2008 NISSAN ARMADA suspension

Warning
lightName Page
or
Anti-lock Braking
System (ABS) warn-
ing light2-14
Automatic transmis-
sion check warning
light2-14
Automatic transmis-
sion park warning
light (
model)2-14
or
Brake warning light 2-14
Charge warning
light2-15
Check suspension
warning light (if so
equipped)2-15
Warning
lightName Page
Engine oil pressure
low/engine coolant
temperature high
warning light2-15
4WD warning light
(
model)2-16
Low fuel warning
light2-16
Low tire pressure
warning light2-16
Master warning light 2-17
Seat belt warning
light and chime2-17
Supplemental air
bag warning light2-18
Indicator
lightName Page
Front passenger air
bag status light2-18
High beam indicator
light (Blue)2-18
Malfunction indica-
tor light (MIL)2-18
Security indicator
light2-19
Slip indicator light 2-19
Turn signal/hazard
indicator lights2-19
Vehicle dynamic
control off indicator
light2-20
WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS
Illustrated table of contents0-9
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2008 Armada(wzw)
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orAnti-lock Braking System
(ABS) warning light4WD warning light (model)High beam indicator light (Blue)
Automatic transmission check warning lightLow fuel warning lightMalfunction indicator light (MIL)
Automatic transmission park warning light
(model)Low tire pressure warning lightSecurity indicator light
orBrake warning lightMaster warning lightSlip indicator light
Charge warning lightSeat belt warning light and chimeTurn signal/hazard indicator lights
Check suspension warning light
(if so equipped)Supplemental air bag warning lightVehicle dynamic control off indicator light
Engine oil pressure low/engine coolant
temperature high warning lightFront passenger air bag status light
CHECKING BULBS
With all doors closed, apply the parking brake
and turn the ignition key to the ON position
without starting the engine. The following lights
will come on:
,or,,,,
The following lights come on briefly and then go
off:
or,,,,,,
If any light fails to come on, it may indicate
a burned-out bulb or an open circuit in the
electrical system. Have the system repaired
promptly.
WARNING LIGHTS
For additional information on warnings and indi-
cators, see “Vehicle information display” later in
this section.
WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS AND
AUDIBLE REMINDERS
Instruments and controls2-13
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2. If the brake fluid level is correct, have the
warning system checked by a NISSAN
dealer.
WARNING
cYour brake system may not be working
properly if the warning light is on. Driv-
ing could be dangerous. If you judge it
to be safe, drive carefully to the nearest
service station for repairs. Otherwise,
have your vehicle towed because driv-
ing it could be dangerous.
cPressing the brake pedal with the en-
gine stopped and/or a low brake fluid
level may increase your stopping dis-
tance and braking will require greater
pedal effort as well as pedal travel.
cIf the brake fluid level is below the
MINIMUM or MIN mark on the brake
fluid reservoir, do not drive until the
brake system has been checked at a
NISSAN dealer.
Charge warning light
If this light comes on while the engine is running,
it may indicate the charging system is not func-
tioning properly. Turn the engine off and checkthe generator belt. If the belt is loose, broken,
missing, or if the light remains on, see a NISSAN
dealer immediately.
CAUTION
cDo not ground electrical accessories
directly to the battery terminal. Doing
so will bypass the variable control sys-
tem and the vehicle battery may not
charge completely. Refer to “Variable
voltage control system” in the “Mainte-
nance and do-it-yourself” section later
in this manual.
cDo not continue driving if the generator
belt is loose, broken or missing.
Check suspension warning
light (if so equipped)
This light may indicate a malfunction in the auto-
leveling suspension.
For additional information, refer to “Jacking up
vehicle and removing the damaged tire” in the “In
case of emergency” section of this manual.
Engine oil pressure
low/Engine coolant
temperature high warning
light
This light warns of low engine oil pressure or high
engine coolant temperature.
If the light flickers or comes on during normal
driving, pull off the road in a safe area, stop the
engine and allow it to cool. If the light remains on
after checking the oil and coolant, stop the en-
gineimmediatelyand call a NISSAN dealer or
other authorized repair shop.
This light is not designed to indicate a low
oil or low coolant level.Check the oil level
with the dipstick and check the coolant level on
the reservoir. See “Engine oil” and “Checking
engine coolant level” in the “Maintenance and
do-it-yourself” section of this manual. Also see “If
your vehicle overheats” in the “In case of emer-
gency” section of this manual.
CAUTION
cRunning the engine with the engine oil
pressure warning light on could cause
serious damage to the engine almost
immediately. Such damage is not cov-
ered by warranty. Turn off the engine as
soon as it is safe to do so.
Instruments and controls2-15
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WARNING
cThe vehicle dynamic control system is
designed to help improve driving stabil-
ity but does not prevent accidents due
to abrupt steering operation at high
speeds or by careless or dangerous
driving techniques. Reduce vehicle
speed and be especially careful when
driving and cornering on slippery sur-
faces and always drive carefully.
cIf brake related parts such as brake
pads, rotors and calipers are not stan-
dard equipment or are extremely dete-
riorated, the vehicle dynamic control
system may not operate properly and
the vehicle dynamic control off indica-
tor light may come on.
cDo not modify the vehicle’s suspension.
If suspension parts such as shock ab-
sorbers, struts, springs, stabilizer bars
and bushings are not NISSAN approved
for your vehicle or are extremely dete-
riorated the vehicle dynamic control
system may not operate properly. This
could adversely affect vehicle handling
performance, and the VDC OFF indica-
tor light may come on.cWhen driving on extremely inclined sur-
faces such as higher banked corners,
the vehicle dynamic control system may
not operate properly and the VDC OFF
indicator light may come on. Do not
drive on these types of roads.
cWhen driving on an unstable surface
such as a turntable, ferry, elevator or
ramp, the vehicle dynamic control off
indicator light may illuminate. This is
not a malfunction. Restart the engine
after driving onto a stable surface.
cIf wheels or tires other than the recom-
mended ones are used, the vehicle dy-
namic control system may not operate
properly and the vehicle dynamic con-
trol off indicator light may come on.
cThe vehicle dynamic control system is
not a substitute for winter tires or tire
chains on a snow covered road.
WARNING
cAlways turn and look back before back-
ing up. The RSS is not a substitute for
proper backing procedures.
cRead and understand the limitations of
the rear sonar system as contained in
this section. Inclement weather may af-
fect the function of the RSS; this may
include reduced performance or a false
activation.
cThis system is not designed to prevent
contact with small or moving objects.
LSD0095
REAR SONAR SYSTEM (if so
equipped)
5-30Starting and driving
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cDo not start or run the engine while
vehicle is on the jack. It may cause the
vehicle to move. This is especially true
for vehicles with limited slip
differentials.
cDo not allow passengers to stay in the
vehicle while it is on the jack.
cNever run the engine with a wheel(s) off
the ground. It may cause the vehicle to
move.
Always refer to the illustration for the correct
placement and jack-up points for your specific
vehicle model and jack type.
Carefully read the caution label attached to
the jack body and the following instruc-
tions.
1. Loosen each wheel nut one or two turns by
turning counterclockwise with the wheel nut
wrench.Do not remove the wheel nuts
until the tire is off the ground.NOTE:
Before jacking up the vehicle, make sure
the ignition key is in the OFF position. If the
vehicle is lifted up with the ignition key in
the ON position the auto-leveling suspen-
sion (if so equipped) will become disabled
after 60 seconds. To reset the auto-leveling
suspension, cycle the ignition key ON/OFF
one time.
In case of emergency6-5
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REMOVING SPOTS
Remove tar and oil spots, industrial dust, insects,
and tree sap as quickly as possible from the
surface of the paint to avoid lasting damage or
staining. Special cleaning products are available
at a NISSAN dealer or any automotive accessory
store.
UNDERBODY
In areas where road salt is used in winter, it is
necessary to clean the underbody regularly in
order to prevent dirt and salt from building up and
causing the acceleration of corrosion on the un-
derbody and suspension. Before the winter pe-
riod and again in the spring, the underseal must
be checked and, if necessary, retreated.
GLASS
Use glass cleaner to remove smoke and dust film
from the glass surfaces. It is normal for glass to
become coated with a film after the vehicle is
parked in the hot sun. Glass cleaner and a soft
cloth will easily remove this film.
CAUTION
When cleaning the inside of the windows,
do not use sharp-edged tools, abrasive
cleaners or chlorine-based disinfectant
cleaners. They could damage the electri-
cal conductors, radio antenna elements or
rear window defroster elements.
ALUMINUM ALLOY WHEELS
Wash the wheels regularly with a sponge damp-
ened in a mild soap solution, especially during
winter months in areas where road salt is used. If
not removed, road salt can discolor the wheels.
CAUTION
Follow the directions below to avoid
staining or discoloring the wheels:
cDo not use a cleaner that uses strong
acid or alkali contents to clean the
wheels.
cDo not apply wheel cleaners to the
wheels when they are hot. The wheel
temperature should be the same as am-
bient temperature.
cRinse the wheel to completely remove
the cleaner within 15 minutes after the
cleaner is applied.
CHROME PARTS
Clean all chrome parts regularly with a non-
abrasive chrome polish to maintain the finish.
TIRE DRESSINGS
NISSAN does not recommend the use of tire
dressings. Tire manufacturers apply a coating to
the tires to help reduce discoloration of the rub-
ber. If a tire dressing is applied to the tires, it may
react with the coating and form a compound. This
compound may come off the tire while driving and
stain the vehicle paint.
If you choose to use a tire dressing, take the
following precautions:
cUse a water-based tire dressing. The coat-
ing on the tire dissolves more easily with an
oil-based tire dressing.
cApply a light coat of tire dressing to help
prevent it from entering the tire
tread/grooves (where it would be difficult to
remove) .
cWipe off excess tire dressing using a dry
towel. Make sure the tire dressing is com-
pletely removed from the tire tread/grooves.
cAllow the tire dressing to dry as recom-
mended by tire dressing manufacturer.
Appearance and care7-3
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Use of tire chains may be prohibited according to
location. Check the local laws before installing
tire chains. When installing tire chains, make sure
they are the proper size for the tires on your
vehicle and are installed according to the chain
manufacturer’s suggestions.Use only SAE
class “S” chains.Class “S” chains are used on
vehicles with restricted tire to vehicle clearance.
Vehicles that can use Class “S” chains are de-
signed to meet the minimum clearances between
the tire and the closest vehicle suspension or
body component required to accommodate the
use of a winter traction device (tire chains or
cables) . The minimum clearances are determined
using the factory equipped tire size. Other types
may damage your vehicle. Use chain tensioners
when recommended by the tire chain manufac-
turer to ensure a tight fit. Loose end links of the
tire chain must be secured or removed to prevent
the possibility of whipping action damage to the
fenders or underbody. If possible, avoid fully load-
ing your vehicle when using tire chains. In addi-
tion, drive at a reduced speed. Otherwise, your
vehicle may be damaged and/or vehicle handling
and performance may be adversely affected.
Tire chains must be installed only on the
rear wheels and not on the front wheels.Do not use tire chains on dry roads. Driving with
chains in such conditions can cause damage to
the various mechanisms of the vehicle due to
some overstress.
Use only the 2WD range when driving on clear
paved roads.
CHANGING WHEELS AND TIRES
Tire rotation
NISSAN recommends rotating the tires
every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) .
See “Flat tire” in the “In case of emer-
gency” section in this manual for tire re-
placing procedures.
As soon as possible, tighten the
wheel nuts to the specified torque
with a torque wrench.
WDI0258
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-41
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Pre-towing tips
cBe certain your vehicle maintains a level
position when a loaded and/or unloaded
trailer is hitched. Do not drive the vehicle if it
has an abnormal nose-up or nose-down
condition; check for improper tongue load,
overload, worn suspension or other possible
causes of either condition.
cAlways secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving.
cKeep the cargo load as low as possible in
the trailer to keep the trailer center of gravity
low.
cLoad the trailer so approximately 60% of the
trailer load is in the front half and 40% is in
the back half. Also make sure the load is
balanced side to side.
cCheck your hitch, trailer tire pressure, ve-
hicle tire pressure, trailer light operation, and
trailer wheel lug nuts every time you attach a
trailer to the vehicle.
cBe certain your rearview mirrors conform to
all federal, state or local regulations. If not,
install any mirrors required for towing before
driving the vehicle.cDetermine the overall height of the vehicle
and trailer so the required clearance is
known.
Trailer towing tips
In order to gain skill and an understanding of the
vehicle’s behavior, you should practice turning,
stopping and backing up in an area which is free
from traffic. Steering stability and braking perfor-
mance will be somewhat different than under
normal driving conditions.
cAlways secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving.
cLock the trailer hitch coupler with a pin or
lock to prevent the coupler from inadvert-
ently becoming unlatched.
cAvoid abrupt starts, acceleration or stops.
cAvoid sharp turns or lane changes.
cAlways drive your vehicle at a moderate
speed.
cWhen backing up, hold the bottom of the
steering wheel with one hand. Move your
hand in the direction in which you want the
trailer to go. Make small corrections and
back up slowly. If possible, have someone
guide you when you are backing up.Always block the wheels on both vehicle and
trailer when parking. Parking on a slope is not
recommended; however, if you must do so:
CAUTION
If you move the shift selector lever to the P
(Park) position before blocking the
wheels and applying the parking brake,
transmission damage could occur.
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Have someone place blocks on the downhill
side of the vehicle and trailer wheels.
3. After the wheel blocks are in place, slowly
release the brake pedal until the blocks ab-
sorb the vehicle load.
4. Apply the parking brake.
5. Shift the transmission into P (Park) .
6. Make sure the
indicator light (if so
equipped) indicates the transfer case is in
4H, 4L, or 2H and that the ATP light is off. If
the
indicator light is flashing, or the
ATP light is ON, make sure the transmission
is in P (Park) (AT) and turn the 4WD switch
to 2WD or 4H. See9Automatic transmission
park warning light9in the9Instruments and
controls9section and9Using four wheel
drive9in the9Starting and driving9section.
7. Turn off the engine.
9-26Technical and consumer information
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