WARNING
.Do not attempt to raise two wheels
off the ground and shift the trans-
mission to any drive or reverse
position with the engine running.
Doing so may result in drivetrain
damage or unexpected vehicle
movement which could result in
serious vehicle damage or personal
injury.
. Do not attempt to test a 4WD
equipped vehicle on a 2-wheel dy-
namometer or similar equipment
even if the other two wheels are
raised off the ground. Make sure
you inform test facility personnel
that your vehicle is equipped with
4WD before it is placed on a dy-
namometer. Using the wrong test
equipment may result in drivetrain
damage or unexpected vehicle
movement which could result in
serious vehicle damage or personal
injury.
CAUTION
.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 Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) warn-
ing light turns on when driving on
dry hard surface roads:
— in the 4HI position, shift the
4WD shift switch to AUTO.
— in the 4LO position, stop the vehicle and shift the transmis-
sion lever to the N (Neutral)
position with the brake pedal
depressed 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 possible. It is recom-
mended you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.
. The transfer case may be damaged
if you continue driving with the 4WD warning light blinking.
See “On-pavement and off-road driving precau-
tions” (P.5-9) for other precautions for offroad
driving.
NISSAN ALL-MODE 4WD ŠSYSTEM
The all mode 4WD system provides 3 positions
(AUTO, 4HI and 4LO) , so you can select the
desired drive mode according to the driving
conditions.
Starting and driving5-123
NISSAN ALL-MODE 4WD Š(if so
equipped)
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
5-136Starting 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
5-138Starting and driving
illuminates the ABS warning light on the
instrument panel. The brake system then oper-
ates normally, but without anti-lock assistance.
If the ABS warning light illuminates during the
self-test or while driving, have the vehicle
checked. It is recommended you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.
Normal operation
The ABS operates at speeds above 3 to 6 MPH
(5 to 10 km/h) . The speed varies according to
road conditions.
When the ABS senses that one or more wheels
are close to locking up, the actuator rapidly
applies and releases hydraulic pressure. This
action is similar to pumping the brakes very
quickly. You may feel a pulsation in the brake
pedal and hear a noise from under the hood or
feel a vibration from the actuator when it is
operating. This is normal and indicates that the
ABS is operating properly. However, the pulsa-
tion may indicate that road conditions are
hazardous and extra care is required while
driving.The Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system
uses various sensors to monitor driver inputs
and vehicle motion. Under certain driving con-
ditions, the VDC system helps to perform the
following functions.
.
Controls brake pressure to reduce wheel
slip on one slipping drive wheel so power is
transferred to a non slipping drive wheel on
the same axle.
. Controls brake pressure and engine output
to reduce drive wheel slip based on vehicle
speed (traction control function) .
. Controls brake pressure at individual wheels
and engine output to help the driver maintain
control of the vehicle in the following
conditions:
— understeer (vehicle tends to not follow
the steered path despite increased
steering input)
— oversteer (vehicle tends to spin due to certain road or driving conditions) .
The VDC system can help the driver to maintain
control of the vehicle, but it cannot prevent loss
of vehicle control in all driving situations.
When the VDC system operates, the VDC
warning light
in the instrument panel flashes
so note the following:
. The road may be slippery or the system may
determine some action is required to help keep the vehicle on the steered path.
. You may feel a pulsation in the brake pedal
and hear a noise or vibration from under the
hood. This is normal and indicates that the
VDC system is working properly.
. Adjust your speed and driving to the road
conditions.
If a malfunction occurs in the system, the VDC
warning light
illuminates in the instrument
panel. The VDC system automatically turns off.
The VDC OFF switch is used to turn off the VDC
system. The VDC off indicator
illuminates to
indicate the VDC system is off. When the VDC
switch is used to turn off the system, the VDC
system still operates to prevent one drive wheel
from slipping by transferring power to a non
slipping drive wheel. The VDC warning light
flashes if this occurs. All other VDC functions
are off, and the VDC warning lightwill not
flash. The VDC system is automatically reset to
on when the ignition switch is placed in the OFF
position then back to the ON position.
When the 4L position is selected with the 4WD
shift switch, the VDC system is disabled and the
VDC off indicator light illuminates (for 4WD
models) .
See “Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) warning
light” (P.2-17) and “Vehicle Dynamic Control
(VDC) off indicator light” (P.2-20).
VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC)
SYSTEM
6-2In case of emergency
SIC2574
Push the switch on to warn other drivers when
you must stop or park under emergency condi-
tions. All turn signal lights will flash.
WARNING
.If stopping for an emergency, be
sure to move the vehicle well off the
road.
. Do not use the hazard warning
flashers while moving on the high-
way unless unusual circumstances
force you to drive so slowly that
your vehicle might become a hazard to other traffic.
. Turn signals do not work when the
hazard warning flasher lights are
on.
The flasher can be actuated with the ignition
switch in any position.
When an impact that could activate the supple-
mental air bags is detected, the hazard warning
flasher lights blink automatically. If the hazard
warning flasher switch is pushed twice, the
hazard warning flashers will turn off.
WARNING
Do not turn the hazard warning flasher
switch to off until you can make sure
that it is safe to do so. Also, the hazard
flasher warning may not blink automa-
tically depending on the force of im-
pact.
Some state laws may prohibit the use of
the hazard warning flasher switch while
driving. In the event of a roadside emergency, Roadside
Assistance Service is available to you. Please
refer to your Warranty Information Booklet (U.S.)
or Warranty & Roadside Assistance Information
Booklet (Canada) for details.
HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
SWITCH
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM
To shut off the engine in an emergency situation
while driving, perform the following procedure:
.Rapidly push the push-button ignition switch
3 consecutive times in less than 1.5
seconds, or
. Push and hold the push-button ignition
switch for more than 2 seconds.TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYS-
TEM (TPMS)
This vehicle is equipped with the Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (TPMS) . It monitors tire
pressure of all tires except the spare. When
the low tire pressure warning light is lit and the
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE warning appears in
the vehicle information display, one or more of
your tires is significantly under-inflated. If the
vehicle is being driven with low tire pressure, the
TPMS will activate and warn you of it by the low
tire pressure warning light. This system will
activate only when the vehicle is driven at
speeds above 16 MPH (25 km/h) . For more
details, see “Warning lights, indicator lights and
audible reminders” (P.2-10) , “TIRE PRESSURE
information” (P.4-10) and “Tire Pressure Mon-
itoring System (TPMS)” (P.5-5) .
WARNING
.If the low tire pressure warning light
illuminates or LOW PRESSURE in-
formation is displayed on the moni-
tor screen while driving, avoid
sudden steering maneuvers or
abrupt braking, reduce vehicle
speed, pull off the road to a safe
location and stop the vehicle as soon as possible. Driving with un-
der-inflated tires may permanently
damage the tires and increase the
likelihood of tire failure. Serious
vehicle damage could occur and
may lead to an accident and could
result in serious personal injury.
Check the tire pressure for all four
tires. Adjust the tire pressure to the
recommended COLD tire pressure
shown on the Tire and Loading
Information label to turn the low
tire pressure warning light OFF. If
the light still illuminates while driv-
ing after adjusting the tire pressure,
a tire may be flat. If you have a flat
tire, replace it with a spare tire as
soon as possible.
. Since the spare tire is not equipped
with the TPMS, when a spare tire is
mounted or a wheel is replaced, the
TPMS will not function and the low
tire pressure warning light will flash
for approximately 1 minute. The
light will remain on after 1 minute.
Have your tires replaced and/or
TPMS system reset as soon as
possible. It is recommended you
visit a NISSAN dealer for these
services.
In case of emergency6-3
EMERGENCY ENGINE SHUT OFF FLAT TIRE
conditioner temperature control to maximum
hot and fan control to high speed.
3. If engine overheating is caused by climbing a long hill on a hot day, run the engine at a
fast idle (approximately 1,500 rpm) until the
temperature gauge indication returns to
normal.
4. Get out of the vehicle. Look and listen for steam or coolant escaping from the radiator
before opening the hood. (If steam or
coolant is escaping, turn off the engine.)
Do not open the hood further until no steam
or coolant can be seen.
5. Open the engine hood.
WARNING
If steam or water is coming from the
engine, stand clear to prevent getting
burned.
6. Visually check drive belts for damage or looseness. Also check if the cooling fan is
running. The radiator hoses and radiator
should not leak water. If coolant is leaking or
the cooling fan does not run, stop the
engine.
WARNING
Be careful not to allow your hands, hair,
jewelry or clothing to come into contact
with, or get caught in, engine belts or
the engine cooling fan. The engine
cooling fan can start at any time.
7. After the engine cools down, check the coolant level in the reservoir tank with the
engine running. Add coolant to the reservoir
tank if necessary. Have your vehicle re-
paired. It is recommended you visit a
NISSAN dealer for this service.
In case of emergency6-15
6-16In case of emergency
When towing your vehicle, all State (Provincial in
Canada) and local regulations for towing must
be followed. Incorrect towing equipment could
damage your vehicle. Towing instructions are
available from a NISSAN dealer. Local service
operators are familiar with the applicable laws
and procedures for towing. To assure proper
towing and to prevent accidental damage to
your vehicle, NISSAN recommends that you
have a service operator tow your vehicle. It is
advisable to have the service operator carefully
read the following precautions.
WARNING
.Never ride in a vehicle that is being
towed.
. Never get under your vehicle after it
has been lifted by a tow truck.
CAUTION
.When towing, make sure that the
transmission, axles, steering system
and powertrain are in working con-
dition. If any of these conditions
apply, dollies or a flatbed tow truck
must be used. .
Always attach safety chains before
towing.
For information about towing your vehicle behind
a recreational vehicle (RV) , see “Flat towing”
(P.10-29) .
TOWING YOUR VEHICLE