When driving on rough roads,
.Drive carefully according to the road surface
conditions.
When the vehicle is stuck,
. Place stones or wooden blocks under the
tires to free the vehicle.
. Set the 4WD shift switch to 4H or 4L.
. If it is difficult to free the vehicle, repeat
forward and backward movement to in-
crease the movement.
. If the vehicle is stuck deep in mud, tire
chains may be effective.
CAUTION
.Do not spin the tires excessively.
Tires will sink deep into the mud,
making it difficult to free the vehi-
cle.
. Avoid shifting gears with the engine
running at high speeds as this may
cause malfunction.
SSD1048
4WD SHIFT SWITCH
.Shift the 4WD shift switch to either the
AUTO, 4H or 4L position, depending on
driving conditions.
. With the switch set to the AUTO position,
distribution of torque to the front and rear
wheels changes automatically, depending
on road conditions encountered [ratio; 0 :
100 (2WD) ?50 : 50 (4WD)]. This results
in improved driving stability.
. If the 4WD shift switch is operated
while making a turn, accelerating or
decelerating or if the ignition switch is
placed in the OFF position while in the
AUTO, 4H or 4L, you may feel a jolt. This is not abnormal.
. When the vehicle is stopped after
making a turn, you may feel a slight
jolt after the shift lever is shifted to N
(Neutral) or P (Park) position. This
occurs because the transfer clutch is
released and not because of a mal-
function.
CAUTION
.When driving straight, shift the 4WD
shift switch to the AUTO or 4H
position. Do not move the 4WD shift
switch when making a turn or rever-
sing.
. Do not shift the 4WD shift switch
while driving on steep downhill
grades. Use the engine brake and
low automatic transmission gears
for engine braking.
. Do not operate the 4WD shift switch
with the rear wheels spinning.
. Before placing the 4WD shift switch
in the 4H position from AUTO, en-
sure the vehicle speed is less than
62 MPH (100 km/h) . Failure to do so
can damage the 4WD system.
Starting and driving5-127
5-128Starting and driving
.Never shift the 4WD shift switch
between 4L and 4H while driving.
. Engine idling speed is high while
warming up the engine. Be espe-
cially careful when starting or driv-
ing on slippery surfaces with the
4WD shift switch in AUTO.
SSD10584WD shift indicator
4WD SHIFT INDICATOR
The 4WD shift indicator is displayed in the
vehicle information display.
The indicator should turn off within 1 second
after placing the ignition switch in the ON
position.
While the engine is running, the 4WD shift
indicator will illuminate the position selected by
the 4WD shift switch. (See the 4WD shift
procedure list shown in the “NISSAN all-mode
4WD
Šsystem” (P.5-123) .)
. The 4WD shift indicator may blink while
shifting from one drive mode to the
other. When the shifting is completed, the 4WD shift indicator will come on. If
the indicator does not come on imme-
diately, make sure the area around the
vehicle is safe, and drive the vehicle
straight, accelerate or decelerate or
move the vehicle in reverse, then shift
the 4WD shift switch.
. If the 4WD warning light comes on, the
4WD shift indicator turns off.
4WD WARNING LIGHT
Warning light Comes on or
blinks when:
Illuminates There is a mal-
function in the 4WD system
Blinks rapidly The transfer case
oil temperature is abnormally high
Blinks slowly The difference in
wheel rotation is large
The 4WD warning light is located in the meter.
The 4WD warning light comes on when the
ignition switch is placed in the ON position. It
turns off soon after the engine is started.
If any malfunction occurs in the 4WD system
when the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the 4WD warning light will either
remain illuminated or blink.
If the 4WD warning light comes on, the 4WD
shift indicator turns off.
High-temperature transfer case oil makes the
4WD warning light blink rapidly (about twice per
second) . If the warning light blinks rapidly during
operation, stop the vehicle in a safe place
immediately. Then if the light turns off after a
while, you can continue driving.
A large difference between the diameters of
front and rear wheels will make the 4WD
warning light blink slowly (about once per two
seconds) . Change the 4WD shift switch to
AUTO and do not drive fast.
CAUTION
.If the 4WD warning light comes on
or blinks slowly during operation or
rapidly after stopping the vehicle for
a while, have your vehicle checked
as soon as possible. It is recom-
mended you visit a NISSAN dealer
for this service.
. Shifting between 4HI and 4LO is not
recommended when the 4WD warn-
ing light turns on.
. When the 4WD warning light comes
on, the 2WD mode may be engaged even if the 4WD shift switch is in
AUTO or 4H. Be especially careful
when driving. If corresponding parts
are malfunctioning, the 4WD mode
will not be engaged even if the 4WD
shift switch is shifted.
. Do not drive the vehicle in the 4HI or
4LO position on dry hard surface
roads. Driving on dry, hard surfaces
in 4HI or 4LO may cause unneces-
sary noise, tire wear and increased
fuel consumption.
If the 4WD warning light turns on
when driving on dry hard surface
roads:
— in the AUTO or 4HI position, shift
the 4WD shift switch to AUTO.
— in the 4LO position, stop the vehicle and shift the transmis-
sion shift lever to the N (Neutral)
position and shift the 4WD shift
switch to AUTO.
. If the 4WD warning light is still on
after the above operation, have your
vehicle checked as soon as possi-
ble. It is recommended you visit a
NISSAN dealer for this service. .
The transfer case may be damaged
if you continue driving with the
warning light blinking.
Starting and driving5-129
5-130Starting and driving
WARNING
.Never rely solely on the hill start
assist system to prevent the vehicle
from moving backward on a hill.
Always drive carefully and atten-
tively. Depress the brake pedal
when the vehicle is stopped on a
steep hill. Be especially careful
when stopped on a hill on frozen
or muddy roads. Failure to prevent
the vehicle from rolling backwards
may result in a loss of control of the
vehicle and possible serious injury
or death.
. The hill start assist system is not
designed to hold the vehicle at a
standstill on a hill. Depress the
brake pedal when the vehicle is
stopped on a steep hill. Failure to
do so may cause the vehicle to roll
backwards and may result in a
collision or serious personal injury.
. The hill start assist system may not
prevent the vehicle from rolling
backwards on a hill under all load
or road conditions. Always be pre-
pared to depress the brake pedal to prevent the vehicle from rolling
backwards. Failure to do so may
result in a collision or serious per-
sonal injury.
The hill start assist system automatically keeps
the brakes applied to help prevent the vehicle
from rolling backwards in the time it takes the
driver to release the brake pedal and apply the
accelerator when the vehicle is stopped on a hill.
The hill start assist system will operate auto-
matically under the following conditions:
. The transmission is shifted to a forward or
reverse gear.
. The vehicle is stopped completely on a hill
by applying the brake.
The maximum holding time is 2 seconds. After 2
seconds the vehicle will begin to roll back and
the hill start assist system will stop operating
completely.
The hill start assist system will not operate when
the transmission is shifted to the N (Neutral) or P
(Park) position or on a flat and level road.
When the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
warning light illuminates in the meter, the hill
start assist system will not operate. (See
“Warning lights, indicator lights and audible
reminders” (P.2-10).)
HILL START ASSIST SYSTEM
5-132Starting and driving
so the vehicle will move away from the
center of the road if it moves.
4. Push the ignition switch to the OFF position.
SIC4474
The TOW MODE should be used when pulling a
heavy trailer or hauling a heavy load. Driving the
vehicle in the TOW MODE with no trailer/load or
light trailer/light load will not cause any damage.
However, fuel economy may be reduced, and
the transmission/engine driving characteristics
may feel unusual.
Push the TOW MODE switch to activate TOW
MODE. The indicator light on the TOW MODE
switch illuminates when the TOW MODE is
selected. Push the TOW MODE switch again to
turn the TOW MODE OFF.
TOW MODE is automatically canceled when the
ignition switch is placed in the OFF position.
SIC4454
For driving or starting the vehicle on snowy
roads or slippery areas, turn the SNOW mode
on.
To turn the SNOW mode on, push the SNOW
mode switch. The SNOW mode indicator light
on the meter panel will illuminate. When the
SNOW mode is activated, engine output is
controlled to avoid wheel spin.
To turn the SNOW mode off, push the switch
and the indicator on the meter panel will turn off.
Turn the SNOW mode off for normal driving and
fuel economy.
TOW MODE SNOW MODE
SSD0972
SONAR SYSTEM OFF SWITCH
The sonar system OFF switch on the lower side
of the instrument panel allows the driver to turn
the sonar system on and off. To turn the sonar
system on and off, the ignition switch must be in
the ON position. The indicator light
*1on the
switch will illuminate when the system is turned
off. If the indicator light flashes when the sonar
system is not turned off, it may indicate a
malfunction in the sonar system.
The sonar system will turn on automatically
under the following conditions.
. When the ignition switch is turned from the
OFF position to the ON position. .
When the shift lever is in the R (Reverse)
position.
. When the vehicle speed is less than 6 MPH
(10 km/h) .
The automatic turning on function can be turned
on and off by pushing the switch for more than 4
seconds.
WARNING
If the engine is not running or is turned
off while driving, the power assist for
the steering will not work. Steering will
be harder to operate.
The power assisted steering uses a hydraulic
pump, driven by the engine, to assist steering.
If the engine stops or the drive belt breaks, you
will still have control of the vehicle. However,
much greater steering effort is needed, espe-
cially in sharp turns and at low speeds.
Starting and driving5-135
POWER STEERING
5-136Starting and driving
BRAKING PRECAUTIONS
The brake system has two separate hydraulic
circuits. If one circuit malfunctions, you will still
have braking ability at two wheels.
You may feel a small click and hear a sound
when the brake pedal is fully depressed slowly.
This is not a malfunction and indicates that the
brake assist mechanism is operating properly.
Hydraulically-assisted brakes
The hydraulically-assisted brake system is de-
signed to use a hydraulic pump driven electri-
cally, to assist braking. If the engine stops, you
can stop the vehicle by depressing the foot
brake pedal. However, greater foot pressure on
the foot brake pedal will be required to stop the
vehicle. The stopping distance will be longer.
Wet brakes
When the vehicle is washed or driven through
water, the brakes may get wet. As a result, your
braking distance will be longer and the vehicle
may pull to one side during braking.
To dry brakes, drive the vehicle at a safe speed
while lightly tapping the brake pedal to heat-up
the brakes. Do this until the brakes return to
normal. Avoid driving the vehicle at high speeds
until the brakes function correctly.
PARKING BRAKE BREAK-IN
Break in the parking brake shoes whenever the
stopping effect of the parking brake is weakened
or whenever the parking brake shoes and/or
drums/rotors are replaced, in order to assure the
best braking performance.
This procedure is described in the vehicle
service manual. It is recommended you visit a
NISSAN dealer for this service.
Using the brakes
Avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal while
driving. This will cause overheating of the
brakes, wearing out the brake and pads faster
and reduce gas mileage.
To help save the brakes and to prevent the
brakes from overheating, reduce speed and
downshift to a lower gear before going down a
slope or long grade. Overheated brakes may
reduce braking performance and could result in
loss of vehicle control.
WARNING
.While driving on a slippery surface,
be careful when braking, accelerat-
ing or downshifting. Abrupt braking
or accelerating could cause the
wheels to skid and result in an accident.
. If the engine is not running or is
turned off while driving, the power
assist for the brakes will not work.
Braking will be harder.
BRAKE SYSTEM
BRAKE ASSIST
When the force applied to the brake pedal
exceeds a certain level, the Brake Assist is
activated generating greater braking force than a
conventional brake booster even with light pedal
force.
WARNING
The Brake Assist is only an aid to assist
braking operation and is not a collision
warning or avoidance device. It is the
driver’s responsibility to stay alert, drive
safely and be in control of the vehicle at
all times.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS)
WARNING
.The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
is a sophisticated device, but it
cannot prevent accidents resulting
from careless or dangerous driving
techniques. It can help maintain
vehicle control during braking on
slippery surfaces. Remember that
stopping distances on slippery sur-
faces will be longer than on normal surfaces even with ABS. Stopping
distances may also be longer on
rough, gravel or snow covered
roads, or if you are using tire chains.
Always maintain a safe distance
from the vehicle in front of you.
Ultimately, the driver is responsible
for safety.
. Tire type and condition may also
affect braking effectiveness.
— When replacing tires, install the
specified size of tires on all four
wheels.
— When installing a spare tire, make sure that it is the proper
size and type as specified on the
Tire and Loading Information
label. See “Tire and loading
information label” (P.10-12) .
— For detailed information, see “Wheels and tires” (P.8-30) .
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) controls
the brakes so the wheels do not lock during hard
braking or when braking on slippery surfaces.
The system detects the rotation speed at each
wheel and varies the brake fluid pressure to
prevent each wheel from locking and sliding. By preventing each wheel from locking, the system
helps the driver maintain steering control and
helps to minimize swerving and spinning on
slippery surfaces.
Using the system
Depress the brake pedal and hold it down.
Depress the brake pedal with firm steady
pressure, but do not pump the brakes. The
ABS will operate to prevent the wheels from
locking up. Steer the vehicle to avoid obstacles.
WARNING
Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so
may result in increased stopping dis-
tances.
Self-test feature
The ABS includes electronic sensors, electric
pumps, hydraulic solenoids and a computer. The
computer has a built-in diagnostic feature that
tests the system each time you start the engine
and move the vehicle at a low speed in forward
or reverse. When the self-test occurs, you may
hear a “clunk” noise and/or feel a pulsation in the
brake pedal. This is normal and does not
indicate a malfunction. If the computer senses
a malfunction, it switches the ABS off and
Starting and driving5-137
BRAKE ASSIST