2003 NISSAN PATHFINDER clutch

4H or 4LO position again to turn off the ATP
warning light when the warning light comes on.
(Before shifting the 4WD shift switch into the
4LO position or out of 4LO into the 4H position,
move the automatic transmission selector lever
into the N position). Shift the selector lever into
the P position and make sure that the 4WD shift
indicator light is ON and the ATP warning light is
OFF.
or
Brake warning light
This light functions for both the parking brake
and the foot brake systems.
Parking brake indicator:
The light comes on when the parking brake is
applied.
Low brake fluid warning light:
When the ignition key is in the ON position, the
light warns of a low brake fluid level. If the light
comes on while the engine is running, stop the
vehicle and perform the following:
1. Check the brake fluid level. Add brake fluid as
necessary. See “Brake and clutch fluid” in the
“8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section.
2. If the brake fluid level is correct:
Have the warning system checked by a NISSAN
dealer.
WARNING

Your brake system may not be work-
ing 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 re-
pairs. Otherwise, have your vehicle
towed.

Pressing the brake pedal with the
engine stopped and/or low brake
fluid level may increase your stop-
ping distance and braking will re-
quire greater pedal effort as well as
greater pedal travel.

If the brake fluid level is below the
MINmark on the brake fluid reser-
voir, do not drive until the brake sys-
tem has been checked at a NISSAN
dealer.
Charge warning light
If the light comes on while the engine is running,
it may indicate the charging system is not func-
tioning properly. Turn the engine off and checkthe alternator belt. If the belt is loose, broken,
missing or if the light remains on, see your
NISSAN dealer immediately.
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
and/or rear window are not closed securely
while the ignition key is ON.
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 engine
immediatelyand call a NISSAN dealer or other
authorized repair shop.
The oil pressure warning light is not de-
signed to indicate a low oil level. Use the
dipstick to check the oil level.See “Engine
oil” in the “8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself”
section.
Instruments and controls
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Before driving up or down grades,
check the road surface for bumps or
potholes. Be sure to climb a gentle
slope and descend a gentle slope.

Do not drive across steep slopes.
Instead drive either straight up or
straight down the slopes. Off-road
vehicles can tip over sideways much
more easily than they can forward or
backward.

Many hills are too steep for any ve-
hicle. If you drive up them, you may
stall. If you drive down them, you may
not be able to control your speed. If
you drive across them, you may roll
over.

Do not shift gears while driving on
downhill grades as this could cause
loss of control of the vehicle.

Be sure to use the engine brake. The
foot brake performance may be re-
duced, resulting in a possible acci-
dent.

Stay alert when driving to the top of ahill. At the top there could be a drop-
off or other hazard that could cause
an accident.

If your engine stalls or you cannot
make it to the top of a steep hill,
never attempt to turn around. Your
vehicle could tip or roll over. Always
back straight down in R (Reverse)
gear. Never back down in N (Neutral)
or with the clutch depressed (manual
transmission vehicles), using only the
brake, as this could cause loss of
control.

Heavy braking going down a hill
could cause your brakes to overheat
and fade, resulting in loss of control
and an accident. Apply brakes lightly
and use a low gear to control your
speed.

Unsecured cargo can be thrown
around when driving over rough ter-
rain. Properly secure all cargo so it
will not be thrown forward and cause
injury to you or your passengers.
To avoid raising the center of gravity
excessively, do not exceed the rated
capacity of the roof rack and evenly
distribute the load. Secure heavy
loads in the cargo area as far forward
and as low as possible. Do not equip
the vehicle with tires larger than
specified in this manual. This could
cause your vehicle to roll over.

Do not grip the inside or spokes of
the steering wheel when driving of-
froad. The steering wheel could move
suddenly and injure your hands. In-
stead drive with your fingers and
thumbs on the outside of the rim.

Before operating the vehicle, ensure
that the driver and all passengers
have their seat belts fastened.

Always drive with the floor mats in
place as the floor may become hot.

Lower your speed when encountering
strong crosswinds. With a higher
center of gravity, your NISSAN is
more affected by strong side winds.5-6
Starting and driving


03.1.28/R50-D/V5


Make sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.

Check fluid levels such as engine oil, coolant,
brake and clutch fluid, window washer fluid
as frequently as possible, at least whenever
you refuel.

Check to be sure that all windows and light
lenses are clean.

Visually inspect tires for their appearance and
condition. Also check tires for proper infla-
tion.

Lock all doors.

Position seat and adjust head restraints.

Adjust inside and outside mirrors.

Fasten seat belts and ask all passengers to
do likewise.

Check the operation of warning lights when
key is turned to the ON (3) position.1. Apply the parking brake.
2.Automatic transmission:
Move the selector lever to P (Park position) or
N (Neutral position). (P preferred)
The selector lever cannot be moved out
of P and into any of the other gear
positions if the ignition key is turned to
LOCK or if the key is removed from the
switch.
The starter is designed not to operate if
the selector lever is in one of the driving
positions.
Manual transmission:
Move the gearshift lever to N (Neutral posi-
tion), and depress the clutch pedal to the
floor while starting the engine.
The starter is designed not to operate
unless the clutch pedal is fully de-
pressed.
3. Crank the enginewith your foot off the
accelerator pedalby turning the ignition
key to START. Release the key when the
engine starts. If the engine starts, but fails to
run, repeat the above procedure.

If the engine is very hard to start in extremely
cold weather or when restarting, depress theaccelerator pedal a little (approximately 1/5
to the floor) and hold it then crank the engine.
Release the key and the accelerator pedal
when the engine starts.

If the engine is very hard to start because it is
flooded, depress the accelerator pedal all the
way to the floor and hold it. Crank the engine
for 5 to 6 seconds. After cranking the engine,
release the accelerator pedal. Crank the en-
ginewith your foot off the accelerator
pedalby turning the ignition key to START.
Release the key when the engine starts. If the
engine starts, but fails to run, repeat the
above procedure.
CAUTION
Do not operate the starter for more than
15 seconds at a time. If the engine does
not start, turn the key off and wait 10
seconds before cranking again, other-
wise the starter could be damaged.
4.Warm-up
Always allow the engine to idle for at least 30
seconds after starting. Drive at moderate
speed for a short distance first, especially in
cold weather.
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE STARTING THE ENGINE5-10
Starting and driving


03.1.28/R50-D/V5


damage.
To change gears, or when up shifting or down
shifting, depress the clutch pedal fully, shift into
the appropriate gear, then release the clutch
slowly and smoothly.
Start the vehicle in 1st gear and shift to 2nd, 3rd
and 4th up to 5th gear in sequence according to
the vehicle speed.
You cannot shift directly from 5th gear into
Reverse. First shift into the Neutral position, then
into Reverse.
If it is difficult to move the shift lever into Reverse
or 1st, shift into Neutral, then release the clutch
pedal and shift into Reverse or 1st again. If your
vehicle is equipped with four wheel drive, see
“Using four wheel drive” later in this section.
Suggested up-shift speedsThe table below provides suggested speed
ranges for shifting into a higher gear. These
suggestions relate to fuel economy and vehicle
performance. Actual shift ranges should be ad-
justed for specific road conditions, weather con-
ditions and individual driving habits.

Two wheel drive models and four wheel drive
models (2H and 4H position)MPH (km/h)
1st to 2nd 15 (24)
2nd to 3rd 25 (40)
3rd to 4th 40 (64)
4th to 5th 45 (72)

Four wheel drive model (4L position)
MPH (km/h)
1st to 2nd 8 (13)
2nd to 3rd 12 (20)
3rd to 4th 20 (32)
4th to 5th 22 (36)
Suggested maximum speed in each
gearDownshift to a lower gear if the engine is not
running smoothly, or if you need to accelerate.
Do not exceed the maximum suggested speed
(shown below) in any gear. For level road driving,
use the highest gear suggested for that speed.
Always observe posted speed limits, and drive
according to the road conditions which will
ensure safe operation. Do not overrev the engine
when shifting to a lower gear as it may cause
engine damage or loss of vehicle control.Allowable maximum speed in each gear
Two wheel drive models and four wheel drive
models (2H position) MPH (km/h)
1st 22 (36)
2nd 37 (60)
3rd 56 (90)
4th & 5th — (—)
Four wheel drive models MPH (km/h)
4H position
1st 22 (36)
2nd 37 (60)
3rd 50 (80)
4th & 5th 50 (80)
4L position
1st 9 (15)
2nd 19 (30)
3rd 28 (45)
4th & 5th 31 (50)
CAUTION

Do not rest your foot on the clutch
pedal while driving. This may cause
clutch damage.

Stop your vehicle completely before
shifting into R (Reverse).
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03.1.28/R50-D/V5


When the vehicle is stopped for a
period of time, for example at a stop
light, shift to N(Neutral) and release
the clutch pedal with the foot brake
applied.
To apply:pull the lever up.
To release:
1. Firmly apply foot brake.
2.Manual transmission models:
Place the gearshift lever in the N (Neutral)
position.
Automatic transmission models:
Move the selector lever to the P (Park) posi-
tion.
3. While pulling up on the lever slightly, push
the button and lower completely.4. Before driving, be sure the brake warning
light goes out.
WARNING

Be sure the parking brake is fully
released before driving. Failure to do
so can cause brake failure and lead
to an accident.

Do not release the parking brake
from outside the vehicle.

Do not use the gear shift in place of
the parking brake. When parking, be
sure the parking brake is fully en-
gaged.

Do not leave children unattended in a
vehicle. They could release the park-
ing brake and cause an accident.
PD1001M
PARKING BRAKE
Starting and driving
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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
CONTROL
If 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
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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).
Precautions
The 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
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TRANSFER CASE SHIFTING PROCEDURES
TO SHIFT
TRANSFER CASE:MANUAL TRANSMISSION MODELS SHIFT PROCEDURE
From 2H to 4HMove the transfer lever to 4H. This can be done at any speed up to 50 MPH (80 km/h), and it is not necessary to depress the clutch
pedal. Perform this operation when driving straight.
From 4H to 2HMove the transfer lever to 2H. This can be done at any speed up to 50 MPH (80 km/h), and it is not necessary to depress the clutch
pedal. Perform this operation when driving straight.
From 4H or 4L to 4L or
4H1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Depress the clutch pedal.
3. Depress the transfer lever and move it to the desired 4L or 4H position.
From 2H to 4L1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Depress the clutch pedal.
3. Depress the transfer lever and move it to 4L. Change gears quickly and smoothly.
From 4L to 2H1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Depress the clutch pedal.
3. Depress the transfer lever and move it to 2H.
Starting and driving
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