2011 NISSAN FRONTIER light

ball is mounted to the bumper. Be sure to leave
enough slack in the chains to permit turning
corners.
Trailer lights
CAUTION
When splicing into the vehicle electrical
system, a commercially available power-
type module/converter must be used to
provide power for all trailer lighting. This
unit uses the vehicle battery as a direct
power source for all trailer lights while
using the vehicle tail light, stoplight and
turn signal circuits as a signal source. The
module/converter must draw no more
that 15 milliamps from the stop and tail
lamp circuits. Using a module/converter
that exceeds these power requirements
may damage the vehicle’s electrical sys-
tem. See a reputable trailer dealer to ob-
tain the proper equipment and to have it
installed.
Trailer lights should comply with federal and/or
local regulations. For assistance in hooking up
trailer lights, contact a NISSAN dealer or repu-
table trailer dealer. Vehicles equipped with the
optional trailer tow package are equipped with a
7-pin trailer harness connector. A flat 4–pin har-
ness is available from your dealer for vehicles without a tow package. If your trailer is equipped
with a flat 4-pin connector, an adapter will be
needed to connect the trailer lights to the vehicle.
Adapters are available at auto parts stores and
hitch retailers.
Trailer brakes
If your trailer is equipped with a braking system,
make sure it conforms to federal and/or local
regulations and that it is properly installed.
Vehicles equipped with a 7–pin trailer harness
connector are pre-wired for a trailer brake con-
troller. See a NISSAN dealer for a trailer brake
adapter harness.
WARNING
Never connect a trailer brake system di-
rectly to the vehicle brake system.
When towing a trailer load of 3,500 lbs.
(1587 kg) or more, trailers with a brake
system MUST be used. However, most states
require a separate braking system on trailers with
a loaded weight above a specific amount. Make
sure the trailer meets the local regulations and
the regulations where you plan to tow.
Several types of braking systems are available.
Surge Brakes - The surge brake actuator is
mounted on the trailer tongue with a hydraulic line running to each trailer wheel. Surge brakes are
activated by the trailer pushing against the hitch
ball when the tow vehicle is braking. Hydraulic
surge brakes are common on rental trailers and
some boat trailers. In this type of system, there is
no hydraulic or electric connection for brake op-
eration between the tow vehicle and the trailer.
Electric Trailer Brakes -
Electric braking sys-
tems are activated by an electronic signal sent
from a trailer brake controller (special brake-
sensing module) . If electric trailer brakes are
used, see Electric trailer brake controller in this
section.
Have a professional supplier of towing equip-
ment make sure the trailer brakes are properly
installed and demonstrate proper brake function
testing.
Electric trailer brake controller
Trailers equipped with electric brakes may re-
quire the installation of an aftermarket trailer
brake controller.
A Genuine NISSAN jumper harness is available
that is specifically designed to be used when
installing an aftermarket brake controller.
Install the aftermarket electric trailer brake con-
troller according to the manufacturer’s instruc-
tions.
9-32Technical and consumer information

Pre-towing tips
●Be 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.
● Always secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving.
●
Keep the cargo load as low as possible in the
trailer to keep the trailer center of gravity low.
● Load 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.
● Check 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.
● Be certain your rearview mirrors conform to
all federal, state or local regulations. If not,
install any mirrors required for towing before
driving the vehicle.
● Determine 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.
● Always secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving.
● Lock the trailer hitch coupler with a pin or
lock to prevent the coupler from inadvert-
ently becoming unlatched.
● Avoid abrupt starts, acceleration or stops.
● Avoid sharp turns or lane changes.
● Always drive your vehicle at a moderate
speed.
● When 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 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) (A/T) and turn the 4WD switch
to 2WD or 4H. See “Automatic transmission
park warning light” in the “Instruments and
controls” section and “Using four wheel
drive (4WD)” in the “Starting and driving”
section.
7. Turn off the engine.
Technical and consumer information9-33

●Some states or provinces have specific
regulations and speed limits for vehicles that
are towing trailers. Obey the local speed
limits.
● Check your hitch, trailer wiring harness con-
nections, and trailer wheel lug nuts after 50
miles (80 km) of travel and at every break.
● When launching a boat, don’t allow the wa-
ter level to go over the exhaust tail pipe or
rear bumper.
● Make sure you disconnect the trailer lights
before backing the trailer into the water or
the trailer lights may burn out.
When towing a trailer, final drive gear oil
should be replaced and transmission
oil/fluid should be changed more fre-
quently. For additional information, see the
“Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section
earlier in this manual.
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
● Failure to follow these guidelines can
result in severe transmission damage.
● Whenever flat towing your vehicle, al-
ways 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 lubrication.
● For emergency towing procedures refer
to “Towing recommended by NISSAN”
in the “In case of emergency” section of
this manual.
Manual Transmission (if so equipped)
● Always tow with the manual transmission in
Neutral.
● On 4-wheel drive vehicles, place the transfer
case in the 2H range. Failure to do so will
cause the powertrain to bind up. ●
After 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.
Automatic Transmission (if so
equipped)
To tow a vehicle equipped with an automatic
transmission, an appropriate vehicle dolly MUST
be placed under the towed vehicle’s drive
wheels. Always follow the dolly manufacturer’s
recommendations when using their product.
Technical and consumer information9-35

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. Place the ignition switch in the ON position
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 “not ready”. If the MIL does not
blink after 20 seconds, the I/M test condition is
“ready”. Contact a NISSAN dealer to set the
“ready condition” or to prepare the vehicle for
testing.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:
● How various systems in your vehicle were
operating;
● Whether or not the driver and passenger
safety belts were buckled/fastened;
● How far (if at all) the driver was depressing
the accelerator and/or brake pedal; and,
● How fast the vehicle was traveling.
● Sounds 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 with the 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. EDR data will only
be accessed with the consent of the vehicle
owner or lessee or as otherwise required or per-
mitted by law.
READINESS FOR INSPECTION/
MAINTENANCE (I/M) TEST
EVENT DATA RECORDERS (EDR)
9-38Technical and consumer information

10 Index
4WD warning light...............2-17
A
Active brake limited slip (ABLS) system
(if so equipped) .................5-34
Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system) .....................1-61
Air bag system Front (See supplemental front impact
air bag system) ...............1-68
Air bag warning labels .............1-75
Air bag warning light ...........1-76, 2-19
Air cleaner housing filter ............8-20
Air conditioner Air conditioner operation .......4-5, 4-12
Air conditioner service ...........4-17
Air conditioner specification label .....9-12
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
oil recommendations .............9-7
Heater and air conditioner
controls ................4-2, 4-10
Servicing air conditioner ..........4-17
Air flow charts ...............4-7, 4-14
Alarm system
(See vehicle security system) .........2-24
Anchor point locations .............1-27
Antenna .....................4-36
Anti-lock brake warning light ..........2-15
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ........5-33
Audible reminders ...............2-23
Audio system ..................4-17 Compact Disc (CD) changer . . . .4-29, 4-33
Compact disc (CD) player
.........4-27
FM-AM radio with compact disc
(CD) changer ................4-29
FM/AM radio with compact disc
(CD) player .................4-25
Radio ....................4-17
Steering wheel audio control switch . . .4-35
Autolight switch .................2-29
Automatic Automatic power window switch .....2-48
Automatic transmission position indicator
light .....................2-20
Driving with automatic transmission . . . .5-13
Automatic anti-glare inside mirror .......3-15
Automatic door locks ..............3-5
AUX jack ....................4-34
B
Battery ......................8-16
Charge

warning light ............2-16
Before starting the engine ...........5-12
Belt (See drive belt) ..............8-18
Block heater Engine ....................5-39
Bluetooth hands-free phone system .....4-37
Booster seats ..................1-56
Brake Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ......5-33
Brake fluid ..................8-14
Brake light (See stop light) .........8-30 Brake system
................5-32
Brake warning light .............2-16
Brake wear indicators ........2-23, 8-23
Parking brake operation ..........5-19
Self-adjusting brakes ............8-23
Brakes ......................8-23
Break-in schedule ...............5-22
Brightness control Instrument panel ..............2-31
Bulb check/instrument panel ..........2-15
Bulb replacement ................8-30
C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants ...................9-2
Car phone or CB radio .............4-36
Cargo light switch ...............2-33
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . .9-13
CD care and cleaning .............4-35
CD changer (See audio system) . . . .4-29, 4-33
CD player (See audio system) .........4-27
Check tire press .................2-5
Child restraint with top tether strap ......1-27
Child restraints .......1-21, 1-22, 1-23, 1-25
Precautions on child
restraints ........1-23, 1-34, 1-46, 1-56
Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-27
Child safety rear door lock ............3-6
Chimes,
audible reminders ...........2-23
Cleaning exterior and interior ..........7-2
Clock ......................4-26

ClutchClutch fluid ..................8-15
Clutch interlock (clutch start) switch ......2-36
C.M.V.S.S. certification label ..........9-11
Cold weather driving ..............5-38
Compact disc (CD) player ...........4-27
Compass display ................2-10
Console box ...................2-41
Controls Audio controls (steering wheel) .......4-35
Heater and air conditioner controls . .4-2, 4-10
Coolant Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine coolant ...........8-9
Checking engine coolant level ........8-9
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-6
Corrosion protection ...............7-5
Cruise control ..................5-20
Cup holders ...................2-43
Curtain side-impact and rollover air bag . . . .1-73
D
Daytime running light system (Canada only) . .2-30
Defroster switch Rear window defroster switch .......2-27
Dimensions and weights .............9-9
Dimmer switch for instrument panel ......2-31
Door locks .....................3-3
Door open warning light .............2-16
Drive belt .....................8-18
Driving Cold weather driving ............5-38
Driving with automatic transmission . . . .5-13 Driving with manual transmission
......5-17
Precautions when starting and driving . . . .5-2
E
Economy - fuel ..................5-22
Electronic locking rear differential (E-Lock)
system ......................5-29
Electronic locking rear differential (E-Lock)
system switch ..................2-35
Emission control information label .......9-12
Emission control system warranty .......9-36
Engine Before starting the engine ..........5-12
Block
heater .................5-39
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine coolant ...........8-9
Changing engine oil .............8-11
Changing engine oil filter ..........8-12
Checking engine coolant level ........8-9
Checking engine oil level ..........8-10
Engine compartment check locations . . . .8-6
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-6
Engine cooling system ............8-8
Engine oil ...................8-10
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . . .9-6
Engine oil pressure warning light ......2-17
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-6
Engine serial number ............9-11
Engine specifications .............9-8
Starting the engine .............5-12
Engine oil pressure gauge ............2-8
Event data recorders ..............9-38
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) .........5-2 F
First aid kit .....................6-2
Flashers
(See hazard warning flasher switch) ......2-32
Flat tire .......................6-3
Floor mat positioning aid .............7-5
Fluid Brake fluid ..................8-14
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Clutch fluid ..................8-15
Engine coolant .................8-8
Engine oil ...................8-10
Power steering fluid .............8-14
Windshield-washer fluid ...........8-15
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ...........9-11
Fog light switch .................2-31
Front air bag system
(See supplemental restraint system) ......1-68
Front
seats.....................1-2
Fuel Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Fuel economy ................5-22
Fuel gauge ...................2-7
Fuel octane rating ...............9-5
Fuel recommendation .............9-4
Fuel-filler door and cap ...........3-11
Loose fuel cap warning ........2-5, 3-11
Fuses .......................8-24
Fusible links ...................8-25
10-2

G
Garage door opener, HomeLink Universal
Transceiver ....................2-53
Gascap .....................3-11
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 .................2-9
Trip odometer .................2-4
Voltmeter ....................2-8
General maintenance ...............8-2
Glove box .....................2-41
H
Hands-free phone system, Bluetooth .....4-37
Hazard warning flasher switch .........2-32
Headlight and turn signal switch ........2-28
Headlight control switch ............2-28
Headlights ....................8-28
Heated seats ...................2-33
Heater Heater and air conditioner controls . .4-2, 4-10
Heater operation ............4-4, 4-11
Hill descent control switch ...........2-34
Hill descent control system ...........5-36
Hill start assist system ..............5-37
HomeLink Universal Transceiver ........2-53
Hood release ...................3-10 Horn
.......................2-32
I
Ignition switch ..................5-10
Immobilizer system .........2-25, 3-2, 5-11
Important vehicle information label .......9-11
In-cabin microfilter ................8-20
Increasing fuel economy .............5-22
Indicator

lights and audible reminders
(See warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders) ....................2-14
Inside automatic anti-glare mirror ........3-15
Inside mirror ...................3-14
Instrument brightness control ..........2-31
Instrument panel ...............0-6, 2-2
Instrument panel dimmer switch ........2-31
Interior light ....................2-52
ISOFIX child restraints .............1-25
J
Jump seat .....................1-5
Jump starting ...................6-9
K
Key.........................3-2
Keyfob battery replacement ...........8-26
Keyless entry system
(See remote keyless entry system) ........3-6 L
Labels Air conditioner specification label .....9-12
C.M.V.S.S. certification label ........9-11
Emission control information label .....9-12
Engine serial number ............9-11
F.M.V.S.S. certification label .........9-11
Tire and Loading Information label .....9-12
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate . .9-10
Warning labels (for SRS) ..........1-75
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren)
System ......................1-25
License plate Installing the license plate ..........9-13
Light Air bag warning light .........1-76, 2-19
Brake light (See stop light) .........8-30
Bulb check/instrument panel ........2-15
Bulb replacement ..............8-30
Charge warning light ............2-16
Fog light switch ...............2-31
Headlight and turn signal switch ......2-28
Headlight control switch ..........2-28
Headlights ..................8-28
Interior light ..................2-52
Light

bulbs ..................8-28
Low tire pressure warning light .......2-17
Low windshield-washer fluid warning
light ......................2-19
Passenger air bag and status light .....1-70
Security indicator light ............2-22
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders ...................2-14
Lights Map lights ..................2-53
10-3

LockChild safety rear door lock ..........3-6
Door locks ...................3-3
Power door locks ...............3-4
Loose fuel cap warning ..........2-5, 3-11
Low fuel warning light ..............2-17
Low tire pressure warning light .........2-17
Low windshield-washer fluid warning light . . .2-19
Luggage rack (see roof rack) ..........2-45
Luggage (See vehicle loading information) . .9-13
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 ............2-21
Manual front seat adjustment ...........1-2
Manual windows .................2-49
Map lights ....................2-53
Map pocket ....................2-42
Meters and gauges ................2-3
Instrument brightness control ........2-31
Mirror Automatic anti-glare inside mirror ......3-15
Inside mirror .................3-14
Outside mirrors ...............3-15
Vanity mirror .................3-14
Moonroof .....................2-49
Multi-remote control system
(See remote keyless entry system) ........3-6 N
NISSAN vehicle immobilizer
system ................2-25, 3-2, 5-11
O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating) ......9-5
Odometer .....................2-4
Oil Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine oil ............ .8-11
Changing

engine oil filter ..........8-12
Checking engine oil level ..........8-10
Engine oil ...................8-10
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . . .9-6
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-6
Outside mirrors .................3-15
Overdrive switch .................5-16
Overheat If your vehicle overheats ...........6-11
Owner’s manual order form ...........9-39
Owner’s manual/service manual order
information ....................9-39
P
Parking Parking brake operation ...........5-19
Parking/parking on hills ...........5-31
Phone, Bluetooth hands-free system.....4-37
Power Front seat adjustment .............1-4 Power door locks
...............3-4
Power outlet .................2-37
Power steering fluid .............8-14
Power steering system ...........5-32
Power windows ...............2-47
Rear power windows ............2-48
Precautions Maintenance precautions ...........8-5
On-pavement and off-road driving
precautions ..................5-6
Precautions on child
restraints .........1-23, 1-34, 1-46, 1-56
Precautions on seat belt usage .......1-13
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ....................1-61
Precautions when starting and driving . . . .5-2
Pre-tensioner seat belt system .........1-74
Push starting ...................6-11
R
Radio Car phone or CB radio ...........4-36
Compact Disc (CD) changer . . . .4-29, 4-33
FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD)
changer ....................4-29
FM/AM radio with compact disc (CD)
player .................... .4-25
Steering

wheel audio control switch . . . .4-35
Readiness for inspection maintenance
(I/M) test .....................9-38
Rear power windows ..............2-48
Rear sliding window ...............2-49
Rear window defroster switch .........2-27
Recorders
10-4