2003 NISSAN PATHFINDER ABS

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


BRAKING PRECAUTIONSThe brake system has two separate hydraulic
circuits. If one circuit malfunctions, you will still
have braking at two wheels.Vacuum assisted brakeThe brake booster aids braking by using engine
vacuum. If the engine stops, you can stop the
vehicle by depressing the brake pedal. However,
greater foot pressure on the brake pedal will be
required to stop the vehicle and the stopping
distance will be longer.Using the brakesAvoid resting your foot on the brake pedal while
driving. This will overheat the brakes, wear out
the brake linings and pads faster and reduce gas
mileage.
To help save the brakes and to prevent the
brakes from overheating, before going down a
slope or long grade, reduce speed and down-
shift to a lower gear.Wet brakesWhen the vehicle is washed or driven through
water, the brakes may get wet. As a result, your
braking distance will be longer and the vehicle
may pull to one side during braking.To dry brakes, drive the vehicle at a safe speed
while lightly pressing the brake pedal to heat-up
the brakes. Do this until the brakes return to
normal. Avoid driving the vehicle at high speeds
until the brakes function correctly.
WARNING

While driving on a slippery surface,
be careful when braking, accelerat-
ing or downshifting. Abrupt braking
or accelerating could cause the
wheels to skid and result in an acci-
dent.

If the engine is not running or is
turned off while driving, the power
assist for the brakes will not work.
Braking will be harder.ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS)The anti-lock brake system controls the brakes
at each wheel so the wheels will not lock when
braking abruptly or when braking on slippery
surfaces. The system detects the rotation speed
at each wheel and varies the brake fluid pressure
to prevent each wheel from locking and sliding.
By preventing wheel lockup, the system helpsthe driver maintain steering control and helps to
minimize swerving and spinning on slippery sur-
faces.
Using the systemDepress the brake pedal and hold it down.
WARNING
Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so
may result in increased stopping dis-
tances.Normal operationThe anti-lock brake system will not operate at
speeds below 3 to 6 MPH (5 to 10 km/h) to
completely stop the vehicle. (The speeds will
vary according to road conditions.) When the
anti-lock system senses that one or more wheels
are close to locking up, the actuator (under the
hood) rapidly applies and releases hydraulic
pressure (like pumping the brakes very quickly).
While the actuator is working, you may feel a
pulsation in the brake pedal and hear a noise or
vibration from the actuator under the hood. This
is normal and indicates that the anti-lock system
is working properly. However, the pulsation may
indicate that road conditions are hazardous and
BRAKE SYSTEM5-34
Starting and driving


03.1.28/R50-D/V5


extra care is required while driving.
If a tire slips on rough roads for more than
10 seconds, the ABS brake warning light
may come on. Turn OFF the ignition key,
restart the engine and drive the vehicle at
speeds above 20 MPH (30 km/h). If the
warning light does not go out, have the
vehicle checked at a NISSAN dealer.Self-test featureThe anti-lock brake system consists of electronic
sensors, electric pumps, and hydraulic solenoids
controlled by a computer. The computer has a
built-in diagnostic feature that tests the system
each time you start the engine and move the
vehicle at a low speed in forward or reverse.
When the self-test occurs, you may hear a clunk
noise and/or feel a pulsation in the brake pedal.
This is normal and is not an indication of any
malfunction. If the computer senses any mal-
function, it switches the anti-lock brake system
OFF and turns on the ABS brake warning light in
the dashboard. The brake system will then be-
have normally, but without anti-lock assistance.
If the light comes on during the self check, or
while you are driving, you should take your
vehicle to your NISSAN dealer for repair at your
earliest convenience.
WARNING
The anti-lock brake system is a sophis-
ticated device, but it cannot prevent ac-
cidents resulting from careless or dan-
gerous driving techniques. It can help
maintain vehicle control during braking
on slippery surfaces, but remember that
the stopping distance on slippery sur-
faces will be longer than on normal
surfaces, even with the anti-lock sys-
tem. Stopping distances may also be
longer on rough, gravel or snow covered
roads, or if you are using tire chains.
Always maintain a safe distance from
the vehicle in front of you. Ultimately,
the responsibility for safety of self and
others rests in the hands of the driver.
Tire type and condition of tires may also
affect braking effectiveness.

When replacing tires, install the
specified size of tires on all four
wheels.

When installing a spare tire, make
sure it is the proper size and type asspecified on the tire placard. See
“Tire placard” in the “9. Technical and
consumer information” section for
tire placard location information.
Starting and driving
5-35


03.1.28/R50-D/V5


When driving on slippery surfaces or suddenly
avoiding obstacles on roads, the vehicle might
swerve or slip. With the vehicle dynamic control
(VDC) system, sensors detect these movements
and control the braking and engine output to
help improve vehicle stability while driving.

When the vehicle dynamic control system is
operating, the slip indicator in the instrument
panel blinks.

When only the traction control system portion
of the vehicle dynamic control system is
operating, the slip indicator will also blink.

If the slip indicator blinks, the vehicle is under
slippery conditions. Be sure to drive carefully.
See “Slip indicator light”, and “Vehicle dy-
namic control off indicator light” in the “2.
Instruments and controls” section.

Indicator light
If a malfunction occurs in the system, the
SLIP and
indicator lights come on in
the meter panel.
As long as these warning lights are on, the
traction control function is canceled.
If the vehicle is operated with the vehicle dy-
namic control system turned off, all VDC func-
tions will be turned off. The brake LSD and ABS
system will still operate with the VDC system off.
VDC is provided the “Brake Limited Slip Differ-ential” system. The Brake LSD system works
when the one of driving wheels is spinning on a
slippery surface. The Brake LSD system brakes
the spinning driving wheel, then distributes the
driving power to the another. While the Brake
LSD system or the ABS system is activated, the
slip indicator light will blink and you may feel a
pulsation in the brake pedal and hear operation
sound. This is normal.
While the VDC system is operating, you may feel
a pulsation in the brake pedal and hear a noise or
vibration from under the hood. This is normal and
indicates that the VDC system is working prop-
erly.
The computer has a built in diagnostic feature
that tests the system each time you start the
engine and move the vehicle forward or in
reverse at a slow speed. When the self-test
occurs, you may hear a clunk noise and/or feel a
pulsation in the brake pedal. This is normal and is
not an indication of a malfunction.
WARNING

The vehicle dynamic control system
is designed to help improve driving
stability but does not prevent acci-
dents due to abrupt steering opera-tion at high speeds or by careless or
dangerous driving techniques. Re-
duce vehicle speed and be especially
careful when driving and cornering
on slippery surfaces and always drive
carefully.

If suspension parts such as shock
absorbers, struts, springs and bush-
ings are not standard equipment or
are extremely deteriorated, the ve-
hicle dynamic control off indicator
light may come on.

When driving on extremely inclined
surfaces such as higher banked cor-
ners, the vehicle dynamic control sys-
tem may not operate properly or the
vehicle dynamic control off indicator
light may come on. Do not drive on
these types of roads.

If the tires other than the recom-
mended ones are used, the vehicle
dynamic control system may not op-
erate properly or the vehicle dynamic
control off indicator light may come
on.
VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL
(VDC) SYSTEM (if so equipped)5-36
Starting and driving


03.1.28/R50-D/V5


10 Index
A
ABS (Anti-lock brake system)................................ 5-34
Air bag system, Front (See supplemental front air
bag system) ................................................................ 1-16
Air bag warning labels ............................................. 1-21
Air bag warning light .................................... 1-21, 2-13
Air cleaner housing filter.......................................... 8-23
Air conditioner
Air conditioner operation ..................................... 4-4
Air conditioner specification label .................. 9-14
Air conditioning system refrigerant and
lubricant recommendations ..................... 4-12, 9-7
Heater and air conditioner controls.................. 4-2
Servicing air conditioner ................................... 4-12
Air flow charts............................................................... 4-5
Alcohol, drugs and driving......................................... 5-5
Anchor point locations
Top tether strap .................................................. 1-44
Antenna ........................................................................ 4-29
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) .............................. 5-34
Anti-lock brake warning light .................................... 2-9
Appearance care
Exterior appearance care .................................... 7-2
Interior appearance care ..................................... 7-3
Armrest (if so equipped) ............................................ 1-9
Ashtray (See cigarette lighter and ashtray) ........ 2-29
ATP warning light ...................................................... 2-10
Audible reminders ..................................................... 2-16Audio operation precautions .................................. 4-14
Audio system .............................................................. 4-13
Steering wheel audio controls ........................ 4-28
Autochanger
Compact Disc (CD) ........................................... 4-26
Automatic
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ................ 8-16
Drive positioner ................................................... 3-17
Driving with automatic transmission ..... 5-7, 5-11
Seat positioner, seat .......................................... 3-17
Transmission park warning light ..................... 2-10
Transmission selector lever lock release ...... 5-14
Avoiding collision and rollover .................................. 5-5
B
Back door.................................................................... 3-10
Battery .......................................................................... 8-21
Battery saver system ......................................... 2-22
Battery replacement, (See remote keyless entry
system) ........................................................................... 3-8
Before starting the engine ...................................... 5-10
Belts (See drive belts) ............................................. 8-22
Brake
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) ......................... 5-34
Brake and clutch fluid ....................................... 8-19
Brake booster ...................................................... 8-26
Brake fluid............................................................. 8-19
Brake pedal .......................................................... 8-25Brake pedal check ............................................. 8-26
Brake system ....................................................... 5-34
Parking brake check............................... 5-17, 8-25
Parking brake operation .................................... 5-17
Warning light .......................................................... 2-9
Break-in schedule ..................................................... 5-20
Bulbcheck/instrument panel .................................... 2-9
Bulbreplacement ...................................................... 8-30
C
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants...... 9-2
Car phone or CB radio............................................ 4-31
Cargo (See vehicle loading information)............. 2-36
Cargo net .................................................................... 2-36
Cassette player (See audio system) ........ 4-18, 4-25
Catalytic converter, Three way catalyst ................. 5-3
CD care and cleaning .............................................. 4-28
Child restraints ........................................................... 1-32
Installation on front passenger seat............... 1-45
Installation on rear seat outboard
positions ................................................................ 1-37
Installation on rear seat center position........ 1-34
Precautions on child restraints........................ 1-32
Top tether strap anchor point locations ....... 1-44
With top tether strap ......................................... 1-43
Child safety ................................................................. 1-25
Child safety rear door lock ........................................ 3-4
Chimes, Audible reminders..................................... 2-16


03.1.28/R50-D/V5