1999 NISSAN FRONTIER window

8 Do-it-yourself
Maintenance precautions .......................................8-2
Engine compartment check locations ....................8-3
Engine cooling system ...........................................8-5
Checking engine coolant level ...............................8-5
Changing engine coolant .......................................8-6
Engine oil ...............................................................8-9
Checking engine oil level .......................................8-9
Changing engine oil .............................................8-10
Changing engine oil filter .....................................8-12
Automatic transmission fluid (atf) .........................8-13
Temperature conditions for checking atf..............8-13
Power steering fluid..............................................8-14
Brake and clutch fluid ...........................................8-15
Window washer fluid ............................................8-15
Battery ..................................................................8-16
Jump starting ........................................................8-17
Drive belts ............................................................8-18Spark plug replacement .......................................8-19
Air cleaner housing filter ......................................8-21
Wiper blades ........................................................8-23
Parking brake check.............................................8-24
Brake pedal ..........................................................8-24
Brake booster .......................................................8-25
Clutch pedal .........................................................8-26
Fuses ....................................................................8-27
Light bulbs ............................................................8-28
Headlights ............................................................8-28
Bulb replacement .................................................8-29
Front fog light bulb replacement (if so
equipped) .............................................................8-31
Wheels and tires...................................................8-32
Four-wheel drive models ......................................8-35
Clutch housing .....................................................8-37
ZX

Check the brake fluid level in the reservoir. If
the fluid level is below the MIN line or the
brake warning light comes on, addDOT 3
fluid up to the MAX line.
Check the clutch fluid level in the reservoir
(manual transmission only). If the fluid level
is below the MIN line, addDOT 3fluid up to
the MAX line.
If fluid must be added frequently, the system
should be thoroughly checked by an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer.For further brake and clutch fluid specifica-
tion information, refer to ``Capacities and
recommended fuel/lubricants'' in the ``Tech-
nical and consumer information'' section of
this manual.
WARNING
Use only new fluid from a sealed con-
tainer. Old, inferior or contaminated
fluid may damage the brake and clutch
systems. The use of improper fluids
can damage the brake system and af-
fect the vehicle's stopping ability.
CAUTION
Do not spill the fluid on any painted
surfaces. This will damage the paint. If
fluid is spilled, wash with water.USA Only
Check the window washer fluid level in the
reservoir tank and add fluid if necessary.
Add a washer solvent to the water for better
cleaning. In the winter season, add a wind-
shield washer anti-freeze. Follow the manu-
facturer's instructions for the mixture ratio.
Canada Only
Add fluid when the low washer fluid warning
light comes on. Add windshield washer sol-
vent to the water for better cleaning. In the
winter season, add windshield washer anti-
freeze.
ADI0716ADI1034
BRAKE AND CLUTCH FLUID WINDOW WASHER FLUID
Do-it-yourself8-15
ZX

Follow the manufacturer's instructions for
the mixture ratio.
CAUTION
Do not substitute engine anti-freeze
coolant for window washer solution.
This may result in damage to the paint.IKeep the battery surface clean and dry.
Any corrosion should be washed off with
a solution of baking soda and water.
IMake certain the terminal connections
are clean and securely tightened.
I
If the vehicle is not to be used for 30 days
or longer, disconnect the negative (þ)
battery terminal cable to prevent dis-
charge.
WARNING
IDo not expose the battery to flames
or electrical sparks. Hydrogen gas
generated by battery action is explo-
sive. Do not allow battery fluid to
contact your skin, eyes, fabrics, or
painted surfaces. After touching a
battery or battery cap, do not touch
or rub your eyes. Thoroughly wash
your hands. If the acid contacts your
eyes, skin or clothing, immediately
flush with water for at least 15 min-
utes and seek medical attention.
IWhen working on or near a battery,
always wear suitable eye protection
and remove all jewelry.
IKeep the battery out of the reach of
children.1. Gently pry between the battery cap and
cover as illustrated to remove the cap.
Use a cloth to protect the battery case.
2. Check the fluid level in each cell.
If it is necessary to add fluid, add only
distilled water to bring the level up to the
level indicator in each filler opening.Do
not overfill.
ADI0709
BATTERY
8-16Do-it-yourself
ZX

prevent load shift while driving.
IBe certain your outside mirrors conform
to all federal, state or local regulations. If
not, install any mirrors required for tow-
ing 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.
IAlways secure items in the trailer to
prevent load shift while driving.
I
Avoid abrupt starts, acceleration or
stops.
IAvoid sharp turns or lane changes.
IAlways drive your vehicle at a moderate
speed.
IAlways 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
parking brake, and then move the trans-
mission 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.
IWhen going down a hill, shift into a lower
gear and use the engine braking effect.
When ascending a long grade, down-
shift the transmission to a lower gear
and reduce speed to reduce chances of
engine 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).
IIf 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.
ITrailer towing requires more fuel than
normal circumstances.
IAvoid towing a trailer for your vehicle'sfirst 500 miles (805 km).
IHave your vehicle serviced more often
than at intervals specified in the recom-
mended Maintenance Schedule.
IWhen making a turn, your trailer wheels
will be closer to the inside of the turn
than your vehicle wheels. To compen-
sate for this, make a larger than normal
turning radius during the turn.
ICrosswinds 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 imme-
diately (but gradually) reduce vehicle
speed. This combination helps to stabi-
lize the vehicle. Never increase speed.
IBe 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.
Technical and consumer information
10-25
ZX

11 Index
A
Air bag
Passenger supplemental air bag ON/OFF
switch and light ..................................... 1-14
Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system) ...................................................... 1-12
Air bag warning light .................................. 1-17
Air cleaner housing filter ............................ 8-21
Air conditioner
Air conditioner operation ........................ 4-5
Air conditioner service .......................... 4-10
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 .............................................. 4-7
Alarm system (See theft warning) ............. 2-13
Anchor point locations ............................... 1-36
Antenna
Power.................................................... 4-23
Anti-lock brake system (ABS).................... 5-29
Anti-lock brake system, rear (R-ABS) ....... 5-29
Ashtray (See cigarette lighter and
ashtray) ...................................................... 2-18
Audio system
AM-FM radio with cassette player ........ 4-11
AM-FM radio with cassette player, compact
disc player and sub-woofer .................. 4-16Auto-lock free-running hubs ...................... 5-20
Automatic
Automatic power window switch .......... 2-23
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF)....... 8-13
Driving with automatic transmission ....... 5-6
Transmission selector lever lock
release .................................................. 5-10
B
Battery........................................................ 8-16
Battery Replacement (See multi-remote control
system) ........................................................ 3-7
Before starting the engine ........................... 5-6
Belts (See drive belts) ............................... 8-18
Brake
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) .............. 5-29
Anti-lock brake system, rear (R-ABS) .. 5-29
Brake booster ....................................... 8-25
Brake fluid ................................... 10-3, 8-15
Brake light (See stop light) ................... 8-29
Brake pedal .......................................... 8-24
Brake system ........................................ 5-28
Brake warning light ................................. 2-8
Brake wear indicators .................. 2-11, 8-25
Parking brake check ............................. 8-24
Parking brake operation ....................... 5-14
Break-in schedule ...................................... 5-18Bulb check/instrument panel ....................... 2-7
Bulb replacement ....................................... 8-29
C
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants.................................................... 10-2
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . 10-15
Cassette player (See audio system) ......... 4-11
CB radio or car phone ............................... 4-23
Check engine indicator light (See malfunction
indicator light)............................................. 2-11
Child restraint with top tether strap ........... 1-35
Child restraints ........................................... 1-28
Cigarette lighter (accessory) and ashtray . 2-18
Cleaning exterior and interior ...................... 7-2
Clutch
Clutch fluid ............................................ 8-15
Clutch pedal.......................................... 8-26
Cold weather driving .................................. 5-30
Controls
Heater and air conditioner controls ........ 4-3
Coolant
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants .............................................. 10-2
Changing engine coolant........................ 8-6
Checking engine coolant level ............... 8-5
Engine coolant temperature gauge ........ 2-5
ZX

Corrosion protection .................................... 7-4
Cruise control............................................. 5-16
Cup holder ................................................. 2-20
D
Daytime running light system (Canada
only) ........................................................... 2-15
Dimensions and weights .......................... 10-11
Door locks .................................................... 3-2
Drive belts .................................................. 8-18
Driving
Auto-lock free-running hubs ................. 5-20
Cold weather driving............................. 5-30
Driving with automatic transmission ....... 5-6
Driving with manual transmission ......... 5-12
Driving your 4-wheel drive safely ......... 5-24
Manual-lock free-running hubs ............. 5-22
Precautions when starting and driving ... 5-2
E
Economy - fuel........................................... 5-18
Emission control information label........... 10-14
Emission control system warranty ........... 10-27
Engine
Before starting the engine ...................... 5-6
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants .............................................. 10-2
Changing engine coolant........................ 8-6
Changing engine oil.............................. 8-10Changing engine oil filter...................... 8-12
Checking engine coolant level ............... 8-5
Checking engine oil level ....................... 8-9
Engine compartment check locations .... 8-3
Engine coolant temperature gauge ........ 2-5
Engine cooling system ........................... 8-5
Engine oil ................................................ 8-9
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation ................................... 10-6
Engine oil pressure warning light ........... 2-9
Engine oil viscosity ............................... 10-7
Engine serial number ......................... 10-13
Engine specifications ............................ 10-9
Starting the engine ............................... 5-14
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) ................. 5-2
F
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher
switch) ........................................................ 2-18
Flat tire ......................................................... 6-2
Floor mat positioning aid ............................. 7-4
Fluid
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF)....... 8-13
Brake fluid ................................... 10-3, 8-15
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants .............................................. 10-2
Clutch fluid ............................................ 8-15
Engine coolant ........................................ 8-5
Engine oil ................................................ 8-9
Power steering fluid .............................. 8-14
Window washer fluid ............................ 8-16F.M.V.S.S. certification label .................... 10-13
Front seats
Bench...................................................... 1-6
Separate ................................................. 1-2
Fuel
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants .............................................. 10-2
Fuel economy ....................................... 5-18
Fuel filler cap .......................................... 3-9
Fuel gauge.............................................. 2-6
Fuel octane rating................................. 10-5
Fuel recommendation ........................... 10-4
Fuses ......................................................... 8-27
G
Gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge ........ 2-5
Fuel gauge.............................................. 2-6
Odometer ................................................ 2-3
Speedometer .......................................... 2-3
Tachometer ............................................. 2-5
General maintenance .................................. 9-2
H
Hazard warning flasher switch .................. 2-18
Headlight and turn signal switch ............... 2-15
Headlights .................................................. 8-28
Heater
Heater and air conditioner controls ........ 4-3
11-2
ZX

Heater operation ..................................... 4-4
Heater operation .......................................... 4-4
Hood release ............................................... 3-8
Hubs
Auto-lock free-running hubs ................. 5-20
Manual-lock free-running hubs ............. 5-22
I
Ignition switch .............................................. 5-4
Indicator lights and chimes (See warning/
indicator lights and chimes) ......................... 2-7
Inside mirror ............................................... 3-14
Instrument brightness control .................... 2-17
Interior light and cargo light ....................... 2-21
J
Jack
Pantograph type ..................................... 6-5
Jump seat .................................................... 1-8
Jump starting ............................................... 6-8
K
Key ............................................................... 3-2
Keyless entry system (See multi-remote control
system) ........................................................ 3-4L
Labels
Air conditioner specification label ....... 10-14
Emission control information label...... 10-14
Engine serial number ......................... 10-13
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ............... 10-13
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
plate .................................................... 10-12
Warning labels (for SRS)...................... 1-17
Light
Air bag warning light............................. 1-17
Brake light (See stop light) ................... 8-29
Bulb check/instrument panel .................. 2-7
Bulb replacement.................................. 8-29
Headlight and turn signal switch .......... 2-15
Headlights ............................................. 8-28
Interior light and cargo light .................. 2-21
Light bulbs ............................................ 8-28
Passenger supplemental air bag ON/OFF
switch and light ..................................... 1-14
Spotlights (See map light) .................... 2-21
Warning/indicator lights and chimes....... 2-7
Lock
Door locks............................................... 3-2
Power door lock...................................... 3-3
Luggage (See vehicle loading
information ............................................... 10-15
M
MaintenanceGeneral maintenance ............................. 9-2
Inside the vehicle.................................... 9-3
Maintenance precautions ....................... 8-2
Outside the vehicle ................................. 9-2
Periodic maintenance schedules ............ 9-5
Seat belt maintenance.......................... 1-27
Under the hood and vehicle ................... 9-4
Malfunction indicator light .......................... 2-11
Manual windows ........................................ 2-22
Manual-lock free-running hubs .................. 5-22
Map light .................................................... 2-21
Meters and gauges ...................................... 2-2
Mirror
Inside mirror.......................................... 3-14
Outside mirror control ........................... 3-13
Outside mirrors ..................................... 3-14
Vanity mirror.......................................... 3-15
Multi-remote control system ........................ 3-4
O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating) ...... 10-5
Odometer ..................................................... 2-3
Oil
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants .............................................. 10-2
Changing engine oil.............................. 8-10
Changing engine oil filter...................... 8-12
Checking engine oil level ....................... 8-9
Engine oil ................................................ 8-9
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation ................................... 10-6
11-3
ZX

Engine oil viscosity ............................... 10-7
Outside mirror control ................................ 3-13
Outside mirrors .......................................... 3-14
Overdrive switch ........................................ 5-11
Overheat
If your vehicle overheats ...................... 6-10
Owner's manual order form ..................... 10-29
P
Pantograph type jack ................................... 6-5
Parking
Parking brake check ............................. 8-24
Parking brake operation ....................... 5-14
Parking/parking on hills ........................ 5-27
Passenger supplemental air bag ON/OFF
switch and light
Passenger supplemental air bag ON/OFF
switch and light ..................................... 1-14
Periodic maintenance schedules ................. 9-5
Power
Power antenna ..................................... 4-23
Power door lock...................................... 3-3
Power steering fluid .............................. 8-14
Power steering system ......................... 5-28
Power windows..................................... 2-22
Precautions
Maintenance precautions ....................... 8-2
On-pavement and off-road driving
precautions ............................................. 5-3
Precautions on seat belt usage............ 1-19
Precautions when starting and driving ... 5-2Push starting ................................................ 6-9
R
Radio
AM-FM radio with cassette player ........ 4-11
AM-FM radio with cassette player, compact
disc player and sub-woofer .................. 4-16
CB radio or car phone .......................... 4-23
Readiness for inspection maintenance (I/M)
test ........................................................... 10-28
Rear anti-lock brake warning light ............. 2-10
Rear sliding window................................... 2-23
Registering your vehicle in another
country ..................................................... 10-12
Remote keyless entry system (See
multi-remote control system) ....................... 3-4
Reporting safety defects (USA) ............... 10-27
S
Safety
Reporting safety defects (USA) .......... 10-27
Seat
Jump seat ............................................... 1-8
Seat belt
2-point type without retractor................ 1-25
3-point type with retractor..................... 1-22
Precautions on seat belt usage............ 1-19
Seat belt extenders .............................. 1-27
Seat belt maintenance.......................... 1-27
Seat belts.............................................. 1-19Seat belt warning light ................................. 2-8
Seats
Adjustment .............................................. 1-2
Bench seat.............................................. 1-6
Separate seats ....................................... 1-2
Service manual order form ...................... 10-29
Shifting
Automatic transmission .......................... 5-7
Manual transmission............................. 5-13
Spark plug replacement............................. 8-19
Speedometer ............................................... 2-3
Spotlights (See map light) ......................... 2-21
SRS warning label ..................................... 1-17
Starting
Before starting the engine ...................... 5-6
Jump starting .......................................... 6-8
Precautions when starting and driving ... 5-2
Push starting........................................... 6-9
Starting the engine ............................... 5-14
Steering
Power steering fluid .............................. 8-14
Power steering system ......................... 5-28
Tilting steering wheel ............................ 3-13
Stop light .................................................... 8-29
Sun shade.................................................. 2-25
Sunroof ...................................................... 2-24
Supplemental restraint system (Supplemental
air bag system) ............................................ 1-9
Switch
Automatic power window switch .......... 2-23
Hazard warning flasher switch ............. 2-18
Headlight and turn signal switch .......... 2-15
11-4
ZX