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.
Instruments and controls2-13
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2003 Xterra(xtr)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
02/21/03Ðtbrooks
X
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.
2-14Instruments and controls
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2003 Xterra(xtr)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
02/21/03Ðtbrooks
X
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)
Instruments and controls2-23
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2003 Xterra(xtr)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
02/21/03Ðtbrooks
X
3 Pre-driving checks and adjustments
Keys .............................................3-2
Doors............................................3-2
Locking with key................................3-2
Locking with inside lock knob....................3-3
Locking with power door lock switch
(if so equipped)................................3-3
Child safety rear door lock.......................3-4
Remote keyless entry system (if so equipped).........3-4
How to use remote keyless entry system..........3-5
Battery replacement............................3-7
Hood............................................3-8
Rear door.........................................3-9
Tubular roof rack with gear basket..................3-10Tubular step rail (if so equipped)...................3-13
Fuel filler lid......................................3-13
Fuel filler cap..................................3-13
Steering wheel...................................3-15
Tilt operation (if so equipped)...................3-15
Sun visors.......................................3-15
Vanity mirror (if so equipped)....................3-15
Mirrors..........................................3-16
Inside mirror..................................3-16
Outside mirrors...............................3-16
Outside mirror remote control
(if so equipped)...............................3-17
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2003 Xterra(xtr)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
03/18/03Ðcathy
X
1. Tubular roof rack torxdriver
2. Wheel nut wrench
3. Jack rod
Getting the tubular roof rack torxdriver
1. Open the back door.
2. Roll back the cargo area carpet.
3. Remove the roof rack torxdriver.
Tubular roof rack crossbar adjustment
The front and rear crossbars can be adjusted
forward, backward, or be removed. Use the
torxdriver located in the tool kit to loosen both
crossbar adjusting screws.To adjust:
a. Loosen the adjusting screws with the
torxdriver by turning counterclockwise.
WPD0163
AIC1146
Pre-driving checks and adjustments3-11
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2003 Xterra(xtr)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
03/17/03Ðcathy
X
Put the fuel filler cap in the cap holder while
refueling.TILT OPERATION (if so equipped)
Pull the lock lever down and adjust the steering
wheel up or down to the desired position.
Push the lock lever up firmly to lock the steering
wheel in place.
WARNING
Do not adjust the steering wheel while
driving. You could lose control of your
vehicle and cause an accident.
VANITY MIRROR (if so equipped)
A vanity mirror is located on the rear side of the
passenger sun visor.
WPD0166WPD0167WPD0168
STEERING WHEEL SUN VISORS
Pre-driving checks and adjustments3-15
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2003 Xterra(xtr)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
03/17/03Ðcathy
X
4 Heater, air conditioner and audio
systems
Ventilators........................................4-2
Heater and air conditioner (manual)..................4-2
Controls.......................................4-3
Heater operation...............................4-4
Air conditioner operation........................4-5
Air flow charts..................................4-6
Servicing air conditioner............................4-9
Audio system....................................4-10
Radio........................................4-10
FM radio reception............................4-10
AM radio reception............................4-10Audio operation precautions....................4-11
FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD) player
(if so equipped)...............................4-12
FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD)
changer (if so equipped).......................4-16
CD care and cleaning..........................4-27
Steering wheel switch for audio control
(if so equipped)...............................4-28
Antenna......................................4-28
Car phone or CB radio............................4-29
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2003 Xterra(xtr)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
03/17/03Ðcathy
X
1. SEEK up button
2. Mode button
3. SEEK down button
4. Volume control button
STEERING WHEEL SWITCH FOR
AUDIO CONTROL (if so equipped)
The steering wheel switch for audio controls is
mounted on the left side of the steering wheel.
Press the MODE button to turn the radio on or, if
the radio is already on, to switch between the
Radio presets (A, B or C) and CD Mode.
A!B!C!CD ModeThe last CD that was loaded starts to play when
in CD Mode. If there is no CD loaded, the CD
changer enters Disc Loading Mode.
If in Radio presets A, B or C:
cPress
or(<1.5 seconds) to
advance to the next preset station or to
return to the previous preset station.
cHold down
or(>1.5 sec-
onds) . The radio will seek up or down to the
next radio station.
If in CD Mode:
cPress
or(<1.5 seconds) to
advance to the next selection on the CD or
return to the previous selection on the CD.
cHold down
or(>1.5 seconds)
to advance to the next CD or return to the
previous CD.
Volume control is located on the side of the audio
control switch. Press the top of the volume con-
trol to increase volume. Press the bottom of the
volume control to decrease volume.
ANTENNA
The antenna cannot be shortened, but can be
removed. When you need to remove the antenna,
turn the antenna rod counterclockwise.
To install the antenna rod, turn the antenna clock-
wise. Tighten the antenna rod to specification
using a suitable tool such as an open-end
wrench. The antenna rod tightening specification
is 2.0 - 2.6 N·m (18 - 23 in-lb) . Do not use pliers
to tighten the antenna as they can leave marks on
the antenna surface. The antenna rod cannot be
hand tightened to the proper specification.
CAUTION
Always properly tighten the antenna rod
during installation or the antenna rod may
break during vehicle operation.
WHA0234
4-28Heater, air conditioner and audio systems
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2003 Xterra(xtr)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
02/24/03Ðtbrooks
X