1999 NISSAN FRONTIER differential

The auto-lock free-running hub is designed
to allow for automatic four-wheel drive en-
gagement when the shift lever is moved to
the 4H or 4L position. If your vehicle is
equipped with this system, follow these op-
erational cautions:
CAUTION
IThe auto-locking hubs will make a
clicking noise when engaging and
disengaging. This is normal.IAccelerating quickly from a stop af-
ter shifting from two-wheel drive to
four-wheel drive may not allow en-
gagement of the auto-locking free-
running hubs and may cause a clat-
tering noise. Continued use of the
vehicle with this noise may damage
the hub lock. In such a case, release
the accelerator pedal to reduce the
engine speed or stop the vehicle.
IIf the auto-locking hubs make a clat-
tering noise after shifting from four-
wheel drive to two-wheel drive, stop
and move the vehicle about 7 to 10
feet (2 to 3 m) in reverse.
IUnder extremely cold conditions
[below 5ÉF (-15ÉC)], the front axle
shafts may rotate even with the
transfer lever in the 2H position. If
this occurs, the auto-locking hubs
may make a clattering noise. To
avoid this, drive first in four-wheel
drive to warm up the vehicle and
differential gear oil. Then, shift to
two-wheel drive.IIn cold weather, it may be necessary
to reduce speed or stop the vehicle
in order to shift from two-wheel drive
to four-wheel drive.
IWhen shifting into or out of four-
wheel drive while driving, do not
stop shift lever movement midway.
An incomplete shift may cause a
clattering noise from the auto-
locking hubs. Continued use of the
vehicle with this noise may damage
the hub lock. Drive in four-wheel
drive to stop the noise. Shift to two-
wheel drive as described.
SD0021
AUTO-LOCK
FREE-RUNNING HUBS
5-20Starting and driving
ZX

CAUTION
Always use tires of the same size,
brand, construction (bias, bias-belted
or radial), and tread pattern on all four
wheels. A spare tire of the same size,
brand, construction and tread pattern
must also be used. Failure to do so may
result in a circumference difference be-
tween 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
If you install snow tires, they must also be
the same size, brand, construction and
tread pattern on all four wheels.
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.
TIRES OF FOUR-WHEEL
DRIVE
5-26Starting and driving
ZX

Jacking up the vehicle and remov-
ing the wheel
Always refer to the proper illustrations for
the correct placement and jack-up points for
your specific vehicle model and jack type.
WARNING
INever get under the vehicle while it
is supported only by the jack.
IUse the jack provided with your ve-
hicle. Do not use the jack provided
with your vehicle on other vehicles.
IThe jack is designed only for lifting
your vehicle during a tire change.
IUse the correct jack up points; never
use any other part of the vehicle for
jack support.INever jack up the vehicle more than
necessary.
INever use blocks on or under the
jack.
IDo not allow passengers to stay in
the vehicle while it is on the jack.
INever run the engine with the wheels
off the ground. It may cause the
vehicle to move. This is especially
true for vehicles with limited slip
differential carriers.
ACE1028
PANTOGRAPH TYPE JACK
In case of emergency6-5
ZX

IClean the inner side of the wheels when
the wheel is changed or the underside of
the vehicle is washed.
IDo not use abrasive cleaners when
washing the wheels.
IInspect wheel rims regularly for dents or
corrosion. This may cause loss of pres-
sure or damage the tire bead.
INISSAN recommends waxing the road
wheels to protect against road salt in
areas where it is used during winter.
Spare tire
Your vehicle may be equipped with a TEM-
PORARY USE ONLY spare tire.
To avoid property damage or personal injury
when using the TEMPORARY USE ONLY
spare tire, observe the following cautions:
WARNING
IThe spare tire should be used for
emergency use only. It should be
replaced by the standard tire at the
first opportunity to avoid possible
tire or differential damage.IDrive carefully while the TEMPO-
RARY USE ONLY spare tire is in-
stalled. Avoid sharp turns and
abrupt braking while driving.
IPeriodically check spare tire infla-
tion pressure. Always keep the pres-
sure of the T135/70R16 spare tire at
60 psi (420 kPa, 4.2 bar). For the full
size spare tire pressure, check the
tire placecard located on the inside
of the glovebox lid.
IDo not drive the vehicle at speeds
faster than 50 MPH (80 km/h).
I
When driving on roads covered with
snow or ice, the TEMPORARY USE
ONLY spare tire should be used on
the front wheels and the original tire
used on the rear wheels (drive
wheels). Use tire chains only on the
two rear original tires.
ITire tread of the TEMPORARY USE
ONLY spare tire will wear at a faster
rate than the standard tire. Replace
the TEMPORARY USE ONLY spare
tire as soon as the tread wear indi-
cators appear.IDo not use the TEMPORARY USE
ONLY spare tire on other vehicles.
IDo not use more than one TEMPO-
RARY USE ONLY spare tire at the
same time.
IDo not tow a trailer when the TEM-
PORARY USE ONLY T135/70R16
spare is installed.
CAUTION
I
The transfer control lever must
be in the 2H position to prevent the
transfer case and differential gears
from being damaged.
IDo not use tire chains on a TEMPO-
RARY USE ONLY spare tire. Tire
chains will not fit properly on a TEM-
PORARY USE ONLY spare tire and
may cause damage to the vehicle.
I
Because the TEMPORARY USE ONLY
spare tire is smaller than the original
tire, ground clearance is reduced. To
avoid damage to the vehicle, do not
drive over obstacles. Also, do not
drive the vehicle through an automatic
car wash since it might get caught.
8-36Do-it-yourself
ZX

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:
I
Repeated short trips of less than 5
miles (8 km).
I
Repeated short trips of less than 10
miles (16 km) with outside tempera-
tures below freezing.
I
Operating the vehicle in hot weatherduring stop-and-go ``rush hour'' traf-
fic.
I
Extensive idling and/or low speed
driving for long distances, such as
police, taxi or door-to-door delivery
use.
I
Driving in dusty conditions.
I
Driving on rough, muddy, or salt
spread roads.
I
Towing 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

Schedule One
Abbreviations: R = Replace I = Inspect. Correct or replace if necessary. [ ]: At the mileage intervals only
MAINTENANCE OPERATIONMAINTENANCE INTERVAL
Perform at number of miles, kilometers
or months, whichever comes first.Miles ý 1,000 3.75 7.5 11.25 15 18.75 22.5 26.25 30 33.75 37.5 41.25 45 48.75 52.5 56.25 60
(km ý 1,000) (6) (12) (18) (24) (30) (36) (42) (48) (54) (60) (66) (72) (78) (84) (90) (96)
Months 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 33 36 39 42 45 48
Chassis and body maintenance
Brake lines & cablesIIII
Brake pads, rotors, drums & liningsIIIIIIII
Automatic transmission, transfer & differen-
tial gear oil (exc. LSD)See NOTE (1)IIII
Limited-slip differential (LSD) gear oil See NOTE (1) I R I I
Manual transmission oil See NOTE (1) I I I [R]
Steering gear (box) & linkage, axle & suspension partsIIIIIIII
Drive shaft boots & propeller shaft (
) IIIIIIII
Front wheel bearing grease (4x2)II
Front wheel bearing grease & free-running
hub grease (
)See NOTE (2)IRIR
Exhaust systemIIIIIIII
Air bag system See NOTE (3)
NOTE: (1) If towing a trailer, using a camper or a car-top carrier, or driving on rough or muddy roads, change (not just inspect) oil at every 30,000
miles (48,000 km) or 24 months except for LSD. Change LSD gear oil every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) or 12 months.
(2) If operating frequently in water, replace grease every 3,750 miles (6,000 km) or 3 months.
(3) Inspect the supplemental air bag system 10 years after the date of manufacture noted on the FMVSS certification label.
Maintenance9-7
ZX

Schedule Two
Abbreviations: R = Replace I = Inspect. Correct or replace if necessary. [ ]: At the mileage intervals only
MAINTENANCE OPERATIONMAINTENANCE INTERVAL
Perform at number of miles, kilometers or
months, whichever comes first.Miles ý 1,000 7.5 15 22.5 30 37.5 45 52.5 60
(km ý 1,000) (12) (24) (36) (48) (60) (72) (84) (96)
Months 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48
Chassis and body maintenance
Brake lines & cablesIIII
Brake pads, rotors, drums & liningsIIII
Automatic transmission, transfer & differential gear oil (exc. LSD)IIII
Manual transmission oil I I I [R]
Limited-slip differential (LSD) gear oil I R I R
Steering gear (box) & linkage, axle & suspension parts I I
Drive shaft boots (
) IIII
Front wheel bearing grease (4x2) I I
Front wheel bearing grease & free-running hub grease (
)I R I R
Exhaust systemII
Supplemental air bag system See NOTE (1)
NOTE: (1) Inspect the supplemental air bag system 10 years after the date of manufacture noted on the FMVSS certification label.
Maintenance9-9
ZX

EXPLANATION OF
MAINTENANCE ITEMS
Additional information on the following
items with an ``*'' is found in the ``Do-it-
yourself'' section of this manual.
Emission control system
maintenance
Drive belts*Check drive belts for wear,
fraying or cracking and also for proper ten-
sion. Replace any damaged drive belts.
Air cleaner filterUnder normal driving con-
ditions, the air cleaner filter should be re-
placed in accordance with the maintenance
schedule. However, driving the vehicle in
dusty areas may cause rapid clogging of the
element. Consequently, the element may
have to be replaced more frequently.
Positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) fil-
terUnder normal driving conditions, the
filter should be replaced in accordance with
the maintenance schedule. If the vehicle is
operated under extremely adverse weather
conditions or in areas where ambient tem-
peratures are either extremely low or ex-
tremely high, the filter may become cloggedmore rapidly. In such an event, replace the
filter immediately.
EVAP Vapor linesCheck vapor lines and
connections for leaks, looseness, or dete-
rioration. If leaks are found, replace the
lines.
Fuel lines (hoses, piping, connections,
etc.)Check the fuel hoses, piping and con-
nections for leaks, looseness or deteriora-
tion. Replace any damaged parts.
Fuel filterIf the vehicle is operated under
extremely adverse weather conditions or in
areas where ambient temperatures are ei-
ther extremely low or extremely high, the
filter might become clogged. In such an
event, replace the filter immediately.
Engine coolant*Flush and refill the cooling
system.
Engine oil and oil filter*Under normal
driving conditions, the engine oil and oil filter
should be replaced in accordance with the
maintenance schedule. However, under se-
vere driving conditions, they may have to be
replaced more frequently.
Spark plugs*Replace with new plugs hav-
ing the correct heat range.
Chassis and body maintenance
Brake lines and cablesCheck the brake
lines and hoses (including brake booster
vacuum hoses, connections & check valve)
and parking brake cables for proper attach-
ment, leaks, cracks, chafing, abrasion, de-
terioration, etc.
Brake pads, rotors, drums and linings
Check these and the other brake compo-
nents for wear, deterioration and leaks. Un-
der severe driving conditions, they may have
to be inspected more frequently.
Manual and automatic transmission,
transfer and differential gear oilVisually
inspect for signs of leakage and replace oil
for limited-slip differential. Under severe
driving conditions, the oil should be re-
placed at the specified interval.
Steering gear (box) and linkage, axle and
suspension parts and drive shaft boots
Check for damage, looseness and leakage
of oil or grease. Under severe driving con-
ditions, they may have to be inspected more
frequently.
9-10Maintenance
ZX