2002 NISSAN FRONTIER load capacity

(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 and do-it-yourself(section
of this manual.
Starting and driving
5-5
ZX

If you have a flat tire, see the ``In case of
emergency'' section of this manual.
TIRE PRESSURE
Maximum inflation pressure
Do not exceed the maximum inflation pres-
sures shown on the side wall of the tire.
Tire inflation pressure
Check the tire pressure (including the spare
at least once a month and always prior to
long distance trips. Tire pressure should be
checked when tires are COLD. COLD tire
pressures are shown on the tire placardaffixed to the inside of the glove box lid.
Incorrect tire pressure may adversely
affect tire life and vehicle handling.
COLD pressure:
After vehicle has been parked for
three hours or more or driven less
than 1 mile (1.6 km) at moderate
speeds.
WARNING
cImproperly inflated tires can fail sud-
denly and cause an accident
c
The vehicle weight capacity is indi-
cated on the F.M.V.S.S. certification
label. Do not load your vehicle be-
yond this capacity. Overloading your
vehicle may result in reduced tire life,
unsafe operating conditions due to
premature tire failure, or unfavorable
handling characteristics and could
also lead to a serious accident. Load-
ing beyond the specified capacity
may also result in failure of other
vehicle components.
cBefore taking a long trip, or when-
ever you heavily load your vehicle,use a tire pressure gauge to ensure
that the tire pressure is at the speci-
fied level.
cDo not drive your vehicle over 85
MPH (140 km/h) unless it is equipped
with high speed rated tires. Driving
faster than 85 MPH (140 km/h) may
result in tire failure, loss of control
and possible injury.
cFor additional information regarding
tires, refer to ``Important Tire Safety
Information'' in the Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet (US) or ``Tire Safety
Information'' in the Warranty and
Roadside Assistance Information
booklet (Canada).
TYPES OF TIRES
WARNING
When changing or replacing tires, be
sure all four tires are of the same type
(i.e., summer, all season or snow) and
construction. An authorized NISSAN
dealer may be able to help you with
information about tire type, size, speed
DI0047
WHEELS AND TIRES
8-38Maintenance and do-it-yourself
ZX

Tire wear and damage
WARNING
cTires should be periodically in-
spected for wear, cracking, bulging
or objects caught in the tread. If
excessive wear, cracks, bulging or
deep cuts are found, the tire(s)
should be replaced.
cThe original tires have a built-in
tread wear indicator. When the wear
indicators are visible, the tire(s)
should be replaced.cImproper service of the spare tire
may result in serious personal in-
jury. If it is necessary to repair the
spare tire, contact an authorized
NISSAN dealer.
cFor additional information regarding
tires, refer to ``Important Tire Safety
Information'' in the Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet (US) or ``Tire Safety
Information'' in the Warranty and
Roadside Assistance Information
booklet (Canada).
Replacing tires and wheels
When replacing a tire, use the same size,
tread design, speed rating and load carrying
capacity as originally equipped. Recom-
mended types and sizes are shown in
``Wheel/tire size'' in the ``Technical and con-
sumer information'' section of this manual.
WARNING
c
The use of tires other than those
recommended or the mixed use of
tires of different brands, construction
(bias, bias-belted or radial), or tread
patterns can adversely affect the ride,braking, handling, ground clearance,
body-to-tire clearance, tire chain
clearance, speedometer calibration,
headlight aim and bumper height.
Some of these effects may lead to
accidents and could result in serious
personal injury.
cIf the wheels are changed for any
reason, always replace with wheels
which have the same offset dimen-
sion. Wheels of a different offset
could cause premature tire wear, de-
grade vehicle handling characteris-
tics and/or interference with the
brake discs/drums. Such interfer-
ence can lead to decreased braking
efficiency and/or early brake
pad/shoe wear. Refer to(Wheel/tire
size(in the(Technical and consumer
information(section of this manual
for wheel off-set dimensions.
cDo not install a deformed wheel or
tire even if it has been repaired. Such
wheels or tires could have unknown
structural damage and could fail
without warning.
MDI0004
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-41
ZX

9 Technical and consumer information
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants ........9-2
Fuel recommendation ........................................9-4
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation ...........9-6
Recommended SAE viscosity number ..............9-7
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
lubricant recommendations ...............................9-8
Specifications .........................................................9-9
Engine ...............................................................9-9
Wheels and tires..............................................9-10
Dimensions and weights .................................9-11
When traveling or registering your vehicle in
another country ....................................................9-12
Vehicle identification ............................................9-12
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
plate .................................................................9-12
Vehicle identification number
(chassis number) .............................................9-12
Engine serial number ......................................9-13
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ...........................9-13
Emission control information label ..................9-14
Tire placard......................................................9-14
Air conditioner specification label ....................9-14Installing front license plate..................................9-15
Vehicle loading information ..................................9-15
Terms...............................................................9-15
Determining vehicle payload capacity .............9-16
Securing the load ............................................9-16
Loading tips .....................................................9-17
Truck-camper loading information........................9-17
Payload weight capacity ..................................9-19
Measurement of weights .................................9-21
Towing a trailer.....................................................9-21
Maximum load limits ........................................9-21
Towing load/specification chart .......................9-23
Towing safety ..................................................9-24
Uniform tire quality grading ..................................9-26
Emission control system warranty .......................9-27
Reporting safety defects (US only) ......................9-28
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M)
test (US only) .......................................................9-28
Owner's manual/service manual order
information ............................................................9-30
In the event of a collision ................................9-31
ZX

cGVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) þ
maximum total weight (load) limit speci-
fied for the vehicle.
cGAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) þ
maximum weight (load) limit specified
for the front or rear axle.
DETERMINING VEHICLE PAY-
LOAD CAPACITY
The payload capacity of this vehicle is de-
termined by weight, not by available cargo
space. For example, a roof rack, bike car-
rier, or similar equipment does not increase
payload carrying capacity of your vehicle.
To determine vehicle payload capacity:
Vehicle weight can be determined by using
a commercial-grade scale, found at places
such as a truck stop, gravel quarry, grain
elevator, or a scrap metal recycling facility.
1) Determine the curb weight of your ve-
hicle.
2) Compare the curb weight amount to the
GVWR specified for your vehicle to de-
termine how much more weight your
vehicle can carry.3) After loading (cargo and passengers),
reweigh your vehicle to determine if ei-
ther GVWR or GAWR for your vehicle is
exceeded. If GVWR is exceeded, re-
move cargo as necessary. If either the
front or rear GAWR is exceeded, shift the
load or remove cargo as necessary.
SECURING THE LOAD
For your convenience, tie down hooks are
placed at each corner of the truck box.
These may be used to help secure cargo
loaded into the truck box.
WARNING
cProperly secure all cargo with ropes
or straps to help prevent it from
sliding or shifting. Do not place
cargo higher than the seat backs. In
a sudden stop or collision, unse-
cured cargo could cause personal
injury.
ATI1020
9-16Technical and consumer information
ZX

WARNING
Overloading or improper loading can
adversely affect vehicle handling, brak-
ing and performance and may lead to
accidents.
PAYLOAD WEIGHT CAPACITY
The payload weight capacity shown on the
following pages indicate the maximum total
weight of passengers, optional equipment
(air conditioning, trailer hitch, etc) and cargo
that your vehicle is designed to carry.
Before driving a loaded vehicle, confirm that
you do not exceed the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) or the Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR) for your vehicle.
See ``Vehicle Loading Information'' earlier in
this section for details.
Also check tires for proper inflation pres-
sures. See the tire placard affixed to the
glove box lid.
Payload Weight Capacity (KA24DE Engine)
2WD
King Cab
Manual
TransmissionAutomatic
Transmission
XE XE
lbs kg lbs kg
Federal 1312 595 1312 595
California 1312 595 1312 595
Canada 1312 595 1312 595
Technical and consumer information9-19
ZX

Payload Weight Capacity (VG33E)
2WD 4WD
K/C C/C S/B C/C L/B K/C C/C S/B C/C L/B
lbs kg lbs kg lbs kg lbs kg lbs kg lbs kg
Federal 1191 540 1036 470 1103 500 1147 520 970 440 1080 490
California 1191 540 1036 470 1103 500 1147 520 970 440 1080 490
Canada 1191 540 N/A N/A 1103 500 1147 520 N/A N/A 1080 490
Payload Weight Capacity (VG33ER)
2WD 4WD
K/C C/C S/B C/C L/B K/C C/C S/B C/C L/B
lbs kg lbs kg lbs kg lbs kg lbs kg lbs kg
Federal 1169 530 1014 460 1080 490 1080 490 915 415 1025 465
California 1169 530 1014 460 1080 490 1080 490 915 415 1025 465
Canada N/A N/A N/A N/A 1080 490 N/A N/A N/A N/A 1025 465
9-20Technical and consumer information
ZX

TOWING SAFETY
Trailer hitch
Check the towing capacity of your bumper
hitch or receiver-type frame mounted hitch.
Choose a proper hitch for your vehicle and
trailer. A genuine Nissan trailer hitch is
available from your NISSAN dealer. Make
sure the trailer hitch is securely attached to
the vehicle to help avoid personal injury or
property damage due to sway caused by
crosswinds, rough road surfaces or passing
trucks.
CAUTION
cSpecial hitches which include frame
reinforcements are required for tow-
ing above 2,000 lb (907 kg). Suitable
genuine NISSAN hitches for pickup
trucks and sport utility vehicles are
available at an authorized NISSAN
dealer.
cThe hitch should not be attached to
or affect the operation of the impact-
absorbing bumper.
cDo not use axle-mounted hitches.cDo not modify the vehicle exhaust
system, brake system, etc. to install
a trailer hitch.
cTo reduce the possibility of addi-
tional damage if your vehicle is
struck from the rear, where practical,
remove the hitch and/or receiver
when not in use. Remove receiver
when not in use. After the hitch is
removed, seal the bolt holes to pre-
vent exhaust fumes, water or dust
from entering the passenger com-
partment.
cRegularly check that all trailer hitch
mounting bolts are securely
mounted.
Tire pressures
cWhen towing a trailer, inflate the vehicle
tires to the recommended cold tire pres-
sure indicated on the tire placard (af-
fixed to the inside of the glove box lid).
cTrailer tire condition, size, load rating
and proper inflation pressure should be
in accordance with the trailer and tire
manufacturers' specifications.
Safety chain
Always use suitable safety chains between
your vehicle and the trailer. Safety chains
should be crossed and should be attached
to the hitch, not to the vehicle bumper or
axle. Be sure to leave enough slack in the
chain to permit turning corners.
Trailer lights
Trailer lights should comply with Federal
and/or local regulations. For assistance in
hooking up trailer lights, contact an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer.
Trailer brakes
If your trailer is equipped with a braking
system, make sure it conforms to Federal
and/or local regulations and that it is prop-
erly installed.
WARNING
Never connect a trailer brake system
directly to the vehicle brake system.
Pre-towing tips
cBe certain your vehicle maintains a level
position when a loaded and/or unloaded
9-24Technical and consumer information
ZX