Warning
lightName Page
or
Anti-lock Braking
System (ABS) warn-
ing light2-13
Automatic transmis-
sion oil temperature
warning light (if so
equipped)2-13
Automatic transmis-
sion park warning
light (
model)2-13
or
Brake warning light 2-14
Charge warning
light2-14
Door open warning
light2-14
Warning
lightName Page
Engine oil pressure
warning light2-14
4WD warning light
(
model)2-15
Low fuel warning
light2-15
Low tire pressure
warning light2-15
Low windshield
washer fluid warning
light2-17
Seat belt warning
light and chime2-17
Supplemental air
bag warning light2-17
Indicator
lightName Page
Automatic transmis-
sion position indica-
tor light (if so
equipped)2-17
Cruise main switch
indicator light2-17
Cruise set switch
indicator light2-18
Electronic locking
rear differential (E-
Lock) system on
indicator light (if so
equipped)2-18
4WD shift indicator
light (
model)2-18
Front passenger air
bag status light2-18
High beam indicator
light (Blue)2-18
WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS
Illustrated table of contents0-9
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2009 Xterra(xtr)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
05/20/08Ðdebbie
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2 Instruments and controls
Instrument panel...................................2-2
Meters and gauges................................2-3
Speedometer and odometer.....................2-4
Trip computer (if so equipped)...................2-5
Tachometer....................................2-6
Engine coolant temperature gauge...............2-6
Fuel gauge....................................2-7
Engine oil pressure gauge.......................2-8
Voltmeter......................................2-8
Compass display (if so equipped)...................2-9
Compass display...............................2-9
Warning/indicator lights and audible reminders......2-12
Checking bulbs...............................2-13
Warning lights................................2-13
Indicator lights................................2-17
Audible reminders.............................2-21
Security systems.................................2-22
Vehicle security system.........................2-22
NISSAN vehicle immobilizer system.............2-23
Windshield wiper and washer switch...............2-24
Switch operation..............................2-24
Rear window wiper and washer switch..............2-25
Rear window defroster switch......................2-25Headlight and turn signal switch....................2-26
Headlight control switch........................2-26
Daytime running light system (Canada only)......2-27
Instrument brightness control...................2-28
Turn signal switch.............................2-28
Fog light switch (if so equipped)................2-28
Off road lamps switch (if so equipped)...........2-29
Hazard warning flasher switch.....................2-29
Horn............................................2-30
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) OFF switch.........2-30
Hill descent control switch (if so equipped)..........2-31
Electronic locking rear differential (E-Lock) system
switch (if so equipped)............................2-32
Clutch interlock (clutch start) switch
(if so equipped)..................................2-33
Power outlet.....................................2-33
Storage.........................................2-35
Storage trays.................................2-35
Console box..................................2-36
Glove box....................................2-36
Sunglasses holder (if so equipped)..............2-36
Map pockets..................................2-37
Seat pockets (if so equipped)...................2-37
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2009 Xterra(xtr)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
06/10/08Ðdebbie
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15. Electronic locking rear differential
(E-Lock) system switch
(if so equipped) (P. 2-32)
Hill descent control switch
(if so equipped) (P. 2-31)
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) OFF
switch (P. 2-30)
16. Shift selector (P. 5-13)
17. 4WD shift switch (if so equipped)
(P. 5-22)
18. Climate controls (P. 4-9)
19. Hazard warning flasher switch (P. 2-29)
20. Ignition switch (P. 5-9)
21. Tilt steering wheel control (P. 3-11)
22. Off road lamps switch (P. 2-29)
23. Clutch interlock (clutch start) switch
(if so equipped) (P. 2-33)
24. Power outside mirror controls (P. 3-14)
See the page number indicated in paren-
theses for operating details.
1. Warning/indicator lights
2. Tachometer
3. Speedometer
4. Fuel gauge
5. Voltmeter6. Odometer/Twin trip odometer/Trip com-
puter (if so equipped)
7. Engine oil pressure gauge
8. Engine coolant temperature gauge
WIC0911
METERS AND GAUGES
Instruments and controls2-3
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2009 Xterra(xtr)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
05/20/08Ðdebbie
X
orAnti-lock Braking System (ABS)
warning lightLow windshield washer fluid warning lightHill descent control system on indicator light
(if so equipped)
Automatic transmission oil temperature warn-
ing light (if so equipped)Seat belt warning light and chimeMalfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
Automatic transmission park warning light
(model)Supplemental air bag warning lightOverdrive off indicator light (automatic trans-
mission models only)
orBrake warning lightAutomatic transmission position indicator light
(A/T models only)Security indicator light
Charge warning lightCruise main switch indicator lightSlip indicator light for VDC
Door open warning lightCruise set switch indicator lightTransfer 4LO position indicator light
(model)
Engine oil pressure warning lightElectronic locking rear differential (E-Lock)
system on indicator light (if so equipped)Turn signal/hazard indicator lights
4WD warning light (model)4WD shift indicator light (model)Vehicle Dynamic Control off indicator light
Low fuel warning lightFront passenger air bag status light
Low tire pressure warning lightHigh beam indicator light (Blue)
WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS AND
AUDIBLE REMINDERS
2-12Instruments and controls
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2009 Xterra(xtr)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
05/22/08Ðtbrooks
X
The engine oil pressure warning light is not
designed to indicate a low oil level.Use the
dipstick to check the oil level. See “Engine oil” in
the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section of
this manual.
CAUTION
Running the engine with the engine oil
pressure warning light on could cause se-
rious damage to the engine almost imme-
diately. Such damage is not covered by
warranty. Turn off the engine as soon as it
is safe to do so.
4WD warning light (
model)
The 4WD warning light comes on when the igni-
tion switch is turned to ON. It turns off soon after
the engine is started.
If the engine or vehicle is not functioning properly,
the warning light will either remain illuminated or
blink. See “4WD warning light” in the “Starting
and driving” section.
CAUTION
cIf the warning light comes on or blinks
during operation, have your vehicle
checked by a NISSAN dealer as soon as
possible.
cDo not drive on dry hard surface roads
in the 4H or 4LO position. If the 4WD
warning light turns on when you are
driving on dry hard surface roads:
– in the 4H position, shift the 4WD shift
switch to 2WD.
– in the 4LO position for automatic
transmission models, stop the ve-
hicle and shift the shift selector to
the N position with the brake pedal
depressed and shift the 4WD shift
switch to 2WD.
– in the 4LO position for manual trans-
mission models, stop the vehicle and
shift the shift selector to the N posi-
tion with the clutch pedal depressed
and shift the 4WD shift switch to
2WD,
cIf the warning light is still on after the
above operation, have your vehicle
checked by a NISSAN dealer as soon as
possible.
Low fuel warning light
This light comes on when the fuel level in the fuel
tank is getting low. Refuel as soon as it is conve-
nient, preferably before the fuel gauge reaches E
(Empty) .There will be a small reserve of fuel
in the tank when the fuel gauge needle
reaches E (Empty) .
Low tire pressure warning
light
Your vehicle is equipped with a Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (TPMS) that monitors the tire
pressure of all tires except the spare.
The low tire pressure warning light warns of low
tire pressure or indicates that the TPMS is not
functioning properly.
After the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, this light illuminates for about 1 second
and turns off.
Low tire pressure warning:
If the vehicle is being driven with low tire
pressure, the warning light will illuminate.
When the low tire pressure warning light
illuminates, you should stop and adjust the
tire pressure of all 4 tires to the recom-
mended COLD tire pressure shown on the
Tire and Loading Information label located
Instruments and controls2-15
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2009 Xterra(xtr)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
05/21/08Ðdebbie
X
5 Starting and driving
Precautions when starting and driving................5-2
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide)..................5-2
Three-way catalyst..............................5-3
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)..........5-3
On-pavement and off-road driving
precautions....................................5-5
Avoiding collision and rollover....................5-6
Off-road recovery...............................5-6
Rapid air pressure loss..........................5-6
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving................5-7
Driving safety precautions.......................5-7
Ignition switch.....................................5-9
Automatic transmission.........................5-10
Manual transmission...........................5-11
Key positions.................................5-11
Nissan vehicle immobilizer system...............5-11
Before starting the engine.........................5-12
Starting the engine...............................5-12
Driving the vehicle................................5-13
Automatic transmission.........................5-13
Manual transmission (if so equipped)............5-17
Parking brake....................................5-19
Cruise control....................................5-20Precautions on cruise control...................5-20
Cruise control operations.......................5-20
Break-in schedule................................5-21
Increasing fuel economy...........................5-22
Using four wheel drive (4WD).............5-22
Transfer case shifting procedures...............5-23
Electronic locking rear differential (E-Lock) system
(if so equipped)..................................5-30
Parking/parking on hills............................5-31
Power steering...................................5-32
Brake system....................................5-32
Brake precautions.............................5-32
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).................5-33
Active brake limited slip (ABLS) system
(if so equipped)..................................5-34
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system.............5-34
Hill descent control system (if so equipped).........5-36
Hill start assist 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
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2009 Xterra(xtr)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
05/21/08Ðdebbie
X
THREE-WAY CATALYST
The three-way catalyst is an emission control
device installed in the exhaust system. Exhaust
gases in the three-way catalyst are burned at
high temperatures to help reduce pollutants.
WARNING
cThe exhaust gas and the exhaust sys-
tem are very hot. Keep people, animals
or flammable materials away from the
exhaust system components.
cDo not stop or park the vehicle over
flammable materials such as dry grass,
waste paper or rags. They may ignite
and cause a fire.
CAUTION
cDo not use leaded gasoline. Deposits
from leaded gasoline will seriously re-
duce the three-way catalyst’s ability to
help reduce exhaust pollutants.cKeep your engine tuned up. Malfunc-
tions in the ignition, fuel injection, or
electrical systems can cause overrich
fuel flow into the three-way catalyst,
causing it to overheat. Do not keep driv-
ing if the engine misfires, or if notice-
able loss of performance or other un-
usual operating conditions are
detected. Have the vehicle inspected
promptly by a NISSAN dealer.
cAvoid driving with an extremely low fuel
level. Running out of fuel could cause
the engine to misfire, damaging the
three-way catalyst.
cDo not race the engine while warming it
up.
cDo not push or tow your vehicle to start
the engine.TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING
SYSTEM (TPMS)
Each tire, including the spare (if provided) ,
should be checked monthly when cold and in-
flated to the inflation pressure recommended by
the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard
or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle has
tires of a different size than the size indicated on
the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label,you should determine the proper tire inflation
pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale
when one or more of your tires is significantly
under-inflated. Accordingly, when the low tire
pressure telltale illuminates, you should stop and
check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate
them to the proper pressure. Driving on a signifi-
cantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to over-
heat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation
also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and
may affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping
ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for
proper tire maintenance, and it is the driver’s
responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure,
even if under-inflation has not reached the level to
trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure
telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a
TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when the
system is not operating properly. The TPMS mal-
function indicator is combined with the low tire
pressure telltale. When the system detects a
malfunction, the telltale will flash for approxi-
mately one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon
Starting and driving5-3
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2009 Xterra(xtr)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
05/21/08Ðdebbie
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cAccelerate slowly and smoothly. Maintain
cruising speeds with a constant accelerator
position.
cDrive at moderate speeds on the highway.
Driving at high speed lowers fuel economy.
cAvoid unnecessary stopping and braking.
Maintain a safe distance behind other ve-
hicles.
cUse a proper gear range which suits road
conditions. On level roads, shift into high
gear as soon as possible.
cAvoid unnecessary engine idling.
cKeep your engine tuned up.
cFollow the recommended periodic mainte-
nance schedule.
cKeep the tires inflated to the correct pres-
sure. Low tire pressure increases tire wear
and lowers fuel economy.
cKeep the front wheels in correct alignment.
Improper alignment increases tire wear and
lowers fuel economy.
cAir conditioner operation lowers fuel
economy. Use the air conditioner only when
necessary.cWhen cruising at highway speeds, it is more
economical to use the air conditioner and
leave the windows closed to reduce drag.
cFor vehicles equipped with
, use 4H
or 4L position only when necessary. Four-
wheel drive operation lowers fuel economy.
WARNING
cFor 4WD equipped vehicles, do not at-
tempt to raise two wheels off the
ground and shift the transmission to
any drive or reverse position with the
engine running. Doing so may result in
drivetrain damage or unexpected ve-
hicle movement which could result in
serious vehicle damage or personal
injury.
cDo not attempt to test a 4WD equipped
vehicle on a 2-wheel dynamometer
(such as the dynamometers used by
some states for emissions testing) , or
similar equipment even if the other two
wheels are raised off the ground. Make
sure you inform test facility personnel
that your vehicle is equipped with 4WD
before it is placed on a dynamometer.
Using the wrong test equipment may
result in drivetrain damage or unex-
pected vehicle movement which could
result in serious vehicle damage or per-
sonal injury.
INCREASING FUEL ECONOMYUSING FOUR WHEEL DRIVE
(4WD)
5-22Starting and driving
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2009 Xterra(xtr)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
05/22/08Ðtbrooks
X