1. Security indicator light (P.2-17)
2. Headlight/dimmer/turn signal switch (P.2-21)
Front fog light switch (if so equipped)
(P.2-24)
3. Steering switch for audio control (if so
equipped) (P.4-28)4. Driver’s supplemental air bag (P.1-16)
5. Meters/gauges (P.2-3)
6. Cruise control main/set switch (if so
equipped) (P.5-18)
7. Windshield and rear window wiper/washer
switch (P.2-19)8. Hazard warning flasher switch (P.2-25)
9. Air conditioner (P.4-2)
10.Glass hatch/outside mirror defogger switch
(Type A) (P.2-20)
11.Clock (P.2-27)
12.Center ventilator (P.4-2)
13.Passenger air bag (P.1-16)
14.Side ventilator (P.4-2)
15.Instrument brightness control (P.2-22)
16.VDC OFF switch (if so equipped) (P.2-27)
17.Automatic drive positioner system cancel
switch (if so equipped) (P.3-19)
18.Fuse box cover (P.8-28)/Pocket
19.Outside mirror remote control (P.3-16)
20.Tilting steering wheel adjust lever (P.3-15)
21.Ignition switch/steering lock (P.5-7)
22.Glass hatch/outside mirror defogger switch
(Type B) (if so equipped) (P.2-21)
23.Audio system (P.4-13)
24.4WD shift switch (if so equipped) (P.5-12)/
Coin box (if so equipped) (P.2-30)
25.Ashtray (P.2-29)
26.Cigarette lighter (P.2-29) or Power outlet
(P.2-28)
27.Glove box (P.2-32)
See the page indicated in parentheses for
operating details.
SIC1936
INSTRUMENT PANEL2-2
Instruments and controls
03.1.28/R50-D/V5
or
Anti-lock brake warning light
Low tire pressure warning light (if so
equipped)
High beam indicator light
Automatic transmission oil temperature
warning light
Low washer fluid warning light
(Canada only)
Malfunction indicator lamp (MIL)
Automatic transmission park warning light
Seat belt warning light and chime
Overdrive off indicator light
(Automatic transmission models only)
or
Brake warning light
Supplemental air bag warning light
Slip indicator light (if so equipped)
Charge warning light
Tire carrier open warning light (if so
equipped)
Transfer 4LO position indicator light
Door open warning light
Cruise main switch indicator light (if so
equipped)
Turn signal/hazard indicator lights
Engine oil pressure warning light
Cruise set switch indicator light (if so
equipped)
Vehicle dynamic control off indicator light
(if so equipped)
4WD warning light
4WD indicator light
Low fuel warning light
4WD shift indicator light
CHECKING BULBSApply the parking brake and turn the ignition key
to ON without starting the engine. The following
lights will come on:
,
,
or
,
,
The following lights come on briefly and then go
off:
,
or
,
,
,
,
,
,
If any light fails to come on, it may indicate a
burned-out bulb or an open circuit in the elec-
trical system. Have the system repaired
promptly.
WARNING LIGHTS
or
Anti-lock brake
warning light
If the light comes on while the engine is running,
it may indicate the anti-lock brake system is not
functioning properly. Have the system checked
by your NISSAN dealer.
WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS
AND AUDIBLE REMINDERS
Instruments and controls
2-9
03.1.28/R50-D/V5
WARNING
If the supplemental air bag warning
light is on, it could mean that the
supplemental front air bag system,
supplemental side air bag and curtain
side-impact air bag systems (if so
equipped) and/or pre-tensioner seat
belt may not operate in an accident.
Tire carrier open warning light
(if so equipped)
This light comes on when the tire carrier is not
closed securely while the ignition key is ON.INDICATOR LIGHTS
Cruise main switch indicator
light (if so equipped)
The light comes on when the main switch is
turned on.
Cruise set switch indicator
light (if so equipped)
The light comes on while the vehicle speed is
controlled by the cruise control system. If the
light blinks while the engine is running, it mayindicate the cruise control system is not func-
tioning properly. Have the system checked by
your NISSAN dealer.
4WD indicator light
(
model)
This light comes on when the transfer shift
control lever is in the 4H or 4L position.
4WD shift indicator light
(
model)
The light should turn off within 1 second after
turning the ignition switch to ON.
While the engine is running, the 4WD shift
indicator light will illuminate the position se-
lected by the 4WD shift switch.
The 4WD shift indicator light may blink
while shifting from one drive mode to the
other.
High beam indicator light
(Blue)
This light comes on when the headlight high
beam is on, and goes out when the low beams
are selected.
Malfunction indicator lamp
(MIL)
If the Malfunction indicator lamp comes on
steady or blinks while the engine is running, it
may indicate a potential emission control mal-
function.
The Malfunction indicator lamp may also come
on steady if the fuel filler cap is loose or missing,
or if the vehicle runs out of fuel. Check to make
sure the fuel filler cap is installed and closed
tightly, and that the vehicle has at least 3 US
gallons (14 liters) of fuel in the fuel tank.
After a few driving trips, the
lamp should
turn off if no other potential emission control
system malfunction exists.
Operation
The Malfunction indicator lamp will come on in
one of two ways:
Malfunction indicator lamp on steady — An
emission control system malfunction has
been detected. Check the fuel filler cap. If the
fuel filler cap is loose or missing, tighten or
install the cap and continue to drive the
vehicle. The
lamp should turn off after a
few driving trips. If the
lamp does not
turn off after a few driving trips, have the
vehicle inspected by an authorized NISSAN
2-14
Instruments and controls
03.1.28/R50-D/V5
5 Starting and drivingPrecautions when starting and driving ............................. 5-2
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) .................................. 5-2
Three way catalyst ........................................................... 5-3
Low tire pressure warning system (if so
equipped) ........................................................................... 5-3
On-pavement and offroad driving precautions ......... 5-4
Avoiding collision and rollover ...................................... 5-5
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving .............................. 5-5
Driving safety precautions.............................................. 5-5
Ignition switch ......................................................................... 5-7
Automatic transmission................................................... 5-7
Manual transmission ........................................................ 5-9
Key positions ..................................................................... 5-9
Nissan vehicle immobilizer system............................... 5-9
Before starting the engine ................................................ 5-10
Starting the engine ............................................................. 5-10
Driving the vehicle ............................................................... 5-11
Automatic transmission ................................................ 5-11
Manual transmission ..................................................... 5-15
Parking brake........................................................................ 5-17
Cruise control (if so equipped)........................................ 5-18
Precautions on cruise control .................................... 5-18
Cruise control operations ............................................ 5-18Break-in schedule ............................................................... 5-20
Increasing fuel economy .................................................... 5-20
Using part time four wheel drive (4WD) ....................... 5-21
Transfer case shifting procedures............................. 5-23
Using all-mode four wheel drive (4WD) ....................... 5-25
Transfer case shifting procedures............................. 5-25
Parking/parking on hills...................................................... 5-32
Power steering ..................................................................... 5-33
Brake system ........................................................................ 5-34
Braking precautions ...................................................... 5-34
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) .................................... 5-34
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system
(if so equipped).................................................................... 5-36
Cold weather driving .......................................................... 5-37
Freeing a frozen door lock .......................................... 5-37
Anti-freeze ....................................................................... 5-37
Battery .............................................................................. 5-37
Draining of coolant water ............................................ 5-37
Tire equipment................................................................ 5-37
Special winter equipment ............................................ 5-38
Driving on snow or ice ................................................. 5-38
Engine block heater (if so equipped) ....................... 5-39
03.1.28/R50-D/V5
WARNING
Do not use the cruise control when driv-
ing under the following conditions:
when it is not possible to keep the
vehicle at a set speed.
in heavy traffic or in traffic that varies
in speed.
on winding or hilly roads.
on slippery roads (rain, snow, ice,
etc.)
in very windy areas.
Doing so could cause a loss of vehicle
control and result in an accident.
CAUTION
On manual transmission models, do not
shift into N(Neutral) without depressing
the clutch pedal when the cruise control
is set. Should this occur, depress the
clutch pedal and turn the main switchoff immediately. Failure to do so may
cause engine damage.
PRECAUTIONS ON CRUISE
CONTROLIf the engine coolant temperature becomes
excessively high, the cruise control system
will automatically be canceled.
If the cruise control system malfunctions, it
cancels automatically. The SET indicator light
in the instrument panel then blinks to warn
the driver.
If the SET indicator light blinks, turn the
cruise control main switch off and have the
system checked by your NISSAN dealer.
The SET indicator light may blink when the
cruise control main switch is turned on while
pushing the RES/ACCEL, COAST/
SET, or CANCEL switch (located on the
steering wheel). To properly set the cruise
control system, perform the preceding steps
in the order indicated.
CRUISE CONTROL OPERATIONSThe cruise control allows driving at a fixed speed
between 25 to 89 MPH (40 to 144 km/h)
without keeping your foot on the accelerator
pedal.
To turn on the cruise control,push the main
switch on. The CRUISE indicator light on the
meter panel will come on.
To set at cruising speed,accelerate your
vehicle to the desired speed, push the
SET/COAST switch and release it. (The SET
light will come on.) Take your foot off the accel-
SSD0236A
CRUISE CONTROL (if so
equipped)5-18
Starting and driving
03.1.28/R50-D/V5
erator pedal. Your vehicle will maintain the set
speed.
To pass another vehicle,depress the ac-
celerator pedal. When you release the pedal,
the vehicle will return to the previously set
speed.
The vehicle may not maintain the set speed
when going up or down steep hills. If this
happens, drive without the cruise control.
To cancel the preset speed,follow any of
these three methods:
a) Push the cancel switch; The SET light will go
out.b) Tap the brake pedal; The SET light will go
out.
c) Turn the main switch off. Both the CRUISE
indicator and SET indicator lights will go out.
If you depress the brake pedal while pushing
the ACCEL/RES set switch and reset at the
cruising speed, turn the main switch off once
and then turn it on again.
The cruise control will automatically be can-
celled if the vehicle slows down more than 8
MPH (13 km/h) below the set speed.
Depress the clutch pedal (manual transmis-
sion), or move the selector lever to N position
(automatic transmission). The SET light will
go out.
To reset at a faster cruising speed,follow
either of these three methods:
a) Depress the accelerator pedal. When the
vehicle attains the desired speed, push and
release the SET/COAST switch.
b) Push and hold the ACCEL/RES set switch.
When the vehicle attains the speed you
desire, release the switch.
c) Push, then quickly release the ACCEL/
RES set switch. Each time you do this, the
set speed will increase by about 1 MPH (1.6
km/h).To reset at a slower cruising speed,follow
either of these three methods:
a) Lightly tap the brake pedal. When the vehicle
attains the desired speed, push the
SET/COAST switch and release it.
b) Push and hold the SET/COAST switch. Re-
lease the switch when the vehicle slows
down to the desired speed.
c) Push, then quickly release the SET/
COAST switch. Each time you do this, the set
speed will decrease by about 1 MPH (1.6
km/h).
To resume the preset speed,push and re-
lease the ACCEL/RES set switch. The vehicle
will resume the last set cruising speed when the
vehicle speed is over 25 MPH (40 km/h).
PrecautionsThe CRUISE indicator may sometimes blink
when the cruise control switch (Main switch)
is turned ON while pushing the ACCEL/RES
switch or SET/COAST switch or CANCEL
switch (located on the steering wheel). To
properly set the cruise control system per-
form the steps above in the order indicated.
(This is a fail-safe mode. Turn the main switch
OFF and turn it ON again without pushing the
set switch to return to normal operation.)
SSD0219D
Starting and driving
5-19
03.1.28/R50-D/V5
If the cruise control system malfunctions, it
will cancel automatically. The SET indicator in
the meter assembly will then blink to warn the
driver.
When the SET indicator blinks, turn the
cruise control switch (Main switch) OFF and
have the system checked by your NISSAN
dealer.During the first 1,200 miles (2,000 km), follow
these recommendations to obtain maximum en-
gine performance and ensure the future reliability
and economy of your new vehicle. Failure to
follow these recommendations may result in
shortened engine life and reduced engine per-
formance.
Avoid driving for long periods at constant
speed, either fast or slow. Do not run the
engine over 4,000 rpm.
Do not accelerate at full throttle in any gear.
Avoid quick starts.
Avoid hard braking as much as possible.
Do not tow a trailer for the first 500 miles
(800 km).Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Maintain
cruising speeds with a constant accelerator
position.
Drive at moderate speeds on the highway.
Driving at high speed will lower fuel economy.
Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking.
Maintain a safe distance behind other ve-
hicles.
Use a proper gear range which suits road
conditions. On level roads, shift into high gear
as soon as possible.
Avoid unnecessary engine idling.
Keep your engine tuned up.
SD0001
BREAK-IN SCHEDULE INCREASING FUEL ECONOMY
5-20
Starting and driving
03.1.28/R50-D/V5
reaching it. Try not to brake while
actually on the ice, and avoid any
sudden steering maneuvers.
Do not use cruise control on slippery
roads.
Snow can trap dangerous exhaust
gases under your vehicle. Keep snow
clear of the exhaust pipe and from
around your vehicle.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER (if so
equipped)An engine block heater to assist extreme cold
temperature starting is available through your
NISSAN dealer.
WARNING
Do not use your heater with an un-
grounded electrical system or two-
pronged (cheater) adapters. You can be
injured by an electrical shock if you use
an ungrounded connection.
Starting and driving
5-39
03.1.28/R50-D/V5