2011 NISSAN XTERRA check engine light

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.
● Use the Tow Mode or downshift the trans-
mission 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.
● 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.
9-28Technical and consumer information

You may notify NISSAN by contacting our
Consumer Affairs Department, toll-free, at
1-800-NISSAN-1.
For Canada
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 Transport Canada in addition
to notifying NISSAN.
If Transport Canada receives complaints,
it may open an investigation, and if it finds
that a safety defect exists in a group of
vehicles, it may request that NISSAN con-
duct a recall campaign. However, Trans-
port Canada cannot become involved in
individual problems between you, your
dealer, or NISSAN.
You may contact Transport Canada’s De-
fect Investigations and Recalls Division
toll free at 1-800-333-0510. You may
also report safety defects online at:
https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-
Sur/7/PCDB-BDPP/Index.aspx.Additional information concerning motor
vehicle safety may be obtained from
Transport Canada’s Road Safety Informa-
tion Centre at 1-800-333-0371 or online
at www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety.
To notify NISSAN of any safety concerns
please contact our Consumer Information
Centre toll free at 1-800-387-0122.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.
READINESS FOR INSPECTION/
MAINTENANCE (I/M) TEST
Technical and consumer information9-31

10 Index
4WD warning light...............2-16
A
Active brake limited slip (ABLS) system . . .5-34
Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system) .....................1-43
Air bag system Front (See supplemental front impact
air bag system) ...............1-50
Air bag warning labels .............1-57
Air bag warning light ...........1-58, 2-18
Air cleaner housing filter ............8-18
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 ...............4-6, 4-13
Alarm system
(See vehicle security system) .........2-23
Anchor point locations .............1-29
Antenna .....................4-37
Anti-lock brake warning light ..........2-14
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ........5-33
Audible reminders ...............2-22
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 . . .4-36
Automatic Automatic power window switch .....2-48
Automatic transmission position indicator
light .....................2-19
Driving with automatic transmission . . . .5-13
Automatic anti-glare inside mirror .......3-14
Automatic door locks ..............3-4
AUX jack ....................4-34
B
Battery ......................8-14
Charge warning light ............2-15
Before starting

the engine...........5-12
Belt (See drive belt) ..............8-16
Block heater Engine ....................5-39
Bluetooth hands-free phone system .....4-38
Booster seats ..................1-39
Brake Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ......5-33
Brake fluid ..................8-12
Brake light (See stop light) .........8-29
Brake system ................5-32
Brake warning light .............2-15 Brake wear indicators
........2-22, 8-22
Parking brake operation ..........5-19
Self-adjusting brakes ............8-22
Brakes ......................8-22
Break-in schedule ...............5-22
Brightness control Instrument panel ..............2-29
Bulb check/instrument panel ..........2-14
Bulb replacement ................8-29
C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants ...................9-2
Cargo light ...................2-50
Cargo net ....................2-43
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . .9-13
Car phone or CB radio .............4-37
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 restraints .......1-23, 1-24, 1-25, 1-27
Precautions on child
restraints ........1-25, 1-31, 1-36, 1-39
Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-29
Child restraint with top tether strap ......1-29
Child safety rear door lock ............3-5
Chimes, audible reminders ...........2-22
Cleaning exterior

and interior ..........7-2
Clock ......................4-26

ClutchClutch fluid ..................8-13
Clutch interlock (clutch start) switch ......2-34
C.M.V.S.S. certification label ..........9-11
Cold weather driving ..............5-38
Compact disc (CD) player ...........4-27
Console box ...................2-37
Controls Audio controls (steering wheel) .......4-36
Heater and air conditioner controls . .4-2, 4-10
Coolant Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine coolant ...........8-8
Checking engine coolant level ........8-8
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-6
Corrosion protection ...............7-5
Cruise control ..................5-20
Cup holders ...................2-39
Curtain side-impact and rollover air bag . . . .1-55
D
Daytime running light system (Canada only) . .2-28
Defroster switch Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch .....................2-27
Dimensions and weights .............9-9
Dimmer switch for instrument panel ......2-29
Door locks .....................3-3
Door open warning light .............2-15
Drive belt .....................8-16
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 .............2-33
Emission control information label .......9-11
Emission control system warranty .......9-30
Engine Before starting the engine ..........5-12
Block heater .................5-39
Capacities and

recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine coolant ...........8-8
Changing engine oil .............8-10
Changing engine oil filter ..........8-11
Checking engine coolant level ........8-8
Checking engine oil level ...........8-9
Engine compartment check locations . . . .8-6
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-6
Engine cooling system ............8-7
Engine oil ...................8-9
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . . .9-6
Engine oil pressure warning light ......2-16
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 ..............9-32
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) .........5-2 F
First aid kit .....................6-2
Flashers
(See hazard warning flasher switch) ......2-31
Flat tire .......................6-2
Floor mat positioning aid .............7-5
Fluid Brake fluid ..................8-12
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Clutch fluid ..................8-13
Engine coolant .................8-7
Engine oil ...................8-9
Power steering fluid .............8-12
Windshield-washer fluid ...........8-13
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ...........9-11
Fog light switch .................2-30
Front air bag system
(See supplemental restraint system) ......1-50
Front seats .....................1-2
Fuel Capacities and

recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Fuel economy ................5-22
Fuel-filler door and cap ...........3-10
Fuel gauge ...................2-7
Fuel octane rating ...............9-5
Fuel recommendation .............9-4
Loose fuel cap warning ........2-5, 3-10
Fuses .......................8-22
Fusible links ...................8-24
10-2

G
Gascap .....................3-10
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 .....................2-38
H
Hands-free phone system, Bluetooth .....4-38
Hazard warning flasher switch .........2-31
Headlight and turn signal switch ........2-27
Headlight control switch ............2-27
Headlights ....................8-27
Heater Heater and air conditioner controls . .4-2, 4-10
Heater operation ............4-4, 4-11
Hill descent control switch ...........2-32
Hill descent control system ...........5-36
Hill start assist system ..............5-37
Hood release ...................3-9
Hook Luggage hook ................2-41
Horn .......................2-31 I
Ignition switch ..................5-10
Immobilizer system .........2-24, 3-2, 5-12
Important vehicle information label .......9-11
In-cabin microfilter ................8-18
Increasing fuel economy .............5-22
Indicator lights and audible reminders
(See warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders) ....................2-13
Inside automatic anti-glare mirror ........3-14
Inside mirror ...................3-13
Instrument brightness

control ..........2-29
Instrument panel ...............0-6, 2-2
Instrument panel dimmer switch ........2-29
Interior light ....................2-49
ISOFIX child restraints .............1-27
J
Jump starting ...................6-8
K
Key.........................3-2
Keyfob battery replacement ...........8-25
Keyless entry system
(See remote keyless entry system) ........3-5
L
Labels Air conditioner specification label .....9-12C.M.V.S.S. certification label
........9-11
Emission control information label .....9-11
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) ..........1-57
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren)
System ......................1-27
License plate Installing the license plate ..........9-12
Lift gate ......................3-9
Light Air bag warning light .........1-58, 2-18
Brake light (See stop light) .........8-29
Bulb check/instrument panel ........2-14
Bulb replacement ..............8-29
Charge warning light ............2-15
Fog light switch ...............2-30
Headlight and turn signal switch ......2-27
Headlight control switch ..........2-27
Headlights ..................8-27
Interior light ..................2-49
Light bulbs ..................8-27
Low tire pressure warning light .......2-16
Low windshield-washer fluid warning
light ......................2-18
Off road

lamps switch ............2-30
Passenger air bag and status light .....1-52
Security indicator light ............2-21
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders ...................2-13
Lights Map lights ..................2-50
Lock Child safety rear door lock ..........3-5
10-3

Door locks...................3-3
Power door locks ...............3-4
Loose fuel cap warning ..........2-5, 3-10
Low fuel warning light ..............2-16
Low tire pressure warning light .........2-16
Low windshield-washer fluid warning light . . .2-18
Luggage hook ..................2-41
Luggage rack (see roof rack) ..........2-44
Luggage (See vehicle loading information) . .9-13
Luggage storage
(see vehicle loading information) ........2-41
M
Maintenance General maintenance .............8-2
Inside the vehicle ...............8-3
Maintenance precautions ...........8-5
Outside the vehicle ..............8-2
Seat belt maintenance ............1-22
Under the hood and vehicle .........8-4
Malfunction indicator light ............2-20
Manual front seat adjustment ...........1-2
Map lights ....................2-50
Map pocket ....................2-39
Meters and gauges ................2-3
Instrument brightness control ........2-29
Mirror Automatic anti-glare inside mirror ......3-14
Inside mirror .................3-13
Outside mirrors ...............3-14
Vanity mirror .................3-13
Multi-remote control system
(See remote keyless entry system) ........3-5 N
NISSAN vehicle immobilizer
system ................2-24, 3-2, 5-12
O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating) ......9-5
Odometer .....................2-4
Off road lamps switch ..............2-30
Oil Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine oil .............8-10
Changing engine oil filter ..........8-11
Checking engine

oil level ...........8-9
Engine oil ...................8-9
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . . .9-6
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-6
Outside mirrors .................3-14
Overdrive switch .................5-17
Overheat If your vehicle overheats ...........6-10
Owner’s manual order form ...........9-32
Owner’s manual/service manual order
information ....................9-32
P
Parking Parking brake operation ...........5-19
Parking/parking on hills ...........5-31
Phone, Bluetooth hands-free system.....4-38Power
Power door locks ...............3-4
Power outlet .................2-35
Power rear windows .............2-48
Power steering fluid .............8-12
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 ..................5-3
Precautions on child
restraints .........1-25, 1-31, 1-36, 1-39
Precautions on seat belt usage .......1-12
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ....................1-43
Precautions when starting and driving . . . .5-2
Pre-tensioner seat belt system .........1-56
Push starting ...................6-10
R
Radio Car phone or CB radio ...........4-37
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 . . . .4-36
Readiness for inspection maintenance
(I/M) test....................

.9-31
Rear center seat belt ..............1-18
Rear power windows ..............2-48
10-4