1999 NISSAN PATHFINDER power steering

3 Pre-driving checks and adjustmentsKeys .......................................................................... 3-2
Doors ......................................................................... 3-2
Locking with key ........................................................ 3-3
Locking with inside lock knob ................................... 3-3
Locking with power door lock switch (if so
equipped) .................................................................. 3-4
Child safety rear door lock ........................................ 3-4
Multi-remote control system (if so equipped)............ 3-5
How to use multi-remote control system .................. 3-5
Hood .......................................................................... 3-9
Back door ................................................................ 3-10
Key operation .......................................................... 3-10
Spare tire carrier (if so equipped) ........................... 3-11Glass hatch ............................................................. 3-11
Key operation .......................................................... 3-11
Fuel filler lid ............................................................. 3-12
Opener operation .................................................... 3-12
Fuel filler cap ........................................................... 3-13
Steering wheel ........................................................ 3-14
Tilt operation ........................................................... 3-14
Sun visors ............................................................... 3-14
Using the sun visors ............................................... 3-15
Mirrors ..................................................................... 3-15
Inside mirror ............................................................ 3-15
Outside mirrors ........................................................ 3-15
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IDirt and other foreign matter on the
power antenna rod may interrupt its
operation. Clean the rod periodically
with a damp cloth. This type of clean-
ing is especially important during the
winter seasons in areas where road
salt and other chemicals may be
spread on road surfaces and
splashed onto the antenna rod.
If equipped with a genuine NISSAN cellular
phone, your NISSAN features a non-
directional microphone in the steering column
cover, so it is not necessary to look at or speak
directly into the microphone when calling. To
do so could detract from the driving operation
and cause an accident. See the car phone
manual for operation.
Some models are pre-wired to accept the
genuine NISSAN cellular phone. In addition,
the same model has the phone antenna built
into the rear glass window.
When installing a CB, ham radio or car phone
in your NISSAN, be sure to observe the follow-
ing cautions, otherwise the new equipment
may adversely affect the MFI (Multiport Fuel
Injection) system and other electronic parts.IKeep the antenna as far as possible
away from the Electronic Control Unit
(including radio).
IKeep the antenna wire more than 8 in
(20 cm) away from the Multiport Fuel
Injection harness. Do not route the
antenna wire next to any harness.
IAdjust the antenna standing-wave ra-tio as recommended by the manufac-
turer.
IConnect the ground wire from the
radio chassis to the body.
IFor details, consult your NISSAN
dealer.CB RADIO OR CAR PHONE
4-26
Heater, air conditioner and audio systems
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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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(park) position will not function and
the transfer shift lever is in the N
position. Failure to engage the trans-
fer shift lever in H or 4L could result
in the vehicle moving unexpectedly,
resulting in serious personal injury or
property damage.
3. To help prevent the vehicle rolling into the
street when parked on a sloping drive way,
it is a good practice to turn the wheels as
illustrated.
IHEADED DOWNHILL WITH CURB:
q1
Turn the wheels into the curb and move the
vehicle forward until the curb side wheel
gently touches the curb.
IHEADED UPHILL WITH CURB:
q2
Turn the wheels away from the curb and
move the vehicle back until the curb side
wheel gently touches the curb.
IHEADED UPHILL OR DOWNHILL, NO
CURB:
q3
Turn the wheels toward the side of the road
so the vehicle will move away from the
center of the road if it moves.4. Turn the ignition key to the LOCK position
and remove the key.The power assisted steering is designed to
use a hydraulic pump, driven by the engine, to
assist steering.
If the engine stops or drive belt breaks, you will
still have control of the vehicle. However,
much greater steering effort is needed, espe-
cially in sharp turns or at low speeds.
If the engine is not running or is turned
off while driving, the power assist for the
steering will not work. Steering will be
much harder to operate.POWER STEERING
5-24
Starting and driving
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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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Be careful not to allow your hands, hair,
jewelry or clothing to come into contact
with, or to get caught in, the cooling fan,
or drive belt.7. After the engine cools down, check the
coolant level in the reservoir tank with the
engine running. Add coolant to the reservoir
tank if necessary. Have your vehicle re-
paired at the nearest NISSAN dealer.When towing your vehicle, all State (Provincial
in Canada) and local regulations for towing
must be followed. Incorrect towing equipment
could damage your vehicle. Towing instruc-
tions are available from your NISSAN dealer.
Local service operators will generally be famil-
iar with the applicable laws and procedures for
towing. To assure proper towing and to pre-
vent accidental damage to your vehicle,
NISSAN recommends that you have a service
operator tow your vehicle. It is advisable to
have the service operator carefully read the
following precautions.
TOWING RECOMMENDED BY
NISSANINever ride in a vehicle that is being
towed.
INever get under your vehicle after it
has been lifted by a tow truck.
IWhen towing, make sure that the
transmission, axles, steering system
and power train are in working condi-
tion. If any unit is damaged, dollies
must be used.
IAlways attach safety chains before
towing.
INever tow an automatic transmission
model from the rear (that is back-
ward) with four wheels on the ground
SCE0196
TOWING YOUR VEHICLE
In case of emergency
6-11
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8 Do-it-yourselfMaintenance precautions .......................................... 8-2
Engine compartment check locations ....................... 8-3
Engine cooling system .............................................. 8-4
Checking engine coolant level .................................. 8-4
Changing engine coolant .......................................... 8-5
Engine oil .................................................................. 8-7
Checking engine oil level .......................................... 8-7
Changing engine oil .................................................. 8-8
Changing engine oil filter .......................................... 8-9
Automatic transmission fluid ..................................... 8-9
Temperature conditions for checking ...................... 8-10
Power steering fluid ................................................ 8-11
Brake and clutch fluid ............................................. 8-11
Brake fluid ............................................................... 8-11
Clutch fluid .............................................................. 8-12
Window washer fluid ............................................... 8-12
Window washer fluid reservoir ................................ 8-12
Battery ..................................................................... 8-13
Jump starting........................................................... 8-14
Drive belts ............................................................... 8-14
Spark plugs ............................................................. 8-15
Replacing spark plugs ............................................. 8-15Air cleaner ............................................................... 8-16
Windshield wiper blades ......................................... 8-17
Cleaning .................................................................. 8-17
Replacement ........................................................... 8-17
Parking brake and brake pedal ............................... 8-18
Checking parking brake .......................................... 8-18
Checking brake pedal ............................................. 8-19
Brake booster .......................................................... 8-19
Clutch pedal ............................................................ 8-20
Checking clutch pedal ............................................. 8-20
Fuses....................................................................... 8-20
Engine compartment ............................................... 8-20
Passenger compartment ......................................... 8-21
Lights ....................................................................... 8-22
Headlights ............................................................... 8-23
Tires and wheels ..................................................... 8-26
Tire pressure ........................................................... 8-26
Types of tires .......................................................... 8-27
Tire chains............................................................... 8-28
Changing tires and wheels...................................... 8-28
Clutch housing drain ................................... 8-31
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Check the fluid level.
The fluid level should be checked using the
HOT range on the dipstick at fluid tempera-
tures of 122 to 176ÉF (50 to 80ÉC) or using the
COLD range on the dipstick at fluid tempera-
tures of 32 to 86ÉF (0 to 30ÉC).IDo not overfill.
IRecommended fluid is Genuine
Nissan PSF II or equivalent.
BRAKE FLUIDCheck the fluid level in the reservoir. If the fluid
level is below the MIN. line or the brake
warning light comes on, add DOT 3 fluid up to
the MAX. line.
If fluid is added frequently, the system should
be thoroughly checked by your NISSAN
dealer.Use only new fluid. Old, inferior or con-
taminated fluid may damage the brakeand clutch systems. The use of im-
proper fluids can damage the brake sys-
tem and affect the vehicle's stopping
ability.
Do not spill the fluid on any painted
surfaces. This will damage the paint. If
fluid is spilled, wash with water.
DI0187M
SDI0847
POWER STEERING FLUID BRAKE AND CLUTCH FLUID
Do-it-yourself
8-11
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