2004 NISSAN PATHFINDER window

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


Seat belt warning light and chime ................. 2-13
Cigarette lighter and ashtray .................................. 2-29
Circuit breaker, Fusible link .................................... 8-24
Cleaning exterior and interior .......................... 7-2, 7-3
Clock ............................................................................ 2-28
Clutch fluid.................................................................. 8-16
Coin box ...................................................................... 2-30
Cold weather driving ................................................ 5-37
Compact Disc (CD) changer operation .............. 4-26
Compact Disc (CD) player (See audio
system) ......................................................................... 4-19
Compact spare tire ................................................... 8-39
Compass display ......................................................... 2-7
Console box................................................................ 2-34
Controls
Heater and air conditioner controls.................. 4-2
Steering wheel audio controls ........................ 4-28
Coolant
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................................. 9-2
Changing engine coolant .................................... 8-9
Checking engine coolant level........................... 8-8
Corrosion protection ................................................... 7-4
Cover, Tonneau cover .............................................. 2-37
Cruise control............................................................. 5-18
Cup holders ................................................................ 2-32
CVT, Transmission selector lever lock
release .......................................................................... 5-14
D
Daytime running light system ................................. 2-24
Dimensions and weights ......................................... 9-11
Door open warning light .......................................... 2-11Drive belts ................................................................... 8-19
Drive positioner, Automatic..................................... 3-17
Driving
All-mode four wheel drive (4WD) .................. 5-25
Cold weather driving ......................................... 5-37
Driving with automatic transmission ..... 5-7, 5-11
Driving with manual transmission .......... 5-8, 5-16
On-pavement and offroad driving ..................... 5-4
Part time four wheel drive (4WD) .................. 5-21
Precautions when starting and driving ............ 5-2
Safety precautions ................................................ 5-5
E
Economy, Fuel............................................................ 5-20
Electric sunroof .......................................................... 2-40
Emission control information label ........................ 9-13
Emission control system warranty......................... 9-24
Engine
Before starting the engine................................ 5-10
Break-in schedule............................................... 5-20
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................................. 9-2
Changing engine coolant .................................... 8-9
Changing engine oil ........................................... 8-12
Changing engine oil filter ................................. 8-13
Checking engine coolant level........................... 8-8
Checking engine oil level ................................. 8-11
Coolant temperature gauge ............................... 2-4
Engine block heater ........................................... 5-39
Engine compartment check locations.............. 8-7
Engine cooling system ......................................... 8-8
Engine oil .............................................................. 8-11
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation......... 9-6Engine oil viscosity ............................................... 9-6
Engine serial number ......................................... 9-13
Engine specifications ........................................... 9-9
If your vehicle overheats ................................... 6-11
Starting the engine............................................. 5-10
Event data recorders ................................................ 9-26
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide).............................. 5-2
F
F.M.V.S.S. certification label................................... 9-13
Filter
Air cleaner housing filter ................................... 8-20
Changing engine oil filter ................................. 8-13
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher switch) ... 2-25
Flat tire............................................................................ 6-2
Flat tire, Low tire pressure warning system .......... 5-3
Flat towing .................................................................. 9-22
Floor mat cleaning ....................................................... 7-4
Fluid
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ................ 8-14
Brake and clutch fluid ....................................... 8-16
Brake fluid............................................................. 8-16
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................................. 9-2
Engine coolant ....................................................... 8-8
Engine oil .............................................................. 8-11
Power steering fluid ........................................... 8-15
Window washer fluid ......................................... 8-17
FM-AM radio with cassette player and Compact
Disc (CD) player........................................................ 4-16
FM-AM-SATELLITE radio with cassette
player and Compact Disc (CD) player/CD
changer ........................................................................ 4-23


04.3.9/R50-D/V5

10-2

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


04.3.9/R50-D/V5

10-4

R
Rack, Luggage rack.................................................. 2-38
Radio
Car phone or CB radio ..................................... 4-31
FM-AM radio with cassette player and
Compact Disc (CD) player .............................. 4-16
Steering wheel audio controls ........................ 4-28
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M) test
(US only)...................................................................... 9-25
Rear door lock, Child safety rear door lock.......... 3-4
Rear floor luggage compartment .......................... 2-35
Rear power point....................................................... 2-28
Rear seat adjustment .................................................. 1-6
Rear window wiper and washer switch .............. 2-20
Recorders, Event data ............................................. 9-26
Registering your vehicle in another country ....... 9-12
Remote keyless entry system ................................... 3-5
Reporting safety defects (US only) ...................... 9-24
Rollover........................................................................... 5-5
S
Safety
Child seat belts ................................................... 1-25
Reporting safety defects (US only)................ 9-24
Towing safety....................................................... 9-20
Seat
Belt warning light................................................ 1-23
Belt warning light and chime ........................... 2-13
Seat adjustment
Front manual seat adjustment............................ 1-2
Front power seat adjustment ............................. 1-4Rear seat adjustment ........................................... 1-6
Seat belt(s)
Child safety .......................................................... 1-25
Infants and small children ................................. 1-26
Injured persons.................................................... 1-26
Larger children .................................................... 1-26
Pre-tensioner seat belt system ....................... 1-20
Precautions on seat belt usage ...................... 1-24
Pregnant women ................................................. 1-26
Seat belt cleaning ................................................. 7-4
Seat belt extenders ............................................ 1-31
Seat belt hook ..................................................... 1-29
Seat belt maintenance ...................................... 1-32
Seat belts ............................................................. 1-23
Shoulder belt height adjustment..................... 1-29
Three-point type with retractor ....................... 1-26
Two-point type without retractor (rear center
lap belt) ................................................................. 1-30
Seat(s)
Driver-side memory ............................................ 3-17
Heated seats........................................................ 2-26
Seats ........................................................................ 1-2
Security system, Vehicle security system ........... 2-17
Security systems (Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer
System), Engine start ............................................... 2-18
Security systems (See vehicle security
system) ......................................................................... 2-17
Servicing air conditioner................................. 4-2, 4-12
Shift lock release ....................................................... 5-14
Shift lock release, CVT ............................................ 5-14
Shifting
Automatic transmission ............................ 5-7, 5-11
Manual transmission ................................. 5-8, 5-16Shoulder belt height adjustment, For front
seats ............................................................................. 1-29
Spare tire carrier ....................................................... 3-10
Spark plugs................................................................. 8-20
Speedometer ................................................................ 2-3
Starting
Before starting the engine................................ 5-10
Jump starting .......................................................... 6-9
Precautions when starting and driving ............ 5-2
Push starting ........................................................ 6-11
Starting the engine............................................. 5-10
Steering
Power steering fluid ........................................... 8-15
Power steering system ...................................... 5-33
Steering wheel switch for audio controls..... 4-28
Tilting steering wheel......................................... 3-15
Storage ........................................................................ 2-30
Sun shade ................................................................... 2-41
Sun visors ................................................................... 3-15
Sunglasses holder .................................................... 2-31
Sunroof ........................................................................ 2-40
Electric sunroof ................................................... 2-40
Supplemental air bag warning labels................... 1-21
Supplemental air bag warning light .......... 1-21, 2-13
Supplemental restraint system............................... 1-10
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system.................................................................... 1-10
Switch
4WD shift switch operations ........................... 5-28
Audio control steering wheel switch ............. 4-28
Fog light switch................................................... 2-25
Hazard warning flasher switch ........................ 2-25
Headlight switch ................................................. 2-22
Ignition switch ........................................................ 5-7


04.3.9/R50-D/V5

10-5

Ignition switch automatic transmission
models .......................................................... 5-7, 5-11
Ignition switch manual transmission
models .......................................................... 5-8, 5-16
Overdrive switch ................................................. 5-15
Power door lock switch....................................... 3-4
Turn signal switch .............................................. 2-24
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off switch ... 2-27
T
Tachometer.................................................................... 2-4
Temperature display .................................................... 2-6
Temperature gauge, Engine coolant temperature
gauge .............................................................................. 2-4
Theft (Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System), Engine
start ............................................................................... 2-18
Three way catalyst ....................................................... 5-3
Tilting steering wheel ............................................... 3-15
Tire
Flat tire ..................................................................... 6-2
Low tire pressure warning system........... 5-3, 6-2
Pressure, Low tire pressure warning light ... 2-12
Tire and loading information label ...... 8-33, 9-13
Tire labeling .......................................................... 8-34
Uniform tire quality grading .............................. 9-23
Tires
Spare tire .............................................................. 8-39
Tire chains ............................................................ 8-36
Tire pressure ........................................................ 8-31
Tire rotation ................................................. 8-3, 8-37
Types of tires ....................................................... 8-36
Wheel/tire size .................................................... 9-11
Wheels and tires ................................................ 8-31Tonneau cover ........................................................... 2-37
Top tether strap child restraints ............................ 1-42
Towing
Tow truck towing ................................................ 6-12
Towing a trailer.................................................... 9-18
Towing load/specification chart ...................... 9-18
Towing safety....................................................... 9-20
Trailer towing .............................................................. 9-18
Transceiver, HomeLink
Universal
Transceiver .................................................................. 2-44
Transfer case shifting procedures............. 5-23, 5-25
Transmission
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ................ 8-14
Driving with automatic transmission ..... 5-7, 5-11
Driving with manual transmission .......... 5-8, 5-16
Transmission selector lever lock release ...... 5-14
Transmitter (See remote keyless entry system) ... 3-5
Traveling or registering your vehicle in another
country ......................................................................... 9-12
Turn signal switch ..................................................... 2-24
U
Underbody cleaning .................................................... 7-3
Uniform tire quality grading .................................... 9-23
V
Vanity mirror light ...................................................... 2-44
Vehicle
Dimensions and weights................................... 9-11
Identification number (VIN)............................... 9-12
Loading information............................................ 9-14Recovery (freeing a stuck vehicle) ................. 6-16
Security system ................................................... 2-17
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off switch ... 2-27
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) system ............... 5-36
Ventilators ...................................................................... 4-2
W
Warning labels, Air bag warning labels .............. 1-21
Warning light
4WD warning light ............................................. 5-30
4WD warning light (
model) ........... 2-12
Air bag warning light .............................. 1-21, 2-13
Anti-lock brake warning light ............................. 2-9
Automatic transmission park warning
light......................................................................... 2-10
Brake warning light ............................................ 2-11
Door open warning light ................................... 2-11
Low fuel warning light ....................................... 2-12
Low tire pressure warning light ...................... 2-12
Seat belt warning light and chime ................. 2-13
Warning lights .............................................................. 2-9
Warning, Hazard warning flasher switch ............ 2-25
Warning, Low tire pressure warning
system.................................................................... 5-3, 6-2
Warning, Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders ....................................................................... 2-9
Warranty, Emission control system warranty ..... 9-24
Washer switch
Rear window wiper and washer switch........ 2-20
Windshield wiper and washer switch ........... 2-19
Washing ......................................................................... 7-2
Waxing............................................................................ 7-2
Weights (See dimensions and weights) ............. 9-11


04.3.9/R50-D/V5

10-6

Wheel/tire size ........................................................... 9-11
Wheels and tires ....................................................... 8-31
Cleaning aluminum alloy wheels ....................... 7-3
Window washer fluid ............................................... 8-17
Window(s)
Cleaning................................................................... 7-3
Power windows................................................... 2-39
Windshield wiper and washer switch .................. 2-19
Wiper
Rear window wiper and washer switch........ 2-20
Windshield wiper and washer switch ........... 2-19
Wiper blades ....................................................... 8-21


04.3.9/R50-D/V5

10-7

Engine coolant 8-9
Engine oil 8-11
Brake fluid 8-16
Clutch fluid 8-16
Meters and gauges 2-3
Seat belt 1-23
Door lock 3-2
Rear door lock 3-10
Fuel 3-13, 9-2
Spare tire 6-4 Hood release 3-9Window washer fluid 8-17
Battery 8-18
Automatic transmission
fluid 8-14
Air conditioner 4-2
Audio system 4-13
STI0381
Power steering fluid
(VQ35DE) 8-15


04.3.9/R50-D/V5