1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER Owners Manual

A Genuine Nissan Service Manual is the best
source of service and repair information for
your vehicle. Filled with wiring diagrams, illus-
trations and step-by-step diagnostic and ad-
justment procedures, this manual is the same
one used by the factory trained technicians
working at your Nissan dealership. Also avail-
able are Genuine NISSAN Owner's Manuals.
For current pricing and availability of a Genu-
ine NISSAN Service Manual or Genuine
NISSAN Owner's Manual, contact:In the U.S.A.:
See your NISSAN dealer or contact:
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contact your nearest NISSAN Dealer. For the
phone number and location of a NISSAN
Dealer in your area call the Nissan Satis-
faction Center at 1-800-387-0122 and abilingual NISSAN representative will assist
you.
Also available are Genuine NISSAN Service
and Owner's Manuals for older Nissan models.
9-22
Z01.2.1/R50-DX

10 Index
A
Adjustable shock absorber control (If so
equipped) ........................................................ 1-31
Air bag (See ªSupplemental restraint systemº)
Air bag warning light (See ªSupplemental air bag
warning lightº or ªWarningº)
Air cleaner filter ............................................... 7-16
Air conditioner
Air conditioner operation ...................... 3-5, 3-9
Air conditioner specification label.............. 9-15
Heater and air conditioner........................... 3-3
Semiautomatic air conditioner ..................... 3-7
Air conditioning system refrigerant and lubricant
recommendations ............................................. 9-9
Air flow charts ................................................. 3-11
AM-FM radio with cassette player .................. 3-15
AM-FM radio with compact disc player .......... 3-20
Anti-lock brake system ................................... 4-24
Automatic
Automatic transmission fluid ....................... 7-9
Driving with automatic transmission............ 4-6
Semiautomatic air conditioner ..................... 3-7
Avoiding collision and rollover .......................... 4-4
B
Back door locks ................................................ 2-8
Battery............................................................. 7-13Battery replacement.......................................... 2-6
Before starting the engine ................................ 4-6
Belt hook ......................................................... 2-28
Brake
Anti-lock brake system .............................. 4-24
Brake and clutch fluid................................ 7-11
Brake booster ............................................ 7-20
Brake pedal ............................................... 7-19
Brake wear indicators ...................... 1-12, 7-19
Parking brake ................................... 4-12, 7-18
Break-in schedule ........................................... 4-15
C
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants... 9-2
CB radio or car phone .................................... 3-24
Center and side vent ........................................ 3-2
Changing
Changing engine coolant ............................ 7-5
Changing engine oil .................................... 7-8
Changing oil filter ........................................ 7-9
Checking coolant level ...................................... 7-4
Checking engine oil level .................................. 7-7
Child restraints for infants and small children .... 2-
30
Child safety ..................................................... 2-24
Child safety rear door lock................................ 2-3
Cigarette lighter and ash trays ....................... 1-21
Cleaning exterior and interior ........................... 6-2
Clearing the programming information ........... 1-33Clock ................................................................. 1-8
Clutch housing................................... 7-30
Clutch pedal .................................................... 7-20
Coin tray ......................................................... 1-22
Cold weather driving cautions ........................ 4-25
Compact disc player operation ....................... 3-22
Compass and outside temperature
display ............................................................... 1-5
Console box .................................................... 1-24
Coolant
Changing engine coolant ............................ 7-5
Checking coolant level ................................ 7-4
Engine coolant temperature gauge ............. 1-4
Corrosion protection ....................................... 4-27
Cruise control.................................................. 4-13
Cup holder ...................................................... 1-23
D
Defogger switch
Rear window defogger switch ................... 1-18
Dimensions and weights ................................. 9-12
Door locks ......................................................... 2-2
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving ................... 4-4
Drive belts ....................................................... 7-14
Driving
Cold weather driving cautions ................... 4-25
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving .............. 4-4
Driving safety precautions ......................... 4-20
Driving with automatic transmission............ 4-6
Z01.2.1/R50-DX

Driving with manual transmission ............. 4-10
On-pavement and off-road driving
precautions .................................................. 4-3
Precautions when driving .......................... 4-23
Precautions when starting and driving ........ 4-2
E
Economy hints ................................................ 4-15
Emission control information label .................. 9-14
Emission control system warranty .................. 9-20
Engine ............................................................. 9-10
Before starting the engine ........................... 4-6
Changing engine coolant ............................ 7-5
Changing engine oil .................................... 7-8
Checking engine oil level ............................ 7-7
Engine coolant temperature gauge ............. 1-4
Engine cooling system ................................ 7-4
Engine oil..................................................... 7-7
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation .......................................... 9-6
Engine serial number ................................ 9-13
Starting the engine .................................... 4-11
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) ...................... 4-2
Explanation of maintenance items.................. 8-10
F
Flat tire .............................................................. 5-2
Fluid
Automatic transmission fluid ....................... 7-9
Brake and clutch fluid................................ 7-11
Power steering fluid................................... 7-11
Window washer fluid ................................. 7-12F.M.V.S.S. certification label........................... 9-14
Front fog light switch ...................................... 1-19
Front seats ...................................................... 2-12
Fuel
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .............................................. 9-2
Fuel filler cap ............................................. 2-11
Fuel filler lid lock ....................................... 2-10
Fuel gauge .................................................. 1-5
Fuel recommendation.................................. 9-4
Fuses .............................................................. 7-20
G
Gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge ............. 1-4
Fuel gauge .................................................. 1-5
Meters and gauges ..................................... 1-3
General maintenance ....................................... 8-2
Glasses case .................................................. 1-23
Glove box lock ................................................ 2-10
H
Hazard warning flasher switch........................ 1-19
Head restraint ................................................. 2-15
Headlight and turn signal switch..................... 1-15
Headlights ....................................................... 7-22
Heated seat (If so equipped) .......................... 1-20
Heater and air conditioner ................................ 3-3
Heater operation ........................................ 3-4, 3-8
Hood release .................................................... 2-9I
If your vehicle is ever stolen ........................... 1-33
If your vehicle overheats .................................. 5-9
Ignition switch ................................................... 4-4
Inside mirror .................................................... 2-38
Inspection light ................................................ 1-30
Instrument brightness control ......................... 1-18
Integrated HomeLink
TMtransmitter
(If so equipped)............................................... 1-31
Interior light ..................................................... 1-29
J
Jump starting ........................................... 5-7, 7-13
K
Key .................................................................... 2-2
L
Light
Air bag warning light ................................. 2-22
Cigarette lighter and ash trays .................. 1-21
Front fog light switch ................................. 1-19
Headlight and turn signal switch ............... 1-15
Headlights.................................................. 7-22
Inspection light .......................................... 1-30
Interior light................................................ 1-29
Light bulbs ................................................. 7-22
Other lights ................................................ 7-23
Spot light ................................................... 1-30
Vanity mirror light ...................................... 1-30
10-2
Z01.2.1/R50-DX

Warning/indicator light and buzzer.............. 1-9
Lock
Anti-lock brake system .............................. 4-24
Back door locks ........................................... 2-8
Child safety rear door lock .......................... 2-3
Clock............................................................ 1-8
Door locks ................................................... 2-2
Fuel filler lid lock ....................................... 2-10
Glove box lock........................................... 2-10
Power door lock .......................................... 2-3
Rear window locks ...................................... 2-8
Luggage board and box ................................. 1-25
Luggage hooks ............................................... 2-40
Luggage net .................................................... 2-39
Luggage rack .................................................. 2-41
Luggage side finisher hook ............................ 2-39
M
Maintenance
Explanation of maintenance items ............ 8-10
General maintenance .................................. 8-2
Periodic maintenance .................................. 8-5
Seat belt maintenance .............................. 2-30
Manual antenna .............................................. 3-24
Meters and gauges ........................................... 1-3
Mirror
Inside mirror .............................................. 2-38
Outside mirror control................................ 2-37
Outside mirror defogger (If so
equipped)................................................... 1-18
Outside mirrors .......................................... 2-38
Vanity mirror light ...................................... 1-30Multi-remote control system (If so equipped) ... 2-4
O
Oil
Changing engine oil .................................... 7-8
Changing oil filter ........................................ 7-9
Checking engine oil level ............................ 7-7
Engine oil..................................................... 7-7
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation .......................................... 9-6
On-pavement and off-road driving precautions .. 4-
3
Operating the transmitter ................................ 1-33
Outside mirror control ..................................... 2-37
Outside mirror defogger (If so equipped) ....... 1-18
Outside mirrors ............................................... 2-38
Overheat
If your vehicle overheats ............................. 5-9
P
Parking ............................................................ 4-22
Parking brake ................................... 4-12, 7-18
Periodic maintenance ....................................... 8-5
Power
Power antenna (If so equipped)................ 3-24
Power door lock .......................................... 2-3
Power socket ............................................. 1-22
Power steering fluid................................... 7-11
Power support seat ................................... 2-13
Power window ........................................... 1-26
Precautions ....................................................... 7-2
Driving safety precautions ......................... 4-20On-pavement and off-road driving
precautions .................................................. 4-3
Precautions on seat belt usage ................ 2-24
Precautions when driving .......................... 4-23
Precautions when starting and driving ........ 4-2
Programming problem diagnosis .................... 1-33
Programming the HomeLink
TM
transmitter ....................................................... 1-32
Protecting against corrosion ............................. 6-5
Push starting ..................................................... 5-8
R
Radio............................................................... 3-14
AM-FM radio with cassette player ............ 3-15
AM-FM radio with compact disc
player ......................................................... 3-20
CB radio or car phone............................... 3-24
Rear seats ...................................................... 2-15
Rear window defogger switch......................... 1-18
Rear window locks ............................................ 2-8
Rear window wiper and washer switch .......... 1-17
Recommended sae viscosity number............... 9-8
Refrigerant recommendation ............................ 9-9
Reporting safety defects (U.S.A.) ................... 9-21
S
Safety
Child safety................................................ 2-24
Child safety rear door lock .......................... 2-3
Driving safety precautions ......................... 4-20
Reporting safety defects (U.S.A.) ............. 9-21
Seat adjustment .............................................. 2-12
10-3
Z01.2.1/R50-DX

Seat belt
2-point type with retractor (Center
position of rear seat) ................................. 2-28
3-point type with retractor ......................... 2-25
Precautions on seat belt usage ................ 2-24
Seat belt extenders ................................... 2-29
Seat belt maintenance .............................. 2-30
Seat belts ......................................... 2-24, 2-25
Semiautomatic air conditioner .......................... 3-7
Spare tire carrier ............................................... 2-7
Spark plug replacement .................................. 7-14
Speedometer and odometer ............................. 1-3
Spot light ......................................................... 1-30
Starting
Before starting the engine ........................... 4-6
Jump starting ..................................... 5-7, 7-13
Precautions when starting and driving ........ 4-2
Push starting ............................................... 5-8
Starting the engine .................................... 4-11
Steering
Power steering fluid................................... 7-11
Tilting steering wheel ................................ 2-36
Sun visor ......................................................... 2-37
Sunroof ........................................................... 1-28
Supplemental air bag warning light ................ 2-22
Supplemental restraint system (Supplemental air
bag system) .................................................... 2-18
Switch
Front fog light switch ................................. 1-19
Hazard warning flasher switch .................. 1-19
Headlight and turn signal switch ............... 1-15
Ignition switch .............................................. 4-4
Rear window defogger switch ................... 1-18Rear window wiper and washer
switch......................................................... 1-17
Windshield wiper and washer switch ........ 1-16
T
Tachometer ....................................................... 1-4
Theft warning (If so equipped)........................ 1-13
Three-way catalyst ............................................ 4-3
Tilting steering wheel ...................................... 2-36
Timing belt ...................................................... 9-10
Tire
Flat tire ........................................................ 5-2
Spare tire carrier ......................................... 2-7
Tire placard ............................................... 9-14
Wheels and tires .............................. 7-26, 9-11
Tonneau cover ................................................ 1-26
Tow truck towing ............................................. 5-10
Towing
2-wheel drive models ................................ 5-10
4-wheel drive models ................................ 5-11
Tow truck towing ....................................... 5-10
Towing load/specification chart ................. 9-18
Towing point .............................................. 5-12
Trailer towing ............................................. 9-16
Trailer towing .................................................. 9-16
Transfer case shifting procedures for
4-wheel drive vehicles .................................... 4-16
Transmission
Automatic transmission fluid ....................... 7-9
Driving with automatic transmission............ 4-6
Driving with manual transmission ............. 4-10V
Vanity mirror light ............................................ 1-30
Vehicle identification ....................................... 9-13
Vehicle identification number (Chassis
number) ..................................................... 9-13
Vehicle identification number plate ........... 9-13
Vehicle loading ............................................... 9-20
Vehicle loading information............................. 9-15
W
Warning
Hazard warning flasher switch .................. 1-19
Supplemental air bag warning light........... 2-22
Theft warning (If so equipped) .................. 1-13
Warning labels........................................... 2-22
Warning/indicator light and buzzer.............. 1-9
Wheels and tires ................................... 7-26, 9-11
When traveling or registering your vehicle in an-
other country ................................................... 9-12
Window washer fluid ....................................... 7-12
Windshield wiper and washer switch.............. 1-16
Wiper
Rear window wiper and washer
switch......................................................... 1-17
Windshield wiper and washer switch ........ 1-16
Wiper blade ............................................... 7-17
10-4
Z01.2.1/R50-DX

Recommended fuel:
Unleaded gasoline, at least 87 AKI number
(RON 91)
For further details such as gasohol or diesel
fuel grade, see ªFuel recommendationº in the
ªTechnical informationº section.
Recommended engine oil:
IAPI SG or SH and Energy Conserving II
IAPI Certification Mark
ISAE 5W-30 viscosity oil is preferred for all
ambient temperatures.
See ªEngine oil and oil filter recommendationº
in the ªTechnical and consumer informationº
section.
Tire cold pressure:
See the tire placard affixed to the glove box.
Recommended new vehicle break-
in procedure:
During the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of
vehicle use, follow the recommendations out-
lined in the ªBREAK-IN SCHEDULEº Informa-
tion found in the ªStarting and drivingº section
of this Owner's Manual. Follow these recom-
mendations for the future reliability and
economy of your new vehicle. Failure to follow
these recommendations may result in vehicledamage or shortened engine life. (page)
IIn case of emergency .......................... 5-1
(Flat tire, engine will not start, overheating,
towing)
IHow to start the engine ....................... 4-1
IHow to read the meters and
gauges ................................................. 1-1
IMaintenance schedule......................... 8-1
IDo-it-yourself operations ..................... 7-1
ITechnical information .......................... 9-1
GAS STATION INFORMATION QUICK REFERENCE
Z01.2.1/R50-DX

Engine coolant 7-4
Engine oil 7-7
Power steering fluid 7-11
Brake fluid 7-11
Clutch fluid 7-11
Meters and gauges 1-3
Seat belt 2-24
Door lock 2-2
Back door lock 2-8
Fuel 2-10, 9-2
Spare tire 5-3Hood release 2-9
Window washer fluid 7-12
Battery 7-13
Automatic transmission
fluid 7-9
Air conditioner 3-3
Audio system 3-14
STI0099
Z01.2.1/R50-DX