2013 NISSAN XTERRA ECU

WARNING
Properly adjust the weight distributing
hitch so the rear of the bumper is no
higher than the measured reference
height when the trailer is attached. If the
rear bumper is higher than the measured
reference height when loaded, the vehicle
may handle unpredictably which could
cause a loss of vehicle control and cause
serious personal injury or property
damage.
Sway control device
Sudden maneuvers, wind gusts, and buffeting
caused by other vehicles can affect trailer han-
dling. Sway control devices may be used to help
control these affects. If you choose to use one,
contact a reputable trailer hitch supplier to make
sure the sway control device will work with the
vehicle, hitch, trailer and the trailer’s brake sys-
tem. Follow the instructions provided by the
manufacturer for installing and using the sway
control device.
Class I hitch
Class I trailer hitch equipment (receiver, ball
mount and hitch ball) can be used to tow trailers
of a maximum weight of 2,000 lb (907 kg) .
Class II hitch
Class II trailer hitch equipment (receiver, ball
mount and hitch ball) can be used to tow trailers
of a maximum weight of 3,500 lb (1,587 kg).
Class III hitch
Class III trailer hitch equipment (receiver, ball
mount and hitch ball) can be used to tow trailers
of a maximum weight of 5,000 lb (2,268 kg).
CAUTION
●Special hitches which include frame re-
inforcements are required for towing
above 2,000 lb (907 kg) . Suitable genu-
ine NISSAN hitches, ball mounts and
hitch balls for pickup trucks and sport
utility vehicles are available at a
NISSAN dealer.
● The hitch should not be attached to or
affect the operation of the impact-
absorbing bumper.
● Do not use axle-mounted hitches.
● Do not modify the vehicle exhaust sys-
tem, brake system, etc. to install a
trailer hitch. ●
To reduce the possibility of additional
damage if your vehicle is struck from
the rear, where practical, remove the
receiver when not in use.
● After the hitch is removed, seal the bolt
holes to prevent exhaust fumes, water
or dust from entering the passenger
compartment.
● Regularly check that all trailer hitch
mounting bolts are securely mounted.Tire pressures
● When towing a trailer, inflate the ve-
hicle tires to the recommended cold
tire pressure indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information label.
● Trailer tire condition, size, load rating
and proper inflation pressure should
be in accordance with the trailer and
tire manufacturer’s specifications.
9-24
Technical and consumer information

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

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

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

On-pavement and off-road driving
precautions..................5-5
Precautions on child
restraints .........1-26,1-32,1-37,1-40
Precautionsonseatbeltusage.......1-13
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ....................1-44
Precautions when starting and driving ....5-2
Pre-tensioner seat belt system .........1-57
Programmable features ..............4-5
Push starting ...................6-11
R
Radio Car phone or CB radio ...........4-71
FM/AM radio with compact disc
(CD) player ..................4-40
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc
(CD) player ..............4-44,4-49
Steering wheel audio control switch ....4-69
Readiness for inspection maintenance
(I/M) test .....................9-31
Rearcenterseatbelt ..............1-19
Rear power windows ..............2-48
RearViewMonitor.................4-9
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch .......................2-28
Rear window wiper and washer switches . . .2-27
Recorders Eventdata..................9-32
Refrigerant recommendation ...........9-7
Registering your vehicle in another country . .9-10
Remote keyless entry system ...........3-5
Reporting safety defects (US only) .......9-30Roof rack
.....................2-44
S
Safety Child safety rear door lock ..........3-5
Child seat belts .....1-26,1-32,1-37,1-40
Reporting safety defects (US only) .....9-30
Seat adjustment Frontmanualseatadjustment ........1-2
Seatback pockets ................2-39
Seat belt Childsafety..................1-24
Infants and small children ..........1-25
Injured Person ................1-16
Largerchildren................1-25
Precautions on seat belt usage .......1-13
Pregnant women ...............1-16
Pre-tensioner seat belt system .......1-57
Rear center seat belt ............1-19
Seatbeltextenders .............1-23
Seatbeltmaintenance............1-23
Seatbelts...................1-13
Shoulder belt height adjustment ......1-22
Three-point type with retractor .......1-16
Seat belt warning light ..............2-19
Seats Adjustment ...................1-2
Frontseats...................1-2
Manual front seat adjustment .........1-2
Security indicator light ..............2-22
Security system (NISSAN vehicle immobilizer
system) , engine start ........2-25,3-2,5-11
Self-adjusting brakes ..............8-23
Service manual order form ...........9-32Servicing air conditioner
.............4-30
Setting button ...................4-5
Shifting Automatic transmission ...........5-14
Manual transmission .............5-18
Shiftlockrelease.................5-16
Shoulder belt height adjustment ........1-22
Side air bag system (See supplemental side air
bag, curtain and rollover air bag systems) . . .1-56
Spark plug replacement .............8-18
Speedometer ...................2-4
SRSwarninglabel................1-58
Starting Before starting the engine ..........5-12
Jump starting .................
6
-9
Precautions when starting and driving ....5-2
Push starting .................6-11
Starting the engine .............5-12
Steering Power steering fluid .............8-12
Power steering system ...........5-32
Tilting steering wheel ............3-12
Steering wheel audio control switch ......4-69
Stoplight.....................8-31
Storage......................2-37
Storagebin....................2-41
Storage tray ...................2-37
Sunglasses case .................2-38
Sun visors ....................3-12
Supplemental air bag warning labels ......1-58
Supplemental air bag warning light . . .1-59, 2-19
Supplemental front impact air bag system . . .1-51
Supplemental restraint system Information and warning labels .......1-58
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ....................1-44
10-5

Supplemental restraint system
(Supplemental air bag system).........1-44
Switch Autolightswitch...............2-29
Automatic power window switch ......2-48
Clutch interlock (clutch start) switch ....2-35
Electronic locking rear differential (E-Lock)
systemswitch................2-34
Foglightswitch ...............2-31
Hazard warning flasher switch ........6-2
Headlight and turn signal switch ......2-28
Headlightcontrolswitch ..........2-28
Hill descent control switch .........2-33
Ignition switch .................5-9
Overdrive switch ...............5-17
Power door lock switch ............3-4
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch.....................2-28
Rear window wiper and washer
switches ...................2-27
Turnsignalswitch..............2-31
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off
switch.....................2-33
Windshield wiper and washer switch . . .2-26
T
Tachometer ....................2-6
Temperature gauge Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-6
Theft (NISSAN vehicle immobilizer system) ,
engine start .............2-25,3-2,5-11
Three-way catalyst ................5-2
Tilting steering wheel ..............3-12 Tire
Flat tire .....................6-3
Spare tire ...................6-5
Tire and Loading Information label .....9-11
Tirechains..................8-41
Tireplacard..................9-11
Tire pressure .................8-34
Tire rotation..................8-41
Tires of 4-wheel drive ............8-43
Types of tires .................8-40
Uniform tire quality grading .........9-29
Wheels and tires ...............8-34
Wheel/tire size .................9-9
Tire pressure Low tire pressure warning light .......2-17
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ....5-3
Top tether strap child restraint .........1-30
Towing 2-wheel drive models ............6-13
4-wheel drive models ............6-14
Flattowing..................9-28
Towing load/specification ..........9-22
Towtrucktowing...............6-12
Trailer towing .................9-19
Transmission Driving with automatic transmission ....5-13
Driving with manual transmission ......5-17
Travel (See registering your vehicle in another
country) ......................9-10
Trip computer ...................2-9
Trip odometer ...................2-4
Turn signal switch ................2-31 U
Uniform tire quality grading ...........9-29
USB interface Audio file operation ..........4-56,4-57
V
Vanity mirror ...................3-14
Variable voltage control system .........8-17
Vehicledimensionsandweights.........9-9
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off switch . . .2-33
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) system .....5-35
Vehicle identification ...............9-10
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate ....9-10
V e

hicleloadinginformation...........9-12
Vehicle recovery .................6-14
Vehicle security system .............2-24
Vehicle security system (NISSAN vehicle immobi-
lizer system) , engine start ......2-25,3-2,5-11
Ventilators ....................4-15
Visors.......................3-12
Voice recognition system ............4-95
Voltmeter......................2-8
W
Warning 4WDwarninglight..............2-17
Airbagwarninglight.........1-59, 2-19
Anti-lock brake warning light ........2-15
Battery charge warning light ........2-16
Brake warning light .............2-16
Door open warning light ...........2-16
10-6

Engine oil pressure warning light......2-17
Hazard warning flasher switch ........6-2
Lowfuelwarninglight............2-17
Low tire pressure warning light .......2-17
Low windshield-washer fluid warning
light......................2-19
Passenger air bag and status light .....1-53
Seat belt warning light ............2-19
Vehicle security system ...........2-24
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders ...................2-14
Warning labels (for SRS) ..........1-58
Warninglights..................2-14
Washer switch Rear window wiper and washer
switches ...................2-27
Windshield wiper and washer switch . . .2-26
Weights(Seedimensionsandweights).....9-9
Wheels and tires .................8-34
Wheel/tire size ...................9-9
When traveling or registering your vehicle in
another country .................9-10
Windows Locking passengers’ windows .......2-48
Power rear windows .............2-48
Power windows ...............2-47
Rear power windows ............2-48
Windshield-washer fluid .............8-14
Windshield wiper and washer switch .....2-26
Wiper Rear window wiper and washer
switches ...................2-27
Windshield wiper and washer switch . . .2-26
Wiper blades .................8-20
10-7