2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER Owners Manual

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*1:IThe transfer 4LO position indicator light
may blink. Stop the vehicle. Be sure to
shift the 4WD shift switch after the auto-
matic transmission lever has been
shifted to the N position. If the indicator
light keeps blinking after the 4WD shift
procedure in the previous page, drive
slowly without abrupt maneuvers for a
while. Then the light will turn on or off.
IAvoid making a turn or abrupt starts
while shifting to 4LO. Otherwise gears
may grind, damaging the drive system.
*2: Make sure the transfer 4LO position indica-
tor light turns on when you shift the 4WD
shift switch to 4LO.
The transfer case 4WD shift switch is used to
select either 2WD or 4WD depending on the
driving conditions. There are four types of
drive modes available, AUTO, 2WD, 4H and
4LO.
The 4WD shift switch electronically controls
the transfer case operation. Rotate the switch
to move between each mode, 2WD, AUTO, 4H
and 4LO.
You must push the switch in to select 4LO,
and the vehicle MUST be stationary and the
automatic transmission selector lever is in
the N position when changing into or out of
4LO.
WARNING
When parking, apply the parking brake
before stopping the engine and make
sure that the 4WD shift indicator light is
on and the ATP warning light goes off.
Otherwise, the vehicle could unexpect-
edly move even if the automatic trans-
mission is in the P position.
CAUTION
INever shift the 4WD shift switch be-
tween 4LO and 4H while driving.
IThe 4H position provides greater
power and traction. Avoid excessive
speed, as it will cause loss of trac-
tion. Speed over 50 MPH (80 km/h) in
4H is not recommend.
IThe 4LO position provides maximum
power and traction. Avoid raising ve-
hicle speed excessively, as the maxi-
mum speed is approximately 30 MPH
(50 km/h).IWhen driving straight, shift the 4WD
shift switch to the 2WD, AUTO or 4H
position. Do not move the 4WD shift
switch when making a turn or revers-
ing.
IDo not shift the 4WD shift switch
(between 2WD, AUTO and 4H) while
driving on steep downhill grades. Use
the engine brake.
IDo not operate the 4WD shift switch
(between 2WD, AUTO and 4H) with
the rear wheels spinning.
IDo not drive on dry hard surface
roads in the 4H or 4LO position. Driv-
ing on dry hard surfaces in 4H or 4LO
may cause unnecessary noise and
tire wear. We recommend driving in
the 2WD or AUTO position under
these conditions.
IVehicles equipped with a limited slip
differential (LSD) have improved driv-
ing performance on rough roads.
They have increased traction perfor-
mance, so when making a turn
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on paved roads, vibration and tire
squealing may occur.
IThe 4WD transfer case may not be
shifted between 4H and 4LO at low
ambient temperatures and the trans-
fer 4LO position indicator light may
blink even when the 4WD shift switch
is shifted. After driving for a while
you can change the 4WD transfer
case between 4H and 4LO.
When driving on rough roads,
ISet the 4WD shift switch to AUTO, 4H or
4LO.
IDrive carefully according to the road sur-
face conditions.
When the vehicle is stuck,
IPlace stones or wooden blocks under the
tires to free the vehicle.
ISet the 4WD shift switch to 4H or 4LO.
IIf it is difficult to free the vehicle, repeat
forward and backward movement to in-
crease the movement.
IIf the vehicle is stuck deep in mud, tirechains may be effective.
CAUTION
IDo not increase the tire rotation ex-
cessively. Tires will sink deep into the
mud, making it difficult to free the
vehicle.
IAvoid shifting gears with the engine
running at high speeds as this may
cause malfunction.4WD shift switch operationsIShift the 4WD shift switch to either the
2WD, AUTO, 4H or 4LO position, depend-
ing on driving conditions.IWith the switch set to the AUTO position,
distribution of torque to the front and rear
wheels changes automatically, depending
on road conditions encountered [ratio; 0 :
100 (2WD),50 : 50 (4WD)]. This results
in improved driving stability.
IIf the 4WD shift switch is operated while
making a turn, accelerating or deceler-
ating or if the key switch is turned off
while in the AUTO, 4H or 4LO, you may
feel a jerk. This is not abnormal.
IWhen the vehicle is stopped after mak-
ing a turn, you may feel a slight jolt after
the selector lever is shifted to N or P.
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This occurs because the transfer clutch
is released and not because of a mal-
function.
CAUTION
IWhen driving straight, shift the 4WD
shift switch to the 2WD, AUTO, or 4H
position. Do not move the 4WD shift
switch when making a turn or revers-
ing.
IDo not shift the 4WD shift switch
while driving on steep downhill
grades. Use the engine brake.
IDo not operate the 4WD shift switch
with the rear wheels spinning.
IBefore placing the 4WD shift switch
in the 4H position from 2WD or AUTO,
ensure the vehicle speed is less than
50 MPH (80 km/h). Failure to do so
can damage the 4WD system.
INever shift the 4WD shift switch be-
tween 4LO and 4H while driving.
IEngine idling speed is high while
warming up the engine. Be espe-cially careful when starting or driving
on slippery surfaces with the 4WD
shift switch set in AUTO.
4WD shift indicator lightThe 4WD shift indicator light is located in the
tachometer.
The light should turn off within 1 second after
turning the ignition switch to ON.
While the engine is running, the 4WD shift
indicator light will illuminate the position se-
lected by the 4WD shift switch.
IThe 4WD shift indicator light may blink
while shifting from one drive mode to
the other. When the shifting is com-
pleted, the 4WD shift indicator light will
come on. If the indicator light does not
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come on immediately, make sure the
area around the vehicle is safe, and
drive the vehicle straight, accelerate or
decelerate or move the vehicle in re-
verse, then shift the 4WD shift switch.
IIf the 4WD warning light comes on, the
4WD shift indicator light goes out.
CAUTION
IWhen the 4WD shift switch is turned
to the AUTO position at low ambient
temperatures, the 4WD shift indicator
light may show 4H. If this happens, all
four wheels are driven as torque dis-
tribution is in the 4H position. Be
careful as the vehicle may become
difficult to turn. When the vehicle is
driven, the 4WD shift indicator light
should change to AUTO.
IIf the 4WD shift indicator light indica-
tion changes to 2WD when the 4WD
shift switch is shifted to the AUTO or
4H position at low ambient tempera-
tures, the 2WD mode may be being
engaged due to malfunctioning drivesystem. If the indicator does not re-
turn to normal and the 4WD warning
light comes on, have the system
checked by the nearest NISSAN
dealer.
4WD warning lightThe 4WD warning light is located in the meter.
If the transfer shift lever is set in the N position,
the 4WD warning light may illuminate. When
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this occurs, move the 4WD shift switch to the
4H or 4LO position.
The 4WD warning light comes on when the
key switch is turned to ON. It turns off soon
after the engine is started.
If any malfunction occurs in the 4WD system
when the key switch is ON, the warning light
will either remain illuminated or blink.
If the 4WD warning light comes on, the 4WD
indicator light goes out.
High-temperature transfer case oil makes the
warning light blink rapidly (about twice per
second). If the warning light blinks rapidly
during operation, stop the vehicle in a safe
place immediately. Then if the light goes off
after a while, you can continue driving.
A large difference between the diameters of
front and rear wheels will make the warning
light blink slowly (about once per two sec-
onds). Change the 4WD shift switch into 2WD
and do not drive fast.
CAUTION
IIf the warning light comes on or
blinks slowly during operation or rap-idly after stopping the vehicle for a
while, have your vehicle checked by
an authorized NISSAN dealer as soon
as possible.
IShifting between 4H and 4LO is not
recommended when the 4WD warn-
ing light turns on.
IWhen the warning light comes on, the
2WD mode may be engaged even if
the 4WD shift switch is in AUTO or
4H. Be especially careful when driv-
ing. If corresponding parts are mal-
functioning, the 4WD mode will not
be engaged even if the 4WD shift
switch is shifted.
IDo not drive on dry hard surface
roads in the 4H or 4LO position.
If the 4WD warning light turns on
when you are driving on dry hard
surface roads
Iin the AUTO or 4H position, shift
the 4WD shift switch to 2WD.
Iin the 4LO position, stop the ve-hicle, move the automatic transmis-
sion lever to the N position, and shift
the 4WD shift switch to 2WD.
IIf the warning light is still on after the
above operation, have your vehicle
checked by an authorized NISSAN
dealer as soon as possible.
IThe transfer case may be damaged if
you continue driving with the warning
light blinking rapidly.
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WARNING
IDo not stop or park the vehicle over
flammable materials, such as dry
grass, waste paper, or rags. They may
ignite and cause a fire.
I
The transfer shift lever must
be in the 2H, 4H or 4L position and the
parking brake must be set to prevent
the vehicle from rolling.
INever place the transfer shift lever inthe N position, otherwise, the vehicle
could roll unexpectedly even if the
manual transmission is in gear or the
automatic transmission is in the P
position. This could result in serious
personal injury or property damage.
INever leave the engine running while
the vehicle is unattended.
INever leave children unattended in
the vehicle.1. Firmly apply the parking brake.
2.Manual transmission models:
Place the shift lever in the R (Reverse)
position. When parking on an uphill grade,
place the gearshift lever in the 1st position.
Automatic transmission models:
Move the selector lever to the P (Park)
position.
WARNING
ISafe parking procedures require that
both the parking brake be set and the
transmission placed into the P (Park)
for automatic transmission models or
in an appropriate gear for manual
transmission models. Failure to do so
could cause the vehicle to move un-
expectedly or roll away and result in
an accident.
IMake sure the automatic transmis-
sion selector lever has been pushed
as far forward as it can go and cannot
be moved without depressing the
button at the end of the lever.
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Part time 4WD models:
IIf the ATP light is ON, this indicates
that the automatic transmission P
(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.
All-mode 4WD models:
IIf the ATP light is ON, this indicates
that the automatic transmission P
(park) position will not function and
the transfer case is in neutral. Make
sure that the 4WD shift indicator light
(and transfer 4LO position indicator)
light remains illuminated before stop-
ping the engine. Otherwise, the ve-
hicle could unexpectedly move even
if the automatic transmission is in the
P (park) position.
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.
Make sure the ATP light is off before stop-
ping the engine.
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.
WARNING
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
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