
Anti-lock brake warning light
(Except for Canada)
4WD warning light
4WD indicator light
Anti-lock brake warning light
(For Canada)
Low fuel warning light
4WD shift indicator light
Automatic transmission oil temperature
warning light
Low washer fluid warning light
(Canada only)
High beam indicator light
Automatic transmission park warning light
Seat belt warning light and chime
Malfunction indicator lamp (MIL)
or
Brake warning light
Supplemental air bag warning light
Overdrive off indicator light
(Automatic transmission models only)
Charge warning light
Tire carrier open warning light
Transfer 4LO position indicator light
Door open warning light
Cruise main switch indicator light
Turn signal/hazard indicator lights
Engine oil pressure warning light
Cruise set switch indicator light
CHECKING BULBSApply the parking brake and turn the ignition
key to ON without starting the engine. The
following lights will come on:
,
,
or
,
,
The following lights come on briefly and then
go off:
,
or
,
,
,
If any light fails to come on, it may indicate a
burned-out bulb or an open circuit in the elec-trical system. Have the system repaired
promptly.
WARNING LIGHTS
or
Anti-lock brake
warning light
If the light comes on while the engine is
running, it may indicate the anti-lock brake
system is not functioning properly. Have the
system checked by your NISSAN dealer.
If an abnormality occurs in the system, theanti-lock function will cease but the ordinary
brakes will continue to operate normally.
If the light comes on while you are driving,
contact your NISSAN dealer for repair.
Automatic transmission oil
temperature warning light
(
model)
This light comes on when the automatic trans-
mission oil temperature is too high. If the light
comes on while driving, reduce the vehicle
WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS
AND AUDIBLE REMINDERS
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speed as soon as safely possible until the light
turns off.
CAUTION
Continued vehicle operation when the
A/T oil temperature warning light is on
may damage the automatic trans-
mission.
Automatic transmission park
warning light (
model)
WARNING
IIf the ATP light is ON, this indicates
that the automatic transmission P
(Park) position will not function and
the transfer lever or the transfer case
is in neutral.
Part time 4WD models:
IWhen parking, always make sure that
the transfer lever is in H or 4L and the
parking brake is set. Failure to en-
gage the transfer control lever in H or4L could result in the vehicle moving
unexpectedly, resulting in serious
personal injury or property damage.
All mode 4WD models:
IWhen parking, always make sure that
4WD shift indicator light illuminates
and the parking brake is set. Failure
to engage the 4WD shift switch in 2H,
AUTO, 4H or 4LO could result in the
vehicle moving unexpectedly, result-
ing in serious personal injury or prop-
erty damage.
This light indicates that the automatic trans-
mission parking function is not engaged. If the
transfer control is not secured in any drive
position while the automatic transmission se-
lector lever is in the P (Park) position, the
transmission will disengage and the wheel will
not lock.
Part time 4WD models
Shift the transfer shift lever into the 2H, 4H or
4L position again to turn off the ATP warning
light when the automatic transmission selector
lever is in the P position and the ATP warning
light is ON.(Before shifting the transfer shift lever into the
4L position, move the automatic transmission
selector lever into the N position once, shift the
selector lever into P again and) make sure the
ATP warning light is OFF.
All-mode 4WD models
The warning light may come on when the
ignition switch is ON and the automatic trans-
mission lever is shifted to the P position while
shifting the transfer case between 4H and
4LO.
Shift the 4WD shift switch to the 2WD, AUTO,
4H or 4LO position again to turn off the ATP
warning light when the warning light comes on.
(Before shifting the 4WD shift switch into the
4LO position or out of 4LO into the 4H position,
move the automatic transmission selector le-
ver into the N position). Shift the selector lever
into the P position and make sure that the
4WD shift indicator light is ON and the ATP
warning light is OFF.
or
Brake warning light
This light functions for both the parking brake
and the foot brake systems.
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Parking brake indicator:
The light comes on when the parking brake is
applied.
Low brake fluid warning light:
When the ignition key is in the ON position, the
light warns of a low brake fluid level. If the light
comes on while the engine is running, stop the
vehicle and perform the following:
1. Check the brake fluid level. Add brake fluid
as necessary. See ªBrake and clutch fluidº
in the ª8. Do-it-yourselfº section.
2. If the brake fluid level is correct:
Have the warning system checked by a
NISSAN dealer.
WARNING
IYour 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 carefully to
the nearest service station for re-
pairs. Otherwise, have your vehicle
towed.IPressing the brake pedal with the
engine stopped and/or low brake fluid
level may increase your stopping dis-
tance and braking will require greater
pedal effort as well as greater pedal
travel.
IIf the brake fluid level is below the
MIN mark on the brake fluid reservoir,
do not drive until the brake system
has been checked at a NISSAN
dealer.
Charge warning light
If the light comes on while the engine is
running, it may indicate the charging system is
not functioning properly. Turn the engine off
and check the alternator belt. If the belt is
loose, broken, missing or if the light remains
on, see your NISSAN dealer immediately.
CAUTION
Do not continue driving if the belt is
loose, broken or missing.
Door open warning light
This light comes on when any of the doors
and/or rear window are not closed securely
while the ignition key is ON.
Engine oil pressure warning
light
This light warns of low engine oil pressure. If
the light flickers or comes on during normal
driving, pull off the road in a safe area, stop the
engineimmediatelyand call a NISSAN dealer
or other authorized repair shop.
The oil pressure warning light is not de-
signed to indicate a low oil level. Use the
dipstick to check the oil level.See ªEngine
oilº in the ª8. Do-it-yourselfº section.
CAUTION
Running the engine with the oil pressure
warning light on could cause serious
damage to the engine almost immedi-
ately. Turn off the engine as soon as it is
safe to do so.
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the transfer 4LO position indicator light turns
on when you shift the 4WD shift switch to 4LO.
The indicator light may blink while shifting
from one drive mode to the other.
Turn signal/hazard indicator
lights
The light flashes when the turn signal switch
lever or hazard switch is turned on.AUDIBLE REMINDERS
Key reminder chimeThe chime will sound when the driver side door
is opened if the key is left in the ignition switch.
Take the ignition key when you leave the
vehicle.Light reminder chimeThe headlights will turn off when the front door
is opened with the light switch on unless the
ignition key is in the ON position.
When you turn the headlight switch ON again
after the lights automatically turn off and when
you open the driver's door, the lights will not
turn off automatically and a chime will sound
instead. See the battery saver system under
ªHeadlight switchº in this section for details.Make sure to turn the light switch off when you
leave the vehicle.
Brake pad wear warningThe disc brake pads have audible wear warn-
ings. When a brake pad requires replacement,
it will make a high pitched scraping sound.
Have the brakes checked as soon as possible
if the warning sound is heard when the vehicle
is moving, whether or not the brake pedal is
depressed.
Your vehicle may have two types of security
system, as follows:
IVehicle security system
INissan Vehicle Immobilizer System
The security condition will be shown by the
security indicator light.
VEHICLE SECURITY SYSTEMThe vehicle security system provides visual
and audio alarm signals if parts of the vehicle
are disturbed.
IC0005
SECURITY SYSTEMS
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Instrument brightness controlThe instrument brightness control operates
when the light switch is in the
or
position.
Turn the control to adjust the brightness of
instrument panel lights and power window
switch lights.
When the control is turned upward until a click
sound is heard, the light intensity will be at
maximum. When the control is turned down-
ward until a click sound is heard or felt, the
light will be turned off.
Headlight beam selectTo select the high beam, push the lever for-
ward. Pull it back to select the low beam.Passing signalPulling the lever toward you will turn on the
passing signal even when the headlight switch
is off.Daytime running light system
(Canada only)The headlights automatically illuminate at a
reduced intensity when the engine is started
with the parking brake released. The daytime
running lights operate with the headlight switch
in the off position or in the
position. Turn
the headlight switch to theposition for
full illumination when driving at night.
If the parking brake is applied before the
engine is started, the daytime running lights do
not illuminate. The daytime running lights illu-
minate once the parking brake is released.
The daytime running lights will remain on until
the ignition switch is turned off.
SIC0922
SIC1445
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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
Automatic transmission ........................................ 5-6
Manual transmission ............................................ 5-7
Key positions ........................................................ 5-8
Nissan vehicle immobilizer system ...................... 5-8
Before starting the engine ......................................... 5-9
Starting the engine .................................................... 5-9
Driving the vehicle ................................................... 5-10
Automatic transmission ...................................... 5-10
Manual transmission .......................................... 5-14
Parking brake .......................................................... 5-16
Cruise control (if so equipped) ................................ 5-17
Precautions on cruise control ............................. 5-17
Cruise control operations ................................... 5-17Break-in schedule ................................................... 5-19
Increasing fuel economy ......................................... 5-19
Using part time four wheel drive (4WD) ................. 5-20
Transfer case shifting procedures ...................... 5-21
Using all-mode four wheel drive (4WD) .................. 5-23
Transfer case shifting procedures ...................... 5-23
Parking/parking on hills ........................................... 5-30
Power steering ........................................................ 5-31
Brake system .......................................................... 5-32
Braking precautions............................................ 5-32
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) ............................ 5-32
Cold weather driving ............................................... 5-34
Freeing a frozen door lock ................................. 5-34
Anti-freeze .......................................................... 5-34
Battery ................................................................ 5-34
Draining of coolant water ................................... 5-34
Tire equipment ................................................... 5-34
Special winter equipment ................................... 5-35
Driving on snow or ice ....................................... 5-35
Engine block heater (if so equipped) ................. 5-35
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fastened. This will keep you and your
passengers in position when driving
over rough terrain.
IBefore driving up or down grades,
check the road surface for bumps or
potholes. Be sure to climb a gentle
slope and descend a gentle slope.
IDo not drive across steep slopes.
Instead drive either straight up or
straight down the slopes. Off-road
vehicles can tip over sideways much
more easily than they can forward or
backward.
IMany 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.
IDo not shift gears while driving on
downhill grades as this could cause
loss of control of the vehicle.
IBe sure to use the engine brake. The
foot brake performance may be re-duced, resulting in a possible acci-
dent.
IStay 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.
IStay 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.
IIf 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), using only
the brake, as this could cause loss of
control.
IHeavy braking going down a hill
could cause your brakes to overheat
and fade, resulting in loss of control
and an accident. Apply brakes lightlyand use a low gear to control your
speed.
IUnsecured 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.
ITo avoid raising the center of gravity
excessively, do not exceed the rated
capacity of the roof rack 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 vehicle to roll over.
IDo not grip the inside or spokes of
the steering wheel when driving of-
froad. The steering wheel could move
suddenly and injure your hands. In-
stead drive with your fingers and
thumbs on the outside of the rim.
IBefore operating the vehicle, ensure
that the driver and all passengers
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have their seat belts fastened.
IAlways drive with the floor mats in
place as the floor may become hot.
ILower 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.
IDo not drive beyond the performance
of the tires, even with 4WD engaged.
Accelerating quickly, sharp steering
maneuvers or sudden braking may
cause loss of control.
IIf 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 con-
ventional two wheel drive vehicles.
Failure to operate this vehicle cor-
rectly could result in loss of controland/or a roll over accident.
IAlways 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 slip-
pery roads and drive carefully.
IBe sure to check the brakes immedi-
ately after driving in mud or water.
See ªBrake systemº later in this sec-
tion for wet brakes.
IAvoid 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.
IWhenever you drive off-road through
sand, mud or water as deep as the
wheel hub, more frequent mainte-
nance may be required. See ªPeriodic
maintenanceº in the ª9. Mainte-
nanceº section of this manual.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONOn automatic transmission models, the igni-
tion lock is designed so that the key cannot be
turned to LOCK and removed until the selector
lever is moved to the P (Park) position.
When removing the key from the ignition,
make sure the selector lever is in the P (Park)
position.
If the selector lever is not returned to P (Park),
the key cannot be moved toward LOCK.
When the key cannot be turned toward the
LOCK position, proceed as follows to remove
the key:
SSD0083
IGNITION SWITCH
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