2003 NISSAN FRONTIER window

8 Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Maintenance requirements..........................8-2
General maintenance..............................8-2
Explanation of general maintenance items.........8-2
Maintenance precautions...........................8-5
Engine compartment check locations................8-6
Engine cooling system.............................8-9
Checking engine coolant level...................8-9
Changing engine coolant.......................8-10
Engine oil........................................8-10
Checking engine oil level.......................8-10
Changing engine oil...........................8-11
Changing engine oil filter.......................8-13
Automatic transmission fluid.......................8-14
Temperature conditions for checking.............8-14
Power steering fluid...............................8-15
Brake and clutch fluid.............................8-16
Brake fluid....................................8-16
Clutch fluid...................................8-17
Window washer fluid.............................8-17
Window washer fluid reservoir..................8-17
Battery..........................................8-18
Jump starting.................................8-19
Drive belts.......................................8-20Spark plugs......................................8-21
Replacing spark plugs.........................8-21
Air cleaner.......................................8-23
In-cabin Microfilter (if so equipped)..............8-23
Windshield wiper blades..........................8-26
Cleaning.....................................8-26
Replacing....................................8-26
Parking brake and brake pedal.....................8-27
Checking parking brake........................8-27
Checking brake pedal..........................8-27
Brake booster.................................8-28
Fuses...........................................8-29
Passenger compartment.......................8-29
Keyfob battery replacement........................8-30
Lights...........................................8-31
Headlights....................................8-31
Fog lights (if so equipped)......................8-32
Exterior and interior lights.......................8-34
Wheels and tires.................................8-37
Tire pressure..................................8-37
Types of tires..................................8-37
Tire chains....................................8-38
Changing wheels and tires.....................8-39
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CLUTCH FLUID
Check the clutch fluid level in the reservoir
(manual transmissions only) . If the fluid level is
below the MIN line, add Genuine NISSAN Super
Heavy Duty Brake Fluid or equivalentDOT 3fluid
up to the MAX line. If fluid must be added fre-
quently, the system should be checked by a
NISSAN dealer.
For further brake and clutch fluid specification
information, refer to “Capacities and recom-
mended fuel/lubricants” in the “Technical and
consumer information” section of this manual.
WARNING
Use only new fluid from a sealed con-
tainer. Old, inferior or contaminated fluid
may damage the brake and clutch sys-
tems. The use of improper fluids can dam-
age the brake system and affect the vehi-
cle’s stopping ability.
CAUTION
Do not spill the fluid on any painted sur-
faces. This will damage the paint. If fluid is
spilled, immediately wash the surface
with water.
WINDOW WASHER FLUID
RESERVOIR
Fill the window washer fluid reservoir periodically.
Add window washer fluid when the light comes
on (if so equipped) .
To fill the window washer fluid reservoir, lift the
cap off the reservoir tank and pour the window
washer fluid into the tank opening.
Add a washer solvent to the washer for better
cleaning. In the winter season, add a windshield
washer antifreeze. Follow the manufacturer’s in-
structions for the mixture ratio.
WDI0284WDI0303
WINDOW WASHER FLUID
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-17
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Refill the reservoir more frequently when driving
conditions require an increased amount of win-
dow washer fluid.
CAUTION
cDo not substitute engine anti-freeze
coolant for window washer solution.
This may result in damage to the paint.
cDo not fill the window washer reservoir
tank with washer fluid concentrates at
full strength. Some methyl alcohol
based washer fluid concentrates may
permanently stain the grille if spilled
while filling the window washer reser-
voir tank.
cPre-mix washer fluid concentrates with
water to the manufacturer’s recom-
mended levels before pouring the fluid
into the window washer reservoir tank.
Do not use the window washer reservoir
tank to mix the washer fluid concen-
trate and water.cKeep the battery surface clean and dry. Any
corrosion should be washed off with a solution
of baking soda and water.
cMake certain the terminal connections are
clean and securely tightened.
cIf the vehicle is not to be used for 30 days or
longer, disconnect the negative (-) battery ter-
minal cable to prevent discharge.
WARNING
cDo not expose the battery to flames or
electrical sparks. Hydrogen gas gener-
ated by the battery is explosive. Do not
allow battery fluid to contact your skin,
eyes, fabrics or painted surfaces. After
touching a battery or battery cap, do not
touch or rub your eyes. Thoroughly
wash your hands. If the acid contacts
your eyes, skin or clothing, immediately
flush with water for at least 15 minutes
and seek medical attention.
cDo not operate the vehicle if the fluid in
the battery is low. Low battery fluid can
cause a higher load on the battery
which can generate heat, reduce bat-
tery life, and in some cases lead to an
explosion.cWhen working on or near a battery, al-
ways wear suitable eye protection and
remove all jewelry.
cBattery posts, terminals and related ac-
cessories contain lead and lead com-
pounds. Wash hands after handling.
cKeep battery out of the reach of
children.
BATTERY
8-18Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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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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