Page 12 of 296
1. Headlight/turn signal switch (P. 2-20)
2. Meters and gauges (P. 2-3)
3. Windshield wiper/washer switch
(P. 2-18)
4. Power outlet (P. 2-24)
5. Heater and air conditioner (P. 4-2)
6. Front passenger supplemental air bag
(P. 1-8)
7. Glove box (P. 2-30)
8. Audio system (P. 4-10)
9. Hazard warning flasher switch
(P. 2-23)
10. Automatic/manual selector lever
(P. 5-10)
11. Transfer case shift lever (if so
equipped) (P. 5-19)
12. Parking brake release lever (P. 5-16)
13. Cruise control main/set switch
(if so equipped) (P. 5-16)
14. Driver supplemental air bag/horn
(P. 1-8, P. 2-23)
15. Steering wheel switch for audio
controls (if so equipped) (P. 4-28)
16. Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off
switch (if so equipped) (P. 2-24)
17. Instrument brightness control (P. 2-22)
18. Rear window wiper and washer switch
(if so equipped)(P. 2-19)
WIC0641
INSTRUMENT PANEL
0-6Illustrated table of contents
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Xterra(xtr)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
10/23/03Ðdebbie
X
Page 13 of 296
KA24DE engine
1. Power steering fluid reservoir (P. 8-15)
2. Automatic transmission fluid dipstick
(A/T model) (P. 8-14)
3. Air cleaner (P. 8-23)
4. Engine oil filler cap (P. 8-10)
5. Engine oil dipstick (P. 8-10)
6. Brake fluid reservoir (P. 8-16)
7. Clutch fluid reservoir (M/T model)
(P.8-17)
8. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
(P. 8-17)
9. Radiator cap (P. 8-9)
10. Coolant reservoir (P. 8-9)
11. Battery (P. 8-18)
See the page number indicated in paren-
theses for operating details.
WDI0087
ENGINE COMPARTMENT LOCATIONS
Illustrated table of contents0-7
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Xterra(xtr)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
10/23/03Ðdebbie
X
Page 14 of 296
VG33E engine
1. Fuse/fusible link holder (P.8-31)
2. Power steering fluid reservoir (P. 8-15)
3. Automatic transmission fluid dipstick
(A/T model) (P. 8-14)
4. Brake fluid reservoir (P. 8-16)
5. Clutch fluid reservoir (M/T model)
(P. 8-17)
6. Air cleaner (P. 8-23)
7. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
(P. 8-17)
8. Engine oil dipstick (P. 8-10)
9. Radiator cap (P. 8-9)
10. Engine oil filler cap (P. 8-10)
11. Coolant reservoir (P. 8-9)
12. Battery (P. 8-18)
WDI0269
0-8Illustrated table of contents
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Xterra(xtr)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
10/23/03Ðdebbie
X
Page 15 of 296
VG33ER engine
1. Fuse/fusible link holder (P.8-31)
2. Power steering fluid reservoir (P. 8-15)
3. Automatic transmission fluid dipstick
(A/T model) (P. 8-14)
4. Supercharger
5. Brake fluid reservoir (P. 8-16)
6. Air cleaner (P. 8-23)
7. Windshield washer fluid reservoir (P.
8-17)
8. Engine oil dipstick (P. 8-10)
9. Radiator cap (P. 8-9)
10. Engine oil filler cap (P. 8-10)
11. Coolant reservoir (P. 8-9)
12. Battery (P. 8-18)
WDI0270
Illustrated table of contents0-9
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Xterra(xtr)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
10/23/03Ðdebbie
X
Page 26 of 296

HEAD RESTRAINT ADJUSTMENT
To raise the head restraint, pull it up. To lower,
push and hold the lock knob and push the head
restraint down.
WARNING
Head restraints should be adjusted prop-
erly as they may provide significant pro-
tection against injury in an accident. Do
not remove them. Check the adjustment
after someone else uses the seat.Adjust the head restraint so the center is level
with the center of your ears.
PRECAUTIONS ON
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM
This Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) sec-
tion contains important information concerning
the driver and passenger supplemental front air
bags and pre-tensioner seat belts.
Supplemental front impact air bag system:
This system can help cushion the impact force to
the head and chest of the driver and front pas-
senger in certain frontal collisions.
Supplemental curtain side-impact air bag
system (if so equipped):This system can help
cushion the impact force to the head of occu-
pants in front and rear outboard seating positions
in certain side impact collisions. The curtain side-
impact air bags are designed to inflate on the side
where the vehicle is impacted.
The supplemental air bags are designed to
supplementthe crash protection provided by
the driver and front passenger seat belts and are
not a substitutefor them. Seat belts should
always be correctly worn and the driver and front
passenger seated a suitable distance away from
the steering wheel and instrument panel. (See
“Seat belts” later in this section for instructions
and precautions on seat belt usage.)
WRS0133WRS0134
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM
1-8Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental air bags
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Xterra(xtr)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
10/23/03Ðdebbie
X
Page 27 of 296

The supplemental air bags operate only
when the ignition switch is in the ON or
START position.
After turning the ignition key to the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates. The supplemental air bag
warning light will turn off after about 7
seconds if the system is operational.
WARNING
cThe supplemental front air bags ordi-
narily will not inflate in the event of a
side impact, rear impact, rollover, or
lower severity frontal collision. Always
wear your seat belts to help reduce the
risk or severity of injury in various kinds
of accidents.cThe seat belts and the supplemental
front air bags are most effective when
you are sitting well back and upright in
the seat. The front air bags inflate with
great force. If you are unrestrained,
leaning forward, sitting sideways or out
of position in any way, you are at
greater risk of injury or death in a crash.
You may also receive serious or fatal
injuries from the supplemental front air
bag if you are up against it when it
inflates. Always sit back against the
seatback and as far away as practical
from the steering wheel or instrument
panel. Always use the seat belts.
WRS0031
Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental air bags1-9
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Xterra(xtr)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
10/23/03Ðdebbie
X
Page 28 of 296
cThe driver and front passenger seat belt
buckles are equipped with sensors that
detect if the seat belts are fastened. The
air bag system monitors the severity of
a collision and then inflates the air bags
based on belt usage. Failure to properly
wear seat belts can increase the risk or
severity of injury in an accident.
cKeep hands on the outside of the steer-
ing wheel. Placing them inside the
steering wheel rim could increase the
risk that they are injured when the
supplemental front air bag inflates.
ARS1133
1-10Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental air bags
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Xterra(xtr)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
10/23/03Ðdebbie
X
Page 33 of 296

Supplemental front air bag system
The driver supplemental front air bag is located in
the center of the steering wheel. The passenger
supplemental front air bag is mounted in the
dashboard above the glove box.
These systems are designed to meet optional
certification requirements under U.S. regulations.
They are also permitted in Canada. The optional
certification allows the front air bags to be de-
signed to inflate somewhat less forcefully than
previously.However, all of the information,
cautions and warnings in this manual still
apply and must be followed.
The supplemental front air bag system is de-
signed to inflate in higher severity frontal colli-
sions, although it may inflate if the forces in an-
other type of collision are similar to those of a
higher severity frontal impact. It may not inflate in
certain frontal collisions. Vehicle damage (or lack
of it) is not always an indication of proper supple-
mental front air bag system operation.
The supplemental air bag system has dual stage
inflators for both the driver and passenger air
bags. The system monitors information from the
crash zone sensor, the diagnosis sensor unit and
seat belt buckle sensors that detect if the seat
belts are fastened. Inflator operation is based on
the severity of a collision and whether the seat
belts are being used. Only one front air bag mayinflate in a crash, depending on the crash severity
and whether the front occupants are belted or
unbelted. This does not indicate improper perfor-
mance of the system. If you have any questions
about the performance of your air bag system,
please contact your NISSAN dealer.
When the supplemental front air bag inflates, a
fairly loud noise may be heard, followed by the
release of smoke. This smoke is not harmful and
does not indicate a fire. Care should be taken to
not inhale it, as it may cause irritation and chok-
ing. Those with a history of a breathing condition
should get fresh air promptly.
Supplemental front air bags, along with the use of
seat belts, help to cushion the impact force on
the face and chest of the front occupants. They
can help save lives and reduce serious injuries.
However, an inflating front air bag may cause
facial abrasions or other injuries. Front air bags
do not provide restraint to the lower body.
Seat belts should be correctly worn and the
driver and passenger seated upright as far as
practical away from the steering wheel or instru-
ment panel. The supplemental front air bags in-
flate quickly in order to help protect the front
occupants. Because of this, the force of the front
air bag inflating can increase the risk of injury if
the occupant is too close to, or is against, the
front air bag module during inflation.The front air bags deflate quickly after a collision.
The supplemental front air bags operate
only when the ignition switch is in the ON
or START position.
After turning the ignition key to the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates. The supplemental air bag
warning light will turn off after about 7
seconds if the system is operational.
WARNING
cDo not place any objects on the steer-
ing wheel pad or on the instrument
panel. Also, do not place any objects
between any occupant and the steering
wheel or instrument panel. Such ob-
jects may become dangerous projec-
tiles and cause injury if the supplemen-
tal front air bag inflates.
cImmediately after inflation, several
front air bag system components will be
hot. Do not touch them; you may se-
verely burn yourself.
Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental air bags1-15
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Xterra(xtr)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
10/23/03Ðdebbie
X