2011 NISSAN FRONTIER steering

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

To drive away:1. Start the vehicle.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
3. Shift the transmission into gear.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Drive slowly until the vehicle and trailer are clear from the blocks.
6. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
7. Have someone retrieve and store the blocks. ● While going downhill, the weight of the
trailer pushing on the tow vehicle may de-
crease overall stability. Therefore, to main-
tain adequate control, reduce your speed
and shift to a lower gear. Avoid long or
repeated use of the brakes when descend-
ing a hill, as this reduces their effectiveness
and could cause overheating. Shifting to a
lower gear instead provides “engine brak-
ing” and reduces the need to brake as fre-
quently.
● If the engine coolant temperature rises to a
high temperature, refer to “If your vehicle
overheats” in the “In case of emergency”
section of this owner’s manual.
● Trailer towing requires more fuel than normal
circumstances. ●
Avoid towing a trailer for your vehicle’s first
500 miles (805 km) .
● For the first 500 miles (805 km) that you do
tow, do not drive over 50 MPH (80 km/h) .
● Have your vehicle serviced more often than
at intervals specified in the recommended
Maintenance Schedule in the “NISSAN Ser-
vice and Maintenance Guide”.
● When making a turn, your trailer wheels will
be closer to the inside of the turn than your
vehicle wheels. To compensate for this,
make a larger than normal turning radius
during the turn.
● Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely
affect vehicle/trailer handling, possibly caus-
ing vehicle sway. When being passed by
larger vehicles, be prepared for possible
changes in crosswinds that could affect ve-
hicle handling.
Do the following if the trailer begins to sway: 1. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal to allow the vehicle to coast and steer as
straight ahead as the road conditions allow.
This combination will help stabilize the ve-
hicle
– Do not correct trailer sway by steering or applying the brakes. 2. When the trailer sway stops, gently apply the
brakes and pull to the side of the road in a
safe area.
3. Try to rearrange the trailer load so it is bal- anced as described earlier in this section.
● Be careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires con-
siderably more distance than normal pass-
ing. Remember, the length of the trailer must
also pass the other vehicle before you can
safely change lanes.
● Downshift the transmission to a lower gear
for engine braking when driving down steep
or long hills. This will help slow the vehicle
without applying the brakes.
● Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long
or too frequently. This could cause the
brakes to overheat, resulting in reduced
braking efficiency.
● Increase your following distance to allow for
greater stopping distances while towing a
trailer. Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
● NISSAN recommends that the cruise con-
trol not be used while towing a trailer.
9-34Technical 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

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

Event data..................9-38
Refrigerant recommendation ...........9-7
Registering your vehicle in another country . .9-10
Remote keyless entry system ...........3-6
Reporting safety defects (US only) .......9-37
Roof rack .....................2-45
S
Safety Child safety rear door lock ..........3-6
Child seat belts .....1-23, 1-34, 1-46, 1-56
Reporting safety defects (US only) .....9-37
Seat Jump seat ...................1-5
Seat adjustment Front manual seat adjustment ........1-2
Front power seat adjustment .........1-4
Seat belt Child safety ..................1-21
Infants and small children ..........1-22
Injured Person ................1-16
Larger children ................1-22
Precautions on seat belt usage .......1-13
Pregnant women ...............1-16
Pre-tensioner seat belt system .......1-74
Seat belt extenders .............1-20
Seat belt maintenance ............1-21
Seat belts ...................1-13
Shoulder belt height adjustment ......1-20
Three-point type with retractor .......1-16
Seat belt warning light ..............2-19
Seatback pockets ................2-43
Seats Adjustment ...................1-2 Front seats
...................1-2
Heated seats .................2-33
Manual front seat adjustment .........1-2
Security indicator light ..............2-22
Security system (NISSAN vehicle immobilizer
system) , engine start ........2-25, 3-2, 5-11
Self-adjusting brakes ..............8-23
Service

manual order form ...........9-39
Servicing air conditioner .............4-17
Shift lock release .................5-15
Shifting Automatic transmission ...........5-14
Manual transmission .............5-17
Shoulder belt height adjustment ........1-20
Side air bag system (See supplemental side air
bag, curtain and rollover air bag systems) . . .1-73
Spark plug replacement .............8-19
Speedometer ...................2-4
SRS warning label ................1-75
Starting Before starting the engine ..........5-12
Jump starting .................6-9
Precautions when starting and driving . . . .5-2
Push starting .................6-11
Starting the engine .............5-12
Steering Power steering fluid .............8-14
Power steering system ...........5-32
Tilting steering wheel ............3-13
Steering wheel audio control switch ......4-35
Stop light .....................8-30
Storage ......................2-38
Storage tray ................2-38, 2-39
Sun visors ....................3-13
Sunglasses case .................2-41
Sunroof (see Moonroof) .............2-49 Supplemental air bag warning labels
......1-75
Supplemental air bag warning light . . .1-76, 2-19
Supplemental front impact air bag system . . .1-68
Supplemental restraint system Information and warning labels .......1-75
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ....................1-61
Supplemental restraint system
(Supplemental air bag system) .........1-61
Switch Autolight switch ...............2-29
Automatic power window switch ......2-48
Clutch interlock (clutch start) switch . . . .2-36
Electronic locking rear differential (E-Lock)
system switch ................2-35
Fog light switch ...............2-31
Hazard

warning flasher switch .......2-32
Headlight and turn signal switch ......2-28
Headlight control switch ..........2-28
Hill descent control switch .........2-34
Ignition switch ................5-10
Overdrive switch ...............5-16
Power door lock switch ............3-4
Rear window defroster switch .......2-27
Turn signal switch ..............2-31
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off
switch .....................2-34
Windshield wiper and washer switch . . .2-26
T
Tachometer ....................2-6
Tailgate latch ............3-16, 3-18, 3-19
Temperature gauge Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-6
10-5

Theft (NISSAN vehicle immobilizer system) ,
engine start.............2-25, 3-2, 5-11
Three-way catalyst ................5-3
Tie down hooks .................3-19
Tilting steering wheel ..............3-13
Tire Flat tire .....................6-3
Spare tire ................6-4, 8-42
Tire and Loading Information label .....9-12
Tire chains ..................8-39
Tire placard ..................9-12
Tire pressure .................8-32
Tire rotation ..................8-39
Tires of 4-wheel drive ............8-41
Types of tires .................8-38
Uniform tire quality grading .........9-36
Wheels and tires ...............8-32
Wheel/tire size .................9-9
Tire pressure Low tire pressure warning light .......2-17
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) . . . .5-3
Top tether strap child restraint .........1-27
Towing 2-wheel drive models ............6-13
4-wheel drive models ............6-14
Flat towing ..................9-35
Tow truck towing ...............6-12
Towing load/specification ..........9-28
Trailer towing .................9-24
Transceiver HomeLink Universal Transceiver ......2-53
Transmission Driving with automatic transmission . . . .5-13
Driving with manual transmission ......5-17
Travel (See registering your vehicle in another
country) ......................9-10 Trip computer
...................2-9
Trip odometer ...................2-4
Truck - camper loading .............9-23
T

urn signal switch ................2-31
U
Uniform tire quality grading ...........9-36
V
Vanity mirror ...................3-14
Variable voltage control system .........8-18
Vehicle dimensions and weights .........9-9
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off switch . . .2-34
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) system .....5-35
Vehicle identification ...............9-10
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
(Chassis number) ................9-10
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate . . . .9-10
Vehicle loading information ...........9-13
Vehicle recovery .................6-14
Vehicle security system .............2-24
Vehicle security system (NISSAN vehicle immobi-
lizer system) , engine start ......2-25, 3-2, 5-11
Ventilators .....................4-2
Visors .......................3-13
Voltmeter ......................2-8
W
Warning 4WD warning light ..............2-17 Air bag warning light
.........1-76, 2-19
Anti-lock brake warning light ........2-15
Battery charge warning light ........2-16
Brake warning light .............2-16
Door open warning light ...........2-16
Engine oil pressure warning light ......2-17
Hazard warning flasher switch .......2-32
Low fuel warning light ............2-17
Low tire pressure warning light .......2-17
Low windshield-washer fluid warning
light ......................2-19
Passenger air bag and status light .....1-70
Seat belt warning light ............2-19
Vehicle security system ...........2-24
Warning labels (for SRS) ..........1-75
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders ...................2-14
Warning lights ..................2-14
W

asher switch Windshield wiper and washer switch . . .2-26
Weights (See dimensions and weights) .....9-9
Wheels and tires .................8-32
Wheel/tire size ...................9-9
When traveling or registering your vehicle
in another country ................9-10
Windows Locking passengers’ windows .......2-48
Manual windows ...............2-49
Power windows ...............2-47
Rear power windows ............2-48
Rear sliding window .............2-49
Windshield wiper and washer switch .....2-26
Windshield-washer fluid .............8-15
Wiper Windshield wiper and washer switch . . .2-26
Wiper blades .................8-22
10-6