1996 NISSAN FRONTIER tire type

snow traction than All Season tires and may
be more appropriate in some areas.
Summer tires
NISSAN specifies summer tires on some
models to provide superior performance on
dry roads. Summer tire performance in
snow and ice will be substantially reduced.
Summer tires do not have the tire traction
rating ``M&S'' on the tire sidewall.
If you plan to operate your vehicle in snowy
or icy conditions, NISSAN recommends the
use of ``SNOW'' or ``ALL SEASON'' tires on
all four wheels.
Snow tires
If snow tires are needed, it is necessary to
select tires equivalent in size and load rating
to the original equipment tires. If you do not,
it can adversely affect the safety and han-
dling of your vehicle.
Generally, snow tires will have lower speed
ratings than factory equipped tires and may
not match the potential maximum vehicle
speed. Never exceed the maximum speed
rating of the tire.
For additional traction on icy roads, studded
tires may be used. However, some prov-inces and states prohibit their use. Check
local, state and provincial laws before in-
stalling studded tires. Skid and traction ca-
pabilities of studded snow tires on wet or dry
surfaces may be poorer than that of non-
studded snow tires.
4-wheel drive model
If you install snow tires, they must be the
same size, brand, construction and tread
pattern on all four wheels.
CAUTION
ONLY use spare tires specified for each
4-wheel drive model.
Tire chains
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 the proper size
for the tires on your vehicle and are installed
according to the chain manufacturer's sug-
gestions.Use only SAE class ``S'' chains.
Other types may damage your vehicle. Use
chain tensioners when recommended by
the tire chain manufacturer to ensure a tight
fit. Loose end links of the tire chain must besecured or removed to prevent the possibil-
ity of whipping action damage to the fenders
or undercarriage. If possible, avoid fully
loading your vehicle when using tire chains.
In addition, drive at a reduced speed. Oth-
erwise, your vehicle may be damaged
and/or vehicle handling and performance
may be adversely affected.
Never install tire chains on a TEMPORARY
USE ONLY spare tire.
Tire chains must be installed only on the
rear wheels and not on the front wheels.
Do not use tire chains on dry roads. Driving
with chains in such conditions can cause
damage to the various mechanisms of the
vehicle due to some overstress. When driv-
ing on clear paved roads, be sure to change
to 2WD.
7-25
ZX

cImproper service for a TEMPORARY
USE ONLY spare tire may result in
serious personal injury. If it is nec-
essary to repair the TEMPORARY
USE ONLY spare tire, contact your
NISSAN dealer.
Changing tires and wheels
When replacing a tire, use the same size,
speed rating and load carrying capacity as
originally equipped. Recommended types
and sizes are shown in ``Wheel/tire size'' in
the ``Technical and consumer information''
section. The use of tires other than those
recommended or the mixed use of tires of
different brands, construction (bias, bias-
belted or radial), or tread patterns can ad-
versely affect the ride, braking, handling,
ground clearance, body-to-tire clearance,
snow chain clearance, speedometer cali-
bration, headlight aim and bumper height.
Some of these effects may lead to acci-
dents and could result in serious per-
sonal injury.
If the wheels are changed for any reason,
always replace with wheels which have the
same offset dimension. Wheels of a differ-ent offset could cause early tire wear, poor
vehicle handling characteristics and/or in-
terference with the brake discs/drums. Such
interference can lead to decreased braking
efficiency and/or early brake pad/shoe
wear.
CAUTION
Do not install a deformed wheel or tire
even if it has been repaired. Such
wheels or tires could have structural
damage and could fail without warning.
4-WHEEL DRIVE MODELS
CAUTION
Always use tires of the same size,
brand, construction (bias, bias-belted
or radial), and tread pattern on all four
wheels. Failure to do so may result in a
circumference difference between tires
on the front and rear axles which will
cause excessive tire wear and may
damage the transmission, transfer
case and differential gears.
If excessive tire wear is found, it is recom-mended that all four tires be replaced with
tires of the same size, brand, construction
and tread pattern. The tire pressure and
wheel alignment should also be checked
and corrected as necessary. Contact your
NISSAN dealer.
CAUTION
ONLY use spare tires specified for each
4-wheel drive model.
Wheel balance
Unbalanced wheels may affect vehicle han-
dling and tire life. Even with regular use,
wheels can get out of balance. Therefore,
they should be balanced as required.
Wheel balance service should be performed
with the wheels off the vehicle. Spin balanc-
ing the front wheels on the vehicle could
lead to transmission damage.
Care of wheels
cWash the wheels when washing the ve-
hicle to maintain their appearance.
cClean the inner side of the wheels when
the wheel is changed or the underside of
the vehicle is washed.
7-27
ZX

c80W-90 is preferable for ambient tem-
peratures below 104ÉF (40ÉC).
AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM
REFRIGERANT AND LUBRICANT
RECOMMENDATIONS
The air conditioning system in this NIS-
SAN vehicle must be charged with the
refrigerant HFC-134a (R-134a) and the
lubricant, NISSAN A/C system lubricant
Type R or the exact equivalents.
CAUTION
Use of any other refrigerant or lubricant
will cause severe damage and you will
need to replace your vehicle's entire air
conditioning system.
The refrigerant HFC-134a (R-134a) in your
NISSAN vehicle does not harm the earth's
ozone layer. Although this refrigerant does
not affect the earth's atmosphere, certain
government regulations require the recov-
ery and recycling of any refrigerant during
automotive air conditioning system service.
Your NISSAN dealer has the trained tech-
nicians and equipment needed to recover
and recycle your air conditioning system
refrigerant.
Contact your NISSAN dealer when servic-
ing your air conditioning system.
ATI0510
9-8
ZX

Trailer hitch
Check the towing capacity of your bumper
hitch or receiver type frame mounted hitch.
Choose a proper hitch for your vehicle and
trailer. Make sure the trailer hitch is securely
attached to the vehicle, to help avoid per-
sonal injury or property damage due to
sway caused by crosswinds, rough road
surfaces or passing trucks.
cSpecial hitches which include frame re-
inforcements are required for towing
above 2,000 lb (907 kg). Suitable Genu-
ine NISSAN hitches for pickup trucks are
available at your NISSAN dealer.
cAxle-mounted hitches should not be
used.
cDo not modify the vehicle exhaust sys-
tem, brake system, etc. when the hitch is
installed. After the hitch is removed, seal
the bolt holes to prevent exhaust fumes,
water or dust from entering the passen-
ger compartment.
cCheck regularly to make sure that all
trailer hitch mounting bolts are securely
fastened.
Tire pressures
cWhen towing a trailer, inflate the vehicle
tires to the recommended cold tire pres-
sure indicated on the tire placard (affixed
to the glove box lid).
cTrailer tire condition, size, load rating and
proper inflation pressure should be in
accordance with the trailer and tire
manufacturers' specifications.
Safety chain
Always use a suitable chain between your
vehicle and the trailer. The chain should be
crossed and should be attached to the hitch,
not to the vehicle bumper or axle. Be sure to
leave enough slack in the chain to permit
turning corners.
Trailer lights
Trailer lights should comply with Federal
and/or local regulations. For assistance in
hooking up trailer lights, contact your autho-
rized NISSAN dealer.
Trailer brakes
If your trailer is equipped with a braking
system, make sure it conforms to Federal
and/or local regulations and that it is prop-
erly installed.
CAUTION
Never connect a trailer brake system
directly to the vehicle brake system.
Pre-towing tips
cBe certain your vehicle maintains a level
position when a loaded and/or unloaded
trailer is hitched. Do not drive the vehicle
if it has an abnormal nose-up or nose-
down condition; check for improper
tongue load, overload, worn suspension
or other possible causes of either condi-
tion.
cAlways secure items in the trailer to
prevent load shifts while driving.
cBe certain your rear view mirrors conform
to all federal, state or local regulations. If
not, install any mirrors required for towing
before driving the vehicle.
9-19
ZX

Power
Power door lock...................................... 2-3
Power steering fluid .............................. 7-11
Power window ...................................... 1-15
Precautions
Maintenance precautions ....................... 7-2
On-pavement and off-road driving
precautions ............................................. 4-3
Precautions on seat belt usage............ 2-17
Precautions when driving ..................... 4-25
Precautions when starting and driving ... 4-2
Protecting against corrosion ........................ 6-4
Push starting ................................................ 5-9
Q
Quick reference ....................................... 10-11
R
Radio
AM-FM electronic tuning radio with
cassette player ..................................... 3-11
AM-FM electronic tuning radio with
cassette player (100 W) ....................... 3-16
Cassette tape operation .............. 3-13, 3-19
CB radio or car phone .......................... 3-21
Rear anti-lock brake system (R-ABS) ....... 4-26
Rear sliding window................................... 1-16
Registering your vehicle in another
country ....................................................... 9-12
Reporting safety defects (USA) ................. 9-25S
Safety
Reporting safety defects (USA) ............ 9-25
Screw type jack ........................................... 5-6
Seats
Adjustment .............................................. 2-8
Bench seat............................................ 2-10
Jump seat ............................................. 2-11
Separate seats ....................................... 2-8
Seat belt
Precautions on seat belt usage............ 2-17
Seat belt extenders .............................. 2-21
Seat belt maintenance.......................... 2-21
Seat belts.............................................. 2-17
2-point type without retractor................ 2-20
3-point type with retractor..................... 2-18
Service manual order form ........................ 9-26
Shifting
Automatic transmission .......................... 4-7
Manual transmission............................... 4-9
Spark plug replacement............................. 7-14
Speedometer ............................................... 1-3
SRS warning label ..................................... 2-15
Starting
Before starting the engine ...................... 4-5
Jump starting .......................................... 5-8
Precautions when starting and driving ... 4-2
Push starting........................................... 5-9
Starting the engine ............................... 4-10
Steering
Power steering fluid .............................. 7-11Tilting steering wheel............................ 2-26
Sunroof ...................................................... 1-17
Sunshade ................................................... 1-18
Supplemental restraint system
(Supplemental air bag system).................. 2-12
Switch
Hazard warning flasher switch ............. 1-12
Headlight and turn signal switch .......... 1-10
Ignition switch ......................................... 4-4
Overdrive switch ..................................... 4-8
Windshield wiper and washer switch ... 1-11
T
Tachometer .................................................. 1-3
Tailgate latch ............................................... 2-5
Three-way catalyst....................................... 4-2
Tie down hook ............................................. 2-7
Tilting bench seat ...................................... 2-10
Tilting front separate seat ............................ 2-9
Tilting steering wheel ................................. 2-26
Tire
Flat tire.................................................... 5-2
Tire chains ............................................ 7-25
Tires of 4-wheel drive ........................... 4-23
Tire placard........................................... 9-14
Tire pressure ........................................ 7-24
Tire rotation .......................................... 7-26
Types of tires ........................................ 7-24
Uniform tire quality grading .................. 9-21
Wheel/tire size ...................................... 9-10
10-4
ZX