2016 NISSAN FRONTIER Owners Manual

Four-wheel drive models
CAUTION
Always use tires of the same type, size,
brand, construction (bias, bias-belted or
radial) , and tread pattern on all four
wheels. Failure to do so may result in a
circumference difference between tires on
the front and rear axles which will cause
excessive tire wear and may damage the
transmission, transfer case and differen-
tial gears.
If excessive tire wear is found, it is recommended
that all four tires be replaced with tires of the
same size, brand, construction and tread pattern.
The tire pressure and wheel alignment should
also be checked and corrected as necessary. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for
this service.
Wheel balance
Unbalanced wheels may affect vehicle handling
and tire life. Even with regular use, wheels can get
out of balance. Therefore, they should be bal-
anced as required. Wheel balance service should be per-
formed with the wheels off the vehicle.
Spin balancing the wheels on the vehicle
could lead to mechanical damage.
● For additional information regarding
tires, refer to “Important Tire Safety
Information” (US) or “Tire Safety Infor-
mation” (Canada) in the Warranty In-
formation Booklet.
Care of wheels
●Wash the wheels when washing the vehicle
to maintain their appearance.
● Clean the inner side of the wheels when the
wheel is changed or the underside of the
vehicle is washed.
● Do not use abrasive cleaners when washing
the wheels.
● Inspect wheel rims regularly for dents or
corrosion. Such damage may cause loss of
pressure or poor seal at the tire bead.
● NISSAN recommends waxing the road
wheels to protect against road salt in areas
where it is used during winter.
8-44Maintenance and do-it-yourself

9 Technical and consumer information
Recommended fluids/lubricants and capacities.......9-2
Fuel recommendation ...........................9-5
Engine oil and oil filter recommendations ..........9-7
Air conditioner system (if so equipped)
refrigerant and oil recommendations ..............9-8
Specifications .....................................9-9
Engine ........................................9-9
Wheels and tires .............................. 9-10
Dimensions and weights .......................9-11
When traveling or registering in another country ......9-12
Vehicle identification .............................. 9-12
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate .........9-12
Engine serial number ........................... 9-13
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label ..........9-13
Emission control information label ...............9-13
Tire and loading information label ................9-14
Air conditioner specification label
(if so equipped) ............................... 9-14
Installing front license plate ........................9-14
Installing front license plate with grommets .......9-14
Installing front license plate without
grommets .................................... 9-15
Vehicle loading information ........................9-15
Terms ........................................ 9-15
Vehicle load capacity .......................... 9-16Securing the load
.............................. 9-18
Utili-track™ channel system (if so equipped) ......9-19
Loading tips .................................. 9-24
Truck-camper loading information ..................9-24
Crew cab models .............................. 9-24
King Cab models .............................. 9-24
Special Body vehicles .......................... 9-24
Location for center of gravity ....................9-25
Vehicle load weight capacity ....................9-25
Measurement of weights .......................9-26
Towing a trailer ................................... 9-26
Maximum load limits ........................... 9-26
Towing load/specification .......................9-30
Towing safety ................................. 9-31
Flat towing

for 4–Wheel drive vehicle
(if so equipped) ............................... 9-37
Flat towing for rear wheel drive vehicle
(if so equipped) ............................... 9-37
Uniform tire quality grading ........................9-38
Emission control system warranty ..................9-39
Reporting safety defects .......................... 9-39
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M) test .....9-40
Event Data Recorders (EDR) .......................9-41
Owner’s Manual/Service Manual order information . . . 9-41

The following are approximate capacities. The actual refill capacities may be a little different. When refilling, follow the procedure
described in the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section to determine the proper refill capacity.
Fluid typeCapacity (Approximate) Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
US measure Imp measure Liter
Fuel 21-1/8 gal 17-5/8 gal80 L• For additional information, refer to “Recommended fuel” in
this section of the manual.
Engine oil Drain and refill QR25DEWith oil filter
change
4-7/8 qt 4 qt4.6 L• Genuine NISSAN engine oil or equivalent
• Engine oil with API Certification Mark*1, Viscosity SAE
5W-30*2
*1 For additional information, refer to “Engine oil and oil filter
recommendations” in this section.
*2 As an alternative to this recommended oil, SAE 5W-30 or
SAE 10W-30 conventional petroleum based oils may be used
and meet all specifications and requirements necessary to
maintain the NISSAN New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
• For additional information, refer to “Changing engine oil” in
the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section of this manual.
Without oil fil-
ter change 4-1/2 qt 3-3/4 qt
4.3 L
VQ40DE With oil filter
change 5-3/8 qt 4-1/2 qt
5.1 L• Genuine NISSAN engine oil or equivalent*3
• Engine oil with API Certification Mark*4, Viscosity SAE
5W-30
*3 NISSAN recommends the use of Genuine NISSAN Ester
Oil, available at a NISSAN dealer.
*4 For additional information, refer to “Engine oil and oil filter
recommendations” in this section.
Without oil
filter change 5-1/8 qt 4-1/4 qt
4.8 L
Engine coolant QR25DE With reservoir 2-1/2 gal 2-1/8 gal
9.4 L
• Pre-diluted Genuine NISSAN Blue Long Life Antifreeze/
coolant or equivalent
VQ40DE With reservoir 2-3/4 gal 2-1/4 gal 10.2 L
RECOMMENDED FLUIDS/
LUBRICANTS AND CAPACITIES
9-2Technical and consumer information

Fluid typeCapacity (Approximate) Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
US measure Imp measure Liter
Manual transmission gear oil 5 M/T 3-1/8 qt 2-1/2 qt
2.9 L• Genuine NISSAN Manual Transmission Fluid (MTF) HQ Multi
75W-85 or equivalent
• If Genuine NISSAN Manual Transmission Fluid (MTF) HQ
Multi is not available, API GL-4, Viscosity SAE 75W-85 may be
used as a temporary replacement. However, use Genuine
NISSAN Manual Transmission (MTF) HQ Multi as soon as it is
available.
6 M/T 4X2 4-1/4 qt 3-1/2 qt
4.0 L
6 M/T 4X4 4-1/2 qt 3-3/4 qt 4.2 L
Automatic transmission fluid Refill to the proper level according to the instructions
in the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section. • Genuine NISSAN Matic S ATF
• If Genuine NISSAN Matic S ATF is not available, Genuine
NISSAN Matic J ATF may also be used. Using automatic trans-
mission fluid other than Genuine NISSAN Matic S ATF or
Genuine NISSAN Matic J ATF will cause deterioration in drive-
ability and automatic transmission durability, and may damage
the automatic transmission, which is not covered by the
NISSAN New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Transfer fluid 2-1/8 qt 1-3/4 qt2.0 L• Genuine NISSAN Matic D ATF recommended
• Using fluid other than Genuine NISSAN Matic D ATF will
cause deterioration in driveability and transfer durability, and
may damage the transfer, which is not covered by the NISSAN
New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Front final drive oil 1-3/4 pt 1-1/2 pt0.85 L• Genuine NISSAN Differential Oil Hypoid Super GL-5
80W-90 or equivalent conventional (non-synthetic)
Rear final drive oil (except for 6 speed M/T or E-Lock ve-
hicles) 3-3/8 pt 2-7/8 pt
1.6 L • API GL-5 synthetic gear oil, Viscosity SAE 75W-90
Rear final drive oil (for 6 speed M/T or E-Lock vehicles) 4-1/4 pt 3-1/2 pt 2.0 L• Genuine NISSAN differential oil synthetic 75W-140 or API
GL-5 synthetic gear oil
• Viscosity SAE 75W-140
• It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for this
service.
Technical and consumer information9-3

Fluid typeCapacity (Approximate) Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
US measure Imp measure Liter
Power steering fluid (PSF) —— —• Genuine NISSAN PSF or equivalent.
• DEXRON™ VI type ATF may also be used.
• It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for this
service.
Brake and clutch (if so equipped) fluid —— —• Genuine NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid or equivalent
DOT 3
• Available in mainland USA through a NISSAN dealer.
• It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for this
service.
Multi-purpose grease —— — • NLGI No. 2 (Lithium Soap base)
Air conditioning system refrigerant —— —• HFC-134a (R-134a)
• For additional information, refer to “Air conditioner specifica-
tion label” in this section of the manual.
• It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for this
service.
Air conditioning system oil —— —• Genuine NISSAN A/C System Oil Type DH-PR or equivalent
• For additional information, refer to “Air conditioner specifica-
tion label” in this section of the manual.
• It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for this
service.
Windshield-washer fluid 1-1/4 gal 1 gal4.5 L• Genuine NISSAN Windshield Washer Concentrate Cleaner &
Antifreeze or equivalent
9-4Technical and consumer information

FUEL RECOMMENDATION
Use unleaded regular gasoline with an octane
rating of at least 87 AKI (Anti-Knock Index) num-
ber (Research octane number 91) .
CAUTION
●Using a fuel other than that specified
could adversely affect the emission
control system, and may also affect the
warranty coverage.
● Under no circumstances should a
leaded gasoline be used, because this
will damage the three-way catalyst.
● Do not use E-15 or E-85 fuel in your
vehicle. Your vehicle is not designed to
run on E-15 or E-85 fuel. Using E-15 or
E-85 fuel in a vehicle not specifically
designed for E-15 or E-85 fuel can ad-
versely affect the emission control de-
vices and systems of the vehicle. Dam-
age caused by such fuel is not covered
by the NISSAN New Vehicle Limited
Warranty. ●
Do not use fuel that contains the octane
booster methylcyclopentadienyl man-
ganese tricarbonyl (MMT) . Using fuel
containing MMT may adversely affect
vehicle performance and vehicle emis-
sions. Not all fuel dispensers are la-
beled to indicate MMT content, so you
may have to consult your gasoline re-
tailer for more details. Note that Fed-
eral and California laws prohibit the use
of MMT in reformulated gasoline.
● U.S. government regulations require
ethanol dispensing pumps to be identi-
fied by a small, square, orange and
black label with the common abbrevia-
tion or the appropriate percentage for
that region.
Gasoline specifications
NISSAN recommends using gasoline that meets
the World-Wide Fuel Charter (WWFC) specifi-
cations where it is available. Many of the automo-
bile manufacturers developed this specification
to improve emission control system and vehicle
performance. Ask your service station manager if
the gasoline meets the WWFC specifications.
Reformulated gasoline
Some fuel suppliers are now producing reformu-
lated gasolines. These gasolines are specially designed to reduce vehicle emissions. NISSAN
supports efforts towards cleaner air and sug-
gests that you use reformulated gasoline when
available.
Gasoline containing oxygenates
Some fuel suppliers sell gasoline containing oxy-
genates such as ethanol, Methyl Tert-butyl Ether
(MTBE) and methanol with or without advertising
their presence. NISSAN does not recommend
the use of fuels of which the oxygenate content
and the fuel compatibility for your NISSAN can-
not be readily determined. If in doubt, ask your
service station manager.
If you use oxygenate-blend gasoline, please take
the following precautions as the usage of such
fuels may cause vehicle performance problems
and/or fuel system damage.
● The fuel should be unleaded and have
an octane rating no lower than that
recommended for unleaded gasoline.
● If an oxygenate-blend other than
methanol blend is used, it should con-
tain no more than 10% oxygenate.
(MTBE may, however, be added up to
15%.)
Technical and consumer information9-5

●E-15 fuel contains more than 10% oxy-
genate. E-15 fuel will adversely affect
the emission control devices and sys-
tems of the vehicle and should not be
used. Damage caused by such fuel is
not covered by the NISSAN New Ve-
hicle Limited Warranty.
● If a methanol blend is used, it should
contain no more than 5% methanol
(methyl alcohol, wood alcohol) . It
should also contain a suitable amount
of appropriate cosolvents and corro-
sion inhibitors. If not properly formu-
lated with appropriate cosolvents and
corrosion inhibitors, such methanol
blends may cause fuel system damage
and/or vehicle performance problems.
At this time, sufficient data is not avail-
able to ensure that all methanol blends
are suitable for use in NISSAN ve-
hicles.
If any drivability problems such as engine stalling
and difficult hot-starting are experienced after
using oxygenate-blend fuels, immediately
change to a non-oxygenate fuel or a fuel with a
low blend of MTBE.
Take care not to spill gasoline during refu-
eling. Gasoline containing oxygenates can
cause paint damage.E–15 fuel
E-15 fuel is a mixture of approximately 15% fuel
ethanol and 85% unleaded gasoline. E-15 can
only be used in vehicles designed to run on E-15
fuel. Do not use E-15 in your vehicle. U.S. gov-
ernment regulations require fuel ethanol dispens-
ing pumps to be identified with small, square,
orange and black label with the common abbre-
viation or the appropriate percentage for that
region.
E–85 fuel
E-85 fuel is a mixture of approximately 85% fuel
ethanol and 15% unleaded gasoline. E-85 can
only be used in a Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) . Do
not use E-85 in your vehicle. U.S. government
regulations require fuel ethanol dispensing
pumps to be identified by a small, square, orange
and black label with the common abbreviation or
the appropriate percentage for that region.
Fuel containing MMT
MMT, or methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tri-
carbonyl, is an octane boosting additive. NISSAN
does not recommend the use of fuel containing
MMT. Such fuel may adversely affect vehicle per-
formance, including the emissions control sys-
tem. Note that while some fuel pumps label MMT
content, not all do, so you may have to consult
your gasoline retailer for more details.
Aftermarket fuel additives
NISSAN does not recommend the use of any
aftermarket fuel additives (for example, fuel injec-
tor cleaner, octane booster, intake valve deposit
removers, etc.) which are sold commercially.
Many of these additives intended for gum, varnish
or deposit removal may contain active solvents or
similar ingredients that can be harmful to the fuel
system and engine.
Octane rating tips
Using unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating lower than recommended can cause
persistent, heavy “spark knock.” (“Spark
knock” is a metallic rapping noise.) If se-
vere, this can lead to engine damage. If you
detect a persistent heavy spark knock even
when using gasoline of the stated octane
rating, or if you hear steady spark knock
while holding a steady speed on level
roads, have a NISSAN dealer correct the
condition. Failure to correct the condition
is misuse of the vehicle, for which NISSAN
is not responsible.
9-6Technical and consumer information

Incorrect ignition timing may result in spark
knock, after-run and/or overheating, which may
cause excessive fuel consumption or engine
damage. If any of the above symptoms are en-
countered, have your vehicle checked. It is rec-
ommended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for
servicing.
However, now and then you may notice
light spark knock for a short time while
accelerating or driving up hills. This is not a
cause for concern, because you get the
greatest fuel benefit when there is light
spark knock for a short time under heavy
engine load.
ENGINE OIL AND OIL FILTER
RECOMMENDATIONS
Selecting the correct oil
It is essential to choose the correct grade, quality
and viscosity engine oil to ensure satisfactory
engine life and performance. For additional infor-
mation, refer to “Recommended fluids/lubricants
and capacities” in this section. NISSAN recom-
mends the use of an energy conserving oil in
order to improve fuel economy.
Select only engine oils that meet the American
Petroleum Institute (API) certification or Interna-
tional Lubricant Standardization and ApprovalCommittee (ILSAC) certification and SAE vis-
cosity standard. These oils have the API certifica-
tion mark on the front of the container. Oils which
do not have the specified quality label should not
be used as they could cause engine damage.Oil additives
NISSAN does not recommend the use of oil
additives. The use of an oil additive is not neces-
sary when the proper oil type is used and main-
tenance intervals are followed.
Oil which may contain foreign matter or has been
previously used should not be used.
LTI2061
Technical and consumer information9-7