1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER Owners Manual

1. Perform the following procedure to open
the heater water cock.
ITurn the ignition key from ªOFFº to ªONº.
IMove the heater or air conditioner tem-
perature control dial to the maximum hot
position then turn the ignition key to
ªOFFº.
2. Open the radiator drain plug and radiator
cap.
Open the drain plugs on the engine block.3. Open the air release plug to drain the
coolant.
4. Flush the cooling system by running fresh
water through the radiator.
5. Close the radiator drain plug and engine
block drain plugs securely.
6. See the ªTechnical informationº section for
cooling system capacity.
Fill the radiator slowly with the proper mix-
ture of coolant and water. Fill the reservoir
tank slowly up to the ªMAXº level. Then
install the radiator cap and close the air
release plug.7. Start the engine and warm it up until it
reaches normal operating temperature.
Then race the engine 2 or 3 times under no
load.
Watch the coolant temperature gauge for
signs of overheating.
8. Stop the engine. After it completely cools
down, refill the radiator up to the filler
opening. Fill the reservoir tank up the
ªMAXº level.
9. Check the radiator drain plug and engine
block drain plugs for any sign of leakage.
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7-6
Z01.2.1/R50-DX

CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
apply the parking brake.
2. Run the engine until it reaches operating
temperature.
3. Turn off the engine.Wait more than 10
minutes for the oil to drain back into the
oil pan.
4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean.
Reinsert it all the way.5. Remove the dipstick again and check the
oil level. It should be between the ªHº and
ªLº marks. If the oil level is below the ªLº
mark, remove the oil filler cap and pour
recommended oil through the opening. Do
not overfill.
6. Recheck oil level with dipstick.
It is normal to add some oil between oil
changes or during the break-in period, de-
pending on the severity of operating con-
ditions.
Oil level should be checked regularly.
Operating with insufficient amount of oil
can damage the engine, and such dam-
age is not covered by warranty.
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ENGINE OIL
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Z01.2.1/R50-DX

CHANGING ENGINE OIL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
apply the parking brake.
2. Warm up the engine until it reaches oper-
ating temperature, and then turn it off.
3. Place a large drain pan under the drain
plug.
4. Remove the oil filler cap.
5. Remove the drain plug with a wrench and
completely drain the oil.
If the oil filter is to be changed, remove andreplace it at this time. See ªChanging oil
filterº.
Be careful not to burn yourself, as the
engine oil is hot.
Waste oil must be disposed of properly.
Check your local regulations.
6. Clean and re-install the drain plug and new
washer. Securely tighten the drain plug with
a wrench. Do not use excessive force.
Drain plug tightening torque:
22 to 29 ft-lb (29 to 39 N×m)
7. Refill engine with recommended oil and
install the oil filler cap securely.
See the ªTechnical informationº section for
refill capacity.
8. Start the engine.
Check for leakage around the drain plug.
Correct as required.
9. Turn the engine off and wait several min-
utes. Check the oil level with the dipstick.
Add engine oil if necessary.
IProlonged and repeated contact with
used engine oil may cause skin can-
cer.
ITry to avoid direct skin contact with
used oil. If skin contact is made, wash
thoroughly with soap or hand cleaner
as soon as possible.
IKeep used engine oil out of reach of
children.
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Z01.2.1/R50-DX

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
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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FLUID
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Z01.2.1/R50-DX

ªHOTº range (ªLº & ªHº marks) on the dipstick
at fluid temperatures between 122 and 176ÉF
(50 and 80ÉC) after the vehicle has been
driven approximately 5 minutes in urban areas
after the engine is warmed up. The level can
be checked at fluid temperatures between 86
and 122ÉF (30 and 50ÉC) using the ªCOLDº
range on the dipstick for reference, after the
engine is warmed up but before driving. How-
ever, the fluid level must be rechecked using
the ªHOTº range.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and set
the parking brake.
2. Start the engine and then move the selector
lever through each gear range, ending in
ªPº.
3. Check the fluid level with the engine idling.
If the vehicle has been driven for a long
time at high speeds, or in city traffic in hot
weather, or if it is being used to pull a
trailer, the fluid level cannot be read accu-
rately. You should wait until the fluid has
cooled down (about 30 minutes).
4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean with
lint-free paper.
5. Re-insert the dipstick into the charging pipe
as far as it will go.6. Remove the dipstick and note the reading.
If the level is on the low side of either range,
add fluid to the charging pipe.
IDo not overfill.
IUSE ONLY Nissan Matic ªDº (Conti-
nental U.S. and Alaska) or Genuine
Nissan Automatic Transmission
Fluid (Canada). Dexron
TM
III/MerconTMor equivalent may also
be used. Outside the continental
United States and Alaska contact a
NISSAN dealer for more information
regarding suitable fluids, including
recommended brand(s) of Dexron
TM
III/MerconTMor DexronTM
IIE/MerconTMAutomatic Transmis-
sion Fluid.
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Z01.2.1/R50-DX

Check the fluid level.
The fluid level should be checked using the
ªHOTº range on the dipstick at fluid tempera-
tures of 122 to 176ÉF (50 to 80ÉC) or using the
ªCOLDº range on the dipstick at fluid tempera-
tures of 32 to 86ÉF (0 to 30ÉC).
IDo not overfill.
IUse type DEXRONTMIIE, DEXRONTMIII
or equivalent.
Check the fluid level in the reservoir. If the fluid
level is below the Min. line or the brake warn-
ing light comes on, add DOT 3 fluid up to the
Max. line.
If fluid is added frequently, the system should
be thoroughly checked by your
NISSAN dealer.
Use only new fluid. Old, inferior or con-
taminated fluid may damage the brake
and clutch systems. The use of im-
proper fluids can damage the brake sys-tem and affect the vehicle's stopping
ability.
Do not spill the fluid on any painted
surfaces. This will damage the paint. If
fluid is spilled, wash with water.
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POWER STEERING FLUID BRAKE AND CLUTCH FLUID
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Z01.2.1/R50-DX

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.
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WINDOW WASHER FLUID
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Z01.2.1/R50-DX

IKeep the battery surface clean and dry. Any
corrosion should be washed off with a
solution of baking soda and water.
IMake certain the terminal connections are
clean and securely tightened.
IIf the vehicle is not to be used for 30 days or
longer, disconnect the ªþº negative battery
terminal cable to prevent discharge.
IDo not expose the battery to flames
or electrical sparks. Hydrogen gas
generated by battery action is explo-
sive. Do not allow battery fluid to
contact your skin, eyes, fabrics, or
painted surfaces. After touching a
battery or battery cap, do not touch or
rub your eyes. Thoroughly wash your
hands. If the acid contacts your eyes,
skin or clothing, immediately flush
with water for at least 15 minutes and
seek medical attention.
IWhen working on or near a battery,
always wear suitable eye protection
and remove all jewelry.
IKeep the battery out of the reach ofchildren.
JUMP STARTING
If jump starting is necessary, see the ªIn case
of emergencyº section. If the engine does not
start by jump starting, the battery may have to
be replaced. Contact your NISSAN dealer.
Check the fluid level in each cell. It should be
between the MAX. and MIN. lines.
If it is necessary to add fluid, add only distilled
water to bring the level to the indicator in each
filler opening.Do not overfill.
1. Remove the cell plugs using a suitable tool.
2. Add distilled water up to the MAX. level.
3. Tighten cell plugs.
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BATTERY
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