1998 NISSAN FRONTIER tires

5 Starting and driving
Precautions when starting and driving ...................5-2
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) ............................5-2
Three-way catalyst .................................................5-2
On-pavement and off-road driving precautions .....5-3
Avoiding collision and rollover................................5-3
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving .........................5-4
Ignition switch .........................................................5-4
Manual transmission ..............................................5-4
Automatic transmission ..........................................5-5
Before starting the engine ......................................5-6
Driving with automatic transmission (if so
equipped) ...............................................................5-6
Driving with manual transmission ..........................5-8
Starting the engine ...............................................5-10
Parking brake operation .......................................5-11Cruise control (if so equipped) .............................5-12
Break-in schedule ................................................5-14
Increasing fuel economy ......................................5-14
Transfer case shifting procedures for 4-wheel
drive vehicles........................................................5-15
Auto-lock free-running hubs .................................5-16
Manual-lock free-running hubs.............................5-19
Driving your four-wheel drive safely.....................5-21
Tires of four-wheel drive ......................................5-22
Parking/parking on hills ........................................5-23
Power steering system .........................................5-24
Brake system........................................................5-25
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) ..............................5-25
Cold weather driving ............................................5-26
ZX

cMake sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.
cCheck fluid levels such as engine oil,
coolant, brake and clutch fluid, and win-
dow washer fluid as frequently as pos-
sible, at least whenever you refuel.
cCheck that all windows and lights are
clean.
cVisually inspect tires for their appearance
and condition. Also check tires for proper
inflation.
cLock all doors.
cPosition seat and adjust head restraints.
cAdjust inside and outside mirrors.
cFasten seat belts and ask all passengers
to do likewise.
c
Check the operation of warning lights when
key is turned to the ON (3) position. See
``Warning/indicator lights and chimes'' in
the ``Instruments and controls'' section.
WARNING
cDo not depress the accelerator pedal
while shifting from P (Park) or N
(Neutral) to R (Reverse), D (Drive), 2
or 1. Always depress the brake pedal
until shifting is completed. Failure to
do so could cause you to lose con-
trol and have an accident.
cCold engine idle speed is high, so
use caution when shifting into a for-
ward or reverse gear before the en-
gine has warmed up.
cNever shift to P (Park) or R (Reverse)
while the vehicle is moving. This
could cause an accident.
CAUTION
cWhen stopping the vehicle on an
uphill grade, do not hold the vehicle
by depressing the accelerator pedal.
The foot brake should be used for
this purpose.
cOn slippery roads, do not downshift.
This may cause a loss of control.
The automatic transmission in your vehicle
is electronically controlled by a transmission
control module to produce maximum power
and smooth operation.
The recommended operating procedures for
this transmission are shown on the following
pages. Follow these procedures for maximum
vehicle performance and driving enjoyment.
Starting the vehicle
cAfter starting the engine, fully depress
the foot brake pedal to ensure the vehicle
is at a complete stop before attempting to
shift the selector lever.
cKeep the foot brake pedal depressed and
shift the selector lever into a driving gear.
cRelease the foot brake, then gradually
start the vehicle in motion.
This automatic transmission is designed
so the foot brake pedal MUST be de-
pressed before shifting from P (Park) to
any drive position while the ignition
switch is ON.
The shift lever cannot be moved out of P
(Park) and into any of the other gear
positions if the ignition key is turned to
LOCK or if the key is removed.
If the battery charge is low, the shift lever
can be moved if the ignition switch is in
the ACC position.
BEFORE STARTING THE
ENGINEDRIVING WITH AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION (if so
equipped)
5-6Starting and driving
ZX

cKeep your engine tuned up.
cFollow the recommended periodic main-
tenance schedule.
cKeep the tires inflated to the correct
pressure. Low tire pressure increases
tire wear and wastes fuel.
cKeep the front wheels in correct align-
ment. Improper alignment increases tire
wear and lowers fuel economy.
cAir conditioner operation lowers fuel
economy. Use the air conditioner only
when necessary.
cWhen cruising at highway speeds, it is
more economical to use the air condi-
tioner and leave the windows closed to
reduce drag.
c
Use 4H or 4L position only when neces-
sary. Four-wheel drive operation lowers
fuel economy.
CAUTION
cDo not drive on dry hard surface
roads in four-wheel drive.
cDriving on dry hard surfaces in 4H or
4L may cause unnecessary noise
and tire wear. We recommend driv-
ing in the 2H position under these
conditions.
WARNING
cWhen parking the vehicle, apply the
parking brake and shift the transfercontrol lever into the 2H, 4H or 4L
position.
cDo not leave the transfer control le-
ver in the N (Neutral) position. Oth-
erwise, the vehicle could roll unex-
pectedly even if the manual
transmission is in gear or the auto-
matic transmission is in the P (Park)
position.
cFailure to engage the transfer con-
trol lever in 2H, 4H, or 4L could result
in the vehicle moving unexpectedly,
which in turn could result in serious
personal injury or property damage.
2HÐ (2WD, high range) Only the rear
wheels are driven. Use when driving under
the same conditions as standard 2WD ve-
hicle.
4HÐ (4WD, high range) Four wheels are
driven. Use when driving on roads where it
is difficult to drive in the 2H position (i.e.,
driving at normal speeds on snow covered,
icy, wet, muddy or sandy roads).
4LÐ (4WD, low range) Four wheels are
driven. Use when climbing or descending
steep hills, or during hard driving in sand,
SD0020
TRANSFER CASE
SHIFTING PROCEDURES FOR
4-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES
Starting and driving5-15
ZX

Your NISSAN is designed for both normal
and off-road use. It has a higher ground
clearance and a narrower track to make it
suitable for off-road use. These characteris-
tics give the vehicle a higher center of
gravity than ordinary passenger cars. An
advantage of the higher ground clearance is
a better view of your surroundings, allowing
you to anticipate problems. However, avoid
driving in deep water or mud as your
NISSAN is mainly designed for leisure use,
unlike a conventional off-road vehicle.
Please observe the following precautions:
WARNING
cDrive carefully when off the road and
avoid dangerous areas. Always wear
your seat belts to help keep you and
your passengers in position when
driving over rough terrain.
cDo not drive across steep slopes.
Instead drive either straight up or
straight down the slopes. Off-road
vehicles can tip over sideways much
more easily than they can forward or
backward.cMany hills are too steep for any ve-
hicle. If you drive up them, you may
stall. If you drive down them, you
may not be able to control your
speed. If you drive across them, you
may roll over.
cStay alert when driving to the top of
a hill. At the top there could be a
drop-off or other hazard that could
cause an accident.
cIf your engine stalls or you cannot
make it to the top of a steep hill,
never attempt to turn around. Your
vehicle could tip or roll over. Always
back straight down in reverse gear.
Never back down in N (neutral) or
with the clutch depressed, using
only the brake, as this could cause
loss of control.
c
Heavy braking going down a hill could
cause your brakes to overheat and
fade, resulting in loss of control and
an accident. Apply brakes lightly and
use a low gear to control your speed.
cIf at all possible, avoid sharp turning
maneuvers, particularly at high
speeds. Your NISSAN four-wheel drive
vehicle has a higher center of gravitythan a two-wheel drive vehicle and can
tip over more easily. The vehicle is not
designed for cornering at the same
speeds as conventional two-wheel
drive vehicles any more than low-
slung sports cars are designed to per-
form satisfactorily under off-road con-
ditions. Failure to operate this vehicle
correctly could result in loss of con-
trol and/or a rollover accident.
cUnsecured cargo can be thrown
around when driving over rough ter-
rain. Properly secure it so that it will
not be thrown forward and cause
injury to you or your passengers.
cAvoid raising the center of gravity by
loading things on the roof or equip-
ping the vehicle with tires larger than
specified in this manual. This could
cause your vehicle to roll over. Put
heavy loads in the cargo area as far
forward and as low as possible.
cDo not grip the inside or spokes of
the steering wheel when driving off-
road. The steering wheel could jerk
and injure your hands. Instead drive
with your fingers and thumbs on the
outside of the rim.
DRIVING YOUR
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE SAFELY
Starting and driving5-21
ZX

cBefore operating the vehicle, ensure
that the driver and all passengers
have their seat belts fastened.
cAlways drive with the floor mats in
place as the floor may become very
hot. Particular care should be taken
if you are barefoot.
cLower your speed when encounter-
ing strong crosswinds. With its
higher center of gravity, your
NISSAN is more affected by gusty
side winds. Slower speeds ensure
better vehicle control.
cDo not drive beyond the perfor-
mance of the tires even with 4WD.
cAccelerating quickly, steering or
braking may cause loss of control.
cInstall the same size of winter tires
on all four (four) wheels (such as
studless tires) or install tire chains
to the rear wheels when driving on
slippery roads (e.g., after a snow)
and drive carefully using 4WD.
cBe sure to check the brakes immedi-
ately after driving in mud or water asspecified in ``Wet brakes'' under the
heading ``Brake system,'' later in this
section.
cAvoid parking your vehicle on steep
hills. If you get out of the vehicle and
it rolls forward, backward or side-
ways, you could be injured.
cWhenever you drive off-road
through sand, mud or water as deep
as the wheel hub, more frequent
maintenance may be required. For
details, refer to ``Maintenance for off-
road driving'' in the ``Maintenance''
section of this manual.CAUTION
Always use tires of the same size,
brand, construction (bias, bias-belted
or radial), and tread pattern on all four
wheels. Failure to do so may result in a
circumference difference between tires
on the front and rear axles which will
cause excessive tire wear and may
damage the transmission, transfer
case and differential gears.
If excessive tire wear is found, it is recom-
mended that all four tires be replaced with
tires of the same size, brand, construction
and tread pattern. The tire pressure and
wheel alignment should also be checked
and corrected as necessary. Contact an
authorized NISSAN dealer.
Snow tires
CAUTION
ONLY use spare tires specified for each
four-wheel drive model.
If you install snow tires, they must also be
the same size, brand, construction and
tread pattern on all four wheels.
TIRES OF FOUR-WHEEL
DRIVE
5-22Starting and driving
ZX

Tire inflation pressure
Periodically check the pressure in all tires,
including the spare, with a gauge. Adjust to
the specified pressure if necessary. Tire
pressures are shown on the tire placard
affixed to the glove box.
Tire chain
Tire chains must be installed only on the
rear wheels and not on the front wheels.
Do not drive with tire chains on paved roads
which are clear of snow. Driving with chains
in such conditions can cause damage to the
various mechanisms of the vehicle due to
some overstress. When driving on clear
paved roads, be sure to change to 2WD.
WARNING
cDo not park the vehicle over flam-
mable materials such as dry grass,
waste paper or rags. They may ignite
and cause a fire.
c
The transfer control lever
must be in the 2H, 4H or 4L position
and the parking brake set to prevent
the vehicle from rolling.
cNever place the transfer control le-
ver in the N (Neutral) position. Oth-
erwise, the vehicle could roll unex-pectedly even if the manual trans-
mission is in gear or the automatic
transmission is in the P (Park) posi-
tion. This could result in serious per-
sonal injury or property damage.
cSafe parking procedures require that
both the parking brake be set and
the transmission placed into P (Park)
position (automatic) or in the appro-
priate gear (manual). Failure to do so
could cause the vehicle to move un-
expectedly or roll away and result in
an accident. Make sure the gear
MSD0002
PARKING/PARKING ON HILLS
Starting and driving5-23
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

before operating the vehicle. For details,
see ``Changing engine coolant'' in the ``Do-
it-yourself'' section of this manual.
Tire equipment
1. SUMMER tires have a tread designed to
provide superior performance on dry
pavement. However, the performance of
these tires will be substantially reduced
in snowy and icy conditions. If you oper-
ate your vehicle on snowy or icy roads,
NISSAN recommends the use on all four
wheels of MUD & SNOW or ALL SEA-
SON tires. Please consult your NISSAN
dealer for the tire type, size, speed rating
and availability information.
2. For additional traction on icy roads, stud-
ded tires may be used. However, some
U.S. states and Canadian provinces pro-
hibit their use. Check local, state and
provincial laws before installing studded
tires.
Skid and traction capabilities of studded
snow tires on wet or dry surfaces may be
poorer than that of non-studded snow
tires.
3. Tire chains may be used. Use of tire
chains may be prohibited according tolocation. Check the local laws before
installing tire chains. When installing tire
chains, make sure they are of proper size
for the tires on your vehicle and are
installed according to the chain manufac-
turer's suggestions.Use only SAE
Class ``S'' chains.Other types may
damage your vehicle. Use chain tension-
ers when recommended by the tire chain
manufacturer to ensure a tight fit. Loose
end links of the tire chain must be se-
cured or removed to prevent the possi-
bility of whipping action damage to the
fenders or undercarriage. If possible,
avoid fully loading your vehicle when
using tire chains. In addition, drive at a
reduced speed, otherwise, your vehicle
may be damaged and/or vehicle handling
and performance may be adversely af-
fected. Never install tire chains on a
TEMPORARY USE ONLY spare tire. Do
not use tire chains on dry roads.
Special winter equipment
It is recommended that the following items
be carried in the vehicle during winter:
1. A scraper and stiff-bristled brush to re-
move ice and snow from the windows
and wiper blades.2. A sturdy, flat board to be placed under
the jack to give it firm support.
3. A shovel to dig the vehicle out of snow-
drifts.
4. Extra window washer fluid to refill the
reservoir tank.
Driving on snow or ice
WARNING
cWet ice (32ÉF, 0ÉC and freezing rain),
very cold snow, or ice can be slick
and very hard to drive on. The ve-
hicle will have a lot less traction or
``grip'' under these conditions. Try to
avoid driving on wet ice until the
road is salted or sanded.
cWhatever the condition, drive with
caution. Accelerate and slow down
with care. If accelerating or down-
shifting too fast, the drive wheels
will lose even more traction.
c
Allow more stopping distance under
these conditions. Braking should be
started sooner than on dry pavement.
cAllow greater following distances on
slippery roads.
Starting and driving
5-27
ZX