2011 NISSAN FRONTIER maintenance

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

●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

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

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