hand tightened to the proper specification.
CAUTION
Always properly tighten the antenna
rod during installation or the antenna
rod may bend or break during vehicle
operation.
To prevent damage, be sure that
manual antenna is removed before
the vehicle enters an automated car
wash.Power antennaThe antenna will automatically extend when the
radio is turned on, and retract when switched off.
If the radio is left on, the antenna will retract and
extend with the ignition key OFF-ON operation.
CAUTION
Before turning the radio on, make
sure that there is no one near the
antenna outlet and there is enough
space for it to extend.To prevent damage, be sure that
power antenna is fully retracted be-
fore the vehicle enters an automated
car wash.
Dirt and other foreign matter on the
power antenna rod may interrupt its
operation. Clean the rod periodically
with a damp cloth. This type of clean-
ing is especially important during the
winter seasons in areas where road
salt and other chemicals may be
spread on road surfaces and
splashed onto the antenna rod.
Window antennaThe antenna pattern is printed inside the wind-
shield.
CAUTION
Do not place metalized film near the
windshield or attach any metal parts
to it. This may cause poor reception
or noise.When cleaning the inside of the
windshield, be careful not to scratch
or damage the window antenna.
Lightly wipe along the antenna with a
dampened soft cloth.
4-30
Heater, air conditioner and audio systems
04.3.9/R50-D/V5
When installing a car phone or CB, ham radio in
your NISSAN, be sure to observe the following
cautions, otherwise the new equipment may
adversely affect the Engine control system and
other electronic parts.
WARNING
A cellular telephone should not be
used while driving so full attention
may be given to vehicle operation.
Some jurisdictions prohibit the use
of cellular telephones while driving.
If you must make a call while your
vehicle is in motion, the hands free
cellular phone operational mode (if
so equipped) is highly recommended.
Exercise extreme caution at all times
so full attention may be given to
vehicle operation.
If 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
Keep the antenna as far as possible
away from the Engine Control Mod-
ule (ECM).
Keep the antenna wire more than 8 in
(20 cm) away from the Multiport Fuel
Injection harness. Do not route the
antenna wire next to any harness.
Adjust the antenna standing-wave
ratio as recommended by the manu-
facturer.
Connect the ground wire from the CB
radio chassis to the body.
For details, consult an authorized
NISSAN dealer.
CAR PHONE OR CB RADIO
Heater, air conditioner and audio systems
4-31
04.3.9/R50-D/V5
MEMO4-32
Heater, air conditioner and audio systems
04.3.9/R50-D/V5
5 Starting and drivingPrecautions when starting and driving ............................. 5-2
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) .................................. 5-2
Three way catalyst ........................................................... 5-3
Low tire pressure warning system (if so
equipped) ........................................................................... 5-3
On-pavement and offroad driving precautions ......... 5-4
Avoiding collision and rollover ...................................... 5-5
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 ..................................................................... 5-9
Nissan vehicle immobilizer system............................... 5-9
Before starting the engine ................................................ 5-10
Starting the engine ............................................................. 5-10
Driving the vehicle ............................................................... 5-11
Automatic transmission ................................................ 5-11
Manual transmission ..................................................... 5-16
Parking brake........................................................................ 5-17
Cruise control (if so equipped)........................................ 5-18
Precautions on cruise control .................................... 5-18
Cruise control operations ............................................ 5-19Break-in schedule ............................................................... 5-20
Increasing fuel economy .................................................... 5-20
Using part time four wheel drive (4WD) ....................... 5-21
Transfer case shifting procedures............................. 5-23
Using all-mode four wheel drive (4WD) ....................... 5-25
Transfer case shifting procedures............................. 5-25
Parking/parking on hills...................................................... 5-32
Power steering ..................................................................... 5-33
Brake system ........................................................................ 5-34
Braking precautions ...................................................... 5-34
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) .................................... 5-34
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system
(if so equipped).................................................................... 5-36
Cold weather driving .......................................................... 5-37
Freeing a frozen door lock .......................................... 5-37
Anti-freeze ....................................................................... 5-37
Battery .............................................................................. 5-37
Draining of coolant water ............................................ 5-37
Tire equipment................................................................ 5-37
Special winter equipment ............................................ 5-38
Driving on snow or ice ................................................. 5-38
Engine block heater (if so equipped) ....................... 5-39
04.3.9/R50-D/V5
WARNING
Do not leave children or adults who
would normally require the support
of others alone in your vehicle. Pets
should not be left alone either. They
could accidentally injure themselves
or others through inadvertent opera-
tion of the vehicle. Also, on hot,
sunny days, temperatures in a closed
vehicle could quickly become high
enough to cause severe or possibly
fatal injuries to people or animals.
Properly secure all cargo to help pre-
vent it from sliding or shifting. Do not
place cargo higher than the seat-
backs. In a sudden stop or collision,
unsecured cargo could cause per-
sonal injury.
EXHAUST GAS (Carbon monoxide)
WARNING
Do not breathe exhaust gases; they con-
tain colorless and odorless carbon mon-
oxide. Carbon monoxide is dangerous.
It can cause unconsciousness or death.
If you suspect that exhaust fumes are
entering the vehicle, drive with all
windows fully open, and have the
vehicle inspected immediately.
Do not run the engine in closed
spaces such as a garage.
Do not park the vehicle with the en-
gine running for any extended length
of time.
Keep the back door and glass hatch
closed while driving, otherwise ex-
haust gases could be drawn into the
passenger compartment. If you must
drive with the back door or glass
hatch open, follow these
precautions:1. Open all the windows.
2. Set the air recirculation switch
OFF and the fan control at 4 (high)
to circulate the air.
If electrical wiring or other cable con-
nections must pass to a trailer
through the seal on the back door or
the body, follow the manufacturer’s
recommendation to prevent carbon
monoxide entry into the vehicle.
If a special body or other equipment
is added for recreational or other
usage, follow the manufacturer’s rec-
ommendation to prevent carbon
monoxide entry into the vehicle.
(Some recreational vehicle appli-
ances such as stoves, refrigerator,
heaters, etc. may also generate car-
bon monoxide.)
The exhaust system and body should
be inspected by a qualified mechanic
whenever:
a. The vehicle is raised for service.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN STARTING
AND DRIVING5-2
Starting and driving
04.3.9/R50-D/V5
reaching it. Try not to brake while
actually on the ice, and avoid any
sudden steering maneuvers.
Do not use cruise control on slippery
roads.
Snow can trap dangerous exhaust
gases under your vehicle. Keep snow
clear of the exhaust pipe and from
around your vehicle.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER (if so
equipped)An engine block heater to assist extreme cold
temperature starting is available through your
NISSAN dealer.
WARNING
Do not use your heater with an un-
grounded electrical system or two-
pronged (cheater) adapters. You can be
injured by an electrical shock if you use
an ungrounded connection.
Starting and driving
5-39
04.3.9/R50-D/V5
12 volts. Use of an improperly rated
battery can damage your vehicle.
Whenever working on or near a bat-
tery, always wear suitable eye protec-
tors (for example, goggles or indus-
trial safety spectacles) and remove
rings, metal bands, or any other
metal jewelry. Do not lean over bat-
tery when jump starting.
Do not attempt to jump start a frozen
battery. It could explode and cause
serious injury.
Your vehicle has an automatic en-
gine cooling fan. It could come on at
any time. Keep hands and other ob-
jects away from it.
WARNING
Always follow the instructions below.
Failure to do so could result in damage
to the charging system and cause per-
sonal injury.
1. Position the two vehicles to bring their bat-
teries into close proximity to each other if the
booster battery is in another vehicle.Do not
allow the two vehicles to touch.
2. Apply parking brakes. Move the shift lever toNeutral position (On automatic transmission
models, move the selector lever to P (Park)).
Switch off all unnecessary electrical systems
(light, heater, air conditioner, etc.).
3. Remove vent caps on the battery (if so
equipped). Cover the battery with an old
cloth to reduce explosion hazard.
4. Connect jumper cables in the sequence as
illustrated.
CAUTION
Always connect positive (+) to posi-
tive (+) and negative (−) to body
ground, (for example, strut mounting
bolt, engine lift bracket, etc. — not to
the battery).
Make sure that cables do not touch
moving parts in the engine compart-
ment and that clamps do not contact
any other metal.
5. Start the engine of the other vehicle and let it
run for a few minutes.
6. Keep the engine speed of the other vehicle at
about 2,000 rpm, and start your engine in the
normal manner.
SCE0390
6-10
In case of emergency
04.3.9/R50-D/V5
CAUTION
Do not keep starter motor engaged for
more than 10 seconds. If the engine
does not start right away, turn the key
off and wait 3 to 4 seconds before trying
again.
7. After starting your engine, carefully discon-
nect the negative cable and then the positive
cable.
8. Replace the vent caps (if so equipped). Be
sure to dispose of the cloth used to cover the
vent holes as it may be contaminated with
corrosive acid.
CAUTION
Automatic transmission models can-
not be push started. This may cause
transmission damage.
Three way catalyst equipped models
should not be started by pushing
since the three way catalyst may be
damaged.
Never try to start the vehicle by tow-
ing it; when the engine starts, the
forward surge could cause the ve-
hicle to collide with the tow vehicle.If your vehicle is overheating indicated by an
extremely high temperature gauge reading, or if
you feel a lack of engine power, detect abnormal
noise, etc., take the following steps:
WARNING
Do not continue to drive if your ve-
hicle overheats. Doing so could
cause a vehicle fire.
To avoid the danger of being scalded,
never remove the radiator cap while
the engine is still hot. When the ra-
diator cap is removed, pressurized
hot water will spurt out, possibly
causing serious injury.
Do not open the hood if steam is
coming out.
1. Move the vehicle safely off the road, apply the
parking brake and move the gearshift lever to
the neutral position (automatic transmission
to P (Park)).
Do not stop the engine.
2. Turn off the air conditioner switch. Open all
the windows, move the heater or air condi-
PUSH STARTING IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS
In case of emergency
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04.3.9/R50-D/V5