1996 NISSAN FRONTIER tow

hot and fan control to high speed.
3. If engine overheating is caused by climb-
ing a long hill on a hot day, run the engine
at a fast idle (approximately 1,500 rpm)
until the temperature gauge indication
returns to normal.
4. Get out of the vehicle. Look and listen for
steam or coolant escaping from the ra-
diator before opening the hood. Wait until
no steam or coolant can be seen before
proceeding.
5. Open the engine hood.
WARNING
If steam or water is coming from the
engine, 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 radia-
tor 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 engine
WARNING
cBe careful not to allow your hands,
hair, jewelry or clothing to come into
contact with, or to get caught in, the
running fan or belts.
7. After the engine cools down, check the
coolant level in the reservoir tank with the
engine running. Add coolant to the res-
ervoir tank if necessary. Have your ve-
hicle repaired at the nearest NISSAN
dealer.When towing your vehicle, all State (Provin-
cial in Canada) and local regulations for
towing must be followed. Incorrect towing
equipment could damage your vehicle. Tow-
ing instructions are available from your NIS-
SAN dealer. Local service operators 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 advis-
able to have the service operator carefully
read the following precautions:
WARNING
cNever ride in a vahicle that is being
towed.
cNever get under your vehicle after is
has been lifted by a tow truck.
CAUTION
cWhen towing, make sure that the
transmission, axles, steering system
and powertrain are in working con-
dition. If any unit is damaged, a dolly
must be used.
cWhen towing with the front wheels
TOW TRUCK TOWING
5-10
ZX

on the ground:
Turn the ignition key to the OFF
position and secure the steering
wheel in a straight-ahead position
with a rope or similar device. Never
place the ignition key in the LOCK
position. This will result in damage
to the steering lock mechanism.
cWhen towing with the rear wheels on
the ground, release the parking
brake and move the gearshift lever
to the Neutral position (N position).
cOn automatic transmission models,
to move the shift lever to Neutral (N
position), turn the ignition key to the
ACC position. After moving the shift
lever to neutral (N position), be sure
to turn the ignition key to the OFF
position.
cFor 4-wheel drive model:
Set the free-running hubs to the free
position (See ``
Auto-lock free-
running hubsº or ``Manual-lock
free-running hubsº as appropriate inthe ``Starting and driving'' section).
Move the transfer case shift lever into
the 2H position and the transmission
shift lever into the Neutral (N) position.
cAttach safety chains for all towing.2-WHEEL DRIVE MODELS
NISSAN recommends that your vehicle be
towed with the driving (rear) wheels off the
ground as illustrated.
ACE0705
5-11
ZX

CAUTION
If you have to tow your vehicle with four
wheels on ground or with front wheels
raised (with rear wheels on ground),
observe the following restricted towing
speeds and distances:
Automatic transmission model:
cSpeed: Below 30 MPH (50 km/h)
cDistance: Less than 40 miles (65 km)
Manual transmission model:
cSpeed: Below 60 MPH (95 km/h)
cDistance: Less than 500 miles (800
km)
If the speed or distance must necessarily be
greater, remove the propeller shaft before-
hand to prevent damage to the transmis-
sion.
CAUTION
Never tow your vehicle from the rear
(i.e., backward) with four wheels on the
ground as this may cause serious and
expensive damage to the transmission.4-WHEEL DRIVE MODELS
NISSAN recommends that a dolly be used
as illustrated when towing your vehicle.
CAUTION
If you have to tow your vehicle with four
wheels on ground or with front or rear
wheels raised, observe the following
restricted towing speeds and
distances:
cSpeed: Below 60 MPH (95 km/h)
cDistance: Less than 500 miles (800
km)
If the speed or distance must necessarily be
greater, remove the front and rear propeller
shafts beforehand to prevent damage to the
transmission.
CAUTION
cNever tow your vehicle from the rear
(i.e., backward) with four wheels on
the ground as this may cause seri-
ous and expensive damage to the
transmission.
cBe sure to place the transfer case
shift lever into the 2H position and
the transmission shift lever into the
Neutral (N) position.
VEHICLE RECOVERY (Freeing a
stuck vehicle)
cTow chains or cables must be attached
only to the main structual members of the
vehicle.
cPulling devices should be routed so they
do not touch any part of the suspension,
steering, brake or cooling systems.
cAlways pull the cable straight out from
the front or rear of the vehicle. Never pull
on the vehicle at an angle.
cPulling devices such as ropes or canvas
straps are not recommended for use in
vehicle towing or recovery.
ACE0705
5-12
ZX

cDo not use abrasive cleaners when
washing the wheels.
cInspect wheel rims regularly for dents or
corrosion. This may cause loss of pres-
sure or damage the tire bead.
cNISSAN recommends waxing the road
wheels to protect against road salt in
areas where it is used during winter.
Spare tire
Your vehicle is equipped with a TEMPO-
RARY USE ONLY spare tire.
To avoid property damage or personal in-
jury when using the TEMPORARY USE
ONLY spare tire, observe the following cau-
tions:
CAUTION
cThe spare tire should be used for
emergency use only. It should be
replaced by the standard tire at the
first opportunity to avoid possible
tire or differential damage.cPeriodically check spare tire infla-
tion pressure. Always keep the pres-
sure of the T135/70D16 spare tire at
60 psi (420 kPa, 4.2 bar). Always
keep the pressure of the P215/75R15
spare tire at 26 psi (180 kPa, 1.8 bar).
cDo not drive the vehicle at speeds
faster than 50 MPH (80 km/h).
c
The transfer control lever must
be in the 2H position to prevent the
transfer case and differential gears
from being damaged.
cDo not use tire chains on a TEMPO-
RARY USE ONLY spare tire. Tire
chains will not fit properly on a TEM-
PORARY USE ONLY spare tire and
may cause damage to the vehicle.
c
When driving on roads covered with
snow or ice, the TEMPORARY USE
ONLY spare tire should be used on
the front wheels and the original tire
used on the rear wheels (drive
wheels). Use tire chains only on the
two rear original tires.cTire tread of the TEMPORARY USE
ONLY spare tire will wear at a faster
rate than the standard tire. Replace
the TEMPORARY USE ONLY spare
tire as soon as the tread wear indica-
tors appear.
cBecause the TEMPORARY USE
ONLY spare tire is smaller than the
original tire, ground clearance is re-
duced. To avoid damage to the ve-
hicle, do not drive over obstacles.
Also, do not drive the vehicle
through an automatic car wash since
it might get caught.
cDrive carefully while the TEMPO-
RARY USE ONLY spare tire is in-
stalled. Avoid sharp turns and
abrupt braking while driving.
cDo not use the TEMPORARY USE
ONLY spare tire on other vehicles.
cDo not use more than one TEMPO-
RARY USE ONLY spare tire at the
same time.
cDo not tow a trailer when the TEM-
PORARY USE ONLY T135/70D16
spare is installed.
7-28
ZX

To ensure smooth, trouble-free, safe and
economical driving, NISSAN provides two
different maintenance schedules that may
be used, depending upon the conditions in
which you usually drive. These schedules
contain both distance and time intervals, up
to 60,000 miles (96,000 km)/48 months. For
most people, the odometer reading will in-
dicate when service is needed. However, if
you drive very little, your vehicle should be
serviced at the regular time intervals shown
in the schedule.
After 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 48
months, continue periodic maintenance
at the same mileage/time intervals.
SCHEDULE 1
Follow Periodic Maintenance Schedule 1 if
your driving habits frequently include one or
more of the following driving conditions:
cRepeated short trips of less than 5
miles (8 km).
cRepeated short trips of less than 10
miles (16 km) with outside tempera-
tures remaining below freezing.
cOperating in hot weather in stop-
and-go ``rush hour'' traffic.cExtensive idling and/or low speed
driving for long distances, such as
police, taxi or door-to-door delivery
use.
cDriving in dusty conditions.
cDriving on rough, muddy, or salt
spread roads.
cTowing a trailer, using a camper or a
car-top carrier.
SCHEDULE 2
Follow Periodic Maintenance Schedule 2 if
none of the driving conditions shown in
Schedule 1 apply to your driving habits.
Maintenance for off-road driving
(
only)
Whenever you drive off-road through sand,
mud or water as deep as the wheel hub,
more frequent maintenance may be re-
quired of the following items:
¶Brake pads and discs
¶Brake lining and drums
¶Brake lines and hoses
¶Wheel bearing grease and free-running
hub grease
¶Differential, transmission and transfer oil
¶Steering linkage
¶Propeller shafts and front drive shafts
¶Air cleaner filter
¶Clutch housing (Check for water entry.
Refer to ``
Clutch housing'' in the
``Do-it-yourself operations'' section.)
These items should be checked frequently
to assure safe and proper operation of your
vehicle.
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE
SCHEDULES
8-5
ZX

SCHEDULE 1
Abbreviations: R = Replace I = Inspect. Correct or replace if necessary. [ ]: At the mileage intervals only
MAINTENANCE OPERATIONMAINTENANCE INTERVAL
Perform at number of miles, kilometers
or months, whichever comes first.Miles ý 1,000 3.75 7.5 11.25 15 18.75 22.5 26.25 30 33.75 37.5 41.25 45 48.75 52.5 56.25 60
(km ý 1,000) (6) (12) (18) (24) (30) (36) (42) (48) (54) (60) (66) (72) (78) (84) (90) (96)
Months 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 33 36 39 42 45 48
Chassis and body maintenance
Brake lines & cablesIIII
Brake pads, discs, drums & liningsIIIIIIII
Manual & automatic transmission, transfer
& differential gear oil (exc. LSD)See NOTE (1)IIII
Limited-slip differential (LSD) gear oil See NOTE (1)IRIR
Steering gear (box) & linkage, axle & suspension partsIIIIIIII
Drive shaft boots & propeller shaft (
) IIIIIIII
Steering linkage ball joints & front suspension ball jointsIIIIIIII
Front wheel bearing grease (4x2)II
Front wheel bearing grease & free-running
hub grease (
)See NOTE (2)IRIR
Exhaust systemIIIIIIII
Supplemental air bag system See NOTE (3)
NOTE: (1) If towing a trailer, using a camper or a car-top carrier, or driving on rough or muddy roads, change (not just inspect) oil at every 30,000
miles (48,000 km) or 24 months except for LSD Change LSD gear oil every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) or 12 months.
(2) If operating frequently in water, replace grease every 3,750 miles (6,000 km) or 3 months.
(3) Inspect the supplemental air bag system 10 years after the date of manufacture noted on the F.M.V.S.S. certification label.
8-7
ZX

9 Technical and consumer information
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants .... 9-2
Engine ................................................................ 9-9
Wheel/tire size .................................................. 9-10
Dimensions and weights .................................. 9-11
Registering your vehicle in another country .... 9-12
Vehicle identification ......................................... 9-12
Trailer towing .................................................... 9-16
Towing load/specification chart ........................ 9-18
Uniform tire quality grading .............................. 9-21
Emission control system warranty ................... 9-22
Truck-camper loading ....................................... 9-23
Reporting safety defects (USA) ....................... 9-25
NISSAN Service/Owner's Manual Order Form . 9-26
ZX

FUEL RECOMMENDATION
All models are designed to operate on
unleaded gasoline with an octane rating
of at least 87 AKI (Anti-Knock Index)
number (Research octane number 91).
CAUTION
cUsing a fuel other than that specified
could adversely affect the emission
control devices and systems, and
could also affect the warranty
coverage.
cUnder no circumstances should a
leaded gasoline be used, since this
will damage the three-way catalyst.
Reformulated Gasoline
Some fuel suppliers are now producing re-
formulated gasolines. These gasolines are
specially designed to reduce vehicle emis-
sions. NISSAN supports efforts towards
cleaner air and suggest that you use refor-
mulated gasoline when available.
Gasoline containing oxygenates
Some fuel suppliers sell gasoline containing
oxygenates such as ethanol, MTBE andmethanol with or without advertising their
presence. Nissan does not recommend the
use of fuels of which the oxygenate content
and the fuel compatibility for your NISSAN
cannot be readily determined. If in doubt,
ask your service station manager.
If you use oxygenate-blend gasoline, please
take the following precautions as the usage
of such fuels may cause vehicle perfor-
mance problems and/or fuel system dam-
age.
cThe fuel should be unleaded and have
an octane rating no lower than that
recommended for unleaded gasoline.
cIf an oxygenate-blend, excepting a
methanol blend, is used, it should
contain no more than 10% oxygenate.
(MTBE may, however, be added up to
15%.)
cIf a methanol blend is used, it should
contain no more than 5% methanol
(methyl alcohol, wood alcohol). It
should also contain a suitable amount
of appropriate cosolvents and corro-
sion inhibitors. If not properly formu-
lated with appropriate cosolvents and
corrosion inhibitors, such methanolblends may cause fuel system dam-
age and/or vehicle performance prob-
lems. At this time, sufficient data is
not available to ensure that all metha-
nol blends are suitable for use in NIS-
SAN vehicles.
If any driveability problems such as engine
stalling and hard hot starting are experi-
enced after using oxygenate-blend fuels,
immediately change to a non-oxygenate
fuel or a fuel with a low blend of MTBE.
Take care not to spill gasoline during
refueling. Gasoline containing oxygen-
ates can cause paint damage.
After Market Fuel Additives
NISSAN does not recommend the use of
any fuel additives (i.e., fuel injector cleaner,
octane booster, intake valve deposit remov-
ers, etc.) which are sold commercially.
Many of these additives intended for gum,
varnish or deposit removal may contain
active solvents or similar ingredients that
can be harmful to the fuel system and
engine.
9-4
ZX