2002 NISSAN FRONTIER tailgate

3 Pre-driving checks and adjustments
Key .........................................................................3-2
Doors ......................................................................3-2
Locking with key ................................................3-2
Locking with inside lock knob............................3-3
Locking with power door lock switch.................3-3
Child safety rear door lock
(Crew Cab models only)....................................3-4
Remote keyless entry system (if so equipped)......3-4
How to use remote keyless entry
system ...............................................................3-4
Battery replacement ..........................................3-7
Hood .......................................................................3-8
Roof rack (if so equipped)......................................3-9
Step rail (if so equipped) ......................................3-11
Fuel filler lid ..........................................................3-11Fuel filler cap ...................................................3-11
Steering wheel .....................................................3-12
Tilt operation (if so equipped) .........................3-12
Sun visors.............................................................3-13
Vanity mirror (if so equipped) ..........................3-13
Mirrors ..................................................................3-13
Inside mirror.....................................................3-13
Outside mirrors ................................................3-13
Outside mirror remote control
(if so equipped)................................................3-14
Truck box..............................................................3-15
Tailgate ............................................................3-15
Tie down hooks ...............................................3-17
ZX

WARNING
Objects viewed in the outside mirror on
the passenger side are closer than they
appear. Be careful when moving to the
right. Using only this mirror could cause
an accident. Use the inside mirror or
glance over your shoulder to properly
judge distances to other objects.
TAILGATE
Opening the tailgate
Pull the tailgate handle upward and lower
the tailgate. The support cables hold the
tailgate open.
When closing the tailgate, make sure the
latches are securely locked.To open the tailgate to the lowest position,
lift the tailgate to a 45 degree angle, then
release the support cables.
Do not drive the vehicle with the tailgate
down, unless equipped with Nissan's
Bed Extender (accessory) in the de-
ployed position.
For proper truck box loading see9Loading
tips9under the9Vehicle loading information9
heading in the9Technical and consumer
information9section of this manual.
WPD0043APD1038
TRUCK BOX
Pre-driving checks and adjustments3-15
ZX

WARNING
cIt is extremely dangerous to ride in a
cargo area inside a vehicle. In a
collision, people riding in these ar-
eas are more likely to be seriously
injured or killed.
cDo not allow people to ride in any
area of your vehicle that is not
equipped with seats and seat belts.
cBe sure everyone in your vehicle is
in a seat and using a seat belt
properly.
Removing the tailgate
1. Release the tailgate support cables.
2. Hold the tailgate at a 45 degree angle.
3. Pull the tailgate out from the left side
hinge.
4. Remove the tailgate from the right side
hinge.
Installing the tailgate
1. Insert the tailgate into the right side
hinge.2. Hold the tailgate at a 45 degree angle
and insert left side hinge.
3. Continue to hold tailgate at a 45 degree
angle and attach the tailgate support
cables.
4. Close the tailgate securely.
CAUTION
The tailgate is heavy. Be careful not to
drop it during removal.
IC0175
3-16Pre-driving checks and adjustments
ZX

Locking the tailgate
To lock the tailgate, turn the key towards the
passenger side of the vehicle. To unlock,
turn the key towards the driver side.
TIE DOWN HOOKS
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.
cThe weight of the cargo load must be
evenly distributed over both the front and
rear axles.
cAll cargo should be securely fastened
with ropes or straps to prevent it from
shifting or sliding within the vehicle.
WARNING
cProperly secure all cargo with ropes
or straps to help prevent it from
sliding or shifting. In a sudden stop
or collision, unsecured cargo could
cause personal injury.
cDo not place cargo higher than the
seatbacks. In a sudden stop or colli-
sion, unsecured cargo could cause
personal injury.
WPD0046ATI1020
Pre-driving checks and adjustments3-17
ZX

For King Cab models:
a. Move the driver's seatback fully forward.
b. Remove the jack and wheel nut wrench
from the tool case located behind the
driver's seat and below the jump seat.
c. Remove the jack rod located behind the
driver's seat.For Crew Cab models:
a. Tilt the rear bench seat forward
b. Remove the jack, jack rod, and tool case
located behind the rear bench seat.
2. Fit the square end of the jack rod into the
square hole of the wheel nut wrench to
form a handle.
3. Find the oval-shaped opening under the
middle of the tailgate. Pass the T-shaped
end of the jack rod through the opening
and direct it towards the spare tire winch,
located directly above the spare tire.4. Seat the T-shaped end of the jack rod
into the T-shaped opening of the spare
tire winch. Apply pressure to keep the
jack rod engaged in the spare tire winch
and turn the jack rod counterclockwise to
lower the spare tire.
ACE1017ACE1039
WCE0013
In case of emergency6-3
ZX

SEAT BELTS
The seat belts can be cleaned by wiping
them with a sponge dampened in a mild
soap solution. Allow the belts to dry com-
pletely in the shade before using them. See
ªSeat belt maintenanceº in the ªSeats, re-
straints and supplemental air bag systemsº
section of this owner's manual.
WARNING
Do not allow wet seat belts to roll up in
the retractor. NEVER use bleach, dye or
chemical solvents to clean the seat
belts, since these materials may se-
verely weaken the seat belt webbing.
MOST COMMON FACTORS
CONTRIBUTING TO VEHICLE
CORROSION
1. The accumulation of moisture-retaining
dirt and debris in body panel sections,
cavities, and other areas.
2. Damage to paint and other protective
coatings caused by gravel and stone
chips or minor traffic accidents.
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
INFLUENCE THE RATE OF
CORROSION
Moisture
The accumulation of sand, dirt and water on
the underside of the body accelerates corro-
sion. Floor sections which have snow and ice
trapped under the floor matting will not dry.
Relative humidity
Corrosion will be accelerated:
cin areas of high relative humidity.
cin areas where the temperatures stay
above freezing.
cwhere atmospheric pollution exists.cwhere road salt is used.
Temperature
A temperature increase accelerates the rate
of corrosion to those parts which are not
well ventilated.
Air pollution
Industrial pollution, the presence of salt in
the air in coastal areas, or heavy road salt
use will accelerate the corrosion process.
Road salt will also accelerate the disintegra-
tion of paint surfaces.
TO PROTECT YOUR VEHICLE
FROM CORROSION
cwash and wax your vehicle often to keep
the vehicle clean.
calways check for minor damage to the
paint and repair it as soon as possible.
ckeep drain holes at the bottom of the
doors and tailgate open to avoid water
accumulation.
ccheck the underbody and inside the
pick-up box. If any sand, dirt or salt is
accumulated, wash it off with water as
soon as possible.
CORROSION PROTECTION
Appearance and care7-5
ZX

During the normal day-to-day operation of
the vehicle, general maintenance should be
performed regularly as prescribed in this
section. If you detect any unusual sounds,
vibrations or smells, be sure to check for the
cause or have an authorized NISSAN
dealer do it promptly. In addition, you should
notify an authorized NISSAN dealer if you
think that repairs are required.
When performing any checks or mainte-
nance work, closely observe the precau-
tions in this ``Maintenance and do-it-
yourself'' section of this manual.
EXPLANATION OF GENERAL
MAINTENANCE ITEMS
Additional information on the following
items with an ``*'' is found later in this
section.
EXTERIOR MAINTENANCE
Outside the vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should
be performed from time to time, unless
otherwise specified.
Tires*Check the pressure with a gauge at
least once a month and always prior to longdistance trips, including the spare, and ad-
just to the specified pressure if necessary.
Check carefully for damage, cuts or exces-
sive wear.
Wheel nuts*When checking the tires, make
sure no wheel nuts are missing, and check for
any loose wheel nuts. Tighten if necessary.
Tire rotation*Tires should be rotated every
7,500 miles (12,000 km).
Wheel alignment and balanceIf the ve-
hicle should pull to either side while driving
on a straight and level road, or if you detect
uneven or abnormal tire wear, there may be
a need for wheel alignment.
If the steering wheel or seat vibrates at
normal highway speeds, wheel balancing
may be needed.
For additional information regarding tires,
refer to ``Important Tire Safety Information''
in the Warranty Information Booklet (US) or
``Tire Safety Information'' in the Warranty
and Roadside Assistance Information book-
let (Canada).
WindshieldClean the windshield on a
regular basis. Check the windshield every
six months for cracks or other damage.Have a damaged windshield repaired by a
qualified repair facility.
Windshield wiper blades*Check for
cracks or wear if they do not wipe properly.
Doors, hood and tailgateCheck that the
doors, hood and tailgate operate properly.
Also ensure that all latches lock securely.
Lubricate hinges, latches, latch pins, rollers
and links as necessary. Make sure that the
secondary latch keeps the hood from open-
ing when the primary latch is released.
When driving in areas using road salt or
other corrosive materials, check lubrication
frequently.
Lights*Clean the headlights on a regular
basis. Make sure that the headlights, stop
lights, tail lights, turn signal lights, and other
lights are all operating properly and installed
securely. Also check headlight aim.
INTERIOR MAINTENANCE
The maintenance items listed here should
be checked on a regular basis, such as
when performing periodic maintenance,
cleaning the vehicle, etc.
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-3
ZX

Rear window defogger switch .............. 2-19
Windshield wiper and washer switch ... 2-18
T
Tachometer .................................................. 2-5
Tailgate latch ............................................. 3-15
Three-way catalyst....................................... 5-2
Tie down hooks ......................................... 3-17
Tilting steering wheel ................................. 3-12
Tire
Flat tire.................................................... 6-2
Spare tire .............................................. 8-42
Tire chains ............................................ 8-39
Tire placard........................................... 9-14
Tire pressure ........................................ 8-38
Tire rotation .......................................... 8-40
Tires of 4-wheel drive ........................... 8-42
Types of tires ........................................ 8-38
Uniform tire quality grading .................. 9-26
Wheels and tires................................... 8-38
Wheel/tire size ...................................... 9-10
Towing
2-wheel drive models ........................... 6-11
4-wheel drive models ........................... 6-12
Tow truck towing .................................. 6-11
Towing load/specification chart ............ 9-23
Trailer towing ........................................ 9-21
Transfer case ............................................. 5-20
Transmission
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ...... 8-15
Driving with automatic transmission ....... 5-9Driving with manual transmission ......... 5-15
Selector lever lock release ................... 5-12
Travel (See registering your vehicle in
another country)......................................... 9-12
Truck - camper loading.............................. 9-17
Turn signal switch (See headlight and
turn signal switch) ...................................... 2-20
U
Uniform tire quality grading ....................... 9-26
V
Vanity mirror .............................................. 3-13
Vehicle dimensions and weights ............... 9-11
Vehicle identification number (VIN) (chassis
number)...................................................... 9-12
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate .. 9-12
Vehicle loading information ....................... 9-15
Vehicle recovery ........................................ 6-13
Vehicle security system ............................. 2-15
Ventilators .................................................... 4-2
W
Warning
Air bag warning light............................. 1-16
Hazard warning flasher switch ............. 2-22
Vehicle security system ........................ 2-15
Warning labels (for SRS) ..................... 1-16Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders .............................................. 2-10
Weights (See dimensions and weights) .... 9-11
Wheels and tires ........................................ 8-38
Wheel/tire size ........................................... 9-10
When traveling or registering your vehicle
in another country ...................................... 9-12
Window washer fluid.................................. 8-18
Windows
Manual windows ................................... 2-29
Power windows..................................... 2-27
Rear sliding window ............................. 2-29
Windshield wiper and washer switch ........ 2-18
Wiper
Windshield wiper and washer switch ... 2-18
Wiper blades......................................... 8-25
10-5
ZX