1999 NISSAN PATHFINDER ABS

5 Starting and drivingPrecautions when starting and driving ...................... 5-2
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) .............................. 5-2
Three way catalyst .................................................... 5-3
On-pavement and offroad driving precautions.......... 5-3
Avoiding collision and rollover................................... 5-4
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving ............................ 5-4
Driving safety precautions ......................................... 5-4
Ignition switch............................................................ 5-6
Manual transmission ................................................. 5-6
Automatic transmission ............................................. 5-7
Key positions ............................................................. 5-7
Nissan vehicle immobiliser system ........................... 5-8
Before starting the engine ......................................... 5-8
Starting the engine .................................................... 5-8
Driving the vehicle ..................................................... 5-9
Automatic transmission ............................................. 5-9
Manual transmission ............................................... 5-13
Parking brake .......................................................... 5-15
Cruise control (if so equipped) ................................ 5-16
Precautions on cruise control.................................. 5-16Cruise control operations ........................................ 5-17
Break-in schedule ................................................... 5-18
Increasing fuel economy ......................................... 5-19
Using four wheel drive (4WD) ................................. 5-19
Transfer case shifting procedures........................... 5-21
Parking/parking on hills ........................................... 5-23
Power steering ........................................................ 5-24
Brake system .......................................................... 5-25
Braking precautions ................................................ 5-25
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) ................................. 5-25
Cold weather driving ............................................... 5-27
Freeing a frozen door lock ...................................... 5-27
Anti-freeze ............................................................... 5-27
Battery ..................................................................... 5-27
Draining of coolant water ........................................ 5-27
Tire equipment ........................................................ 5-27
Special winter equipment ........................................ 5-28
Driving on snow or ice ............................................ 5-28
Engine block heater (if so equipped) ...................... 5-28
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BRAKING PRECAUTIONSThe brake system has two separate hydraulic
circuits. If one circuit develops a problem, you
will still have braking at two wheels.Vacuum assisted brakeThe brake booster aids braking by using en-
gine vacuum. If the engine stops, you can stop
the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal.
However, greater foot pressure on the brake
pedal will be required to stop the vehicle and
the stopping distance will be longer.Using the brakesAvoid resting your foot on the brake pedal
while driving. This will overheat the brakes,
wear out the brake linings and pads faster and
reduce gas mileage.
To help save the brakes and to prevent the
brakes from overheating, before going down a
slope or long grade, reduce speed and down-
shift to a lower gear.Wet brakesWhen the vehicle is washed or driven through
water, the brakes may get wet. As a result,
your braking distance will be longer and the
vehicle may pull to one side during braking.To dry brakes, drive the vehicle at a safe
speed while lightly pressing the brake pedal to
heat-up the brakes. Do this until the brakes
return to normal. Avoid driving the vehicle at
high speeds until the brakes function correctly.
IWhile driving on a slippery surface,
be careful when braking, accelerating
or downshifting. Abrupt braking or
accelerating could cause the wheels
to skid and result in an accident.
IIf the engine is not running or is
turned off while driving, the power
assist for the brakes will not work.
Braking will be harder.ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS)The anti-lock brake system controls the brakes
at each wheel so the wheels will not lock when
braking abruptly or when braking on slippery
surfaces. The system detects the rotation
speed at each wheel and varies the brake fluid
pressure to prevent each wheel from locking
and sliding. By preventing wheel lockup, the
system helps the driver maintain steering con-
trol and helps to minimize swerving and spin-ning on slippery surfaces.
Using the systemDepress the brake pedal and hold it down.Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so
may result in increased stopping
distances.Normal operationThe anti-lock brake system will not operate at
speeds below 3 to 6 MPH (5 to 10 km/h) to
completely stop the vehicle. (The speeds will
vary according to road conditions.) When the
anti-lock system senses that one or more
wheels are close to locking up, the actuator
(under the hood) rapidly applies and releases
hydraulic pressure (like pumping the brakes
very quickly). While the actuator is working,
you may feel a pulsation in the brake pedal
and hear a noise or vibration from the actuator
under the hood. This is normal and indicates
that the anti-lock system is working properly.
However, the pulsation may indicate that road
conditions are hazardous and extra care is
required while driving.
BRAKE SYSTEM
Starting and driving
5-25
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If a tire slips on rough roads for more than
10 seconds, the ABS brake warning light
may come on. Turn OFF the ignition key,
restart the engine and drive the vehicle at
speeds above 20 MPH (30 km/h). If the
warning light does not go out, have the
vehicle checked at a NISSAN dealer.Self-test featureThe anti-lock brake system consists of elec-
tronic sensors, electric pumps, and hydraulic
solenoids controlled by a computer. The com-
puter has a built-in diagnostic feature that tests
the system 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 will then behave normally, but
without anti-lock assistance.
If the light comes on during the self check, or
while you are driving, you should take your
vehicle to your NISSAN dealer for repair at
your earliest convenience.
The anti-lock brake system is a sophis-
ticated device, but it cannot prevent ac-
cidents resulting from careless or dan-
gerous driving techniques. It can help
maintain vehicle control during braking
on slippery surfaces, but remember that
the stopping distance on slippery sur-
faces will be longer than on normal
surfaces, even with the anti-lock sys-
tem. Stopping distances 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 of tires may also
affect braking effectiveness.
IWhen replacing tires, install the
specified size of tires on all four
wheels.
IWhen installing a spare tire, make
sure it is the proper size and type as
specified on the tire placard. SeeªTire placardº in the ª10. Technical
and consumer informationº section
for tire placard location information.
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11 Index
A
ABS (Anti-lock brake system) ......................... 5-25
Air bag
Warning labels........................................... 1-20
Warning light .................................... 1-20, 2-10
Air bag system (See supplemental restraint
system) ........................................................... 1-16
Air bag system, side (See supplemental side air
bag system) .................................................... 1-10
Air cleaner housing filter ................................. 8-16
Air conditioner
Air conditioner operation ...................... 4-3, 4-9
Air conditioner service ................ 4-3, 4-9, 4-11
Air conditioner specification
label .......................................... 4-3, 4-9, 10-13
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
lubrication recommendations ............... 4-3, 4-9
Heater and air conditioner (automatic) (if so
equipped)..................................................... 4-9
Heater and air conditioner controls ............. 4-3
Servicing air conditioner .............................. 4-3
Air conditioning system refrigerant and lubricant
recommendations ........................................... 10-8
Air flow charts ............................................ 4-6, 4-9
Alcohol drugs and driving ................................. 5-4
AM-FM radio with cassette player .................. 4-12
AM-FM radio with cassette player and compact
disc player....................................................... 4-12
AM-FM radio with compact disc player .......... 4-12Anchor point locations
Top tether strap ......................................... 1-40
Antenna
Manual ....................................................... 4-25
Power ........................................................ 4-25
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) ........................ 5-25
Anti-lock brake warning light........................... 2-11
Appearance care
Exterior appearance care ............................ 7-2
Interior appearance care ............................. 7-3
Armrest ............................................................. 1-9
Ashtray (See cigarette lighter and ashtray) .... 2-25
Audio system .................................................. 4-12
Automatic
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ............. 8-9
Sunroof ...................................................... 2-34
Avoiding collision and rollover .......................... 5-4
B
Battery............................................................. 8-13
Battery replacement, (See multi-remote control
system) ............................................................. 3-8
Before starting the engine ................................ 5-8
Belts (See drive belts) .................................... 8-14
Brake
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) ................... 5-25
Brake and clutch fluid................................ 8-11
Brake booster ............................................ 8-19
Brake fluid ................................................. 8-11Brake pedal ............................................... 8-18
Brake pedal check..................................... 8-19
Parking brake check ........................ 5-15, 8-18
Parking brake operation ............................ 5-15
System....................................................... 5-25
Warning light ............................................. 2-11
Break-in schedule ........................................... 5-18
Bulb check/instrument panel ............................ 2-9
Bulb replacement ............................................ 8-22
C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................................................. 10-2
Car phone ....................................................... 4-26
Cassette player (See audio system) .............. 4-16
Cassette tape operation ................................. 4-12
Catalytic converter, Three way catalyst............ 5-3
CB radio or car phone .................................... 4-26
Cellular phone
Steering switch .......................................... 2-50
Switch operation ........................................ 2-51
Child restraints ................................................ 1-31
Installation on front passenger seat .......... 1-41
Installation on rear seat outboard
positions .................................................... 1-35
Installation on rear seat center position .... 1-32
Precautions on child restraints .................. 1-31
Top tether strap anchor point locations .... 1-40
With top tether strap.................................. 1-40
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