2002 NISSAN FRONTIER warning

CAUTION
cDo not use leaded gasoline. Depos-
its from leaded gasoline seriously
reduce the three-way catalyst's abil-
ity to help reduce exhaust pollut-
ants.
cKeep your engine tuned up. Malfunc-
tions in the ignition, fuel injection, or
electrical systems can cause over-
rich fuel flow into the three-way cata-
lyst, causing it to overheat. Do not
keep driving if the engine misfires,
or if noticeable loss of performance
or other unusual operating condi-
tions are detected. Have the vehicle
inspected promptly by an authorized
NISSAN dealer.
cAvoid driving with an extremely low
fuel level. Running out of fuel could
cause the engine to misfire, damag-
ing the three-way catalyst.
cDo not race the engine while warm-
ing it up.
cDo not push or tow your vehicle to
start the engine.ON-PAVEMENT AND OFFROAD
DRIVING PRECAUTIONS
Utility vehicles have a significantly
higher rollover rate than other types of
vehicles.
They have higher ground clearance than
passenger cars to make them capable of
performing in a variety of on-pavement and
off-road applications. This gives them a
higher center of gravity than ordinary cars.
An advantage of higher ground clearance is
a better view of the road, allowing you to
anticipate problems. However, they are not
designed for cornering at the same speeds
as conventional two-wheel drive vehicles
any more than low-slung sports cars are
designed to perform satisfactorily under off-
road conditions. If at all possible, avoid
sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers particu-
larly at high speeds. As with other vehicles
of this type, failure to operate this vehicle
correctly may result in loss of control or
vehicle rollover.
Be sure to read the driving safety precau-
tions later in this section.
AVOIDING COLLISION AND
ROLLOVER
WARNING
Failure to operate this vehicle in a safe
and prudent manner may result in loss
of control or an accident.
Be alert and drive defensively at all times.
Obey all traffic regulations. Avoid excessive
speed, high speed cornering, or sudden
steering maneuvers, because these driving
practices could cause you to lose control of
your vehicle.As with any vehicle, a loss
of control could result in a collision with
other vehicles or objects, or cause the
vehicle to rollover, particularly if the loss
of control causes the vehicle to slide
sideways.Be attentive at all times, and
avoid driving when tired. Never drive when
under the influence of alcohol or drugs
(including prescription or over-the-counter
drugs which may cause drowsiness). Al-
ways wear your seat belt as outlined in the
9Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag
systems9section of this manual, and also
instruct your passengers to do so.
Seat belts help reduce the risk of injury in
Starting and driving
5-3
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collisions and rollovers.In a rollover crash,
an unbelted person is significantly more
likely to die than a person wearing a seat
belt.
DRINKING ALCOHOL/DRUGS
AND DRIVING
WARNING
Never drive under the influence of alco-
hol or drugs. Alcohol in the blood-
stream reduces coordination, delays
reaction time and impairs judgement.
Driving after drinking alcohol increases
the likelihood of being involved in an
accident injuring yourself and others.
Additionally, if you are injured in the
accident, alcohol can increase the se-
verity of the injury.
NISSAN is committed to safe driving. How-
ever, you must choose not to drive under
the influence of alcohol. Every year thou-
sands of people are injured or killed in
alcohol related accidents. Although the local
laws vary on what is considered to be
legally intoxicated, the fact is that alcohol
affects all people differently and most
people underestimate the effects of alcohol.Remember, drinking and driving don't mix!
And that's true for drugs, too (over the
counter, prescription, and illegal drugs).
Don't drive if your ability to operate your
vehicle is impaired by alcohol, drugs, or
some other physical condition.DRIVING SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Your NISSAN is designed for both normal
and off-road use. However, avoid driving in
deep water or mud as your NISSAN is
mainly designed for leisure use, unlike a
conventional offroad vehicle.
Remember that two-wheel drive models are
less capable than four-wheel drive models
for rough road driving and extrication when
stuck in deep snow or mud, or the like.
Please observe the following precautions:
WARNING
cDrive carefully when off the road and
avoid dangerous areas. Every per-
son who drives or rides in this ve-
hicle should be seated with their
seat belt fastened. This will keep you
and your passengers in position
when driving over rough terrain.cDo 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.
cMany 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.
cDo not shift gears while driving on
downhill grades as this could cause
loss of control of the vehicle.
cStay 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.
cIf 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
5-4Starting and driving
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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
On automatic transmission models, the ig-
nition lock is designed so the key cannot be
turned to LOCK and removed until the shift
selector lever is moved to the P (Park)
position.
When removing the key from the ignition,
make sure the shift selector lever is in the P
(Park) position.
If the key cannot be turned to the LOCK
position, proceed as follows to remove the key:
1) Move the shift selector lever into the P
(Park) position.2) Turn the ignition key slightly in the ON
direction.
3) Turn the key toward the LOCK position.
4) Remove the key.
The shift lever is designed so it 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 switch.
The shift lever can be moved if the igni-
tion switch is in the ACC position. This
allows the vehicle to be moved if the
battery is discharged. The shift lever can
also be moved if the ignition switch is in
the ON position and the foot brake pedal
is depressed.
There is an OFF position between the
LOCK and ACC positions. The OFF posi-
tion is indicated by a(1(on the key
cylinder. When the ignition is in the OFF
position, the steering wheel is not
locked.
In order for the steering wheel to be locked,
it must be turned about 1/8 of a turn clock-
wise from the straight up position.To lock the steering wheel, turn the key
to the LOCK position. Remove the key.
To unlock the steering wheel, insert the
key and turn it gently while rotating the
steering wheel slightly right and left.
WARNING
Never remove or turn the key to the
LOCK position while driving. The steer-
ing wheel will lock. This may cause the
driver to lose control of the vehicle and
could result in serious vehicle damage
or personal injury.
ASD1014
IGNITION SWITCH
5-6Starting and driving
ZX

MANUAL TRANSMISSION
The ignition switch includes an anti-theft
steering lock device.
The key can only be removed when the
ignition switch is in the LOCK position.
On manual transmission models, to turn the
ignition key to LOCK from ACC or ON, turn
the key to OFF, push the key in, then turn
the key to LOCK.
In order for the steering wheel to be locked,
it must be turned about 1/8 of a turn clock-
wise from the straight up position.To lock the steering wheel, turn the key
to the LOCK position. Remove the key.
To unlock the steering wheel, insert the
key and turn it gently while rotating the
steering wheel slightly right and left.
WARNING
Never remove or turn the key to the
LOCK position while driving. The steer-
ing wheel will lock. This may cause the
driver to lose control of the vehicle and
could result in serious vehicle damage
or personal injury.
KEY POSITIONS
LOCK Normal parking position (0)
OFF (Manual transmission model) (1)
The engine can be turned off without locking
the steering wheel.
ACC (Accessories) (2)
This position activates electrical accesso-
ries such as the radio when the engine is
not running. The shifter can be moved if the
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.
WSD0010
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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 au-
dible reminders9in the9Instruments and
controls9section.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
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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (if
so equipped)
WARNING
cDo 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.
cCold engine idle speed is high, so
use caution when shifting into a for-
ward or reverse gear before the en-
gine has warmed up.
cNever shift to P (Park) or R (Reverse)
while the vehicle is moving. This
could cause an accident.
CAUTION
cWhen 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.
cOn slippery roads, do not downshift.
This may cause a loss of control.The automatic transmission in your vehicle
is electronically controlled by a transmission
control module to produce maximum power
and smooth operation.
The recommended operating procedures for
this transmission are shown on the following
pages. Follow these procedures for maximum
vehicle performance and driving enjoyment.
Starting the vehicle
cAfter starting the engine, fully depress
the foot brake pedal to ensure the ve-
hicle is at a complete stop before at-
tempting to shift the selector lever.
cKeep the foot brake pedal depressed
and shift the selector lever into a driving
gear.
cRelease the foot brake, then gradually
start the vehicle in motion.
This automatic transmission is designed
so the foot brake pedal MUST be de-
pressed before shifting from P (Park) to
any drive position while the ignition
switch is ON.
The selector lever cannot be moved out
of P (Park) and into any of the other gear
positions if the ignition key is turned toLOCK or if the key is removed.
The selector lever can be moved if the
ignition switch is in the ACC or OFF
position without depressing the foot
brake pedal. This allows the vehicle to be
moved if the battery is discharged.
DRIVING THE VEHICLE
Starting and driving5-9
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Shifting (KA24DE engine)
Pull the selector lever rearward to shift into
P (Park), or R (Reverse) or from D (Drive) to
2or1.
WARNING
Apply the parking brake if the selector
lever is in any position while the engine
is not running. Failure to do so could
cause the vehicle to move unexpect-
edly or roll away and result in serious
personal injury or property damage.P (Park)
Use this position when the vehicle is parked or
when starting the engine. Always be sure the
vehicle is at a complete stop. For maximum
safety, depress the brake pedal, then move
the selector lever to the P (Park) position.
Apply the parking brake. When parking on a
hill, apply the parking brake first, then shift the
selector lever into the P (Park) position.
Shifting from P (Park)
If the ignition switch is in the ON position
and the foot brake pedal is depressed, but
the selector lever still cannot be moved out
of P (Park), use the following procedure:
1. Shut the engine off and remove the key.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Reinsert the key and turn it clockwise to
the ACC position.
4. Depress the brake pedal, move the se-
lector lever to N (Neutral).
5. Start the engine.
These instructions for starting the vehicle in
N (Neutral) should only be used until service
can be obtained at an authorized NISSAN
dealership.R (Reverse)
Use this position to back up. Shift into this
position only after the vehicle has com-
pletely stopped.
N (Neutral)
Neither forward or reverse gear is engaged.
The engine can be started in this position.
You may shift to N (Neutral) and restart a
stalled engine while the vehicle is moving.
D (Drive)
Use this position for normal forward driving.
2 (Second gear)
Use for moderate uphill grades, engine
braking on downhill grades or starting on
slippery surfaces.
Do not downshift into the 2 position at speeds
above 62 MPH (100 km/h), and do not exceed
62 MPH (100 km/h) in the 2 position.
1 (Low gear)
Use this position for steep uphill grades,
driving slowly through deep snow, sand or
mud, or for maximum engine braking on
steep downhill grades.
Do not downshift into the 1 position at
speeds above 30 MPH (48 km/h), and do not
exceed 30 MPH (48 km/h) in the 1 position.
WSD0011
5-10Starting and driving
ZX

instrument panel comes on at this
time.
When cruising at a low speed or
climbing a gentle slope, you may feel
uncomfortable shift shocks as the
transmission shifts between third gear
and overdrive repeatedly. In this case,
depress the OVERDRIVE switch to
turn the OVERDRIVE off. The O/D
OFF indicator light in the instrument
panel comes on at this time.
When driving conditions change, depress
the overdrive switch to turn the OVER-
DRIVE on.
Remember not to drive at high speeds for
extended periods of time with the OVER-
DRIVE off. This reduces fuel economy.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
WARNING
cDo not downshift abruptly on slip-
pery roads. This may cause a loss of
control.cDo not over-rev the engine when
shifting to a lower gear. This may
cause a loss of control or engine
damage.
CAUTION
cDo not rest your foot on the clutch
pedal while driving. This may cause
clutch damage.
cStop your vehicle completely before
shifting into R (Reverse).
cWhen 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
To change gears, or when upshifting or
downshifting, 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.
WDI0049
Starting and driving5-15
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