2000 NISSAN XTERRA clutch

Turn signal/hazard indicator
lights
These lights flash when the turn signal
switch or hazard switch is turned on.
orBrake warning
light
This light functions for both the parking
brake and the foot brake systems.
When the ignition key is in the ON position,
the light comes on when the parking brake
is applied and also warns of a low brake
fluid level. If the light comes on while the
engine is running with the parking brake not
applied, stop the vehicle and perform the
following.
1.
Check the brake fluid level. Add brake fluid
as necessary. See ``Brake and clutch fluid''
in the ``Do-it-yourself'' section of this
manual.
2. If the brake fluid level is correct, have the
warning system checked by an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer.
WARNING
OYour brake system may not be work-
ing properly if the warning light is
on. Driving could be dangerous. If
you judge it to be safe, drive care-
fully to the nearest service station
for repairs. Otherwise have your ve-
hicle towed because driving it could
be dangerous.
OPressing the brake pedal with the
engine stopped and/or low brake
fluid level may increase your stop-
ping distance and require greater
pedal effort as well as pedal travel.
OIf the brake fluid level is below the
MINIMUM or MIN mark on the brake
fluid reservoir, do not drive until the
brake system has been checked at
an authorized NISSAN dealer.
High beam indicator light
This blue light comes on when the headlight
high beams are on and goes out when the
low beams are selected.
The high beam indicator light also comes on
when the passing signal is activated.
Seat belt warning light and
chime
The light and chime remind you to fasten
your seat belts. If the driver's seat belt is
NOT securely fastened when the ignition
key is turned to ON or START, the chime
sounds five times and the light illuminates.
If the driver's seat belt is fastened before the
ignition key is turned to the ON postion, the
light will not come on briefly and then
go off.
Supplemental air bag
warning light
When the ignition key is in the ON or START
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates for about 7 seconds and
then turns off. This means the system is
operational.
If any of the following conditions occur, the
supplemental restraint system needs ser-
vicing and your vehicle must be taken to an
authorized authorized NISSAN dealer.
OThe supplemental air bag warning light
remains on after approximately 7 sec-
onds.
2-8Instruments and controls
ZX

OMany hills are too steep for any ve-
hicle. If you drive up them, you may
stall. If you drive down them, you
may not be able to control your
speed. If you drive across them, you
may roll over.
ODo not shift gears while driving on
downhill grades as this could cause
loss of control of the vehicle.
OStay alert when driving to the top of
a hill. At the top there could be a
drop-off or other hazard that could
cause an accident.
OIf your engine stalls or you cannot
make it to the top of a steep hill,
never attempt to turn around. Your
vehicle could tip or roll over. Always
back straight down in R (Reverse)
gear. Never back down in N (Neutral)
or with the clutch depressed
(manual transmission vehicles), us-
ing only the brake, as this could
cause loss of control.
OHeavy braking going down a hill
could cause your brakes to overheat and fade, resulting in loss of
control and an accident. Apply
brakes lightly and use a low gear to
control your speed.
OUnsecured cargo can be thrown
around when driving over rough ter-
rain. Properly secure all cargo so it
will not be thrown forward and cause
injury to you or your passengers.
OTo avoid raising the center of gravity
excessively, do not exceed the rated
capactiy of the roof rack/gear bin (if
so equipped) and evenly distribute
the load. Secure heavy loads in the
cargo area as far forward and as low
as possible. Do not equip the vehicle
with tires larger than specified in this
manual. This could cause your ve-
hicle to roll over.
ODo not grip the inside or spokes of
the steering wheel when driving
offroad. The steering wheel could
move suddenly and injure your
hands. Instead drive with your fin-
gers and thumbs on the outside of
the rim.OBefore operating the vehicle, ensure
that the driver and all passengers
have their seat belts fastened.
OAlways drive with the floor mats in
place as the floor may become hot.
OLower your speed when encoutering
strong crosswinds. With a higher
center of gravity, your NISSAN is
more affected by strong side winds.
Slower speeds ensure better vehicle
control.
ODo not drive beyond the perfor-
mance of the tires, even with 4WD
engaged.
OAccelerating quickly, sharp steering
maneuvers or sudden braking may
cause loss of control.
OIf at all possible, avoid sharp turning
maneuvers, particularly at high
speeds. Your NISSAN four wheel
drive vehicle has a higher center of
gravity than a two wheel drive ve-
hicle. The vehicle is not designed for
cornering at the same speeds as
conventional two wheel drive ve-
hicles. Failure to operate this vehicle
Starting and driving
5-5
ZX

ignition switch is in ACC position.
ON (Normal operating position) (3)
This position turns on the ignition system
and electrical accessories.
START (4)
This position starts the engine. As soon as
the engine has started, release the key. It
automatically returns to the ON position.OMake sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.
OCheck fluid levels such as engine oil,
coolant, brake and clutch fluid, and win-
dow washer fluid as frequently as pos-
sible, at least whenever you refuel.
OCheck that all windows and lights are
clean.
OVisually inspect tires for their appearance
and condition. Also check tires for proper
inflation.
OLock all doors.
OPosition seat and adjust head restraints.
OAdjust inside and outside mirrors.
OFasten seat belts and ask all passengers
to do likewise.
OCheck the operation of warning lights
when key is turned to the ON (3) position.
See9Warning/Indicator lights and
chimes9in the9Instruments and controls9
section.WARNING
ODo not depress the accelerator pedal
while shifting from P (Park) or N
(Neutral) to R (Reverse), D (Drive), 2
or 1. Always depress the brake pedal
until shifting is completed. Failure to
do so could cause you to lose con-
trol and have an accident.
OCold engine idle speed is high, so
use caution when shifting into a for-
ward or reverse gear before the en-
gine has warmed up.
ONever shift to P (Park) or R (Reverse)
while the vehicle is moving. This
could cause an accident.
CAUTION
OWhen stopping the vehicle on an
uphill grade, do not hold the vehicle
by depressing the accelerator pedal.
The foot brake should be used for
this purpose.
OOn slippery roads, do not downshift.
This may cause a loss of control.
BEFORE STARTING THE
ENGINEDRIVING WITH AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION (if so
equipped)
5-8Starting and driving
ZX

WARNING
ODo not downshift abruptly on slip-
pery roads. This may cause a loss of
control.
ODo not over-rev the engine when
shifting to a lower gear. This may
cause a loss of control or engine
damage.
CAUTION
ODo not rest your foot on the clutch
pedal while driving. This may cause
clutch damage.
OStop your vehicle completely before
shifting into R (Reverse).
OWhen the vehicle is stopped with the
engine running (for example at a
stop light), shift to N (Neutral) and
release the clutch pedal with the foot
brake applied.
Shifting with manual transmission
To change gears, or when up shifting or
down shifting, depress the clutch pedal fully,
shift into the appropriate gear, then release
the clutch slowly and smoothly.
You cannot shift directly from 5th gear into R
(Reverse). First shift into the N (Neutral)
position, then into R (Reverse).
If it is difficult to move the shift lever into R
(Reverse) or 1st, shift into N (Neutral), then
release the clutch pedal. Depress the clutch
pedal and shift into R (Reverse) or 1st
again.If your vehicle is equipped with 4-wheel
drive, see ``
Transfer case shifting pro-
cedures for four-wheel drive vehicles'' later
in this section.
Suggested up-shift speeds
The folllowing table provides suggested speed
ranges for shifting into a higher gear. These
suggestions relate to fuel economy and vehicle
performance. Actual shift ranges should be
adjusted for specific road conditions, weather
conditions and individual driving habits.
OTwo-wheel drive models and four-wheel
drive models (2H and 4H position):
Shift from MPH (km/h)
1st to 2nd 15 (24)
2nd to 3rd 25 (40)
3rd to 4th 40 (64)
4th to 5th 45 (72)
O4-wheel drive model (4L posi-
tion):
Shift from MPH (km/h)
1st to 2nd 8 (13)
2nd to 3rd 12 (19)
3rd to 4th 20 (32)
4th to 5th 22 (35)SD1017M
DRIVING WITH MANUAL
TRANSMISSION
Starting and driving5-13
ZX

Suggested maximum speed in each
gear
Downshift to a lower gear if the engine is not
running smoothly, or if you need to accelerate.
Do not exceed the maximum suggested speed
(shown below) in any gear. For level road
driving, use the highest gear suggested for that
speed. Always observe posted speed limits,
and drive according to the road conditions,
which will ensure safe operation.
Allowable maximum speed in each gear:
2-wheel drive models MPH (km/h)
1st 30 (48)
2nd 55 (88)
3rd 80 (129)
4th & 5th þ (þ)
4-wheel drive models MPH (km/h)
2H/4H position
1st 25 (40)
2nd 43 (69)
3rd 68 (109)
4th & 5th þ (þ)
4L position
1st 12 (19)
2nd 22 (35)
3rd 30 (48)
4th & 5th þ (þ)1. Apply the parking brake.
2.Automatic transmission:
Move the selector lever to P (Park) or N
(Neutral). P (Park) is preferred.
The shift lever cannot be moved out of
P (Park) and into any of the other gear
positions if the ignition key is turned
to OFF or if the key is removed from
the ignition switch.
The starter is designed not to operate
if the selector lever is in one of the
driving positions.
Manual transmission:
Move the gearshift lever to N (Neutral),
and fully depress the clutch pedal to the
floor while starting the engine.
The starter is designed not to operate
unless the clutch pedal is fully de-
pressed.
3.With your foot off the accelerator
pedal,turn the ignition key to START.
Release the key when the engine starts.
If the engine starts, but fails to run, repeat
the above procedure.O
If the engine is very hard to start in
extremely cold or hot weather, depress
the accelerator pedal fully and hold it
to help start the engine.
OIn the summer, when restarting the
engine within 30 minutes after it has
been stopped, keep the accelerator
pedal fully depressed while starting.
CAUTION
Do not operate the starter for more than
15 seconds at a time. If the engine does
not start, turn the key off and wait 10
seconds before cranking again, other-
wise the starter could be damaged.
4.Warm-up
Always allow the engine to idle for at
least 30 seconds after starting. Drive at a
moderate speed for a short distance first,
especially in cold weather.
STARTING THE ENGINE
5-14Starting and driving
ZX

Precautions
OThe cruise indicator light in the instru-
ment panel may blink when the cruise
control main switch is turned ON while
pushing the RES/ACCEL, COAST/SET,
or CANCEL switch. To properly set the
cruise control system, perform the follow-
ing steps in the order indicated.
OIf the cruise control system malfunctions,
it cancels automatically. The CRUISE
light in the instrument panel then blinks to
warn the driver.
OIf the cruise light blinks, turn the cruisecontrol main switch off and have the
system checked by an authorized NIS-
SAN dealer.
WARNING
Do not use the cruise control when
driving under the following conditions:
OWhen it is not possible to keep the
vehicle at a set speed.
OIn heavy traffic or in traffic that var-
ies in speed.
OOn winding or hilly roads.OOn slippery roads (rain, snow, ice,
etc.).
OIn very windy areas.
Doing so could cause a loss of vehicle
control and result in an accident.
CAUTION
On manual transmission models, do
not shift into N (Neutral) without de-
pressing the clutch pedal when the
cruise control is set. Should this occur,
depress the clutch pedal and turn the
main switch off immediately. Failure to
do so may cause engine damage.
The cruise control allows driving at a fixed
speed between 30 and 90 MPH (48 and 145
km/h) without keeping your foot on the
accelerator pedal.
To turn on the cruise control,push the
main switch on. The CRUISE CONT indica-
tor light comes on.
To set at cruising speed,accelerate your
vehicle to the desired speed, push the
COAST/SET switch and release it. The
CRUISE light in the instrument panel comes
ASD1020
CRUISE CONTROL
(if so equipped)
5-16Starting and driving
ZX

on. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Your vehicle maintains the set speed.
To pass another vehicle,depress the ac-
celerator pedal. When you release the
pedal, the vehicle returns to the previously
set speed.
OThe vehicle may not maintain the set
speed when going up or down steep
hills. If this happens, drive without the
cruise control.
To cancel the preset speed,use one of the
following three methods:
a) Push the CANCEL button; the CRUISE
light in the instrument panel goes out.
b) Tap the brake pedal; the CRUISE light
goes out.
c)
Turn the main switch off. Both the CRUISE
CONT and CRUISE lights go out.
The cruise control is automatically can-
celled and the CRUISE light goes out if:
Oyou depress the brake pedal while push-
ing the RES/ACCEL set switch.
Othe vehicle slows down more than 8 MPH
(13 km/h) below the set speed.Oyou depress the clutch pedal (manual
transmission), or move the shift lever to
the N (Neutral) position (automatic trans-
mission).
To reset at a faster cruising speed,use
one of the following three methods:
a) Depress the accelerator pedal. When the
vehicle attains the desired speed, push
and release the COAST/SET switch.
b) Push and hold the RES/ACCEL set
switch. When the vehicle attains the
speed you desire, release the switch.
c)
Push, and release the RES/ACCEL set
switch. Each time you do this, the set
speed increases by about 1 MPH (1.6
km/h).
To reset at a slower cruising speed,use
one of the following three methods:
a) Lightly tap the brake pedal. When the
vehicle attains the desired speed, push
the COAST/SET switch and release it.
b) Push and hold the COAST/SET switch.
Release the switch when the vehicle
slows down to the desired speed.
c) Push, and release the COAST/SETswitch. Each time you do this, the set
speed decreases by about 1 MPH (1.6
km/h).
To resume the preset speed,push and
release the RES/ACCEL switch. The ve-
hicle returns to the last set cruising speed
when the vehicle speed is over 30 MPH (48
km/h).
Starting and driving
5-17
ZX

TO SHIFT
TRANSFER CASE:SHIFT PROCEDURE FOR AUTO-LOCK FREE-RUNNING HUBS
From 2H to 4HMove the transfer lever to 4H at speeds below 25 MPH (40 km/h). It is not necessary to depress the clutch pedal. Perform
this operation when driving straight.
From 4H to 2HMove the transfer lever to 2H. This can be done at any speed, and it is not necessary to depress the clutch pedal. Perform
this operation when driving straight.
NOTE:
AUTO-LOCK hubs will not disengage until the vehicle is moved about 3 feet (1 m) in the opposite direction of
travel:
OWhen driving forward, stop and move the vehicle 3 feet (1 m) in reverse.
OWhen backing up, stop and move 3 feet (1 m) forward, then move the vehicle about 3 feet (1 m) in reverse.
Disengaging the AUTO LOCK hubs will allow for better fuel economy, quieter ride and less component wear.
From 4H to 4L or 4L to
4H1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Depress the clutch pedal, or place the selector lever in the N (Neutral) position.
3. Depress the transfer lever and move it to the 4L or 4H position. Change gears quickly and smoothly.
From 2H to 4L1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Depress the clutch pedal, or place the selector lever in the N (Neutral) position.
3. Depress the transfer lever and move it to 4L. Change gears quickly and smoothly.
From 4L to 2H1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Depress the clutch pedal, or place the selector lever in the N (Neutral) position.
3. Depress the transfer lever and move it to 2H. Change gears quickly and smoothly.
NOTE:
Follow the NOTE shown in shifting from 4H to 2H.
Starting and driving5-21
ZX