2004 NISSAN PATHFINDER ESP

When accelating or driving on slippery surfaces
or suddenly avoiding obstacles on roads, the
tires might spin or slip. With the vehicle dynamic
control (VDC) system, sensors detect these
movements and control the braking and engine
output to help improve vehicle stability.

When the vehicle dynamic control system
(TCS) is operating, the slip indicator in the
instrument panel blinks.

When only the traction control system (TCS)
portion of the vehicle dynamic control system
is operating, the slip indicator will also blink.

If the slip indicator blinks, the road conditions
are slippery. Adjust your speed and driving to
the conditions. See “Slip indicator light”, and
“Vehicle dynamic control off indicator light” in
the “2. Instruments and controls” section.

Indicator light
If a malfunction occurs in the system, the
SLIP and
indicator lights come on in
the meter panel.
As long as these warning lights are on, the
traction control function is canceled.
If the vehicle is operated with the vehicle dy-
namic control system turned off, all VDC func-
tions will be turned off. The Active Brake Limited
Slip (ABLS) and ABS system will still operate
with the VDC system off. VDC system includesABLS. The ABLS system works when the one of
driving wheels is spinning on a slippery surface.
The ABLS system brakes the spinning driving
wheel, then distributes the driving power to
another. While the ABLS system or the ABS
system is activated, the slip indicator light will
blink and you may feel a pulsation in the brake
pedal and hear operation sound. 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

The vehicle dynamic control system
is designed to help improve driving
stability but does not prevent acci-
dents due to abrupt steering opera-tion at high speeds or by careless or
dangerous driving techniques. Re-
duce vehicle speed and be especially
careful when driving and cornering
on slippery surfaces and always drive
carefully.

Do not modify the vehicle’s suspen-
sion. The vehicle dynamic control
system may not operate correctly.

If suspension parts such as shock
absorbers, struts, springs and bush-
ings are not standard equipment or
are extremely deteriorated, the ve-
hicle dynamic control system may not
operate properly and the vehicle dy-
namic control OFF indicator light
may come on.

When driving on extremely inclined
surfaces such as higher banked cor-
ners, the vehicle dynamic control sys-
tem may not operate properly or the
vehicle dynamic control off indicator
light may come on. Do not drive on
these types of roads.
VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL
(VDC) SYSTEM (if so equipped)5-36
Starting and driving


04.3.9/R50-D/V5


Jacking up the vehicle and removing
the damaged tire
WARNING

Never get under the vehicle while it is
supported only by the jack.

Use only the jack provided with your
vehicle to lift the vehicle. Do not use
the jack provided with your vehicle
on other vehicles. The jack is de-
signed only for lifting your vehicleduring a tire change.

Use the correct jack up points; never
use any other part of the vehicle for
jack support.

Never jack up the vehicle more than
necessary.

Never use blocks on or under the
jack.

Do not start or run engine while ve-
hicle is on the jack, as it may causethe vehicle to move. This is especially
true for vehicle with limited slip dif-
ferentials.

Do not allow passengers to stay in
the vehicle while it is on the jack.
Carefully read the following instructions.
1. Place the jack directly under the jack-up
point.
The jack should be used on level firm
ground.
2. Loosen each wheel nut one or two turns by
turning counterclockwise with the wheel nut
wrench.
Do not remove the wheel nuts until the tire
is off the ground.
3. Carefully raise the vehicle until the tire clears
the ground. To lift the vehicle, securely hold
the jack lever and rod with both hands as
shown above. Remove the wheel nuts, and
then remove the wheel. Do not remove the
brake drum with the wheel.
SCE0338C
6-6
In case of emergency


04.3.9/R50-D/V5


and tree sap as quickly as possible from the
surface of the paint to avoid lasting damage or
staining. Special cleaning products are available
at your NISSAN dealer or any automotive acces-
sories store.UNDERBODYIn areas where road salt is used in winter, it is
necessary to clean the underbody regularly in
order to prevent dirt and salt from building up
and causing corrosion on the underbody and
suspension. Before the winter period and again
in the spring, the underseal must be checked
and, if necessary, re-treated.GLASSUse glass cleaner to remove smoke and dust film
from the glass surfaces. It is normal for glass to
be coated with a film after the vehicle is parked
in the hot sun. Glass cleaner and a soft cloth will
easily remove this film.
CAUTION
When cleaning the inside of the win-
dow, do not use sharp-edged tools,
abrasive cleaners or chlorine based dis-
infectant cleaners. They could damagethe electrical conductors, radio antenna
elements or rear window defogger ele-
ments.
ALUMINUM ALLOY WHEELSWash regularly, especially during winter months
in areas where road salt is used. Salt could
discolor the wheel if not removed.CHROME PARTSClean all chrome parts regularly with a non-
abrasive chrome polish to maintain the finish.Occasionally remove loose dust from the interior
trim, plastic parts and seats using a vacuum
cleaner or soft brush. Wipe the vinyl and leather
surfaces with a clean, soft cloth dampened in
mild soap solution, then wipe clean with a dry
soft cloth. Before using any fabric protector,
read the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Some fabric protectors contains chemicals that
stain or bleach the seat material. Use a cloth
dampened only with water, to clean the meter
and gauge lens.
CAUTION

Never use gasoline, thinner or any
similar material.

The leather seats should be regularly
coated with a leather wax like saddle
soap. Never use car wax.

Never use fabric protectors unless
recommended by the manufacturer.

Do not use glass or plastic cleaner on
meter or gauge lens covers. It may
damage the lens cover.CLEANING INTERIOR
Appearance and care
7-3


04.3.9/R50-D/V5


FLOOR MATSThe use of Genuine Nissan floor mats can
extend the life of your vehicle carpet and make it
easier to clean the interior.No matter what
mats are used, be sure they are fitted for
your vehicle and are properly positioned in
the footwell to prevent interference with
pedal operation.Mats should be maintained
with regular cleaning and replaced if they be-
come excessively worn.
Floor mat positioning aid
(Driver side only)This model includes a front floor mat bracket to
act as a floor mat positioning aid. NISSAN floor
mats have been specially designed for your
vehicle model. The driver side floor mat has a
grommet hole incorporated in it. Simply position
the mat by placing the floor mat bracket through
the floor mat grommet hole while centering the
mat in the floorpan contour.
Periodically check to make certain the mats are
properly positioned.SEAT BELTSThe seat belts can be cleaned by wiping them
with a sponge dampened in a mild soap solution.
Allow the belts to dry completely before using
them.
WARNING
Do not allow wet belts to roll up in the
retractor. NEVER use bleach, dye or
chemical solvents since these may se-
verely weaken the seat belt webbing.
MOST COMMON FACTORS
CONTRIBUTING TO VEHICLE
CORROSION1. The accumulation of moisture-retaining dirt
and debris in body panel sections, cavities,
and other areas.
2. Damage to paint and other protective coat-
ings caused by gravel and stone chips or
minor traffic accidents.MoistureThe accumulation of sand, dirt and water on the
underside of the body will accelerate corrosion.
Floor sections which have snow and ice trapped
under the floor matting will not dry.Relative humidityCorrosion will be accelerated:

in areas of high relative humidity

especially in areas where the temperatures
stay above freezing

where atmospheric pollution exists

where road salt is used
SAI0009
CORROSIONPROTECTION
7-4
Appearance and care


04.3.9/R50-D/V5


Your new NISSAN has been designed to have
minimum maintenance requirements with longer
service intervals to save you both time and
money. However, some day-to-day and regular
maintenance is essential to maintain your
NISSAN’s good mechanical condition, as well
as its emission and engine performance.
It is the owner’s responsibility to make sure that
scheduled maintenance, as well as general
maintenance, is performed.
As the vehicle owner, you are the only one who
can ensure that your vehicle receives the proper
maintenance care. You are a vital link in the
maintenance chain.
Scheduled maintenance:
For your convenience, both required and op-
tional scheduled maintenance items are de-
scribed and listed in your “Service and Mainte-
nance Guide”. You must refer to that guide to
ensure that necessary maintenance is performed
on your NISSAN at regular intervals.
General maintenance:
General maintenance includes those items
which should be checked during normal day-to-
day operation. They are essential for proper
vehicle operation. It is your responsibility to
perform these procedures regularly as pre-
scribed.Performing general maintenance checks require
minimal mechanical skill and only a few general
automotive tools.
These checks or inspections can be done by
yourself, a qualified technician or, if you prefer,
your NISSAN dealer.
Where to go for service:
If maintenance service is required or your vehicle
appears to malfunction, have the systems
checked and tuned by NISSAN dealer.
NISSAN technicians are well-trained specialists
and are kept up to date with the latest service
information through technical bulletins, service
tips, and in-dealership training programs. They
are completely qualified to work on NISSAN
vehiclesbeforethey work on your vehicle,
rather than after they have worked on it.
You can be confident that your NISSAN dealer’s
service department performs the best job to
meet the maintenance requirements of your ve-
hicle — in a reliable and economic way.During the normal day-to-day operation of the
vehicle, general maintenance should be per-
formed regularly as prescribed in this section. If
you detect any unusual sounds, vibrations or
smell, be sure to check for the cause or have
your NISSAN dealer check it promptly. In addi-
tion, you should notify your NISSAN dealer if you
think that repairs are required.
When performing any checks or maintenance
work, closely observe the “Maintenance precau-
tions” later in this section.
EXPLANATION OF GENERAL
MAINTENANCE ITEMSAdditional information on the following
items with “*” is found later in this section.Outside the vehicleThe maintenance items listed here should be
performed from time to time, unless otherwise
specified.
Doors and engine hood:
Check that all doors and the engine hood oper-
ate properly. Also ensure that all latches lock
securely. Lubricate hinges, latches, rollers and
links if necessary. Make sure that the secondary
latch keeps the hood from opening when the
primary latch is released.
MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS GENERAL MAINTENANCE8-2
Maintenance and do-it-yourself


04.3.9/R50-D/V5


unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of at
least 91 AKI (Anti-Knock Index) number
(VQ35DE engine). However, you may use un-
leaded gasoline with an octane rating as low as
85 AKI (Anti-Knock Index) number in these high
altitude areas [over 4,000 ft (1,219 m)] such as:
Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, Wyo-
ming, northeastern Nevada, southern Idaho,
western South Dakota, western Nebraska, and
that part of Texas which is directly south of New
Mexico.
Using unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating lower than stated above can cause
persistent, heavy spark knock. (Spark
knock is a metallic rapping noise.) If se-
vere, this can lead to engine damage. If you
detect a persistent heavy spark knock even
when using gasoline of the stated octane
rating, or if you hear steady spark knock
while holding a steady speed on level
roads, have your dealer correct the condi-
tion. Failure to correct the condition is
misuse of the vehicle, for which NISSAN is
not responsible.
Incorrect ignition timing will result in knocking,
after-run or overheating. This in turn may cause
excessive fuel consumption or damage to the
engine. If any of the above symptoms are en-
countered, have your vehicle checked at aNISSAN dealer or other competent service fa-
cility.
However, now and then you may notice
light spark knock for a short time while
accelerating or driving up hills. This is no
cause for concern, because you get the
greatest fuel benefit when there is light
spark knock for a short time.
Technical and consumer information
9-5


04.3.9/R50-D/V5


When planning to travel in another country,
you should first find out if the fuel available is
suitable for your vehicle’s engine.
Using fuel with too low an octane rating
may cause engine damage. All gasoline
vehicles can be operated with unleaded
gasoline. Therefore, avoid taking your ve-
hicle to areas where appropriate fuel is not
available.
When transferring the registration of your
vehicle to another country, state, province
or district,it may be necessary to modify the
vehicle to meet local laws and regulations.
The laws and regulations for motor vehicle emis-
sion control and safety standards vary according
to the country, state, province or district; there-
fore, vehicle specifications may differ.
When any vehicle is to be taken into an-
other country, state, province or district
and registered, its modifications, transpor-
tation and registration are the responsibil-
ity of the user. NISSAN is not responsible
for any inconvenience that may result.
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
(VIN) PLATEThe vehicle identification number plate is at-
tached as shown. This number is the identifica-
tion for your vehicle and is used in the vehicle
registration.
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
(Chassis number)
STI0095
STI0227
WHENTRAVELING OR
REGISTERING YOUR VEHICLE IN
ANOTHER COUNTRYVEHICLE IDENTIFICATION9-12
Technical and consumer information


04.3.9/R50-D/V5