
Turn signal/hazard indicator lightsLow washer fluid warning light
(For Canada)Automatic transmission oil temperature
warning light
orBrake warning light4-wheel drive indicator lightorMalfunction indicator light
High beam indicator light (Blue)CRUISE indicator lightDoor open warning light
Seat belt reminder light and buzzerAnti-lock brake warning light
(Except for Canada)Tire carrier open warning light
Engine oil pressure warning lightAnti-lock brake warning light
(For Canada)Supplemental air bag warning light
Charge warning lightOverdrive off indicator light
Low fuel warning lightAutomatic transmission park warning light
Checking bulbs
Turn the ignition key to ªONº without starting
the engine. The following lights will 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 elec-
trical system. Have the system repaired
promptly.
Turn signal/hazard indicator
lights
The light flashes when the turn signal switch
lever or hazard switch is turned on.
orBrake warning light
This light functions for both the parking brake
and the foot brake systems.Parking brake indicator
The light comes on when the parking brake is
applied.
Low brake fluid warning
The light warns of a low brake fluid level. If the
light comes on while the engine is running,
stop the vehicle and perform the following:
1. Check the brake fluid level. Add brake fluid
as necessary. See ªBrake and clutch fluidº
in the ªDo-it-yourself operationsº section.
WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHT
AND BUZZER
1-9
Z01.2.1/R50-DX

Do not continue driving if the belt is
loose, broken or missing.
Low fuel warning light
This light comes on when the fuel in the tank is
getting low. Refuel as soon as it is convenient,
preferably before the fuel gauge reaches ªEº.
There should be a small reserve of fuel
remaining in the tank when the fuel gauge
needle reaches ªEº.
Low washer fluid warning
light (For Canada)
This light comes on when the washer fluid in
the washer tank is at a low level. Add washer
fluid as necessary. See the ªDo-it- yourself
operationsº section.
4-wheel drive indicator light
This light comes on when the transfer shift
control lever is in the ª4Hº or ª4Lº position.
CRUISE indicator light
The light comes on while the vehicle speed is
controlled by the cruise control system.
If the light flickers while the engine is running,
it may indicate there is something wrong with
the cruise control system. Have the system
checked by your NISSAN dealer.
orAnti-lock
brake warning
light
If the light comes on while the engine is
running, it may indicate there is something
wrong with the anti-lock brake system. Have
the system checked by your NISSAN dealer.
If an abnormality occurs in the system, the
anti-lock function will cease but the ordinary
brakes will continue to operate normally.
If the light comes on while you are driving,
contact your NISSAN dealer for repair.
Overdrive off indicator light
This light comes on when the overdrive switch
is pushed in the ªOFFº position.
Automatic transmission park
warning light (
model)
This light indicates that the automatic trans-
mission parking function is not engaged. If the
transfer control is not secured in any drive
position while the automatic transmission se-
lector lever is in the ªPº position, the transmis-
sion will disengage and the wheel will not lock.
Shift the transfer control lever into the ª2Hº or
ª4Lº position when the warning light comes on.
IWhen parking, always make sure that the
transfer lever is in ªHº or ª4Lº and the
parking brake is set.
IIf the ATP light is ªONº, this indicates that
the automatic transmission ªparkº position
will not function and the transfer lever is in
neutral.
IFailure to engage the transfer control lever
in ªHº or ª4Lº could result in the vehicle
moving unexpectedly, resulting in serious
personal injury or property damage.
1-11
Z01.2.1/R50-DX

Daytime running light system
(For Canada)
The headlights automatically illuminate at a
reduced intensity when the engine is started
with the parking brake released. The daytime
running lights operate with the headlight switch
in the ªOFFº position or in the ª
º position.
Turn the headlight switch to the ªº posi-
tion for full illumination when driving at night.
If the parking brake is applied before the
engine is started, the daytime running lights do
not illuminate. The daytime running lights illu-
minate once the parking brake is released.
The daytime running lights will remain on until
the ignition switch is turned off.
When the daytime running light system
is active, tail lights on your vehicle will
not be on. It is necessary at dusk to turn
on your headlights. Failure to do so
could cause an accident injuring your-
self and others.
Passing signal
Pulling the lever toward you will turn on the
passing signal even when the headlight switch
is off.
Turn signal
Move the lever up or down to signal to the
turning direction. When the turn is completed,
the turn signals cancel automatically.
Lane change signal
To indicate a lane change, move the lever up
or down to the point where lights begin flash-
ing.
The windshield wiper and washer operates
when the ignition key is in the ªACCº or ªONº
position.
Push the lever down to operate the wiper.
Intermittent operation can be adjusted from 4
to 12 seconds by turning the knob.
Pull the lever toward you to operate the
washer. Then the wiper will also operate sev-
eral times.
SIC0683
WINDSHIELD WIPER AND
WASHER SWITCH
1-16
Z01.2.1/R50-DX

4 Starting and driving
Precautions when starting and driving ................... 4-2
On-pavement and off-road driving precautions ...... 4-4
Avoiding collision and rollover ................................. 4-4
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving .......................... 4-4
Ignition switch ........................................................ 4-5
Before starting the engine ..................................... 4-7
Driving with automatic transmission ...................... 4-7
Driving with manual transmission ........................ 4-11
Starting the engine ............................................... 4-13
Parking brake ....................................................... 4-13
Cruise control ....................................................... 4-14
Break-in schedule ................................................ 4-16
Economy hints ..................................................... 4-17
Transfer case shifting procedures
for 4-wheel drive vehicles .................................... 4-17
Parking ................................................................. 4-23
Power steering system ........................................ 4-24
Brake system ....................................................... 4-24
Anti-lock brake system .......................................... 4-25
Cold weather driving ............................................ 4-26
Corrosion protection ............................................. 4-28
Z01.2.1/R50-DX

tor lever can be moved if the ignition switch
is in the ªACCº position.
1. Keep the foot brake pedal depressed and
push the selector lever button to shift into a
driving gear.
2. Release the parking brake and foot brake,
then gradually start the vehicle in motion.
IDo not depress the accelerator pedal
while shifting from ªPº or ªNº to ªRº,
ªDº, ª2º or ª1º. Always depress the
brake pedal until shifting is com-
pleted. Failure to do so could cause
you to lose control and have an acci-
dent.
ICold engine idle speed is high, so use
caution when shifting into a forward
or reverse gear before the engine has
warmed up.
INever shift to ªPº or ªRº while the
vehicle is moving. This could cause
an accident.
IOn slippery roads, do not downshift.This may cause a loss of control.
When stopping the vehicle on an uphill
grade, do not hold the vehicle by de-
pressing the accelerator pedal. The foot
brake should be used for this purpose.
Shifting from ªPº (Park)
If the ignition switch is in the ªONº position and
the foot brake pedal is depressed, but the
selector lever still cannot be moved out of ªPº
(Park), follow these instructions:
1. Shut the engine off and remove the key.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Reinsert the ignition key and turn it clock-
wise to the ªACCº position.
4. Depress the brake pedal, move the selector
lever to ªNº (Neutral) and start the engine.
5. Check stop light operation.
If the selector lever cannot be moved
from the ªPº position while the engine is
running and the brake pedal depressed,
the stop lights may not work. Malfunc-
tioning stop lights could cause an acci-
dent injuring yourself and others.
These instructions for starting the vehicle in
ªNº (Neutral) should only be used until service
can be obtained. Never drive the vehicle if the
stop lights are not operating properly.
4-8
Z01.2.1/R50-DX

Push the button to shift into ªPº, ªRº or from ªDº
to ª2º. All other positions can be selected
without pushing the button.
ªPº (Park):
Use this selector position when the vehicle is
parked or when starting the engine. Always be
sure the vehicle is at a complete stop. For
maximum safety, depress the brake pedal,
then push in the select lever button and move
the lever to the ªPº position. Apply the parking
brake. When parking on a hill, apply the park-
ing brake first, then shift the lever into the ªPº
position.ªRº (Reverse):
Use this position to back up. Shift into this
position only after the vehicle has completely
stopped.
ªNº (Neutral):
Neither forward nor reverse gear is engaged.
The engine can be started in this position. You
may shift to ªNº and restart a stalled engine
while the vehicle is moving.
ªDº (Drive):
Use this position for all normal forward driving.
ª2º (Second gear):
Use for hill climbing, effective engine braking
on downhill grades or starting on slippery
roads.
Do not downshift into the ª2º position at speeds
over the following speeds and do not exceed
the following speeds in the ª2º position:2-wheel drive:
60 MPH (95 km/h)
4-wheel drive:
50 MPH (80 km/h)
ª1º (Low gear):
Use this position when climbing steep hills
slowly or driving slowly through deep snow,
sand or mud, or for maximum engine braking
on steep downhill grades.
Do not shift into ª1ºposition at speeds over the
following speeds:
2-wheel drive:
60 MPH (95 km/h)
4-wheel drive:
50 MPH (80 km/h)
Do not exceed the following speeds in the ª1º
position:
2-wheel drive:
30 MPH (50 km/h)
4-wheel drive:
30 MPH (50 km/h)
SD1034
4-9
Z01.2.1/R50-DX

1. Apply the parking brake.
2.Automatic transmission:
Move the selector lever to ªPº (Park position
or ªNº (Neutral position). (ªPº preferred)
The selector lever cannot be moved out
of ªPº and into any of the other gear
positions if the ignition key is turned to
ªOFFº or if the key is removed from the
switch.
The starter is designed not to operate if
the selector lever is in one of the driving
positions.
Manual transmission:
Move the gearshift lever to ªNº (Neutral
position), and depress the clutch pedal to
the floor while starting the engine.
The starter is designed not to operate
unless the clutch pedal is depressed.
3. Crank the enginewith your foot off the
accelerator pedalby turning the ignition
key to ªSTARTº. Release the key when the
engine starts. If the engine starts, but fails
to run, repeat the above procedure.
Ð If the engine is very hard to start in
extremely cold or hot weather ÐUse the accelerator pedal to help start the
engine.
Do not crank the engine for more than 10
seconds at a time. If the engine does not
start, turn the key off and wait 10 sec-
onds before cranking again, otherwise
the starter could be damaged.
4.Warm-up
Always allow the engine to idle for at least
30 seconds after starting. Drive at moder-
ate speed for a short distance first, espe-
cially in cold weather.To apply:pull the lever up.
To release:
1. Firmly apply foot brake.
2.Manual transmission models:
Place the gearshift lever in the ªNº (Neutral)
position.
Automatic transmission models:
Move the selector lever to the ªPº (Park)
position.
3. While pulling up on the lever slightly, push
the button and lower completely.
PD1185M
STARTING THE ENGINE PARKING BRAKE
4-13
Z01.2.1/R50-DX

4. Before driving, be sure the brake warning
light goes out.
IBe sure the parking brake is fully
released before driving. Failure to do
so can cause brake failure and lead to
an accident.
IDo not release the parking brake from
outside the vehicle.
IDo not use the gear shift in place of
the parking brake. When parking, be
sure the parking brake is fully en-
gaged.
IDo not leave children unattended in a
vehicle. They could release the park-
ing brake and cause an accident.
The cruise control allows driving at a fixed
speed between 30 to 90 MPH (48 to 144 km/h)
without keeping your foot on the accelerator
pedal.
To turn on the cruise control,push the main
switch on. The indicator light on the switch will
come on.
To set at cruising speed,accelerate your
vehicle to the desired speed, push the
COAST/SET switch and release it. (The
ªCRUISEº light will come on.) Take your foot
off the accelerator pedal. Your vehicle will
maintain the set speed.ITo pass another vehicle,depress the
accelerator pedal. When you release the
pedal, the vehicle will return to the previ-
ously set speed.
IThe vehicle may not maintain the set speed
when going up or down steep hills. If this
happens, drive without the cruise control.
To cancel the preset speed,follow any of
these three methods:
a) Push the cancel switch; The ªCRUISEº light
will go out.
b) Tap the brake pedal; The ªCRUISEº light
will go out.
SSD0019
CRUISE CONTROL
4-14
Z01.2.1/R50-DX