1997 NISSAN FRONTIER steering

2Pre-driving checks and adjustments
Key .........................................................................2-2
Door locks ..............................................................2-2
Power door lock (if so equipped) ...........................2-3
Hood release ..........................................................2-4
Glove box lock (if so equipped) .............................2-4
Fuel filler cap ..........................................................2-5
Tailgate latch ..........................................................2-5
Tie down hooks ......................................................2-7
Front separate seats ..............................................2-8
Seat adjustment .....................................................2-8
Head restraints .....................................................2-11
Tilting front separate seat ....................................2-11
Bench seat ...........................................................2-12
Seat adjustment ...................................................2-12
Tilting bench seat .................................................2-12
Jump seat .............................................................2-13
Supplemental restraint system (supplemental
air bag system).....................................................2-14
Supplemental air bag system...............................2-15
Warning labels......................................................2-17
Supplemental air bag warning light......................2-17Seat belts .............................................................2-19
Precautions on seat belt usage ...........................2-19
Child safety...........................................................2-20
3-point type with retractor ....................................2-21
2-point type without retractor (center of bench
seat and jump seats)............................................2-23
Seat belt extenders ..............................................2-24
Seat belt maintenance .........................................2-24
Child restraints for infants and small children......2-24
Installation on front passenger seat (3-point
type with retractor) ...............................................2-26
Installation in center of bench seat (2-point
type without retractor) ..........................................2-27
Top strap child restraint .......................................2-28
Tilting steering wheel (if so equipped) .................2-29
Outside mirror remote control
(if so equipped) ....................................................2-30
Outside mirrors .....................................................2-30
Inside mirror .........................................................2-31
Vanity mirror (if so equipped)...............................2-31
ZX

This Supplemental Restraint System sec-
tion contains important information concern-
ing the driver's supplemental air bag. The
Supplemental Restraint System Air Bag can
help reduce impact force to the driver in
certain frontal collisions. The supplemental
air bag is designed tosupplementthe
crash protection provided by the seat belt
and isnot a substitutefor it. The seat belt
should always be correctly worn and the
driver seated a suitable distance from the
steering wheel. (See ``Seat belts'' later in
this section for instructions and precautions
on seat belt usage.)
The supplemental air bag operates only
when the ignition switch is in the ON or
START position.
WARNING
cThe supplemental air bag ordinarily
will not inflate in the event of a side
impact, rear impact, roll over, or
lower severity frontal collision. Al-
ways wear your seat belts to help
reduce the risk or severity of injury
in various kinds of accidents.cThe seat belts and the supplemental
air bag are most effective when you
are sitting back and upright in the
seat. Supplemental air bags inflate
with great force. If you are unre-
strained, leaning forward, sitting
sideways or out of position in any
way, you are at greater risk of injury
or death in a crash and may also
receive serious or fatal injuries from
the supplemental air bag if you are
up against it when it inflates. Always
sit back against the seatback and asfar away as practical from the steer-
ing wheel. Always use the seatbelts.
cKeep hands on the outside of the
steering wheel. Placing them inside
the steering wheel rim could in-
crease the risk that they are injured
when the supplemental air bag in-
flates.
APD0717
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM (supplemental air bag
system)
2-14
ZX

The driver's supplemental air bag is located in
the center of the steering wheel. There is no
supplemental air bag on the passenger side.
The supplemental air bag system is designed
to inflate in higher severity frontal collisions,
although it may inflate if the forces in another
type of collision are similar to those of a higher
severity frontal impact. It may not inflate in
certain frontal collisions. Vehicle damage (or
lack of it) is not always an indication of proper
supplemental air bag operation.
When the supplemental air bag inflates, a
fairly loud noise may be heard, followed by
the release of smoke. This smoke is notharmful and does not indicate a fire, but
care should be taken not to unintentionally
inhale it, as it may cause irritation and
choking. Those with a history of breathing
trouble should get fresh air promptly.
The supplemental air bag, along with the
use of the seat belt, helps to cushion the
impact force on the face and chest of the
occupant. It can help save lives and reduce
serious injuries. However, an inflating
supplemental air bag may cause facial
abrasions or other injuries. A supplemental
air bag does not provide restraint to the
lower body.The seat belt should be correctly worn and
the driver seated upright as far as practical
away from the steering wheel. Since the
supplemental air bag inflates quickly in or-
der to help protect the occupant, the force of
the supplemental air bag inflating can in-
crease the risk of injury if the occupant is too
close to or against the supplemental air bag
module during inflation.
The supplemental air bag deflates quickly
after a collision.
The supplemental air bag operates only
when the ignition switch is in the ON or
START position.
WARNING
cDo not attach any objects to the
steering wheel pad. Also, do not
place any objects between any occu-
pant and the steering wheel. Such
objects may become dangerous pro-
jectiles and cause injury if the
supplemental air bag inflates.
cRight after inflation, several supple-
mental air bag system components
will be hot. Do not touch them; you
may severely burn yourself.
APD0708
SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
SYSTEM
2-15
ZX

cNo unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring
of the supplemental air bag system.
This is to prevent accidental inflation
of the supplemental air bag or dam-
age to the supplemental air bag
system.
cDo not make unauthorized changes
to your vehicle's electrical system,
suspension system or front end
structure. This could affect proper
operation of the supplemental air
bag system.
cTampering with the supplemental air
bag system may result in serious
personal injury. Tampering includes
changes to the steering wheel by
placing material over the steering
wheel pad or by installing additional
trim material around the supplemen-
tal air bag system.cWork around and on the supplemen-
tal air bag system should be done by
an authorized NISSAN dealer. Instal-
lation of electrical equipment should
also be done by an authorized NIS-
SAN dealer. The yellow SRS wiring
should not be modified or discon-
nected. Unauthorized electrical test
equipment and probing devices
should not be used on the supple-
mental air bag system.
cSRS wiring harnesses are covered
with yellow insulation either just be-
fore the harness connectors or over
the complete harness for easy iden-
tification.
When selling your vehicle, we request that
you inform the buyer about the supplemen-
tal air bag system and guide the buyer to the
appropriate sections in this Owner's
Manual.
2-16
ZX

Anchor point locations
Anchor points are located under the rear
window. On King Cab models, the back
panel carpet is perforated to allow access to
the anchor points.
Your NISSAN dealer can assist you with the
installation of your child restraint.
Tilt operation
Pull the lock lever down and adjust the
steering wheel up or down to the desired
position.
Push the lock lever up firmly to lock the
steering wheel in place.
WARNING
Do not adjust the steering wheel while
driving. You could lose control of your
vehicle and cause an accident.
APD0707APD0700
TILTING STEERING WHEEL
(if so equipped)
2-29
ZX

Microphone installed model
If equipped with a genuine cellular phone,
your NISSAN features a non-directional mi-
crophone in the steering column cover, so it
is not necessary to look at or speak directly
into the microphone when calling.
To do so could detract from the driving
operation and cause an accident.
See the manual for car phone operation
Pre-wired and antenna for phone
installed model
Some models are pre-wired to accept the
genuine NISSAN cellular phone.
In addition, the same model has the phone
antenna built into the rear glass window.
When installing a CB, ham radio or car
phone in your NISSAN, be sure to observe
the following cautions, otherwise the new
equipment may adversely affect the MFI
(Multiport Fuel Injection) system and other
electronic parts.
CAUTION
cKeep the antenna as far away as
possible from the Engine Control
Module (ECM).
cAlso keep the antenna wire more
than 8 inches (20 cm) away from the
fuel injection wiring harness. Do not
route the antenna wire next to any
harness.
cAdjust the antenna standing-wave
ratio as recommended by the
manufacturer.
cConnect the ground wire from the
radio chassis to the body.
cFor details, consult a NISSAN dealer.
CB RADIO OR CAR PHONE
3-21
ZX

4Starting and driving
Precautions when starting and driving ...................4-2
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) ............................4-2
Three-way catalyst .................................................4-2
On-pavement and off-road driving precautions .....4-3
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving .........................4-4
Ignition switch .........................................................4-4
Manual transmission ..............................................4-4
Automatic transmission ..........................................4-5
Before starting the engine ......................................4-6
Driving with automatic transmission (if so
equipped) ...............................................................4-6
Driving with manual transmission ..........................4-9
Starting the engine ...............................................4-10
Parking brake operation .......................................4-11Cruise control .......................................................4-12
Break-in schedule ................................................4-14
Increasing fuel economy ......................................4-14
Transfer case shifting procedures for 4-wheel
drive vehicles........................................................4-15
Auto-lock free-running hubs .................................4-16
Manual-lock free-running hubs.............................4-19
Driving your 4-wheel drive safely .........................4-21
Tires of 4-wheel drive...........................................4-22
Parking/parking on hills ........................................4-23
Power steering system .........................................4-24
Brake system........................................................4-25
Rear anti-lock brake system (R-ABS) ..................4-25
Cold weather driving ............................................4-27
ZX

driving if the engine misfires, or if
noticeable loss of performance or
other unusual operating conditions
are detected. Have the vehicle in-
spected promptly by an authorized
NISSAN dealer.
cAvoid driving with an extremely low
fuel level. Running out of fuel could
cause the engine to misfire, damag-
ing the three-way catalyst.
cDo not race the engine while warm-
ing it up.
cDo not push or tow your vehicle to
start the engine.
ON-PAVEMENT AND OFF-ROAD
DRIVING PRECAUTIONS
Utility vehicles have higher ground clear-
ance than passenger cars in order to make
them capable of performing in a wide variety
of off-road applications. Specific design
characteristics give them a higher center of
gravity than ordinary cars. Higher ground
clearance provides a better view of the
road, allowing you to anticipate problems.
Utility vehicles are not designed for corner-
ing at the same speeds as conventional2-wheel drive vehicles any more than low-
slung sports cars are designed to perform
satisfactorily under off-road conditions. If at
all possible, avoid sharp turns or abrupt
maneuvers. As with other vehicles of this
type, failure to operate this vehicle correctly
may result in loss of control or vehicle
rollover.
Avoiding Collision and Rollover
WARNING
Failure to operate this vehicle in a safe
and prudent manner may result in loss
of control or an accident.
Be alert and drive defensively at all times.
Obey all traffic regulations. Avoid excessive
speed, high speed cornering, or sudden
steering maneuvers, because these driving
practices could cause you to lose control of
your vehicle.As with any vehicle, a loss
of control could result in a collision with
other vehicles or objects, or cause the
vehicle to roll over, particularly if the
loss of control causes the vehicle to
slide sideways.Be attentive at all times,
and avoid driving when tired. Never drive
when under the influence of alcohol ordrugs (including prescription or over-the-
counter drugs which may cause drowsi-
ness). Always wear your seat belt as out-
lined in the ``Seat belts'' section of this
manual, and instruct your passengers to do
the same.
4-3
ZX