2002 NISSAN XTERRA maintenance

Welcome to the growing family of new NISSAN
owners. This vehicle has been delivered to you
with confidence. It was produced using the
latest techniques and strict quality control.
This manual was prepared to help you under-
stand the operation and maintenance of your
vehicle so that you may enjoy many miles
(kilometers) of driving pleasure. Please read
through this manual before operating your
vehicle.
In the U.S., a separate Warranty Informa-
tion Booklet or in Canada, a Warranty and
Roadside Assistance Information Book-
let explains details about the warranties
covering your vehicle. The ªNISSAN Ser-
vice and Maintenance Guideº explains
details about maintaining and servicing
your vehicle. Additionally, a separate
Customer Care/Lemon Law Booklet (U.S.
only) will explain how to resolve any
concerns you may have with your ve-
hicle, 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 this
owner's manual carefully. This will ensurefamiliarity 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
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Welcome To The World Of NISSAN
Your new NISSAN is the result of our dedication
to produce the finest in safe, reliable and eco-
nomical transportation. Your vehicle is the prod-
uct of a successful worldwide company that
manufactures cars and trucks in over 17 coun-
tries and distributes them in 170 nations.
NISSAN vehicles are designed and manufac-
tured by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. which was
founded in Tokyo, Japan in 1933, and NISSAN
affiliates world wide, collectively growing to be-
come the fifth largest automaker in the world. In
addition to cars and trucks, NISSAN also makes
forklift trucks, marine engines, boats and other
diversified products.
NISSAN has made a substantial and growing
investment in North America. NISSAN's commit-
ment is nearly $4 billion dollars in capital invest-
ments in facilities across the continent. Some of
the facilities include the Nissan Manufacturingfacility in Smyrna, Tennessee, vehicle styling
design at Nissan Design America, Inc. in San
Diego, California, and engineering at Nissan
Technical Center North America in Farmington
Hills, Michigan. Additionally, NISSAN employs
nearly 18,000 people throughout the United
States, Canada, and Mexico. An additional
71,000 people work for the 1,500 NISSAN and
INFINITI dealers across North America.
NISSAN is also a substantial contributor to the
Canadian economy. Nissan Canada Inc., its sup-
pliers and over 140 dealers employ approxi-
mately 4,500 people. These include company
employees and the staffs of NISSAN dealers all
across Canada. In addition, many Canadians
work for companies that supply NISSAN and
NISSAN dealers with materials and services
ranging from operation of port facilities and trans-portation services to the supply of lubricants,
parts and accessories.
NISSAN pioneered the use of electronics and
computers in automobiles, and has led the indus-
try in improving both performance and fuel effi-
ciency through new engine designs and the use
of synthetic materials to reduce vehicle weight.
The company has also developed ways to build
quality into its vehicles at each stage of the
production process, both through extensive use
of automation and Ð most importantly Ð
through an awareness thatpeopleare the cen-
tral element in quality control.
From the time the parts arrived from our suppli-
ers until you took delivery of your new NISSAN,
dozens of checks were made to ensure that only
the best job was being done in producing and
delivering your vehicle. NISSAN also takes great
care to ensure that when you take your NISSAN
to your dealer for maintenance, the service tech-
nician will perform his work according to the
quality standards that have been established by
the factory.
Safety has also been built into your NISSAN. As
you know, seat belts are an integral part of the
safety systems that will help protect you and your
passengers in the event of a sudden stop or an
accident. We urge you to use the seat belts every
time you drive the vehicle.
The NISSAN story of growth and achievement
reflects our major goal: to provide you, our
customer, with a vehicle that is built with quality
and craftsmanship Ð a product that we can be
proud to build and you can be proud to own.WFW0002
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Table of
ContentsSeats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
Instruments and controls
Pre-driving checks and adjustments
Heater, air conditioner and audio systems
Starting and driving
In case of emergency
Appearance and care
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Technical and consumer information
Index
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

1 Seats, restraints and supplemental air
bag systems
Seats ......................................................................1-2
Front manual seat adjustment...........................1-2
Rear seat adjustment (type a)...........................1-3
Rear seat adjustment (type b)...........................1-5
Head restraint adjustment .................................1-7
Supplemental restraint system ...............................1-7
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ...............................................................1-7
Supplemental air bag warning labels ..............1-14
Supplemental air bag warning light .................1-14
Seat belts .............................................................1-16
Precautions on seat belt usage ......................1-16
Child safety ......................................................1-17
Pregnant women .............................................1-18
Injured persons ................................................1-18Three-point type seat belt with retractor .........1-19
Two-point type seat belt without
retractor (center of rear seat) ..........................1-21
Seat belt extenders .........................................1-23
Seat belt maintenance ....................................1-24
Child restraints .....................................................1-24
Precautions on child restraints ........................1-24
Installation on rear seat center position ..........1-26
Installation on rear seat outboard
positions ..........................................................1-29
Latch (lower anchors and tether for children)
system ..................................................................1-33
Top tether strap child restraint.........................1-35
Installation on front passenger seat ................1-36
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light illuminates for about 7 seconds and
then turns off. This means the system is
operational.
If any of the following system conditions
occur, the supplemental air bag and pre-
tensioner seat belt systems need servicing
and should be taken to an authorized NIS-
SAN 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.
Under these conditions, the Supplemental
Restraint System (supplemental air bag or
pre-tensioner seat belt systems may not
function properly. It must be checked and
repaired.
WARNING
If the supplemental air bag warning
light is on, it could mean that the
supplemental air bag or pre-tensioner
seat belt systems will not operate in an
accident.
Repair and replacement procedure
The supplemental air bag modules are de-
signed to inflate on a one-time-only basis.
As a reminder, unless it is damaged, the
supplemental air bag warning light remains
illuminated after inflation has occurred.
Repair and replacement of the supplemen-
tal air bag system should be done only by
an authorized NISSAN dealer.
When maintenance work is required on the
vehicle, the supplemental front air bags,
pre-tensioner seat belts and related parts
should be pointed out to the person conduct-
ing the maintenance. The ignition key must
always be in the LOCK position when work-
ing under the hood or inside the vehicle.
WARNING
O
Once the supplemental front air bag
has inflated, the air bag module will
not function and must be replaced.
Additionally, if any of the supplemen-
tal air bags inflate, the pre-tensioner
seat belts must also be replaced. The
air bag module and pre-tensioner
seat belt system should be replaced
by an authorized NISSAN dealer. The
air bag module and pre-tensioner
seat belt system cannot be repaired.
OThe supplemental air bag system
should be inspected by an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer if there is any
damage to the front end portion of
the vehicle, or replaced if the supple-
mental air bag has inflated.
OIf you need to dispose of the supple-
mental air bag, pre-tensioner seat
belt system or scrap the vehicle,
contact an authorized NISSAN and
pre-tensioner seat belt system
dealer. Correct supplemental air bag
disposal procedures are set forth in
the appropriate NISSAN Service
Manual. Incorrect disposal proce-
dures could cause personal injury.
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
1-15
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SEAT BELT MAINTENANCE
OTo clean the seat belt webbings,apply
a mild soap solution or any solution rec-
ommended for cleaning upholstery or
carpet. Then wipe with a cloth and allow
the seat belts to dry in the shade. Do not
allow the seat belts to retract until they
are completely dry.
OIf dirt builds up in the shoulder belt
guideof the seat belt anchors, the seat
belts may retract slowly. Wipe the shoul-
der belt guide with a clean, dry cloth.
O
Periodically check to see that the seat
belt and the metal components,such
as buckles, tongues, retractors, flexible
wires and anchors, work properly. If loose
parts, deterioration, cuts or other damage
on the webbing is found, the entire seat
belt assembly should be replaced.
PRECAUTIONS ON CHILD RE-
STRAINTS
WARNING
OInfants and small children should
always be placed in an appropriate
child restraint while riding in the ve-
hicle. Failure to use a child restraint
can result in serious injury or death.
OInfants and small children should
never be carried on your lap. It is not
possible for even the strongest adultto resist the forces of a severe acci-
dent. The child could be crushed
between the adult and parts of the
vehicle. Also, do not put the same
seat belt around both your child and
yourself.
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. A rear
facing child restraint must only be
used in the rear seat.
ONISSAN recommends that the child
restraint be installed in the rear seat.
According to accident statistics,
children are safer when properly re-
strained in the rear seat than in the
front seat.
OAn improperly installed child re-
straint could lead to serious injury or
death in an accident.
In general, child restraints are designed to
be installed with a lap belt or the lap portion
of a three-point type seat belt. In addition,
this vehicle is equipped with a universal
child restraint lower anchor system, referred
ARS1098
CHILD RESTRAINTS
1-24Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
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WARNING
O
Your brake system may not be working
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 repairs.
Otherwise have your vehicle towed be-
cause driving it could be dangerous.
OPressing the brake pedal with the
engine stopped and/or low brake
fluid level may increase your stop-
ping distance and require greater
pedal effort as well as pedal travel.
OIf the brake fluid level is below the
MINIMUM or MIN mark on the brake
fluid reservoir, do not drive until the
brake system has been checked at
an authorized NISSAN dealer.
Charge warning light
If this 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 generator belt. If the belt is
loose, broken, missing or if the light remains
on, see an authorized NISSAN dealer imme-
diately.
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
are not closed securely while the ignition
key is in the ON position.
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 an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer.
The engine oil pressure warning light is
not designed to indicate a low oil level.
Use the dipstick to check the oil level.
See ``Engine oil'' in the ``Maintenance and
do-it-yourself'' section of this manual.
CAUTION
Running the engine with the engine oil
pressure warning light on could causeserious damage to the engine almost
immediately. Such damage is not cov-
ered by warranty. Turn off the engine as
soon as it is safe to do so.
Low fuel warning light
This light comes on when the fuel in the tank
is low. Refuel as soon as it is convenient,
preferably before the fuel gauge reaches E
(Empty).
There will be a small reserve of fuel
remaining in the tank when the fuel
gauge needle reaches E (Empty).
Low washer fluid warning
light (if so equipped)
This light comes on when the washer tank
fluid is at a low level. Add washer fluid as
necessary. See ``Window washer fluid'' in
the ``Do-it-yourself'' section of this manual.
Seat belt warning light and
chime
The light and chime remind you to fasten
your seat belts. The light illuminates when-
ever the ignition key is turned to ON or
START and remains illuminated until the
2-12Instruments and controls
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For information regarding dome light bulb
replacement, refer to ªBulb replacementº in
the ``Maintenance and do-it-yourself'' sec-
tion of this manual.
CAUTION
Leaving the dome light switch in the ON
position for extended periods of time
will result in a discharged battery.
To turn on the map lights push the switches.
To turn them off, push the switches again.
CAUTION
Do not use for extended periods of time
with the engine stopped. This could
result in a discharged battery.
WIC0125LIC0101
MAP LIGHTS
(if so equipped)
2-34Instruments and controls
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