1996 NISSAN FRONTIER tailgate

2 Pre-driving checks and adjustments
Key ..................................................................... 2-2
Door locks .......................................................... 2-2
Hood release ...................................................... 2-4
Glove box lock (If so equipped) ......................... 2-4
Fuel filler cap ...................................................... 2-5
Tailgate latch ...................................................... 2-5
Tie down hook .................................................... 2-7
Front separate seats ............................................ 2-8
Bench seat ....................................................... 2-10
Jump seat ......................................................... 2-11
Supplemental restraint system
(Supplemental air bag system) ........................ 2-12
Supplemental air bag system ........................... 2-13
Warning labels .................................................. 2-15
Supplemental air bag warning light .................. 2-15
Seat belts ......................................................... 2-17
Child restraints for infants and small children .. 2-22
Tilting steering wheel (If so equipped) ............. 2-26
Outside mirror remote control (If so equipped) . 2-26
Outside mirrors ................................................. 2-26
Inside mirror ..................................................... 2-27
Vanity mirror (If so equipped) .......................... 2-27
ZX

The fuel filler cap is a screw-on ratcheting
type. Tighten the cap clockwise until ratch-
eting clicks are heard.
If the fuel filler cap is not tightened properly,
the MIL may come on.
WARNING
cGasoline is extremely flammable and
highly explosive under certain con-
ditions. Always stop the engine and
do not smoke or allow open flames
or sparks near the vehicle when
refueling.
cFuel may be under pressure. Turn
the cap one-half turn and wait for
any ``hissing'' sound to stop to pre-
vent fuel from spraying out and pos-
sible personal injury. Then remove
the cap.
cUse only a genuine NISSAN fuel filler
cap as a replacement. It has a built-in
safety valve needed for proper op-
eration of the fuel system and emis-
sion control system. An incorrect
cap can result in a serious malfunc-
tion and possible injury.
cIf fuel is spilled on the vehicle body,
flush it away with water to avoid
paint damage.
Opening the tailgate
Pull the tailgate handle upward and lower
the tailgate. The support stays hold the gate
open.
When closing the tailgate, make sure the
latches are securely locked.
SIC0064AIC0189
FUEL FILLER CAP TAILGATE LATCH
2-5
ZX

To open the tailgate down to the lowest
position, lift the tailgate to an angle of about
45É, then release the stays.
Do not drive the vehicle with the tailgate
down.
WARNING
cIt is extremely dangerous to ride in a
cargo area inside of a vehicle. In a
collision, people riding in these ar-
eas are more likely to be seriously
injured or killed.cDo not allow people to ride in any
area of your vehicle that is not
equipped with seats and seat belts
cBe sure everyone in your vehicle is
in a seat and using a seat belt
properly.
Removing the tailgate
1. Release the tailgate stays.
2. Hold the tailgate at an angle of 45 de-
grees to the horizontal.
3. Pull the tailgate out from the left side
hinge.
4. Remove the tailgate from the right side
hinge.
WARNING
The tailgate is heavy. Be careful not to
drop it during removal.
IC0279MIC0175
2-6
ZX

Getting the spare tire and tools
1. Remove the jack, jack rod, and tool kit
from the storage area located behind the
driver's seat.
2. Remove the wheel nut wrench from the
tool kit; fit the square end of the jack rod
into the square hole of the wheel nut
wrench to form a handle.
3. 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 towards the spare tire winch,
located directly above the spare tire.4. Seat the T-shaped end of the jack rod
into the T-shaped opening of the spare
tire winch, and turn the jack rod counter-
clockwise to lower the spare tire.
5. Once the spare tire is completely low-
ered, reach under the vehicle, remove
the retainer chain, and carefully slide the
tire from under the rear of the vehicle.
SCE0042
SCE0043
SCE0046CE0141-A
5-3
ZX

3. Temperature
A temperature increase accelerates the rate
of corrosion to those parts which are not
well ventilated.
4. Air pollution
Industrial pollution, the presence of salt in
the air in coastal areas, or heavy road salt
use will accelerate the corrosion process.
Road salt will also accelerate the disintegra-
tion of paint surfaces.
To protect your vehicle from corro-
sion:
cWash and wax your vehicle often to keep
the vehicle clean.
cAlways check for minor damage to the
paint and repair it as soon as possible.
cKeep drain holes at the bottom of the
doors and tailgate open to avoid water
accumulation.
cCheck 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.
cNEVER remove dirt, sand or other
debris from the passenger compart-ment by washing with a hose. Remove
dirt with a vacuum cleaner or broom.
cNever allow water or other liquids to
come in contact with electronic com-
ponents inside the vehicle.
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
corrosion, which may be required in some
areas, consult your local NISSAN dealer.
6-5
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