1998 NISSAN FRONTIER cooling

WARNING
cThe air conditioner cooling function
operates only when the engine is
running.
cDo not leave children, unreliable
adults, or pets alone in your vehicle.
On hot sunny days, temperatures in
a closed vehicle could quickly be-
come high enough to cause severe
or possibly fatal injuries to people or
animals.
cDo not use the recirculation mode
for long periods as it may cause theinterior air to become stale and the
windows to fog up.
cPositioning of the heating or air con-
ditioning controls should not be
done while driving, so that full atten-
tion may be given to the driving
operation.
CONTROLS
Fan control lever
This lever turns the fan on and off, and
controls fan speed.
Air control dial
This dial allows you to select the air flow
outlets.
Ð Air flows from center and side
ventilators.
Ð Air flows from center and side
ventilators and foot outlets.
Ð Air flows mainly from foot outlets.
Ð Air flows from defrost outlets and
foot outlets.
ÐAir flows mainly from defrost outlets.
Temperature control dial
This dial allows you to adjust the tempera-
ture of the outlet air.
Air intake lever (if so equipped)
This lever is provided only for vehicles with
an air conditioner.
Ð Outside air is drawn into the pas-
senger compartment and distributed
through the selected outlet.
Use this position for normal heater or air
conditioner operation.
AHA1035
HEATER AND AIR
CONDITIONER
Heater, air conditioner and audio systems4-3
ZX

Ð Interior air is recirculated inside the
vehicle.
Move the air intake lever to the
position:
cwhen driving on a dusty road.
cto prevent traffic fumes from entering the
passenger compartment.
cfor maximum cooling when using the air
conditioner.
Air conditioner switch
(if so equipped)
This button is provided only for vehicles with
an air conditioner.
Start the engine, push the switch and move
the fan control lever to the desired speed.
The indicator light comes on when the air
conditioner is on.
HEATER OPERATION
Heating
This mode directs hot air to the foot outlets.
A small amount of air is also directed to the
defrost outlets.
1. Move the air intake lever to the
position for normal heating.
2. Move the air control dial to the
position.
3. Move the fan control lever to the desired
speed.
4. Move the temperature control dial to the
desired position between the middle and
the HOT position.
Ventilation
This mode directs outside air to the side and
center ventilators.
1. Move the air intake lever to the
position.
2. Move the air control dial to the
position.
3. Move the fan control lever to the desired
speed.
4. Move the temperature control dial to the
desired position.
Defrosting or defogging
This mode defrosts/defogs the windows.
1. Move the air intake lever to the
position.2. Move the air control dial to the
position.
3. Move the fan control lever to the desired
speed.
4. Move the temperature control dial to the
desired position between the middle and
the HOT position.
cIf it is difficult to defog the windshield,
turn the air conditioner switch on (if so
equipped).
Bi-level heating
This mode directs cooler air from the side
and center ventilators and warmer air from
the foot outlets.
1. Move the air intake lever to the
position.
2. Move the air control dial to the
position.
3. Move the fan control lever to the desired
speed.
4. Move the temperature control dial to the
desired position.
4-4Heater, air conditioner and audio systems
ZX

Heating and defrosting
This mode heats the interior and defogs the
windshield.
1. Move the air intake lever to the
position.
2. Move the air control dial to the
position.
3. Move the fan control lever to the desired
speed.
4. Move the temperature control dial to the
desired position between the middle and
the HOT position.
Operating tips
Clear snow and ice from the wiper blade
and air inlet in front of the windshield. This
improves heater and defroster operation.
AIR CONDITIONER OPERATION
(if so equipped)
Start the engine, move the fan control lever
to the desired (one to four) position, and
push in the air conditioner switch to activate
the air conditioner. When the air conditioner
is on, cooling and dehumidifying functions
are added to the heater operation.The air conditioner cooling function op-
erates only when the engine is running.
Cooling
This mode cools and dehumidifies.
1. Move the air intake lever to the
position.
2. Move the air control dial to the
position.
3. Move the fan control lever to the desired
position.
4. Push in the air conditioner switch. The
indicator light comes on.
5. Move the temperature control dial to the
desired position.
cFor quick cooling when the outside tem-
perature is high, move the air intake lever
to the
position. Be sure to return
the air intake lever to theposition
for normal cooling.
Dehumidified heating
This mode heats and dehumidifies.
1. Move the air intake lever to the
position.
2. Move the air control dial to the
position.3. Move the fan control lever to the desired
position.
4. Push in the air conditioner switch. The
indicator light comes on.
5. Move the temperature control dial to the
desired position.
Dehumidified defrosting
This mode defrosts/defogs the windows and
dehumidifies.
1. Move the air intake lever to the
position.
2. Move the air control dial to the
position
3. Move the fan control lever to the desired
position.
4. Push in the air conditioner switch. The
indicator light comes on.
5. Move the temperature control dial to the
desired position.
Operating tips
cKeep windows and sunroof closed while
operating the air conditioner.
cAfter parking in the sun, drive for two or
Heater, air conditioner and audio systems
4-5
ZX

three minutes with the windows open to
vent hot air from the passenger compart-
ment. Then, close the windows. This
allows the air conditioner to cool the
interior more quickly.
cThe air conditioning system should be
operated for about ten minutes at least
once a month, especially in winter. This
helps prevent damage to the system due
to lack of lubrication.
cIf the coolant temperature gauge ex-
ceeds the (hot) position, turn the air
conditioner off. Have your vehicle in-
spected by a NISSAN dealer. See ``If
your vehicle overheats'' in the ``In case of
emergency'' section for additional infor-
mation.
AIR FLOW CHARTS
The following charts show the switch and
lever positions forMAXIMUM and QUICK
heating, cooling or defrosting.
The air intake lever should always be in
the
position for heating and de-
frosting.
AHA1038
4-6Heater, air conditioner and audio systems
ZX

built-in diagnostic feature that tests the sys-
tem each time you start the engine and
move the vehicle at a low speed in forward
or reverse. When the self-test occurs, you
may hear a ``clunk'' noise and/or feel a
pulsation in the brake pedal. This is normal
and is not an indication of any malfunction. If
the computer senses any malfunction, it
switches the anti-lock brake system off and
turns on the ABS brake warning light in the
dashboard. The brake system then operates
normally, but without anti-lock assistance.
If an abnormality occurs in the system, the
anti-lock function will cease but the ordinary
brakes will continue to operate normally. The
ABS brake warning light will then come on.
If the light comes on while you are driving,
contact an authorized NISSAN dealer for
repair.
Using the System
Depress the brake pedal and hold it down.
WARNING
Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so
may result in increased stopping dis-
tances.
WARNING
The anti-lock brake system is a sophis-
ticated device. But it cannot prevent
accidents resulting from careless or
dangerous driving techniques. It can
help maintain vehicle control under
some conditions, but remember that
the stopping distance on slippery sur-
faces will be longer than on normal
surfaces even with ABS. Stopping dis-
tances 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.
cWhen replacing tires, install the
specified size of tires on all four
wheels.
cWhen installing a spare tire, make
sure it is the proper size and type as
specified on the tire placard. See
``Tire placard'' in the ``Technical and
consumer information'' section.Freeing a frozen door lock
To prevent a door lock from freezing, apply
de-icer or glycerin through the key hole. If
the lock becomes frozen, heat the key be-
fore inserting it in 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 ``Engine cooling system'' in the ``Do-it-
yourself'' section of this manual.
Battery
If the battery is not fully charged during
extremely cold weather conditions, the bat-
tery fluid may freeze and damage the bat-
tery. To maintain maximum efficiency, the
battery should be checked regularly. For
details, see ``Battery'' in the ``Do-it-yourself''
section of this manual.
Draining of coolant water
If the vehicle is to be left outside without
anti-freeze, drain the cooling system by
opening the drain valves located under the
radiator and on the engine block. Refill
COLD WEATHER DRIVING
5-26Starting and driving
ZX

If your vehicle is overheating (indicated by
an extremely high temperature gauge read-
ing), or if you feel a lack of engine power, or
detect abnormal noise, etc., take the follow-
ing steps:
WARNING
cDo not continue to drive if your ve-
hicle overheats. Doing so could
cause a vehicle fire.
cTo avoid the danger of being
scalded, never remove the radiator
cap while the engine is still hot.
When the radiator cap is removed,
pressurized hot water will spurt out,
possibly causing serious injury.
cDo not open the hood if steam is
coming out.
1. Move the vehicle safely off the road,
apply the parking brake and move the
gearshift lever to N (Neutral), or the au-
tomatic transmission into P (Park).
Do not stop the engine.
2.
Turn off the air conditioner (if so
equipped). Open all of the windows,
move the heater or air conditioner tem-perature control to maximum hot and fan
control to high speed.
3. If engine overheating is caused by climb-
ing a long hill on a hot day, run the engine
at a fast idle (approximately 1,500 r/min)
until the temperature gauge indicator re-
turns to normal.
4. Get out of the vehicle. Look and listen for
steam or coolant escaping from the ra-
diator before opening the hood. Wait until
no steam or coolant can be seen before
proceeding.
5. Open the hood.
WARNING
If steam or water is coming from the
engine, stand clear to prevent getting
burned.
6. Visually check drive belts for damage or
looseness. Also check if the cooling fan
is running. The radiator hoses and radia-
tor should not leak water. If coolant is
leaking, or the water pump belt is missing
or loose, or the cooling fan does not run,
stop the engine.
WARNING
cBe careful not to allow your hands,
hair, jewelry or clothing to come into
contact with, or to get caught in, the
running fan or belts.
7. After the engine cools down, check the
coolant level in the reservoir tank with the
engine running. Add coolant to the res-
ervoir tank if necessary. Have your ve-
hicle repaired at an authorized NISSAN
dealer.
IF YOUR VEHICLE
OVERHEATS
In case of emergency6-9
ZX

CAUTION
If you have to tow your vehicle with four
wheels on the ground or with front or
rear wheels raised, observe the follow-
ing restricted towing speeds and dis-
tances:
cSpeed: Below 60 MPH (97 km/h)
cDistance: Less than 500 miles (805
km)
If the speed or distance must necessarily be
greater, remove the front and rear propeller
shafts beforehand to prevent damage to the
transmission.
CAUTION
cNever tow your vehicle from the rear
(i.e., backward) with four wheels on
the ground as this may cause seri-
ous and expensive damage to the
transmission.
cBe sure to place the transfer case
shift lever into the 2H position and
the transmission shift lever into the
N (Neutral) position.
VEHICLE RECOVERY (freeing a
stuck vehicle)
cTow chains or cables must be attached
only to the main structural members of
the vehicle.
cPulling devices should be routed so they
do not touch any part of the suspension,
steering, brake or cooling systems.
cAlways pull the cable straight out from
the front or rear of the vehicle. Never pull
the vehicle at an angle.
cPulling devices such as ropes or canvas
straps are not recommended for use in
vehicle towing or recovery.
cStand clear of a stuck vehicle.
WARNING
Do not spin your tires at high speed.
This could cause them to explode and
result in serious injury. Parts of your
vehicle could also overheat and be
damaged.
6-12In case of emergency
ZX

8 Do-it-yourself
Maintenance precautions .......................................8-2
Engine compartment check locations ....................8-3
Engine cooling system ...........................................8-4
Checking engine coolant level ...............................8-4
Changing engine coolant .......................................8-5
Engine oil ...............................................................8-6
Checking engine oil level .......................................8-6
Changing engine oil ...............................................8-7
Changing engine oil filter .......................................8-9
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ........................8-9
Temperature conditions for checking ATF .............8-9
Power steering fluid..............................................8-11
Brake and clutch fluid...........................................8-11
Window washer fluid ............................................8-12
Battery ..................................................................8-13Jump starting ........................................................8-13
Drive belts ............................................................8-14
Spark plug replacement .......................................8-15
Air cleaner housing filter ......................................8-16
Wiper blades ........................................................8-17
Parking brake check.............................................8-19
Brake pedal ..........................................................8-19
Brake booster .......................................................8-20
Clutch pedal .........................................................8-21
Fuses ....................................................................8-22
Light bulbs ............................................................8-23
Headlights ............................................................8-23
Bulb replacement .................................................8-24
Wheels and tires ..................................................8-26
Four-wheel drive models ......................................8-29
ZX