1998 NISSAN FRONTIER service schedule

Foreword
Welcome to the growing family of new NISSAN owners. This vehicle has been delivered to you with confidence. It was produced using the
latest techniques and strict quality control.
This manual was prepared to help you understand the operation and maintenance of your vehicle so that you may enjoy many miles of
driving pleasure. Please read through this manual before operating your vehicle.
A separate Warranty Information and Maintenance Log Booklet explains details about the warranties covering your vehicle and
vehicle maintenance schedules. Additionally, a separate Customer Care/Lemon Law Booklet will explain how to resolve any
concerns you may have with your vehicle, as well as clarify your rights under your state's lemon law.
Your NISSAN dealership knows your vehicle best. When you require any service or have any questions, they will be glad to assist you with
the extensive resources available to them.
WARNING
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
REMINDERS FOR SAFETY!
Follow these important driving rules to help ensure a safe and
complete trip for you and your passengers
²NEVER drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
²ALWAYS observe posted speed limits and never drive too
fast for conditions.
²ALWAYS use your seat belts and appropriate child restraint
systems.
²ALWAYS provide information about the proper use of
vehicle safety features to all occupants of the vehicle.
²ALWAYS review this owner's manual for important safety
information.NOTES ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN
THIS OWNER'S MANUAL
This owner's manual contains descriptions and operating in-
structions for all systems, features and optional equipment that
might appear in any model of this vehicle built for any destina-
tion in North America, including the continental United States,
Canada and Hawaii. Therefore, you may find information in this
manual that does not apply to your vehicle.
For descriptions specified for four-wheel drive models, a
mark is placed at the beginning of the applicable
sections/items.
As with other vehicles with features for off-road use, failure to
operate four-wheel drive models correctly may result in loss of
control or an accident. Be sure to read ``Driving your four-wheel
drive safely'' in the ``Starting and driving'' section of this
manual.
The inside pages of this manual contain
a minimum of 50% recycled fibers,
including 10% post-consumer fibers.

To ensure smooth, trouble-free, safe and
economical driving, NISSAN provides two
periodic maintenance schedules that may
be used, depending upon the conditions in
which you usually drive. These schedules
contain both distance and time intervals, up
to 60,000 miles (96,000 km)/48 months. For
most people, the odometer reading will in-
dicate when service is needed. However, if
you drive very little, your vehicle should be
serviced at the regular time intervals shown
in the schedule.
After 60,000 miles (96,000 km)/48
months, continue periodic maintenance
at the same mileage/time intervals.
SCHEDULE ONE
Follow Periodic Maintenance Schedule one
if your driving habits frequently include one
or more of the following driving conditions:
cRepeated short trips of less than 5
miles (8 km).
cRepeated short trips of less than 10
miles (16 km) with outside tempera-
tures below freezing.
cOperating the vehicle in hot weatherduring stop-and-go ``rush hour'' traf-
fic.
cExtensive idling and/or low speed
driving for long distances, such as
police, taxi or door-to-door delivery
use.
cDriving in dusty conditions.
cDriving on rough, muddy, or salt
spread roads.
cTowing a trailer, using a camper or a
car-top carrier.
SCHEDULE TWO
Follow Periodic Maintenance Schedule two
if none of the driving conditions shown in
Schedule one apply to your driving habits.
Maintenance for off-road driving
(
only)
Whenever you drive off-road through sand,
mud or water as deep as the wheel hub,
more frequent maintenance may be re-
quired of the following items:
¶Brake pads and rotors
¶Brake linings and drums
¶Brake lines and hoses
¶Wheel bearing grease and free-running
hub grease
¶Differential, transmission and transfer oil
¶Steering linkage
¶Propeller shafts and front drive shafts
¶Air cleaner filter
These items should be checked frequently
to assure safe and proper operation of your
vehicle.
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE
SCHEDULES
Maintenance9-5
ZX

prevent load shift while driving.
cBe certain your outside mirrors conform
to all federal, state or local regulations. If
not, install any mirrors required for towing
before driving the vehicle.
Trailer towing tips
In order to gain skill and an understanding
of the vehicle's behavior, you should prac-
tice turning, stopping and backing up in an
area which is free from traffic. Steering,
stability and braking performance will be
somewhat different than under normal driv-
ing conditions.
cAlways secure items in the trailer to
prevent load shift while driving.
c
Avoid abrupt starts, acceleration or stops.
cAvoid sharp turns or lane changes.
cAlways drive your vehicle at a moderate
speed.
cAlways block the wheels on both vehicle
and trailer when parking. Parking on a
slope is not recommended; however, if
you must do so, and if your vehicle is
equipped with automatic transmission,
first block the wheels and apply the park-ing brake, and then move the transmis-
sion shift selector lever into the P (Park)
position. If you move the shift lever to the
P (Park) position before blocking the
wheels and applying the parking brake,
transmission damage could occur.
cWhen going down a hill, shift into a lower
gear and use the engine braking effect.
When ascending a long grade, downshift
the transmission to a lower gear and
reduce speed to reduce chances of en-
gine overloading and/or overheating.
However, for long steep grades, do not
stay in 1st or 2nd gear when driving
above 35 MPH (56 km/h).
cIf the engine coolant rises to an ex-
tremely high temperature when the air
conditioning system is on, turn off the air
conditioner. Coolant heat can be addi-
tionally vented by opening the windows,
switching the fan control to high and
setting the temperature control to the
HOT position.
cTrailer towing requires more fuel than
normal circumstances.
cAvoid towing a trailer for your vehicle's
first 500 miles (805 km).cHave your vehicle serviced more often
than at intervals specified in the recom-
mended Maintenance Schedule.
cWhen making a turn, your trailer wheels
will be closer to the inside of the turn than
your vehicle wheels. To compensate for
this, make a larger than normal turning
radius during the turn.
cCrosswinds and rough roads adversely
affect vehicle/trailer handling, possibly
causing vehicle sway. When being
passed by larger vehicles, be prepared
for possible changes in crosswinds that
could affect vehicle handling. If swaying
does occur, firmly grip the steering
wheel, steer straight ahead, and immedi-
ately (but gradually) reduce vehicle
speed. This combination helps to stabi-
lize the vehicle. Never increase speed.
cBe careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires
considerably more distance than normal
passing. Remember the length of the
trailer must also pass the other vehicle
before you can safely change lanes.
cTo maintain engine braking efficiency
and electrical charging performance, do
Technical and consumer information
10-23
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

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