2012 NISSAN FRONTIER fuel consumption

For vehicles equipped with trip computer, press-
ing the change button changes the display as
follows:
Trip
→Trip→Distance to Empty →
Average speed →Average fuel consumption →
Journey time →Trip
For additional information, refer to “Trip com-
puter” later in this section.
Resetting the trip odometer:
Pushing the change button for more than 1 sec-
ond resets the currently displayed trip odometer
to zero.
Loose fuel cap warning message
Press the reset buttonAfor more than 1 second
to reset the LOOSE FUEL CAP warning mes-
sage after the fuel cap has been tightened. For
additional information see “Fuel-filler cap” in the
“Pre-driving checks and adjustments” section.
Check tire pressure warning message
The CHECK TIRE PRES (pressure) warning
message is displayed when the low tire pressure
warning light is illuminated and low tire pressure
is detected. Check and adjust the tire pressure to
the recommended COLD tire pressure shown on
the Tire and Loading Information label. The
CHECK TIRE PRES warning message turns off
when the low tire pressure warning light turns off.
Push the reset button
Afor more than 1 second
to turn off the CHECK TIRE PRES warning mes-
sage. The low tire pressure warning light remains
illuminated until the tires are inflated to the rec-
ommended COLD tire pressure. The CHECK
With trip computer
LIC0781LRS2004LIC2017
Instruments and controls2-5

TRIP COMPUTER (if so equipped)
The display of the trip computer is situated in the
speedometer display. When the ignition switch is
placed in the ON position, the display scrolls all
the modes of the trip computer and then shows
the mode chosen before the ignition switch was
placed in the OFF position.
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, modes of the trip computer can be
selected by pushing the trip computer change
button. The following modes can be selected:
Distance to empty (dte—mile or km)
The distance to empty (dte) mode provides you
with an estimation of the distance that can be
driven before refueling. The dte is constantly be-
ing calculated, based on the amount of fuel in the
fuel tank and the actual fuel consumption.
The display is updated every 30 seconds.
The dte mode includes a low range warning
feature: when the fuel level is low, the dte mode is
automatically selected and the digits blink in or-
der to draw the driver’s attention. Press the
change button if you wish to return to the mode
that was selected before the warning occurred.
The dte mark (dte) will remain blinking until the
vehicle is refueled.When the fuel level drops even lower, the dte
display will change to (----) .
NOTE:
● If the amount of fuel added while the
ignition switch is OFF is small, the dis-
play just before the ignition switch is
turned OFF may continue to be dis-
played.
● When driving uphill or rounding curves,
the fuel in the tank shifts, which may
momentarily change the display.Average speed (MPH or km/h)
The average speed mode shows the average
vehicle speed since last reset. Resetting is done
by pressing the change button for more than
approximately 1 second. The display is updated
every 30 seconds. The first 30 seconds after a
reset, the display shows (----) .
Average fuel consumption (Mpg or
l/100km)
The average fuel consumption mode shows the
average fuel consumption since the last reset.
Resetting is done by pressing the change button
for more than approximately 1 second. The dis- play is updated every 30 seconds. At about the
first 1/3 miles (500 m) after a reset, the display
shows (----) .
Journey time
The journey time mode shows the time since the
last reset. The displayed time can be reset by
pressing the change button for more than ap-
proximately 1 second.
Trip computer reset
Pushing the change button for more than 3 sec-
onds will reset all modes except Trip A and dis-
tance to empty (dte) .
Instruments and controls2-9

●When cruising at highway speeds, it is more
economical to use the air conditioner and
leave the windows closed to reduce drag.
● For vehicles equipped with
, use 4H
or 4L position only when necessary. Four-
wheel drive operation lowers fuel economy.
WARNING
● For 4WD equipped vehicles, do not at-
tempt to raise two wheels off the
ground and shift the transmission to
any drive or reverse position with the
engine running. Doing so may result in
drivetrain damage or unexpected ve-
hicle movement which could result in
serious vehicle damage or personal
injury.
● Do not attempt to test a 4WD equipped
vehicle on a 2-wheel dynamometer
(such as the dynamometers used by
some states for emissions testing) , or
similar equipment even if the other two
wheels are raised off the ground. Make
sure you inform test facility personnel
that your vehicle is equipped with 4WD
before it is placed on a dynamometer.
Using the wrong test equipment may
result in drivetrain damage or unex-
pected vehicle movement which could
result in serious vehicle damage or per-
sonal injury.
CAUTION
●Do not drive the vehicle in the 4H or 4LO
position on dry hard surface roads. Driv-
ing on dry, hard surfaces in 4H or 4LO
may cause unnecessary noise, tire wear
and increased fuel consumption.
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 vehicles, stop the ve-
hicle and shift the shift selector to
the N position with the brake pedal
depressed and shift the 4WD shift
switch to 2WD.
– in the 4LO position for manual trans- mission vehicles, stop the vehicle
and shift the shift selector to the N
position with the clutch pedal de-
pressed 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.
USING FOUR WHEEL DRIVE
(4WD) (if so equipped)
Starting and driving5-23

The transfer case 4WD shift switch is used to
select either 2WD or 4WD depending on the
driving conditions. There are three types of drive
modes available, 2WD, 4H and 4LO.
The 4WD shift switch electronically controls the
transfer case operation. Rotate the switch to
move between each mode, 2WD, 4H and 4LO.
To change into or out of 4LO, the vehicle
MUST be stationary, shift the shift selector
to Neutral (N) , and for automatic transmis-
sion vehicles depress the brake pedal or
for manual transmission vehicles depress
the clutch pedal. The switch must be de-
pressed and turned when changing into or
out of 4LO.
WARNING
●When parking, apply the parking brake
before stopping the engine and make
sure that the 4WD shift indicator light is
on and the ATP warning light goes off.
Otherwise, the vehicle could unexpect-
edly move even if the automatic trans-
mission is in the P position. ●
The 4LO indicator light must stop blink-
ing and remain illuminated or turn off
before shifting the transmission into
gear. If the shift selector is shifted from
the (N) position to any other gear when
the 4LO indicator light is blinking, the
vehicle may move unexpectedly.
CAUTION
●Never shift the 4WD shift switch be-
tween 4LO and 4H while driving.
● The 4H position provides greater trac-
tion. Avoid excessive speed, as it will
cause increased fuel consumption and
higher oil temperatures, and could
damage drivetrain components.
Speeds over 62 MPH (100 km/h) in 4H is
not recommended
● The 4LO position provides maximum
power and traction. Avoid raising ve-
hicle speed excessively, as the maxi-
mum speed is approximately 31 MPH
(50 km/h) .
● When driving straight, shift the 4WD
shift switch to the 2WD or 4H position.
Do not move the 4WD shift switch when
making a turn or reversing. ●
Do not shift the 4WD shift switch (be-
tween 2WD and 4H) while driving on
steep downhill grades. Use the engine
brake and low automatic transmission
gears (D1 or D2) or manual transmis-
sion (1st gear or 2nd gear) for engine
braking.
● Do not operate the 4WD shift switch
(between 2WD and 4H) with the rear
wheels spinning.
● Do not drive on dry hard surface roads
in the 4H or 4LO position. Driving on dry
hard surfaces in 4H or 4LO may cause
unnecessary noise and tire wear.
NISSAN recommends driving in the
2WD position under these conditions.
● The 4WD transfer case may not be
shifted between 4H and 4LO at low am-
bient temperatures and the transfer
4LO position indicator light may blink
even when the 4WD shift switch is
shifted. After driving for a while you can
change the 4WD transfer case between
4H and 4LO.
When driving on rough roads, ● Set the 4WD shift switch to 4H or 4LO.
● Drive carefully according to the road surface
conditions.
5-26Starting and driving

●When the warning light comes on, the
2WD mode may be engaged even if the
4WD shift switch is in 4H. Be especially
careful when driving. If corresponding
parts are malfunctioning, the 4WD
mode will not be engaged even if the
4WD shift switch is shifted.
● Do not drive the vehicle in the 4H or 4LO
position on dry hard surface roads. Driv-
ing on dry, hard surfaces in 4H or 4LO
may cause unnecessary noise, tire wear
and increased fuel consumption.
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 vehicles, stop the ve-
hicle and shift the shift selector to
the N position with the brake pedal
depressed and shift the 4WD shift
switch to 2WD. – in the 4LO position for manual trans-
mission vehicles, stop the vehicle
and shift the shift selector to the N
position with the clutch pedal de-
pressed 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.
● The transfer case may be damaged if
you continue driving with the warning
light blinking. The E-Lock system can provide additional trac-
tion and should only be used when a vehicle has
become or is becoming stuck. This system oper-
ates by electronically “locking” the two rear drive
wheels together, allowing them to turn at the
same speed. The system is used when it is not
possible to free a stuck vehicle even when using
the 4LO position (4 wheel drive vehicles) .
When added traction is required, activate the
E-Lock system by pushing the switch ON. See
“Electronic locking rear differential (E-Lock) sys-
tem switch” in the “Instruments and Controls”
section. Once the system fully engages, the indi-
cator light in the instrument panel will remain ON.
When the system is activated, both rear wheels
will engage, providing added traction.
The rear wheels may momentarily slip or move to
engage the system, and the system will only
engage up to approximately 4 MPH (7 km/h) .
Once the vehicle is free, the system should be
turned OFF and driving resumed.
The Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) system is disabled
and the ABS light illuminates when the E-Lock
system is ON. Also, the Vehicle Dynamic Control
(VDC) system is disabled and the VDC light
illuminates when the E-Lock system is ON.
ELECTRONIC LOCKING REAR
DIFFERENTIAL (E-Lock) SYSTEM (if
so equipped)
Starting and driving5-29

E–85 fuel
E-85 fuel is a mixture of approximately 85% fuel
ethanol and 15% unleaded gasoline. E-85 can
only be used in a Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) . Do
not use E-85 in your vehicle. U.S. government
regulations require fuel ethanol dispensing
pumps to be identified by a small, square, orange
and black label with the common abbreviation or
the appropriate percentage for that region.
Aftermarket fuel additives
NISSAN does not recommend the use of any
aftermarket fuel additives (for example, fuel injec-
tor cleaner, octane booster, intake valve deposit
removers, etc.) which are sold commercially.
Many of these additives intended for gum, varnish
or deposit removal may contain active solvents or
similar ingredients that can be harmful to the fuel
system and engine.
Octane rating tips
Using unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating lower than recommended can cause
persistent, heavy “spark knock.” (“Spark
knock” is a metallic rapping noise.) If se-
vere, this can lead to engine damage. If you
detect a persistent heavy spark knock even
when using gasoline of the stated octane
rating, or if you hear steady spark knock
while holding a steady speed on levelroads, have a NISSAN dealer correct the
condition. Failure to correct the condition
is misuse of the vehicle, for which NISSAN
is not responsible.
Incorrect ignition timing may result in spark
knock, after-run and/or overheating, which may
cause excessive fuel consumption or engine
damage. If any of the above symptoms are en-
countered, have your vehicle checked at a
NISSAN dealer.
However, now and then you may notice
light spark knock for a short time while
accelerating or driving up hills. This is not a
cause for concern, because you get the
greatest fuel benefit when there is light
spark knock for a short time under heavy
engine load.
CAUTION
●
Your vehicle is not designed to run on
E-85 fuel. Using E-85 fuel in a vehicle
not specifically designed for E-85 fuel
can damage fuel system components
and is not covered by the NISSAN new
vehicle limited warranty.
● E-85 is a mixture of approximately 85%
fuel ethanol and 15% unleaded
gasoline. ●
U.S. government regulations require
ethanol dispensing pumps to be identi-
fied by a small, square, orange and
black label with the common abbrevia-
tion or the appropriate percentage for
that region.
Technical and consumer information9-5