2012 NISSAN FRONTIER maintenance

Welcome to the growing family of new NISSAN
owners. This vehicle is delivered to you with
confidence. It was produced using the latest
techniques and strict quality control.
This manual was prepared to help you under-
stand the operation and maintenance of your
vehicle so that you may enjoy many miles (kilome-
ters) of driving pleasure. Please read through this
manual before operating your vehicle.
A separate Warranty Information Booklet
explains details about the warranties cov-
ering your vehicle. The “NISSAN Service
and Maintenance Guide” explains details
about maintaining and servicing your ve-
hicle. Additionally, a separate Customer
Care/Lemon Law Booklet (U.S. only) will
explain how to resolve any concerns you
may have with your vehicle, as well as
clarify your rights under your state’s lemon
law.
Your NISSAN dealership knows your vehicle
best. When you require any service or have any
questions, they will be glad to assist you with the
extensive resources available to them.In addition to factory installed options, your ve-
hicle may also be equipped with additional ac-
cessories installed by NISSAN or by your
NISSAN dealer prior to delivery. It is important
that you familiarize yourself with all disclosures,
warnings, cautions and instructions concerning
proper use of such accessories prior to operating
the vehicle and/or accessory. See a NISSAN
dealer for details concerning the particular ac-
cessories with which your vehicle is equipped.
Before driving your vehicle, please read this
Owner’s Manual carefully. This will ensure famil-
iarity with controls and maintenance require-
ments, assisting you in the safe operation of your
vehicle.
WARNING
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION RE-
MINDERS FOR SAFETY!
Follow these important driving rules to
help ensure a safe and comfortable trip
for you and your passengers!
●
NEVER drive under the influence of al-
cohol or drugs.
● ALWAYS observe posted speed limits
and never drive too fast for conditions.
●
ALWAYS give your full attention to driving
and avoid using vehicle features or taking
other actions that could distract you.
●ALWAYS use your seat belts and appro-
priate child restraint systems. Pre-teen
children should be seated in the rear seat.
● ALWAYS provide information about the
proper use of vehicle safety features to
all occupants of the vehicle.
● ALWAYS review this Owner’s Manual
for important safety information.
FOREWORD READ FIRST—THEN DRIVE SAFELY

Table of
ContentsIllustrated table of contents
Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
Instruments and controls
Pre-driving checks and adjustments
Heater, air conditioner, audio and phone systems
Starting and driving
In case of emergency
Appearance and care
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Technical and consumer information
Index
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

1 Safety—Seats, seat belts and
supplemental restraint system
Seats ............................................1-3
Front manual seat adjustment
(if so equipped) ................................1-3
Front power seat adjustment
(if so equipped) ................................1-5
Jump seat (King cab) ...........................1-7
Armrest (if so equipped) .........................1-7
Head restraints (1st row only) ....................1-7
Head restraints (2nd row – outboard
positions only) ................................ 1-10
Flexible seating ................................ 1-12
Seat belts ....................................... 1-16
Precautions on seat belt usage ..................1-16
Pregnant women .............................. 1-19
Injured persons ................................ 1-19
Three-point type seat belt with retractor ..........1-19
Seat belt extenders ............................ 1-23
Seat belt maintenance ......................... 1-24
Child safety ...................................... 1-24
Infants ........................................ 1-25
Small children ................................. 1-25
Larger children ................................ 1-25
Child restraints ................................... 1-26
Precautions on child restraints ..................1-26LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for
CHildren) System
............................. 1-28
Rear-facing child restraint installation using
LATCH (Crew cab models only) .................1-32
Rear-facing child restraint installation using
LATCH — Jump seat (King cab models only) ......1-34
Rear-facing child restraint installation using
the seat belts (Crew cab models only) ...........1-37
Rear-facing child restraint installation using
the seat belts — jump seat
(King cab models only) ......................... 1-40
Forward-facing child restraint installation
using LATCH (Crew cab model only) ............1-44
Forward-facing child restraint installation
using LATCH — jump seat
(King cab models only) ......................... 1-46
Forward-facing child restraint installation
using the seat belts — front passenger and
rear bench seat (Crew cab models only) . . . ......1-49
Foward-facing child restraint installation
using the seat belts — front passenger and
jump seats (King cab models only) ..............1-53
Installing top tether strap (Front passenger
seat – King cab models only) ...................1-57

WARNING
●Only NISSAN seat belt extenders, made
by the same company which made the
original equipment seat belts, should
be used with NISSAN seat belts.
● Adults and children who can use the
standard seat belt should not use an
extender. Such unnecessary use could
result in serious personal injury in the
event of an accident.
● Never use seat belt extenders to install
child restraints. If the child restraint is
not secured properly, the child could be
seriously injured in a collision or a sud-
den stop.
SEAT BELT MAINTENANCE
● To clean the seat belt webbing, apply a
mild soap solution or any solution recom-
mended for cleaning upholstery or carpet.
Then wipe with a cloth and allow the seat
belts to dry in the shade. Do not allow the
seat belts to retract until they are completely
dry. ●
If dirt builds up in the shoulder belt
guide of the seat belt anchors, the seat
belts may retract slowly. Wipe the shoulder
belt guide with a clean, dry cloth.
● Periodically check to see that the seat
belt and the metal components, such as
buckles, tongues, retractors, flexible wires
and anchors, work properly. If loose parts,
deterioration, cuts or other damage on the
webbing is found, the entire seat belt as-
sembly should be replaced. Children need adults to help protect them.
They need to be properly restrained.
In addition to the general information in this
manual, child safety information is available from
many other sources, including doctors, teachers,
government traffic safety offices, and community
organizations. Every child is different, so be sure
to learn the best way to transport your child.
There are three basic types of child restraint
systems:
● Rear-facing child restraint
● Forward-facing child restraint
● Booster seat
The proper restraint depends on the child’s size.
Generally, infants up to about 1 year and less
than 20 lbs (9 kg) should be placed in rear-facing
child restraints. Forward-facing child restraints
are available for children who outgrow rear-
facing child restraints and are at least 1 year old.
Booster seats are used to help position a vehicle
lap/shoulder belt on a child who can no longer
use a forward-facing child restraint.
CHILD SAFETY
1-24Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
WARNING LIGHT
The supplemental air bag warning light,
displaying
in the instrument panel, moni-
tors the circuits for the air bag systems, preten-
sioners and all related wiring.
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON or
START position, the supplemental air bag warn-
ing light illuminates for about 7 seconds and then
turns off. This means the system is operational.
If any of the following conditions occur, the front
air bag, side air bag, curtain and rollover air bag
and pretensioner systems need servicing: ●
The supplemental air bag warning light re-
mains on after approximately 7 seconds.
● The supplemental air bag warning light
flashes intermittently.
● The supplemental air bag warning light does
not come on at all.
Under these conditions, the front air bag, side air
bag, curtain and rollover air bag or pretensioner
systems may not operate properly. They must be
checked and repaired. Take your vehicle to the
nearest NISSAN dealer.
WARNING
If the supplemental air bag warning light is
on, it could mean that the front air bag, side
air bag, curtain and rollover air bag and/or
pretensioner systems will not operate in an
accident. To help avoid injury to yourself or
others, have your vehicle checked by a
NISSAN dealer as soon as possible.
Repair and replacement procedure
The front air bags, side air bags, curtain and
rollover air bags and pretensioners are designed
to inflate on a one-time-only basis. As a reminder,
unless it is damaged, the supplemental air bag
warning light remains illuminated after inflation
has occurred. Repair and replacement of these
supplemental air bag systems should be done
only by a NISSAN dealer. When maintenance work is required on the ve-
hicle, the front air bags, side air bags, curtain and
rollover air bags, pretensioners and related parts
should be pointed out to the person performing
the maintenance. The ignition switch should al-
ways be in the LOCK position when working
under the hood or inside the vehicle.
WARNING
●
Once a front air bag, side air bag, or
curtain and rollover air bag has inflated,
the air bag module will not function
again and must be replaced. Addition-
ally, the activated pretensioners must
also be replaced. The air bag module
and pretensioner should be replaced by
a NISSAN dealer. The air bag module
and pretensioner cannot be repaired.
● The front air bag, side air bag, curtain
and rollover air bag systems and the
pretensioner system should be in-
spected by a NISSAN dealer if there is
any damage to the front end or side
portion of the vehicle.
● If you need to dispose of a supplemen-
tal air bag or pretensioner or scrap the
vehicle, contact a NISSAN dealer. Incor-
rect disposal procedures could cause
personal injury.
LRS0100
Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-79

TIRE PRES warning message is displayed each
time the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position as long as the low tire pressure warning
light remains illuminated. For more information
see “Low tire pressure warning light” in the “In-
struments and controls” section, “Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (TPMS)” in the “Starting and
driving” and “Wheels and tires” section in the
“Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section of this
Owner’s Manual.
TACHOMETER
The tachometer indicates engine speed in revo-
lutions per minute (rpm) . Do not rev the engine
into the red zone
1.
CAUTION
When engine speed approaches the red
zone, shift to a higher gear or reduce en-
gine speed. Operating the engine in the
red zone may cause serious engine
damage.
ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE
GAUGE
The gauge indicates the engine coolant tempera-
ture. The engine coolant temperature is within the
normal range
1when the gauge needle points
within the zone shown in the illustration.
The engine coolant temperature varies with the
outside air temperature and driving conditions.
LIC0738LIC0739
2-6Instruments and controls

ENGINE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE (if
so equipped)
The gauge indicates the engine lubrication sys-
tem oil pressure while the engine is running. The
needle should be in the middle of the gauge when
the engine is running.
CAUTION
●This gauge is not designed to indicate
low engine oil level. Use the dipstick to
check the oil level. (See “Engine oil” in
the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself”
section.)
● If the gauge needle does not move with
the proper amount of engine oil, have
the vehicle checked by a NISSAN
dealer. Continued vehicle operation in
such a condition could cause serious
damage to the engine.
VOLTMETER (if so equipped)
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the voltmeter indicates the battery volt-
age. When the engine is running, it indicates the
generator voltage.
While cranking the engine, the volts drop below
the normal range. If the needle is not in the normal
range (11 - 15 volts)
1while the engine is
running, it may indicate that the charging system
is not functioning properly. Have the system
checked by a NISSAN dealer.
LIC0741WIC1299
2-8Instruments and controls

CAUTION
●Do not ground electrical accessories
directly to the battery terminal. Doing
so will bypass the variable control sys-
tem and the vehicle battery may not
charge completely. Refer to “Variable
voltage control system” in the “Mainte-
nance and do-it-yourself” section later
in this manual.
● Do not continue driving if the generator
belt is loose, broken or missing.
Door open warning light
This light comes on when any of the doors are not
closed securely while the ignition switch is in the
ON position.
Engine oil pressure warning
light
This light warns of low engine oil pressure. If the
light flickers or comes on during normal driving,
pull off the road in a safe area, stop the engine
immediately and call a NISSAN dealer or other
authorized repair shop. The engine oil pressure warning light is not
designed to indicate a low oil level.
Use the
dipstick to check the oil level. See “Engine oil” in
the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section of
this manual.
CAUTION
Running the engine with the engine oil
pressure warning light on could cause se-
rious damage to the engine almost imme-
diately. Such damage is not covered by
warranty. Turn off the engine as soon as it
is safe to do so.
4WD warning light (
model)
The 4WD warning light comes on when the igni-
tion switch is turned to ON. It turns off soon after
the engine is started.
If the engine or vehicle is not functioning properly,
the warning light will either remain illuminated or
blink. See “4WD warning light” in the “Starting
and driving” section.
CAUTION
● If the warning light comes on or blinks
during operation, have your vehicle
checked by a NISSAN dealer as soon as
possible.
● Do not drive on dry hard surface roads
in the 4H or 4LO position. If the 4WD
warning light turns on when you are
driving on dry hard surface roads:
– in the 4H position, shift the 4WD shift switch to 2WD.
– in the 4LO position for automatic transmission models, stop the ve-
hicle and shift the shift selector to
the N (Neutral) position with the
brake pedal depressed and shift the
4WD shift switch to 2WD.
– in the 4LO position for manual trans- mission models, stop the vehicle and
shift the shift selector to the N (Neu-
tral) position with the clutch pedal
depressed and shift the 4WD shift
switch to 2WD,
● If the warning light is still on after the
above operation, have your vehicle
checked by a NISSAN dealer as soon as
possible.
Instruments and controls2-17