2001 NISSAN XTERRA wheel

Welcome to the growing family of new NIS-
SAN owners. This vehicle has been deliv-
ered to you with confidence. It was produced
using the latest techniques and strict quality
control.
This manual was prepared to help you un-
derstand the operation and maintenance of
your vehicle so that you may enjoy many
miles (kilometers) of driving pleasure.
Please read through this manual before op-
erating your vehicle.
In the U.S., a separate Warranty Informa-
tion and Maintenance Log Booklet or in
Canada, a Warranty and Roadside Assis-
tance Information Booklet explains de-
tails about the warranties covering your
vehicle and vehicle maintenance sched-
ules. Additionally, a separate Customer
Care/Lemon Law Booklet (U.S. only) will
explain how to resolve any concerns you
may have with your vehicle, as well as
clarify your rights under your state's
lemon law.
Your NISSAN dealership knows your vehicle
best. When you require any service or have
any questions, they will be glad to assist you
with the extensive resources available to
them.
READ FIRST - THEN DRIVE
SAFELY
Before driving your vehicle please read thisowner's manual carefully. This will ensure
familiarity with controls and maintenance
requirements, assisting you in the safe op-
eration of your vehicle.
WARNING
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
REMINDERS FOR SAFETY!
Follow these important driving rules to
help ensure a safe and complete trip for
you and your passengers!
²NEVER drive under the influence of
alcohol or drugs.
²ALWAYS observe posted speed lim-
its and never drive too fast for con-
ditions.
²ALWAYS use your seat belts and
appropriate child restraint systems.
Pre-teen children should be seated
in the rear seat.
²ALWAYS provide information about
the proper use of vehicle safety fea-
tures to all occupants of the vehicle.
²ALWAYS review this owner's manual
for important safety information.For descriptions specified for four-wheel
drive models, a
mark is placed at
the beginning of the applicable
sections/items.
As with other vehicles with features for
off-road use, failure to operate four-
wheel drive models correctly may result
in loss of control or an accident. Be sure
to read ``Driving safety precautions'' in
the ``Starting and driving'' section of this
manual.
ON-PAVEMENT AND OFF-ROAD DRIV-
ING
This vehicle will handle and maneuver
differently from an ordinary passenger
car because it has a higher center of
gravity for off-road use. As with other
vehicles with features of this type, fail-
ure to operate this vehicle correctly
may result in loss of control or an
accident.
Be sure to read ªOn-pavement and off-
road driving precautionsº, and ``Avoid-
ing collision and rollover'', and ªDriv-
ing safety precautionsº, in the
ªStarting and drivingº section of this
manual.
The inside pages of this manual contain
a minimum of 50% recycled fibers,
including 10% post-consumer fibers.
Foreword
ZX

PRECAUTIONS ON SUPPLE-
MENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM
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.
After turning the ignition key to the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warn-
ing light illuminates. The supplemental
air bag warning light will turn off after
about 7 seconds if the system is opera-
tional.
WARNING
OThe 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.
OThe 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 areunrestrained, leaning forward, sit-
ting sideways or out of position in
anyway, you are at greater risk of
injury or death in a crash and may
also receive serious or fatal injuries
fromthe supplemental air bag if you
are up against it when it inflates.
Always sit back against the seatback
and as far away as practical from the
steering wheel or instrument panel.
Always use the seat belts.
OKeep hands on the outside of the
steering wheel. Placing them inside
ARS1151
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM
1-6Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
ZX

the steering wheel rim could in-
crease the risk that they are injured
when the supplemental air bag in-
flates.
ARS1153
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems1-7
ZX

WARNING
ONever let children ride unrestrained.
Do not attempt to hold them in your
lap or arms. Some examples of dan-
gerous riding positions are shown in
the illustrations.
OChildren may be severely injured or
killed when the supplemental air bag
inflates if they are not properly re-
strained.
ONever install a rear-facing child re-
straint in the front seat. An inflating
supplemental air bag could seri-
ously injure or kill your child. See
``Child restraints'' later in this sec-
tion for details.
Supplemental air bag system
The driver supplemental air bag is located in
the center of the steering wheel. The pas-
senger 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-
WRS0079
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems1-9
ZX

tion, cautions and warnings in this manual
still apply and must be followed.
The supplemental air bag system is de-
signed 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.
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 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 injuries. However, an inflating sup-
plemental air bag may cause facial abrasions
or other injuries. Supplemental air bags do
not provide restraint to the lower body.
Seat belts should be correctly worn and thedriver 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 supple-
mental air bags inflating can increase the
risk of injury if the occupant is too close to or
against the supplemental air bag module
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
ODo not place any objects on the
steering wheel pad or on the instru-
ment panel. Also, do not place any
objects 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.
ORight after inflation, several supple-
mental air bag system componentswill be hot. Do not touch them; you-
may severely burn yourself.
O
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.
ODo 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.
OTampering with the supplemental air
bag system may result in serious
personal injury. Tampering includes
changes to the steering wheel and
the instrument panel assembly, by
placing material over the steering
wheel pad and above the instrument
panel, or by installing additional trim
material around the supplemental air
bag system.
OWork around and on the supplemen-
tal air bag system should be done by
an authorized NISSAN dealer.
1-10Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
ZX

Turn signal/hazard indicator lightsLow fuel warning light
(if so equipped)Malfunction indicator light (MIL)
orBrake warning lightLow washer fluid warning light
(Canada only)orAnti-lock brake warning
light
High beam indicator light4-wheel drive indicator light
(model)Supplemental air bag warning light
Seat belt reminder light and chimeCRUISE main switch indicator light
(if so equipped)Automatic transmission park warning
light (model)
Engine oil pressure warning lightCruise SET indicator light
(if so equipped)Automatic transmission oil temperature
warning light
Charge warning lightOverdrive off indicator light
(automatic transmission only)Door open warning light
CHECKING BULBS
Apply the parking brake and turn the ignition
key to the ON position without starting the
engine. The following lights come on:
,,,or,
If the driver's seat belt is fastened before the
ignition key is turned to the ON position, the
light will not come on briefly and then
go off.
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 electrical system. Have the
system repaired promptly.
WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS
AND CHIMES
Instruments and controls2-7
ZX

START and remains illuminated until the
driver's seat belt is fastened. At the same
time, the chime sounds for about seven
seconds unless the driver seat belt is se-
curely fastened.
Refer to ``Seat belts'' in the ``Seats, re-
straints and supplemental air bag systems''
section for precautions on seat belt usage.
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 air bag and pre-tensioner
seat belt systems need servicing and your
vehicle must be taken to an authorized
authorized NISSAN dealer.
O
The supplemental air bag warning light
remains on after approximately 7 seconds.
OThe supplemental air bag warning light
flashes intermittently.OThe supplemental air bag warning light
does not come on at all.
Unless checked and repaired, the supplemen-
tal air bag system and/or the pre-tensioner
seat belts may not function properly. For ad-
ditional details, see the ``Seats, Restraints and
Supplemental Air Bag Systems'' section of this
manual
WARNING
If the supplemental air bag warning
light is on, it could mean that the air
bag will not operate in an accident.
INDICATOR LIGHTS
Cruise main switch indicator
light (if so equipped)
The light comes on when the cruise control
main switch is pushed. The light goes out
when the main switch is pushed again.
While the cruise main switch indicator light
comes on, the cruise control system is
operational.
Cruise set indicator light (if
so equipped)
The light comes on while the vehicle speed
is controlled by the cruise control system. If
the light blinks while the engine is running, it
may indicate the cruise control system is not
functioning properly. Have the system
checked by your NISSAN dealer.
4-wheel drive indicator light
(if so equipped)
This light comes on when the transfer shift
control lever is in the 4H or 4L position.
WARNING
OWhen parking always make sure the
transfer control lever is in the 2H, 4H
or 4L position and the parking brake
is applied.
OFailure to engage the transfer con-
trol lever in 2H, 4H or 4L could result
in the vehicle moving unexpectedly,
which could cause serious personal
injury or property damage.
2-10Instruments and controls
ZX

To sound the horn, push the center pad area
of the steering wheel.The cigarette lighter element is an acces-
sory. A genuine NISSAN cigarette lighter or
equivalent can be purchased from an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer.
The cigarette lighter operates when the
ignition switch is in the ACC or ON position.
Push the lighter in all the way. When the
lighter is heated, it springs out.
Return the lighter to its original position after
use.
WARNING
The cigarette lighter should not be
used while driving so full attention may
be given to vehicle operation.
CAUTION
The cigarette lighter socket is a power
source for the cigarette lighter element
only. The use of the cigarette lighter
socket as a power source for any other
accessory is not recommended.
SIC1280AIC1024
HORN CIGARETTE LIGHTER
(accessory) AND ASH TRAY
2-20Instruments and controls
ZX