1996 NISSAN FRONTIER engine overheat

reduce the three-way catalyst's ability
to help reduce exhaust pollutants.
cKeep your engine tuned up. Malfunc-
tions in the ignition, fuel injection, or
electrical systems can cause overrich
fuel flow into the converter, causing it
to overheat. Do not keep driving if the
engine misfires, or if noticeable loss
of performance or other unusual op-
erating conditions are detected. Have
the vehicle inspected promptly by an
authorized NISSAN dealer.
cAvoid driving with an extremely low
fuel level. Running out of fuel could
cause the engine to misfire, damaging
the three-way catalyst.
cDo not race the engine while warming
it up.
cDo not push or tow your vehicle to
start the engine.
ON-PAVEMENT AND OFF-ROAD
DRIVING PRECAUTIONS
Utility vehicles have higher ground clear-
ance than passenger cars in order to make
them capable of performing in a wide variety
of off-road applications. Specific designcharacteristics give them a higher center of
gravity than ordinary cars. Higher ground
clearance provides a better view of the
road, allowing you to anticipate problems.
Utility vehicles are not designed for corner-
ing at the same speeds as conventional
2-wheel drive vehicles any more than low-
slung sports cars are designed to perform
satisfactorily under off-road conditions. If at
all possible, avoid sharp turns or abrupt
maneuvers. As with other vehicles of this
type, failure to operate this vehicle correctly
may result in loss of control or vehicle
rollover.
Avoiding Collision and Rollover
Failure to operate this vehicle in a safe and
prudent manner may result in loss of control
or an accident. Be alert and drive defen-
sively at all times. Obey all traffic regula-
tions. Avoid excessive speed, high speed
cornering, or sudden steering maneuvers,
because these driving practices could
cause you to lose control of your vehicle.As
with any vehicle, a loss of control could
result in a collision with other vehicles or
objects, or cause the vehicle to roll over,
particularly if the loss of control causes
the vehicle to slide sideways.Be attentiveat all times, and avoid driving when tired.
Never drive when under the influence of
alcohol or drugs (including prescription or
over-the-counter drugs which may cause
drowsiness). Always wear your seat belt as
outlined in the ``Seat Belts'' section of this
manual, and instruct your passengers to do
the same.
4-3
ZX

Your NISSAN is designed for both normal
and off-road use. It has a higher ground
clearance and a narrower track to make it
suitable for off-road use. These characteris-
tics give the vehicle a higher center of
gravity than ordinary passenger cars. An
advantage of the higher ground clearance is
a better view of your surroundings, allowing
you to anticipate problems. However, avoid
driving in deep water or mud as your NIS-
SAN is mainly designed for leisure use,
unlike a conventional off-road vehicle.
Please observe the following precautions:
CAUTION
cDrive carefully when off the road and
avoid dangerous areas. Always wear
your seat belts to help keep you and
your passengers in position when
driving over rough terrain.
cDo not drive across steep slopes.
Instead drive either straight up or
straight down the slopes. Off-road
vehicles can tip over sideways much
more easily than they can forward or
backward.cMany hills are too steep for any ve-
hicle. If you drive up them, you may
stall. If you drive down them, you
may not be able to control your
speed. If you drive across them, you
may roll over.
cStay alert when driving to the top of
a hill. At the top there could be a
drop-off or other hazard that could
cause an accident.
cIf your engine stalls or you cannot
make it to the top of a steep hill,
never attempt to turn around. Your
vehicle could tip or roll over. Always
back straight down in reverse gear.
Never back down in neutral (N) or
with the clutch depressed, using
only the brake, as this could cause
loss of control.
c
Heavy braking going down a hill could
cause your brakes to overheat and
fade, resulting in loss of control and
an accident. Apply brakes lightly and
use a low gear to control your speed.
cIf at all possible, avoid sharp turning
maneuvers, particularly at high
speeds. Your NISSAN 4-wheel drive
vehicle has a higher center of gravitythan a 2-wheel drive vehicle and can
tip over more easily. The vehicle is
not designed for cornering at the
same speeds as conventional
2-wheel drive vehicles any more
than low-slung sports cars are de-
signed to perform satisfactorily un-
der off-road conditions. Failure to
operate this vehicle correctly could
result in loss of control and/or a
rollover accident.
cUnsecured cargo can be thrown
around when driving over rough ter-
rain. Properly secure it so that it will
not be thrown forward and cause
injury to you or your passengers.
cAvoid raising the center of gravity by
loading things on the roof or equip-
ping the vehicle with tires larger than
specified in this manual. This could
cause your vehicle to roll over. Put
heavy loads in the cargo area as far
forward and as low as possible.
cDo not grip the inside or spokes of
the steering wheel when driving off-
road. The steering wheel could jerk
and injure your hands. Instead drive
with your fingers and thumbs on the
outside of the rim.
DRIVING YOUR
4-WHEEL DRIVE SAFELY
4-22
ZX

the brakes return to normal. Avoid driving
the vehicle at high speeds until the
brakes function correctly.
cAvoid resting your foot on the brake
pedal while driving. This will overheat the
brakes, wear out the brake linings and
pads faster and reduce gas mileage.
cTo help reduce brake wear and to pre-
vent the brakes from overheating, before
going down a slope or long grade, reduce
speed and downshift to a lower gear.
cWhile driving on a slippery surface, be
careful when braking, accelerating or
downshifting. Abrupt braking actions or
sudden acceleration could cause the
wheels to skid.Normal Operation
The anti-lock brake system does not oper-
ate at speeds below 3 to 6 MPH (5 to 10
km/h). (The speeds vary according to road
conditions.)
When driving in the 2-wheel drive mode, the
rear anti-lock brake system controls the rear
wheels so they will not lock when braking
abruptly or when braking on a slippery road.
Thus, difficult steering and swerving of the
vehicle due to locked rear wheels is mini-
mized. The system detects the rear wheel
rotation rate and electronically controls the
pressure applied to each rear brake. Slight
vibration on the brake pedal accompanied
by noise usually occurs while the ABS sys-
tem is operating. Such vibration and noise
encountered during abrupt braking is not a
problem, but indicates that the system is
functioning.
Even with the rear anti-lock brake sys-
tem, your front wheels can still lock. If
this happens, release the brake pedal
slightly and then reapply pressure.
Self-test feature
The rear anti-lock brake system consists of
an electronic sensor and two hydraulic so-lenoids controlled by a computer. The com-
puter 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 ``clunk'' noise
and/or feel a ``pulsation'' in the brake pedal.
This is normal and is not an indication of any
malfunction. If the computer senses any
malfunction, it switches the rear anti-lock
brake system off and turns on the ABS
brake warning light in the dashboard. The
brake system then operates normally, but
without anti-lock assistance.
If an abnormality occurs in the system, the rear
anti-lock function will cease but the ordinary
brakes will continue to operate normally. The
ABS brake warning light will then come on.
If the light comes on while you are driving,
contact your NISSAN dealer for repair.
The rear anti-lock brake system
may only be effective when driving in the
2-wheel drive mode.
When driving in the 4-wheel drive mode, the
rear anti-lock brake system may not be
effective in many cases because the front
axle is connected with the rear axle through
REAR ANTI-LOCK BRAKE
SYSTEM (R-ABS)
4-26
ZX

cMake sure that cables do not touch
moving parts in the engine compart-
ment and that 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
vehicle at about 2,000 rpm, and start
your engine in the normal manner.
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 your engine, carefully dis-
connect 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 con-
taminated with corrosive acid.
CAUTION
cAutomatic transmission models can-
not be started by pushing. This may
cause transmission damage.
cThree-way catalyst equipped models
should not be started by pushing
since the three-way catalyst may be
damaged.
cNever try to start the vehicle by tow-
ing it; when the engine starts, the
forward surge could cause the ve-
hicle to collide with the tow vehicle.If your vehicle is overheating (indicated by
an extremely high temperature gauge read-
ing), or if you feel a lack of engine power,
detect abnormal noise, etc., take the follow-
ing steps:
WARNING
cDo not continue to drive if your ve-
hicle overheats. Doing so could
cause a vehicle fire.
cTo 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.
cDo not open the hood if steam is
coming out.
1. Move the vehicle safely off the road,
apply the parking brake and move the
gearshift lever to Neutral (automatic
transmission to P).
Do not stop the engine.
2. Turn off the air conditioning. Open all the
windows, move the heater or air condi-
tioner temperature control to maximum
PUSH STARTING IF YOUR VEHICLE
OVERHEATS
5-9
ZX

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

The engine cooling system is filled at the
factory with a high-quality, year-round, anti-
freeze coolant solution. The anti-freeze solu-
tion contains rust and corrosion inhibitors,
therefore additional cooling system additives
are not necessary.
CAUTION
When adding or replacing coolant, be
sure to use only an ethylene glycol
anti-freeze with the proper mixture ratio
of 50% anti-freeze and 50% distilled
water. The use of other types of coolant
solutions may damge your cooling sys-
tem.
Outside tempera-
ture down toAnti-
freezeDistilled
water
ÉC ÉF
þ35 þ30 50% 50%
The radiator is equipped with a pressure
cap. Use a genuine NISSAN cap or its
equivalent when replacement is re-
quired.Never remove the radiator cap when the
engine is hot. Serious burns could be
caused by high pressure fluid escaping
from the radiator.
Wait until the engine and radiator cool
down. See precautions in ``If your ve-
hicle overheats'' found in the ``In case of
emergency'' section.
CHECKING ENGINE COOLANT
LEVEL
Check the coolant level in the reservoir tank
when the engine is cold. If the coolant level
is below the MIN level, add coolant to the
MAX level. If the reservoir tank is empty,
check the coolant level in the radiatorwhen
the engine is cold.If there is insufficient
coolant in the radiator, fill the radiator with
coolant up to the filler opening and also add
it to the reservoir tank up to the MAX level.
ADI0702
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
7-4
ZX

7. Open and close the air release plug to
release air. Then fill the radiator again
and install the radiator cap.
8. Start the engine and warm it up until it
reaches normal operating temperature.
Then race the engine 2 or 3 times under
no load. Watch the coolant temperature
gauge for signs of overheating.
9. Stop the engine. After it completely cools
down, refill the radiator up to the filler
opening. Fill the reservoir tank up the
MAX level.10. Open and close the air release plug to
release air. Then fill the radiator again
and install the radiator cap.
11. Check the drain valve on the radiator
and drain plug on the engine block for
any sign of leakage.CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
apply the parking brake.
2. Run the engine until it reaches operating
temperature.
3. Turn off the engine.Wait a few minutes
for the oil to drain back into the oil
pan.
4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean.
Reinsert it all the way.
5. Remove the dipstick again and check the
oil level. It should be between the H and
SDI0030DI1163MDI1164M
ENGINE OIL
7-6
ZX

Octane rating tips
In most parts of North America, you should
use unleaded gasoline with an octane rating
of at least 87 AKI (Anti-Knock Index). How-
ever, you may use unleaded gasoline with
an octane rating as low as 85 AKI in high
altitude areas (over 4,000 ft [1,219 m]) such
as: Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah,
Wyoming, northeastern Nevada, southern
Idaho, western South Dakota, western Ne-
braska, and that part of Texas which is
directly south of New Mexico.
Using unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating lower than stated above can cause
persistent, heavy ``spark knock''. (``Spark
knock'' is a metallic rapping noise.) If
severe, this can lead to engine damage. If
you detect a persistent heavy spark
knock even when using gasoline of the
stated octane rating, or if you hear steady
spark knock while holding a steady speed
on level roads, have your dealer correct
the condition. Failure to correct the con-
dition is misuse of the vehicle, for which
NISSAN is not responsible.
Incorrect ignition timing results in knocking,
after-run and/or overheating. This in turn
may cause excessive fuel consumption ordamage to the engine. If any of the above
symptoms are encountered, have your ve-
hicle checked at a NISSAN dealer or other
competent service facility.
However, now and then you may notice
light spark knock for a short time while
accelerating or driving up hills. This is
no cause for concern, because you get
the greatest fuel benefit when there is
light spark knock for a short time under
heavy engine load.
9-5
ZX