2008 NISSAN XTERRA engine

FLAT TOWING
Towing your vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground is sometimes called flat towing. This
method is sometimes used when towing a vehicle
behind a recreational vehicle, such as a motor
home.
CAUTION
cFailure to follow these guidelines can
result in severe transmission damage.
cWhenever flat towing your vehicle, al-
ways tow forward, never backward.
cDO 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 lubrication.
cFor emergency towing procedures refer
to “Towing recommended by NISSAN”
in the “In case of emergency” section of
this manual.
Automatic Transmission
To 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 Transmission
cAlways tow with the manual transmission in
Neutral.
cOn four-wheel drive vehicles, place the
transfer case in the 2H range. Failure to do
so will cause the powertrain to bind up.
cAfter towing 500 miles (805 km) , start and
idle the engine with the transmission in Neu-
tral for two minutes. Failure to idle the engine
after every 500 miles (805 km) of towing
may cause damage to internal transmission
parts.DOT (Department of Transportation) Quality
Grades: All passenger car tires 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 A
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half (1 1/2) times
as well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction AA, A, B and C
The 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.
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
Technical and consumer information9-27
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If you believe that your vehicle has a de-
fect which could cause a crash or could
cause injury or death, you should immedi-
ately inform the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA) in addi-
tion to notifying NISSAN.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it
may open an investigation, and if it finds
that a safety defect exists in a group of
vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot be-
come involved in individual problems be-
tween you, your dealer, or NISSAN.
To contact NHTSA, you may call the Ve-
hicle Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-888-
327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); go
to http://www.safercar.gov; or write to:
Administrator, NHTSA, 400 Seventh
Street, SW., Washington, D.C. 20590.
You can also obtain other information
about motor vehicle safety from
http://www.safercar.gov.
You may notify NISSAN by contacting our
Consumer Affairs Department, toll-free, at
1-800-NISSAN-1.Due to legal requirements in some states and
Canadian Provinces, your vehicle may be re-
quired to be in what is called the “ready condi-
tion” for an Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test of
the emission control system.
The vehicle is set to the “ready condition” when it
is driven through certain driving patterns. Usually,
the ready condition can be obtained by ordinary
usage of the vehicle.
If a powertrain system component is repaired or
the battery is disconnected, the vehicle may be
reset to a “not ready” condition. Before taking the
I/M test, check the vehicle’s
inspection/maintenance test readiness condi-
tion. Turn the ignition switch ON without starting
the engine. If the Malfunction Indicator Light
(MIL) comes on steady for 20 seconds and then
blinks for 10 seconds , the I/M test condition is
9not ready9. If the MIL does not blink after 20
seconds, the I/M test condition is9ready.9If the
MIL indicates the vehicle is in a9not ready9con-
dition, drive the vehicle through the following
pattern to set the vehicle to the ready condition. If
you cannot or do not want to perform the driving
pattern, a NISSAN dealer can conduct it for you.WARNING
Always drive the vehicle in a safe and
prudent manner according to traffic con-
ditions and obey all traffic laws.
1. Start the engine when the engine coolant
temperature gauge needle points to C. Al-
low the engine to idle until the gauge needle
points between the C and H (normal oper-
ating temperature) .
2. Accelerate the vehicle to 55 MPH (88
km/h) , then quickly release the accelerator
pedal completely and keep it released for at
least 10 seconds.
3. Quickly depress the accelerator pedal for a
moment, then drive the vehicle at a speed of
53 - 60 MPH (86 - 96 km/h) for at least 9
minutes.
4. Stop the vehicle.
5. Accelerate the vehicle to 35 MPH (55 km/h)
and maintain the speed for 20 seconds.
6. Repeat steps 4 through 5 at least 10 times.
7. Accelerate the vehicle to 55 MPH (88 km/h)
and maintain the speed for at least 3 min-
utes.
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS (US
only)READINESS FOR INSPECTION/
MAINTENANCE (I/M) TEST
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8. Stop the vehicle. Place the transmission se-
lector lever in the P (Park) or N (Neutral)
position.
9. Turn the engine off.
10. Repeat steps1-8atleast one more time.
If steps 1 through 7 are interrupted, repeat the
preceding step. Any safe driving mode is accept-
able between steps. Do not stop the engine until
step 7 is completed.This vehicle is equipped with an Event Data Re-
corder (EDR) . The main purpose of an EDR is to
record, in certain crash or near crash-like situa-
tions, such as an air bag deployment or hitting a
road obstacle, data that will assist in understand-
ing how a vehicle’s systems performed. The EDR
is designed to record data related to vehicle
dynamics and safety systems for a short period of
time, typically 30 seconds or less. The EDR in this
vehicle is designed to record such data as:
cHow various systems in your vehicle were
operating;
cWhether or not the driver and passenger
safety belts were buckled/fastened;
cHow far (if at all) the driver was depressing
the accelerator and/or brake pedal; and,
cHow fast the vehicle was traveling.
cSounds are not recorded.
These data can help provide a better understand-
ing of the circumstances in which crashes and
injuries occur. NOTE: EDR data are recorded by
your vehicle only if a nontrivial crash situation
occurs; no data are recorded by the EDR under
normal driving conditions and no personal data
(e.g. name, gender, age and crash location) are
recorded. However, other parties, such as law
enforcement, could combine the EDR data withthe type of personally identifying data routinely
acquired during a crash investigation.
To read data recorded by an EDR, special equip-
ment is required and access to the vehicle or the
EDR is needed. In addition to the vehicle manu-
facturer and NISSAN dealer, other parties, such
as law enforcement, that have the special equip-
ment, can read the information if they have ac-
cess to the vehicle or the EDR. The EDR data
may be retrieved during routine vehicle servicing
or for special research. It might also be accessed
with the consent of the vehicle owner or lessee, in
response to a request by law enforcement, or as
otherwise required or permitted by law.
EVENT DATA RECORDERS
9-30Technical and consumer information
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10 Index
4WD warning light...............2-15
A
Active brake limited slip (ABLS) system
(if so equipped).................5-32
Active Head Restraint..............1-5
Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system).....................1-42
Air bag system
Front (See supplemental front impact air
bag system).................1-50
Air bag warning labels.............1-57
Air bag warning light...........1-57, 2-17
Air cleaner housing filter............8-17
Air conditioner
Air conditioner operation...........4-5
Air conditioner service............4-9
Air conditioner specification label.....9-11
Air conditioner system refrigerant and oil
recommendations..............9-6
Heater and air conditioner controls.....4-2
Servicing air conditioner...........4-9
Air flow charts..................4-6
Alarm system
(See vehicle security system).........2-21
Anchor point locations.............1-26
Antenna.....................4-27
Anti-lock brake warning light..........2-13
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)........5-31
Audible reminders................2-21Audio system..................4-10
Compact Disc (CD) changer.......4-23
Compact disc (CD) player.........4-18
FM/AM radio with compact disc (CD)
player....................4-16
FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD)
player....................4-20
Radio....................4-10
Audio System
Settings...................4-21
Audio system
Steering wheel audio control switch. . . .4-26
Automatic
Automatic power window switch.....2-45
Automatic transmission position indicator
light.....................2-17
Driving with automatic transmission. . . .5-12
Transmission selector lever lock
release....................5-14
Automatic anti-glare inside mirror.......3-13
AUX jack.....................4-25
B
Battery......................8-13
Charge warning light............2-14
Before starting the engine...........5-10
Belt (See drive belt)..............8-15
Block heater
Engine....................5-36
BluetoothThands-free phone system.....4-28Booster seats..................1-37
Brake
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)......5-31
Brake fluid..................8-11
Brake light (See stop light).........8-28
Brake system................5-30
Brake warning light.............2-13
Brake wear indicators........2-21, 8-21
Parking brake operation..........5-17
Self-adjusting brakes............8-21
Brakes......................8-21
Break-in schedule................5-20
Brightness control
Instrument panel..............2-27
Bulb check/instrument panel..........2-13
Bulb replacement................8-28
C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants...................9-2
Car phone or CB radio.............4-27
Cargo light...................2-47
Cargo net....................2-40
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . .9-12
CD care and cleaning.............4-25
CD changer (See audio system)........4-23
CD player (See audio system).........4-18
Child restraint with top tether strap......1-26
Child restraints.......1-12, 1-13, 1-22, 1-24
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Precautions on child
restraints............1-22, 1-31, 1-37
Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-26
Child safety rear door lock............3-5
Chimes, audible reminders...........2-21
Cleaning exterior and interior..........7-2
Clock......................4-17
Clutch
Clutch fluid.................8-12
Clutch interlock (clutch start) switch.....2-31
C.M.V.S.S. certification label..........9-10
Cold weather driving..............5-35
Compact disc (CD) player...........4-18
Console box...................2-34
Controls
Audio controls (steering wheel)......4-26
Heater and air conditioner controls.....4-2
Coolant
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Changing engine coolant..........8-8
Checking engine coolant level........8-7
Engine coolant temperature gauge.....2-6
Corrosion protection...............7-5
Cruise control..................5-18
Cup holders...................2-36
Curtain side-impact and rollover air bag . . .1-54
D
Daytime running light system
(Canada only)..................2-26
Defroster switch
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch....................2-25Dimensions and weights.............9-8
Dimmer switch for instrument panel......2-27
Door locks....................3-3
Door open warning light............2-14
Drive belt....................8-15
Driving
Cold weather driving............5-35
Driving with automatic transmission. . . .5-12
Driving with manual transmission.....5-15
Precautions when starting and driving . . .5-2
E
Economy - fuel.................5-20
Electronic locking rear differential (E-Lock)
system......................5-27
Electronic locking rear differential (E-Lock)
system switch..................2-30
Emission control information label.......9-10
Emission control system warranty.......9-28
Engine
Before starting the engine.........5-10
Block heater.................5-36
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Changing engine coolant..........8-8
Changing engine oil.............8-9
Changing engine oil filter..........8-10
Checking engine coolant level........8-7
Checking engine oil level..........8-8
Engine compartment check locations. . . .8-6
Engine coolant temperature gauge.....2-6
Engine cooling system............8-7
Engine oil...................8-8
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . .9-5Engine oil pressure warning light.....2-14
Engine oil viscosity..............9-5
Engine serial number............9-10
Engine specifications.............9-7
Starting the engine.............5-11
Engine oil pressure gauge............2-8
Event data recorders..............9-30
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide)........5-2
F
First aid kit....................6-2
Flashers
(See hazard warning flasher switch)......2-28
Flat tire......................6-2
Floor mat positioning aid.............7-4
Fluid
Brake fluid..................8-11
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Clutch fluid.................8-12
Engine coolant................8-7
Engine oil...................8-8
Power steering fluid.............8-11
Window washer fluid............8-12
F.M.V.S.S. certification label..........9-10
Fog light switch.................2-28
Front air bag system
(See supplemental restraint system).....1-50
Front seats....................1-2
Fuel
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Fuel economy................5-20
Fuel gauge..................2-7
10-2
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Fuel octane rating..............9-4
Fuel recommendation............9-3
Fuel-filler door and cap...........3-9
Fuses......................8-21
Fusible links...................8-23
G
Gascap......................3-9
Gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge.....2-6
Engine oil pressure gauge..........2-8
Fuel gauge..................2-7
Odometer...................2-4
Speedometer.................2-4
Tachometer..................2-6
Trip computer.................2-5
Trip odometer.................2-4
Voltmeter...................2-8
General maintenance..............8-2
Glove box....................2-35
H
Hands-free phone system, BluetoothT. . . .4-28
Hazard warning flasher switch.........2-28
Head restraints..................1-4
Active Head Restraint............1-5
Headlight and turn signal switch........2-25
Headlight control switch............2-25
Headlights....................8-26
Heater
Heater and air conditioner controls.....4-2
Heater operation...............4-4Hill descent control switch...........2-29
Hill descent control system..........5-34
Hill start assist system.............5-34
Hood release...................3-8
Hook
Luggage hook................2-38
Horn.......................2-29
I
Ignition switch..................5-8
Immobilizer system.........2-22, 3-2, 5-10
Important vehicle information label.......9-10
In-cabin microfilter...............8-17
Increasing fuel economy............5-20
Indicator lights and audible reminders
(See warning/indicator lights and
audible reminders)...............2-12
Inside automatic anti-glare mirror.......3-13
Inside mirror...................3-12
Instrument brightness control.........2-27
Instrument panel..............0-6, 2-2
Instrument panel dimmer switch........2-27
Interior light...................2-45
ISOFIX child restraints.............1-24
J
Jump starting...................6-8
K
Key ........................3-2Keyfob battery replacement..........8-25
Keyless entry system
(See remote keyless entry system).......3-5
L
Labels
Air conditioner specification label.....9-11
C.M.V.S.S. certification label........9-10
Emission control information label.....9-10
Engine serial number............9-10
F.M.V.S.S. certification label........9-10
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate . .9-9
Warning labels (for SRS)..........1-57
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren)
System......................1-24
License plate
Installing the license plate.........9-11
Lift gate......................3-9
Light
Air bag warning light.........1-57, 2-17
Brake light (See stop light).........8-28
Bulb check/instrument panel........2-13
Bulb replacement..............8-28
Charge warning light............2-14
Fog light switch...............2-28
Headlight and turn signal switch......2-25
Headlight control switch..........2-25
Headlights..................8-26
Interior light.................2-45
Light bulbs..................8-26
Low tire pressure warning light......2-15
Low washer fluid warning light.......2-16
Passenger air bag and status light.....1-51
Security indicator light...........2-19
10-3
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Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders..................2-12
Lights
Map lights..................2-46
Lock
Child safety rear door lock..........3-5
Door locks..................3-3
Power door locks...............3-4
Low fuel warning light.............2-15
Low tire pressure warning light........2-15
Low washer fluid warning light.........2-16
Luggage hook..................2-38
Luggage rack (see roof rack).........2-41
Luggage (See vehicle loading information) . .9-12
Luggage storage
(see vehicle loading information)........2-38
M
Maintenance
General maintenance............8-2
Inside the vehicle...............8-3
Maintenance precautions..........8-5
Outside the vehicle..............8-2
Seat belt maintenance...........1-21
Under the hood and vehicle.........8-4
Malfunction indicator light...........2-18
Manual front seat adjustment..........1-2
Map lights....................2-46
Map pocket...................2-36
Meters and gauges................2-3
Instrument brightness control.......2-27
Mirror
Automatic anti-glare inside mirror.....3-13
Inside mirror.................3-12Outside mirrors...............3-13
Vanity mirror.................3-12
Multi-remote control system
(See remote keyless entry system).......3-5
N
NISSAN vehicle immobilizer
system................2-22, 3-2, 5-10
O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating).....9-4
Odometer.....................2-4
Oil
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Changing engine oil.............8-9
Changing engine oil filter..........8-10
Checking engine oil level..........8-8
Engine oil...................8-8
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . .9-5
Engine oil viscosity..............9-5
Outside mirrors.................3-13
Overdrive switch................5-15
Overheat
If your vehicle overheats..........6-10
Owner’s manual order form..........9-31
Owner’s manual/service manual order
information....................9-31P
Parking
Parking brake operation..........5-17
Parking/parking on hills...........5-29
Phone, BluetoothThands-free system. . . .4-28
Power
Power door locks...............3-4
Power outlet.................2-32
Power rear windows............2-45
Power steering fluid.............8-11
Power steering system...........5-30
Power windows...............2-44
Rear power windows............2-45
Precautions
Maintenance precautions..........8-5
On-pavement and off-road driving
precautions..................5-5
Precautions on child
restraints............1-22, 1-31, 1-37
Precautions on seat belt usage......1-10
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system....................1-42
Precautions when starting and driving . . .5-2
Pre-tensioner seat belt system.........1-55
Push starting..................6-10
R
Radio
Car phone or CB radio...........4-27
Compact Disc (CD) changer.......4-23
FM/AM radio with compact disc (CD)
player....................4-16
10-4
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FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD)
player....................4-20
Steering wheel audio control switch. . . .4-26
Readiness for inspection maintenance (I/M)
test........................9-29
Rear center seat belt..............1-17
Rear power windows..............2-45
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch......................2-25
Rear window wiper and washer switches . . .2-24
Recorders
Event data..................9-30
Refrigerant recommendation..........9-6
Registering your vehicle in another country. . .9-9
Remote keyless entry system..........3-5
Reporting safety defects (US only)......9-29
Roof rack....................2-41
S
Safety
Child safety rear door lock..........3-5
Child seat belts........1-22, 1-31, 1-37
Reporting safety defects (US only). . . .9-29
Seat adjustment
Front manual seat adjustment........1-2
Seat belt
Child safety.................1-12
Infants and small children.........1-13
Injured Person................1-14
Larger children...............1-13
Precautions on seat belt usage......1-10
Pregnant women..............1-14
Pre-tensioner seat belt system.......1-55
Rear center seat belt............1-17Seat belt extenders.............1-21
Seat belt maintenance...........1-21
Seat belts..................1-10
Shoulder belt height adjustment......1-20
Three-point type with retractor.......1-14
Seat belt warning light.............2-16
Seatback pockets................2-36
Seats
Adjustment..................1-2
Front seats..................1-2
Manual front seat adjustment........1-2
Security indicator light.............2-19
Security system (NISSAN vehicle immobilizer
system) , engine start........2-22, 3-2, 5-10
Self-adjusting brakes..............8-21
Service manual order form...........9-31
Servicing air conditioner.............4-9
Shift lock release................5-14
Shifting
Automatic transmission...........5-12
Manual transmission............5-16
Shoulder belt height adjustment........1-20
Side air bag system (See supplemental side air
bag, curtain and rollover air bag systems). . .1-54
Spark plug replacement............8-16
Speedometer...................2-4
SRS warning label...............1-57
Starting
Before starting the engine.........5-10
Jump starting.................6-8
Precautions when starting and driving . . .5-2
Push starting................6-10
Starting the engine.............5-11
Steering
Power steering fluid.............8-11
Power steering system...........5-30Tilting steering wheel............3-11
Steering wheel audio control switch......4-26
Stop light....................8-28
Storage.....................2-33
Storage bin...................2-38
Storage tray...................2-33
Sun visors....................3-11
Sunglasses case................2-35
Supplemental air bag warning labels.....1-57
Supplemental air bag warning light . . .1-57, 2-17
Supplemental front impact air bag system . .1-50
Supplemental restraint system
Information and warning labels.......1-57
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system....................1-42
Supplemental restraint system
(Supplemental air bag system).........1-42
Switch
Automatic power window switch.....2-45
Clutch interlock (clutch start) switch . . .2-31
Electronic locking rear differential (E-Lock)
system switch................2-30
Fog light switch...............2-28
Hazard warning flasher switch.......2-28
Headlight and turn signal switch......2-25
Headlight control switch..........2-25
Hill descent control switch.........2-29
Ignition switch................5-8
Overdrive switch..............5-15
Power door lock switch...........3-4
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch....................2-25
Rear window wiper and washer
switches...................2-24
Turn signal switch..............2-27
10-5
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