driver seat. To remove the first aid kit: s1 Squeeze the latch buttons. s2 Pull the two straps apart to unfasten.


6-2 In case of emergency


LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING SYSTEM (if so equipped) This vehicle is equipped with the low tire pres- sure warning system. It monitors tire pressure of all tires except the spare. When the low tire pressure warning light is lit, one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated. If the vehicle is being driven with a flat tire or low tire pressure (lower than 28 psi, 193 kPa), the low tire pres- sure warning system will activate and warn you of it by the low tire pressure warning light. This system will activate only when the vehicle is driven at speeds above 20 MPH (32 km/h). For more details, please refer to (cid:147)Warning/indicator lights and audible reminders(cid:148) in the (cid:147)Instruments and controls(cid:148) section, and (cid:147)Low tire pressure warning system(cid:148) in the (cid:147)Starting and driving(cid:148) section.


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 placard 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.


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.


Z REVIEW COPY—2004 Truck/Frontier (d22) Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna) 05/25/04—arosenma X


CHANGING A FLAT TIRE If you have a flat tire, follow the instructions be- low. Stopping the vehicle 1. Safely move the vehicle off the road and


away from traffic.


2. Turn on the hazard warning flashers.


3. Park on a level surface and apply the parking brake. Shift the manual transmission into R (Reverse), or the automatic transmission into P (Park).


WARNING


The transfer control lever must


be in the 2H, 4H or 4L position.


c Do not leave the transfer control lever in the N (Neutral) position. Otherwise, the vehicle could roll unexpectedly even if the manual transmission is in any gear or the automatic transmission is in the P (Park) position. This could result in serious personal injury or property damage.


4. Turn off the engine.


5. Raise the hood to warn other traffic and to signal professional road assistance person- nel that you need assistance.


6. Have all passengers get out of the vehicle and stand in a safe place, away from traffic and clear of the vehicle.


WARNING


c Make sure the parking brake is securely applied and the manual transmission is shifted into R (Reverse), or the auto- matic transmission into P (Park).


c Never change tires when the vehicle is on a slope, ice or slippery areas. This is hazardous.


c Never change tires if oncoming traffic is close to your vehicle. Wait for profes- sional road assistance.


c When a spare tire is mounted or a wheel is replaced, the low tire pressure warn- ing system will not function. Contact your NISSAN dealer as soon possible for tire replacement and/or system re- setting. (For models with the low tire pressure warning system)


WCE0044


Blocking wheels Place suitable blocks s1 at both the front and back of the wheel diagonally opposite the flat tire s2 to prevent the vehicle from rolling when it is jacked up.


WARNING


Be sure to block the wheel as the vehicle may move and result in personal injury.


In case of emergency 6-3


Z REVIEW COPY—2004 Truck/Frontier (d22) Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna) 05/25/04—arosenma X


WCE0064


Type A


Type B


LCE0069


Getting the spare tire and tools For King Cab models: c Move the driver(cid:146)s seatback fully forward. c Remove the jack and wheel nut wrench from the tool case located behind the driver(cid:146)s seat.


c Remove the jack rod located behind the


driver(cid:146)s seat.


WCE0065


For Crew Cab models: c Tilt the rear bench seat forward. c Remove the jack, jack rod, and tool case


located behind the rear bench seat.


All models: 1. Fit the square end of the jack rod into the square hole of the wheel nut wrench to form a handle.


2. Find the oval-shaped opening under the middle of the tailgate. Pass the T-shaped end of the jack rod through the opening and direct it toward the spare tire winch, located directly above the spare tire.


6-4 In case of emergency


Z REVIEW COPY—2004 Truck/Frontier (d22) Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna) 05/25/04—arosenma X


4. Once the spare tire is completely lowered, reach under the vehicle, remove the retainer chain, and carefully slide the tire from under the rear of the vehicle.


WCE0070
3. Seat the T-shaped end of the jack rod into the T-shaped opening of the spare tire winch. Apply pressure to keep the jack rod engaged in the spare tire winch and turn the jack rod counterclockwise to lower the spare tire.


Type A Removing wheel cover


WCE0060


CAUTION


Do not use your hands to pry off wheel caps or wheel covers. Doing so could re- sult in personal injury.


Remove the wheel cover as follows: Use caution not to scratch the wheel cover or wheel surface.


In case of emergency 6-5


Z REVIEW COPY—2004 Truck/Frontier (d22) Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna) 05/25/04—arosenma X


c Use the correct jack-up points. Never use any other part of the vehicle for jack support.


c Never jack up the vehicle more than


necessary.


c Never use blocks on or under the jack. c Do not start or run the engine while vehicle is on the jack. It may cause the vehicle to move. This is especially true for slip differentials.


vehicles


limited


with


c Do not allow passengers to stay in the


vehicle while it is on the jack.


c Never run the engine with a wheel(s) off the ground. It may cause the vehicle to move.


WCE0071


Type B


Type A: Firmly grasp the center wheel cap and turn either clockwise or counterclockwise to remove. Type B: 1. Wrap the end of a screwdriver with a cloth. 2. Pry the center wheel cap off by pushing on the handle of the screwdriver in the direction shown.


Front


WCE0061


Jacking up vehicle and removing the damaged tire


WARNING


c Never get under the vehicle while it is supported only by the jack. If it is nec- essary to work under the vehicle, sup- port it with safety stands.


c Use only the jack provided with your vehicle to lift the vehicle. Do not use the jack provided with your vehicle on other vehicles. The jack is designed for lifting only your vehicle during a tire change.


6-6 In case of emergency


Z REVIEW COPY—2004 Truck/Frontier (d22) Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna) 05/25/04—arosenma X


Rear (4(cid:150)wheel drive models)


Rear (2(cid:150)wheel drive models)


Rear


WCE0072


WCE0073


Always refer to the proper illustrations for the correct placement and jack-up points for your specific vehicle model and jack type. Carefully read the caution label attached to the jack body and the following instruc- tions. 1. Loosen each wheel nut one or two turns by turning counterclockwise with the wheel nut wrench. Do not remove the wheel nuts until the tire is off the ground.


WCE0361
(15 inch wheel alternate jack-up


point)


2. Place the jack directly under the jack-up point as illustrated so the top of the jack contacts the vehicle at the jack-up point.


Under some conditions there will not be sufficient clearance to use the primary rear jacking point on vehicles equipped with 15
inch wheels. If this occurs, use the alternate jack-up point s1 for vehicles equipped with 15 inch wheels. When using the alternate jack-up point, position the jack on the axle as close as possible to the tire that needs to be changed.


In case of emergency 6-7


Z REVIEW COPY—2004 Truck/Frontier (d22) Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna) 05/25/04—arosenma X


The jack should be used on firm and level ground.


3. To lift the vehicle, securely hold the jack lever and rod. Carefully raise the vehicle until the tire clears the ground. When using alternate rear jack-up point for 15 inch wheels, raise the ve- hicle so that the tire is no more than 2
inches (50 mm) off the ground.


4. Remove the wheel nuts and then remove the


tire.


6-8 In case of emergency


WCE0063


Installing the spare tire The spare tire is designed for emergency use. See specific instructions under the heading (cid:147)Wheels and tires(cid:148) in the (cid:147)Mainte- nance and do-it-yourself(cid:148) section of this manual.


1. Clean any mud or dirt from the surface be-


tween the wheel and hub.


2. Carefully put the spare tire on and tighten


the wheel nuts finger tight.


3. With the wheel nut wrench, tighten wheel nuts alternately and evenly as illustrated until they are tight.


4. Lower


the vehicle slowly until


the tire touches the ground. Then, with the wheel nut wrench, tighten the wheel nuts securely in the sequence illustrated. Lower the ve- hicle completely.


WARNING c Incorrect wheel nuts or


improperly tightened wheel nuts can cause the wheel to become loose or come off. This could cause an accident.


c Do not use oil or grease on the wheel studs or nuts. This could cause the nuts to become loose.


Retighten the wheel nuts after the vehicle has been driven for 600 miles (1,000 km) (also in cases of a flat tire, etc.). As soon as possible, tighten the wheel nuts to the specified torque with a torque wrench.


Wheel nut tightening torque:


98 ft-lb (133 N•m)


The wheel nuts must be kept tightened to specification at all is recom- mended that wheel nuts be tightened to specifications at each lubrication interval.


times.


It


Adjust tire pressure to the COLD pressure.


Z REVIEW COPY—2004 Truck/Frontier (d22) Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna) 05/25/04—arosenma X


COLD pressure: After vehicle has been parked for three hours or more or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km). COLD tire pressures are shown on the tire placard affixed to the inside of the glove box lid. 5. Securely store the flat tire and jacking equip-


ment in the vehicle.


WARNING


c Always make sure that the spare tire and jacking equipment are properly se- cured after use. Such items can become dangerous projectiles in an accident or sudden stop.


c The spare tire is designed for emer- gency use. See specific instructions un- der the heading (cid:147)Wheels and tires(cid:148) in the (cid:147)Maintenance and do-it-yourself(cid:148) section of this manual.


CAUTION


Be sure to center the spare tire suspend- ing plate on the wheel and then lift the spare tire.


JUMP STARTING


To start your engine with a booster battery, the instructions and precautions below must be fol- lowed.


WARNING


c If done incorrectly, jump starting can lead to a battery explosion, resulting in severe injury or death. It could also damage your vehicle.


c Explosive hydrogen gas is always present in the vicinity of the battery. Keep all sparks and flames away from the battery.


c Do not allow battery fluid to come into contact with eyes, skin, clothing or painted surfaces. Battery fluid is a cor- rosive sulfuric acid solution which can cause severe burns. If the fluid should come into contact with anything, imme- diately flush the contacted area with water.


c Keep battery out of


children.


the reach of


c The booster battery must be rated at 12
volts. Use of an improperly rated battery can damage your vehicle.


c Whenever working on or near a battery, always wear suitable eye protectors (for example, goggles or industrial safety spectacles) and remove rings, metal bands, or any other jewelry. Do not lean over the battery when jump starting.


c Do not attempt to jump start a frozen battery. It could explode and cause se- rious injury.


c Your vehicle has an automatic engine cooling fan. It could come on at any time. Keep hands and other objects away from it.


In case of emergency 6-9


Z REVIEW COPY—2004 Truck/Frontier (d22) Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna) 05/25/04—arosenma X


CAUTION


c Always connect positive (1) to positive (1) and negative (2) to body ground (for example, strut mounting bolt, engine lift bracket, etc.) (cid:151) not to the battery.


c Make sure the jumper cables do not touch moving parts in the engine com- partment and that the cable clamps do not contact any other metal.


5. Start the engine of the booster vehicle and


let it run for a few minutes.


6. Keep the engine speed of the booster ve- hicle at about 2,000 rpm, and start the en- gine of the vehicle being jump started.


CAUTION


Do not keep the starter motor engaged for more than 10 seconds. If the engine does not start right away, turn the key off and wait 3 to 4 seconds before trying again.


7. After starting the engine, carefully discon- nect the negative cable and then the positive cable.


8. Replace the vent caps (if so equipped). Be sure to dispose of the cloth used to cover the vent holes as it may be contaminated with corrosive acid.


WARNING


Always follow the instructions below. Failure to do so could result in damage to the charging system and cause personal injury.


1.


If the booster battery is in another vehicle, position the two vehicles to bring their bat- teries near each other. Do not allow the two vehicles to touch.


WCE0066
2. Apply the parking brake. Move the shift lever to N (Neutral) (manual transmission) or to P (Park) (automatic transmission). Switch off all unnecessary electrical systems (lights, heater, air conditioner, etc.).


3. Remove vent caps on the battery (if so equipped). Cover the battery with an old cloth to reduce explosion hazard.


4. Connect jumper cables in the sequence il-


lustrated (sA , sB , sC , sD ).


6-10 In case of emergency


Z REVIEW COPY—2004 Truck/Frontier (d22) Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna) 05/25/04—arosenma X


PUSH STARTING


IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS


WARNING


c Automatic transmission models cannot be push-started or tow-started. At- tempting to do so may cause transmis- sion or other vehicle damage.


c Three-way catalyst equipped models should not be started by pushing. The three-way catalyst may be damaged.


c Never try to start the vehicle by towing it. When the engine starts, the forward surge could cause the vehicle to collide with the tow vehicle.


If your vehicle is overheating (indicated by an extremely high temperature gauge reading), or if you feel a lack of engine power, detect abnormal noise, etc. take the following steps.


WARNING


c Do not continue to drive if your vehicle overheats. Doing so could cause engine damage or a vehicle fire.


c To avoid the danger of being scalded, never remove the radiator cap while the engine is still hot. When the radiator cap is removed, pressurized hot water will spurt out, possibly causing serious injury.


c Do not open the hood if steam is com-


ing out.


1. Move the vehicle safely off the road, apply the parking brake and move the shift lever to N (Neutral) (manual transmission) or to P (Park) (automatic transmission). Do not stop the engine.


2. Turn off the air conditioner (if so equipped). Open all the windows, move the heater or air conditioner temperature control to maximum hot and fan control to high speed.


3.


If engine overheating is caused by climbing a long hill on a hot day, run the engine at a fast idle (approximately 1,500 r/min) until the temperature gauge indicator returns to nor- mal.


4. Get out of the vehicle. Look and listen for steam or coolant escaping from the radiator before opening the hood. Do not open the hood further until no steam or coolant can be seen.


5. Open the engine hood.


WARNING


If steam or water is coming from the en- gine, stand clear to prevent getting burned.


6. Visually check drive belts for damage or looseness. Also check if the cooling fan is running. The radiator hoses and radiator should not leak water. If coolant is leaking, the water pump belt is missing or loose, or the cooling fan does not run, stop the en- gine.


In case of emergency 6-11


Z REVIEW COPY—2004 Truck/Frontier (d22) Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna) 05/25/04—arosenma X


For information about towing your vehicle behind a recreational vehicle (RV), refer to (cid:147)Flat towing(cid:148) in the (cid:147)Technical and consumer information(cid:148) sec- tion of this manual.


TOWING YOUR VEHICLE


When towing your vehicle, all State (Provincial in Canada) and local regulations for towing must be followed. Incorrect towing equipment could dam- age your vehicle. Towing instructions are avail- able from a NISSAN dealer. Local service opera- tors are generally familiar with the applicable laws and procedures for towing. To assure proper towing and to prevent accidental damage to your vehicle, NISSAN recommends having a service operator tow your vehicle. It is advisable to have the service operator carefully read the following precautions:


WARNING


c Never ride in a vehicle that is being


towed.


c Never get under your vehicle after it has


been lifted by a tow truck.


CAUTION


c When towing, make sure that the trans- mission, axles, steering system and powertrain are in working condition. If any unit is damaged, dollies must be used.


c Always attach safety chains before


towing.


WARNING


Be careful not to allow your hands, hair, jewelry or clothing to come into contact with, or get caught in, engine belts or the engine cooling fan. The engine cooling fan can start at any time when the coolant temperature is high.


7. After the engine cools down, check the cool- ant level in the engine coolant reservoir tank with the engine running. Add coolant to the engine coolant reservoir tank if necessary. Have your vehicle repaired at a NISSAN dealer.


6-12 In case of emergency


Z REVIEW COPY—2004 Truck/Frontier (d22) Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna) 05/25/04—arosenma X


c If you have to tow manual transmission models with the rear wheels on the ground (if you do not use towing dol- lies) or four wheels on the ground: c Always release the parking brake. c Move the transmission shift lever to


the N (Neutral) position.


c Observe the following restricted tow- ing speeds and distances for manual transmission models only: Speed: Below 60 MPH (97 km/h) Distance: Less than 500 miles (805
km)


If the speed or distance must necessarily be greater, remove the propeller shaft before towing to prevent damage to the transmission.


Two-wheel drive models NISSAN recommends that your vehicle be towed with the driving (rear) wheels off the ground or place the vehicle on a flat bed truck as illustrated.


CAUTION


c Never


tow automatic transmission models with the rear wheels on the ground or four wheels on the ground (forward or backward), as this may cause serious and expensive damage to the transmission. If it is necessary to tow the vehicle with the front wheels raised always use towing dollies under the rear wheels.


c When towing automatic or manual transmission models with the front wheels on the ground or on towing dollies:


(cid:150) Turn the ignition key to the OFF posi- tion, and secure the steering wheel in a straight-ahead position with a rope or similar device. Never secure the steer- ing wheel by turning the ignition key to the LOCK position. This may damage the steering lock mechanism.


In case of emergency 6-13


Z REVIEW COPY—2004 Truck/Frontier (d22) Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna) 05/25/04—arosenma X


TOWING RECOMMENDED BY NISSAN


ACE1019


CAUTION


c Never


tow automatic transmission models with the rear wheels on the ground or four wheels on the ground, as this may cause serious and expensive damage to the transmission. If it is nec- essary to tow the vehicle with the front wheels raised always use towing dollies under the rear wheels.


c When towing automatic or manual transmission models with the front wheels on the ground or on towing dollies: c To disengage auto-lock free- running hubs see the (cid:147)Starting and driving(cid:148) section for details.


c Move the transfer case shift lever to


the 2H position.


c Turn the ignition key to the OFF po- sition, and secure the steering wheel in a straight-ahead position with a rope or similar device. Never secure the steering wheel by turning the ig- nition key to the LOCK position. This may damage the steering lock mechanism.


c If you have to tow manual transmission models with the rear wheels on the ground (if you do not use towing dol- lies) or four wheels on the ground: c To disengage auto-lock free- running hubs see the (cid:147)Starting and driving(cid:148) section for details.


c Move the transfer case shift lever to


the 2H position.


c Move the transmission shift lever to


the N (Neutral) position.


c Always release the parking brake. c Observe the following restricted tow- ing speeds and distances for manual transmission models only: Speed: Below 60 MPH (97 km/h) Distance: Less than 500 miles (805
km)


If the speed or distance must necessarily be greater, remove the propeller shaft before towing to prevent damage to the transmission.


Z REVIEW COPY—2004 Truck/Frontier (d22) Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna) 05/25/04—arosenma X


ACE0705


Four-wheel drive models towing dollies be NISSAN recommends that used when towing your vehicle or place the ve- hicle on a flat bed truck as illustrated.


6-14 In case of emergency


VEHICLE RECOVERY (freeing a stuck vehicle)


WARNING


c Stand clear of a stuck vehicle. c Do not spin your tires at high speed. This could cause them to explode and result in serious injury. Parts of your vehicle could also overheat and be damaged.


CAUTION


c Tow chains or cables must be attached only to the vehicle recovery hooks or main structural members of the vehicle. Otherwise, the vehicle body will be damaged.


c Pulling devices should be routed so they do not touch any part of the sus- pension, steering, brake or cooling systems.


c Always pull the cable straight out from the front or rear of the vehicle. Never pull the vehicle at an angle.


c Pulling devices such as ropes or canvas straps are not recommended for use in vehicle towing or recovery.


If your vehicle is stuck in sand, snow, mud, etc., use the following procedure: 1. Turn off the Vehicle Dynamic Control System


(if so equipped).


2. Make sure the area in front and behind the


vehicle is clear of obstructions.


3. Turn the steering wheel right and left to clear


an area around the front tires.


4. Slowly rock the vehicle forward and back-


ward. c Shift back and forth between R (reverse)


and D (drive).


c Apply the accelerator as little as possible


to maintain the rocking motion.


c Release the accelerator pedal before


shifting between R and D.


c Do not spin the tires above 35 mph (55


km/h).


5.


If the vehicle can not be freed after a few tries, contact a professional towing service to remove the vehicle.


In case of emergency 6-15


Z REVIEW COPY—2004 Truck/Frontier (d22) Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna) 05/25/04—arosenma X


MEMO


6-16 In case of emergency


7 Appearance and care


Cleaning exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2
Washing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2
Waxing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2
Removing spots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2
Underbody . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3
Glass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3
Aluminum alloy wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3
Chrome parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3
Cleaning interior. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3


Floor mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4
Corrosion protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5


Most common factors contributing to vehicle corrosion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5
Environmental factors influence the rate of corrosion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5
To protect your vehicle from corrosion . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5


Z REVIEW COPY—2004 Truck/Frontier (d22) Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna) 05/25/04—arosenma X


CLEANING EXTERIOR


In order to maintain the appearance of your ve- hicle, it is important to take proper care of it.


To protect the paint surfaces, please wash your vehicle as soon as you can: c after a rainfall to prevent possible damage


from acid rain.


c after driving on coastal roads. c when contaminants such as soot, bird drop- pings, tree sap, metal particles or bugs get on the paint surface.


c when dust or mud builds up on the surface. Whenever possible, store or park your vehicle inside a garage or in a covered area.


When it is necessary to park outside, park in a shady area or protect the vehicle with a body cover. Be careful not to scratch the paint surface when putting on or removing the body cover. WASHING Wash dirt off with a wet sponge and plenty of water. Clean the vehicle thoroughly using a mild soap, a special vehicle soap or general purpose dishwashing liquid mixed with clean, lukewarm (never hot) water. 7-2 Appearance and care


CAUTION


c Do not wash the vehicle with strong household soap, strong chemical deter- gents, gasoline or solvents.


c Avoid using tight-napped or


c Do not wash the vehicle in direct sun- light or while the vehicle body is hot, as the surface may become water-spotted. rough cloths, such as washing mitts. Care must removing caked-on dirt or other foreign sub- stances so the paint surface is not scratched or damaged.


taken when


be


Rinse the vehicle thoroughly with plenty of clean water. Inside flanges, seams and folds on the doors, hatches and hood are particularly vulnerable to the effects of road salt. Therefore, these areas must be cleaned regularly. Take care that the drain holes in the lower edge of the door are open. Spray water under the body and in the wheel wells to loosen the dirt and wash away road salt. A damp chamois can be used to dry the vehicle to avoid water spots.


WAXING Regular waxing protects the paint surface and helps retain new vehicle appearance. After wax- ing, polishing is recommended to remove built-up residue and to avoid a (cid:147)weathered(cid:148) ap- pearance.


A NISSAN dealer can assist you in choosing the proper product. c Wax your vehicle only after a thorough wash- ing. Follow the instructions supplied with the wax.


c Do not use a wax containing any abrasives, cutting compounds or cleaners that may damage the vehicle finish.


c If the surface does not polish easily, use a


(cid:147)road tar(cid:148) remover and wax again.


Machine compounding or aggressive polishing on a base coat/clear coat paint finish may dull the finish or leave swirl marks. REMOVING SPOTS Remove tar and oil spots, industrial dust, insects, and tree sap as quickly as possible from the surface of the paint to avoid lasting damage or staining. Special cleaning products are available at a NISSAN dealer or any automotive accessory store.


Z REVIEW COPY—2004 Truck/Frontier (d22) Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna) 05/25/04—arosenma X


ALUMINUM ALLOY WHEELS Wash the wheels regularly, especially during win- ter months in areas where road salt is used. If not removed, road salt could discolor the wheels. CHROME PARTS Clean all chrome parts regularly with a non- abrasive chrome polish to maintain the finish.


UNDERBODY In areas where road salt is used in winter, it is necessary to clean the underbody regularly in order to prevent dirt and salt from building up and causing the acceleration of corrosion on the un- derbody and suspension. Before the winter pe- riod and again in the spring, the underseal must be checked and, if necessary, retreated. GLASS Use glass cleaner to remove smoke and dust film from the glass surfaces. It is normal for glass to become coated with a film after the vehicle is parked in the hot sun. Glass cleaner and a soft cloth will easily remove this film.


CAUTION


When cleaning the inside of the windows, do not use sharp-edged tools, abrasive cleaners or chlorine-based disinfectant cleaners. They could damage the electri- cal conductors, radio antenna elements or rear window defroster elements.


CLEANING INTERIOR


Occasionally remove loose dust from the interior trim, plastic parts and seats using a vacuum cleaner or soft brush. Wipe the vinyl and leather surfaces with a clean, soft cloth dampened in mild soap solution, then wipe clean with a dry, soft cloth. Before using any fabric protector, read the manufacturer(cid:146)s recommendations. Some fab- ric protectors contain chemicals that may stain or bleach the seat material. Use a cloth dampened only with water to clean the meter and gauge lens.


CAUTION


c Never use benzine, thinner or any simi-


lar material.


c Small dirt particles can be abrasive and damaging to leather surfaces and should be removed promptly. Do not use saddle soap, polishes, oils, clean- ing fluids, solvents, detergents or ammonia-based cleaners as they may damage the leather(cid:146)s natural finish.


c Never use fabric protectors unless rec-


ommended by the manufacturer.


c Do not use glass or plastic cleaner on meter or gauge lens covers. It may dam- age the lens cover.


Appearance and care 7-3


Z REVIEW COPY—2004 Truck/Frontier (d22) Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna) 05/25/04—arosenma X


SEAT BELTS The seat belts can be cleaned by wiping them with a sponge dampened in a mild soap solution. Allow the belts to dry completely in the shade before using them. See (cid:147)Seat belt maintenance(cid:148) in the (cid:147)Safety (cid:150) Seats, seat belts and supplemen- tal air bags(cid:148) section of this manual.


WARNING


Do not allow wet seat belts to roll up in the retractor. NEVER use bleach, dye or chemical solvents to clean the seat belts, since these materials may severely weaken the seat belt webbing.


FLOOR MATS The use of genuine NISSAN floor mats can ex- tend the life of your vehicle carpet and make it easier to clean the interior. No matter what mats are used, be sure they are fitted for your vehicle and are properly positioned in the footwell to prevent interference with pedal operation. Mats should be maintained with regular cleaning and replaced if they be- come excessively worn.


7-4 Appearance and care


WAI0006
Floor mat positioning aid (driver(cid:146)s side only) This vehicle includes a front floor mat bracket to act as a floor mat positioning aid. NISSAN floor mats have been specially designed for your ve- hicle model. The driver(cid:146)s side floor mat has a grommet hole incorporated in it. Position the mat by placing the floor mat bracket hook through the floor mat grommet hole while centering the mat in the footwell. Periodically check to make certain the mats are properly positioned.


Z REVIEW COPY—2004 Truck/Frontier (d22) Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna) 05/25/04—arosenma X


CORROSION PROTECTION


MOST COMMON FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO VEHICLE CORROSION 1. The accumulation of moisture-retaining dirt and debris in body panel sections, cavities, and other areas.


2. Damage to paint and other protective coat- ings caused by gravel and stone chips or minor traffic accidents.


ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS INFLUENCE THE RATE OF CORROSION Moisture Accumulation of sand, dirt and water on the ve- hicle body underside can accelerate corrosion. Wet floor coverings will not dry completely inside the vehicle, and should be removed for drying to avoid floor panel corrosion. Relative humidity Corrosion will be accelerated: c in areas of high relative humidity. c in areas where the temperatures stay above


freezing.


c where atmospheric pollution exists.


c where road salt is used. Temperature High temperatures accelerate the rate of corro- sion to those parts which are not well ventilated. Air pollution Industrial pollution, the presence of salt in the air in coastal areas, or heavy road salt use acceler- ates the corrosion process. Road salt also accel- erates the disintegration of paint surfaces. TO PROTECT YOUR VEHICLE FROM CORROSION c Wash and wax your vehicle often to keep the


vehicle clean.


c Always check for minor damage to the paint


and repair it as soon as possible.


c Keep drain holes at the bottom of the doors and tailgate open to avoid water accumula- tion.


c Check the underbody and inside the pick-up box. If any sand, dirt or salt is accumulated, wash it off with water as soon as possible.


CAUTION


c NEVER remove dirt, sand or other de- bris from the passenger compartment by washing it out with a hose. Remove dirt with a vacuum cleaner or broom.


c Never allow water or other liquids to come in contact with electronic compo- nents inside the vehicle as this may damage them.


Chemicals used for road surface de-icing are extremely corrosive. They accelerate corrosion and deterioration of underbody components such as the exhaust system, fuel and brake lines, brake cables, floor pan and fenders. In winter, the underbody must be cleaned periodically. For additional protection against rust and corro- sion, which may be required in some areas, con- sult a NISSAN dealer.


Appearance and care 7-5


Z REVIEW COPY—2004 Truck/Frontier (d22) Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna) 05/25/04—arosenma X


MEMO


7-6 Appearance and care


8 Maintenance and do-it-yourself


Maintenance requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2
General maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2
Explanation of general maintenance items . . . . . . . . . 8-2
Maintenance precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-5
Engine compartment check locations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-6
Engine cooling system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9
Checking engine coolant level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9
Changing engine coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-10
Engine oil. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-10
Checking engine oil level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-10
Changing engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-11
Changing engine oil filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-13
Automatic transmission fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-14
Temperature conditions for checking. . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-14
Power steering fluid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-15
Brake and clutch fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-16
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-16
Clutch fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-16
Window washer fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-17
Window washer fluid reservoir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-17
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-17
Jump starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-19
Drive belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-19


Spark plugs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-20
Replacing spark plugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-20
Air cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-22
In-cabin Microfilter (if so equipped) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-23
Windshield wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-25
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-25
Replacing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-25
Parking brake and brake pedal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-26
Checking parking brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-26
Checking brake pedal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-26
Brake booster. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-27
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-28
Passenger compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-28
Keyfob battery replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-29
Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-30
Headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-30
Fog lights (if so equipped) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-31
Exterior and interior lights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-32
Wheels and tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-35
Tire pressure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-35
Tire labeling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-38
Types of tires. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-41
Tire chains. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-41
Changing wheels and tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-42


Z REVIEW COPY—2004 Truck/Frontier (d22) Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna) 05/25/04—arosenma X


MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS


GENERAL MAINTENANCE


Your new NISSAN has been designed to have minimum maintenance requirements with longer service intervals to save you both time and money. However, some day-to-day and regular maintenance is essential to maintain your NIS- SAN(cid:146)s good mechanical condition, as well as its emission and engine performance.


It is the owner(cid:146)s responsibility to make sure that the scheduled maintenance, as well as general maintenance, is performed.


As the vehicle owner, you are the only one who can ensure that your vehicle receives proper maintenance. You are a vital link in the mainte- nance chain. Scheduled maintenance


For your convenience, both required and optional scheduled maintenance items are described and listed in your (cid:147)NISSAN Service and Maintenance Guide.(cid:148) You must refer to that guide to ensure that necessary maintenance is performed on your NISSAN at regular intervals. General maintenance


General maintenance includes those items which should be checked during normal day-to-day op- eration. They are essential for proper vehicle op- eration. It is your responsibility to perform these maintenance procedures regularly as prescribed. 8-2 Maintenance and do-it-yourself


Performing general maintenance checks requires minimal mechanical skill and only a few general automotive tools. These checks or inspections can be done by you, a qualified technician, or, if you prefer, a NISSAN dealer. Where to go for service If maintenance service is required or your vehicle appears to malfunction, have the systems checked and corrected by a NISSAN dealer. NISSAN technicians are well-trained specialists who are kept up-to-date with the latest service information through technical bulletins, service tips, and in-dealership training programs. They are completely qualified to work on NISSAN ve- hicles before they work on your vehicle, rather than after they have worked on it. You can be confident that a NISSAN dealer(cid:146)s service department performs the best job to meet the maintenance requirements on your vehicle (cid:151) in a reliable and economic way.


During the normal day-to-day operation of the vehicle, general maintenance should be per- formed regularly as prescribed in this section. If you detect any unusual sounds, vibrations or smells, be sure to check for the cause or have a NISSAN dealer do it promptly. In addition, you should notify a NISSAN dealer if you think that repairs are required.


When performing any checks or maintenance work, closely observe the (cid:147)Maintenance precau- tions(cid:148) later in this section. EXPLANATION OF GENERAL MAINTENANCE ITEMS information on the following Additional items with (cid:147)*(cid:148) is found later in this section. Outside the vehicle The maintenance items listed here should be performed from time to time, unless otherwise specified. Doors, engine hood and tailgate Check that the doors, engine hood and tailgate operate properly. Also ensure that all latches lock se- curely. Lubricate hinges, latches, latch pins, roll- ers and links as necessary. Make sure that the secondary latch keeps the hood from opening when the primary latch is released.


Z REVIEW COPY—2004 Truck/Frontier (d22) Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna) 05/25/04—arosenma X


When driving in areas using road salt or other corrosive materials, check lubrication frequently. Lights* Clean the headlights on a regular basis. Make sure that the headlights, stop lights, tail lights, turn signal lights, and other lights are all operating properly and installed securely. Also check headlight aim. Road wheel nuts* When checking the tires, make sure no wheel nuts are missing, and check for any loose wheel nuts. Tighten if necessary. Tire rotation* Tires should be rotated every 7,500 miles (12,000 km). Tires* Check the pressure with a gauge often and always prior to long distance trips. If neces- sary, adjust the pressure in all tires, including the spare, to the pressure specified. Check carefully for damage, cuts or excessive wear. Wheel alignment and balance If the vehicle should pull to either side while driving on a straight and level road, or if you detect uneven or abnormal tire wear, there may be a need for wheel alignment. If the steering wheel or seat vibrates at normal highway speeds, wheel balancing may be needed. c For additional


information regarding tires, refer to (cid:147)Important Tire Safety Information(cid:148) (US) or (cid:147)Tire Safety Information(cid:148) (Canada) in the Warranty Information Booklet .


Windshield Clean the windshield on a regular basis. Check the windshield at least every six months for cracks or other damage. Have a dam- aged windshield repaired by a qualified repair facility. Windshield wiper blades* Check for cracks or wear if they do not wipe properly. Inside the vehicle The maintenance items listed here should be checked on a regular basis, such as when per- forming periodic maintenance, cleaning the ve- hicle, etc. Additional information on the following items with an (cid:147)*(cid:148) is found later in this sec- tion. Accelerator pedal Check the pedal for smooth operation and make sure the pedal does not bind or require uneven effort. Keep the floor mat away from the pedal. Automatic transmission P (Park) position mechanism Check that the lock release button on the shift selector lever operates properly and smoothly. On a fairly steep hill check that your vehicle is held securely with the selector lever in the P (Park) position without applying any brakes. Brake pedal and booster* Check the pedal for smooth operation and make sure it has the proper


distance under it when depressed fully. Check the brake booster function. Be certain to keep the floor mat away from the pedal. Brakes Check that the brakes do not pull the vehicle to one side when applied. Clutch pedal* Make sure the pedal operates smoothly and check that it has the proper free travel. Parking brake* Check that the pedal has the proper travel and confirm that your vehicle is held securely on a fairly steep hill with only the parking brake applied. Seats Check seat position controls such as seat adjusters, seatback recliner, etc. to ensure they operate smoothly and all latches lock securely in every position. Check that the head restraints move up and down smoothly and the locks (if so equipped) hold securely in all latched positions. Seat belts Check that all parts of the seat belt system (for example, buckles, anchors, adjusters and retractors) operate properly and smoothly, and are installed securely. Check the belt web- bing for cuts, fraying, wear or damage. Steering wheel Check for changes in the steer- ing system, such as excessive freeplay, hard steering or strange noises.


Maintenance and do-it-yourself 8-3


Z REVIEW COPY—2004 Truck/Frontier (d22) Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna) 05/25/04—arosenma X


etc., that may have accumulated. Make sure the hoses have no cracks, deformation, rot or loose connections. Underbody The underbody is frequently ex- posed to corrosive substances such as those used on icy roads or to control dust. It is very important to remove these substances from the underbody, otherwise rust may form on the floor pan, frame, fuel lines and exhaust system. At the end of winter, the underbody should be thor- oughly flushed with plain water, in those areas where mud and dirt may have accumulated. See the (cid:147)Appearance and care(cid:148) section of this manual. Windshield washer fluid* Check that there is adequate fluid in the reservoir.


Warning lights and chimes Make sure all warning lights and chimes are operating properly. Windshield wiper and washer* Check that the wipers and washer operate properly and that the wipers do not streak. Windshield defroster Check that the air comes out of the defroster outlets properly and in sufficient quantity when operating the heater or air conditioner. Under the hood and vehicle The maintenance items listed here should be checked periodically (for example, each time you check the engine oil or refuel). Automatic transmission fluid level* Check the level after putting the selector lever in P with the engine idling at operating temperature. Battery* Check the fluid level It should be between the MAX and MIN lines. Ve- hicles operated in high temperatures or under severe conditions require frequent checks of the battery fluid level. Brake and clutch fluid levels* Make sure that the brake and clutch fluid level is between the MIN and MAX lines on the reservoir. Engine coolant level* Check the coolant level when the engine is cold. 8-4 Maintenance and do-it-yourself


in each cell.


Engine drive belts* Make sure the drive belts are not frayed, worn, cracked or oily. Engine oil level* Check the level after parking the vehicle on a level surface with the engine off. Wait more than 10 minutes for the oil to drain back into the oil pan.

Loading...
x