
WARNING
If the supplemental air bag warning light
is on, it could mean that the supplemental
front air bag, supplemental curtain side-
impact air bag systems (if so equipped)
and/or pre-tensioner seat belt systems
will not operate in an accident.
INDICATOR LIGHTS
Cruise main switch indicator
light (if so equipped)
The light comes on when the cruise control main
switch is pushed. The light goes out when the
main switch is pushed again. When the cruise
main switch indicator light comes on, the cruise
control system is operational.
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 may indicate
the cruise control system is not functioning prop-
erly. Have the system checked by a NISSAN
dealer.
4–wheel drive indicator light
(if so equipped)
This light comes on when the transfer shift con-
trol lever is in the 4H or 4L position.
WARNING
cWhen parking always make sure the
transfer control lever is in the 2H, 4H or
4L position and the parking brake is
applied.
cFailure to engage the transfer control
lever in 2H, 4H or 4L could result in the
vehicle moving unexpectedly, which
could cause serious personal injury or
property damage.
High beam indicator light
(Blue)
This blue light comes on when the headlight high
beams are on and goes out when the low beams
are selected.
The high beam indicator light also comes on
when the passing signal is activated.
Malfunction indicator lamp
(MIL)
If this indicator lamp comes on steady or blinks
while the engine is running, it may indicate a
potential emission control malfunction.
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 gallons 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:
cMalfunction 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 thelamp does
not turn off after a few driving trips, have the
vehicle inspected by a NISSAN dealer. You
do not need to have your vehicle towed to
the dealer.
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cMalfunction indicator lamp blinking — An
engine misfire has been detected which may
damage the emission control system. To re-
duce or avoid emission control system dam-
age:
– do not drive at speeds above 45 MPH
(72 km/h) .
– avoid hard acceleration or deceleration.
– avoid steep uphill grades.
– if possible, reduce the amount of cargo
being hauled or towed.
The malfunction indicator lamp may stop blinking
and come on steady. Have the vehicle inspected by
a NISSAN dealer. You do not need to have your
vehicle towed to the dealer.
CAUTION
Continued vehicle operation without hav-
ing the emission control system checked
and repaired as necessary could lead to
poor driveability, reduced fuel economy,
and possible damage to the emission con-
trol system.
Overdrive off indicator light
(automatic transmission mod-
els only)
This light comes on when the overdrive function
is OFF.
The automatic transmission overdrive function is
controlled by the overdrive switch.
Slip indicator light (if so
equipped)
This indicator light will blink when the traction con-
trol system is limiting wheel spin. Slippery road
conditions may exist if the slip indicator blinks on. If
this happens, adjust your driving accordingly.
The slip indicator light also comes on when you
turn the ignition key to the ON position. The light
will turn off after about 2 seconds if the system is
operational. If the light does not come on or go
off, have the traction control system checked by a
NISSAN dealer.
The system operates in all transmission shift lever
positions, but the system can upshift the transmis-
sion only as high as the indicated shift lever position.
Turn signal/hazard indicator
lights
The appropriate light flashes when the turn signal
switch is activated.Both lights flash when the hazard switch is turned
on.
Vehicle dynamic control off
indicator light (if so equipped)
This indicator light comes on when the vehicle
dynamic control off switch is pushed to OFF. This
indicates the vehicle dynamic control system is
not operating.
Push the vehicle dynamic control off switch again
or restart the engine and the system will operate
normally. See “Vehicle dynamic control (VDC)
system” in the “Starting and driving” section of
this manual.
The vehicle dynamic control light also comes on
when you turn the ignition key to the ON position.
The light will turn off after about 2 seconds if the
system is operational. If the light stays on or
comes on along with the SLIP indicator light
while you are driving, have the vehicle dynamic
control system checked by a NISSAN dealer.
While the vehicle dynamic control system is op-
erating, you might feel slight vibration or hear the
system working when starting the vehicle or ac-
celerating, but this is normal.
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To defrost the rear window glass, start the engine
and push the rear window defroster switch on.
The rear window defroster indicator light on the
switch comes on. Push the switch again to turn
the defroster off.
The rear window defroster automatically turns off
after approximately 15 minutes.
CAUTION
When cleaning the inner side of the rear
window, be careful not to scratch or dam-
age the rear window defroster.
HEADLIGHT CONTROL SWITCH
Lighting
s1When turning the switch to theposi-
tion, the front parking, tail, license plate and
instrument panel lights come on.
s2When turning the switch to theposi-
tion, the headlights come on and all the other
lights remain on.
WIC0327
Type A
WIC0242
Type B
WIC0243
REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER
SWITCHHEADLIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL
SWITCH
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Headlight beam select
s1To select the high beam function, push the
lever forward. The high beam lights come on
and the
light illuminates.
s2Pull the lever back to select the low beam.
s3Pulling and releasing the lever flashes the
headlight high beams on and off.
Turn signal switch
Turn signal
s1Move the lever up or down to signal the
turning direction. When the turn is com-
pleted, the turn signals cancel automatically.
Lane change signal
s2To signal a lane change, move the lever up or
down to the point where the indicator light
begins to flash, but the lever does not latch.
Instrument brightness control
The instrument brightness control operates when
the headlight switch is in theorposition.
Turn the control to adjust the brightness of instru-
ment panel lights.
Daytime running light system (Canada
only)
The headlights automatically illuminate at a re-
duced intensity when the engine is started with
the parking brake released. The daytime running
lights operate with the headlight switch in the
OFF position or in the
position. Turn the
WIC0244WIC0245WIC0328
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headlight switch to theposition for full
illumination when driving at night.
If the parking brake is applied before the engine is
started, the daytime running lights do not illumi-
nate. The daytime running lights illuminate when
the parking brake is released. The daytime run-
ning lights will remain on until the ignition switch
is turned off.
WARNING
When the daytime running light system is
active, tail lights on your vehicle are not
on. It is necessary at dusk to turn on your
headlights. Failure to do so could cause
an accident injuring yourself and others.
To turn the front fog lights on, rotate the switch to
the
position.
To turn them off, rotate the switch to the OFF
position.
The headlight switch must be in the
posi-
tion (low beam headlights on) for the fog lights to
operate. The fog lights automatically turn off
whenever the highbeam headlight function is se-
lected.Push the switch on to warn other drivers when
you must stop or park under emergency condi-
tions. All turn signal lights flash.WARNING
cWhen stalled or stopped on the road-
way under emergency conditions, move
the vehicle well off the road.
cDo not use the hazard warning flashers
while moving on the highway unless
unusual circumstances force you to
drive so slowly that your vehicle might
become a hazard to other traffic.
WIC0247WIC0329
FOG LIGHT SWITCH (if so equipped) HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
SWITCH
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cTurn signals do not work when the haz-
ard warning flasher lights are on.
The flashers will operate with the ignition switch
in any position.
Some state laws may prohibit the use of
the hazard warning flasher switch while
driving.
To sound the horn, push the center pad area of
the steering wheel.
WARNING
Do not disassemble the horn. Doing so
could affect proper operation of the
supplemental front air bag system. Tam-
pering with the supplemental front air bag
system may result in serious personal
injury.The vehicle should be driven with the Vehicle
Dynamic Control System (VDC) on for most driv-
ing conditions.
When the vehicle is stuck in mud or snow, the
VDC system reduces the engine output to re-
duce wheel spin. The engine speed will be re-
duced even if the accelerator is depressed to the
floor. If maximum engine power is needed to free
a stuck vehicle, turn the VDC system off.
To turn off the VDC system, push the VDC OFF
switch. The
indicator will come on.
Push the VDC OFF switch again or restart the
engine and the system will operate normally. See
“Vehicle dynamic control system (VDC)” in the
“Starting and driving” section.
WIC0249LIC0364
HORN VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC)
OFF SWITCH (if so equipped)
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The power outlets are for powering electrical
accessories such as cellular telephones. They
are rated at 12 Volts 120 Watts maximum.
CAUTION
cTake care as the outlet and plug may be
hot during or immediately after use.
cThis power outlet is not designed for
use with a cigarette lighter unit.
cDo not use with accessories that ex-
ceed a 12 volt, 120W (10A) power draw.
Do not use double adapters or more
than one electrical accessory.cUse this power outlet with the engine
running. (If the engine is stopped, this
could result in a discharged battery.)
cAvoid using when the air conditioner,
headlights or rear window defroster is
on.
cBefore inserting or disconnecting a
plug, be sure the electrical accessory
being used is turned OFF.cPush the plug in as far as it will go. If
good contact is not made, the plug may
overheat or the internal temperature
fuse may blow.
cWhen not in use, be sure to close the
cap. Do not allow water to contact the
outlet.
Front
WIC0330
Console
WIC0331
Rear
WIC0332
POWER OUTLET (if so equipped)
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The interior light has a three-position switch and
operates regardless of ignition switch position.
cWhen the switch is in the ON position
s1,
the interior light illuminates, regardless of
door position.
cWhen the switch is in the center O or DOOR
position, the interior light illuminates by
opening a door.
cWhen the switch is in the OFF position
s2,
the interior light does not illuminate, regard-
less of door position.For information regarding the interior light bulb
replacement, refer to “Bulb replacement” in the
“Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section of this
manual.
CAUTION
Leaving the dome light switch in the ON
position for extended periods of time will
result in a discharged battery.
To turn the map lights on, press the switches. To
turn them off, press the switches again.
CAUTION
Do not use for extended periods of time
with the engine stopped. This could result
in a discharged battery.
WIC0264Type AWIC0349
INTERIOR LIGHT MAP LIGHTS (if so equipped)
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