
Locking the tailgate
To lock the tailgate, turn the key toward the pas-
senger side of the vehicle
s1. To unlock, turn the
key toward the driver side
s2.
TIE DOWN HOOKS
For your convenience, tie down hooks are placed
at each corner of the truck box. These may be
used to help secure cargo loaded into the truck
box.
cThe weight of the cargo load must be evenly
distributed over both the front and the rear
axles.
cAll cargo should be securely fastened with
ropes or straps to prevent it from shifting or
sliding within the vehicle.
WARNING
cProperly secure all cargo with ropes or
straps to help prevent it from sliding or
shifting. In a sudden stop or collision,
unsecured cargo could cause personal
injury.
WPD0275WPD0178
Pre-driving checks and adjustments3-17
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Truck/Frontier(d22)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
11/21/03Ðdebbie
X

Adjust air flow direction for the driver sides1,
center
s2, and passenger sides3ventilators by
moving the ventilator slide and/or ventilator as-
semblies.
WARNING
cThe air conditioner cooling function op-
erates only when the engine is running.
cOn hot, sunny days, temperatures in a
closed vehicle could quickly become
high enough to cause severe or possi-
bly fatal injuries to people or animals.
Do not leave children or adults who
would normally require the support of
others in your vehicle. Unattended pets
should not be left alone either.
cDo not use the recirculation mode for
long periods as it may cause the interior
air to become stale and the windows to
fog up.
cPositioning of the heater and/or air
conditioner controls should not be
done while driving so full attention may
be given to vehicle operation.
WHA0223
VENTILATORSHEATER AND AIR CONDITIONER
(manual)
4-2Heater, air conditioner and audio systems
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Truck/Frontier(d22)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
11/21/03Ðdebbie
X

The air conditioner system in your NISSAN ve-
hicle is charged with a refrigerant designed with
the environment in mind.
This refrigerant does not harm the earth’s
ozone layer.
Special charging equipment and lubricant is re-
quired when servicing your NISSAN air condi-
tioner. Using improper refrigerants or lubricants
will cause severe damage to your air conditioner
system. See “Air conditioner system refrigerant
and lubricant recommendations” in the “Techni-
cal and consumer information” section of this
manual.
A NISSAN dealer is able to service your “environ-
mentally friendly” air conditioning system.
WARNING
The air conditioner system contains re-
frigerant under high pressure. To avoid
personal injury, any air conditioner ser-
vice should be done only by an experi-
enced technician with proper equipment.
LHA0424
SERVICING AIR CONDITIONER
Heater, air conditioner and audio systems4-9
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Truck/Frontier(d22)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
11/21/03Ðdebbie
X

Adjusting tone quality and speaker balance
To adjust the audio levels for bass, treble, fader,
and balance, push the AUDIO button and adjust
the level with the SEEK/TRACK button. Press the
AUDIO button once for BASS (bass) , twice for
TREB (treble) , 3 times for FAD (fader) and 4times for BAL (balance) . Once the audio level is
set the display will return back to radio or CD
display mode after 7 seconds or the AUDIO
button can be pressed again within 7 seconds to
set the next audio level. Pressing the AUDIO
button a fifth time will return the display back to
radio or CD display mode.
Fader adjusts the sound level between the front
and rear speakers, balance adjusts the sound
level between the right and left speakers.
Clock set
1. Press and hold the MENU button until it
beeps (longer than 2 seconds) .
2. The hours will start flashing. Press
SEEK/TRACK (
or) to adjust the
hours.
3. Press the MENU button until the radio beeps
to switch to the minute adjustment.
4. The minutes will start flashing. Press
SEEK/TRACK (
or) to adjust the min-
utes.
5. Press the MENU button again to exit the
clock set mode.
The display will return to the regular clock display
after 7 seconds, or you may press the MENU
button again to return to the regular clock display.
FM-AM radio operation
FM-AM band select
Push the
button to change from AM to FM
reception.
The FM stereo indicator, ST, illuminates during
FM stereo reception. When the stereo broadcast
signal is weak, the radio automatically changes
from stereo to monaural reception.
SEEK/manual/SCAN
tuning
When the
button is pushed while the radio
is playing, tuning mode is cycled between:
SEEK tuning!manual tuning!SCAN mode
“TUNE” and “SCAN” are shown in the display for
each mode. No icon is displayed for SEEK mode.
WARNING
The radio should not be tuned while driv-
ing so full attention may be given to ve-
hicle operation.
SEEK tuning
Push the SEEK/TRACK tuning button (
or) for less than 1.5 seconds. SEEK tuning
begins from low to high frequencies or high to
low frequencies, depending on which button is
LHA0118
Heater, air conditioner and audio systems4-13
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Truck/Frontier(d22)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
11/21/03Ðdebbie
X

Adjusting tone quality and speaker balance
Press the AUDIO button to enter the audio adjust
mode:
Bass!Mid!Treb!Fade!Bal
Press the TUNE/FF-REV (
or)or
SEEK/TRACK (or) to adjust to the de-
sired levels. The display will return to the regular
radio display after 7 seconds, or you may press
the AUDIO button again to return to the regular
radio display.
Clock operation
Pressing the CLOCK button displays the clock
with the radio on or off. Press the CLOCK button
again to turn off the clock display.
Clock set
1. Press and hold the CLOCK button until it
beeps (>2 seconds) .
2. The hours will start flashing. Press
TUNE/FF-REV (
or)or
SEEK/TRACK (or) to adjust the
hours.
3. Press the CLOCK button to switch to the
minute adjustment.
4. Press TUNE/FF-REV (
or)or
SEEK/TRACK (or) to adjust the min-
utes.5. Press the CLOCK button again to exit the
clock set mode.
The display will return to the regular clock display
after 7 seconds, or you may press the CLOCK
button again to return to the regular clock display.
FM-AM radio operation
FM-AM band select
Push the AM or the FM button to change from AM
to FM reception.
The FM stereo indicator, ST, illuminates during
FM stereo reception. When the stereo broadcast
signal is weak, the radio automatically changes
from stereo to monaural reception.
TUNE/FF—REV
WARNING
The radio should not be tuned while driv-
ing so full attention may be given to ve-
hicle operation.
Use the
andbuttons for manual
tuning. To move quickly through the channels,
hold the tuning buttons down.
SEEK tuning
Push SEEK/TRACK tuning button (
or).
SEEK tuning begins from low to high frequencies
or high to low frequencies, depending on which
button is pressed, and stops at the next broad-
casting station. If using the up button, once the
highest broadcasting station is reached, the ra-
dio continues in the SEEK mode at the lowest
broadcasting station. If using the down button,
once the lowest broadcasting station is reached,
the radio continues in the SEEK mode at the
highest broadcasting station.
SCAN tuning
Push the SCAN button. SCAN illuminates in the
display window. SCAN tuning begins from low to
high frequencies. SCAN tuning stops for 5 sec-
onds at each broadcasting station that has suffi-
cient signal strength. When scanning, SCAN
blinks in the display. Pushing the SCAN button
again during this 5 second period stops SCAN
tuning and the radio remains tuned to that station.
4-18Heater, air conditioner and audio systems
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Truck/Frontier(d22)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
11/21/03Ðdebbie
X

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
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Truck/Frontier(d22)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
11/21/03Ðdebbie
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................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
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Truck/Frontier(d22)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
11/21/03Ðdebbie
X

WARNING
cOn hot, sunny days, temperatures in a
closed vehicle could quickly become
high enough to cause severe or possi-
bly fatal injuries to people or animals.
Do not leave children or adults who
would normally require the support of
others in your vehicle. Unattended pets
should not be left alone either.
cProperly secure all cargo with ropes or
straps to help prevent it from sliding or
shifting. Do not place cargo higher than
the seatbacks. In a sudden stop or col-
lision, unsecured cargo could cause
personal injury.
EXHAUST GAS (carbon monoxide)
WARNING
cDo not breathe exhaust gases; they
contain colorless and odorless carbon
monoxide. Carbon monoxide is danger-
ous. It can cause unconsciousness or
death.
cIf you suspect that exhaust fumes are
entering the vehicle, drive with all win-
dows fully open, and have the vehicle
inspected immediately.cDo not run the engine in closed spaces
such as a garage.
cDo not park the vehicle with the engine
running for any extended length of time.
cIf a special body, camper, or other
equipment is added for recreational or
other usage, follow the manufacturer’s
recommendation to prevent carbon
monoxide entry into the vehicle. Do not
occupy these areas while the engine is
running even if the vehicle is parked.
Some recreational vehicle appliances
such as stoves, refrigerators, heaters,
etc. may also generate carbon
monoxide.
cThe exhaust system and body should be
inspected by a qualified mechanic
whenever:
a. The vehicle is raised for service.
b. You suspect that exhaust fumes are
entering into the passenger
compartment.
c. You notice a change in the sound of
the exhaust system.
d. You have had an accident involving
damage to the exhaust system, un-
derbody, or rear of the vehicle.
THREE-WAY CATALYST
The three-way catalyst is an emission control
device installed in the exhaust system. Exhaust
gases in the three-way catalyst are burned at
high temperatures to help reduce pollutants.
WARNING
cThe exhaust gas and the exhaust sys-
tem are very hot. Keep people, animals
or flammable materials away from the
exhaust system components.
cDo not stop or park the vehicle over
flammable materials such as dry grass,
waste paper or rags. They may ignite
and cause a fire.
CAUTION
cDo not use leaded gasoline. Deposits
from leaded gasoline will seriously re-
duce the three-way catalyst’s ability to
help reduce exhaust pollutants.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN STARTING
AND DRIVING
5-2Starting and driving
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Truck/Frontier(d22)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
11/21/03Ðdebbie
X