1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER ignition

ground as this may cause serious
and expensive damage to the trans-
mission.
TOWING RECOMMENDED BY
NISSANNISSAN recommends that your vehicle be
towed with the driving (rear) wheels off the
ground as illustrated.
IWhen towing with the front wheels on
the ground: Turn the ignition key to
the OFF position and secure the
steering wheel in a straightahead po-
sition with a rope or similar device.
Never place the ignition key in the
LOCK position. This will result in
damage to the steering lock mecha-
nism.
IWhen towing manual transmission
models with the rear wheels on the
ground (if you do not use towing
dollies): Always release the parking
brake and move the transmission
shift lever to the N (neutral) position.Observe the following restricted towing speeds
and distances.
ISpeed: Below 60 MPH (95 km/h)
IDistance: Less than 500 miles (800 km)
If the speed or distance must necessarily be
greater, remove the propeller shaft beforehand
to prevent damage to the transmission.
SCE0197
In case of emergency
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NISSAN recommends that a dolly be used as
illustrated when towing four wheel drive mod-
els.
When towing with the front wheels on
the ground or with the rear wheels on
the ground (if you do not use towing
dollies): Move the transfer case shift
lever into the 2H position.
IWhen towing with the front wheels on
the ground: Turn the ignition key to
the OFF position and move the trans-
mission shift lever to the N (neutral)
position, on automatic transmission
models to move the selector lever to
N (neutral) position, turn the ignition
key to the ACC position. After moving
the selector lever to the N (neutral)
position. Turn the ignition key to the
OFF position and secure the steering
wheel in a straightahead position
with a rope or similar device. Never
place the ignition key in the LOCK
position. This will result in damage to
the steering lock mechanism.
IWhen towing manual transmission
models with the rear wheels on the
ground:
Always release the parking brake andmove the transmission shift lever to
the N (neutral) position.
Observe the following restricted towing speeds
and distances.
Speed: Below 60 MPH (95 km/h)
Distance: Less than 500 miles (800 km)
If the speed or distance must necessarily be
greater, remove the front and rear propeller
shafts beforehand to prevent damage to the
transmission.
SCE0198
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When performing any inspection or mainte-
nance work on your vehicle, always take care
to prevent serious accidental injury to yourself
or damage to the vehicle. The following are
general precautions which should be closely
observed.IPark the vehicle on a level surface,
apply the parking brake securely and
block the wheels to prevent the ve-
hicle from moving. For a manual
transmission, move the shift lever to
Neutral. For an automatic transmis-
sion, move the selector lever to P
(Park).
IBe sure the ignition key is in the OFF
or LOCK position when performing
any replacement or repair.
IIf you must work with the engine
running, keep your hands, clothing,
hair and tools away from moving fans
and fan belts.
IIt is advisable to remove necktie and
any jewelry, such as rings, watches,
etc. before working on your vehicle.IAlways wear eye protection when-
ever you work on your vehicle.
IIf you must run the engine in an
enclosed space such as a garage, be
sure there is proper ventilation for
exhaust gases.
INever get under the vehicle while it is
supported only by a jack. If it is nec-
essary to work under the vehicle,
support it with safety stands.
IKeep smoking materials, flame and
sparks away from fuel and battery.
IThe fuel filter or fuel lines should be
serviced by a NISSAN dealer because
the fuel lines are under high pressure
even when the engine is off.
IDo not work under the engine hood
while it is hot. Always turn off the
engine and wait until it cools down.
INever connect or disconnect either
the battery or any transistorized com-ponent connector while the ignition
key is on.
IAvoid direct contact with used engine
oil. Improperly disposed motor oil and/
or other vehicle fluids can hurt the
environment. Always conform to lo-
cal regulations for disposal of vehicle
fluid.
This ª8. Do-it-yourselfº section gives instruc-
tions regarding only those items which are
relatively easy for an owner to perform.
You should be aware that incomplete or im-
proper servicing may result in operating diffi-
culties or excessive emissions, and could af-
fect your warranty coverage.If in doubt about
any servicing, have it done by your NISSAN
dealer.
MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS8-2
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1. Perform the following procedure to open
the heater water cock.
ITurn the ignition key from OFF to ON.
IMove the heater or air conditioner tem-
perature control dial to the maximum hot
position then turn the ignition key to
OFF.
2. Open the radiator drain plug and radiator
cap.
Open the drain plugs on the engine block.3. Open the air release plug to drain the
coolant.
4. Flush the cooling system by running fresh
water through the radiator.
5. Close the radiator drain plug and engine
block drain plugs securely.
6. See the ªTechnical informationº section for
cooling system capacity.
Fill the radiator slowly with the proper mix-
ture of coolant and water. Fill the reservoir
tank slowly up to the MAX level. Then install
the radiator cap and close the air release
plug.7. Start the engine and warm it up until it
reaches normal operating temperature.
Then race the engine 2 or 3 times under no
load.
Watch the coolant temperature gauge for
signs of overheating.
8. Stop the engine. After it completely cools
down, refill the radiator up to the filler
opening. Fill the reservoir tank up the MAX
level.
9. Check the radiator drain plug and engine
block drain plugs for any sign of leakage.
SDI0409
SDI0410
SDI0419
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Be sure the ignition key is OFF. The
engine could rotate unexpectedly.1. Visually inspect each belt for signs of un-
usual wear, cuts, fraying or looseness. If
the belt is in poor condition or loose, have it
replaced or adjusted by your NISSAN
dealer.
2. Have the belts checked regularly for condi-
tion and tension in accordance with the
maintenance schedule in this manual.
Be sure the engine and ignition switch
are off and that the parking brake isengaged securely.
SDI0424
SDI0723
DRIVE BELTS SPARK PLUGS8-14
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Press the pedal by hand and be sure the free
travel is within the above limit. If free travel is
out of the range shown above, see your
NISSAN dealer.
ENGINE COMPARTMENTNever use a fuse of higher amperage
rating than that specified on the fuse
box cover. This could damage the elec-
trical system or cause a fire.If any electrical equipment does not operate,
check for an open fuse.
1. Be sure the ignition key and the headlight
switch are OFF.2. Open the engine hood.
3. Remove the fusible link cover.
4. Remove the fuse with the fuse puller.
5. If the fuse is open, replace it with a new
fuse.
6. If a new fuse opens again, have the elec-
trical system checked and repaired by your
NISSAN dealer.
DI0070-B
SDI0395
CLUTCH PEDAL FUSES8-20
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PASSENGER COMPARTMENTNever use a fuse of higher amperage
rating than that specified on the fuse
box cover. This could damage the elec-
trical system or cause a fire.If any electrical equipment does not operate,
check for an open fuse.
1. Be sure the ignition key and the headlight
switch are OFF.2. Pull to open the fuse box cover/coin tray.
3. Pull the fuse box cover/coin tray horizon-
tally to remove it.
4. Remove the fuse with the fuse puller.
5. If the fuse is open, replace it with a new
fuse.
6. If a new fuse opens again, have the elec-
trical system checked and repaired by your
NISSAN dealer.
HEADLIGHTSThe headlight is a semi-sealed beam type
which uses a replaceable headlight (halogen)
bulb. A bulb can be replaced inside the engine
compartment without removing the headlight
assembly.High pressure halogen gas is sealed
inside the halogen bulb. The bulb may
break if the glass envelope is scratched
or the bulb is dropped.
SDI0447
DI0156
LIGHTS
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eastern Nevada, southern Idaho, western
South Dakota, western Nebraska, and that
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 se-
vere, 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 your dealer correct the condi-
tion. Failure to correct the condition is
misuse of the vehicle, for which NISSAN is
not responsible.
Incorrect ignition timing will result in knocking,
after-run or overheating. This in turn may
cause excessive fuel consumption or damage
to the engine. If any of the above symptoms
are encountered, have your vehicle checked at
a NISSAN dealer or other competent service
facility.
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 thegreatest fuel benefit when there is light
spark knock for a short time.
Technical and consumer information
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