2012 NISSAN XTERRA ignition

15. Electronic locking rear differential(E-Lock) system switch
(if so equipped) (P. 2-33)
Hill descent control switch
(if so equipped) (P. 2-32)
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) OFF
switch (P. 2-32)
16. Shift selector (P. 5-13)
17. 4WD shift switch (P. 5-27)
18. Climate controls (P.4-3, 4-10)
19. Hazard warning flasher switch (P. 2-31)
20. Ignition switch (P. 5-10)
21. Tilt steering wheel control (P. 3-12)
22. Off road lamps switch (if so equipped)
(P. 2-30)
23. Clutch interlock (clutch start) switch
(if so equipped) (P. 2-34)
24. Power outside mirror controls
(if so equipped) (P. 3-15)
See the page number indicated in paren-
theses for operating details.
1. Warning/indicator lights
2. Tachometer
3. Speedometer
4. Fuel gauge
5. Voltmeter 6. Odometer/Twin trip odometer/Trip
computer (if so equipped)
7. Engine oil pressure gauge
8. Engine coolant temperature gauge
WIC0911
METERS AND GAUGES
Instruments and controls2-3

1. Speedometer
2. Odometer/Twin trip odometer/Trip com-puter (if so equipped)
3. Change/Loose fuel cap indicator reset/
Low tire pressure indicator reset button
SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER
Speedometer
The speedometer indicates vehicle speed.
Odometer/Twin trip odometer
The odometer/twin trip odometer is displayed
when the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position. The odometer records the total distance the ve-
hicle has been driven.
The twin trip odometer records the distance of
individual trips.
Changing the display:
For vehicles equipped with twin trip odometer,
pressing the change button changes the display
as follows:
Trip
→Trip→Trip
WIC0912
With twin trip odometer
LIC0780
2-4Instruments and controls

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

CAUTION
If the gauge indicates coolant tempera-
ture near the hot (H) end of the normal
range, reduce vehicle speed to decrease
temperature. If the gauge is over the nor-
mal range, stop the vehicle as soon as
safely possible. If the engine is over-
heated, continued operation of the ve-
hicle may seriously damage the engine.
See “If your vehicle overheats” in the “In
case of emergency” section for immediate
action required.
FUEL GAUGE
The gauge indicates theapproximatefuel level
in the tank.
The gauge may move slightly during braking,
turning, acceleration, or going up or down hills.
The gauge needle returns to E (Empty) after the
ignition key is turned to OFF.
The low fuel warning light comes on when the
amount of fuel in the tank is getting low.
Refill the fuel tank before the gauge regis-
ters E (Empty) . The
indicates that the fuel-filler door is
located on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
CAUTION
● If the vehicle runs out of fuel, theMalfunction Indicator Light (MIL) may
come on. Refuel as soon as possible.
After a few driving trips. the
light
should turn off. If the light remains on
after a few driving trips, have the ve-
hicle inspected by a NISSAN dealer.
● For additional information, see “Mal-
function Indicator Light (MIL)” later in
this section.
LIC0740
Instruments and controls2-7

ENGINE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE
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
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

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

This unit measures terrestrial magnetism and in-
dicates heading direction of vehicle.
With the ignition switch in the ON position, press
the
button as described in the fallowing
chart to activate various features of the automatic
anti-glare rearview mirror.
Push and hold
the
button for about: Feature:
(Push button again for about 1 sec-
ond to change settings)
1 second Compass display toggles on/off
8 seconds Automatic anti-glare/indicator light
toggles on/off
11 seconds Compass zone can be changed to
correct false compass readings
13 seconds Compass enters calibration mode
For more information about the automatic anti-
glare feature, refer to “Automatic anti-glare rear-
view mirror” in the “Pre-driving checks and ad-
justments” section.
COMPASS DISPLAY
Push thebutton for about 1 second when
the ignition key is in the ON position to toggle the
compass direction display
1on or off. The dis-
play will indicate the direction of the vehicle’s
heading.
N: North
E: East
S: South
W: West
If the “CAL” or “C” icon is illuminated in the
compass display, calibrate the compass by driv-
ing the vehicle in three complete circles at less
than 5 MPH (8 km/h) . You can also calibrate the compass by driving
your vehicle on your everyday route. The com-
pass will be calibrated once it has tracked three
complete circles.
WIC0904
COMPASS DISPLAY (if so equipped)
2-10Instruments and controls

CHECKING BULBS
With all doors closed, apply the parking brake
and place the ignition switch in the ON position
without starting the engine. The following lights
will come on:
,or,,,,
The following lights come on briefly and then go
off:
or,,,,,,
,
If any light fails to come on, it may indicate
an open circuit in the electrical system.
Have the system repaired promptly.
WARNING LIGHTS
orAnti-lock BrakingSystem (ABS)
warning light
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
warning light illuminates and then turns off. This
indicates the ABS is operational. If the ABS warning light illuminates while the
engine is running, or while driving, it may indicate
the ABS is not functioning properly. Have the
system checked by a NISSAN dealer.
If an ABS malfunction occurs, the anti-lock func-
tion is turned off. The brake system then operates
normally, but without anti-lock assistance. See
“Brake system” in the “Starting and driving” sec-
tion.
Automatic transmission oil
temperature warning light (if so
equipped)
This light comes on when the automatic transmis-
sion oil temperature is too high. If the light comes
on while driving, reduce the vehicle speed as
soon as safely possible until the light turns off.
CAUTION
Continued vehicle operation when the A/T
oil temperature warning light is on may
damage the automatic transmission.
Automatic transmission parkwarning light (
model)
WARNING
● If the ATP light is ON, this indicates that
the automatic transmission P (Park) po-
sition will not function and the transfer
case is in neutral.
● When parking, always make sure that
the 4WD shift indicator light illuminates
and the parking brake is set. Failure to
engage the transfer position in 2WD, 4H
or 4LO could result in the vehicle mov-
ing unexpectedly, resulting in serious
personal injury or property damage.
● Shift the 4WD switch into the 2WD, 4H
or 4LO position again to turn off the ATP
warning light when the shift selector is
in the P position and the ATP warning
light is ON. (Before shifting the 4WD
switch into the 4LO position, move the
shift selector into the N position once,
shift the shift selector into P again and
make sure the ATP warning light is
OFF.)
2-14Instruments and controls