1997 NISSAN FRONTIER engine

Welcome To The World Of NISSAN
Your new Nissan is the result of our dedication to
produce the finest in safe, reliable and economi-
cal transportation. Your vehicle is the product of
a successful worldwide company that manufac-
tures cars and trucks in over 17 countries and
distributes them in 170 nations.
Nissan vehicles are designed and manufactured
by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. which was founded in
Tokyo, Japan in 1933, and Nissan affiliates world
wide, collectively growing to become the fifth
largest automaker in the world. In addition to cars
and trucks, Nissan also makes textile machinery,
fork-lift trucks, marine engines, boats and other
products.
Nissan has made a substantial and growing
investment in North America, starting with the
opening of Nissan Motor Corporation U.S.A. in
1960, and continuing with the production of some
cars and trucks at one of the world's mostmodern manufacturing facilities, Nissan Motor
Manufacturing Corporation U.S.A. in Smyrna,
Tennessee, vehicle styling at Nissan Design
International in San Diego, California, and engi-
neering at Nissan Research and Development in
Farmington Hills, Michigan.
Nissan Motor Corporation U.S.A. and its dealers
indirectly employ about 60,000 Americans.
Nissan is also a substantial contributor to the
Canadian economy. Nissan Canada Inc., its sup-
pliers and over 170 dealers employ approxi-
mately 4,500 people. These include company
employees and the staffs of Nissan dealers all
across Canada. In addition, many Canadians
work for companies that supply Nissan and Nis-
san dealers with materials and services ranging
from operation of port facilities and transportation
services to the supply of lubricants, parts and
accessories.Nissan pioneered the use of electronics and
computers in automobiles, and has led the indus-
try in improving both performance and fuel effi-
ciency through new engine designs and the use
of synthetic materials to reduce vehicle weight.
The company has also developed ways to build
quality into its vehicles at each stage of the
production process, both through extensive use
of automation and Ð most importantly Ð
through an awareness thatpeopleare the cen-
tral element in quality control.
From the time the parts arrived from our suppli-
ers until you took delivery of your new Nissan,
dozens of checks were made to ensure that only
the best job was being done in producing and
delivering your vehicle. Nissan also takes great
care to ensure that when you take your Nissan to
your dealer for maintenance, the service techni-
cian will perform his work according to the quality
standards that have been established by the
factory.
Safety has also been built into your Nissan. As
you know, seat belts are an integral part of the
safety systems that will help protect you and your
passengers in the event of a sudden stop or an
accident. We urge you to use the belts every time
you drive the vehicle.
The Nissan story of growth and achievement
reflects our major goal: to provide you, our
customer, with a vehicle that is built with quality
and craftsmanship Ð a product that we can be
proud to build and you can be proud to own.
AFW0001
The inside pages of this manual contain
a minimum of 50% recycled fibers,
including 10% post-consumer fibers.
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1Instruments and controls
Meters and gauges ................................................1-2
Speedometer and odometer ..................................1-3
Tachometer (if so equipped) ..................................1-3
Engine coolant temperature gauge........................1-4
Fuel gauge .............................................................1-4
Instrument cluster clock (if so equipped) ...............1-5
Warning/indicator lights and chimes ......................1-6
Headlight and turn signal switch ..........................1-10
Daytime running light system (Canada only) .......1-10
Windshield wiper and washer switch ...................1-11
Instrument brightness control ...............................1-12Hazard warning flasher switch .............................1-12
Cigarette lighter (accessory) and ash tray ...........1-13
Cup holder (if so equipped) .................................1-13
Interior light and cargo light .................................1-14
Spotlights (if so equipped) ...................................1-14
Manual windows ...................................................1-15
Power windows (if so equipped) ..........................1-15
Automatic power window switch ..........................1-16
Rear sliding window (if so equipped) ...................1-16
Opera window (if so equipped) ............................1-17
Sunroof (if so equipped).......................................1-17
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Speedometer
The speedometer indicates vehicle speed.
Odometer
The odometer records the total distance the
vehicle has been driven.
Trip odometer
The trip odometer records the distance of
individual trips. Before each trip, set the trip
odometer to zero by pushing the RESET
knob.The tachometer indicates engine speed in
revolutions per minute (r/min).CAUTION
When engine speed approaches the
red zone, shift to a higher gear. Oper-
ating the engine in the red zone may
cause serious engine damage.
AIC0736AIC0744
SPEEDOMETER AND
ODOMETERTACHOMETER
(if so equipped)
1-3
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The gauge indicates the engine coolant
temperature.
The engine coolant temperature varies with
the outside air temperature and driving con-
ditions.
CAUTION
If the gauge indicates over the normal
range, stop the vehicle as soon as
safely possible. If the engine is over-
heated, continued operation of the ve-
hicle may seriously damage the engine.
See the ``In case of emergency'' section
for immediate action required.
The gauge indicates the APPROXIMATE
fuel level in the tank.
The gauge may move slightly during brak-
ing, turning, acceleration, or going up or
downhill.
The gauge needle is designed to hold its
position when the ignition key is turned
OFF.
Refill the fuel tank before the gauge
registers E.
AIC0737AIC0738
ENGINE COOLANT
TEMPERATURE GAUGEFUEL GAUGE
1-4
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Turn signal/hazard indicator lightsLow washer fluid warning light
orBrake warning light4-wheel drive indicator light
High beam indicator lightCruise indicator light
Seat belt reminder light and chimeOverdrive off indicator light
Engine oil pressure warning lightorMalfunction indicator
light
Charge warning lightorRear anti-lock brake
warning light
Low fuel warning lightSupplemental air bag warning light
Checking bulbs
Apply the parking brake and turn the ignition
key to ON without starting the engine. The
following lights come on:
,,or,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
electrical system. Have the system repaired
promptly.
Turn signal/hazard indicator
lights
These lights flash when the turn signal
switch or hazard switch is turned on.
WARNING/INDICATOR
LIGHTS AND CHIMES
1-6
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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 with the parking brake not applied,
stop the vehicle and perform the following:
1.
Check the brake fluid level. Add brake fluid
as necessary. See ``Brake and clutch fluid''
in the ``Do-it-yourself operations'' section.
2. If the brake fluid level is correct, have the
warning system checked by a NISSAN
dealer.
WARNING
c
Your brake system may not be work-
ing properly if the warning light is on.
Driving could be dangerous. If you
judge it to be safe, drive carefully to
the nearest service station for repairs.
Otherwise have your vehicle towed.c
Pressing the brake pedal with the en-
gine stopped and/or low brake fluid
level may increase your stopping dis-
tance and require greater pedal effort
as well as pedal travel.
cIf the level is below the minimum mark
on the brake fluid reservoir, do not
drive until the brake system has been
checked at a NISSAN dealer.
High beam indicator light
This blue light comes on when the headlight
high beams are on and goes out when the
low beams are selected.
Seat belt warning light and
chime
The light and chime remind you to fasten
your seat belts. If the driver's seat belt is
NOT securely fastened when the ignition
key is turned to ON or START, the chime
sounds five times and the light illuminates.
Supplemental air bag
warning light
When the ignition key is in the ON or START
position, the supplemental air bag light illu-minates for about 7 seconds and then turns
off. This means the system is operational.
If any of the following conditions occur, the
supplemental air bag needs servicing and
your vehicle must be taken to your nearest
authorized NISSAN dealer:
1. The supplemental air bag light does not
come on and remain on for 7 seconds
and then go off as described above.
2. The supplemental air bag light flashes
intermittently or remains on.
3. The supplemental air bag light does not
come on at all.
Unless checked and repaired, the Supple-
mental Restraint System (Supplemental air
bag system) may not function properly. For
additional details on the Supplemental Re-
straint System (Supplemental air bag sys-
tem), see the ``Pre-driving checks and ad-
justments'' section.
WARNING
If the supplemental air bag warning
light is on, it could mean that the air
bag will not operate in an accident.
1-7
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Engine oil pressure warning
light
This light warns of low engine oil pressure. If
the light flickers or comes on during normal
driving, pull off the road in a safe area, stop
the engineimmediatelyand call a NISSAN
dealer or other authorized repair shop.
The oil pressure warning light is not
designed to indicate a low oil level. Use
the dipstick to check the oil level.See
``Engine oil'' in the ``Do-it-yourself opera-
tions'' section.
CAUTION
Running the engine with the oil pres-
sure warning light on could cause seri-
ous damage to the engine almost im-
mediately. Turn off the engine as soon
as it is safe to do so.
Charge warning light
If the light comes on while the engine is
running, it may indicate a potential problem
with the charging system. Turn the engine
off and check the alternator belt. If the belt is
loose, broken, missing or if the light remains
on, see your NISSAN dealer immediately.
CAUTION
Do not continue driving if the belt is
loose, broken or missing.
Low fuel warning light
(if so equipped)
This light comes on when the fuel in the tank
is low. Refuel as soon as it is convenient,
preferably before the fuel gauge reaches E.
There should be a small reserve of fuel
remaining in the tank when the fuel
gauge needle reaches E.
Low washer fluid warning
light (Canada only)
This light comes on when the washer tank
fluid is at a low level. Add washer fluid as
necessary. See ``Window washer fluid'' in
the ``Do-it-yourself operations'' section.
4-wheel drive indicator light
This light comes on when the transfer shift
control lever is in the 4H or 4L position.
WARNING
cWhen parking, always make sure the
transfer lever is in the 4H or 4L
position and the parking brake is
applied.
cFailure to engage the transfer lever
in 4H or 4L could result in the vehicle
moving unexpectedly, which in turn
could result in serious personal in-
jury or property damage.
Cruise indicator light (if so
equipped)
This light comes on while the vehicle speed
is controlled by the cruise control system. If
the CRUISE indicator blinks, have the sys-
tem checked by your NISSAN dealer.
1-8
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orRear anti-lock brake
warning light
If the light comes on while the engine is
running, it may indicate a potential problem
with the rear anti-lock brake system. Have the
system checked by your NISSAN dealer.
If an abnormality occurs in the system, the
rear anti-lock function ceases but the ordi-
nary brakes continue to operate normally.
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, if the
front wheels lock, the rear wheels also lock. If
this happens, the rear anti-lock brake system
may stop functioning, but the ordinary brakes
operate normally. The warning light then
comes on. The above condition is not a mal-
function, and the rear anti-lock brake system
recovers once the engine is turned off and
restarted. The warning light then goes off. For
further description of the rear anti-lock brake
system, refer to ``Rear anti-lock brake system''
in the ``Starting and driving'' section.
Overdrive off indicator light
(if so equipped)
This light comes on when the overdrive
switch is pushed to the OFF position.
Key reminder chime
The chime sounds when the driver's door is
opened and the key is left in the ignition
switch. Take the ignition key when you
leave the vehicle.
Light reminder chime
A chime sounds if the driver's door is opened
with the headlight switch on unless the ignition
key is in the ON position. Turn the headlight
switch off when you leave the vehicle.
Brake pad wear warning
The disc brake pads have audible wear
warnings. When a brake pad requires re-
placement, it makes a high pitched scraping
sound when the vehicle is in motion whether
or not the brake pedal is depressed. Have
the brakes checked as soon as possible if
the warning sound is heard.
orMalfunction indi-
cator light (MIL)
If the malfunction indicator light comes onsteady or blinks while the engine is running,
it may indicate a potential emission control
problem.
The malfunction indicator light will come on
in one of two ways:
cMalfunction indicator light on steady - -
An emission control system malfunction
has been detected. Have the vehicle
inspected by an authorized NISSAN
dealer. You do not need to have your
vehicle towed to the dealer.
cMalfunction indicator light blinking - - An
engine misfire has been detected which
may damage the emission control sys-
tem. To reduce or avoid emission control
system damage:
cdo not drive at speeds above 45 MPH
(72 km/h).
c
avoid hard acceleration or deceleration.
cavoid steep uphill grades.
cif possible, reduce the amount of cargo
being hauled or towed.
The malfunction indicator light may stop
blinking and come on steady.
Have the vehicle inspected by an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer. You do not need to
have your vehicle towed to the dealer.
1-9
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