1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER Owners Manual

opening the windows, switching the fan
control to high and setting the temperature
control to the ªHOTº position.
ITrailer towing requires more fuel than nor-
mal circumstances.
IAvoid towing a trailer for the first 500 miles
(800 km).
IHave your vehicle serviced more often than
at intervals specified in the recommended
Maintenance Schedule.
When towing a trailer, change oil in the
transmission more frequently. See the
Maintenance Schedule.Your NISSAN is covered by the following
emission warranties.
For U.S.A.
1) Emission Defects Warranty
2) Emissions Performance Warranty
For Canada
Emission Control System Warranty
Details of these warranties may be found with
other vehicle warranties in your Warranty In-
formation and Maintenance Log Booklet which
comes with your NISSAN. If you did not re-
ceive a Warranty Information and Mainte-
nance Log Booklet or it becomes lost, you may
obtain a replacement by writing.
INissan Motor Corporation U.S.A. Con-
sumer Affairs Department P.O. Box 191
Gardena. CA 90248-0191
INissan Canada Inc. P.O. Box 1709, Station
ªBº Mississauga, Ontario, L4Y 4H6
If you believe that your vehicle has
a defect which could cause a crash
or could cause injury or death, you
should immediately inform the Na-
tional Highway Traffic Safety Ad-
ministration (NHTSA) in addition to
notifying NISSAN.
If NHTSA receives similar com-
plaints, it may open an investiga-
tion, and if it finds that a safety
defect exists in a group of vehicles,
it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA can-
not become involved in individual
problems between you, your dealer,
or NISSAN.
To contact NHTSA, you may either
call the Auto Safety Hotline toll-free
at 1-800-424-9393 (or 366-0123 in
Washington, D.C. area) or write to:
NHTSA, U.S. Department of Trans-
portation, Washington, D.C. 20590.
You can also obtain other informa-
tion about motor vehicle safety from
the Hotline.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
WARRANTYREPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS
(For U.S.A.)
9-20
Z01.2.1/R50-DX

You may notify NISSAN by contact-
ing our Consumer Affairs Depart-
ment, toll- free, at 1-800-NISSAN-1.
In Hawaii call (808) 836-0888.Due to legal requirements in some states/
areas, your vehicle may be required to be in
what is called the ªready conditionº for an
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test of the emis-
sion control system.
The vehicle is set to the ªready conditionº
when it is driven through certain driving pat-
terns. Usually, the ready condition can be
obtained by ordinary usage of the vehicle.
If a powertrain system component is repaired
or the battery is disconnected, the vehicle may
be reset to a ªnot readyº condition. Before
taking the I/M test, drive the vehicle through
the following pattern to set the vehicle to the
ready condition. If you cannot or do not want to
perform the driving pattern, an NISSAN dealer
can conduct it for you.
Always drive the vehicle in a safe man-
ner according to traffic conditions and
obey all traffic laws.
1. Start the engine when the engine coolant
temperature gauge needle points to ªCº.
Allow the engine to idle until the gauge
needle points between the ªCº and ªHº
(normal operating temperature).2. Accelerate the vehicle to 55 MPH (88
km/h), then quickly release the accelerator
pedal completely and keep it released for at
least 6 seconds.
3. Quickly depress the accelerator pedal for a
moment, then drive the vehicle at a speed
of 53 to 60 MPH (86 to 96 km/h) for at least
5 minutes.
4. Stop the vehicle and turn the engine off.
5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 at least one more
time.
If step 1, 2 or 3 is interrupted, repeat the
preceding step. Any safe driving mode is ac-
ceptable between steps. Do not stop the en-
gine until step 3 is completed.
READINESS FOR INSPECTION/
MAINTENANCE (I/M) TEST (For
U.S.A.)
9-21
Z01.2.1/R50-DX

A Genuine Nissan Service Manual is the best
source of service and repair information for
your vehicle. Filled with wiring diagrams, illus-
trations and step-by-step diagnostic and ad-
justment procedures, this manual is the same
one used by the factory trained technicians
working at your Nissan dealership. Also avail-
able are Genuine NISSAN Owner's Manuals.
For current pricing and availability of a Genu-
ine NISSAN Service Manual or Genuine
NISSAN Owner's Manual, contact:In the U.S.A.:
See your NISSAN dealer or contact:
Dyment Distribution Services
20770 Westwood Dr.
Strongsville OH 44136
In a hurry? Call 1-800-247-5321 and charge
your purchase to Visa/Master Card.
In Canada:
To purchase a copy of a Genuine NISSAN
Service Manual or Owner's Manual please
contact your nearest NISSAN Dealer. For the
phone number and location of a NISSAN
Dealer in your area call the Nissan Satis-
faction Center at 1-800-387-0122 and abilingual NISSAN representative will assist
you.
Also available are Genuine NISSAN Service
and Owner's Manuals for older Nissan models.
9-22
Z01.2.1/R50-DX

10 Index
A
Air bag (See ªSupplemental restraint systemº)
Air bag warning light (See ªSupplemental airbag
warning light or warningº)
Air cleaner filter ............................................... 7-16
Air conditioner
Air conditioner operation ...................... 3-5, 3-9
Air conditioner specification label.............. 9-15
Heater and air conditioner........................... 3-3
Semiautomatic air conditioner ..................... 3-7
Air conditioning system refrigerant and
lubricant recommendations ............................... 9-9
Air flow charts ................................................. 3-11
AM-FM radio with cassette player and compact
disc player (Bose audio system) .................... 3-20
AM-FM radio with compact disc player .......... 3-15
Anti-lock brake system ................................... 4-25
Automatic
Automatic transmission fluid ....................... 7-9
Driving with automatic transmission............ 4-7
Semiautomatic air conditioner ..................... 3-7
Avoiding collision and rollover .......................... 4-4
B
Back door locks ................................................ 2-8
Battery............................................................. 7-13
Battery replacement.......................................... 2-6Before starting the engine ................................ 4-7
Belt hook ......................................................... 2-32
Brake
Anti-lock brake system .............................. 4-25
Brake and clutch fluid................................ 7-11
Brake booster ............................................ 7-19
Brake pedal ............................................... 7-18
Brake system............................................. 4-24
Brake pad wear indicators ............... 1-13, 7-19
Parking brake ................................... 4-13, 7-18
Break-in schedule ........................................... 4-16
C
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants... 9-2
Cargo (See ªvehicle loading informationº)
Cassette tape operation ................................. 3-23
CB radio or car phone .................................... 3-27
Center and side vent ........................................ 3-2
Changing
Changing engine coolant ............................ 7-5
Changing engine oil .................................... 7-8
Changing oil filter ........................................ 7-9
Checking coolant level ...................................... 7-4
Checking engine oil level .................................. 7-7
Child restraints for infants and small children .... 2-
34
Child safety ..................................................... 2-28
Child safety rear door lock................................ 2-3
Cigarette lighter and ash trays ....................... 1-21Cleaning exterior and interior ........................... 6-2
Clearing the programming information ........... 1-34
Clock ................................................................. 1-8
Clutch pedal .................................................... 7-20
Coin tray ......................................................... 1-22
Cold weather driving ....................................... 4-26
Compact disc (CD) player operation .............. 3-29
Compact disc player operation ....................... 3-22
Compass and outside temperature
display ............................................................... 1-5
Console box .................................................... 1-24
Controls ..................................................... 3-3, 3-7
Coolant
Changing engine coolant ............................ 7-5
Checking coolant level ................................ 7-4
Engine coolant temperature gauge ............. 1-4
Corrosion protection ....................................... 4-28
Cruise control.................................................. 4-14
Cup holder ...................................................... 1-23
D
Defroster switch
Rear window defroster switch ................... 1-18
Dimensions and weights ................................. 9-12
Door locks ......................................................... 2-2
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving ................... 4-4
Drive belts ....................................................... 7-14
Driving
Cold weather driving ................................. 4-26
Z01.2.1/R50-DX

Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving .............. 4-4
Driving safety precautions ......................... 4-21
Driving with automatic transmission............ 4-7
Driving with manual transmission ............. 4-11
On-pavement and off-road driving
precautions .................................................. 4-4
Precautions when starting and driving ........ 4-2
E
Economy hints ................................................ 4-17
Emission control information label .................. 9-14
Emission control system warranty .................. 9-20
Engine ............................................................. 9-10
Before starting the engine ........................... 4-7
Changing engine coolant ............................ 7-5
Changing engine oil .................................... 7-8
Checking engine oil level ............................ 7-7
Engine coolant temperature gauge ............. 1-4
Engine cooling system ................................ 7-4
Engine oil..................................................... 7-7
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation .......................................... 9-6
Engine serial number ................................ 9-13
Starting the engine .................................... 4-13
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) ...................... 4-2
Explanation of maintenance items.................. 8-10
F
Flat tire .............................................................. 5-2
Fluid
Automatic transmission fluid ....................... 7-9
Brake and clutch fluid................................ 7-11Power steering fluid................................... 7-11
Window washer fluid ................................. 7-12
F.M.V.S.S. certification label........................... 9-14
Front fog light switch ...................................... 1-19
Front seats ...................................................... 2-12
Fuel
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .............................................. 9-2
Fuel filler cap ............................................. 2-11
Fuel filler lid lock ....................................... 2-10
Fuel gauge .................................................. 1-5
Fuel recommendation.................................. 9-4
Fuses .............................................................. 7-20
G
Gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge ............. 1-4
Fuel gauge .................................................. 1-5
Meters and gauges ..................................... 1-3
General maintenance ....................................... 8-2
Glasses case .................................................. 1-24
Glove box lock ................................................ 2-10
H
Hazard warning flasher switch........................ 1-19
Head restraint ................................................. 2-15
Headlight and turn signal switch..................... 1-15
Headlights ....................................................... 7-21
Heated seats (If so equipped) ........................ 1-20
Heater and air conditioner ................................ 3-3
Heater operation ........................................ 3-4, 3-8Hood release .................................................... 2-9
I
If your vehicle is ever stolen ........................... 1-35
If your vehicle overheats .................................. 5-9
Ignition switch ................................................... 4-5
Inside mirror .................................................... 2-44
Instrument brightness control ......................... 1-18
Integrated HomeLink
transmitter
(If so equipped)............................................... 1-31
Interior light ..................................................... 1-30
J
Jump starting ........................................... 5-7, 7-13
K
Key .................................................................... 2-2
L
Light
Front fog light switch ................................. 1-19
Headlight and turn signal switch ............... 1-15
Headlights.................................................. 7-21
Interior light................................................ 1-30
Light bulbs ................................................. 7-21
Other lights ................................................ 7-23
Spot light ................................................... 1-31
Supplemental air bag warning light........... 2-25
Vanity mirror light ...................................... 1-31
Warning/indicator light and buzzer.............. 1-9
10-2
Z01.2.1/R50-DX

Lock
Anti-lock brake system .............................. 4-25
Back door locks ........................................... 2-8
Child safety rear door lock .......................... 2-3
Door locks ................................................... 2-2
Fuel filler lid lock ....................................... 2-10
Glove box lock........................................... 2-10
Power door lock .......................................... 2-3
Rear window locks ...................................... 2-8
Luggage (See ªvehicle loading informationº)
Luggage board and box ................................. 1-26
Luggage hooks ............................................... 2-45
Luggage net .................................................... 2-44
Luggage rack .................................................. 2-46
M
Maintenance
Explanation of maintenance items ............ 8-10
General maintenance .................................. 8-2
Periodic maintenance .................................. 8-5
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M)
test ............................................................. 9-22
Seat belt maintenance .............................. 2-34
Manual antenna .............................................. 3-27
Meters and gauges ........................................... 1-3
Mirror
Inside mirror .............................................. 2-44
Outside mirror control................................ 2-42
Outside heated defroster
(If so equipped) ......................................... 1-18
Outside mirrors .......................................... 2-43
Vanity mirror light ...................................... 1-30Multi-remote control system (If so equipped) ... 2-4
O
Oil
Changing engine oil .................................... 7-8
Changing oil filter ........................................ 7-9
Checking engine oil level ............................ 7-7
Engine oil..................................................... 7-7
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation .......................................... 9-6
On-pavement and off-road driving precautions .. 4-
4
Operating the transmitter ................................ 1-33
Outside mirror control ..................................... 2-42
Outside heated defroster (If so
equipped) ........................................................ 1-18
Outside mirrors ............................................... 2-43
Overheat
If your vehicle overheats ............................. 5-9
P
Parking ............................................................ 4-23
Parking brake ................................... 4-13, 7-18
Periodic maintenance ....................................... 8-5
Power
Power antenna (If so equipped)................ 3-26
Power door lock .......................................... 2-3
Power socket ............................................. 1-22
Power steering fluid................................... 7-11
Power steering system .............................. 4-24
Power support seat ................................... 2-14
Power window ........................................... 1-27Precautions ....................................................... 7-2
Driving safety precautions ......................... 4-21
On-pavement and off-road driving
precautions .................................................. 4-4
Precautions on seat belt usage ................ 2-27
Precautions when starting and driving ........ 4-2
Programming problem diagnosis .................... 1-33
Programming the HomeLink
transmitter ....................................................... 1-32
Protecting against corrosion ............................. 6-5
Push starting ..................................................... 5-9
R
Radio............................................................... 3-15
AM-FM radio with cassette player and compact
disc player (Bose audio system) ............... 3-20
AM-FM radio with compact disc
player ......................................................... 3-15
CB radio or car phone............................... 3-27
Radio operation ......................................... 3-22
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M) test
(For U.S.A.)..................................................... 9-21
Rear seats ...................................................... 2-16
Rear window defroster switch......................... 1-18
Rear window locks ............................................ 2-8
Rear window wiper and washer switch .......... 1-17
Recommended SAE viscosity number ............. 9-8
Refrigerant recommendation ............................ 9-9
Reporting safety defects (For U.S.A.) ............ 9-20
10-3
Z01.2.1/R50-DX

S
Safety
Child safety................................................ 2-28
Child safety rear door lock .......................... 2-3
Driving safety precautions ......................... 4-21
Reporting safety defects (For U.S.A.) ....... 9-20
Seat adjustment .............................................. 2-12
Seat belt
2-point type with retractor (Center position of
rear seat) ................................................... 2-32
3-point type with retractor ......................... 2-30
Precautions on seat belt usage ................ 2-27
Seat belt extenders ................................... 2-34
Seat belt maintenance .............................. 2-34
Seat belts .................................................. 2-27
Semiautomatic air conditioner .......................... 3-7
Spare tire carrier ............................................... 2-7
Spark plug replacement .................................. 7-14
Speedometer and odometer ............................. 1-3
Spot light ......................................................... 1-31
Starting
Before starting the engine ........................... 4-7
Jump starting ..................................... 5-7, 7-13
Precautions when starting and driving ........ 4-2
Push starting ............................................... 5-9
Starting the engine .................................... 4-13
Steering
Power steering fluid................................... 7-11
Power steering system .............................. 4-24
Tilting steering wheel ................................ 2-41
Sunroof (If so equipped) ................................. 1-29
Sunvisors ........................................................ 2-42
Supplemental air bag warning light ................ 2-25Supplemental restraint system (Supplemental air
bag system) .................................................... 2-19
Switch
Front fog light switch ................................. 1-19
Hazard warning flasher switch .................. 1-19
Headlight and turn signal switch ............... 1-15
Ignition switch .............................................. 4-5
Rear window defroster switch ................... 1-18
Rear window wiper and washer
switch......................................................... 1-17
Windshield wiper and washer switch ........ 1-16
T
Tachometer ....................................................... 1-4
Theft warning (If so equipped)........................ 1-13
Three-way catalyst ............................................ 4-3
Tilting steering wheel ...................................... 2-41
Timing belt ...................................................... 9-10
Tire
Flat tire ........................................................ 5-2
Spare tire carrier ......................................... 2-7
Tire placard ............................................... 9-14
Tire pressure ............................................. 7-26
Wheels and tires .............................. 7-26, 9-11
Tonneau cover ................................................ 1-26
Tow truck towing ............................................. 5-10
Towing
2-wheel drive models ................................ 5-11
4-wheel drive models ................................ 5-12
Tow truck towing ....................................... 5-10
Towing load/specification chart ................. 9-18
Trailer towing ............................................. 9-16
Trailer towing .................................................. 9-16Transmission
Automatic transmission fluid ....................... 7-9
Driving with automatic transmission............ 4-7
Driving with manual transmission ............. 4-11
V
Vanity mirror light ............................................ 1-31
Vehicle identification ....................................... 9-13
Vehicle identification number (Chassis
number) ..................................................... 9-13
Vehicle identification number plate ........... 9-13
Vehicle loading information............................. 9-15
Vehicle recovery (Freeing a stuck
vehicle)............................................................ 5-13
W
Warning
Hazard warning flasher switch .................. 1-19
Supplemental air bag warning light........... 2-25
Theft warning (If so equipped) .................. 1-13
Warning labels........................................... 2-25
Warning/indicator light and buzzer.............. 1-9
Wheels and tires ................................... 7-26, 9-11
When traveling or registering your vehicle in an-
other country ................................................... 9-12
Window washer fluid ....................................... 7-12
Windshield wiper and washer switch.............. 1-16
Wiper
Rear window wiper and washer
switch......................................................... 1-17
Windshield wiper and washer switch ........ 1-16
Wiper blade ............................................... 7-17
10-4
Z01.2.1/R50-DX

Recommended fuel:
Unleaded gasoline, at least 87 AKI number
(RON 91)
For further details such as gasohol or diesel
fuel grade, see ªFuel recommendationº in the
ªTechnical informationº section.
Recommended engine oil:
IAPI SG or SH and Energy Conserving II
IAPI Certification Mark
ISAE 5W-30 viscosity oil is preferred for all
ambient temperatures.
See ªEngine oil and oil filter recommendationº
in the ªTechnical and consumer informationº
section.
Tire cold pressure:
See the tire placard affixed to the glove box.
Recommended new vehicle break-
in procedure:
During the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of
vehicle use, follow the recommendations out-
lined in the ªBREAK-IN SCHEDULEº Informa-
tion found in the ªStarting and drivingº section
of this Owner's Manual. Follow these recom-
mendations for the future reliability and
economy of your new vehicle. Failure to follow
these recommendations may result in vehicledamage or shortened engine life.
GAS STATION INFORMATION
Z01.2.1/R50-DX