2003 NISSAN XTERRA power steering

1. Headlight/turn signal switch
2. Meters and gauges
3. Windshield wiper/washer switch
4. Power point
5. Heater and air conditioner
6. Front passenger supplemental air bag
7. Glove box
8. Audio system
9. Hazard warning flasher switch
10. Automatic/manual selector lever
11. Transfer case shift lever (if so
equipped)
12. Parking brake release lever
13. Cruise control main/set switch (if so
equipped)
14. Driver supplemental air bag
15. Steering wheel switch for audio con-
trols (if so equipped)
16. Vehicle dynamics control (VDC) off
switch (if so equipped)
WIC0366
INSTRUMENT PANEL
2-2Instruments 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
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Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
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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

5 Starting and driving
Precautions when starting and driving................5-2
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide)..................5-2
Three-way catalyst..............................5-2
Low tire pressure warning system
(if so equipped)................................5-3
On-pavement and off-road driving
precautions....................................5-4
Avoiding collision and rollover....................5-4
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving................5-5
Driving safety precautions.......................5-5
Ignition switch.....................................5-7
Automatic transmission..........................5-7
Manual transmission............................5-8
Key positions..................................5-8
Before starting the engine..........................5-9
Starting the engine................................5-9
Driving the vehicle................................5-10
Automatic transmission (if so equipped)..........5-10
Manual transmission...........................5-13
Parking brake....................................5-15
Cruise control (if so equipped).....................5-16
Precautions on cruise control...................5-16Cruise control operations.......................5-17
Break-in schedule................................5-18
Increasing fuel economy...........................5-18
Using four wheel drive (4WD)......................5-19
Transfer case shifting procedures...............5-19
Auto-lock free-running hubs............5-20
Parking/parking on hills............................5-22
Power steering...................................5-23
Brake system....................................5-23
Brake precautions.............................5-23
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)..................5-24
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) system
(if so equipped)..................................5-25
Cold weather driving..............................5-27
Freeing a frozen door lock......................5-27
Anti-freeze....................................5-27
Battery.......................................5-27
Draining of coolant water.......................5-27
Tire equipment................................5-27
Special winter equipment.......................5-28
Driving on snow or ice.........................5-28
Engine block heater (if so equipped).............5-28
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2003 Xterra(xtr)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
02/24/03Ðtbrooks
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2.Manual transmission models:
Place the shift lever in the R (Reverse) posi-
tion. When parking on an uphill grade, place
the shift lever in 1st gear.
Automatic transmission models:
Move the shift selector lever to the P (Park)
position.
3. To help prevent the vehicle from rolling into
traffic when parked on an incline, it is a good
practice to turn the wheels as illustrated.
cHEADED DOWNHILL WITH CURB:
s1
Turn the wheels into the curb and move the
vehicle forward until the curb side wheel
gently touches the curb.
cHEADED UPHILL WITH CURB:
s2
Turn the wheels away from the curb and
move the vehicle back until the curb side
wheel gently touches the curb.
cHEADED UPHILL OR DOWNHILL, NO
CURB:
s3
Turn the wheels toward the side of the road
so the vehicle will move away from the cen-
ter of the road if it moves.
4. Turn the ignition key to the LOCK position
and remove the key.The power assisted steering is designed to use a
hydraulic pump, driven by the engine, to assist
steering.
If the engine stops or the drive belt breaks, you
will still have control of the vehicle. However,
much greater steering effort is needed, especially
in sharp turns and at low speeds.
WARNING
If the engine is not running or is turned off
while driving, the power assist for the
steering will not work. Steering will be
much harder to operate.The brake system has two separate hydraulic
circuits. If one circuit malfunctions, you will still
have braking at two wheels.
BRAKE PRECAUTIONS
Vacuum assisted brakes
The 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 stopping dis-
tance will be longer.
Using the brakes
Avoid 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 reduce brake wear and to prevent the
brakes from overheating, reduce speed and
downshift to a lower gear before going down a
slope or long grade. Overheated brakes may
reduce braking performance and could result in
loss of vehicle control.
POWER STEERING BRAKE SYSTEM
Starting and driving5-23
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Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
03/05/03Ðtmchalpi
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WARNING
cWhile driving on a slippery surface, be
careful when braking, accelerating or
downshifting. Abrupt braking or accel-
erating could cause the wheels to skid
and result in an accident.
cIf the engine is not running or is turned
off while driving, the power assist for
the brakes will not work. Braking will be
harder.
Wet brakes
When 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 the 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.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS)
The anti-lock brake system controls the brakes at
each wheel so the wheels do not lock when
braking abruptly or when braking on slippery sur-
faces. The system detects the rotation speed at
each wheel and varies the brake fluid pressure toprevent each wheel from locking and sliding. By
preventing wheel lockup, the system helps the
driver maintain steering control and helps to mini-
mize swerving and spinning on slippery surfaces.
Using the system
Depress the brake pedal and hold it down.
WARNING
Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so
may result in increased stopping
distances.
Normal operation
The anti-lock brake system does not operate at
speeds below3-6MPH(5-10km/h) . (The
speeds vary according to road conditions.)
When driving, the anti-lock brake system con-
trols the wheels so they will not lock when brak-
ing abruptly or when braking on a slippery road.
Thus, difficult steering and swerving of the ve-
hicle due to locked wheels is minimized. The
system detects the wheel rotation rate and elec-
tronically controls the pressure applied to each
brake. Slight vibration on the brake pedal accom-
panied by noise usually occurs while the ABS
system is operating. Such vibration and noise
encountered during abrupt braking is not a prob-
lem, but indicates that the system is functioningproperly. However, the pulsation may indicate
that road conditions are hazardous and extra care
is required while driving.
Self-test feature
The anti-lock brake system consists of electronic
sensors 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 pulsa-
tion in the brake pedal. This is normal and is not
an indication of any malfunction. If the computer
senses any malfunction, it switches the anti-lock
brake system off and turns on the ABS brake
warning light on the instrument panel. The brake
system then operates normally, but without anti-
lock assistance.
If a malfunction occurs in the system, the anti-
lock function will not operate, but the standard
vehicle brake system will continue to operate
normally. The ABS brake warning light will then
come on.
If the light comes on during the self-test or while
driving, take the vehicle to a NISSAN dealer for
repair.
5-24Starting and driving
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2003 Xterra(xtr)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
02/24/03Ðtbrooks
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wheel which distributes the driving power to the
other drive wheel. If the vehicle is operated with
the vehicle dynamic control system off, all VDC
and TCS functions will be turned off. The brake
LSD system and ABS will still operate with the
VDC system OFF. If the brake LSD system or the
ABS is activated, the slip indicator light will blink
and you may hear a clunk noise and/or feel a
pulsation in the brake pedal. 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
cThe vehicle dynamic control system is
designed to help improve driving stabil-
ity but does not prevent accidents due
to abrupt steering operation at high
speeds or by careless or dangerous
driving techniques. Reduce vehicle
speed and be especially careful when
driving and cornering on slippery sur-
faces and always drive carefully.
cIf suspension parts such as shock ab-
sorbers, struts, springs and bushings
are not standard equipment or are ex-
tremely deteriorated, the vehicle dy-
namic control off indicator light may
come on.
cWhen driving on extremely inclined sur-
faces such as higher banked corners,
the vehicle dynamic control system may
not operate properly or the vehicle dy-
namic control off indicator light may
come on. Do not drive on these types of
roads.
cIf the tires other than the recommended
ones are used, the vehicle dynamic con-
trol system may not operate properly or
the vehicle dynamic control off indica-
tor light may come on.cThe vehicle dynamic control system is
not a substitute for winter tires or tire
chains on a snow covered road.
5-26Starting and driving
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Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
02/24/03Ðtbrooks
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When towing your vehicle, all State (Provincial in
Canada) and local regulations for towing must be
followed. Incorrect towing equipment could dam-
age your vehicle. Towing instructions are avail-
able from a NISSAN dealer. Local service opera-
tors are generally familiar with the applicable laws
and procedures for towing. To assure proper
towing and to prevent accidental damage to your
vehicle, NISSAN recommends having a service
operator tow your vehicle. It is advisable to have
the service operator carefully read the following
precautions:
WARNING
cNever ride in a vehicle that is being
towed.
cNever get under your vehicle after it has
been lifted by a tow truck.
CAUTION
cWhen towing, make sure that the trans-
mission, axles, steering system and
powertrain are in working condition. If
any unit is damaged, dollies must be
used.
cAlways attach safety chains before
towing.
TOWING RECOMMENDED BY
NISSANTwo-wheel drive models
NISSAN recommends that your vehicle be towed
with the driving (rear) wheels off the ground or
place the vehicle on a flat bed truck as illustrated.
CAUTION
cNever tow automatic transmission
models with the rear wheels on the
ground or four wheels on the ground
(forward or backward) , as this may
cause serious and expensive damage to
the transmission. If it is necessary to
tow the vehicle with the front wheels
raised always use towing dollies under
the rear wheels.
cWhen towing automatic or manual
transmission models with the front
wheels on the ground or on towing
dollies:
– Turn the ignition key to the OFF posi-
tion, and secure the steering wheel in a
straight-ahead position with a rope or
similar device. Never secure the steer-
ing wheel by turning the ignition key to
the LOCK position. This may damage
the steering lock mechanism.
ACE1037
TOWING YOUR VEHICLE
In case of emergency6-13
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2003 Xterra(xtr)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
02/24/03Ðtbrooks
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