1998 NISSAN FRONTIER check engine

Octane rating tips
In most parts of North America, you should
use unleaded gasoline with an octane rating
of at least 87 AKI (Anti-Knock Index). How-
ever, you may use unleaded gasoline with
an octane rating as low as 85 AKI in high
altitude areas (over 4,000 ft [1,219 m]) such
as: Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah,
Wyoming, northeastern Nevada, southern
Idaho, western South Dakota, western Ne-
braska, and the 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 ``spark knock.'' (``Spark
knock'' is a metallic rapping noise.) If
severe, 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 an authorized NIS-
SAN dealer correct the condition. Failure
to correct the condition is misuse of the
vehicle, for which NISSAN is not respon-
sible.
Incorrect ignition timing may result in spark
knock, after-run and/or overheating, whichmay cause excessive fuel consumption or
engine damage. If any of the above symp-
toms are encountered, have your vehicle
checked at an authorized NISSAN dealer.
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
light spark knock for a short time under
heavy engine load.
Technical and consumer information
10-5
ZX

11 Index
A
Air bag
Passenger supplemental air bag ON/OFF
switch and light ..................................... 1-12
Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system) ...................................................... 1-10
Air bag warning light .................................. 1-15
Air cleaner housing filter ............................ 8-16
Air conditioner
Air conditioner operation ........................ 4-5
Air conditioner service ............................ 4-9
Air conditioner specification label ....... 10-14
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
lubrication recommendations ................ 10-8
Heater and air conditioner controls ........ 4-3
Air flow charts .............................................. 4-6
Alarm system (See theft warning) ............. 2-12
Anchor point locations ............................... 1-34
Antenna
Manual .................................................. 4-21
Power.................................................... 4-21
Anti-lock brake system (ABS).................... 5-25
Anti-lock brake system, rear (R-ABS) ....... 5-25
Ashtray (See cigarette lighter and
ashtray) ...................................................... 2-17
Audio system
AM-FM radio with cassette player ........ 4-10Auto-lock free-running hubs ...................... 5-16
Automatic
Automatic power window switch .......... 2-21
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ........ 8-9
Driving with automatic transmission ....... 5-6
B
Battery........................................................ 8-13
Battery Replacement (See multi-remote control
system) ........................................................ 3-7
Before starting the engine ........................... 5-6
Belts (See drive belts) ............................... 8-14
Brake
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) .............. 5-25
Anti-lock brake system, rear (R-ABS) .. 5-25
Brake booster ....................................... 8-20
Brake fluid ................................... 10-3, 8-11
Brake light (See stop light) ................... 8-24
Brake pedal .......................................... 8-19
Brake system ........................................ 5-25
Brake warning light ................................. 2-7
Brake wear indicators ................. 2-10, 8-20
Parking brake check ............................. 8-19
Parking brake operation ....................... 5-11
Break-in schedule ...................................... 5-14
Bulb check/instrument panel ....................... 2-7
Bulb replacement ....................................... 8-24C
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants.................................................... 10-2
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . 10-15
Cassette player (See audio system) ......... 4-10
CB radio or car phone ............................... 4-22
Check engine indicator light (See malfunction
indicator light) ............................................ 2-10
Child restraint with top tether strap ........... 1-33
Child restraints ........................................... 1-25
Cigarette lighter (accessory) and ashtray . 2-17
Cleaning exterior and interior ...................... 7-2
Clutch
Clutch fluid ............................................ 8-11
Clutch pedal.......................................... 8-21
Cold weather driving .................................. 5-26
Controls
Heater and air conditioner controls ........ 4-3
Coolant
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants .............................................. 10-2
Changing engine coolant........................ 8-5
Checking engine coolant level ............... 8-4
Engine coolant temperature gauge ........ 2-5
Corrosion protection .................................... 7-4
Cruise control............................................. 5-12
Cup holder ................................................. 2-18
ZX

D
Daytime running light system (Canada
only) ........................................................... 2-14
Dimensions and weights.......................... 10-11
Door locks .................................................... 3-2
Drive belts .................................................. 8-14
Driving
Auto-lock free-running hubs ................. 5-16
Cold weather driving............................. 5-26
Driving with automatic transmission ....... 5-6
Driving with manual transmission ........... 5-8
Driving your 4-wheel drive safely ......... 5-21
Manual-lock free-running hubs ............. 5-19
Precautions when starting and driving ... 5-2
E
Economy - fuel........................................... 5-14
Emission control information label........... 10-13
Emission control system warranty ........... 10-25
Engine
Before starting the engine ...................... 5-6
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants .............................................. 10-2
Changing engine coolant........................ 8-5
Changing engine oil................................ 8-7
Changing engine oil filter........................ 8-9
Checking engine coolant level ............... 8-4
Checking engine oil level ....................... 8-6
Engine compartment check locations .... 8-3Engine coolant temperature gauge ........ 2-5
Engine cooling system ........................... 8-4
Engine oil ................................................ 8-6
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation ................................... 10-6
Engine oil pressure warning light ........... 2-9
Engine oil viscosity ............................... 10-7
Engine serial number ......................... 10-13
Engine specifications ............................ 10-9
Starting the engine ............................... 5-10
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) ................. 5-2
F
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher
switch) ........................................................ 2-16
Flat tire ......................................................... 6-2
Floor mat positioning aid ............................. 7-4
Fluid
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ........ 8-9
Brake fluid ................................... 10-3, 8-11
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants .............................................. 10-2
Clutch fluid ............................................ 8-11
Engine coolant ........................................ 8-4
Engine oil ................................................ 8-6
Power steering fluid .............................. 8-11
Window washer fluid ............................ 8-12
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ................... 10-13
Front seats
Bench...................................................... 1-4
Separate ................................................. 1-2Fuel
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants .............................................. 10-2
Fuel economy ....................................... 5-14
Fuel filler cap .......................................... 3-9
Fuel gauge.............................................. 2-6
Fuel octane rating................................. 10-5
Fuel recommendation ........................... 10-4
Fuses ......................................................... 8-22
G
Gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge ........ 2-5
Fuel gauge.............................................. 2-6
Odometer ................................................ 2-3
Speedometer .......................................... 2-3
Tachometer............................................. 2-5
General maintenance .................................. 9-2
H
Hazard warning flasher switch .................. 2-16
Head restraints ............................................ 1-3
Headlight and turn signal switch ............... 2-14
Headlights .................................................. 8-23
Heater
Heater and air conditioner controls ........ 4-3
Heater operation ..................................... 4-4
Heater operation .......................................... 4-4
Hood release ............................................... 3-8
11-2
ZX

Hubs
Auto-lock free-running hubs ................. 5-16
Manual-lock free-running hubs ............. 5-19
I
Ignition switch .............................................. 5-4
Indicator lights and chimes (See warning/
indicator lights and chimes) ......................... 2-7
Inside mirror ............................................... 3-14
Instrument brightness control .................... 2-16
Interior light and cargo light ....................... 2-19
J
Jack
Pantograph type ..................................... 6-5
Jump seat .................................................... 1-6
Jump starting ............................................... 6-7
K
Key ............................................................... 3-2
Keyless entry system (See multi-remote control
system) ........................................................ 3-4
L
Labels
Air conditioner specification label ....... 10-14Emission control information label...... 10-13
Engine serial number ......................... 10-13
F.M.V.S.S. certification label .............. 10-13
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
plate .................................................... 10-12
Warning labels (for SRS) ..................... 1-15
Light
Air bag warning light............................. 1-15
Brake light (See stop light) ................... 8-24
Bulb check/instrument panel .................. 2-7
Bulb replacement.................................. 8-24
Headlight and turn signal switch .......... 2-14
Headlights ............................................. 8-23
Interior light and cargo light .................. 2-19
Light bulbs ............................................ 8-23
Passenger supplemental air bag ON/OFF
switch and light ..................................... 1-12
Spotlights (See map light) .................... 2-19
Warning/indicator lights and chimes ...... 2-7
Lock
Door locks............................................... 3-2
Power door lock...................................... 3-3
Luggage (See vehicle loading
information ............................................... 10-15
M
Maintenance
General maintenance ............................. 9-2
Inside the vehicle.................................... 9-3
Maintenance precautions ....................... 8-2
Outside the vehicle ................................. 9-2Periodic maintenance schedules ............ 9-5
Seat belt maintenance.......................... 1-25
Under the hood and vehicle ................... 9-4
Malfunction indicator light .......................... 2-10
Manual antenna ......................................... 4-21
Manual windows ........................................ 2-20
Manual-lock free-running hubs .................. 5-19
Map light .................................................... 2-19
Meters and gauges ...................................... 2-2
Mirror
Inside mirror.......................................... 3-14
Outside mirror control ........................... 3-13
Outside mirrors ..................................... 3-13
Vanity mirror ......................................... 3-14
Multi-remote control system ........................ 3-4
O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating) ...... 10-5
Odometer ..................................................... 2-3
Oil
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants .............................................. 10-2
Changing engine oil................................ 8-7
Changing engine oil filter........................ 8-9
Checking engine oil level ....................... 8-6
Engine oil ................................................ 8-6
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation ................................... 10-6
Engine oil viscosity ............................... 10-7
Outside mirror control ................................ 3-13
Outside mirrors .......................................... 3-13
11-3
ZX

Overdrive switch .......................................... 5-8
Overheat
If your vehicle overheats ........................ 6-9
Owner's manual order form ..................... 10-27
P
Pantograph type jack ................................... 6-5
Parking
Parking brake check ............................. 8-19
Parking brake operation ....................... 5-11
Parking/parking on hills ........................ 5-23
Passenger supplemental air bag ON/OFF
switch and light
Passenger supplemental air bag ON/OFF
switch and light ..................................... 1-12
Periodic maintenance schedules ................. 9-5
Power
Power antenna ..................................... 4-21
Power door lock...................................... 3-3
Power steering fluid .............................. 8-11
Power steering system ......................... 5-24
Power windows..................................... 2-20
Precautions
Maintenance precautions ....................... 8-2
On-pavement and off-road driving
precautions ............................................. 5-3
Precautions on seat belt usage............ 1-17
Precautions when starting and driving ... 5-2
Push starting ................................................ 6-8R
Radio
AM-FM radio with cassette player ........ 4-10
CB radio or car phone .......................... 4-22
Readiness for inspection maintenance (I/M)
test ........................................................... 10-26
Rear anti-lock brake warning light ............. 2-10
Rear sliding window................................... 2-21
Registering your vehicle in another
country ..................................................... 10-12
Remote keyless entry system (See
multi-remote control system) ....................... 3-4
Reporting safety defects (USA) ............... 10-25
S
Safety
Reporting safety defects (USA) .......... 10-25
Seat
Jump seat ............................................... 1-6
Seat belt
2-point type without retractor................ 1-22
3-point type with retractor..................... 1-20
Precautions on seat belt usage............ 1-17
Seat belt extenders .............................. 1-25
Seat belt maintenance.......................... 1-25
Seat belts.............................................. 1-17
Seat belt warning light ................................. 2-8
Seats
Adjustment .............................................. 1-2Bench seat.............................................. 1-4
Separate seats ....................................... 1-2
Service manual order form ...................... 10-27
Shifting
Automatic transmission .......................... 5-7
Manual transmission............................... 5-9
Spark plug replacement............................. 8-15
Speedometer ............................................... 2-3
Spotlights (See map light) ......................... 2-19
SRS warning label ..................................... 1-15
Starting
Before starting the engine ...................... 5-6
Jump starting .......................................... 6-7
Precautions when starting and driving ... 5-2
Push starting........................................... 6-8
Starting the engine ............................... 5-10
Steering
Power steering fluid .............................. 8-11
Power steering system ......................... 5-24
Tilting steering wheel............................ 3-12
Stop light .................................................... 8-24
Sun shade.................................................. 2-23
Sunroof ...................................................... 2-22
Supplemental restraint system (Supplemental
air bag system) ............................................ 1-7
Switch
Automatic power window switch .......... 2-21
Hazard warning flasher switch ............. 2-16
Headlight and turn signal switch .......... 2-14
Ignition switch ......................................... 5-4
Overdrive switch ..................................... 5-8
Passenger supplemental air bag ON/OFF
11-4
ZX