1997 NISSAN FRONTIER wheel

Foreword
Welcome to the growing family of new NISSAN owners. This vehicle has been delivered to you with confidence. It was produced using the
latest techniques and strict quality control.
This manual was prepared to help you understand the operation and maintenance of your vehicle so that you may enjoy many miles of
driving pleasure. Please read through this manual before operating your vehicle.
A separate Warranty Information and Maintenance Log Booklet explains details about the warranties covering your vehicle and vehicle
maintenance schedules.
Your NISSAN dealer knows your vehicle best. When you require any service or have any questions, he will be glad to assist you with the
extensive resources available to him.
WARNING
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
REMINDERS FOR SAFETY!
Follow these five important driving rules to help ensure a safe
and complete trip for you and your passengers
²NEVER drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
²ALWAYS observe posted speed limits and never drive too
fast for conditions.
²ALWAYS use your seat belts and appropriate child restraint
systems.
²ALWAYS provide information about the proper use of
vehicle safety features to all occupants of the vehicle.
²ALWAYS review this owner's manual for important safety
information.NOTES ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN
THIS OWNER'S MANUAL
This owner's manual contains descriptions and operating in-
structions for all systems, features and optional equipment that
might appear in any model of this vehicle built for any destina-
tion in North America, including the continental United States,
Canada and Hawaii. Therefore, you may very well find informa-
tion in this manual that does not apply to your vehicle.
For descriptions specified for 4-wheel drive models, a
mark
is placed at the beginning of the applicable sections/items.
As with other vehicles with features for off-road use, failure to
operate 4-wheel drive models correctly may result in loss of
control or an accident. Be sure to read ``Driving your 4-wheel
drive safely'' in the ``Starting and driving'' section of this
manual.
The inside pages of this manual contain
a minimum of 50% recycled fibers,
including 10% post-consumer fibers.

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
ZX

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
ZX

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
ZX

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