1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER clutch

Turn signal/hazard indicator lightsLow washer fluid warning light
(For Canada)Automatic transmission oil temperature
warning light
orBrake warning light4-wheel drive indicator lightMalfunction indicator light
High beam indicator light (Blue)CRUISE indicator lightDoor open warning light
Seat belt reminder light and buzzerAnti-lock brake warning light
(Except for Canada)Tire carrier open warning light
Engine oil pressure warning lightAnti-lock brake warning light
(For Canada)Supplemental air bag warning light
Charge warning lightOverdrive off indicator light
Low fuel warning lightAutomatic transmission park warning light
Checking bulbs
Turn the ignition key to ªONº without starting
the engine. The following lights will come on:
,,,or,
The following lights come on briefly and then
go off:
or,,
If any light fails to come on, it may indicate a
burned-out bulb or an open circuit in the elec-
trical system. Have the system repaired
promptly.
Turn signal/hazard indicator
lights
The light flashes when the turn signal switch
lever or hazard switch is turned on.
orBrake warning light
This light functions for both the parking brake
and the foot brake systems.Parking brake indicator
The light comes on when the parking brake is
applied.
Low brake fluid warning
The light warns of a low brake fluid level. If the
light comes on while the engine is running,
stop the vehicle and perform the following:
1. Check the brake fluid level. Add brake fluid
as necessary. See ªBrake and clutch fluidº
in the ªDo-it-yourself operationsº section.
WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHT
AND BUZZER
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Z01.2.1/R50-DX

ªOFFº (1)
The engine can be turned off without locking
the steering wheel.
ªACCº (Accessories) (2)
This position activates electrical accessories
such as the radio when the engine is not
running.
ªONº Normal operating position (3)
This position turns on the ignition system and
the electrical accessories.
ªSTARTº (4)
This position activates the starter motor, start-
ing the engine.IMake sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.
ICheck fluid levels such as engine oil, cool-
ant, brake and clutch fluid, window washer
fluid as frequently as possible, at least
whenever you refuel.
ICheck to be sure that all windows and light
lenses are clean.
IVisually inspect tires for their appearance
and condition. Also check tires for proper
inflation.
ILock all doors.
IPosition seat and adjust head restraints.
IAdjust inside and outside mirrors.
IFasten seat belts and ask all passengers to
do likewise.
ICheck the operation of warning lights when
key is turned to the ªON (3)º position.The automatic transmission in your vehicle is
electronically controlled by a microcomputer to
produce maximum power and smooth opera-
tion.
Shown on the following pages are the recom-
mended operating procedures for this trans-
mission. Follow these procedures for maxi-
mum vehicle performance and driving
enjoyment.
Starting the vehicle
IAfter starting the engine, fully depress the
foot brake pedal and push the selector lever
button before shifting the selector lever to
the ªDº, ªRº, ª2º or ª1º position. Be sure the
vehicle is fully stopped before attempting to
shift the selector lever.
This automatic transmission is designed
so that the foot brake pedal MUST be de-
pressed before shifting from ªPº to any
drive position while the ignition switch is
ªONº.
The shift lever cannot be moved out of ªPº
and into any of the other gear positions if
the ignition key is turned to ªLOCKº 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 ªACCº position.
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
DRIVING WITH AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
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Z01.2.1/R50-DX

the key back to the ªONº position. The
vehicle should return to its normal operat-
ing condition. If it does not return to its
normal operating condition have your NIS-
SAN dealer check the transmission and
repair if necessary.
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. First shift into the Neutral position,
then into Reverse.
If it is difficult to move the shift lever into
Reverse or 1st, shift into Neutral, then release
the clutch pedal and shift into Reverse or 1st
again.
Suggested shift-up speeds
The table below provides suggested speed
ranges for shifting into a higher gear. Thesesuggestions relate to fuel economy and ve-
hicle performance. Actual shift ranges should
be adjusted for specific road conditions,
weather conditions and individual driving hab-
its.
I2-wheel drive models and 4-wheel drive
models (2H and 4H position)
MPH (km/h)
1st to 2nd 15 (25)
2nd to 3rd 25 (40)
3rd to 4th 40 (65)
4th to 5th 45 (75)
*1 Acceleration:
Normal acceleration such as
standing start
*2 Cruise:
Driving without rapid acceleration
or deceleration at moderate speed
which permits maximum fuel
economy
SSD0002
DRIVING WITH MANUAL
TRANSMISSION
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Z01.2.1/R50-DX

I4-wheel drive model (4L position)
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 suggested for
that speed. Always observe posted speed
limits, and drive according to the road condi-
tions 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)
4-wheel drive models
2H position
1st 22 (35)
2nd 37 (60)
3rd 56 (90)
4th & 5th 78 (125)
4-wheel drive models MPH (km/h)
4H position
1st 22 (35)
2nd 37 (60)
3rd 50 (80)
4th & 5th 50 (80)
4L position
1st 9 (15)
2nd 19 (30)
3rd 28 (45)
4th & 5th 31 (50)
Driving precautions
IDo not rest your foot on the clutch pedal
while driving. This may cause clutch dam-
age.
IStop your vehicle completely before shifting
into Reverse.1. Apply the parking brake.
2.Automatic transmission:
Move the selector lever to ªPº (Park position
or ªNº (Neutral position). (ªPº preferred)
The shift lever cannot be moved out of
ªPº and into any of the other gear posi-
tions if the ignition key is turned to
ªOFFº 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 ªNº (Neutral
position), 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 ªSTARTº. 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 Ð
STARTING THE ENGINE
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The cruise control allows driving at a fixed
speed between 30 to 90 MPH (48 to 144 km/h)
without keeping your foot on the accelerator
pedal.
To turn on the cruise control,push the main
switch on. The indicator light on the switch will
come on.
To set at cruising speed,accelerate your
vehicle to the desired speed, push the
COAST/SET switch and release it. (The
ªCRUISEº light will come on.) Take your foot
off the accelerator pedal. Your vehicle will
maintain the set speed.ITo pass another vehicle,depress the
accelerator pedal. When you release the
pedal, the vehicle will return to the previ-
ously set speed.
IThe vehicle may not maintain the set speed
when going up or down steep hills. If this
happens, drive without the cruise control.
To cancel the preset speed,follow any of
these three methods:
a) Push the cancel switch; The ªCRUISEº light
will go out.
b) Tap the brake pedal; The ªCRUISEº light
will go out.c) Turn the main switch off. Both the ªONº
indicator and ªCRUISEº light will go out.
IIf you depress the brake pedal while push-
ing the ªACCELº set switch and reset at the
cruising speed, turn the main switch off
once and then turn it on again.
IThe cruise control will automatically be can-
celled if the vehicle slows down to a speed
below approximately 8 MPH (13 km/h).
IDepress the clutch pedal (manual transmis-
sion), or move the selector lever to ªNº
(automatic transmission). ªCRUISEº light
will go out.
To reset at a faster cruising speed,follow
either of these three methods:
a) Depress the accelerator pedal. When the
vehicle attains the desired speed, push and
release the ªCOAST/SETº switch.
b) Push and hold the ªACCELº set switch.
When the vehicle attains the speed you
desire, release the switch.
SSD0019
CRUISE CONTROL
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c) Push, then quickly release the ªACCELº set
switch. Each time you do this, the set speed
will increase by about 1 MPH (1.6 km/h).
To reset at a slower cruising speed,follow
either of these three methods:
a) Lightly tap the brake pedal. When the ve-
hicle attains the desired speed, push the
ªCOAST/SETº switch and release it.
b) Push and hold the ªCOAST/SETº switch.
Release the switch when the vehicle slows
down to the desired speed.
c) Push, then quickly release the
ªCOAST/SETº switch. Each time you do
this, the set speed will decrease by about 1
MPH (1.6 km/h).
To resume the preset speed,push and re-
lease the ªRESUMEº set switch. The vehicle
will resume the last set cruising speed when
the vehicle speed is over 30 MPH (48 km/h).
Precautions
IThe cruise indicator may sometimes blink
when the cruise control switch (Main
switch) is turned ªONº while pushing the
ªRESUME/ACCELº switch or
ªCOAST/SETº switch or ªCANCELº switch
(located on the steering wheel). To properly
set the cruise control system perform thesteps above in the order indicated. (This is
a fail-safe mode. Turn the main switch
ªOFFº and turn it ªONº again without push-
ing the set switch to return to normal opera-
tion.)
IIf the cruise control system malfunctions, it
will cancel automatically. The cruise indica-
tor in the meter assembly will then blink to
warn the driver.
IWhen the cruise indicator blinks, turn the
cruise control switch (Main switch) ªOFFº
and have the system checked by your
NISSAN dealer.
Avoid using the cruise control when driv-
ing under the following conditions:
Iwhen it is not possible to keep the vehicle at
set speed.
Iin heavy traffic or in traffic that varies in
speed.
Ion winding or hilly roads.
Ion slippery roads (rain, snow, ice, etc.)
Iin very windy areas.
On the manual transmission model, do
not shift into neutral position without
depressing the clutch pedal when the
cruise control is on. This could cause
engine damage. If you shift into neutral
without depressing the pedal, depress
the clutch pedal and turn the main
switch off immediately.
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Manual transmission models:
TO SHIFT
TRANSFER CASE:SHIFT PROCEDURE
From ª2Hº to ª4HºMove the transfer lever to ª4Hº. This can be done at any speed up to 50 MPH (80 km/h), and it is not necessary to depress the
clutch pedal. Perform this operation when driving straight.
From ª4Hº to ª2HºMove the transfer lever to ª2Hº. This can be done at any speed up to 50 MPH (80 km/h), and it is not necessary to depress the
clutch pedal. Perform this operation when driving straight.
From ª4Hº or ª4Lº to ª4Lº
or ª4Hº1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Depress the clutch pedal.
3. Depress the transfer lever and move it to the desired ª4Lº or ª4Hº position.
From ª2Hº to ª4Lº1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Depress the clutch pedal.
3. Depress the transfer lever and move it to ª4Lº. Change gears quickly and smoothly.
From ª4Lº to ª2Hº1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Depress the clutch pedal.
3. Depress the transfer lever and move it to ª2Hº.
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DRIVING SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Your NISSAN is designed for both normal and
off-road use. However, avoid driving in deep
water or mud as your NISSAN is mainly de-
signed for leisure use, unlike a conventional
off-road vehicle.
Remember that two-wheel drive models are
less capable than four-wheel drive models for
rough road driving and extrication when stuck
in deep snow or mud, or the like.
Please observe the following precautions:
IDrive 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.
IDo 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.
IMany hills are too steep for any ve-
hicle. If you drive up them, you maystall. If you drive down them, you may
not be able to control your speed. If
you drive across them, you may roll
over.
IStay 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.
IIf 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.
IHeavy 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.
IUnsecured cargo can be thrown
around when driving over rough ter-
rain. Properly secure it so that it willnot be thrown forward and cause in-
jury to you or your passengers.
IAvoid 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 rollover. Put
heavy loads in the cargo area as far
forward and as low as possible.
IDo 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.
IBefore operating vehicle, ensure that
the driver and all passengers have
their seat belts fastened.
IAlways drive with the floor mats in
place as the floor may become very
hot. Particular care should be taken if
you are barefoot.
ILower your speed when encounter-
ing strong crosswinds. With its
higher center of gravity, your NISSAN
is more affected by gusty side winds.
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