inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can
lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also reduces
fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability. Each
tire, including the spare, should be checked
monthly when cold and set to the recommended
inflation pressure as specified in the vehicle plac-
ard and owner’s manual.
Low pressure warning
If the vehicle is being driven with very low tire
pressure (lower than 28 psi, 193 kPa) , the light
will illuminate and the chime will sound for about
10 seconds.
For additional information, see “Low tire pressure
warning system” in the “Starting and driving”
section and “Low tire pressure warning system”
in the “In case of emergency” section.
WARNING
cIf the light does not come on with the
key switch turned ON, have the vehicle
checked by a NISSAN dealer as soon as
possible.cIf the light comes on while driving,
avoid sudden steering maneuvers or
abrupt braking, reduce vehicle speed,
pull off the road to a safe location and
stop the vehicle as soon as possible.
Serious vehicle damage could occur
and may lead to an accident and could
result in serious personal injury. Check
the tire pressure for all four tires. Adjust
the tire pressure to the recommended
COLD tire pressure shown on the tire
placard to turn the low tire pressure
warning light OFF. If the light still
comes on while driving after adjusting
the tire pressure, a tire may be flat. If
you have a flat tire, replace it with a
spare tire as soon as possible.
cWhen a spare tire is mounted or a wheel
is replaced, tire pressure will not be
indicated and the low tire pressure
warning system will not function. Con-
tact your NISSAN dealer as soon as
possible for tire replacement and/or
system resetting.
CAUTION
cThe low tire pressure warning system is
not a substitute for the regular tire pres-
sure check. Be sure to check the tire
pressure regularly.
cIf the vehicle is being driven at speeds
of less than 20 MPH (32 km/h) , the low
tire pressure warning system may not
operate correctly.
cBe sure to install the specified size of
tires to the 4 wheels correctly.
Low windshield washer fluid
warning light (if so equipped)
This light comes on when the windshield washer
fluid is at a low level. Add windshield washer fluid
as necessary. See the “Maintenance and do-it-
yourself” section of this manual.
Passenger supplemental air
bag OFF indicator light (except
Crew Cab models)
The passenger supplemental air bag is equipped
with an ON/OFF switch. The switch is located in
the center of the instrument panel. When the
switch is turned to the ON position, the passen-
ger supplemental air bag is enabled and could
inflate in a frontal collision. When the switch is
2-12Instruments and controls
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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 surethe 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.
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.
See “Driving the vehicle” in the “Starting and
driving” section of this manual.
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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
(Crew Cab models only)........................3-4
Remote keyless entry system (if so equipped).........3-4
How to use remote keyless entry system..........3-5
Battery replacement............................3-8
Hood............................................3-9
Tubular step rail (if so equipped)...................3-10
Fuel filler lid......................................3-11Fuel filler cap..................................3-11
Steering wheel...................................3-12
Tilt operation (if so equipped)...................3-12
Sun visors.......................................3-13
Vanity mirror (if so equipped)....................3-13
Mirrors..........................................3-13
Inside mirror..................................3-13
Outside mirrors...............................3-13
Outside mirror remote control
(if so equipped)...............................3-14
Truck box........................................3-15
Tailgate.......................................3-15
Tie down hooks...............................3-17
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FUEL FILLER CAP
The fuel filler cap is a ratcheting type. Turn the
cap counterclockwise to remove. To tighten, turn
the cap clockwise until ratcheting clicks are
heard.
Put the fuel filler cap in the cap holder while
fueling.
WARNING
cGasoline is extremely flammable and
highly explosive under certain condi-
tions. You could be burned or seriously
injured if it is misused or mishandled.
Always stop the engine and do not
smoke or allow open flames or sparks
near the vehicle when refueling.
cFuel may be under pressure. Turn the
cap a third of a turn, and wait for any
“hissing” sound to stop to prevent fuel
from spraying out and possibly causing
personal injury. Then remove the cap.cDo not attempt to top off the fuel tank
after the fuel pump nozzle shuts off
automatically. Continued refueling may
cause fuel overflow, resulting in fuel
spray and possibly a fire.
cUse only an original equipment type
fuel filler cap as a replacement. It has a
built-in safety valve needed for proper
operation of the fuel system and emis-
sion control system. An incorrect cap
can result in a serious malfunction and
possible injury. It could also cause the
malfunction indicator lamp to come on.
cNever pour fuel into the throttle body to
attempt to start your vehicle.
cDo not fill a portable fuel container on a
truck bed liner, rubber truck bed mad,
or other insulating material. Static elec-
tricity can cause an explosion of flam-
mable liquid, vapor or gas in any vehicle
or trailer. To reduce the risk of serious
injury or death when filling portable fuel
containers:
– Always place the container on the
ground when filling.
– Do not use electronic devices when
filling.
WPD0276WPD0277
FUEL FILLER LID
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– Keep the pump nozzle in contact
with the container while you are fill-
ing it.
– Use only approved portable fuel con-
tainers for flammable liquid.
CAUTION
cIf fuel is spilled on the vehicle body,
flush it away with water to avoid paint
damage.
cTighten until the fuel filler cap clicks.
Failure to tighten the fuel filler cap
properly may cause the
mal-
function indicator lamp (MIL) to illumi-
nate. If the
lamp illuminates be-
cause 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 the
lamp
does not turn off after a few driving
trips, have the vehicle inspected by a
NISSAN dealer.cFor additional information, see the
“Malfunction indicator lamp (MIL)” in
the “Instruments and Controls” section
earlier in this manual.
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.
WPD0167
STEERING WHEEL
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A!B!C!CD Mode
The 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 3.4 - 3.6 N·m (30 - 32 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.When installing a CB, ham radio or car phone in
your NISSAN, be sure to observe the following
cautions, otherwise the new equipment may ad-
versely affect the MFI (Multiport Fuel Injection)
system and other electronic parts.
WARNING
cA cellular telephone should not be used
while driving so full attention may be
given to vehicle operation. Some juris-
dictions prohibit the use of cellular tele-
phones while driving.
cIf you must make a call while your ve-
hicle is in motion, the hands free cellu-
lar phone operational mode (if so
equipped) is highly recommended. Ex-
ercise extreme caution at all times so
full attention may be given to vehicle
operation.
cIf a conversation in a moving vehicle
requires you to take notes, pull off the
road to a safe location and stop your
vehicle before doing so.
CAUTION
cKeep the antenna as far away as pos-
sible from the Engine Control Module
(ECM) .
CAR PHONE OR CB RADIO
Heater, air conditioner and audio systems4-29
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cKeep the antenna wire more than 8 in
(20 cm) away from the Multiport Fuel
Injection harness. Do not route the an-
tenna wire next to any harness.
cAdjust the antenna standing-wave ratio
as recommended by the manufacturer.
cConnect the ground wire from the CB
radio chassis to the body.
cFor details, consult a NISSAN dealer.
4-30Heater, air conditioner and audio systems
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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................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...........................5-16
Parking brake....................................5-18
Cruise control (if so equipped).....................5-19
Precautions on cruise control...................5-19
Cruise control operations.......................5-20Break-in schedule................................5-21
Increasing fuel economy...........................5-21
Using four wheel drive (4WD).............5-22
Transfer case shifting procedures...............5-22
Auto-lock free-running hubs............5-23
Parking/parking on hills............................5-26
Power steering...................................5-27
Brake system....................................5-28
Brake precautions.............................5-28
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)...................5-28
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) system
(if so equipped)..................................5-30
Cold weather driving..............................5-31
Freeing a frozen door lock......................5-31
Anti-freeze....................................5-31
Battery.......................................5-31
Draining of coolant water.......................5-31
Tire equipment................................5-31
Special winter equipment.......................5-32
Driving on snow or ice.........................5-32
Engine block heater (if so equipped).............5-32
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