2004 NISSAN PATHFINDER check engine

Overdrive switchEach time your vehicle is started, the transmis-
sion is automatically reset to overdrive on.
ON: For normal driving the overdrive switch
is engaged. The transmission is up-
shifted into overdrive as the vehicle
speed increases.
The overdrive does not engage until the
engine has warmed up.
OFF: For driving up and down long slopes
where engine braking would be advan-
tageous, push the overdrive switch. The
O/D OFF light illuminates. When cruis-ing at a low speed or climbing a gentle
slope, you may feel uncomfortable shift
shocks as the transmission shifts be-
tween 3rd and overdrive repeatedly. In
this case, press the overdrive switch.
The O/D OFF indicator light comes on
at this time.
When driving conditions change, press the over-
drive switch again. The O/D OFF indicator light
goes out.
Remember not to drive at high speeds for ex-
tended periods of time with the O/D OFF light
illuminated. This reduces the fuel economy.
Fail-safeWhen the Fail-safe operation occurs, the next
time the key is turned to the ON position, the
O/D OFF light will blink for approximately 8
seconds after coming on for 2 seconds. While
the vehicle can be driven under these circum-
stances please note that the gears in the auto-
matic transmission may be locked in third gear.
If the vehicle is driven under extreme con-
ditions, such as excessive wheel spinning
and subsequent hard braking, the Fail-safe
system may be activated. This will occur
even if all electrical circuits are functioning
properly. In this case, turn the ignition key
OFF and wait for 3 seconds. Then turn thekey back to the ONposition. The vehicle
should return to its normal operating con-
dition. If it does not return to its normal
operating condition have your NISSAN
dealer check the transmission and repair if
necessary.
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4. Before driving, be sure the brake warning
light goes out.
WARNING

Be sure the parking brake is fully
released before driving. Failure to do
so can cause brake failure and lead
to an accident.

Do not release the parking brake
from outside the vehicle.

Do not use the gear shift in place of
the parking brake. When parking, be
sure the parking brake is fully en-
gaged.

Do not leave children unattended in a
vehicle. They could release the park-
ing brake and cause an accident.
WARNING
Do not use the cruise control when driv-
ing under the following conditions:

when it is not possible to keep the
vehicle at a set speed.

in heavy traffic or in traffic that varies
in speed.

on winding or hilly roads.

on slippery roads (rain, snow, ice,
etc.)

in very windy areas.
Doing so could cause a loss of vehicle
control and result in an accident.
CAUTION
On manual transmission models, do not
shift into N(Neutral) without depressing
the clutch pedal when the cruise control
is set. Should this occur, depress the
clutch pedal and turn the main switchoff immediately. Failure to do so may
cause engine damage.
PRECAUTIONS ON CRUISE
CONTROL
If the engine coolant temperature becomes
excessively high, the cruise control system
will automatically be canceled.

If the cruise control system malfunctions, it
cancels automatically. The SET indicator light
in the instrument panel then blinks to warn
the driver.

If the SET indicator light blinks, turn the
cruise control main switch off and have the
system checked by your NISSAN dealer.

The SET indicator light may blink when the
cruise control main switch is turned on while
pushing the RES/ACCEL, COAST/
SET, or CANCEL switch (located on the
steering wheel). To properly set the cruise
control system, perform the preceding steps
in the order indicated.
CRUISE CONTROL (if so
equipped)
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To resume the preset speed,push and re-
lease the ACCEL/RES set switch. The vehicle
will resume the last set cruising speed when the
vehicle speed is over 25 MPH (40 km/h).Precautions
The CRUISE indicator may sometimes blink
when the cruise control switch (Main switch)
is turned ON while pushing the ACCEL/RES
switch or SET/COAST switch or CANCEL
switch (located on the steering wheel). To
properly set the cruise control system per-
form the steps above in the order indicated.
(This is a fail-safe mode. Turn the main switch
OFF and turn it ON again without pushing the
set switch to return to normal operation.)

If the cruise control system malfunctions, it
will cancel automatically. The SET indicator in
the meter assembly will then blink to warn the
driver.

When the SET indicator blinks, turn the
cruise control switch (Main switch) OFF and
have the system checked by your NISSAN
dealer.During the first 1,200 miles (2,000 km), follow
these recommendations to obtain maximum en-
gine performance and ensure the future reliability
and economy of your new vehicle. Failure to
follow these recommendations may result in
shortened engine life and reduced engine per-
formance.

Avoid driving for long periods at constant
speed, either fast or slow. Do not run the
engine over 4,000 rpm.

Do not accelerate at full throttle in any gear.

Avoid quick starts.

Avoid hard braking as much as possible.

Do not tow a trailer for the first 500 miles
(800 km).
Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Maintain
cruising speeds with a constant accelerator
position.

Drive at moderate speeds on the highway.
Driving at high speed will lower fuel economy.

Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking.
Maintain a safe distance behind other ve-
hicles.

Use a proper gear range which suits road
conditions. On level roads, shift into high gear
as soon as possible.

Avoid unnecessary engine idling.

Keep your engine tuned up.

Follow the recommended periodic mainte-
nance schedule.

Keep the tires inflated at the correct pres-
sure. Low pressure will increase tire wear and
waste fuel.

Keep the front wheels in correct alignment.
Improper alignment will cause increased tire
wear and lower fuel economy.

Air conditioner operation lowers fuel
economy. Use the air conditioner only when
necessary.

When cruising at highway speeds, it is more
economical to use the air conditioner and
BREAK-IN SCHEDULE INCREASING FUEL ECONOMY
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come on immediately, make sure the
area around the vehicle is safe, and
drive the vehicle straight, accelerate or
decelerate or move the vehicle in re-
verse, then shift the 4WD shift switch.

If the 4WD warning light comes on, the 4WD
shift indicator light goes out.
CAUTION

When the 4WD shift switch is turned
to the AUTO position at low ambient
temperatures, the 4WD shift indicator
light may show 4H. If this happens,
all four wheels are driven as torque
distribution is in the 4H position. Be
careful as the vehicle may become
difficult to turn. When the vehicle is
driven, the 4WD shift indicator light
should change to AUTO.

If the 4WD shift indicator light indica-
tion changes to 2WD when the 4WD
shift switch is shifted to the AUTO or
4H position at low ambient tempera-
tures, the 2WD mode may be being
engaged due to malfunctioning drivesystem. If the indicator does not re-
turn to normal and the 4WD warning
light comes on, have the system
checked by the nearest NISSAN
dealer.
4WD warning lightThe 4WD warning light is located in the meter.
The 4WD warning light comes on when the key
switch is turned to ON. It turns off soon after the
engine is started.
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If a tire slips on rough roads for more than
10 seconds, the ABS brake warning light
may come on. Turn OFF the ignition key,
restart the engine and drive the vehicle at
speeds above 20 MPH (30 km/h). If the
warning light does not go out, have the
vehicle checked at a NISSAN dealer.Self-test featureThe anti-lock brake system consists of electronic
sensors, electric pumps, 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 pulsation in the brake pedal.
This is normal and is not an indication of any
malfunction. If the computer senses any mal-
function, it switches the anti-lock brake system
OFF and turns on the ABS brake warning light in
the dashboard. The brake system will then be-
have normally, but without anti-lock assistance.
If the light comes on during the self check, or
while you are driving, you should take your
vehicle to your NISSAN dealer for repair at your
earliest convenience.
WARNING
The anti-lock brake system is a sophis-
ticated device, but it cannot prevent ac-
cidents resulting from careless or dan-
gerous driving techniques. It can help
maintain vehicle control during braking
on slippery surfaces, but remember that
the stopping distance on slippery sur-
faces will be longer than on normal
surfaces, even with the anti-lock sys-
tem. Stopping distances may also be
longer on rough, gravel or snow covered
roads, or if you are using tire chains.
Always maintain a safe distance from
the vehicle in front of you. Ultimately,
the responsibility for safety of self and
others rests in the hands of the driver.
Tire type and condition of tires may also
affect braking effectiveness.

When replacing tires, install the
specified size of tires on all four
wheels.

When installing a spare tire, make
sure it is the proper size and type asspecified on the Tire and Loading
Information label. See “Vehicle iden-
tification” in the “9. Technical and
consumer information” section for
Vehicle identification location infor-
mation.
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If the tires other than the recom-
mended ones are used, the vehicle
dynamic control system may not op-
erate properly or the vehicle dynamic
control off indicator light may come
on.

The vehicle dynamic control system
is not a substitute for winter tires or
tire chains on a snow covered road.
FREEING A FROZEN DOOR LOCKTo prevent a door lock from freezing, apply
de-icer or glycerin to it through the key hole. If
the lock becomes frozen, heat the key before
inserting it into the key hole.ANTI-FREEZEIn the winter when it is anticipated that the
temperature will drop below 32°F (0°C), check
anti-freeze to assure proper winter protection.
For details, see “Engine cooling system” in the
“8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section.BATTERYIf the battery is not fully charged during extremely
cold weather conditions, the battery fluid may
freeze and damage the battery. To maintain
maximum efficiency, the battery should be
checked regularly. For details, see “Battery” in
the “8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section.DRAINING OF COOLANT WATERIf the vehicle is to be left outside without anti-
freeze, drain the cooling system by opening the
drain valves located under the radiator and on
the engine block. Refill before operating the
vehicle. See “Engine cooling system” in the “8.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section for
Changing Engine Coolant.
TIRE EQUIPMENT1. SUMMER tires are of a tread design to
provide superior performance on dry pave-
ment. However, the performance of these
tires will be substantially reduced in snowy
and icy conditions. If you operate your vehicle
on snowy or icy roads, NISSAN recommends
the use of MUD & SNOW or ALL SEASON
tires on all four wheels. Please consult your
NISSAN dealer for the tire type, size, speed
rating and availability information.
2. For additional traction on icy roads, studded
tires may be used. However, some Provinces
and States prohibit their use, so, before
installing studded tires, check local, state and
provincial laws.
Skid and traction capabilities of studded
snow tires, on wet or dry surfaces, may be
poorer than that of non-studded snow
tires.
3. TIRE CHAINS may be used if desired. Make
sure they are of proper size for the tires on
your vehicle and are installed according to
the chain manufacturer’s suggestions. Use of
tire chains may be prohibited according to
location. Check the local laws before install-
ing tire chains. When installing tire chains,
make sure they are of proper size for the tires
on your vehicle and are installed according to
COLD WEATHER DRIVING
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LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING
SYSTEM (if so equipped)The low tire pressure warning system monitors
tire pressure of all wheels (except the spare tire).
If the vehicle is being driven with a flat tire or low
tire pressure (lower than 25 psi, 171 kPa), the
low tire pressure warning system will activate
and warn you of it by the low tire pressure
warning light. This system will activate only when
the vehicle is driven at speeds above 20 MPH
(32 km/h). For more details, please refer to
“Warning/indicator lights and audible remind-
ers” in the “2. Instruments and controls” section,
and “Low tire pressure warning system” in the
“5. Starting and driving” section.
WARNING

If the low tire pressure warning light
comes on while driving, avoid sudden
steering maneuvers or abrupt brak-
ing, 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 thetire pressure for all four tires. Adjust
the tire pressure to the recom-
mended COLD tire pressure shown
on the Tire and Loading Information
label to turn the low tire pressure
warning light OFF. If you have a flat
tire, replace it with a spare tire as
soon as possible.

When a spare tire is mounted or a
wheel is replaced, the low tire pres-
sure warning system will not func-
tion. Contact your NISSAN dealer as
soon as possible for tire replacement
and/or system resetting.

Do not inject any tire liquid or aerosol
tire sealant into the tires, as this may
cause a malfunction of the tire pres-
sure sensors.
CHANGING A FLAT TIREIf you have a flat tire, follow the instructions
below.Stopping the vehicle1. Safely move the vehicle off the road away
from traffic.2. Turn on the hazard warning flasher.
3. Park on a level surface and apply the parking
brake. Shift the manual transmission into
reverse (automatic transmission in P).
WARNING


The transfer control lever
must be in the 2H, 4H or 4L position.

Never place the transfer control lever
in the Nposition. Otherwise, the ve-
hicle could roll unexpectedly even if
the manual transmission is in gear or
the automatic transmission is in the
P position. This could result in seri-
ous personal injury or property dam-
age.
All-mode 4WD models:

Make sure the 4WD shift indicator
and/or transfer 4LO position indica-
tor light remains illuminated before
stopping the engine.

Make sure the ATP light is off before
stopping the engine. Otherwise, the
vehicle could roll unexpectedly even
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tioner temperature control to maximum hot
and fan control to high speed.
3. If engine overheating is caused by climbing a
long hill on a hot day, run the engine at a fast
idle (approximately 1,500 rpm) until the tem-
perature gauge indication returns to normal.
4. Get out of the vehicle. Look and listen for
steam or coolant escaping from the radiator
before opening the hood. Do not open the
hood until no further steam or coolant can be
seen.
5. Open the engine hood.
WARNING
If steam or water is coming from the
engine, stand clear to prevent getting
burned.
6. Visually check drive belts for damage or
looseness. Also check if the cooling fan is
running. The radiator hoses and radiator
should not leak water. If coolant is leaking,
the cooling fan belt is missing or loose or the
cooling fan does not run, stop the engine.
WARNING

Be careful not to allow your hands,
hair, jewelry or clothing to come into
contact with, or to get caught in, the
cooling fan, or drive belt.

The engine cooling fan can start at
any time when the coolant tempera-
ture is high.
7. After the engine cools down, check the cool-
ant level in the reservoir tank with the engine
running. Add coolant to the reservoir tank if
necessary. Have your vehicle repaired at the
nearest NISSAN dealer.For information about towing your vehicle behind
a recreational vehicle (RV), refer to “Flat towing”
in the “9. Technical and consumer information”
section of this manual.
When towing your vehicle, all State (Provincial in
Canada) and local regulations for towing must
be followed. Incorrect towing equipment could
damage your vehicle. Towing instructions are
available from your NISSAN dealer. Local ser-
vice operators 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

Never ride in a vehicle that is being
towed.

Never get under your vehicle after it
has been lifted by a tow truck.TOWING YOUR VEHICLE
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