2013 NISSAN XTERRA check engine light

Pre-towing tips
●Be certain your vehicle maintains a level
position when a loaded and/or unloaded
trailer is hitched. Do not drive the vehicle if it
has an abnormal nose-up or nose-down
condition; check for improper tongue load,
overload, worn suspension or other possible
causes of either condition.
● Always secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving.
●
Keep the cargo load as low as possible in the
trailer to keep the trailer center of gravity low.
● Load the trailer so approximately 60% of the
trailer load is in the front half and 40% is in
the back half. Also make sure the load is
balanced side to side.
● Check your hitch, trailer tire pressure, ve-
hicle tire pressure, trailer light operation, and
trailer wheel lug nuts every time you attach a
trailer to the vehicle.
● Be certain your rearview mirrors conform to
all federal, state or local regulations. If not,
install any mirrors required for towing before
driving the vehicle.
●
Determine the overall height of the vehicle and
trailer so the required clearance is known.
Trailer towing tips
In order to gain skill and an understanding of the
vehicle’s behavior, you should practice turning,
stopping and backing up in an area which is free
from traffic. Steering stability and braking perfor-
mance will be somewhat different than under
normal driving conditions.
● Always secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving.
● Lock the trailer hitch coupler with a pin or
lock to prevent the coupler from inadver-
tently becoming unlatched.
● Avoid abrupt starts, acceleration or stops.
● Avoid sharp turns or lane changes.
● Always drive your vehicle at a moderate
speed.
● When backing up, hold the bottom of the
steering wheel with one hand. Move your
hand in the direction in which you want the
trailer to go. Make small corrections and
back up slowly. If possible, have someone
guide you when you are backing up.
Always block the wheels on both vehicle and
trailer when parking. Parking on a slope is not
recommended; however, if you must do so:
CAUTION
If you move the shift selector to the P
(Park) position before blocking the
wheels and applying the parking brake,
transmission damage could occur.
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Have someone place blocks on the downhill side of the vehicle and trailer wheels.
3. After the wheel blocks are in place, slowly release the brake pedal until the blocks ab-
sorb the vehicle load.
4. Apply the parking brake.
5. Shift the transmission into P (Park) .
6. Make sure the
indicator 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.
9-26Technical and consumer information

●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.
9-28Technical and consumer information

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 condition. Place the ignition switch in the
ON position without starting the engine. If the
Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) comes on steady
for 20 seconds 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
Technical and consumer information9-31

10 Index
4WDwarninglight...............2-17A
Active brake limited slip (ABLS) system . . .5-34
Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system) .....................1-44
Air bag system Front (See supplemental front impact
air bag system) ...............1-51
Airbagwarninglabels.............1-58
Airbagwarninglight...........1-59,2-19
Air cleaner housing filter ............8-18
Air conditioner Air conditioner operation ......4-18,4-26
Air conditioner service ...........4-30
Air conditioner specification label .....9-12
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
oil recommendations .............9-7
Heater and air conditioner
controls................4-15,4-23
Servicing air conditioner ..........4-30
Airflowcharts..............4-19,4-27
Alarm system
(See vehicle security system) .........2-24
Anchor point locations .............1-30
Antenna.....................4-70
Anti-lock brake warning light ..........2-15
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ........5-33
Audible reminders ...............2-23
Audio system ..................4-30
Bluetooth®audio..........4-64,4-65 Compact disc (CD) player . .4-41, 4-46, 4-52
FM/AM radio with compact disc
(CD) player
.................4-40
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc
(CD) player ..............4-44,4-49
Audio System iPod®Player.............4-58,4-61
Audio system Radio ....................4-30
Steering wheel audio control switch . . .4-69
USB interface ............4-55,4-57
Autolight switch .................2-29
Automatic Automatic power window switch .....2-48
Automatic transmission position indicator
light .....................2-20
Driving with automatic transmission ....5-13
Automatic anti-glare inside mirror .......3-15
Automatic door locks ..............3-4
AUXjack.................4-47,4-54
B
Battery ......................8-14
Chargewarninglight............2-16
Before starting the engine ...........5-12
Belt (See drive belt) ..............8-17
Block heater Engine ....................5-39
Bluetooth®audio............4-64,4-65
Bluetooth® hands-free phone
system ..................4-71,4-85 Boosterseats..................1-40
Brake
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ......5-33
Brakefluid..................8-13
Brakelight(Seestoplight).........8-31
Brake system ................5-32
Brake warning light .............2-16
Brake wear indicators ........2-23,8-23
Parking brake operation ..........5-19
Self-adjusting brakes ............8-23
Brakes ......................8-23
Break-inschedule ...............5-21
Brightness/contrast button ...........4-9
Brightness control Instrument panel ..............2-31
Bulb check/instrument panel ..........2-15
Bulbreplacement................8-31
C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants ...................9-2
Cargolight ...................2-50
Cargonet....................2-43
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . .9-12
CarphoneorCBradio.............4-71
CDcareandcleaning .............4-69
CD player (See audio system) . .4-41, 4-46, 4-52
Check tire press .................2-5
Child restraints .......1-24,1-25,1-26,1-28
Precautions on child
restraints ........
1
-26,1-32,1-37,1-40

Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-30
Child restraint with top tether strap .......1-30
Child safety rear door lock ............3-5
Chimes, audible reminders ...........2-23
Cleaningexteriorandinterior...........7-2
Clock.......................4-40
Clutch Clutchfluid..................8-13
Clutchinterlock(clutchstart)switch......2-35
C.M.V.S.S. certification label ..........9-11
Cold weather driving ..............5-38
Compact disc (CD) player ....4-41,4-46,4-52
Compass display ................2-10
Console box ...................2-38
Controlpanelbuttons...............4-2 Brightness/contrast button ..........4-9
Enterbutton..................4-2
Setting button .................4-5
Controls Audiocontrols(steeringwheel).......4-69
Heater and air conditioner
controls ................4-15,4-23
Coolant Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine coolant ...........8-8
Checking engine coolant level ........8-8
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-6
Corrosionprotection ...............7-5
Cruise control ..................5-20
Cupholders...................2-40
Curtain side-impact and rollover air bag ....1-56D
Daytime running light system (Canada only) . .2-30
Defroster switch Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch.....................2-28
Dimensionsandweights.............9-9
Dimmer switch for instrument panel ......2-31
Display controls (see control panel buttons) . .4-2
Door locks .....................3-3
Door open warning light .............2-16
Drive belt .....................8-17
Driving Cold weather driving ............5-38
Driving with automatic transmission ....5-13
Driving with manual transmission ......5-17
Precautions when starting and driving ....5-2
E
Economy - fuel ..................5-23
Electronic locking rear differential (E-Lock)
system ......................5-29
Electronic locking rear differential (E-Lock)
system switch ..................2-34
Emission control information label .......9-11
Emission control system warranty .......9-30
Engine Before starting the engine ..........5-12
Block heater .................5-39
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine coolant ...........8-8
Changing engine oil .............8-10 Changing engine oil filter
..........8-11
Checking engine coolant level ........8-8
Checking engine oil level ...........8-9
Engine compartment check locations ....8-6
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-6
Engine cooling system ............8-7
Engine oil ...................8-9
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . . .9-6
Engine oil pressure warning light ......2-17
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-6
Engine serial

number ............9-10
Engine specifications .............9-8
Starting the engine .............5-12
Engine oil pressure gauge ............2-8
Enterbutton....................4-2
Eventdatarecorders ..............9-32
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) .........5-2
Extended storage switch ............8-26
F
First aid kit .....................6-2
Flashers
(See hazard warning flasher switch) .......6-2
Flat tire .......................6-3
Floor mat positioning aid .............7-5
Fluid Brake fluid ..................8-13
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Clutch fluid ..................8-13
Engine coolant .................8-7
Engine oil ...................8-9
Power steering fluid .............8-12
Windshield-washer fluid ...........8-14
10-2

LightAirbagwarninglight.........1-59,2-19
Brakelight(Seestoplight).........8-31
Bulb check/instrument panel ........2-15
Bulb replacement ..............8-31
Chargewarninglight ............2-16
Foglightswitch ...............2-31
Headlight and turn signal switch ......2-28
Headlightcontrolswitch ..........2-28
Headlights..................8-29
Interiorlight..................2-49
Lightbulbs..................8-29
Low tire pressure warning light .......2-17
Low windshield-washer fluid warning
light......................2-19
Offroadlampsswitch............2-32
Passenger air bag and status light .....1-53
Security indicator light ............2-22
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders ...................2-14
Lights Maplights ..................2-50
Lock Child safety rear door lock ..........3-5
Door locks ...................3-3
Power door locks ...............3-4
Loose fuel cap warning ..........2-5,3-10
Lowfuelwarninglight..............2-17
Low tire pressure warning light .........2-17
Low windshield-washer fluid warning light . . .2-19
Luggage hook ..................2-41
Luggage rack (see roof rack) ..........2-44
Luggage (See vehicle loading information) . .9-12
Luggage storage
(seevehicleloadinginformation)........2-41 M
Maintenance Generalmaintenance.............8-2
Insidethevehicle...............8-3
Maintenance precautions ...........8-5
Outside the vehicle ..............8-2
Seatbeltmaintenance............1-23
Underthehoodandvehicle .........8-4
Malfunction indicator light ............2-21
Manual front seat adjustment ...........1-2
Maplights ....................2-50
Map pocket ....................2-39
Meters and gauges ................2-3
Instrument brightness control ........2-31
Mirror Automatic anti-glare inside mirror ......3-15
Inside mirror .................3-14
Outside mirrors ...............3-15
Vanity mirror .................3-14
Multi-remote control system
(See remote keyless entry system) ........3-5
N
NISSAN vehicle immobilizer
system ................2-25,3-2,5-11
NISSAN voice recognition system .......4-95
O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating) ......9-5
Odometer .....................2-4
Offroadlampsswitch..............2-32 Oil
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changingengineoil.............8-10
Changing engine oil filter ..........8-11
Checking engine oil level ...........8-9
Engine oil ...................8-9
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . . .9-6
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-6
Outside mirrors .................3-15
Overdrive switch .................5-17
Overheat If your vehicle overheats ...........6-11
Owner’s manual order form ...........9-32
Owner’s manual/service manual order
information ....................9-32
P
Parking Parking brake operation ...........5-19
Parking/parking on hills ...........5-31
Phone, Bluetooth® hands-free
system ................... 4

-71,4-85
Power Power door locks ...............3-4
Power outlet .................2-36
Power rear windows .............2-48
Power steering fluid .............8-12
Power steering system ...........5-32
Power windows ...............2-47
Rear power windows ............2-48
Precautions Maintenanceprecautions...........8-5
10-4