2000 NISSAN FRONTIER steering

This supplemental restraint system section
contains important information concerning
the driver and passenger supplemental air
bags. The supplemental restraint system air
bags can help reduce impact force to the
driver and front passenger in certain frontal
collisions. The supplemental air bags are
designed tosupplementthe crash protec-
tion provided by the driver and front passen-
ger seat belts and arenot a substitutefor
them. Seat belts should always be correctly
worn and the driver and front passenger
seated a suitable distance away from the
steering wheel and instrument panel. See
``Seat belts'' for instructions and precautions
on seat belt usage later in this section.
The supplemental air bags operate only
when the ignition switch is in the ON or
START position.
WARNING
IThe supplemental air bags ordinarily
will not inflate in the event of a side
impact, rear impact, roll over, or
lower severity frontal collision. Al-
ways wear your seat belts to help
reduce the risk or severity of injury
in various kinds of accidents.IThe seat belts and the supplemental
air bags are most effective when you
are sitting well back and upright in
the seat. Supplemental air bags in-
flate with great force. If you are un-
restrained, leaning forward, sitting
sideways or out of position in any
way, you are at greater risk of injury
or death in a crash and may also
receive serious or fatal injuries from
the supplemental air bag if you are
up against it when it inflates. Always
sit back against the seatback and asfar away as practical from the steer-
ing wheel or instrument panel. Al-
ways use the seat belts.
I
Keep hands on the outside of the
steering wheel. Placing them inside
the steering wheel rim could increase
the risk that they are injured when the
supplemental air bag inflates.
ARS1151
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM (supplemental air bag
system)
1-10Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
ZX

The driver supplemental air bag is located in
the center of the steering wheel. The passen-
ger supplemental air bag is located in the top
right section of the instrument panel.
These systems are designed to meet optional
certification requirements under U.S. regula-tions. They are also permitted in Canada. The
optional certification allows air bags to be
designed to inflate somewhat less forcefully
than previously.However, all of the informa-
tion, cautions and warnings in this manual
still apply and must be followed.
The supplemental air bag system is designed
to inflate in higher severity frontal collisions,
although it may inflate if the forces in another
type of collision are similar to those of a higher
severity frontal impact. It may not inflate in
certain frontal collisions. Vehicle damage (or
lack of it) is not always an indication of proper
supplemental air bag system operation.
The front passenger supplemental air bag is
equipped with an ON/OFF switch (except
crew cab models which have a rear seat for
child restraint installation). Because no rear
seat exists where a rear facing child restraint
can be secured in other models, the switch is
designed to turn OFF the passenger supple-
mental air bag so that a rear facing child
restraint can be used in the front passenger
seat. See ``Passenger supplemental air bag
ON/OFF switch and light'' later in this section
for details.
When the supplemental air bag inflates, a
fairly loud noise may be heard, followed by
the release of smoke. This smoke is not
harmful and does not indicate a fire, but
care should be taken not to intentionally
inhale it, as it may cause irritation and
choking. Those with a history of a breathing
condition should get fresh air promptly.
The supplemental air bags, along with the use
ARS1186
SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
SYSTEM
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems1-13
ZX

of the seat belts, helps to cushion the impact
force on the face and chest of the occupant. It
can help save lives and reduce serious inju-
ries. However, an inflating supplemental air
bag may cause facial abrasions or other inju-
ries. Supplemental air bags do not provide
restraint to the lower body.
Seat belts should be correctly worn and the
driver and passenger seated upright as far
as practical away from the steering wheel or
instrument panel. Since the supplemental
air bags inflate quickly in order to help
protect the front occupants, the force of the
supplemental air bags inflating can increase
the risk of injury if the occupant is too close
to or against the supplemental air bag mod-
ule during inflation.
The supplemental air bags deflate quickly
after a collision.
The supplemental air bags operate only
when the ignition switch is in the ON or
START position.
WARNING
IDo not place any objects on the
steering wheel pad or on the instru-
ment panel. Also, do not place anyobjects between any occupant and
the steering wheel or on the instru-
ment panel. Such objects may be-
come dangerous projectiles, and
cause injury if the supplemental air
bag inflates.
IRight after inflation, several supple-
mental air bag system components
will be hot. Do not touch them; you
may severely burn yourself.
I
No unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring of
the supplemental air bag system. This
is to prevent accidental inflation of
the supplemental air bag or damage
to the supplemental air bag system.
IDo not make unauthorized changes to
your vehicle's electrical system, sus-
pension system or front end structure.
This could affect proper operation of
the supplemental air bag system.
ITampering with the supplemental air
bag system may result in serious per-
sonal injury. Tampering includes
changes to the steering wheel and the
instrument panel assembly, by plac-
ing material over the steering wheelpad and above the instrument panel,
or by installing additional trim mate-
rial around the supplemental air bag-
system.
IWork around and on the supplemen-
tal air bag system should be done by
an authorized NISSAN dealer. Instal-
lation of electrical equipment should
also be done by an authorized NIS-
SAN dealer. The yellow Supplemen-
tal Restraint System (SRS) wiring
should not be modified or discon-
nected. Unauthorized electrical test
equipment and probing devices
should not be used on the supple-
mental air bag system.
ISRS wiring harnesses are covered
with yellow insulation either just be-
fore the harness connectors or over
the complete harness for easy iden-
tification.
When selling your vehicle, we request that
you inform the buyer about the supplemental
air bag system and guide the buyer to the
appropriate sections in this owner's manual.
1-14Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
ZX

3 Pre-driving checks and adjustments
Key .........................................................................3-2
Door locks ..............................................................3-2
Power door locks (if so equipped) .........................3-3
Child safety rear door lock ................................... 3-4
Multi-remote control system (if so equipped).........3-4
Battery replacement ...............................................3-7
Hood release ..........................................................3-8
Glove box ...............................................................3-9
Roof rack (if so equipped)......................................3-9
Step rail (if so equipped) ...................................... 3-11Fuel filler cap ........................................................ 3-11
Tailgate latch ........................................................3-13
Tie down hooks ....................................................3-14
Tilting steering wheel (if so equipped) .................3-15
Outside mirror remote control (if so equipped) ....3-15
Outside mirrors .....................................................3-16
Inside mirror .........................................................3-16
Vanity mirror (if so equipped)...............................3-17
ZX

Tilt operation
Pull the lock lever down and adjust the
steering wheel up or down to the desired
position.
Push the lock lever up firmly to lock the
steering wheel in place.
WARNING
Do not adjust the steering wheel while
driving. You could lose control of your
vehicle and cause an accident.Push the right or left side of the switch to
adjust the right or left side mirror, then
control the lever.
The ignition switch must be in the ON or
ACC position for the power mirrors to oper-
ate.
WARNING
Objects viewed in the outside mirror on
the passenger side are closer than they
appear. Be careful when moving to the
right. Using only this mirror could cause
an accident. Use the inside mirror or
glance over your shoulder to properly
judge distances to other objects.
PD1238MAPD1039
TILTING STEERING WHEEL
(if so equipped)OUTSIDE MIRROR REMOTE
CONTROL (if so equipped)
Pre-driving checks and adjustments3-15
ZX

IRecordable compact discs (CD-R)
may not function properly in the CD
player.The antenna cannot be shortened, but it can
be removed. When you need to remove the
antenna, turn the antenna rod counterclock-
wise.
To install the antenna rod, turn the antenna
clockwise. Tighten the antenna rod to speci-
fication using a suitable tool such as a
open-end wrench. The antenna rod tighten-
ing specification is 3.4 - 3.6 N×m(30-32
in-lb). Do not use pliers to tighten the an-
tenna as they can leave marks on the
antenna surface. The antenna rod can not
be hand tightened to the proper specifica-
tion.
CAUTION
Always properly tighten the antenna
rod during installation or the antenna
rod may break during vehicle opera-
tion.
Microphone installed model
If equipped with a genuine NISSAN cellular
phone (US only), 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 acci-
dent. See the manual for car phone opera-
tion.
Pre-wired and antenna for phone
installed model
Some models are pre-wired to accept the
genuine NISSAN cellular phone (US only).
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 following cautions, otherwise the new
equipment may adversely affect the MFI
(Multiport Fuel Injection) system and other
electronic parts.
ANTENNA CAR PHONE OR CB RADIO
4-28Heater, air conditioner and audio systems
ZX

5 Starting and driving
Precautions when starting and driving ...................5-2
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) ............................5-2
Three-way catalyst ..................................................5-2
On-pavement and off-road driving precautions......5-3
Avoiding collision and rollover ................................5-3
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving .........................5-4
Driving safety precautions ......................................5-4
Ignition switch .........................................................5-6
Manual transmission...............................................5-6
Automatic transmission ..........................................5-7
Before starting the engine ......................................5-8
Driving with automatic transmission (if so
equipped) ...............................................................5-8
Overdrive switch (KA24DE engine) .....................5-13
Overdrive switch (VG33E engine)........................5-14
Driving with manual transmission.........................5-14Starting the engine ...............................................5-16
Parking brake operation .......................................5-16
Cruise control (if so equipped) .............................5-18
Break-in schedule ................................................5-20
Increasing fuel economy ......................................5-20
Transfer case shifting procedures for 4-wheel
drive vehicles........................................................5-21
Auto-lock free-running hubs .................................5-22
Manual-lock free-running hubs.............................5-24
Tires of four-wheel drive ......................................5-26
Parking/parking on hills ........................................5-27
Power steering system .........................................5-28
Brake system........................................................5-28
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) ..............................5-29
Cold weather driving ............................................5-30
ZX

CAUTION
IDo not use leaded gasoline. Depos-
its from leaded gasoline seriously
reduce the three-way catalyst's abil-
ity to help reduce exhaust pollut-
ants.
IKeep your engine tuned up. Malfunc-
tions in the ignition, fuel injection, or
electrical systems can cause over-
rich fuel flow into the three way cata-
lyst, causing it to overheat.
IDo not keep driving if the engine
misfires, or if noticeable loss of per-
formance or other unusual operating
conditions are detected. Have the
vehicle inspected promptly by an
authorized NISSAN dealer.
IAvoid driving with an extremely low
fuel level. Running out of fuel could
cause the engine to misfire, damag-
ing the three-way catalyst.
IDo not race the engine while warm-
ing it up.
IDo not push or tow your vehicle to
start the engine.ON-PAVEMENT AND OFFROAD
DRIVING PRECAUTIONS
Utility vehicles have a significantly
higher rollover rate than other types of
vehicles.
They have higher ground clearance than
passenger cars to make them capable of
performing in a variety of on-pavement and
offroad applications. This gives them a
higher center of gravity than ordinary cars.
An advantage of higher ground clearance is
a better view of the road, allowing you to
anticipate problems. However, they are not
designed for cornering at the same speeds
as conventional two-wheel drive vehicles
any more than low-slung sports cars are
designed to perform satisfactorily under off
road conditions. If at all possible, avoid
sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers particu-
larly at high speeds. As with other vehicles
of this type, failure to operate this vehicle
correctly may result in loss of control or
vehicle rollover.
Be sure to read the driving safety precau-
tions later in this section.
AVOIDING COLLISION AND
ROLLOVER
WARNING
Failure to operate this vehicle in a safe
and prudent manner may result in loss
of control or an accident.
Be alert and drive defensively at all times.
Obey all traffic regulations. Avoid excessive
speed, high speed cornering, or sudden
steering maneuvers, because these driving
practices could cause you to lose control of
your vehicle.As with any vehicle, a loss
of control could result in a collision with
other vehicles or objects, or cause the
vehicle to rollover, particularly if the loss
of control causes the vehicle to slide
sideways.Be attentive at all times, and
avoid driving when tired. Never drive when
under the influence of alcohol or drugs
(including prescription or over-the-counter
drugs which may cause drowsiness). Al-
ways wear your seat belt as outlined in the
²Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag
systems²section of this manual, and also
instruct your passengers to do so.
Seat belts help reduce the risk of injury in
Starting and driving
5-3
ZX