1996 NISSAN FRONTIER transmission

4 Starting and driving
Precautions when starting and driving ............... 4-2
On-pavement and off-road driving precautions . 4-3
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving ..................... 4-4
Ignition switch ..................................................... 4-4
Before starting the engine .................................. 4-5
Driving with automatic transmission ................... 4-6
Driving with manual transmission ...................... 4-9
Starting the engine ........................................... 4-10
Parking brake operation ................................... 4-11
Cruise control ................................................... 4-11
Break-in schedule ............................................. 4-13
Increasing fuel economy ................................. 4-13
Transfer case shifting procedures for
4-wheel drive vehicles ...................................... 4-14
Auto-lock free-running hubs ............... 4-15
Manual-lock free-running hubs .......... 4-19
Driving your 4-wheel drive safely ....... 4-22
Tires of 4-wheel drive ........................ 4-23
Parking/parking on hills .................................... 4-24
Precautions when driving ................................. 4-25
Rear anti-lock brake system ............................ 4-26
Cold weather driving cautions .......................... 4-27
ZX

WARNING
Alcohol in the blood stream reduces
coordination, delays reaction time and
impairs judgement. Driving after drink-
ing alcohol increases the likelihood of
being involved in an accident injuring
yourself and others. Additionally, if you
are injured in the accident alcohol can
increase the severity of injury.
NISSAN is committed to safe driving. How-
ever, you must choose not to drive under
the influence of alcohol. Every year thou-
sands of people are injured or killed in
alcohol related accidents. Although the local
laws vary on what is considered to be
legally intoxicated, the fact is that alcohol
affects all people differently and most
people underestimate the effects of alcohol.
Remember, drinking and driving don't mix!
And that's true for drugs, too (over the
counter, prescription, and illegal drugs).
Don't drive if your ability to operate your
vehicle is impaired by alcohol, drugs, or
some other physical condition.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
The switch includes an anti-theft steering
lock device.
The key can only be removed when the
switch is in the LOCK position.
On manual transmission models, to turn the
ignition key to LOCK from ACC or ON, turn
the key to OFF and press in the key release
button, then turn the key to LOCK.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
On automatic transmission models, the ig-
nition lock is designed so the key cannot be
turned to LOCK and removed until the shift
lever is moved to the P position.
When removing the key from the ignition,
make sure the shift lever is in the P position.
When the key cannot be turned to the LOCK
position, proceed as follows to remove the
key:
1) Move the shift lever into the P position.
ASD0700ASD0023
DRINKING ALCOHOL/DRUGS
AND DRIVINGIGNITION SWITCH
4-4
ZX

2) Turn the ignition key slightly in the ON
direction.
3) Turn the key toward the LOCK position.
4) Remove the key.
The shift lever is designed so it cannot be
moved out of P and into any of the other
gear positions if the ignition key is turned to
OFF or if the key is removed from the
switch.The shift lever can be moved if the
ignition switch is in the ACC position.
The shift lever can also be moved if the
ignition switch is in the ON position and
the foot brake pedal is depressed.
WARNING
cTo lock the steering wheel, remove
the key. To unlock the steering
wheel, insert the key and turn it gen-
tly while rotating the steering wheel
slightly right and left.
cNever remove the key while driving.
If the key is removed, the steering
wheel will lock. This may cause the
driver to lose control of the vehicle
and could result in serious vehicle
damage or personal injury.
Key positions
LOCK Normal parking position (0)
OFF (Manual transmission model) (1)
The engine can be turned off without locking
the steering wheel. When removing the key
from the key cylinder, push the key release
button at this position and turn the key to
LOCK.
ACC (Accessories) (2)
This position activates electrical accesso-
ries such as the radio when the engine is
not running.
ON (Normal operating position) (3)
This position turns on the ignition system
and electrical accessories.
START (4)
This position starts the engine. As soon as
the engine has started, release the key. It
automatically returns to the ON position.cMake sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.
cCheck fluid levels such as engine oil,
coolant, brake and clutch fluid, and win-
dow washer fluid as frequently as pos-
sible, at least whenever you refuel.
cCheck that all windows and lights are
clean.
cVisually inspect tires for their appearance
and condition. Also check tires for proper
inflation.
cLock all doors.
cPosition seat and adjust head restraints.
cAdjust inside and outside mirrors.
cFasten seat belts and ask all passengers
to do likewise.
cCheck the operation of warning lights
when key is turned to the ON (3) position.
BEFORE STARTING THE
ENGINE
4-5
ZX

The automatic transmission in your vehicle
(if so equipped) is electronically controlled
by a microcomputer to produce maximum
power and smooth operation.
Shown on the following pages are the rec-
ommended operating procedures for your
automatic transmission. Follow these pro-
cedures for maximum vehicle performance
and driving enjoyment.
Starting the vehicle
cAfter starting the engine, fully depress
the foot brake pedal and push the shift
lever button before shifting the selector
lever to the D, R, 2 or 1 position. Be sure
the vehicle is fully stopped before at-
tempting to shift the selector lever.
This automatic transmission is designed
so the foot brake pedal MUST be de-
pressed before shifting from P to any
drive position while the ignition switch is
ON.
Normally, the shift lever cannot be
moved out of P and into any of the other
gear positions if the ignition key is
turned to OFF or if the key is removed
from the switch.When the battery charge is low, the shift
lever can be moved if the ignition switch
is in the ACC position.
1. Keep the foot brake pedal depressed and
push the shift lever button to shift into a
driving gear.
2. Release the parking brake and foot
brake, then gradually start the vehicle in
motion.WARNING
cCold engine idle speed is high, so
use caution when shifting into a for-
ward or reverse gear before the en-
gine has warmed up.
cAvoid revving up the engine while
the vehicle is stopped. This could
cause unexpected vehicle move-
ment.
Driving precautions
To help prevent transmission damage:
cDo not depress the accelerator pedal
while shifting from P or N to R, D, 2 or
1. Always depress the brake pedal
until shifting is completed.cNever shift to P or R while vehicle is
moving.
cWhen stopping the vehicle on an up-
hill grade, do not hold the vehicle by
depressing the accelerator pedal. The
foot brake should be used for this
purpose.
DRIVING WITH AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
4-6
ZX

Shifting with automatic transmission
Push the button to shift into P, R or from D
to 2. All other positions can be selected
without pushing the button.
P (Park):
Use this selector position when the vehicle
is parked or when starting the engine. Al-
ways be sure the vehicle is at a complete
stop. For maximum safety, depress the
brake pedal, then push in the selector lever
button and move the lever to the P position.
Apply the parking brake. When parking on a
hill, apply the parking brake first, then shiftthe lever into the P position.
Shifting from P (Park)
If the ignition switch is in the ON position
and the foot brake pedal is depressed, but
the shift lever still cannot be moved out of P
(Park) use the following procedure:
1. Shut the engine off and remove the key.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Reinsert the key and turn it clockwise to
the ACC position.
4. Depress the brake pedal, move the shift
lever to N (Neutral) and start the engine.These instructions for starting the vehicle in
N (Neutral) should only be used until service
can be obtained.
R (Reverse):
Use this position to back up. Shift into this
position only after the vehicle has com-
pletely stopped.
N (Neutral):
Neither forward nor reverse gear is en-
gaged. The engine can be started in this
position. You may shift to N and restart a
stalled engine while the vehicle is moving.
D (Drive):
Use this position for all normal forward
driving.
2 (Second gear):
Use for hill climbing, effective engine brak-
ing on downhill grades or starting on slip-
pery roads.
Do not downshift into the 2 position at speeds
over 62 MPH (100 km/h), and do not exceed
62 MPH (100 km/h) in the 2 position.
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4-7
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1 (Low gear):
Use this position when climbing steep hills
slowly or driving slowly through deep snow,
sand or mud, or for maximum engine brak-
ing on steep downhill grades.
Do not down shift into the 1 position at
speeds over 62 MPH (100 km/h), and do not
exceed 30 MPH (50 km/h) in the 1 position.
Accelerator downshift
Ð In D position Ð
For rapid passing or hill climbing, fully de-
press the accelerator pedal to the floor. This
shifts the transmission down into second
gear or first gear, depending on the vehicle
speed.
Overdrive switch
ON: For normal driving, push the overdrive
switch ON
with the selector lever
in the D position. The transmission is
upshifted into OVERDRIVE as the ve-
hicle speed increases.
The overdrive does not engage until the
engine has warmed up.
OFF: For driving up and down long slopes
where engine braking would be ad-
vantageous, push the switch OFF
.When cruising at a low speed or
climbing a gentle slope, you may feeluncomfortable shift shocks as the trans-
mission shifts between 3rd and over-
drive repeatedly. In this case, set the
overdrive switch in the OFF
position.
The indicator light in the instrument
panel comes on at this time.
When driving conditions change, reset the
overdrive switch in the ONposition.
Remember not to drive at high speeds for
extended periods of time with the overdrive
switch set in the OFF
position. This
reduces fuel economy.
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4-8
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Shifting with manual transmission
To change gears, fully depress the clutch
pedal, then move the gearshift lever. After
shifting, release the clutch slowly.
You cannot shift directly from 5th gear into
Reverse (R). First shift into the Neutral (N)
position, then into Reverse (R).
If it is difficult to move the shift lever into
Reverse or 1st, shift into Neutral, then re-
lease the clutch pedal. Depress the pedal
and shift into Reverse or 1st again.
Driving precautions
cDo not rest your foot on the clutch pedal
while driving. This may cause clutch
damage.
cStop your vehicle completely before shift-
ing into Reverse.
Suggested shift-up speeds
The folllowing table provides suggested speed
ranges for shifting into a higher gear. These
suggestions relate to fuel economy and vehicle
performance. Actual shift ranges should be
adjusted for specific road conditions, weather
conditions and individual driving habits.
c2-wheel drive models and 4-wheel drive
models (2H and 4H position):
Shift from MPH (km/h)
1st to 2nd 15 (25)
2nd to 3rd 25 (40)
3rd to 4th 40 (65)
4th to 5th 45 (75)
c4-wheel drive model (4L position):
Shift from MPH (km/h)
1st to 2nd 8 (13)
2nd to 3rd 12 (20)
3rd to 4th 20 (32)
4th to 5th 22 (36)
Suggested maximum speed in each
gear
Downshift to a lower gear if the engine is not
running smoothly, or if you need to accelerate.
Do not exceed the maximum suggested
speed (shown below) in any gear. For level
road driving, use the highest gear sug-
gested for that speed. Always observe
posted speed limits, and drive according to
the road conditions, which will ensure safe
operation. Do not overrev the engine when
shifting to a lower gear as it may cause
engine damage or loss of vehicle control.
Allowable maximum speed in each gear:
2-wheel drive models MPH (km/h)
1st 30 (50)
2nd 55 (90)
3rd 80 (130)
4th & 5th þ (þ)
4-wheel drive models MPH (km/h)
2H/4H position
1st 25 (40)
2nd 43 (70)
3rd 68 (110)
4th & 5th þ (þ)
4L position
1st 12 (20)
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DRIVING WITH MANUAL
TRANSMISSION
4-9
ZX

2nd 22 (35)
3rd 30 (48)
4th & 5th þ (þ)þ (þ)1. Apply the parking brake.
2.Automatic transmission:
Move the selector lever to P (Park) or N
(Neutral) (P preferred).
The shift lever cannot be moved out of
P and into any of the other gear posi-
tions if the ignition key is turned to
OFF or if the key is removed from the
switch.
The starter is designed not to operate
if the selector lever is in one of the
driving positions.
Manual transmission:
Move the gearshift lever to N (Neutral),
and depress the clutch pedal to the floor
while starting the engine.
The starter is designed not to operate
unless the clutch pedal is depressed.
3. Crank the enginewith your foot off the
accelerator pedalby turning the ignition
key to START. Release the key when the
engine starts. If the engine starts, but
fails to run, repeat the above procedure.
Ð If the engine is very hard to start in
extremely cold or hot weather, de-press the accelerator pedal fully and
hold it to help start the engine.
Ð In the summer, when restarting the
engine within 30 minutes after it has
been stopped, keep the accelerator
pedal fully depressed while starting.
CAUTION
Do not operate the starter for more than
15 seconds at a time. If the engine does
not start, turn the key off and wait 10
seconds before cranking again, other-
wise the starter could be damaged.
4.Warm-up
Always allow the engine to idle for at
least 30 seconds after starting. Drive at
moderate speed for a short distance first,
especially in cold weather.
STARTING THE ENGINE
4-10
ZX