2013 NISSAN FRONTIER engine

MAXIMUM LOAD LIMITS
Maximum trailer loads
Never allow the total trailer load to exceed the
value specified in the “Towing
Load/Specification” chart found later in this sec-
tion. The total trailer load equals trailer weight
plus its cargo weight.● When towing a trailer load of 3,500 lbs.
(1,587 kg) or more, trailers with a brake
system MUST be used.
The maximum Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR) should not exceed the value specified
in the following “Towing Load/Specification”
chart. The GCWR equals the combined weight of the
towing vehicle (including passengers and cargo)
plus the total trailer load. Towing loads greater
than these or using improper towing equipment
could adversely affect vehicle handling, braking
and performance.
The ability of your vehicle to tow a trailer is not
only related to the maximum trailer loads, but also
the places you plan to tow. Tow weights appro-
priate for level highway driving may have to be
reduced for low traction situations (for example,
on slippery boat ramps) .Temperature conditions can also affect towing.
For example, towing a heavy trailer in high outside
temperatures on graded roads can affect engine
performance and cause overheating. The engine
protection mode, which helps reduce the chance
of engine damage, could activate and automati-
cally decrease engine power. Vehicle speed may
decrease under high load. Plan your trip carefully
to account for trailer and vehicle load, weather
and road conditions.
WARNING
Overheating can result in reduced engine
power and vehicle speed. The reduced
speed may be lower than other traffic,
which could increase the chance of a col-
lision. Be especially careful when driving.
If the vehicle cannot maintain a safe driv-
ing speed, pull to the side of the road in a
safe area. Allow the engine to cool and
return to normal operation. See “If your
vehicle overheats” in the “In case of emer-
gency” section of this manual.
CAUTION
Vehicle damage resulting from improper
towing procedures is not covered by
NISSAN warranties.
LTI0161
Technical and consumer information9-25

6. Make sure theindicator light (if so
equipped) indicates the transfer case is in
4H, 4L, or 2H and that the ATP light is off. If
the
indicator light is flashing, or the
ATP light is ON, make sure the transmission
is in P (Park) (A/T) and turn the 4WD switch
to 2WD or 4H. See “Automatic transmission
park warning light” in the “Instruments and
controls” section and “Using four wheel
drive (4WD)” in the “Starting and driving”
section.
7. Turn off the engine.
To drive away: 1. Start the vehicle.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
3. Shift the transmission into gear.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Drive slowly until the vehicle and trailer are clear from the blocks.
6. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
7. Have someone retrieve and store the blocks. ●
While going downhill, the weight of the trailer
pushing on the tow vehicle may decrease
overall stability. Therefore, to maintain ad-
equate control, reduce your speed and shift to
a lower gear. Avoid long or repeated use of the
brakes when descending a hill, as this re-
duces their effectiveness and could cause
overheating. Shifting to a lower gear instead
provides “engine braking” and reduces the
need to brake as frequently.
● If the engine coolant temperature rises to a
high temperature, refer to “If your vehicle
overheats” in the “In case of emergency”
section of this owner’s manual.
● Trailer towing requires more fuel than normal
circumstances.
● Avoid towing a trailer for your vehicle’s first
500 miles (805 km) .
● For the first 500 miles (805 km) that you do
tow, do not drive over 50 MPH (80 km/h).
● Have your vehicle serviced more often than
at intervals specified in the recommended
Maintenance Schedule in the “NISSAN Ser-
vice and Maintenance Guide”.
● When making a turn, your trailer wheels will
be closer to the inside of the turn than your
vehicle wheels. To compensate for this,
make a larger than normal turning radius
during the turn. ●
Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely
affect vehicle/trailer handling, possibly caus-
ing vehicle sway. When being passed by
larger vehicles, be prepared for possible
changes in crosswinds that could affect ve-
hicle handling.
Do the following if the trailer begins to sway: 1.
Take your foot off the accelerator pedal to
allow the vehicle to coast and steer as
straight ahead as the road conditions allow.
This combination will help stabilize the vehicle
– Do not correct trailer sway by steering or applying the brakes.
2. When the trailer sway stops, gently apply the brakes and pull to the side of the road in a
safe area.
3. Try to rearrange the trailer load so it is bal- anced as described earlier in this section.
● Be careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires con-
siderably more distance than normal pass-
ing. Remember, the length of the trailer must
also pass the other vehicle before you can
safely change lanes.
9-34Technical and consumer information

●Downshift the transmission to a lower gear
for engine braking when driving down steep
or long hills. This will help slow the vehicle
without applying the brakes.
● Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long
or too frequently. This could cause the
brakes to overheat, resulting in reduced
braking efficiency.
● Increase your following distance to allow for
greater stopping distances while towing a
trailer. Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
● NISSAN recommends that the cruise con-
trol not be used while towing a trailer.
● Some states or provinces have specific
regulations and speed limits for vehicles that
are towing trailers. Obey the local speed
limits.
● Check your hitch, trailer wiring harness con-
nections, and trailer wheel lug nuts after
50 miles (80 km) of travel and at every break.
● When launching a boat, don’t allow the wa-
ter level to go over the exhaust tail pipe or
rear bumper.
● Make sure you disconnect the trailer lights
before backing the trailer into the water or
the trailer lights may burn out. When towing a trailer, final drive gear oil
should be replaced and transmission
oil/fluid should be changed more fre-
quently. For additional information, see the
“Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section
earlier in this manual.
FLAT TOWING
Towing your vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground is sometimes called flat towing. This method
is sometimes used when towing a vehicle behind a
recreational vehicle, such as a motor home.
CAUTION
●
Failure to follow these guidelines can
result in severe transmission damage.
● Whenever flat towing your vehicle, al-
ways tow forward, never backward.
● DO NOT tow any automatic transmis-
sion vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground (flat towing) . Doing so WILL
DAMAGE internal transmission parts
due to lack of transmission lubrication.
● For emergency towing procedures refer
to “Towing recommended by NISSAN”
in the “In case of emergency” section of
this manual.
Manual Transmission (if so equipped)
● Always tow with the manual transmission in
Neutral.
● On 4-wheel drive vehicles, place the transfer
case in the 2H range. Failure to do so will
cause the powertrain to bind up.
● After towing 500 miles (805 km) , start and
idle the engine with the transmission in Neu-
tral for two minutes. Failure to idle the engine
after every 500 miles (805 km) of towing
may cause damage to internal transmission
parts.
Automatic Transmission (if so
equipped)
To tow a vehicle equipped with an automatic
transmission, an appropriate vehicle dolly MUST
be placed under the towed vehicle’s drive
wheels. Always follow the dolly manufacturer’s
recommendations when using their product.
Technical and consumer information9-35

Additional information concerning motor
vehicle safety may be obtained from Trans-
port Canada’s Road Safety Information
Centre at 1-800-333-0371 or online at
www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety (English speak-
ers) or www.tc.gc.ca/securiteroutiere
(French speakers) .
To notify NISSAN of any safety concerns
please contact our Consumer Information
Centre toll free at 1-800-387-0122.
WARNING
A vehicle equipped with Four-Wheel Drive
(4WD) should never be tested using a two
wheel dynamometer (such as the dyna-
mometers used by some states for emis-
sions testing) , or similar equipment. Make
sure you inform the test facility personnel
that your vehicle is equipped with 4WD
before it is placed on a dynamometer.
Using the wrong test equipment may re-
sult in transmission damage or unex-
pected vehicle movement which could re-
sult in serious vehicle damage or personal
injury.
Due to legal requirements in some states and
Canadian Provinces, your vehicle may be re-
quired to be in what is called the “ready condi-
tion” for an Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test of
the emission control system.
The vehicle is set to the “ready condition” when it
is driven through certain driving patterns. Usually,
the ready condition can be obtained by ordinary
usage of the vehicle. If a powertrain system component is repaired or
the battery is disconnected, the vehicle may be
reset to a “not ready” condition. Before taking the
I/M test, check the vehicle’s
inspection/maintenance test readiness condi-
tion. Place the ignition switch in the ON position
without starting the engine. If the Malfunction
Indicator Light (MIL) comes on steady for 20 sec-
onds and then blinks for 10 seconds , the I/M test
condition is “not ready”. If the MIL does not blink
after 20 seconds, the I/M test condition is
“ready”. Contact a NISSAN dealer to set the
“ready condition” or to prepare the vehicle for
testing.
READINESS FOR INSPECTION/
MAINTENANCE (I/M) TEST
9-38Technical and consumer information

10 Index
4WDwarninglight...............2-17A
Active brake limited slip (ABLS) system . . .5-36
Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system) .....................1-63
Air bag system Front (See supplemental front impact
air bag system) ...............1-70
Airbagwarninglabels.............1-77
Airbagwarninglight...........1-78,2-20
Air cleaner housing filter ............8-20
Air conditioner Air conditioner operation ......4-20,4-28
Air conditioner service ...........4-35
Air conditioner specification label .....9-12
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
oil recommendations .............9-7
Heater and air conditioner controls ....4-17,
4-25, 4-33
Servicing air conditioner ..........4-35
Airflowcharts..............4-22,4-29
Alarm system
(See vehicle security system) .........2-24
Anchor point locations .............1-29
Antenna.....................4-76
Anti-lock brake warning light ..........2-15
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ........5-35
Audible reminders ...............2-24
Audio system ..................4-35
Bluetooth®audio..........4-70,4-71 Compact disc (CD) player . .4-46, 4-51, 4-58
FM/AM radio with compact disc
(CD) player
.................4-45
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc
(CD) player ..............4-49,4-54
Audio System iPod®Player.............4-64,4-66
Audio system Radio ....................4-35
Steering wheel audio control switch . . .4-75
USB interface ............4-61,4-62
Autolight switch .................2-29
Automatic Automatic power window switch .....2-49
Automatic transmission position indicator
light .....................2-20
Driving with automatic transmission ....5-13
Automatic anti-glare inside mirror .......3-15
Automatic door locks ..............3-5
AUXjack.................4-52,4-60
B
Battery ......................8-16
Chargewarninglight............2-16
Before starting the engine ...........5-12
Belt (See drive belt) ..............8-18
Block heater Engine ....................5-42
Bluetooth®audio............4-70,4-71
Bluetooth® hands-free phone
system ..................4-77,4-91 Boosterseats..................1-58
Brake
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ......5-35
Brakefluid..................8-14
Brakelight(Seestoplight).........8-31
Brake system ................5-34
Brake warning light .............2-16
Brake wear indicators ........2-24,8-23
Parking brake operation ..........5-20
Self-adjusting brakes ............8-23
Brakes ......................8-23
Break-inschedule ...............5-22
Brightness/contrast button ...........4-11
Brightness control Instrument panel ..............2-31
Bulb check/instrument panel ..........2-15
Bulbreplacement................8-31
C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants ...................9-2
Cargolightswitch ...............2-32
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . .9-13
CarphoneorCBradio.............4-77
CDcareandcleaning .............4-74
CD player (See audio system) . .4-46, 4-51, 4-58
Check tire press .................2-5
Child restraints .......1-23,1-24,1-25,1-27
Precautions
on child
restraints ........1-25,1-36,1-48,1-58
Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-29

Child restraint with top tether strap.......1-29
Child safety rear door lock ............3-6
Chimes, audible reminders ...........2-24
Cleaningexteriorandinterior...........7-2
Clock.......................4-45
Clutch Clutchfluid..................8-15
Clutchinterlock(clutchstart)switch......2-36
C.M.V.S.S. certification label ..........9-11
Cold weather driving ..............5-41
Compact disc (CD) player ....4-46,4-51,4-58
Compass display ................2-10
Console box ...................2-41
Controlpanelbuttons...............4-4 Brightness/contrast button .........4-11
Enterbutton..................4-4
Setting button .................4-7
Controls Audiocontrols(steeringwheel).......4-75
Heater and air conditioner
controls .............4-17,4-25,4-33
Coolant Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine coolant ...........8-9
Checking engine coolant level ........8-9
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-6
Corrosionprotection ...............7-5
Cruise control ..................5-21
Cupholders...................2-44
Curtain side-impact and rollover air bag ....1-75
D
Daytime running light system (Canada only) . .2-30 Defroster switch
Rear window defroster switch .......2-27
Dimensionsandweights.............9-9
Dimmer switch for instrument panel ......2-31
Display controls (see control panel buttons) . .4-4
Door locks .....................3-3
Door open warning light .............2-17
Drive belt .....................8-18
Driving Cold weather driving ............5-41
Driving with automatic transmission ....5-13
Driving with manual transmission ......5-18
Precautions when starting and driving ....5-2
E
Economy - fuel ..................5-24
Electronic locking rear differential
(E-Lock) system .................5-31
Electronic locking rear differential
(E-Lock) system switch .............2-35
Emission control information label .......9-11
Emission control system warranty .......9-37
Engine Before starting the engine ..........5-12
Block heater .................5-42
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine coolant ...........8-9
Changing engine oil .............8-11
Changing engine oil filter ..........8-12
Checking engine coolant level ........8-9
Checking engine oil level ..........8-10
Engine compartment check locations ....8-6
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-6Engine cooling system
............8-8
Engine oil ...................8-10
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . . .9-6
Engine oil pressure warning light ......2-17
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-6
Engine

serial number ............9-11
Engine specifications .............9-8
Starting the engine .............5-12
Engine oil pressure gauge ............2-8
Enterbutton....................4-4
Eventdatarecorders ..............9-39
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) .........5-2
Extended storage switch ............8-27
F
First aid kit .....................6-2
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher switch) . .6-3
Flat tire .......................6-3
Floor mat positioning aid .............7-5
Fluid Brake fluid ..................8-14
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Clutch fluid ..................8-15
Engine coolant .................8-8
Engine oil ...................8-10
Power steering fluid .............8-14
Windshield-washer fluid ...........8-15
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ...........9-11
Foglightswitch .................2-32
Front air bag system
(See supplemental restraint system) ......1-70
Front seats .....................1-2
10-2

FuelCapacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Fuel economy ................5-24
Fuel-filler door and cap ...........3-11
Fuel gauge ...................2-7
Fueloctanerating...............9-5
Fuel recommendation .............9-4
Loosefuelcapwarning ........2-5,3-11
Fuses.......................8-24
Fusiblelinks ...................8-26
G
Garage door opener, HomeLink® Universal
Transceiver....................2-54
Gascap .....................3-11
Gauge Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-6
Engine oil pressure gauge ..........2-8
Fuel gauge ...................2-7
Odometer ...................2-4
Speedometer .................2-4
Tachometer ..................2-6
Trip computer .................2-9
Trip odometer .................2-4
Voltmeter....................2-8
Generalmaintenance...............8-2
Glovebox.....................2-42
H
Hands-free phone system,
Bluetooth®................4-77,4-91 Hazard warning flasher switch
..........6-3
Headlight and turn signal switch ........2-28
Headlight control switch ............2-28
Headlights ....................8-29
Heated seats ...................2-33
Heater Heater and air conditioner
controls.............4-17,4-25,4-33
Heater operation ........4-19,4-26,4-34
Hill descent control switch ...........2-34
Hill descent control system ...........5-38
Hill start assist system ..............5-39
HomeLink® Universal Transceiver .......2-54
Hood release ...................3-10
Horn .......................2-32
I
Ignition switch ..................5-10
Immobilizer system .........2-25,3-2,5-12
Important vehicle information label .......9-11
In-cabin microfilter ................8-21
Increasing fuel economy .............5-24
Indicator lights and audible reminders
(See warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders)....................2-14
Inside automatic anti-glare mirror ........3-15
Inside mirror ...................3-15
Instrument brightness control ..........2-31
Instrument panel ...............0-6,2-2
Instrument panel dimmer switch ........2-31
Interiorlight....................2-53
iPod® Player ...............4-64,4-66
ISOFIX child restraints .............1-27 J
Jumpseat .....................1-6
Jump starting ...................6-10
K
Key.........................3-2
Keyfob battery replacement ...........8-28
Keyless entry system
(See remote keyless entry system) ........3-6
L
Labels Air conditioner specification label .....9-12
C.M.V.S.S. certification label ........9-11
Emission

control information label .....9-11
Engine serial number ............9-11
F.M.V.S.S. certification label .........9-11
Tire and Loading Information label .....9-12
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate . .9-10
Warning labels (for SRS) ..........1-77
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren)
System ......................1-27
License plate Installing the license plate ..........9-12
Light Airbagwarninglight.........1-78, 2-20
Brake light (See stop light) .........8-31
Bulb check/instrument panel ........2-15
Bulbreplacement..............8-31
Charge warning light ............2-16
Fog light switch ...............2-32
10-3

Headlight and turn signal switch......2-28
Headlightcontrolswitch ..........2-28
Headlights..................8-29
Interiorlight..................2-53
Lightbulbs..................8-29
Low tire pressure warning light .......2-18
Low windshield-washer fluid warning
light......................2-19
Passenger air bag and status light .....1-72
Security indicator light ............2-22
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders ...................2-14
Lights Maplights ..................2-53
Lock Child safety rear door lock ..........3-6
Door locks ...................3-3
Power door locks ...............3-4
Loose fuel cap warning ..........2-5,3-11
Lowfuelwarninglight..............2-18
Low tire pressure warning light .........2-18
Low windshield-washer fluid warning light . . .2-19
Luggage rack (see roof rack) ..........2-46
Luggage (See vehicle loading information) . .9-13
M
Maintenance Generalmaintenance.............8-2
Insidethevehicle...............8-3
Maintenanceprecautions...........8-5
Outsidethevehicle..............8-2
Seat belt maintenance ............1-23
Under the hood and vehicle .........8-4
Malfunction indicator light ............2-21 Manual front seat adjustment
...........1-2
Manual windows .................2-49
Maplights ....................2-53
Map pocket ....................2-43
Meters and gauges ................2-3
Instrument brightness control ........2-31
Mirror Automatic anti-glare inside mirror ......3-15
Inside mirror .................3-15
Outside mirrors ...............3-16
Vanity mirror .................3-14
Moonroof .....................2-50
Multi-remote control system
(See remote keyless entry system) ........3-6
N
NISSAN vehicle immobilizer
system ................2-25,3-2,5-12
NISSAN voice recognition system ......4-101
O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating) ......9-5
Odometer .....................2-4
Oil Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine oil .............8-11
Changing engine oil filter ..........8-12
Checking engine oil level ..........8-10
Engineoil...................8-10
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . . .9-6
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-6 Outside mirrors
.................3-16
Overdrive switch .................5-17
Overheat If your vehicle overheats ...........6-12
Owner’s manual order form ...........9-39
Owner’s manual/service manual order
information ....................9-39
P
Parking Parking brake operation ...........5-20
Parking/parking on hills ...........5-33
Phone, Bluetooth® hands-free
system ...................4-77,4-91
Power Frontseatadjustment.............1-4
Power door locks ...............3-4
Power outlet .................
2-37
Power steering fluid .............8-14
Power steering system ...........5-34
Power windows ...............2-47
Rear power windows ............2-49
Precautions Maintenanceprecautions...........8-5
On-pavement and off-road driving
precautions ..................5-6
Precautions on child
restraints .........1-25,1-36,1-48,1-58
Precautions on seat belt usage .......1-15
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ....................1-63
Precautions when starting and driving ....5-2
Pre-tensioner seat belt system .........1-76
Programmablefeatures..............4-7
10-4