2001 NISSAN FRONTIER tires

(manual transmission vehicles), us-
ing only the brake, as this could
cause loss of control.
cHeavy 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.
cUnsecured 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.
cTo avoid raising the center of gravity
excessively, do not exceed the rated
capacity of the roof rack (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.
cDo not grip the inside or spokes of
the steering wheel when driving off-
road. The steering wheel could movesuddenly and injure your hands. In-
stead drive with your fingers and
thumbs on the outside of the rim.
cBefore operating the vehicle, ensure
that the driver and all passengers
have their seat belts fastened.
cAlways drive with the floor mats in
place as the floor may become hot.
cLower your speed when encounter-
ing strong crosswinds. With a higher
center of gravity, your NISSAN is
more affected by strong side winds.
Slower speeds ensure better vehicle
control.
cDo not drive beyond the perfor-
mance of the tires, even with 4WD
engaged.
cAccelerating quickly, sharp steering
maneuvers or sudden braking may
cause loss of control.
cIf 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 veh-icle. The vehicle is not designed for
cornering at the same speeds as
conventional two-wheel drive ve-
hicles. Failure to operate this vehicle
correctly could result in loss of con-
trol and/or a roll over accident.
cAlways use tires of the same type,
size, brand, construction (bias, bias-
belted, or radial), and tread pattern
on all four wheels. Install tire chains
on the rear wheels when driving on
slippery roads and drive carefully.
cBe sure to check the brakes immedi-
ately after driving in mud or water.
See(Brake system(later in this sec-
tion for(Wet brakes(.
cAvoid parking your vehicle on steep
hills. If you get out of the vehicle and
it rolls forward, backward or side-
ways, you could be injured.
cWhenever you drive off-road
through sand, mud or water as deep
as the wheel hub, more frequent-
maintenance may be required. See
(Periodic maintenance(in the(Main-
tenance(section of this manual.
Starting and driving
5-5
ZX

cMake sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.
cCheck 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.
cCheck that all windows and lights are
clean.
cVisually inspect tires for their appearance
and condition. Also check tires for proper
inflation.
cLock all doors.
cPosition seat and adjust head restraints.
cAdjust inside and outside mirrors.
cFasten seat belts and ask all passengers
to do likewise.
cCheck the operation of warning lights
when key is turned to the ON (3) position.
See9Warning/Indicator lights and
chimes9in the9Instruments and controls9
section.1. Apply the parking brake.
2.Automatic transmission:
Move the selector lever to P (Park) or N
(Neutral). P (Park) is preferred.
The selector 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 re-
moved 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 shift 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.cIf 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.
cIn 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.
BEFORE STARTING THE
ENGINESTARTING THE ENGINE
5-8Starting and driving
ZX

cAccelerate slowly and smoothly. Maintain
cruising speeds with a constant accelera-
tor position.
cDrive at moderate speeds on the high-
way. Driving at high speeds lowers fuel
economy.
cAvoid unnecessary stopping and brak-
ing. Maintain a safe distance behind
other vehicles.
cUse a proper gear range which suits road
conditions. On level roads, shift into high
gear as soon as possible.
cAvoid unnecessary engine idling.cKeep your engine tuned up.
cFollow the recommended periodic main-
tenance schedule.
cKeep the tires inflated to the correct
pressure. Low tire pressure increases
tire wear and wastes fuel.
cKeep the front wheels in correct align-
ment. Improper alignment increases tire
wear and lowers fuel economy.
cAir conditioner operation lowers fuel
economy. Use the air conditioner only
when necessary.
cWhen cruising at highway speeds, it is
more economical to use the air condi-
tioner and leave the windows closed to
reduce drag.
c
Use 4H or 4L position only when neces-
sary. Four-wheel drive operation lowers
fuel economy.
SD0001
ASD1022
INCREASING FUEL
ECONOMYUSING FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE
5-20Starting and driving
ZX

If an abnormality occurs in the system, the
anti-lock function will cease but the ordinary
brakes will continue to operate normally. The
ABS brake warning light will then come on.
If the light comes on while you are driv-
ing, contact an authorized NISSAN
dealer for repair.
WARNING
cThe anti-lock brake system is a so-
phisticated device, but it cannot pre-
vent accidents resulting from care-
less or dangerous driving
techniques. It can help maintain ve-
hicle control during braking on slip-
pery surfaces, but remember that the
stopping distance on slippery sur-
faces will be longer than on normal
surfaces even with the anti-lock
brake system. 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 respon-
sibility for safety of self and others
rests in the hands of the driver.Tire type and condition may also
affect braking effectiveness.
cWhen replacing tires, install the
specified size of tires on all four
wheels.
cWhen installing a spare tire, make
sure it is the proper size and type as
specified on the tire placard. For tire
placard location information, refer to
``Tire placard'' in the ``Technical and
consumer information'' section of
this manual.
For additional information, refer to9Wheels
and Tires9in the9Do-it-yourself9section of
this manual.
FREEING A FROZEN DOOR
LOCK
To prevent a door lock from freezing, apply
de-icer or glycerin through the key hole. If
the lock becomes frozen, heat the key be-
fore inserting it in the key hole.
ANTI-FREEZE
In the winter when it is anticipated that the
temperature will drop below 32ÉF (0ÉC),
check anti-freeze (ethylene glycol base) to
assure proper winter protection. For details,
see ``Engine cooling system'' in the ``Do-it-
yourself'' section of this manual.
BATTERY
If the battery is not fully charged during
extremely cold weather conditions, the bat-
tery fluid may freeze and damage the bat-
tery. To maintain maximum efficiency, the
battery should be checked regularly. For
details, see ``Battery'' in the ``Do-it-yourself''
section of this manual.
DRAINING OF COOLANT WATER
If the vehicle is to be left outside without
anti-freeze, drain the cooling system by
opening the drain valves located under the
COLD WEATHER DRIVING
Starting and driving5-27
ZX

radiator and on the engine block. Refill
before operating the vehicle. For details,
see ``Changing engine coolant'' in the ``Do-
it-yourself'' section of this manual.
TIRE EQUIPMENT
1. SUMMER tires have a tread designed to
provide superior performance on dry
pavement. However, the performance of
these tires will be substantially reduced
in snowy and icy conditions. If you oper-
ate your vehicle on snowy or icy roads,
NISSAN recommends the use on all four
wheels of MUD & SNOW or ALL SEA-
SON tires. Please consult your NISSAN
dealer for the tire type, size, speed rating
and availability information.
2. For additional traction on icy roads, stud-
ded tires may be used. However, some
U.S. states and Canadian provinces pro-
hibit their use. Check local, state and
provincial laws before installing studded
tires.
Skid and traction capabilities of studded
snow tires on wet or dry surfaces may be
poorer than that of non-studded snow
tires.
3. Tire chains may be used. Use of tirechains may be prohibited according to
location. Check the local laws before
installing tire chains. When installing tire
chains, make sure they are of proper size
for the tires on your vehicle and are
installed according to the chain manufac-
turer's suggestions.Use only SAE
Class ``S'' chains.Other types may
damage your vehicle. Use chain tension-
ers when recommended by the tire chain
manufacturer to ensure a tight fit. Loose
end links of the tire chain must be se-
cured or removed to prevent the possi-
bility of whipping action damage to the
fenders or undercarriage. If possible,
avoid fully loading your vehicle when
using tire chains. In addition, drive at a
reduced speed, otherwise, your vehicle
may be damaged and/or vehicle handling
and performance may be adversely af-
fected. Never install tire chains on a
TEMPORARY USE ONLY spare tire. Do
not use tire chains on dry roads.
SPECIAL WINTER EQUIPMENT
It is recommended that the following items
be carried in the vehicle during winter:
1. A scraper and stiff-bristled brush to re-move ice and snow from the windows
and wiper blades.
2. A sturdy, flat board to be placed under
the jack to give it firm support.
3. A shovel to dig the vehicle out of snow-
drifts.
4. Extra window washer fluid to refill the
reservoir tank.
DRIVING ON SNOW OR ICE
WARNING
cWet ice (32ÉF, 0ÉC and freezing rain),
very cold snow, or ice can be slick
and very hard to drive on. The ve-
hicle will have much less traction or
``grip'' under these conditions. Try to
avoid driving on wet ice until the
road is salted or sanded.
cWhatever the condition, drive with
caution. Accelerate and slow down
with care. If accelerating or down-
shifting too fast, the drive wheels
will lose even more traction.
c
Allow more stopping distance under
these conditions. Braking should be
started sooner than on dry pavement.
5-28Starting and driving
ZX

CHANGING A FLAT TIRE
If you have a flat tire, follow the instructions
below:
Stopping the vehicle
1. Safely move the vehicle off the road and
away from traffic.
2. Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
3. Park on a level surface and apply the
parking brake. Shift the manual transmis-
sion into R (Reverse), or the automatic
transmission into P (Park).
WARNING
c
The transfer control lever
must be in the 2H, 4H or 4L position.
c
Do not leave the transfer control le-
ver in the N (Neutral) position. Other-
wise, the vehicle could roll unexpect-
edly even if the manual transmission
is in any gear or the automatic trans-
mission is in the P (Park) position.
This could result in serious personal
injury or property damage.
4. Turn off the engine.5. Raise the hood to warn other traffic and
to signal professional road assistance
personnel that you require assistance.
6. Have all passengers get out of the ve-
hicle and stand in a safe place away from
traffic and clear of the vehicle.
WARNING
cMake sure the parking brake is se-
curely applied and the manual trans-
mission is shifted into R (Reverse),
or the automatic transmission into P
(Park).
cNever change tires when the vehicle
is on a slope, ice or slippery areas.
This is hazardous.
cNever change tires if oncoming traf-
fic is close to your vehicle. Wait for
professional road assistance.
Blocking wheels
Place suitable blocks at both the front and
back of the wheel diagonally opposite the
flat tire to prevent the vehicle from rolling
when it is jacked up.
WARNING
Be sure to block the wheel as the ve-
hicle may move and result in personal
injury.
MCE0001
FLAT TIRE
6-2In case of emergency
ZX

WARNING
cIncorrect wheel nuts or improperly
tightened wheel nuts can cause the
wheel to become loose or come off.
This could cause an accident.
cDo not use oil or grease on the wheel
studs or nuts. This could cause the
nuts to become loose.
Installing the spare tire
The spare tire is designed for emergency
use. See specific instructions under the
heading ``Wheels and tires'' in the ``Do-
ACE1050WCE0015
6-6In case of emergency
ZX

it-yourself'' section of this owner's
manual.
1. Clean any mud or dirt from the surface
between the wheel and hub.
2. Carefully put the spare tire on and tighten
the wheel nuts finger tight.
3. With the wheel nut wrench, tighten the
wheel nuts alternately and evenly until
they are tight.
4. Lower the vehicle slowly until the tire
touches the ground. Then, with the wheel
nut wrench, tighten the wheel nuts se-
curely in the sequence as illustrated.
Lower the vehicle completely.
As soon as possible, tighten the wheel
nuts to the specified torque with a torque
wrench.
Wheel nut tightening torque:
87 to 108 ft-lb (118 to 147 Nzm)
The wheel nuts must be kept tightened to
specification at all times. It is recom-
mended that wheel nuts be tightened to
specification at each lubrication interval.
Adjust tire pressure to the COLD pres-
sure.COLD pressure:
After vehicle has been parked for three
hours or more or driven less than 1 mile
(1.6 km).
COLD tire pressures are shown on the
tire placard affixed to the inside of the
glove box lid.
cRetighten the wheel nuts when the
vehicle has been driven for 600 miles
(1,000 km) (also in cases of a flat tire,
etc.).
5. Securely store the flat tire and jacking
equipment in the vehicle.
WARNING
cAlways make sure that the spare tire
and jacking equipment are properly
secured after use. Such items can
become dangerous projectiles in an
accident or sudden stop.
cThe spare tire is designed for emer-
gency use. See specific instructions
under the heading ``Wheels and
tires'' in the ``Do-it-yourself'' section
of this manual.
CAUTION
cBe sure to center the spare tire sus-
pending plate on the wheel and then
lift the spare tire.
In case of emergency
6-7
ZX