2012 NISSAN XTERRA battery

Static and flutter: During signal interference from
buildings, large hills or due to antenna position
(usually in conjunction with increased distance
from the station transmitter) , static or flutter can
be heard. This can be reduced by adjusting the
treble control to reduce treble response.
Multipath reception: Because of the reflective
characteristics of FM signals, direct and reflected
signals reach the receiver at the same time. The
signals may cancel each other, resulting in mo-
mentary flutter or loss of sound.
AM RADIO RECEPTION
AM signals, because of their low frequency, can
bend around objects and skip along the ground.
In addition, the signals can be bounced off the
ionosphere and bent back to earth. Because of
these characteristics, AM signals are also sub-
ject to interference as they travel from transmitter
to receiver.
Fading: Occurs while the vehicle is passing
through freeway underpasses or in areas with
many tall buildings. It can also occur for several
seconds during ionospheric turbulence even in
areas where no obstacles exist.
Static: Caused by thunderstorms, electrical
power lines, electric signs and even traffic lights.
SATELLITE RADIO RECEPTION (if so
equipped)
When the satellite radio is used for the first time
or the battery has been replaced, the satellite
radio may not work properly. This is not a mal-
function. Wait more than 10 minutes with satellite
radio ON and the vehicle outside of any metal or
large building for satellite radio to receive all of
the necessary data.
No satellite radio reception is available and “NO
SAT” is displayed when the SAT band option is
selected unless optional satellite receiver and
antenna are installed and an XMsatellite radio
service subscription is active. Satellite radio can
only be installed in vehicles that were factory
pre-wired for satellite radio. Satellite radio is not
available in Alaska, Hawaii and Guam.
Satellite radio performance may be affected if
cargo carried on the roof blocks the satellite radio
signal.
If possible, do not put cargo over the satellite
antenna.
A build up of ice on the satellite radio antenna can
affect satellite radio performance. Remove the
ice to restore satellite radio reception.
AUDIO OPERATION PRECAUTIONS
LHA0099
4-18Heater, air conditioner, audio and phone systems

The FM stereo indicator, ST, illuminates during
FM stereo reception. When the stereo broadcast
signal is weak, the radio automatically changes
from stereo to monaural reception.
TUNE buttons:
Manual tuning
Press the TUNE
orbutton for less
than 0.5 seconds for manual tuning.
To move quickly through the channels, press and
hold either TUNE
orbutton down
for more than 1.5 seconds.
SEEK buttons:
SEEK tuning
Press the SEEK
orbutton to seek
through the frequencies. Seek tuning begins
from low to high frequencies, or high to low
frequencies, depending on which button is
pressed, and stops at the next broadcasting sta-
tion. Once the highest broadcasting station is
reached, the radio continues in the seek mode at
the lowest broadcasting station.
Station memory operations:
18 stations can be set for the FM and AM radio to
the A, B and C preset button in any combination
of AM or FM stations. 1. Press the PRESET A·B·C button to change
between storage banks. The radio displays
the icon A, B or C to indicate which set of
presets are active.
2. Tune to the desired station using manual TUNE or SEEK tuning. Press and hold any of
the desired station memory buttons (1 – 6)
until a beep sound is heard. (The radio mutes
when the select button is pressed.)
3. The channel indicator will then come on and the sound will resume. Programming is now
complete.
4. Other buttons can be set in the same man- ner.
If the battery cable is disconnected, or if the fuse
opens, the radio memory will be canceled. In that
case, reset the desired stations.
Compact disc (CD) player operation
If the radio is already operating, it automatically
turns off and the compact disc begins to play.
CD button:
When the CD button is pressed with a compact
disc loaded and the radio playing, the radio turns
off and the last used compact disc starts to play.
TUNE (rewind and fast forward) buttons:
When the TUNE
orbutton is
pressed while the compact disc is playing, the
compact disc plays at an increased speed while
rewinding or fast forwarding. When the button is
released, the compact disc returns to normal play
speed.
SEEK buttons:
When
is pressed while the compact disc
is playing, the next track following the present
one starts to play from the beginning.
Press
several times to skip several tracks.
Each time the button is pressed, the CD ad-
vances 1 additional track. The track number ap-
pears in the display window. (When the last track
on the compact disc is skipped, the first track is
played.)
When
is pressed, the track being played
returns to the beginning. Press
several
times to skip back several tracks. Each time the
button is pressed, the CD moves back one track.
Heater, air conditioner, audio and phone systems4-27

If a compact disc is playing when the RADIO
button is pushed, the compact disc will automati-
cally be turned off and the last radio station
played will come on.
The FM stereo indicator ST will glow during FM
stereo reception. When the stereo broadcast
signal is weak, the radio will automatically change
from stereo to monaural reception.
CAT FOLDER (tuning)button:
To manually tune the radio, press the CAT
FOLDER button
oror turn the tun-
ing knob to right or left.
To move quickly through the channels, press and
hold either the
orbutton down for
more than 1.5 seconds.
SEEK/TRACK tuning
button:
Press the SEEK/TRACK button
orfor less than 1.5 seconds to tune from high to low
or low to high frequencies and stop at the next
broadcasting station.
To seek quickly through the channels, press and
hold the SEEK/TRACK button for more than 1.5 seconds. When the button is released the radio
will seek to the next broadcasting station.
SCAN RPT tuning:
Press the SCAN RPT button for more than 1.5
seconds to stop at each broadcasting station
(AM, FM or SAT if so equipped) for 5 seconds.
Pressing the button again during this 5 second
period will stop scan tuning and the radio will
remain tuned to that station. If the SCAN RPT
button is not pressed within 5 seconds, scan
tuning moves to the next station.
PRESET A·B·C (Station memory opera-
tions):
18 stations can be set for the FM, AM and SAT
(satellite, if so equipped) radio to the A, B and C
preset button in any combination of FM, AM or
SAT stations.
1. Choose preset bank A, B or C using the PRESET A·B·C select button.
2. Select the desired FM, AM or SAT station band.
3. Tune to the desired station using manual, SEEK or SCAN tuning. Press and hold any
of the desired station memory buttons (1 –
6) until a beep sound is heard. 4. The channel indicator will then come on and
the sound will resume. Programming is now
complete.
5. Other buttons can be set in the same man- ner.
If the battery cable is disconnected, or if the fuse
opens, the radio memory will be canceled. In that
case, reset the desired stations.
Radio data system (RDS):
RDS stands for Radio Data System, and is a data
information service transmitted by some radio
stations on the FM band (not AM band) . Cur-
rently, most RDS stations are in large cities, but
many stations are now considering broadcasting
RDS data.
RDS can display: ● Station call sign, such as “WHFR 98.3”.
● Station name, such as “The Groove”.
● Music or programming type such as “Clas-
sical”, “Country”, or “Rock”.
● Artist and song information.
If the station broadcasts RDS information, the
RDS icon is displayed.
4-32Heater, air conditioner, audio and phone systems

ANTENNA
The antenna cannot be shortened, but can be
removed. When you need to remove the antenna,
turn the antenna rod counterclockwise.
To install the antenna rod, turn the antenna clock-
wise. Tighten the antenna rod to specification
using a suitable tool such as an open-end
wrench. The antenna rod tightening specification
is 2.0 – 2.6 N·m (18 – 23 in-lb) . Do not use pliers
to tighten the antenna as they can leave marks on
the antenna surface. The antenna rod cannot be
hand tightened to the proper specification.
CAUTION
Always properly tighten the antenna rod
during installation or the antenna rod may
break during vehicle operation.When installing a CB, ham radio or car phone in
your NISSAN, be sure to observe the following
precautions; otherwise, the new equipment may
adversely affect the engine control system and
other electronic parts.
WARNING
●
A cellular telephone should not be used
for any purpose while driving so full
attention may be given to vehicle op-
eration. Some jurisdictions prohibit the
use of cellular telephones while driving.
● If you must make a call while your ve-
hicle is in motion, the hands free cellu-
lar phone operational mode (if so
equipped) is highly recommended. Ex-
ercise extreme caution at all times so
full attention may be given to vehicle
operation.
● If you are unable to devote full attention
to vehicle operation while talking on
the phone, pull off the road to a safe
location and stop your vehicle.
CAUTION
● Keep the antenna as far away as pos-
sible from the electronic control
modules.
● Keep the antenna wire more than 8 in
(20 cm) away from the electronic con-
trol system harnesses. Do not route the
antenna wire next to any harness.
● Adjust the antenna standing-wave ratio
as recommended by the manufacturer.
● Connect the ground wire from the CB
radio chassis to the body.
● For details, consult a NISSAN dealer.
● Do not ground electrical accessories
directly to the battery terminal. Doing
so will bypass the variable voltage con-
trol system and the vehicle battery may
not charge completely. Refer to “Vari-
able voltage control system” in the
“Maintenance and do-it-yourself” sec-
tion later in this manual.
● Use electrical accessories with the en-
gine running to avoid discharging the
vehicle battery.
CAR PHONE OR CB RADIO
Heater, air conditioner, audio and phone systems4-37

WARNING
●Use a phone after stopping your vehicle
in a safe location. If you have to use a
phone while driving, exercise extreme
caution at all times so full attention may
be given to vehicle operation.
● If you are unable to devote full attention
to vehicle operation while talking on
the phone, pull off the road to a safe
location and stop your vehicle.
CAUTION
To avoid discharging the vehicle battery,
use a phone after starting the engine.
Your NISSAN is equipped with the Bluetooth
Hands-Free Phone System. If you have a com-
patible Bluetoothenabled cellular phone, you
can set up the wireless connection between your
cellular phone and the in-vehicle phone module.
With Bluetooth wireless technology, you can make or receive a hands-free telephone call with
your cellular phone in the vehicle.
Once your cellular phone is connected to the
in-vehicle phone module, no other phone con-
necting procedure is required. Your phone is
automatically connected with the in-vehicle
WHA1359
BLUETOOTH
HANDS-FREE PHONE
SYSTEM (if so equipped)
4-38Heater, air conditioner, audio and phone systems

5 Starting and driving
Precautions when starting and driving................5-2
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) ..................5-2
Three-way catalyst ..............................5-2
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ..........5-3
On-pavement and off-road driving
precautions ....................................5-6
Avoiding collision and rollover ....................5-6
Off-road recovery ...............................5-6
Rapid air pressure loss ..........................5-7
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving ................5-7
Driving safety precautions .......................5-8
Ignition switch .................................... 5-10
Automatic transmission (if so equipped) ..........5-10
Manual transmission (if so equipped) ............5-11
Key positions ................................. 5-11
NISSAN vehicle immobilizer system .............5-11
Before starting the engine ......................... 5-12
Starting the engine ............................... 5-12
Driving the vehicle ................................ 5-13
Automatic transmission (if so equipped) ..........5-13
Manual transmission (if so equipped) ............5-18
Parking brake .................................... 5-19
Cruise control .................................... 5-20Precautions on cruise control
...................5-20
Cruise control operations .......................5-21
Break-in schedule ................................ 5-22
Increasing fuel economy ........................... 5-22
Using four wheel drive (4WD)
(if so equipped) .................................. 5-23
Transfer case shifting procedures ...............5-24
Electronic locking rear differential (E-Lock) system
(if so equipped) .................................. 5-29
Parking/parking on hills ............................ 5-31
Power steering ................................... 5-32
Brake system .................................... 5-32
Brake precautions ............................. 5-32
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) .................5-33
Active brake limited slip (ABLS) system .............5-34
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system .............5-35
Hill descent control system (if so equipped) .........5-36
Hill start assist system (if so equipped) ..............5-37
Cold weather driving .............................. 5-38
Freeing a frozen door lock ......................5-38
Anti-freeze .................................... 5-38
Battery ....................................... 5-38
Draining of coolant water .......................5-38

1 (Low gear):
Use this position when climbing steep hills slowly
or slow driving through deep snow, sand or mud,
or for maximum engine braking on steep downhill
grades.
Do not downshift into the 1 position at speeds
over the following and do not exceed the follow-
ing speeds in the 1 position.2WD:37 MPH (60 km/h)
4H: 37 MPH (60 km/h)
4LO: 12 MPH (20 km/h)
Shift lock release
If the battery is discharged, the shift selector may
not be moved from the P (Park) position even with
the brake pedal depressed.
To move the shift selector, release the shift lock.
The shift selector can be moved to N (Neutral) .
However, the steering wheel will be locked un-
less the ignition switch is placed in the ON posi-
tion (for models with a steering lock mechanism) .
This allows the vehicle to be moved if the battery
is discharged. To push the shift lock release, complete the fol-
lowing procedure:
1. Place the ignition switch in the LOCK posi- tion and remove the key.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Remove the shift lock release cover as shown.
4. Use a protective cloth on the tip of a small screwdriver before inserting it in the shift
lock release slot and pushing down.
5. Move the shift selector to the N (Neutral) position while holding down the shift lock
release.
6. Place the ignition switch in the ON position to unlock the steering wheel (for models with
a steering lock mechanism) .
7. Now the vehicle may be moved to the de- sired location.
If the shift selector cannot be moved out of P
(Park) , have a NISSAN dealer check the auto-
matic transmission system as soon as possible.
LSD0141
5-16Starting and driving

FREEING A FROZEN DOOR LOCK
To prevent a door lock from freezing, apply de-
icer through the key hole. If the lock becomes
frozen, heat the key before inserting it into the key
hole or use the remote keyless entry keyfob.
ANTI-FREEZE
In the winter when it is anticipated that the tem-
perature will drop below 32°F (0°C) , check the
anti-freeze to assure proper winter protection.
For details, see “Engine cooling system” in the
“Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section of this
manual.
BATTERY
If the battery is not fully charged during extremely
cold weather conditions, the battery fluid may
freeze and damage the battery. To maintain maxi-
mum efficiency, the battery should be checked
regularly. For details, see “Battery” in the “Main-
tenance and do-it-yourself” section of this
manual.
DRAINING OF COOLANT WATER
If the vehicle is to be left outside without anti-
freeze, drain the cooling system, including the
engine block. Refill before operating the vehicle.For details, see “Changing engine coolant” in the
“Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section of this
manual.
TIRE EQUIPMENT
1. SUMMER tires have a tread designed to
provide superior performance on dry pave-
ment. However, the performance of these
tires will be substantially reduced in snowy
and icy conditions. If you operate your ve-
hicle on snowy or icy roads, NISSAN recom-
mends the use of MUD & SNOW or ALL
SEASON TIRES on all four wheels. Please
consult a NISSAN dealer for the tire type,
size, speed rating and availability informa-
tion.
2. For additional traction on icy roads, studded tires may be used. However, some U.S.
states and Canadian provinces prohibit their
use. Check local, state and provincial laws
before installing studded tires.
Skid and traction capabilities of studded
snow tires on wet or dry surfaces may be
poorer than that of non-studded snow tires. 3. Tire chains may be used. For details see “Tire chains” in the “Maintenance and do-it-
yourself” section of this manual.
SPECIAL WINTER EQUIPMENT
It is recommended that the following items be
carried in the vehicle during winter:
● A scraper and stiff-bristled brush to remove
ice and snow from the windows and wiper
blades.
● A sturdy, flat board to be placed under the
jack to give it firm support.
● A shovel to dig the vehicle out of snowdrifts.
● Extra washer fluid to refill the windshield-
washer fluid reservoir.
DRIVING ON SNOW OR ICE
WARNING
● Wet ice (32°F, 0°C and freezing rain) ,
very cold snow or ice can be slick and
very hard to drive on. The vehicle will
have much less traction or “grip” under
these conditions. Try to avoid driving on
wet ice until the road is salted or
sanded.
● Whatever the condition, drive with cau-
tion. Accelerate and slow down with
care. If accelerating or downshifting too
fast, the drive wheels will lose even
more traction.
COLD WEATHER DRIVING
5-38Starting and driving