1997 NISSAN FRONTIER tire type

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

lenoids controlled by a computer. The com-
puter has a built-in diagnostic feature that
tests the system each time you start the
engine and move the vehicle at a low speed
in forward or reverse. When the self-test
occurs, you may hear a ``clunk'' noise
and/or feel a pulsation in the brake pedal.
This is normal and is not an indication of any
malfunction. If the computer senses any
malfunction, it switches the rear anti-lock
brake system off and turns on the ABS
brake warning light in the dashboard. The
brake system then operates normally, but
without anti-lock assistance.
If an abnormality occurs in the system, the rear
anti-lock function will cease but the ordinary
brakes will continue to operate normally. The
ABS brake warning light will then come on.
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, the
rear anti-lock brake system may not be
effective in many cases because the front
axle is connected with the rear axle throughthe transfer gear. The rear wheels lock if the
front wheels lock. If this happens, the rear
anti-lock brake system may cease function-
ing but the ordinary brakes will continue to
operate normally. The ABS brake warning
light will then come on.
The above condition is not a malfunction
and the rear anti-lock brake system recov-
ers when the engine is started again. The
ABS brake warning light then goes off.
Using the System
Depress the brake pedal and hold it down.
WARNING
Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so
may result in increased stopping dis-
tances.
WARNING
The rear anti-lock brake system is a
sophisticated device. But it cannot pre-
vent accidents resulting from careless
or dangerous driving techniques. It can
help maintain vehicle control undersome conditions, but remember that
the stopping distance on slippery sur-
faces will be longer than on normal
surfaces even with rear wheel ABS.
Stopping distances may also be longer
on rough, gravel, or snow covered
roads, or if you are using tire chains.
Always maintain a safe distance from
the vehicle in front of you. Ultimately,
the responsibility for safety of self and
others rests in the hands of the driver.
Tire type and condition may also affect
braking effectiveness.
cWhen replacing tires, install the
specified size of tires on all four
wheels.
cWhen installing a spare tire, make
sure it is the proper size and type as
specified on the tire placard. See
``Tire placard'' in the ``Technical and
consumer information'' section.
4-26
ZX

Freeing a frozen door lock
To prevent a door lock from freezing, apply
de-icer or glycerin through the key hole. If
the lock becomes frozen, heat the key be-
fore inserting it into the key hole.
Anti-freeze
In the winter when it is anticipated that the
temperature will drop below 32ÉF (0ÉC),
check anti-freeze (ethylene glycol base) to
assure proper winter protection. For details,
see ``Engine cooling system'' in the ``Do-it-
yourself operations'' section.
Battery
If the battery is not fully charged during
extremely cold weather conditions, the bat-
tery fluid may freeze and damage the bat-
tery. To maintain maximum efficiency, the
battery should be checked regularly. For
details, see ``Battery'' in the ``Do-it-yourself
operations'' section.
Draining of coolant water
If the vehicle is to be left outside without
anti-freeze, drain the cooling system by
opening the drain valves located under the
radiator and on the engine block. Refillbefore operating the vehicle. For details,
see ``Changing engine coolant'' in the ``Do-
it-yourself operations'' section.
Tire equipment
1. SUMMER tires have a tread designed to
provide superior performance on dry
pavement. However, the performance of
these tires will be substantially reduced
in snowy and icy conditions. If you oper-
ate your vehicle on snowy or icy roads,
NISSAN recommends the use on all four
wheels of MUD & SNOW or ALL SEA-
SON tires. Please consult your NISSAN
dealer for the tire type, size, speed rating
and availability information.
2. For additional traction on icy roads, stud-
ded tires may be used. However, some
provinces and states prohibit their use.
Check local, state and provincial laws
before installing studded tires.
Skid and traction capabilities of studded
snow tires on wet or dry surfaces may be
poorer than that of non-studded snow
tires.
3. Tire chains may be used if desired. Use
of tire chains may be prohibited accord-
ing to location. Check the local lawsbefore installing tire chains. When install-
ing tire chains, make sure they are of
proper size for the tires on your vehicle
and are installed according to the chain
manufacturer's suggestions.Use only
SAE Class ``S'' chains.Other types
may damage your vehicle. Use chain
tensioners when recommended by the
tire chain manufacturer to ensure a tight
fit. Loose end links of the tire chain must
be secured or removed to prevent the
possibility of whipping action damage to
the fenders or undercarriage. If possible,
avoid fully loading your vehicle when
using tire chains. In addition, drive at a
reduced speed, otherwise, your vehicle
may be damaged and/or vehicle handling
and performance may be adversely af-
fected. Never install tire chains on a
TEMPORARY USE ONLY spare tire. Do
not use tire chains on dry roads.
Special winter equipment
It is recommended that the following items
be carried in the vehicle during winter:
1. A scraper and stiff-bristled brush to re-
move ice and snow from the windows
and wiper blades.
COLD WEATHER DRIVING
4-27
ZX

5In case of emergency
Flat tire ...................................................................5-2
Pantograph type jack .............................................5-5
Screw type jack ......................................................5-6
Jump starting ..........................................................5-8
Push starting ..........................................................5-9If your vehicle overheats ........................................5-9
Tow truck towing ..................................................5-10
2-Wheel drive models ..........................................5-11
4-Wheel drive models ..........................................5-12
Vehicle recovery (freeing a stuck vehicle) ...........5-13
ZX

Jacking up the vehicle and remov-
ing the wheel
Identify the type of jack supplied with
your truck.
You will find one of two types of jacks
installed in your vehicle, a pantograph (scis-
sor) type jack or a screw (bottle) type jack.
Always refer to the proper illustrations for
the correct placement and jack-up points for
your specific vehicle model and jack type.
WARNING
cNever get under the vehicle while it
is supported only by the jack.
cUse the jack provided with your ve-
hicle. Do not use the jack provided
with your vehicle on other vehicles.
cThe jack is designed only for lifting
your vehicle during a tire change.
cUse the correct jack up points; never
use any other part of the vehicle for
jack support.cNever jack up the vehicle more than
necessary.
cNever use blocks on or under the
jack.
cDo not allow passengers to stay in
the vehicle while it is on the jack.
cNever run the engine with the wheels
off the ground. It may cause the
vehicle to move. This is especially
true for vehicles with limited slip
differential carriers.
ACE0700
PANTOGRAPH TYPE JACK
5-5
ZX

Carefully read the following instructions.
1. On 4-wheel drive models with a screw
type jack, put the adapter stored in the
tool bag on the jack when jacking up the
front side.
Do not use the jack adapter for the
rear.
2. Place the jack directly under the jack-up
point.
The jack should be used on level, firm
ground.
3. Loosen each wheel nut on the flat tireone or two turns by turning counterclock-
wise with the wheel nut wrench.
Do not remove the wheel nuts until the
tire is off the ground.
4. Carefully raise the vehicle until the flat
tire clears the ground. Remove the wheel
nuts, and then remove the wheel. Do not
remove the brake drum with the wheel.
CE0046MA
SCREW TYPE JACK
5-6
ZX

If you have a flat tire, see the ``In case of
emergency'' section.
Maximum inflation pressure
Do not exceed the maximum inflation pres-
sures shown on the side wall of the tire.
Tire inflation pressure
Periodically check the tire pressure (includ-
ing spare). Tire pressure should be checked
when tires are COLD. COLD tire pressures
are shown on the tire placard affixed to the
glove box lid.
Incorrect tire pressure may adverselyaffect tire life and vehicle handling.
COLD pressure:
After vehicle has been parked for
three hours or more or driven less
than 1 mile (1.6 km).
WARNING
cThe vehicle weight capacity is indi-
cated on the tire placard. Do not load
your vehicle beyond this capacity.
Overloading your vehicle may result
in reduced tire life, unsafe operating
conditions due to premature tire fail-
ure, or unfavorable handling charac-
teristics and could also lead to a
serious accident. Loading beyond
the specified capacity may also re-
sult in failure of other vehicle
components.
cBefore taking a long trip, or when-
ever you have loaded your vehicle
heavily, use a tire pressure gauge to
ensure that the tire pressure is at the
specified level.
cDo not drive your vehicle over 85
MPH (137 km/h) unless it is equipped
with high capability tires.Driving faster than 85 MPH (137
km/h) may result in tire failure, loss
of control and possible injury.
Types of tires
CAUTION
When changing or replacing tires, be
sure all four tires are of the same type
(i.e., Summer, All Season or Snow) and
construction. Your NISSAN dealer may
be able to help you with information
about tire type, size, speed rating and
availability. Replacement tires may
have a lower speed rating than the
factory equipped tires, and may not
match the potential maximum vehicle
speed. Never exceed the maximum
speed rating of the tire.
All season tires
NISSAN specifies All Season tires on some
models to provide good performance for
use all year around, including snowy and icy
road conditions. All Season Tires are iden-
tified by ``ALL SEASON'' and/or ``M&S'' on
the tire sidewall. Snow tires have better
DI0047
WHEELS AND TIRES
7-25
ZX

snow traction than All Season tires and may
be more appropriate in some areas.
Summer tires
NISSAN specifies summer tires on some
models to provide superior performance on
dry roads. Summer tire performance in
snow and ice will be substantially reduced.
Summer tires do not have the tire traction
rating ``M&S'' on the tire sidewall.
If you plan to operate your vehicle in snowy
or icy conditions, NISSAN recommends the
use of ``SNOW'' or ``ALL SEASON'' tires on
all four wheels.
Snow tires
If snow tires are needed, it is necessary to
select tires equivalent in size and load rating
to the original equipment tires. If you do not,
it can adversely affect the safety and han-
dling of your vehicle.
Generally, snow tires will have lower speed
ratings than factory equipped tires and may
not match the potential maximum vehicle
speed. Never exceed the maximum speed
rating of the tire.
For additional traction on icy roads, studded
tires may be used. However, some prov-inces and states prohibit their use. Check
local, state and provincial laws before in-
stalling studded tires. Skid and traction ca-
pabilities of studded snow tires on wet or dry
surfaces may be poorer than that of non-
studded snow tires.
4-wheel drive model
If you install snow tires, they must be the
same size, brand, construction and tread
pattern on all four wheels.
CAUTION
ONLY use spare tires specified for each
4-wheel drive model.
Tire chains
Use of tire chains may be prohibited accord-
ing to location. Check the local laws before
installing tire chains. When installing tire
chains, make sure they are the proper size
for the tires on your vehicle and are installed
according to the chain manufacturer's sug-
gestions.Use only SAE class ``S'' chains.
Other types may damage your vehicle. Use
chain tensioners when recommended by
the tire chain manufacturer to ensure a tight
fit. Loose end links of the tire chain must besecured or removed to prevent the possibil-
ity of whipping action damage to the fenders
or undercarriage. If possible, avoid fully
loading your vehicle when using tire chains.
In addition, drive at a reduced speed. Oth-
erwise, your vehicle may be damaged
and/or vehicle handling and performance
may be adversely affected.
Never install tire chains on a TEMPORARY
USE ONLY spare tire.
Tire chains must be installed only on the
rear wheels and not on the front wheels.
Do not use tire chains on dry roads. Driving
with chains in such conditions can cause
damage to the various mechanisms of the
vehicle due to some overstress. When driv-
ing on clear paved roads, be sure to change
to 2WD.
7-26
ZX