2004 NISSAN PATHFINDER service

When going down a hill, shift into a lower
gear and use the engine braking effect.
When going up a long grade, downshift the
transmission to a lower gear and reduce
speed to reduce chances of engine overload-
ing and/or overheating.
However, for long steep grades, do not stay in
1st or 2nd gear when driving above 35 MPH (56
km/h).

If the engine coolant rises to an extremely
high temperature when the air conditioning
system is on, turn off the air conditioner.
Coolant heat can be additionally vented by
opening the windows, switching the fan con-
trol to high and setting the temperature con-
trol to the HOT position.

Trailer towing requires more fuel than normal
circumstances.

Avoid towing a trailer for the first 500 miles
(805 km).

Have your vehicle serviced more often than at
intervals specified in the recommended Main-
tenance Schedule in the “NISSAN Service
and Maintenance fluid”.

When making a turn, your trailer wheels will
be closer to the inside of the turn than your
vehicle wheels. To compensate for this, makea larger than normal turning radius during the
turn.

Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely
affect vehicle/trailer handling, possibly caus-
ing vehicle sway. When being passed by
larger vehicles, be prepared for possible
changes in crosswinds that could affect ve-
hicle handling. If swaying does occur, firmly
grip the steering wheel, steer straight ahead,
and immediately (but gradually) reduce ve-
hicle speed. This combination will help stabi-
lize the vehicle. Never increase speed.

Be careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires con-
siderably more distance than normal passing.
Remember the length of the trailer must also
pass the other vehicle before you can safely
change lanes.

To maintain engine braking efficiency and
electrical charging performance, do not use
sixth gear (manual transmission) or fifth posi-
tion (automatic transmission).

Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long
or too frequently. This could cause the brakes
to overheat, resulting in reduced braking ef-
ficiency.
When towing a trailer, the transmission
oil/fluid should be changed more fre-quently. For additional information, see
the “8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself”
section earlier in this manual.
FLAT TOWINGTowing your vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground is sometimes called flat towing. This
method is sometimes used when towing a ve-
hicle behind a recreational vehicle, such as a
motor home.
CAUTION

Failure to follow these guidelines
can result in severe transmission
damage.

Whenever flat towing your vehicle,
always tow forward, never backward.

DO NOT tow any automatic transmis-
sion vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground (flat towing). Doing so
WILL DAMAGE internal transmission
parts due to lack of transmission lu-
brication.

For emergency towing procedures re-
fer to “Towing Recommended by
9-22
Technical and consumer information


04.3.9/R50-D/V5


NISSAN” in the “6. In case of emer-
gency” section of this manual.
Automatic transmissionTo tow a vehicle equipped with an automatic
transmission, an appropriate vehicle dollyMUST
be placed under the towed vehicle’s drive
wheels.Alwaysfollow the dolly manufacturer’s
recommendations when using their product.Manual transmissionAll mode 4WD (four wheel drive) models:
Never tow All mode 4WD models with any of the
wheels on the ground.
Part time four wheel drive models:

Move the transfer case shift lever to the 2H
position.

Move the transmission shift lever to the N
(Neutral) position.
Two wheel drive models:
Move the transmission shift lever to the N (Neu-
tral) position.

Always tow with the manual transmission in
Neutral.
After towing 500 miles, start and idle the
engine with the transmission in Neutral for
two minutes. Failure to idle the engine after
every 500 miles of towing may cause damage
to the transmission’s internal parts.

Always release the parking brake.
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADINGDOT (Department of Transportation) Quality
Grades: All passenger car tire must conform to
Federal Safety Requirements in addition to these
grades.
Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature ATreadwearTreadwear grade is a comparative rating based
on tire wear rate when tested under controlled
conditions on specified government test
courses. For example, a tire graded 150 would
wear one and a half (1-1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100. How-
ever, relative tire performance depends on actual
driving conditions, and may vary significantly due
to variations in driving habits, service practices
and differences in road characteristics and cli-
mate.
Traction AA, A, B and CThe traction grades from highest to lowest are
AA, A, B, and C. Those grades represent the
tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as mea-
sured under controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asphalt and con-
crete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to your ve-
hicle tires is based on straight-ahead
braking traction tests, and does not in-
clude acceleration, cornering, hydro-
planing, or peak traction characteristics.Temperature A, B and CTemperature grades are A (the highest), B, and
C. They represent a tire’s resistance to heat
build-up, and its ability to dissipate heat when
tested under controlled conditions on a speci-
fied indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause tire material to degener-
ate, reducing tire life. Excessive temperatures
can lead to sudden tire failure. Grade C corre-
sponds to a performance level which all passen-
ger car tires must meet under the Federal MotorTechnical and consumer information
9-23


04.3.9/R50-D/V5


A genuine NISSAN Service Manual is the best
source of service and repair information for your
vehicle. Filled with wiring diagrams, illustrations
and step-by-step diagnostic and adjustment
procedures, this manual is the same one used by
the factory trained technicians working at autho-
rized NISSAN dealerships. Also available are
genuine NISSAN Owner’s Manuals, and genu-
ine NISSAN Service and Owner’s Manuals for
older NISSAN models.In the USA:
For current pricing and availability of genuine
NISSAN Service Manualsfor the 2000 model
year and later, contact:
Tweddle Litho Company
1-800-639-8841
www.nissan-techinfo.com
For current pricing and availability of genuine
NISSAN Service Manualsfor the 1999 model
year and prior, see an authorized NISSAN
dealer, or contact:
DDS Distribution Services, Ltd.
20770 Westwood Dr.
Strongsville OH 44136
1-800-247-5321For current pricing and availability of genuine
NISSAN Owner’s Manualsfor the 2002
model year and prior, see an authorized NISSAN
dealer, or contact:
DDS Distribution Services, Ltd.
20770 Westwood Dr.
Strongsville OH 44136
1-800-247-5321
In Canada:
To purchase a copy of a genuine NISSAN
Service Manual or Owner’s Manual please con-
tact your nearest NISSAN dealer. For the phone
number and location of a NISSAN Dealer in your
area call the NISSAN Satisfaction Center at
1-800-387-0122 and a bilingual
NISSAN representative will assist you.
Also available are Genuine NISSAN Service and
Owner’s Manuals for older NISSAN models.
IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISIONUnfortunately, accidents do occur. In this unlikely
event, there is some important information you
should know. Many insurance companies rou-
tinely authorize the use of non-genuine collision
parts in order to cut costs, among other reasons.
OWNER’S MANUAL/SERVICE
MANUAL ORDER INFORMATION
Technical and consumer information
9-27


04.3.9/R50-D/V5


10 Index
A
ABS (Anti-lock brake system)................................ 5-34
Air bag warning labels ............................................. 1-21
Air bag warning light .................................... 1-21, 2-13
Air cleaner housing filter.......................................... 8-20
Air conditioner
Air conditioner operation ..................................... 4-2
Air conditioner service ............................. 4-2, 4-12
Air conditioner specification label .................. 9-14
Air conditioning system refrigerant and lubricant
recommendations ...................................... 4-12, 9-7
Heater and air conditioner controls.................. 4-2
Servicing air conditioner...................................... 4-2
Air flow charts............................................................... 4-5
Alcohol, drugs and driving......................................... 5-5
Anchor point locations, Top tether strap ............ 1-43
Antenna ........................................................................ 4-29
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) .............................. 5-34
Anti-lock brake warning light .................................... 2-9
Appearance care
Exterior appearance care .................................... 7-2
Interior appearance care ..................................... 7-3
Armrest ........................................................................... 1-9
Ashtray (See cigarette lighter and ashtray) ........ 2-29
ATP warning light ...................................................... 2-10
Audible reminders ..................................................... 2-16
Audio operation precautions .................................. 4-14
Audio system .............................................................. 4-13Steering wheel audio controls ........................ 4-28
Autochanger, Compact Disc (CD) ....................... 4-26
Automatic
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ................ 8-14
Drive positioner ................................................... 3-17
Driving with automatic transmission ..... 5-7, 5-11
Seat positioner, seat .......................................... 3-17
Transmission park warning light ..................... 2-10
Transmission selector lever lock release ...... 5-14
Avoiding collision and rollover .................................. 5-5
B
Back door.................................................................... 3-10
Battery .......................................................................... 8-18
Battery saver system ......................................... 2-22
Battery replacement
Intelligent Key system .......................................... 3-8
Remote keyless entry system............................. 3-8
Before starting the engine ...................................... 5-10
Belts (See drive belts) ............................................. 8-19
Brake
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) ......................... 5-34
Brake and clutch fluid ....................................... 8-16
Brake booster ...................................................... 8-23
Brake fluid............................................................. 8-16
Brake pedal .......................................................... 8-22
Brake pedal check ............................................. 8-23
Brake system ....................................................... 5-34Parking brake check............................... 5-17, 8-22
Parking brake operation .................................... 5-17
Warning light ....................................................... 2-11
Break-in schedule ..................................................... 5-20
Brightness control, Instrument panel ................... 2-23
Bulbcheck/instrument panel .................................... 2-9
Bulbreplacement ............................................. 8-3, 8-27
C
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants...... 9-2
Car phone or CB radio............................................ 4-31
Cargo (See vehicle loading information)............. 2-37
Cargo net .................................................................... 2-37
Cassette player (See audio system) ........ 4-18, 4-25
Catalytic converter, Three way catalyst ................. 5-3
CD care and cleaning .............................................. 4-28
Child restraints ........................................................... 1-32
Installation on front passenger seat............... 1-44
Installation on rear seat center position........ 1-34
Installation on rear seat outboard
positions ................................................................ 1-36
Precautions on child restraints........................ 1-32
Top tether strap anchor point locations ....... 1-43
With top tether strap ......................................... 1-42
Child safety ................................................................. 1-25
Child safety rear door lock ........................................ 3-4
Chimes
Audible reminders............................................... 2-16


04.3.9/R50-D/V5


Replacement ............................................... 8-3, 8-27
Vanity mirror light ................................................ 2-44
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders ..................................................... 2-9, 2-14
Loading information (See vehicle loading
information) ................................................................. 9-14
Lock
Back door lock .................................................... 3-10
Door locks ............................................................... 3-2
Glass hatch lock ................................................. 3-11
Glove box lock..................................................... 2-33
Power door lock .................................................... 3-2
Lockout protection....................................................... 3-4
Low fuel warning light .............................................. 2-12
Low tire pressure warning light ............................. 2-12
Low tire pressure warning system ................. 5-3, 6-2
Luggage hooks .......................................................... 2-35
Luggage rack ............................................................. 2-38
Luggage side console box...................................... 2-34
M
Maintenance
Battery ................................................................... 8-18
General maintenance ........................................... 8-2
Inside the vehicle................................................... 8-3
Maintenance precautions .................................... 8-5
Maintenance requirements.................................. 8-2
Outside the vehicle............................................... 8-2
Seat belt maintenance ...................................... 1-32
Malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) ........................... 2-14
Manual front seat adjustment ................................... 1-2
Meters and gauges ..................................................... 2-3Meters and gauges, Instrument brightness
control .......................................................................... 2-23
Mirror
Inside mirror ......................................................... 3-16
Outside mirror control ....................................... 3-16
Outside mirrors ................................................... 3-16
N
Net, Cargo net ........................................................... 2-37
New vehicle break-in ................................................ 5-20
Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System ...................... 2-17
Engine start............................................................. 5-9
O
Odometer ....................................................................... 2-3
Oil
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................................. 9-2
Changing engine oil ........................................... 8-12
Checking engine oil level ................................. 8-11
Engine oil .............................................................. 8-11
Engine oil viscosity ............................................... 9-6
Outside mirror control .............................................. 3-16
Outside mirrors .......................................................... 3-16
Outside temperature display..................................... 2-6
Overdrive switch........................................................ 5-15
Overheat, If your vehicle overheats ...................... 6-11
Owner’s Manual/Service Manual order
information................................................................... 9-27P
Parking
Brake check ......................................................... 8-22
Parking brake check .......................................... 5-17
Parking brake operation .................................... 5-17
Parking on hills .................................................... 5-17
Parking/parking on hills ........................................... 5-32
Personal lights............................................................ 2-43
Phone, Car phone or CB radio ............................. 4-31
Power
Front seat adjustment .......................................... 1-4
Power door lock .................................................... 3-2
Power outlet ......................................................... 2-28
Power steering fluid ........................................... 8-15
Power steering system ...................................... 5-33
Power windows................................................... 2-39
Pre-tensioner seat belt system .............................. 1-20
Precautions
Audio operation ................................................... 4-14
Braking precautions ........................................... 5-34
Child restraints .................................................... 1-32
Cruise control ...................................................... 5-18
Cruise control operations ................................. 5-20
Driving safety .......................................................... 5-5
Maintenance ........................................................... 8-5
On-pavement and offroad driving ..................... 5-4
Seat belt usage ................................................... 1-24
Supplemental restraint system ........................ 1-10
When starting and driving .................................. 5-2
Push starting .............................................................. 6-11


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