1999 NISSAN FRONTIER engine

selector lever into the P (Park) position.
Shifting from P (Park)
If the ignition switch is in the ON position
and the foot brake pedal is depressed, but
the shift lever still cannot be moved out of P
(Park), use the following procedure:
1. Shut the engine off and remove the key.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Reinsert the key and turn it clockwise to
the ACC position.
4. Depress the brake pedal, move the shift
selector lever to N (Neutral).
5. Start the engine.
These instructions for starting the vehicle in
N (Neutral) should only be used until service
can be obtained at an authorized NISSAN
dealership.
R (Reverse):
Use this position to back up. Shift into this
position only after the vehicle has com-
pletely stopped.N (Neutral):
Neither forward or reverse gear is engaged.
The engine can be started in this position.
You may shift to N (Neutral) and restart a
stalled engine while the vehicle is moving.
D (Drive):
Use this position for normal forward driving.
2 (Second gear):
Use for moderate uphill grades engine brak-
ing on downhill grades or starting on slip-
pery surfaces.
Do not downshift into the 2 position at speeds
above 62 MPH (100 km/h), and do not exceed
62 MPH (100 km/h) in the 2 position.
1 (Low gear):
Use this position for steep uphill grades,
driving slowly through deep snow, sand or
mud, or for maximum engine braking on
steep downhill grades.
Do not downshift into the 1 position at
speeds above 30 MPH (48 km/h), and do
not exceed 30 MPH (48 km/h) in the 1
position.
5-8Starting and driving
ZX

Shifting with automatic transmission
(VG33E engine)
Push the button to shift into P (Park), R
(Reverse) or from D (Drive) to 2. All other
positions can be selected without pushing
the button.
P (Park):
Use this selector position when the vehicle
is parked or when starting the engine. Al-
ways be sure the vehicle is at a complete
stop. For maximum safety, depress the
brake pedal, then push in the shift lever
button and move the lever to the P (Park)position. Apply the parking brake. When
parking on a hill, apply the parking brake
first, then shift the lever into the P (Park)
position.
Shifting from P (Park)
If the ignition switch is in the ON position
and the foot brake pedal is depressed, but
the shift selector lever still cannot be moved
out of P (Park), follow these instructions.
1. Turn the ignition key to the LOCK posi-
tion.
2. Apply the parking brake.3. Reinsert the key and turn it to the ACC
position.
4. Depress the foot brake pedal and move
the shift selector lever to N (Neutral).
5. Start the engine.
These instructions for starting the vehicle in
N (Neutral) should only be used until service
can be obtained at an authorized NISSAN
dealership.
R (Reverse):
Use this position to back up. Always be sure
the vehicle is at a complete stop before
shifting into the R (Reverse) position. For
maximum safety, check to ensure the area
behind the vehicle is clear. With the brake
pedal depressed, push in the shift selector
lever button and move the shift selector
lever to the R (Reverse) position.
N (Neutral)
Neither forward nor reverse gear is en-
gaged. The engine can be started in this
position. You may shift to N (Neutral) and
restart a stalled engine while the vehicle is
moving.
ASD0612
Starting and driving5-9
ZX

D (Drive):
Use this position for all normal forward
driving.
2 (Second gear):
Use this position for hill climbing or engine
braking on downhill grades.
Do not shift into the 2 position at speeds
above 68 MPH (110 km/h). Do not exceed
68 MPH (110 km/h) in the 2 position.
1 (Low gear):
Use this position when climbing steep hills
slowly or slow driving through deep snow,
sand or mud, or for maximum engine brak-
ing on steep downhill grades.
Do not shift into the 1 position at speeds
above 34 MPH (55 km/h). Do not exceed 34
MPH (55 km/h) in the 1 position.Selector lever lock release
If the battery charge is low, the selector
lever may not be moved from the P position
even with the brake pedal depressed and
the selector lever button pushed.
To move the selector lever, push the shift
lock release and selector lever button. The
selector lever can be moved to N (Neutral).
To push the shift lock release, follow the
following procedure:
1. Turn the ignition key to the lock position
and remove the key.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Remove the shift lock release cap.
4. Insert a small screwdriver in the shift lock
release slot, and push down.
5. Push the selector lever button and move
the selector lever to N (Neutral) position
while holding down the shift lock release.
6. Start the engine.
If there is any problem moving the selector
lever out of P (Park), take your vehicle to an
authorized NISSAN dealership as soon as
possible.
ASD1021
5-10Starting and driving
ZX

Accelerator downshift
In D position
For rapid passing or hill climbing, while
driving fully depress the accelerator pedal to
the floor. This shifts the transmission down
into second gear or first gear, depending on
the vehicle speed.
OVERDRIVE SWITCH
(KA24DE engine)
ON: For typical driving, push the overdrive
switch ON
with the selector lever
in the D (Drive) position. The trans-
mission is upshifted into OVERDRIVE
as the vehicle speed increases.
OVERDRIVE does not engage until the
engine has reached operating tempera-
ture.
OFF: For driving up and down long slopes
where engine braking is necessary,
push the switch OFF
. The indica-tor light in the instrument panel comes
on at this time. When cruising at a low
speed or climbing a gentle slope, you
may feel uncomfortable shift shocks
as the transmission repeatedly shifts
between 3rd and overdrive. In this
case, set the overdrive switch in the
OFF
position.
When driving conditions change, reset the
overdrive switch in the ON
position to
turn the overdrive on. The indicator light
goes out at this time.
Remember not to drive at high speeds for
extended periods of time with the overdrive
switch set in the OFF
position. This
reduces fuel economy.
ASD1009
Starting and driving5-11
ZX

OVERDRIVE SWITCH ( VG33E
engine)
ON: With the engine running and the se-
lector lever in the D (Drive) position,
the transmission upshifts into OVER-
DRIVE as vehicle speed increases.
OVERDRIVE does not engage until the
engine has reached operating tempera-
ture.
OFF: For driving up and down long slopes
where engine braking is necessary
push the OVERDRIVE switch once.
The O/D OFF indicator light in theinstrument panel comes on at this
time.
When cruising at a low speed or
climbing a gentle slope, you may feel
uncomfortable shift shocks as the
transmission shifts between third gear
and overdrive repeatedly. In this case,
depress the OVERDRIVE switch to
turn the OVERDRIVE off. The O/D
OFF indicator light in the instrument
panel comes on at this time.
When driving conditions change, depress
the overdrive switch to turn the OVER-
DRIVE on.
Remember not to drive at high speeds for
extended periods of time with the OVER-
DRIVE off. This reduces fuel economy.
WARNING
IDo not downshift abruptly on slip-
pery roads. This may cause a loss of
control.
IDo not over-rev the engine when
shifting to a lower gear. This may
cause a loss of control or engine
damage.
CAUTION
IDo not rest your foot on the clutch
pedal while driving. This may cause
clutch damage.
IStop your vehicle completely before
shifting into R (Reverse).
IWhen the vehicle is stopped for a
duration, for example at a stop light,
shift to N (Neutral) and release the
clutch pedal with the foot brake ap-
plied.
ASD1007
DRIVING WITH MANUAL
TRANSMISSION
5-12Starting and driving
ZX

Shifting with manual transmission
To change gears, fully depress the clutch
pedal, then move the gearshift lever. After
shifting, slowly release the clutch.
You cannot shift directly from 5th gear into R
(Reverse). First shift into the N (Neutral)
position, then into R (Reverse).
If it is difficult to move the shift lever into R
(Reverse) or 1st, shift into N (Neutral), then
release the clutch pedal. Depress the clutch
pedal and shift into R (Reverse) or 1st
again.
If your vehicle is equipped with 4-wheeldrive, see ``
Transfer case shifting pro-
cedures for four-wheel drive vehicles'' later
in this section.
Suggested up-shift speeds
The folllowing table provides suggested speed
ranges for shifting into a higher gear. These
suggestions relate to fuel economy and vehicle
performance. Actual shift ranges should be
adjusted for specific road conditions, weather
conditions and individual driving habits.
ITwo-wheel drive models and four-wheel
drive models (2H and 4H position):
Shift from MPH (km/h)
1st to 2nd 15 (24)
2nd to 3rd 25 (40)
3rd to 4th 40 (64)
4th to 5th 45 (72)
I4-wheel drive model (4L posi-
tion):
Shift from MPH (km/h)
1st to 2nd 8 (13)
2nd to 3rd 12 (19)
3rd to 4th 20 (32)
4th to 5th 22 (35)
Suggested maximum speed in each
gear
Downshift to a lower gear if the engine is not
running smoothly, or if you need to accelerate.
Do not exceed the maximum suggested speed
(shown below) in any gear. For level road
driving, use the highest gear suggested for that
speed. Always observe posted speed limits,
and drive according to the road conditions,
which will ensure safe operation.
Allowable maximum speed in each gear:
2-wheel drive models MPH (km/h)
1st 30 (48)
2nd 55 (88)
3rd 80 (129)
4th & 5th þ (þ)
4-wheel drive models MPH (km/h)
2H/4H position
1st 25 (40)
2nd 43 (69)
3rd 68 (109)
4th & 5th þ (þ)
4L position
1st 12 (19)
2nd 22 (35)
3rd 30 (48)
4th & 5th þ (þ)
SD1017M
Starting and driving5-13
ZX

1. Apply the parking brake.
2.Automatic transmission:
Move the selector lever to P (Park) or N
(Neutral). P (Park) is preferred.
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 OFF or if the key is removed from
the switch.
The starter is designed not to operate
if the selector lever is in one of the
driving positions.
Manual transmission:
Move the gearshift lever to N (Neutral),
and fully depress the clutch pedal to the
floor while starting the engine.
The starter is designed not to operate
unless the clutch pedal is fully de-
pressed.
3.With your foot off the accelerator
pedal,turn the ignition key to START.
Release the key when the engine starts.
If the engine starts, but fails to run, repeat
the above procedure.IIf the engine is very hard to start in
extremely cold or hot weather, depress
the accelerator pedal fully and hold it
to help start the engine.
IIn the summer, when restarting the
engine within 30 minutes after it has
been stopped, keep the accelerator
pedal fully depressed while starting.
CAUTION
Do not operate the starter for more than
15 seconds at a time. If the engine does
not start, turn the key off and wait 10
seconds before cranking again, other-
wise the starter could be damaged.
4.Warm-up
Always allow the engine to idle for at
least 30 seconds after starting. Drive at a
moderate speed for a short distance first,
especially in cold weather.
WARNING
IBe sure the parking brake is fully
released before driving. Failure to do
so can cause brake failure and lead
to an accident.
IDo not release the parking brake
from outside the vehicle.
IDo not use the gear shift in place of
the parking brake. When parking, be
sure the parking brake is fully en-
gaged.
I
Do not leave children unattended in a
vehicle. They could release the park-
ing brake and cause an accident.
STARTING THE ENGINE PARKING BRAKE OPERATION
5-14Starting and driving
ZX

Precautions
IThe cruise indicator light in the instru-
ment panel may blink when the cruise
control main switch is turned ON while
pushing the RES/ACCEL, COAST/SET,
or CANCEL switch. To properly set the
cruise control system, perform the follow-
ing steps in the order indicated.
IIf the cruise control system malfunctions,
it cancels automatically. The CRUISE
light in the instrument panel then blinks to
warn the driver.
IIf the cruise light blinks, turn the cruisecontrol main switch off and have the
system checked by an authorized NIS-
SAN dealer.
WARNING
Don't use the cruise control when driv-
ing under the following conditions:
Iit is not possible to keep the vehicle
at a set speed.
Iin heavy traffic or in traffic that var-
ies in speed.
Ion winding or hilly roads.Ion slippery roads (rain, snow, ice,
etc.).
Iin very windy areas.
Doing so could cause a loss of vehicle
control and result in an accident.
CAUTION
On manual transmission models, do
not shift into neutral without depress-
ing the clutch pedal when the cruise
control is on. Should this occur, de-
press the clutch pedal and turn the
main switch off immediately. Failure to
do so may cause engine damage.
The cruise control allows driving at a fixed
speed between 30 and 90 MPH (48 and 145
km/h) without keeping your foot on the
accelerator pedal.
To turn on the cruise control,push the
main switch on. The CRUISE CONT indica-
tor light comes on.
To set at cruising speed,accelerate your
vehicle to the desired speed, push the
COAST/SET switch and release it. The
CRUISE light in the instrument panel comes
ASD1020
CRUISE CONTROL
(if so equipped)
5-16Starting and driving
ZX