1996 Nissan Pathfinder Owners Manual

our Consumer Affairs Department, toll- free, at 1-800-NISSAN-1. In Hawaii call 531-0231.

9-21

Z 01.2.1/R50-D X

bilingual NISSAN representative will assist you. Also available are Genuine NISSAN Service and Owner’s Manuals for older Nissan models.

A Genuine Nissan Service Manual is the best source of service and repair information for your vehicle. Filled with wiring diagrams, illus- trations and step-by-step diagnostic and ad- justment procedures, this manual is the same one used by the factory trained technicians working at your Nissan dealership. Also avail- able are Genuine NISSAN Owner’s Manuals.

For current pricing and availability of a Genu- ine NISSAN Service Manual or Genuine NISSAN Owner’s Manual, contact:

In the U.S.A.: See your NISSAN dealer or contact: Dyment Distribution Services 20770 Westwood Dr. Strongsville OH 44136

In a hurry? Call 1-800-247-5321 and charge your purchase to Visa/Master Card. In Canada: To purchase a copy of a Genuine NISSAN Service Manual or Owner’s Manual please contact your nearest NISSAN Dealer. For the phone number and location of a NISSAN Dealer in your area call the Nissan Satis- faction Center at 1-800-387-0122 and a

9-22

Z 01.2.1/R50-D X

10 Index

Adjustable shock absorber control (If so equipped) ........................................................ 1-31
Air bag (See “Supplemental restraint system”) Air bag warning light (See “Supplemental air bag warning light” or “Warning”) Air cleaner filter............................................... 7-16
Air conditioner

Air conditioner operation...................... 3-5, 3-9
Air conditioner specification label.............. 9-15
Heater and air conditioner........................... 3-3
Semiautomatic air conditioner..................... 3-7

Air conditioning system refrigerant and lubricant recommendations ............................................. 9-9
Air flow charts ................................................. 3-11
AM-FM radio with cassette player .................. 3-15
AM-FM radio with compact disc player .......... 3-20
Anti-lock brake system ................................... 4-24
Automatic

Automatic transmission fluid ....................... 7-9
Driving with automatic transmission............ 4-6
Semiautomatic air conditioner..................... 3-7
Avoiding collision and rollover .......................... 4-4

Back door locks ................................................ 2-8
Battery............................................................. 7-13

Battery replacement.......................................... 2-6
Before starting the engine ................................ 4-6
Belt hook......................................................... 2-28
Brake

Anti-lock brake system .............................. 4-24
Brake and clutch fluid................................ 7-11
Brake booster ............................................ 7-20
Brake pedal ............................................... 7-19
Brake wear indicators ...................... 1-12, 7-19
Parking brake................................... 4-12, 7-18
Break-in schedule ........................................... 4-15

Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants... 9-2
CB radio or car phone .................................... 3-24
Center and side vent ........................................ 3-2
Changing

Changing engine coolant ............................ 7-5
Changing engine oil .................................... 7-8
Changing oil filter ........................................ 7-9
Checking coolant level...................................... 7-4
Checking engine oil level.................................. 7-7
Child restraints for infants and small children .... 2- 30
Child safety ..................................................... 2-24
Child safety rear door lock................................ 2-3
Cigarette lighter and ash trays ....................... 1-21
Cleaning exterior and interior ........................... 6-2
Clearing the programming information ........... 1-33

Clock ................................................................. 1-8
Clutch housing................................... 7-30
Clutch pedal.................................................... 7-20
Coin tray ......................................................... 1-22
Cold weather driving cautions ........................ 4-25
Compact disc player operation....................... 3-22
Compass and outside temperature display............................................................... 1-5
Console box.................................................... 1-24
Coolant

Changing engine coolant ............................ 7-5
Checking coolant level ................................ 7-4
Engine coolant temperature gauge............. 1-4
Corrosion protection ....................................... 4-27
Cruise control.................................................. 4-13
Cup holder ...................................................... 1-23

Defogger switch

Rear window defogger switch ................... 1-18
Dimensions and weights................................. 9-12
Door locks......................................................... 2-2
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving ................... 4-4
Drive belts....................................................... 7-14
Driving

Cold weather driving cautions................... 4-25
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving.............. 4-4
Driving safety precautions......................... 4-20
Driving with automatic transmission............ 4-6

Z 01.2.1/R50-D X

Driving with manual transmission ............. 4-10
On-pavement and off-road driving precautions .................................................. 4-3
Precautions when driving .......................... 4-23
Precautions when starting and driving........ 4-2

Economy hints ................................................ 4-15
Emission control information label.................. 9-14
Emission control system warranty.................. 9-20
Engine............................................................. 9-10
Before starting the engine........................... 4-6
Changing engine coolant ............................ 7-5
Changing engine oil .................................... 7-8
Checking engine oil level ............................ 7-7
Engine coolant temperature gauge............. 1-4
Engine cooling system ................................ 7-4
Engine oil..................................................... 7-7
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation.......................................... 9-6
Engine serial number ................................ 9-13
Starting the engine .................................... 4-11
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide)...................... 4-2
Explanation of maintenance items.................. 8-10

Flat tire.............................................................. 5-2
Fluid

Automatic transmission fluid ....................... 7-9
Brake and clutch fluid................................ 7-11
Power steering fluid................................... 7-11
Window washer fluid ................................. 7-12

F.M.V.S.S. certification label........................... 9-14
Front fog light switch ...................................... 1-19
Front seats...................................................... 2-12
Fuel

Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants .............................................. 9-2
Fuel filler cap............................................. 2-11
Fuel filler lid lock ....................................... 2-10
Fuel gauge .................................................. 1-5
Fuel recommendation.................................. 9-4
Fuses .............................................................. 7-20

If your vehicle is ever stolen........................... 1-33
If your vehicle overheats .................................. 5-9
Ignition switch ................................................... 4-4
Inside mirror.................................................... 2-38
Inspection light................................................ 1-30
Instrument brightness control ......................... 1-18
Integrated HomeLinkTM transmitter (If so equipped)............................................... 1-31
Interior light ..................................................... 1-29

Gauge

Engine coolant temperature gauge............. 1-4
Fuel gauge .................................................. 1-5
Meters and gauges ..................................... 1-3
General maintenance ....................................... 8-2
Glasses case .................................................. 1-23
Glove box lock ................................................ 2-10

Hazard warning flasher switch........................ 1-19
Head restraint ................................................. 2-15
Headlight and turn signal switch..................... 1-15
Headlights ....................................................... 7-22
Heated seat (If so equipped).......................... 1-20
Heater and air conditioner ................................ 3-3
Heater operation........................................ 3-4, 3-8
Hood release .................................................... 2-9

10-2

Jump starting........................................... 5-7, 7-13

Key.................................................................... 2-2

Light

Air bag warning light ................................. 2-22
Cigarette lighter and ash trays.................. 1-21
Front fog light switch ................................. 1-19
Headlight and turn signal switch ............... 1-15
Headlights.................................................. 7-22
Inspection light .......................................... 1-30
Interior light................................................ 1-29
Light bulbs ................................................. 7-22
Other lights ................................................ 7-23
Spot light ................................................... 1-30
Vanity mirror light ...................................... 1-30

Z 01.2.1/R50-D X

Warning/indicator light and buzzer.............. 1-9

Multi-remote control system (If so equipped) ... 2-4

Lock

Anti-lock brake system .............................. 4-24
Back door locks........................................... 2-8
Child safety rear door lock .......................... 2-3
Clock............................................................ 1-8
Door locks ................................................... 2-2
Fuel filler lid lock ....................................... 2-10
Glove box lock........................................... 2-10
Power door lock .......................................... 2-3
Rear window locks ...................................... 2-8
Luggage board and box ................................. 1-25
Luggage hooks ............................................... 2-40
Luggage net.................................................... 2-39
Luggage rack .................................................. 2-41
Luggage side finisher hook ............................ 2-39

Maintenance

Explanation of maintenance items ............ 8-10
General maintenance .................................. 8-2
Periodic maintenance.................................. 8-5
Seat belt maintenance .............................. 2-30
Manual antenna .............................................. 3-24
Meters and gauges........................................... 1-3
Mirror

Inside mirror .............................................. 2-38
Outside mirror control................................ 2-37
Outside mirror defogger (If so equipped)................................................... 1-18
Outside mirrors.......................................... 2-38
Vanity mirror light ...................................... 1-30

Oil

Changing engine oil .................................... 7-8
Changing oil filter ........................................ 7-9
Checking engine oil level ............................ 7-7
Engine oil..................................................... 7-7
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation.......................................... 9-6
On-pavement and off-road driving precautions .. 4- Operating the transmitter................................ 1-33
Outside mirror control ..................................... 2-37
Outside mirror defogger (If so equipped) ....... 1-18
Outside mirrors ............................................... 2-38
Overheat

If your vehicle overheats ............................. 5-9

Parking............................................................ 4-22
Parking brake................................... 4-12, 7-18
Periodic maintenance ....................................... 8-5
Power

Power antenna (If so equipped)................ 3-24
Power door lock .......................................... 2-3
Power socket............................................. 1-22
Power steering fluid................................... 7-11
Power support seat ................................... 2-13
Power window ........................................... 1-26
Precautions ....................................................... 7-2
Driving safety precautions......................... 4-20

10-3

On-pavement and off-road driving precautions .................................................. 4-3
Precautions on seat belt usage ................ 2-24
Precautions when driving .......................... 4-23
Precautions when starting and driving........ 4-2
Programming problem diagnosis.................... 1-33
Programming the HomeLinkTM transmitter ....................................................... 1-32
Protecting against corrosion ............................. 6-5
Push starting..................................................... 5-8

Radio............................................................... 3-14
AM-FM radio with cassette player ............ 3-15
AM-FM radio with compact disc player......................................................... 3-20
CB radio or car phone............................... 3-24
Rear seats ...................................................... 2-15
Rear window defogger switch......................... 1-18
Rear window locks............................................ 2-8
Rear window wiper and washer switch .......... 1-17
Recommended sae viscosity number............... 9-8
Refrigerant recommendation ............................ 9-9
Reporting safety defects (U.S.A.)................... 9-21

Safety

Child safety................................................ 2-24
Child safety rear door lock .......................... 2-3
Driving safety precautions......................... 4-20
Reporting safety defects (U.S.A.) ............. 9-21
Seat adjustment.............................................. 2-12

Z 01.2.1/R50-D X

Seat belt

2-point type with retractor (Center position of rear seat) ................................. 2-28
3-point type with retractor ......................... 2-25
Precautions on seat belt usage ................ 2-24
Seat belt extenders ................................... 2-29
Seat belt maintenance .............................. 2-30
Seat belts ......................................... 2-24, 2-25
Semiautomatic air conditioner .......................... 3-7
Spare tire carrier............................................... 2-7
Spark plug replacement.................................. 7-14
Speedometer and odometer............................. 1-3
Spot light......................................................... 1-30
Starting

Before starting the engine........................... 4-6
Jump starting ..................................... 5-7, 7-13
Precautions when starting and driving........ 4-2
Push starting ............................................... 5-8
Starting the engine .................................... 4-11

Steering

Power steering fluid................................... 7-11
Tilting steering wheel ................................ 2-36
Sun visor......................................................... 2-37
Sunroof ........................................................... 1-28
Supplemental air bag warning light ................ 2-22
Supplemental restraint system (Supplemental air bag system) .................................................... 2-18
Switch

Front fog light switch ................................. 1-19
Hazard warning flasher switch .................. 1-19
Headlight and turn signal switch ............... 1-15
Ignition switch.............................................. 4-4
Rear window defogger switch ................... 1-18

Rear window wiper and washer switch......................................................... 1-17
Windshield wiper and washer switch ........ 1-16

Tachometer....................................................... 1-4
Theft warning (If so equipped)........................ 1-13
Three-way catalyst............................................ 4-3
Tilting steering wheel...................................... 2-36
Timing belt ...................................................... 9-10
Tire

Flat tire ........................................................ 5-2
Spare tire carrier ......................................... 2-7
Tire placard ............................................... 9-14
Wheels and tires .............................. 7-26, 9-11
Tonneau cover................................................ 1-26
Tow truck towing............................................. 5-10
Towing

2-wheel drive models ................................ 5-10
4-wheel drive models ................................ 5-11
Tow truck towing ....................................... 5-10
Towing load/specification chart ................. 9-18
Towing point .............................................. 5-12
Trailer towing............................................. 9-16
Trailer towing .................................................. 9-16

Transfer case shifting procedures for

4-wheel drive vehicles .................................... 4-16
Transmission

Automatic transmission fluid ....................... 7-9
Driving with automatic transmission............ 4-6
Driving with manual transmission ............. 4-10

10-4

Vanity mirror light............................................ 1-30
Vehicle identification ....................................... 9-13

Vehicle identification number (Chassis number) ..................................................... 9-13
Vehicle identification number plate ........... 9-13
Vehicle loading ............................................... 9-20
Vehicle loading information............................. 9-15

Warning

Hazard warning flasher switch .................. 1-19
Supplemental air bag warning light........... 2-22
Theft warning (If so equipped) .................. 1-13
Warning labels........................................... 2-22
Warning/indicator light and buzzer.............. 1-9
Wheels and tires ................................... 7-26, 9-11
When traveling or registering your vehicle in an- other country................................................... 9-12
Window washer fluid....................................... 7-12
Windshield wiper and washer switch.............. 1-16
Wiper

Rear window wiper and washer switch......................................................... 1-17
Windshield wiper and washer switch ........ 1-16
Wiper blade ............................................... 7-17

Z 01.2.1/R50-D X

damage or shortened engine life.

QUICK REFERENCE

(page) I In case of emergency.......................... 5-1
(Flat tire, engine will not start, overheating, towing)

I How to start the engine ....................... 4-1
I How to read the meters and

gauges ................................................. 1-1
I Maintenance schedule......................... 8-1
I Do-it-yourself operations ..................... 7-1
I Technical information .......................... 9-1

GAS STATION INFORMATION

Recommended fuel: Unleaded gasoline, at least 87 AKI number (RON 91) For further details such as gasohol or diesel fuel grade, see “Fuel recommendation” in the “Technical information” section. Recommended engine oil: I API SG or SH and Energy Conserving II I API Certification Mark I SAE 5W-30 viscosity oil is preferred for all

ambient temperatures.

See “Engine oil and oil filter recommendation” in the “Technical and consumer information” section. Tire cold pressure: See the tire placard affixed to the glove box. Recommended new vehicle break- in procedure: During the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of vehicle use, follow the recommendations out- lined in the “BREAK-IN SCHEDULE” Informa- tion found in the “Starting and driving” section of this Owner’s Manual. Follow these recom- mendations for the future reliability and economy of your new vehicle. Failure to follow these recommendations may result in vehicle

Z 01.2.1/R50-D X

Engine oil 7-7

Engine coolant 7-4

Hood release 2-9

Power steering fluid 7-11

Brake fluid 7-11

Clutch fluid 7-11

Meters and gauges 1-3

Seat belt 2-24

Door lock 2-2

Back door lock 2-8

Fuel 2-10, 9-2

Spare tire 5-3

Window washer fluid 7-12

Battery 7-13

Automatic transmission fluid 7-9

Air conditioner 3-3
Audio system 3-14

STI0099

Z 01.2.1/R50-D X