2003 NISSAN FRONTIER light

Take care not to spill gasoline during refu-
eling. Gasoline containing oxygenates can
cause paint damage.
Aftermarket fuel additives
NISSAN does not recommend the use of any fuel
additives (for example, fuel injector cleaner, oc-
tane booster, intake valve deposit removers, etc.)
which are sold commercially. Many of these ad-
ditives intended for gum, varnish or deposit re-
moval may contain active solvents or similar in-
gredients that can be harmful to the fuel system
and engine.
Octane rating tips
In most parts of North America, you should use
unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of at
least 87 (except supercharger) or 91 (super-
charger ) AKI (Anti-Knock Index) . However, you
may use unleaded gasoline with an octane rating
as low as 85 AKI (Anti-Knock Index) number in
high altitude areas [over 4,000 ft (1,219 m)] such
as: Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, Wyo-
ming, northeastern Nevada, southern Idaho,
western South Dakota, western Nebraska, and
the part of Texas which is directly south of New
Mexico.
Using unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating lower than stated above can cause
persistent, heavy “spark knock.” (“Sparkknock” is a metallic rapping noise.) If se-
vere, this can lead to engine damage. If you
detect a persistent heavy spark knock even
when using gasoline of the stated octane
rating, or if you hear steady spark knock
while holding a steady speed on level
roads, have a NISSAN dealer correct the
condition. Failure to correct the condition
is misuse of the vehicle, for which NISSAN
is not responsible.
Incorrect ignition timing may result in spark
knock, after-run and/or overheating, which may
cause excessive fuel consumption or engine
damage. If any of the above symptoms are en-
countered, have your vehicle checked at a
NISSAN dealer.
However, now and then you may notice
light spark knock for a short time while
accelerating or driving up hills. This is not a
cause for concern, because you get the
greatest fuel benefit when there is light
spark knock for a short time under heavy
engine load.
9-4Technical and consumer information
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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 re-
inforcements are required for towing
above 2,000 lb (907 kg) . Suitable genu-
ine NISSAN hitches for pickup trucks
and sport utility vehicles are available
at a 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 sys-
tem, brake system, etc. to install a
trailer hitch.cTo reduce the possibility of additional
damage if your vehicle is struck from
the rear, where practical, remove the
hitch and/or receiver when not in use.
cAfter the hitch is removed, seal the bolt
holes to prevent exhaust fumes, water
or dust from entering the passenger
compartment.
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 pressure indi-
cated on the tire placard.
cTrailer tire condition, size, load rating and
proper inflation pressure should be in accor-
dance with the trailer and tire manufacturer’s
specifications.
Safety chains
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 chains to permit turning
corners.
Trailer lights
Trailer lights should comply with federal and/or
local regulations. For assistance in hooking up
trailer lights, contact a 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 properly installed.
WARNING
Never connect a trailer brake system di-
rectly to the vehicle brake system.
Pre-towing tips
cBe certain your vehicle maintains a level posi-
tion when a loaded and/or unloaded trailer is
hitched. Do not drive the vehicle if it has an
abnormal nose-up or nose-down condition;
check for improper tongue load, overload,
worn suspension or other possible causes of
either condition.
cAlways secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving.
cBe certain your rear view mirrors conform to all
federal, state or local regulations. If not, install
any mirrors required for towing before driving
the vehicle.
Technical and consumer information9-21
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10 Index
A
Air bag
Passenger supplemental air bag
ON/OFF switch and light..........1-15
Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system)......................1-6
Air bag warning light...........1-17, 2-12
Air cleaner housing filter............8-23
Air conditioner
Air conditioner operation...........4-5
Air conditioner service............4-9
Air conditioner specification label.....9-12
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
lubrication recommendations........9-6
Heater and air conditioner controls.....4-2
Servicing air conditioner...........4-9
Air flow charts..................4-6
Alarm system
(See vehicle security system).........2-15
Anchor point locations.............1-40
Antenna.....................4-28
Anti-lock brake system (ABS).........5-27
Anti-lock brake warning light..........2-10
Audible reminders................2-15
Audio system..................4-10
Compact disc (CD) player.........4-15
FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD)
changer...................4-16
FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD)
player....................4-12Radio....................4-10
Steering wheel audio control switch. . . .4-28
Auto-lock free-running hubs..........5-22
Automatic
Automatic power window switch.....2-29
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF). . . .8-14
Driving with automatic transmission. . . .5-10
Transmission selector lever lock
release....................5-14
B
Battery......................8-18
Charge warning light............2-11
Battery replacement
(See remote keyless entry system).......3-7
Before starting the engine............5-9
Belts (See drive belts).............8-20
Brake
Anti-lock brake system (ABS).......5-27
Brake booster................8-28
Brake fluid..................8-16
Brake light (See stop light).........8-34
Brake pedal.................8-27
Brake system................5-26
Brake warning light.............2-10
Brake wear indicators........2-15, 8-28
Parking brake check............8-27
Parking brake operation..........5-18
Self-adjusting brakes............8-28
Break-in schedule................5-20Bulb check/instrument panel..........2-9
Bulb replacement................8-34
C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants...................9-2
Car phone or CB radio.............4-29
Cargo lamp switch...............2-23
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . .9-13
CD player (See audio system).........4-15
Check engine indicator light
(See malfunction indicator light)........2-13
Child restraint with top tether
strap.......................1-40
Child restraints..........1-22, 1-29, 1-38
Precautions on child restraints.......1-29
Child safety rear door lock............3-4
Chimes, audible reminders...........2-15
Cleaning exterior and interior..........7-2
Clock...................4-13, 4-18
Clutch
Clutch fluid.................8-17
Cold weather driving..............5-30
Compact disc (CD) player...........4-15
Controls
Audio controls (steering wheel)......4-28
Heater and air conditioner controls.....4-2
Coolant
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
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Changing engine coolant..........8-10
Checking engine coolant level........8-9
Engine coolant temperature gauge.....2-5
Corrosion protection...............7-5
Cruise control..................5-19
Cup holders...................2-25
D
Daytime running light system
(Canada only)..................2-21
Defogger switch
Rear window defogger switch.......2-19
Dimensions and weights.............9-9
Door locks....................3-2
Door open warning light............2-11
Drive belts....................8-20
Driving
Auto-lock free-running hubs........5-22
Cold weather driving............5-30
Driving with automatic transmission. . . .5-10
Driving with manual transmission.....5-16
Precautions when starting and driving . . .5-2
E
Economy - fuel.................5-21
Emission control information label.......9-12
Emission control system warranty.......9-24
Engine
Before starting the engine..........5-9
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Changing engine coolant..........8-10Changing engine oil............8-11
Changing engine oil filter..........8-13
Checking engine coolant level........8-9
Checking engine oil level..........8-10
Engine compartment check locations. . . .8-9
Engine coolant temperature gauge.....2-5
Engine cooling system............8-9
Engine oil..................8-10
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation...............9-5
Engine oil pressure warning light.....2-11
Engine oil viscosity..............9-5
Engine serial number............9-11
Engine specifications.............9-7
Starting the engine..............5-9
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide)........5-2
F
First aid kit....................6-2
Flashers
(See hazard warning flasher switch)......2-22
Flat tire......................6-2
Floor mat positioning aid.............7-4
Fluid
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF). . . .8-14
Brake fluid..................8-16
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Clutch fluid.................8-17
Engine coolant................8-9
Engine oil..................8-10
Power steering fluid.............8-15
Window washer fluid............8-17
F.M.V.S.S. certification label..........9-11Front fog light switch..............2-22
Front seats....................1-2
Fuel
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Fuel economy................5-21
Fuel filler cap................3-11
Fuel gauge..................2-6
Fuel octane rating..............9-4
Fuel recommendation............9-3
Fuses......................8-29
G
Gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge.....2-5
Fuel gauge..................2-6
Odometer...................2-3
Speedometer.................2-3
Tachometer..................2-5
General maintenance..............8-2
Glove box....................2-26
Glove box lock.................2-26
H
Hazard warning flasher switch.........2-22
Head restraints..................1-5
Headlight aiming adjustment..........8-32
Headlight and turn signal switch........2-20
Headlights....................8-31
Heater
Heater and air conditioner controls.....4-2
Heater operation...............4-4
10-2
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Hood release...................3-8
Horn.......................2-23
Hubs
Auto-lock free-running hubs........5-22
I
Ignition switch..................5-7
Important vehicle information label.......9-11
In-cabin microfilter...............8-23
Increasing fuel economy............5-21
Indicator lights and audible reminders
(See warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders).....................2-9
Inside mirror...................3-13
Instrument brightness control.........2-21
Instrument panel.................2-2
Interior light...................2-30
J
Jump seat.....................1-5
Jump starting...................6-9
K
Key ........................3-2
Keyless entry system
(See remote keyless entry system).......3-4L
Labels
Air conditioner specification label.....9-12
Emission control information label.....9-12
Engine serial number............9-11
F.M.V.S.S. certification label........9-11
Vehicle identification number
(VIN) plate..................9-10
Warning labels (for SRS)..........1-17
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether for
Children) System................1-38
License plate
Installing the license plate.........9-13
Light
Air bag warning light.........1-17, 2-12
Brake light (See stop light).........8-34
Bulb check/instrument panel........2-9
Bulb replacement..............8-34
Charge warning light............2-11
Front fog light switch............2-22
Headlight aiming adjustment........8-32
Headlight and turn signal switch......2-20
Headlights..................8-31
Interior light.................2-30
Light bulbs..................8-31
Low tire pressure warning light......2-11
Low washer fluid warning light.......2-12
Passenger supplemental air bag
ON/OFF switch and light..........1-15
Spotlights (See map light).........2-32
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders...................2-9
Lock
Child safety rear door lock..........3-4Door locks..................3-2
Glove box lock...............2-26
Power door locks...............3-3
Low fuel warning light.............2-11
Low tire pressure warning light........2-11
Low tire pressure warning system........5-3
Luggage rack (see roof rack)..........3-9
Luggage
(See vehicle loading information).......9-13
M
Maintenance
General maintenance............8-2
Inside the vehicle...............8-3
Maintenance precautions..........8-5
Outside the vehicle..............8-2
Seat belt maintenance...........1-28
Under the hood and vehicle.........8-4
Malfunction indicator lamp (MIL)........2-13
Manual front seat adjustment..........1-2
Manual windows................2-30
Map lights....................2-32
Meters and gauges................2-3
Mirror
Inside mirror.................3-13
Outside mirror control........3-14, 3-15
Outside mirrors...............3-14
Vanity mirror.................3-13
Multi-remote control system
(See remote keyless entry system).......3-4
Multi-remote controller battery
replacement...................8-30
10-3
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O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating).....9-4
Odometer.....................2-3
Oil
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Changing engine oil............8-11
Changing engine oil filter..........8-13
Checking engine oil level..........8-10
Engine oil..................8-10
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation...............9-5
Engine oil viscosity..............9-5
Outside mirror control..........3-14, 3-15
Outside mirrors.................3-14
Overdrive switch.........5-14, 5-15, 5-16
Overheat
If your vehicle overheats..........6-11
Owner’s manual order form..........9-26
Owner’s manual/service manual order
information....................9-26
P
Parking
Parking brake check............8-27
Parking brake operation..........5-18
Parking/parking on hills...........5-25
Passenger supplemental air bag ON/OFF
switch and light.................1-15
Power
Power door locks...............3-3
Power outlet.................2-24Power steering fluid.............8-15
Power steering system...........5-26
Power windows...............2-28
Rear power windows............2-29
Precautions
Maintenance precautions..........8-5
On-pavement and off-road driving
precautions..................5-4
Precautions on child restraints.......1-29
Precautions on seat belt usage......1-19
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system.....................1-6
Precautions when starting and driving . . .5-2
Push starting..................6-11
R
Radio
Car phone or CB radio...........4-29
FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD)
changer...................4-16
FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD)
player....................4-12
Steering wheel audio control switch. . . .4-28
Readiness for inspection maintenance (I/M)
test........................9-24
Rear power windows..............2-29
Rear sliding window..............2-30
Rear window defogger switch.........2-19
Refrigerant recommendation..........9-6
Registering your vehicle in another
country......................9-10
Remote keyless entry system..........3-4
Reporting safety defects (US only)......9-24
Roof rack (see luggage rack)..........3-9S
Safety
Child safety rear door lock..........3-4
Reporting safety defects (US only). . . .9-24
Seat
Jump seat...................1-5
Seat adjustment
Front manual seat adjustment........1-2
Seat belt
Precautions on seat belt usage......1-19
Seat belt extenders.............1-28
Seat belt maintenance...........1-28
Seat belts..................1-19
Shoulder belt height adjustment......1-25
Three-point type with retractor.......1-23
Two-point type without retractor......1-26
Two-point type without retractor
(rear center lap belt)............1-26
Seat belt warning light.............2-12
Seats
Adjustment..................1-2
Front seats..................1-2
Manual front seat adjustment........1-2
Separate seats...............8-41
Self-adjusting brakes..............8-28
Service manual order form...........9-26
Servicing air conditioner.............4-9
Shift lock release................5-14
Shifting
Automatic transmission.......5-11, 5-12
Manual transmission............5-17
Shoulder belt height adjustment........1-25
Spark plug replacement............8-21
Speedometer...................2-3
10-4
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Spotlights (See map light)...........2-32
SRS warning label...............1-17
Starting
Before starting the engine..........5-9
Jump starting.................6-9
Precautions when starting and driving . . .5-2
Push starting................6-11
Starting the engine..............5-9
Steering
Power steering fluid.............8-15
Power steering system...........5-26
Tilting steering wheel............3-13
Steering wheel audio control switch......4-28
Step rail.....................3-11
Stop light....................8-34
Storage.....................2-25
Supplemental restraint system
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system.....................1-6
Supplemental restraint system
(Supplemental air bag system).........1-6
Switch
Automatic power window switch.....2-29
Front fog light switch............2-22
Hazard warning flasher switch.......2-22
Headlight and turn signal switch......2-20
Ignition switch................5-7
Overdrive switch.......5-14, 5-15, 5-16
Passenger supplemental
air bag ON/OFF switch and light.....1-15
Rear window defogger switch.......2-19
Windshield wiper and washer switch . . .2-18T
Tachometer....................2-5
Tailgate latch..................3-15
Three-way catalyst................5-2
Tie down hooks.................3-17
Tilting steering wheel..............3-13
Tire
Flat tire....................6-2
Spare tire................6-4, 8-41
Tire chains..................8-38
Tire placard.................9-12
Tire pressure................8-37
Tire rotation.................8-39
Tires of 4-wheel drive............8-41
Types of tires................8-37
Uniform tire quality grading.........9-23
Wheels and tires..............8-37
Wheel/tire size................9-8
Towing
2-wheel drive models............6-13
4-wheel drive models............6-13
Flat towing..................6-15
Tow truck towing..............6-12
Towing load/specification chart......9-20
Trailer towing................9-18
Transfer case..................5-21
Transmission
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF). . . .8-14
Driving with automatic transmission. . . .5-10
Driving with manual transmission.....5-16
Selector lever lock release.........5-14
Travel (See registering your vehicle
in another country)...............9-10
Truck - camper loading.............9-15Turn signal switch (See headlight and
turn signal switch)............2-20, 2-21
U
Uniform tire quality grading...........9-23
V
Vanity mirror...................3-13
Vehicle dimensions and weights........9-9
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) system. . . .5-28
Vehicle identification..............9-10
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
(Chassis number)................9-10
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate . . .9-10
Vehicle loading information...........9-13
Vehicle recovery.................6-14
Vehicle security system.............2-15
Ventilators.....................4-2
W
Warning
Air bag warning light.........1-17, 2-12
Anti-lock brake warning light........2-10
Brake warning light.............2-10
Door open warning light..........2-11
Hazard warning flasher switch.......2-22
Low fuel warning light...........2-11
Low tire pressure warning light......2-11
Seat belt warning light...........2-11
Vehicle security system...........2-15
10-5
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Warning labels (for SRS)..........1-17
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders...................2-9
Weights (See dimensions and weights). . . .9-9
Wheels and tires................8-37
Wheel/tire size..................9-8When traveling or registering your vehicle
in another country................9-10
Window washer fluid..............8-17
Windows
Locking passengers’ windows.......2-29
Manual windows..............2-30
Power windows...............2-28Rear power windows............2-29
Rear sliding window............2-30
Windshield wiper and washer switch.....2-18
Wiper
Windshield wiper and washer switch . . .2-18
Wiper blades................8-26
10-6
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