2012 NISSAN XTERRA engine coolant

VQ40DE engine
1. Windshield-washer fluid reservoir(P. 8-13)
2. Fuse/fusible link box (P. 8-22)
3. Fuse and relay box (P. 8-22)
4. Engine oil filler cap (P. 8-9)
5. Engine oil dipstick (P. 8-9)
6. Brake fluid reservoir/Clutch fluid
reservoir (M/T model) (P. 8-12)
7. Air cleaner (P. 8-18)
8. Drive belt location (P.8-16)
9. Radiator cap (P. 8-7)
10. Power steering fluid reservoir (P. 8-12)
11. Battery (P. 8-14)
12. Engine coolant reservoir (P. 8-7)
See the page number indicated in paren-
theses for operating details.
LII0167
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK
LOCATIONS
0-8Illustrated table of contents

2 Instruments and controls
Instrument panel...................................2-2
Meters and gauges ................................2-3
Speedometer and odometer . . ...................2-4
Tachometer ....................................2-6
Engine coolant temperature gauge ...............2-6
Fuel gauge ....................................2-7
Engine oil pressure gauge .......................2-8
Voltmeter ......................................2-8
Trip computer (if so equipped) ...................2-9
Compass display (if so equipped) ..................2-10
Compass display .............................. 2-10
Warning/indicator lights and audible reminders ......2-13
Checking bulbs ............................... 2-14
Warning lights ................................ 2-14
Indicator lights ................................ 2-19
Audible reminders ............................. 2-22
Security systems ................................. 2-23
Vehicle security system ......................... 2-23
NISSAN vehicle immobilizer system .............2-24
Windshield wiper and washer switch ...............2-25
Switch operation .............................. 2-25
Rear window wiper and washer switch ..............2-26Rear window and outside mirror (if so equipped)
defroster switch
.................................. 2-27
Headlight and turn signal switch ....................2-27
Headlight control switch ........................ 2-27
Daytime running light system (Canada only) ......2-28
Instrument brightness control ...................2-29
Turn signal switch ............................. 2-29
Fog light switch (if so equipped) ................2-30
Off road lamps switch (if so equipped) ...........2-30
Hazard warning flasher switch .....................2-31
Horn ............................................ 2-31
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) off switch ...........2-32
Hill descent control switch (if so equipped) ..........2-32
Electronic locking rear differential (E-Lock) system
switch (if so equipped) ............................ 2-33
Clutch interlock (clutch start) switch
(if so equipped) .................................. 2-34
P

ower outlet ..................................... 2-35
Storage ......................................... 2-36
Storage trays ................................. 2-36
Console box .................................. 2-37
Glove box .................................... 2-37

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

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

Dehumidified defogging
This mode is used to defog the windows and
dehumidify the air.1. Press the
air flow control button.
2. Turn the fan control dial to the desired posi- tion.
3. Press the
button. The indicator light
comes on.
When the
orpositions are se-
lected, the air conditioner automatically turns on
(however, the indicator light will not illuminate) if
the outside temperature is more than 36°F (2°C) .
If one of these air flow control buttons is selected
for more than one minute, the air conditioning
system will continue to operate until the fan con-
trol dial is turned to OFF, the air conditioner is
turned OFF, or the vehicle is shut off, even if a
position other than these positions is selected.
This dehumidifies the air which helps defog the
windshield. The
mode automatically turns
off, allowing outside air to be drawn into the
passenger compartment to further improve the
defogging performance.
4. Turn the temperature control dial to the de- sired position.
Operating tips
●Keep the windows closed while the air con-
ditioner is in operation.
● After parking in the sun, drive for 2 or 3
minutes with the windows open to vent hot
air from the passenger compartment. Then,
close the windows. This allows the air con-
ditioner to cool the interior more quickly.
● The air conditioning system should be
operated for approximately 10 minutes
at least once a month. This helps pre-
vent damage to the system due to lack
of lubrication.
● A visible mist may be seen coming from the
ventilators in hot, humid conditions as the air
is cooled rapidly. This does not indicate a
malfunction.
● If the engine coolant temperature
gauge indicates engine coolant tem-
perature over the normal range, turn
the air conditioner off. See “If your
vehicle overheats” in the “In case of
emergency” section of this manual.
AIR FLOW CHARTS
The following charts show the button and dial
positions for MAXIMUM AND QUICK heating,
cooling or defrosting. For additional information
on heating and cooling, see “Heater and air con-
ditioner (manual)” in this section. The air recir-
culation (
) button should always be in
the OFF position for heating and defrost-
ing.
4-6Heater, air conditioner, audio and phone systems

The air conditioner cooling function oper-
ates only when the engine is running.
Cooling
This mode is used to cool and dehumidify the air.1. Push the
button to the off position.
2. Turn the air flow control dial to the
position.
3.
Turn the fan control dial to the desired position.
4. Push thebutton. The indicator light
comes on.
5. Turn the temperature control dial to the de- sired position.
● For quick cooling when the outside tem-
perature is high, push the
button to
the on position (indicator light on) . Be sure
to return the
button to the off position
for normal cooling.
Dehumidified defogging
This mode is used to defog the windows and
dehumidify the air.
1. Turn the air flow control dial to the
position.
2. Turn the fan control dial to the desired posi- tion. 3. Push the
button. The indicator light
comes on.
When the air flow control dial is in the
orposition, the air conditioner automati-
cally turns on (however, the indicator light will not
illuminate) if the outside temperature is more than
36°F (2°C) . If one of these positions is selected
for more than one minute, the air conditioning
system will continue to operate until the fan con-
trol dial is turned to OFF or the vehicle is shut off,
even if the air flow control dial is turned to a
position other than these positions. This dehu-
midifies the air which helps defog the windshield.
The
mode automatically turns off, allowing
outside air to be drawn into the passenger com-
partment to further improve the defogging perfor-
mance.
4. Turn the temperature control dial to the de- sired position.
Operating tips
●Keep the windows closed while the air con-
ditioner is in operation.
● After parking in the sun, drive for 2 or 3
minutes with the windows open to vent hot
air from the passenger compartment. Then,
close the windows. This allows the air con-
ditioner to cool the interior more quickly. ●
The air conditioning system should be
operated for approximately 10 minutes
at least once a month. This helps pre-
vent damage to the system due to lack
of lubrication.
● A visible mist may be seen coming from the
ventilators in hot, humid conditions as the air
is cooled rapidly. This does not indicate a
malfunction.
● If the engine coolant temperature
gauge indicates engine coolant tem-
perature over the normal range, turn
the air conditioner off. See “If your
vehicle overheats” in the “In case of
emergency” section of this manual.
AIR FLOW CHARTS
The following charts show the button and dial
positions for MAXIMUM AND QUICK heating,
cooling or defrosting. For additional information
on heating and cooling, see “Heater and air con-
ditioner (manual)” in this section. The air recir-
culation (
) button should always be in
the OFF position for heating and defrost-
ing.
Heater, air conditioner, audio and phone systems4-13

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