1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER check engine light

brake system will then behave normally, but
without anti-lock assistance.
If the light comes on during the self check, or
while you are driving, you should take your
vehicle to your NISSAN dealer for repair at
your earliest convenience.
The anti-lock brake system is a sophis-
ticated device, but it cannot prevent ac-
cidents resulting from careless or dan-
gerous driving techniques. It can help
maintain vehicle control during braking
on slippery surfaces, but remember that
the stopping distance on slippery sur-
faces will be longer than on normal
surfaces, even with the anti-lock sys-
tem. 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.IWhen replacing tires, install the
specified size of tires on all 4 wheels.
Refer to ªWheels and tiresº in the
ªDo-it-yourself operationsº section.
IWhen installing a spare tire, make
sure it is the proper size and type as
specified on the tire placard. For tire
placard location information, refer to
ªTire placardº in the Owner's Manual
index.
Freeing a frozen door lock
To prevent a door lock from freezing, apply
de-icer or glycerin to it through the key hole. If
the lock becomes frozen, heat the key before
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 ªEn-
gine Cooling Systemº in the ªDo-it-yourself
operationsº section.
Battery
If the battery is not fully charged during ex-
tremely cold weather conditions, the battery
fluid may freeze and damage the battery. To
maintain maximum efficiency, the battery
should be checked regularly. For details, see
ªBatteryº in the ªDo-it-yourself operationsº sec-
tion.
Draining of coolant water
If the vehicle is to be left outside without
anti-freeze, drain the cooling system by open-
ing the drain valves located under the radiator
and on the engine block. Refill before operat-
ing the vehicle. For details, see ªChanging
COLD WEATHER DRIVING
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CHANGING OIL FILTER
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
apply the parking brake.
2. Turn the engine off.
3. Loosen the oil filter with an oil filter wrench.
(A specialcap-typewrench will assist with
oil filter removal on models with the V6
engine. This tool can be purchased from
your NISSAN dealer.) Then remove the oil
filter by turning it by hand.
Be careful not to burn yourself, as the
engine oil may be hot.
4. Wipe the engine oil filter mounting surface
with a clean rag.
Be sure to remove any old rubber gasket
remaining on the mounting surface of the
engine.
5. Coat the rubber gasket on the new filter
with engine oil.
6. Screw in the oil filter until a slight resistance
is felt, then tighten an additional 2/3 turn.
7. Start the engine and check for leakage
around the oil filter. Correct as required.
8. Turn the engine off and wait several min-
utes. Check the oil level. Add engine oil if
necessary.
IWhen engine is running, keep hands,
jewelry, and clothing away from any
moving parts such as fan and drive
belt.
IAutomatic transmission fluid is poi-
sonous and should be stored care-
fully in marked containers out of the
reach of children.
The fluid level should be checked using the
SDI0417SDI0488
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FLUID
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Type A
Add fluid when the low washer fluid warning
light comes on. Add a washer solvent to the
water for better cleaning. In the winter season,
add a windshield washer anti-freeze. Follow
the manufacturer's instructions for the mixture
ratio.
Type B
To check the fluid level, use your finger to plug
the center hole of the cap/tube assembly (as
shown above), then remove it from the tank. If
there is no fluid in the tube, addfluid. Add a washer solvent to the water for
better cleaning. In the winter season, add a
windshield washer anti-freeze. Follow the
manufacturer's instructions for the mixture ra-
tio.
Do not substitute engine anti-freeze
coolant for window washer solution.
This may result in damage to the paint.
Anti-freeze is poisonous and should be
stored carefully marked containers out
of the reach of children.
SDI0389ASDI0423
WINDOW WASHER FLUID
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Self-adjusting brakes
Your vehicle is equipped with self-adjusting
brakes.
The front disc-type brakes self-adjust every
time the brake pedal is applied. The rear
drum-type brakes self-adjust every time the
parking brake is applied. If the brake pedal
goes down farther than normal, it may be due
to a lack of adjustment of the rear drum
brakes. Apply the parking brake several times.
See your NISSAN dealer and have it
checked if the brake pedal height does
not return to normal.
Brake pad wear indicators
The disc brake pads on your vehicle have
audible wear indicators. When a brake pad
requires replacement, it will make a high
pitched scraping or screeching 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 wear indi-
cator sound is heard.
Under some driving or climate conditions, oc-casional brake squeak, squeal or other noise
may be heard. Occasional brake noise during
light to moderate stops is normal and does not
affect the function or performance of the brake
system.
The rear drum brakes (if so equipped) do not
have audible wear indicators. Should you ever
hear an unusually loud noise from the rear
drum brakes, have them inspected as soon as
possible by your NISSAN dealer.
Proper brake inspection intervals should
be followed.For more information regarding
brake inspections, see the appropriate main-
tenance schedule information in the ªMainte-
nance Scheduleº section of this manual.Check the brake booster function with the
following steps:
1. With the engine off, press and release the
brake pedal several times. When brake
pedal movement (distance of travel) re-
mains the same from one pedal application
to the next, continue on to the next step.
2. While depressing the brake pedal, start the
engine. The pedal height should drop a
little.
3. With the brake pedal depressed, stop the
engine. Keeping the pedal depressed for
about 30 seconds, the pedal height should
not change.
4. Run the engine for one minute without
depressing the brake pedal, then turn it off.
Depress the brake pedal several times. The
pedal travel distance will decrease gradu-
ally with each depression as the vacuum is
released from the booster.
If the brakes do not operate properly, have the
brake checked by your NISSAN dealer.
BRAKE BOOSTER
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Press the pedal by hand and be sure the free
travel is within the above limit. If free travel is
out of the range shown above, see your
NISSAN dealer.Engine compartment (Headlight
fuses)
Never use a fuse of higher amperage
rating than that specified on the fuse
box cover. This could damage the elec-
trical system or cause a fire.
If any electrical equipment does not operate,
check for an open fuse.1. Be sure the ignition key and the headlight
switch are ªOFFº.
2. Open the engine hood.
3. Remove the fusible link cover.
4. Remove the fuse with the fuse puller.
5. If the fuse is open, replace it with a new
fuse.
6. If a new fuse opens again, have the elec-
trical system checked and repaired by your
NISSAN dealer.
DI0070-BSDI0395
CLUTCH PEDAL FUSES
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Passenger compartment
Never use a fuse of higher amperage
rating than that specified on the fuse
box cover. This could damage the elec-
trical system or cause a fire.
If any electrical equipment does not operate,
check for an open fuse.
1. Be sure the ignition key and the headlight
switch are ªOFFº.2. Pull to open the fuse box cover/coin tray.
3. Pull the fuse box cover/coin tray horizon-
tally to remove it.
4. Remove the fuse with the fuse puller.
5. If the fuse is open, replace it with a new
fuse.
6. If a new fuse opens again, have the elec-
trical system checked and repaired by your
NISSAN dealer.
HEADLIGHTS
Semi-sealed beam type
The headlight is a semi-sealed beam type
which uses a replaceable headlight (halogen)
bulb. A bulb can be replaced inside the engine
compartment without removing the headlight
assembly.
High pressure halogen gas is sealed
inside the halogen bulb. The bulb may
break if the glass envelope is scratched
SDI0447DI0156
LIGHT BULBS
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7,500 miles (12,000 km) for 2WD vehicles and
3,750 miles (6,000 km) for 4WD vehicles.
Wheel alignment and balanceIf the vehicle
should pull to either side while driving on a
straight and level road, or if you detect uneven
or abnormal tire wear, there may be a need for
wheel alignment.
If the steering wheel or seat vibrates at normal
highway speeds, wheel balancing may be
needed.
Windshield wiper blades*Check for cracks
or wear if they do not wipe properly.
Doors and engine hoodCheck that all doors
and the engine hood, operate properly. Also
ensure that all latches lock securely. Lubricate
hinges, latches, rollers and links if necessary.
Make sure that the secondary latch keeps the
hood from opening when the primary latch is
released.
When driving in areas using road salt or other
corrosive materials, check lubrication fre-
quently.INSIDE THE VEHICLE
The maintenance items listed here should be
checked on a regular basis, such as when
performing periodic maintenance, cleaning the
vehicle, etc.
Lights*Make sure that the headlights, stop
lights, tail lights, turn signal lights, and other
lights are all operating properly and installed
securely. Also check headlight aim.
Warning lights and buzzers/chimesMake
sure that all warning lights and buzzers/chimes
are operating properly.
Windshield wiper and washer*Check that
the wipers and washer operate properly and
that the wipers do not streak.
Windshield defrosterCheck that the air
comes out of the defroster outlets properly and
in sufficient quantity when operating the heater
or air conditioner.
Steering wheelCheck for changes in the
steering conditions, such as excessive free-
play, hard steering or strange noises.
SeatsCheck seat position controls such as
seat adjusters, seatback recliner, etc. to en-
sure they operate smoothly and that all latches
lock securely in every position. Check that the
head restraints move up and down smoothlyand that the locks (if so equipped) hold se-
curely in all latched positions.
Seat beltsCheck that all parts of the seat belt
system (e.g. buckles, anchors, adjusters and
retractors) operate properly and smoothly, and
are installed securely. Check the belt webbing
for cuts, fraying, wear or damage.
Accelerator pedalCheck the pedal for
smooth operation and make sure the pedal
does not catch or require uneven effort. Keep
the floor mats away from the pedal.
Clutch pedal*Make sure the pedal operates
smoothly and check that it has the proper free
travel.
BrakesCheck that the brakes do not pull the
vehicle to one side when applied.
Brake pedal and booster*Check the pedal
for smooth operation and make sure it has the
proper distance under it when depressed fully.
Check the brake booster function. Be certain
to keep floormats away from the pedal.
Parking brake*Check that the lever has the
proper travel and confirm that your vehicle is
held securely on a fairly steep hill with only the
parking brake applied.
Automatic transmission ªPark positionº
mechanismOn a fairly steep hill check that
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eastern Nevada, southern Idaho, western
South Dakota, western Nebraska, and that
part of Texas which is directly south of New
Mexico.
Using unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating lower than stated above can cause
persistent, heavy ªspark knockº. (ªSpark
knockº is a metallic rapping noise.) If se-
vere, this can lead to engine damage. If you
detect a persistent heavy spark knock even
when using gasoline of the stated octane
rating, or if you hear steady spark knock
while holding a steady speed on level
roads, have your dealer correct the condi-
tion. Failure to correct the condition is
misuse of the vehicle, for which NISSAN is
not responsible.
Incorrect ignition timing will result in knocking,
after-run or overheating. This in turn may
cause excessive fuel consumption or damage
to the engine. If any of the above symptoms
are encountered, have your vehicle checked at
a NISSAN dealer or other competent service
facility.
However, now and then you may notice
light spark knock for a short time while
accelerating or driving up hills. This is no
cause for concern, because you get the
greatest fuel benefit when there is lightspark knock for a short time.
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