WARNING
Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so
may result in increased stopping
distances.
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 malfunc-
tion, it switches the ABS off and illuminates the
ABS warning light on the instrument panel. The
brake system then operates 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 that you visit a
NISSAN dealer for this service.
Normal operation
The ABS operates at speeds above3-6mph(5
- 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 ap-
plies 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 pulsation may indicate that road
conditions are hazardous and extra care is re-
quired while driving.●
ABLS system uses automatic braking to
transfer power from a slipping drive wheel to
the wheel on the same axle with more trac-
tion. The ABLS system applies braking to
the slipping wheel, which helps redirect
power to the other wheel.
● On 4WD models the ABLS system operates
in both 4H and 4LO modes. If 4WD mode is
engaged, the ABLS system operates for
both drive axles. On 2WD vehicles, the
ABLS system operates on the drive axle
only.
● The ABLS system is always ON. In some
conditions, the system may automatically
turn the ABLS system off. If the system is
automatically turned off, normal brake func-
tion will continue. ABLS will function even
when the VDC system is turned OFF.
● The ABLS does not operate if both wheels
on a drive axle are slipping.
ACTIVE BRAKE LIMITED SLIP (ABLS)
SYSTEM
5-36Starting and driving
WARNING
●The VDC system is designed to help the
driver maintain stability but does not
prevent accidents due to abrupt steer-
ing operation at high speeds or by care-
less or dangerous driving techniques.
Reduce vehicle speed and be especially
careful when driving and cornering on
slippery surfaces and always drive
carefully.
● Do not modify the vehicle’s suspension.
If suspension parts such as shock ab-
sorbers, struts, springs, stabilizer bars,
bushings and wheels are not NISSAN
recommended for your vehicle or are
extremely deteriorated, the VDC system
may not operate properly. This could
adversely affect vehicle handling per-
formance, and the
indicator may
flash or the
indicator light may
illuminate.
● If brake related parts such as brake
pads, rotors and calipers are not
NISSAN recommended or are extremely
deteriorated, the VDC system may not
operate properly and both the
andindicator light may
illuminate. ●
If engine control related parts are not
NISSAN recommended or are extremely
deteriorated, both the
and
the
indicator light may illuminate.
● When driving on extremely inclined sur-
faces such as higher banked corners,
the VDC system may not operate prop-
erly and the
indicator may flash or
the
indicator light may illuminate.
Do not drive on these types of roads.
● When driving on an unstable surface
such as a turntable, ferry, elevator or
ramp, the
indicator may flash or
the
indicator light may illuminate.
This is not a malfunction. Restart the
engine after driving onto a stable
surface.
● If wheels or tires other than the NISSAN
recommended ones are used, the VDC
system may not operate properly and
the
indicator may flash or
the
indicator light may illuminate.
● The VDC system is not a substitute for
winter tires or tire chains on a snow
covered road.
WARNING
●Never rely solely on the hill descent
control system to control vehicle speed
when driving on steep downhill grades.
Always drive carefully and attentively
when using the hill descent control sys-
tem and decelerate the vehicle speed by
depressing the brake pedal if neces-
sary. Be especially careful when driving
on frozen, muddy or extremely steep
downhill roads. Failure to control ve-
hicle speed may result in a loss of con-
trol of the vehicle and possible serious
injury or death.
● The hill descent control may not control
the vehicle speed on a hill under all load
or road conditions. Always be prepared
to depress the brake pedal to control
vehicle speed. Failure to do so may re-
sult in a collision or serious personal
injury.
The hill descent control system helps maintain
vehicle speed when driving under 15-21 mph
(25-35 km/h) on steeper downhill grades. Hill
descent control is useful when engine braking
alone in 4H or 4L cannot control vehicle speed.
Hill descent control applies the vehicle brakes to
control vehicle speed allowing the driver to con-
HILL DESCENT CONTROL SYSTEM (if
so equipped)
Starting and driving5-39
centrate on steering while reducing the burden of
brake and accelerator operation.● When additional braking is required on
steep downhill roads, activate the hill de-
scent control system by pushing the switch
ON. For additional information, refer to “Hill
descent control switch” in the “Instruments
and controls” section of this manual.
● Once the system is activated, the indicator
light will remain on in the instrument panel.
For additional information, refer to “Hill de-
scent control system on indicator light” in the
“Instruments and controls” section of this
manual.
If the accelerator or brake pedal is depressed
while the hill descent control system is on, the
system will stop operating temporarily. As soon
as the accelerator or brake pedal is released, the
hill descent control system begins to function
again if the hill descent control operating condi-
tions are fulfilled.
For the best results, when descending steep
downhill grades, the hill descent control switch
should be ON and the shift lever in 2 (Second
gear) or 1 (Low gear) for engine braking.WARNING
● Never rely solely on the hill start assist
system to prevent the vehicle from mov-
ing backward on a hill. Always drive
carefully and attentively. 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 ve-
hicle 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 de-
signed 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 may not prevent the
vehicle from rolling backwards on a hill
under all load or road conditions. Al-
ways be prepared to depress the brake
pedal to prevent the vehicle from rolling
backwards. Failure to do so may result
in a collision or serious personal injury. When the vehicle is stopped on a hill, the hill start
assist system automatically keeps the brakes ap-
plied. This helps prevents the vehicle from rolling
backward in the time it takes the driver to release
the brake pedal and apply the accelerator.
Hill start assist will operate automatically under
the following conditions:
● The shift lever 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
hill start assist will stop operating completely.
Hill start assist will not operate when the shift
lever is shifted into N (Neutral) or P (Park) or on a
flat and level road.
HILL START ASSIST SYSTEM (if so
equipped)
5-40Starting and driving
8 Do-it-yourself
Maintenance precautions...........................8-2
Engine compartment check locations ................8-3
Engine cooling system .............................8-5
Checking engine coolant level ...................8-6
Changing engine coolant ........................8-6
Engine oil .........................................8-7
Checking engine oil level ........................8-7
Changing engine oil ............................8-8
Changing engine oil filter ........................8-9
5-speed automatic transmission fluid (ATF)
(if so equipped) .................................. 8-10
Power steering fluid ............................... 8-11
Brake and clutch (if so equipped) fluid ..............8-11
Brake fluid .................................... 8-11
Clutch (if so equipped) fluid ....................8-12
Windshield-washer fluid ........................... 8-12
Windshield-washer fluid reservoir ...............8-12
Battery .......................................... 8-13
Jump starting ................................. 8-14
Variable voltage control system .....................8-15
Drive belt ........................................ 8-15
Spark plugs ...................................... 8-16Replacing spark plugs
......................... 8-16
Air cleaner ....................................... 8-17
In-cabin microfilter (if so equipped) ..............8-18
Windshield wiper blades .......................... 8-19
Cleaning ..................................... 8-19
Replacing .................................... 8-19
Brakes .......................................... 8-20
Fuses ........................................... 8-21
Engine compartment ........................... 8-21
Passenger compartment .......................8-22
Battery replacement .............................. 8-24
Key fob (if so equipped) ........................ 8-25
Lights ........................................... 8-26
Headlights .................................... 8-26
Fog lights (if so equipped) ......................8-27
Exterior and interior lights .......................8-28
Wheels and
tires ................................. 8-30
Tire pressure .................................. 8-30
Tire labeling ................................... 8-34
Types of tires .................................. 8-36
Tire chains .................................... 8-37
Changing wheels and tires .....................8-37
CAUTION
●After wiper blade replacement, return
the wiper arm to its original position;
otherwise it may be damaged when the
hood is opened.
● Make sure the wiper blades contact the
glass; otherwise the arms may be dam-
aged from wind pressure.
Be careful not to let anything get into the washer
nozzle
D. This may cause clogging or improper
windshield–washer operation. If something gets
into the nozzle, remove it with a needle or small
pin
C. If the brakes do not operate properly, have the
brakes checked. It is recommended that you visit
a NISSAN dealer for this service.
Self-adjusting brakes
Your vehicle is equipped with self-adjusting
brakes.
The front and rear disc-type brakes self-adjust
every time the brake pedal is applied.
WARNING
Have your brake system checked if the
brake pedal height does not return to nor-
mal. It is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN dealer for this service.
Brake pad wear indicators
The disc brake pads on your vehicle have audible
wear indicators. When a brake pad requires re-
placement, a high pitched scraping or screech-
ing sound will be heard when the vehicle is in
motion. The noise will be heard whether or not the
brake pedal is depressed. Have the brakes
checked as soon as possible if the wear indicator
sound is heard.
LDI2836
BRAKES
8-20Do-it-yourself
Make sure that the secondary latch keeps the
hood from opening when the primary latch is
released.
When driving in areas using road salt or other
corrosive materials, check lubrication frequently.
Lights*:Clean the headlights on a regular basis.
Make sure that the headlights, stop lights, tail
lights, turn signal lights, and other lights are all
operating properly and installed securely. Also
check headlight aim.
Road wheel nuts (lug nuts)*: When checking
the tires, make sure no wheel nuts are missing,
and check for any loose wheel nuts. Tighten if
necessary.
Tire rotation*: Tires should be rotated every
5,000 miles (8,000 km).
Tires*: Check the pressure with a gauge often
and always prior to long distance trips. If neces-
sary, adjust the pressure in all tires, including the
spare, to the pressure specified. Check carefully
for damage, cuts or excessive wear.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
transmitter components: Replace the TPMS
transmitter grommet seal, valve core and cap
when the tires are replaced due to wear or age. Wheel alignment and balance:
If the vehicle
should pull to either side while driving on a
straight and level road, or if you detect uneven or
abnormal tire wear, there may be a need for wheel
alignment. If the steering wheel or seat vibrates at
normal highway speeds, wheel balancing may be
needed.
For additional information regarding tires, refer to
“Important Tire Safety Information” (US) or “Tire
Safety Information” (Canada) in the Warranty In-
formation Booklet.
Windshield: Clean the windshield on a regular
basis. Check the windshield at least every six
months for cracks or other damage. Have a dam-
aged windshield repaired by a qualified repair
facility.
Windshield wiper blades*: Check for cracks
or wear if they do not wipe properly.
Inside the vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
checked on a regular basis, such as when per-
forming scheduled maintenance, cleaning the ve-
hicle, etc.
Accelerator pedal: Check the pedal for smooth
operation and make sure the pedal does not
catch or require uneven effort. Keep the floor mat
away from the pedal. Automatic transmission P (Park) mecha-
nism:
On a fairly steep hill check that the vehicle
is held securely with the shift lever in the P (Park)
position without applying any brakes.
Brake pedal: Check the pedal for smooth op-
eration. If the brake pedal suddenly goes down
further than normal, the pedal feels spongy or the
vehicle seems to take longer to stop, have your
vehicle checked immediately. It is recommended
that you visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
Keep the floor mat away from the pedal.
Brakes: Check that the brakes do not pull the
vehicle to one side when applied.
Parking brake: Check the parking brake opera-
tion regularly. The vehicle should be securely held
on a fairly steep hill with only the parking brake
applied. If the parking brake needs adjustment, it
is recommended that you visit a NISSAN dealer
for this service.
Seats: Check seat position controls such as
seat adjusters, seatback recliner, etc., to ensure
they operate smoothly and all latches lock se-
curely in every position. Check that the head
restraints/headrests move up and down
smoothly and the locks (if so equipped) hold
securely in all latched positions.
Maintenance and schedules9-3
TOWING LOAD/SPECIFICATION
King Cab 2WD (4 cyl) King Cab 2WD (6 cyl) King Cab 4WD (6 cyl) Crew Cab 2WDCrew Cab 4WD
Maximum Towing Capacity*1, *2, *3 3,500 lb. (1,588 kg) 6,500 lb. (2,949 kg) 6,300 lb. (2,858 kg) 6,300 lb. (2,858 kg) 6,100 lb. (2,767 kg)
Maximum Tongue Load*2, *3 350 lb. (158 kg) 650 lb. (295 kg)630 lb. (285 kg)630 lb. (285 kg)610 lb. (276 kg)
Maximum Gross Combined Weight
Rating 7,936 lb. (3,600 kg) 11,230 lb. (5,094 kg) 11,230 lb. (5,094 kg) 11,230 lb. (5,094 kg) 11,230 lb. (5,094 kg)
Maximum trailer frontal area 30sq feet (2.78 sq meters)
*1:
● The towing capacity is calculated using the SAE International SAE J2807 test method. Additional passengers, cargo and/or optional equipment will add
weight to the vehicle and reduce your vehicle’s maximum towing capacity.
● All towing above 1,000 lb (454 kg) requires the use of trailer brakes.
● NISSAN recommends the use of a tandem axle trailer whenever towing above 3,000 lb (1,361 kg).
*2: The maximum towing capacity when using the Genuine NISSAN step bumper as a ball mount is 3,500 lb. (1,588 kg) and 350 lb. (158 kg) tongue load.
*3: Use of a weight-distributing hitch system is recommended when towing over 5,000 lbs.
Technical and consumer information10-31
Bumper towing
The Genuine NISSAN step bumper has provi-
sions to install a trailer hitch ball and is designed
to tow trailers of a maximum weight of 3,500 lb
(1,588 kg).
To install a trailer hitch ball cut out the circle in the
center of the step bumper
A, then remove it to
install the trailer hitch ball.
Weight carrying hitches
A weight carrying or “dead weight” ball mount is
one that is designed to carry the whole amount of
tongue weight and gross weight directly on the
ball mount and on the receiver.
Weight distribution hitch
This type of hitch is also called a “load-leveling” or
“equalizing” hitch. A set of bars attach to the ball
mount and to the trailer to distribute the tongue
weight (hitch weight) of your trailer. Many ve-
hicles can’t carry the full tongue weight of a given
trailer, and need some of the tongue weight
transferred through the frame and pushing down
on the front wheels. This gives stability to the tow
vehicle.
A weight-distributing hitch system (Class IV) is
recommended if you plan to tow trailers with a
maximum weight over 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg).
Check with the trailer and towing equipment
manufacturers to determine if they recommend
the use of a weight-distributing hitch system.
NOTE:
A weight-distributing hitch system may af-
fect the operation of trailer surge brakes. If
you are considering use of a weight-
distributing hitch system with a surge
brake-equipped trailer, check with the
surge brake, hitch or trailer manufacturer
to determine if and how this can be done.
Follow the instructions provided by the manufac-
turer for installing and using the weight-
distributing hitch system. General set-up instructions are as follows:
1. Park unloaded vehicle on a level surface. With the ignition on and the doors closed,
allow the vehicle to stand for several minutes
so that it can level.
2. Measure the height of a reference point on the front and rear bumpers at the center of
the vehicle.
3. Attach the trailer to the vehicle and adjust the hitch equalizers so that the front bumper
height is within0-.5inches (0 – 13 mm) of
the reference height measured in step 2. The
rear bumper should be no higher than the
reference height measured in step 2.
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.
LTI0132
Technical and consumer information10-33