2011 NISSAN XTERRA Owners Manual

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.
A genuine NISSAN Service Manual is the best
source of service and repair information for your
vehicle. Filled with wiring diagrams, illustrations
and step-by-step diagnostic and adjustment pro-
cedures, this manual is the same one used by the
factory-trained technicians working at NISSAN
dealerships. Also available are genuine NISSAN
Owner’s Manuals, and genuine NISSAN Service
and Owner’s Manuals for older NISSAN models.
For USA
For current pricing and availability of genuine
NISSAN Service Manuals
for the 2000 model
year and later contact:
1-800-450-9491
www.nissan-techinfo.com
For current pricing and availability of genuine
NISSAN Service Manuals for the 1999 model
year and prior, see a NISSAN dealer, or contact:
1-800-247-5321
For current pricing and availability of genuine
NISSAN Owner’s Manuals for this model year
and prior, see a NISSAN dealer, or contact:
1-800-247-5321
EVENT DATA RECORDERS (EDR) OWNER’S MANUAL/SERVICE
MANUAL ORDER INFORMATION
9-32Technical and consumer information

For Canada
To purchase a copy of a genuine NISSAN Ser-
vice Manual or Owner’s Manual please contact
your nearest NISSAN dealer. For the phone num-
ber and location of a NISSAN dealer in your area
call the NISSAN Information Center at 1-800-
387-0122 and a bilingual NISSAN representa-
tive will assist you.
Also available are genuine NISSAN Service and
Owner’s Manuals for older NISSAN models.
IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION
Unfortunately, accidents do occur. In this unlikely
event, there is some important information you
should know.
Many insurance companies routinely authorize
the use of non-genuine collision parts in order to
cut costs, among other reasons.
Insist on the use of genuine NISSAN
collision parts!
If you want your vehicle to be restored using parts
made to NISSAN’s original exacting specifica-
tions – if you want to help it to last and hold its
resale value, the solution is simple.Tell your
insurance agent and your repair shop to
only use Genuine NISSAN Collision Parts.
NISSAN does not warrant non-NISSAN parts, nor does NISSAN’s warranty apply to damage
caused by a non-genuine part.
Using Genuine NISSAN Parts can help protect
your personal safety, preserve your warranty pro-
tection and maintain the resale value of your
vehicle. And if your vehicle was leased, using
Genuine NISSAN Parts may prevent or limit un-
necessary excess wear and tear expenses at the
end of your lease.
NISSAN designs its hoods with crumple zones to
minimize the risk that the hood will penetrate the
windshield of your vehicle in an accident. Non-
genuine (imitation) parts may not provide such
built-in safeguards. Also, non-genuine parts of-
ten show premature wear, rust and corrosion.
Why should you take a chance?
In over 40 states, the law says you must be
advised if non-genuine parts are used to repair
your vehicle. And some states have enacted laws
that restrict insurance companies from authoriz-
ing the use of non-genuine collision parts during
the new vehicle warranty. These laws help pro-
tect you, so you can take action to protect your-
self.
It’s your right!
If you should need further information visit us at:
www.nissanusa.com
(for U.S. customers) or
www.nissan.ca (for Canadian customers) .
Technical and consumer information9-33

MEMO
9-34Technical and consumer information

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

Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch.......................2-27
Rear window wiper and washer switches . . .2-26
Recorders Event data ..................9-32
Refrigerant recommendation ...........9-7
Registering your vehicle in another country . .9-10
Remote keyless entry system ...........3-5
Reporting safety defects (US only) .......9-30
Roof rack .....................2-44
S
Safety Child safety rear door lock ..........3-5
Child seat belts .....1-25, 1-31, 1-36, 1-39
Reporting safety defects (US only) .....9-30
Seat adjustment Front manual seat adjustment ........1-2
Seatback pockets ................2-39
Seat belt Child safety ..................1-23
Infants and small children ..........1-24
Injured Person ................1-15
Larger children ................1-24
Precautions on seat belt usage .......1-12
Pregnant women ...............1-15
Pre-tensioner seat belt system .......1-56
Rear center seat belt ............1-18
Seat belt extenders .............1-22
Seat belt maintenance ............1-22
Seat belts ...................1-12
Shoulder belt height adjustment ......1-21
Three-point type with retractor .......1-15
Seat belt warning light ..............2-18 Seats
Adjustment ...................1-2
Front seats ...................1-2
Manual front seat adjustment .........1-2
Security indicator light ..............2-21
Security system (NISSAN vehicle immobilizer
system) , engine start ........2-24, 3-2, 5-12
Self-adjusting brakes ..............8-22
Service manual order form ...........9-32
Servicing air

conditioner .............4-17
Shifting Automatic transmission ...........5-14
Manual transmission .............5-18
Shift lock release .................5-16
Shoulder belt height adjustment ........1-21
Side air bag system (See supplemental side air
bag, curtain and rollover air bag systems) . . .1-55
Spark plug replacement .............8-17
Speedometer ...................2-4
SRS warning label ................1-57
Starting Before starting the engine ..........5-12
Jump starting .................6-8
Precautions when starting and driving . . . .5-2
Push starting .................6-10
Starting the engine .............5-12
Steering Power steering fluid .............8-12
Power steering system ...........5-32
Tilting steering wheel ............3-12
Steering wheel audio control switch ......4-36
Stop light .....................8-29
Storage ......................2-36
Storage bin ....................2-41
Storage tray ...................2-36
Sunglasses case .................2-38 Sun visors
....................3-12
Supplemental air bag warning labels ......1-57
Supplemental air bag warning light . . .1-58, 2-18
Supplemental front impact air bag system . . .1-50
Supplemental restraint system Information and warning labels .......1-57
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ....................1-43
Supplemental restraint system
(Supplemental air bag system) .........1-43
Switch Automatic power window switch ......2-48
Clutch interlock (clutch start) switch . . . .2-34
Electronic locking rear differential (E-Lock)
system switch ................2-33
Fog light switch ...............2-30
Hazard warning flasher switch .......2-31
Headlight and

turn signal switch ......2-27
Headlight control switch ..........2-27
Hill descent control switch .........2-32
Ignition switch ................5-10
Overdrive switch ...............5-17
Power door lock switch ............3-4
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch .....................2-27
Rear window wiper and washer
switches ...................2-26
Turn signal switch ..............2-29
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off
switch .....................2-32
Windshield wiper and washer switch . . .2-25
T
Tachometer ....................2-6
10-5